Pathfinder MK1 PbP Game

[dwarvenranger]

Afraid Idk, Ishi just speaks Minkaian, Tien (because those are the languages listed under Minkai) and draconic (because it makes sense).

[Corsair]

Got my Pathfinder 1 CRB yesterday and trying to absorb all of it. Tchono the Half-orc will be getting "fleshed out" in the next few days, was pretty pleased when I re-read the opening post and realized we could re-roll 1s! Went from okay stats to really solid.

[MaskedRiderChris]

3 hours ago, Arkady said:

My backstory is way to focused on the bard-preacher at this point. Baseline bard it is, then!

 

Hmm. Do Tian Xia Oni even commonly use a racial language? The languages entry in the Dragon Empires books does hint at Abyssal, but the lore for the Oni Kingdom of Chu Ye only lists languages matching the common servitor/slave races, which suggests the oni rulers don't actually truck with Abyssal. Asking for a foxy friend who might take Linguistics ranks.

DM fiat in effect; I declare that yes, they will speak Abyssal. Makes it easier.

 

In other gnus? I've got one excellent back story already (thank you, Arkady), I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of you throw my way in that realm, as well as character sheets. I've got one character sheet done already (our monk/sorcerer) and one complete back story (our ranging bard), but I'd like to see what else y'all have to offer so we can get this show on the road. What say you all? :)

[Arkady]

Let's hit the road.

 

Hopefully it doesn't have as many HP as a gazebo.

[dwarvenranger]

Ishiro's got a couple of fireballs coming on line just in case we run into a gazebo.

[MaskedRiderChris]

In the interest of RP leading up until we begin proper--still waiting on the other two for finished concepts & bios--if the two of you are traveling together, feel free to begin interacting. Or feel free to start posting POV stuff from your characters as well. Either way, let's get some flavor going, here. :)

[Arkady]

Well, if the monkserer met Hoshiko on the road, he would presumably have done sostopping in some village, where he would have witnessed a Kitsune, bearing the holy symbol of the Goddess of the North Star (Desna), ostensibly a wandering priest or preacher, relating a a tale he'd not heard before. Given that over time, I'm sure the party is going to hear that tale a lot, here it is for easy linking to:

 

The Tale of the Fall of Morinuhata

“My people had know for a few weeks that something was amiss. There was unrest amongst the guardian spirits in the surrounding woods; a band of oni was making its way from a tainted region deep within the Forest of Spirits toward the edge, and the kami believed the vile spirits were looking to desecrate a hallowed ginko grove about two days’ travel from our village. Our elders agreed, so the adults set out to aid the guardians in defending the grove against the desecrators.

 

Among the young Kitsune left in our village, Subayai, a proud vixen of vibrant Auburn fur, was the eldest. Like me, second oldest of the lot, she loved heroic tales of the outside world, and we both weren’t so sure the kami were right. A scout as fast as the winds, observant as an eagle, Subayai set out to spy on the oni. When she returned, she confirmed our fears: the dark spirits approaching the forest’s edge bore the wicked gear of monsters not after ginko, but human chattel.

 

We had to try and warn the people of nearby Morinuhata of such grave danger! But we were not sure how, for we knew the humans were a superstitious, distrustful lot. If we went there in human guise, surely they would assume the doomsaying strangers are Kitsune playing a cruel trick; yet if we went there as our true selves, they would be just as certain.

 

A clever fox, Subayai opted for a third path. Bidding me to observe from afar, she alone approached them in her human form, only to reveal her true self right before the humans. She pleaded with them to accept this as a gesture of good faith, and to heed her warning. But it was to no avail: the superstitious humans still assumed it was all just some cruel Kitsune joke, and chased her off like a rabid animal! Thus, the people of Morinuhata, blinded by their prejudice, doomed themselves.

 

As the oni descended on the human village that day, Subayai went to observe the doomed village. Meanwhile, I gathered the other young ones in our own community to give prayer to the gods, that they might grant the humans merciful, quick deaths. They were sad, but resigned that is all they could do, an act of compassion for a village that would soon fade into obscurity

.

The following night, I went to the smoking ruins of Morinuhata, to see if there was anyone left alive that I might save. Alas, not a soul, though that was not the worst of it. Our own Subayai was among the dead! Against all odds, despite their folly, she had tried to aid the humans.

 

That is when I looked to the starry skies, asking the gods how tragedy like this might be averted. And the North Star sparkled brightly, and illuminated the scene before me so I might truly see: she half sat there, her back propped up against a young human’s, her hand tenderly holding his. Seeing her heroism, her willingness to aid them despite it all, late – too late – he had truly accepted her!

 

By the grace of the Goddess of the North Star, I understood: Morinuhata must not be forgotten, but be a cautionary tale for both our people. A tale of what tragedy distrust and superstition will beget. A tale of how one Kitsune and one man in their darkest hour overcame such pettiness.

 

But that alone will not be enough. More humans must see, must understand, what a Kitsune pure of heart is willing to do for the good of all peoples under the stars, that they can trust Kitsune in their hour of need, so that next time, the next village will heed the warning, the next village will not needlessly fall.

 

And with the Goddess of the North Star as my guiding light then, now, and forever, I, Hoshiku, shall be the Kitsune to show them.”

[Corsair]

"Runt" was all he had ever been called. The Human woman who bore him died in child birth and the half-orc was passed from one feeder, no one would call them mothers, to receive leftovers and scraps. Amazingly he survived and learned how to endure, becoming wary and learning to make his own way and weapons as a Winterborn Orc would. At 8 years old he was taken along to escort a caravan from Avistan across the Crown to the Dragon Empire. As they traveled, Runt was amazed and fascinated by the way the human riders of a land called Hongal behaved with courtesy and respect to one another, their unbelievable skill upon their horses and their explosive ferocity that stunned all who watched them fight when raiders attacked the caravan. He began to study and listen, learning their language. During one attack he killed his first goblin but was stabbed by another before killing him too. Weal from losing blood, the orcs simply left him behind when he could no longer keep up. Within his few possessions, he had a flint and steel, so he made himself a small fire but when he looked up a wolf was eying him, smelling the blood and looking for his dinner.

The next morning, Allard Liao rode his speedy mount along the back trail, looking for any signs of pursuit. Seeing a wolf staggering towards him, he drew his bow, preparing to put the animal down but it's movements were so strange, he instead watched. All of a sudden, he realized it was not a bloody, wounded wolf, but the young half-orc called Runt, wrapped in the pelt of a wolf. Riding over, he realized what had happened. As he rode up, Runt held a hand chipped obsidian knife towards Allard, ready to fight. "The wolf is mine!" he snarled. Allard dismounted, and bowed! "Yes. The wolf is yours, and well done. Now ride with me, and learn the ways of the Hongal Riders. Your name is no longer Runt, but Tchono, the Wolf."

 

Sixteen years later, Tchono was no longer a runt, but stood 6'5" and almost 269 pounds of greenish gray power. Towering over Allard and his father Kai, who had trained him in the ways of the Hongal, he had proven both smart and tough, a true warrior and rider, well respected among his adopted tribe. He could not abide unfair treatment or bullying, even among the caravans that his tribe escorted. His horse, Shojiki, tossed his head back in the cold air as they saw a rider approach from the steppes towards the gathering of the tribes. The rider went stright to the tent of their baga bohd, and the rider spoke quickly to their leader. "Tchono! Come quickly" riding over, he dismounted and bowed "How may I serve?" This is Sensei Imarra, and this is a matter from the Kiriltai Khan himself for you."

 

"The Khan has heard serious rumors that war is about to break out in Minkai, due to the Higashiyama Clan's actions. This could seriously affect all the Lands of the Dragon, you will go there, not as a Samurai or Ronin, but as a warrior there to see about interest in whether we should bring horses there for stud service. Watch, listen and measure what is happening. Write it often, I will send messengers to you for these reports. Remain subtle as a mouse if you can, but if honor speaks,act! "

[Arkady]

That reminds me, full disclosure: in-character and actual backstory may differ, particularly in parts where the un-embellished truth would be a tad too boring to make for a good legend and/or paint the Kitsune elders in a less-than-flattering light.

 

Also, Hoshiku relates his First Steps Among Humans

“Having held one final vigil at the ruins of Morinuhata, entreating the Goddess of the North Star to let her beacon guide any sad souls that might still linger to the afterlife, I set forth on the road I knew would take me further from the forest, deeper into human lands.

 

I honestly do not remember how far I traveled, for every step felt as putting a league between me and my old life, and every moment was likewise drawn out. What I do remember quite clearly, however, is eventually spotting another village on the horizon. It may sound strange to you, but to me, at the time, it was a glorious sight to behold, for I knew: this was the first key step on the path the Goddess of the North Star had laid out for me.

 

As I drew closer to the village, I could see people from afar, and they me. They were indifferent at first, until I came near enough for them to realize I was not a common traveler, but unabashed Kitsune. And thus I saw how much humans are as Kitsune: the elders would then show distrust, even fear of that not akin to them, while the innocence of children allowed for curiosity and wonder.

 

And by the grace of the Goddess of the North Star, I understood: the children would be my path to the humans hearts and minds. So I encouraged them in their curiosity and wonder, to feel the Auburn fur that tempted them so, to inquire what they wished, as I gathered them around. And when I had plenty of children encircling me, I said, ‘Enough about me, a humble fox. Would you not rather hear the tale of Setsuna Kuga, the Perfect Swordswoman, she who ended the corruption of Teikoko so Minkai might rise?’

 

Of course the children had heard of her legend, as they knew it was a magnificent tale of a truly worthy hero, and they eagerly agreed to hear it, hoping it might be even better when told by such an unusual narrator. And for the children, indeed it was a truly special telling! For never before had they heard the emphasis on certain details my kind find particularly fascinating, ones that tell us she was a very clever swordswoman. And for the children’s parents, and the children’s grandparents, it was a telling that gave them pause, that had them wondering just what to make of this fox.

 

When I was done, it was late in the evening, and I told the children that late as it was, they should be good and head to bed. The little ones scurrying off, eager to show they deserved more legends another day, and I turned to the adults, the ones that had been observing, wondering, and I said, ‘Setsuna Kuga’s tale is good to inspire the little ones, but the tale I truly need to tell is a terrible one not for their ears. Now they are off to dream of the perfect Swordswoman, I would tell you of Morinuhata.’

 

And they listened as I told them of a village too superstitious to heed a well-intentioned warning, a village that met its doom at the hands of oni, and a good villager who in the end found his trust in a brave vixen, Subayai, who died among humans, trying to save them. And I said, ‘I am Hoshiku, and by the grace of the Goddess of the North Star, I shall do all I can to ensure never again shall such tragedy befall because of misguided mistrust.’ And as I spoke, I pointed to the sky, and the North Star sparkled brightly, and they understood.”

[MaskedRiderChris]

11 hours ago, Corsair said:

"Runt" was all he had ever been called. The Human woman who bore him died in child birth and the half-orc was passed from one feeder, no one would call them mothers, to receive leftovers and scraps. Amazingly he survived and learned how to endure, becoming wary and learning to make his own way and weapons as a Winterborn Orc would. At 8 years old he was taken along to escort a caravan from Avistan across the Crown to the Dragon Empire. As they traveled, Runt was amazed and fascinated by the way the human riders of a land called Hongal behaved with courtesy and respect to one another, their unbelievable skill upon their horses and their explosive ferocity that stunned all who watched them fight when raiders attacked the caravan. He began to study and listen, learning their language. During one attack he killed his first goblin but was stabbed by another before killing him too. Weal from losing blood, the orcs simply left him behind when he could no longer keep up. Within his few possessions, he had a flint and steel, so he made himself a small fire but when he looked up a wolf was eying him, smelling the blood and looking for his dinner.

The next morning, Allard Liao rode his speedy mount along the back trail, looking for any signs of pursuit. Seeing a wolf staggering towards him, he drew his bow, preparing to put the animal down but it's movements were so strange, he instead watched. All of a sudden, he realized it was not a bloody, wounded wolf, but the young half-orc called Runt, wrapped in the pelt of a wolf. Riding over, he realized what had happened. As he rode up, Runt held a hand chipped obsidian knife towards Allard, ready to fight. "The wolf is mine!" he snarled. Allard dismounted, and bowed! "Yes. The wolf is yours, and well done. Now ride with me, and learn the ways of the Hongal Riders. Your name is no longer Runt, but Tchono, the Wolf."

 

Sixteen years later, Tchono was no longer a runt, but stood 6'5" and almost 269 pounds of greenish gray power. Towering over Allard and his father Kai, who had trained him in the ways of the Hongal, he had proven both smart and tough, a true warrior and rider, well respected among his adopted tribe. He could not abide unfair treatment or bullying, even among the caravans that his tribe escorted. His horse, Shojiki, tossed his head back in the cold air as they saw a rider approach from the steppes towards the gathering of the tribes. The rider went stright to the tent of their baga bohd, and the rider spoke quickly to their leader. "Tchono! Come quickly" riding over, he dismounted and bowed "How may I serve?" This is Sensei Imarra, and this is a matter from the Kiriltai Khan himself for you."

 

"The Khan has heard serious rumors that war is about to break out in Minkai, due to the Higashiyama Clan's actions. This could seriously affect all the Lands of the Dragon, you will go there, not as a Samurai or Ronin, but as a warrior there to see about interest in whether we should bring horses there for stud service. Watch, listen and measure what is happening. Write it often, I will send messengers to you for these reports. Remain subtle as a mouse if you can, but if honor speaks,act! "

OOC: So Tchono is Ronin in class only? I'm a bit confused. I can roll with this, however, no problem.

 

IC: Tchono rapidly has come to like the ryokan called "Baba", because while inexpensive (AKA cheap) the food is decent enough and the drink surprisingly good. Also, although it is in a somewhat sketchy part of town? Most people give someone as big, green, and scary looking as you are your space. Probably thinking you're some kind of oni at first sight. The people you actually have dealt with, while much smaller than you--you tower head and shoulders over most everybody here--once they got over your appearance, were almost fawning polite to you. Whether it's because they truly want to give you what you want or because they want you to leave them be, you've yet to figure out. City folks are weird like that, you're learning in your time here. Almost elaborately polite to each other by your standards, anyway, they are. 

 

In regards to your mission, in the brief time you've been here, you're beginning to find that, as per usual, the rumors of war brewing are slightly exaggerated in the telling. Not by much, but this is not quite the hotbed of upset you'd been led to think it was. Simmering resentment against the Higashiyama Clan, certainly, but simmering enough that with a bit of prodding in the right direction? You may not be much of a cook yourself, but you know that a simmer can be coaxed into a boil in little time; whether it boils contentedly or boils over is a matter of finessing and observation. Among other things of note you've heard (and likely relayed to the Khan in your letters); the city is in the grip of a fearsome cult that is affiliated with the Higashiyama fancifully known as the Flaming Fang Cult. Perhaps the fact that those who speak too loudly against the Higashiyama tend to be assaulted by the minions of said cult and made examples of contributes to this state of affairs? Between them and the dreaded (and much spoken of in private) Devil Mask shinobi (ninjas) the Clan are known to employ for more subtle maneuvers, you suspect this is perhaps the greatest reason that most people prefer to keep their heads down and not say too much in public. Something that (likely) galls you.

 

One pleasant morning, when you're taking breakfast at Baba, someone comes in that provokes a startled reaction from the kindly old lady who runs the front of the house.

 

"Welcome to--oh, M'Lord! What can this humble old lady do for you today?!" A pleasant chuckle and a mellifluous male baritone voice replies in a soothing tone:

 

"I'm not that far up, Oba-san. But this servant would like to procure a private room in the back of your establishment, that I might take tea in peace?" The elderly lady falls all over herself assuring the newcomer this is easily done and hustles him to the room in question. At first glimpse he is a striking figure, when you notice him for the first time; as tall as you are, at least, but of a more slender build that makes him look taller than he is, clad in a simple purple kimono, a large straw hat obscuring his features that long silky auburn hair falls down from, providing a pleasant contrast to the color of his garb. You also notice that his Minkaian has an unusual accent you can't place immediately. A moment after they walk past you, all of a sudden that same voice murmurs in your ear, as though he's whispering into it:

 

"Do please come meet me in this room she is taking me to--my employer would like me to have words with you in private about working for him."

[MaskedRiderChris]

I'm going to go ahead and transfer this last post into the The Playing forum to get it started correctly, as well, if y'all don't mind...the title is "Pathfinder MK1 Game--Tian Xia Shenanigans".

[Corsair]

Couldn't resist playing around on Heroforge for Hoshiku

 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Corsair

[Arkady]

Looks good (and you even guessed they eye color!), but it totally needs more Starknife instead of whatever those weird weapons are 😜

 

(Also, going to be an orator-drummer, no strings attached. Bad pun drum beat!)

[MaskedRiderChris]

Waiting for our last player to finish up so I can start incorporating them into the story I'm beginning to unfurl as of now. @dwarvenranger, I began the thread proper in the "The Playing" forum, so feel free to pop Ishiro in there whenever you're up to it; @Kangaroorex, I've not heard from you in a bit, unless I've accidentally overlooked any emails you may have sent me recently?

[Corsair]