voca.ro/17PA3kUOafS7Beyond mortal senses, beyond your reality, there lurks a boundless plane. It permeates your world and fills the void between worlds. It is the border between the lands of the living and of the dead. There, mind and matter become one; thought and passion, fear and yearning can become more tangible than iron. It is the Ethereal Plane.Somewhere, lurking deep within those ethereal mists, a dark and nameless dimension is ruled by dark and nameless powers. Some say it is a prison for the damned; some say it is a crucible to test the virtuous. Others simply call it home. It is a land of mist and shadow, love and death, sacrifice and seduction, beauty and horror. It is a land of whispered fears made manifest. Welcome to the Land of Mists. Welcome to the crucible of virtue and the spoils of damnation. Welcome to the Realm of Dread.
>>6479343It is April of 759, per the Barovian Calendar. 19 years have passed since the Great Upheaval, when the land was rent asunder and the Core, the largest geographical formation of the known world, was reshaped. Doom prophets speak of the Time of Unparalleled Darkness, predicted to arrive in scant twenty years. Others still argue that the long night fell upon this world well over four centuries ago, and instead moves toward its glorious dawn. In these uncertain times, a sentiment grows that this world creeps steadily toward some uncertain fate. Whether this world's destiny lies in darkness or light, it will be mortals - be they heroes or villains - who determine what is to come.You will inhabit the story of one such individual. Each faces a unique challenge, and has a different means of facing the daunting tasks ahead of them. Below their name, race, class, country of origin, and backstory are provided.Whose destiny will you pursue?>Nebet (Human, Shadowcrafter, Har'Akir) The next in a long time of magicians charged with guarding a text too terrible for imagination and more ancient than ancient, the Medjat en Ren Shetau, you awaken one night to find your grandfather slain by adventurers, the forbidden scroll stolen. Armed with the dark secrets of lost ages, you depart from the sun-baked familiarity of home for the exotic and misty land known as the Core, to recover the Medjat and prevent an unthinkable calamity - by any means necessary. >Doctor Laurent Goodfellow (Halfling, Vigilante, Darkon) A detective and hunter of wicked men and monsters, you emerged from the urban squalor of the kingdom known as Darkon and went on to earn your higher education. A fortnight ago, the baron of the city of Karg, Lord Cassian Varell, had sent his summons for you. His daughter Aureliana is possessed with a strange disease of the mind or spirit that has reduced her to a docile husk, and neither the arts arcane nor the healing touch of a priest have been able to cure her. He suspects foul play or some malicious magic, and seeks to undo whatever has befallen his beloved child. He will spare no expense in exchange for her deliverance. >Camille Carovitsi (Caliban, Master of Masks, Borca) A man born with a supernatural mutation conferring you with a haunting beauty and alluring voice, you are treated as a novelty and freak on account of your exotic features. A noble family purchased you at a young age and you performed as their best entertainer for decades before their fortunes fell. Falling in with organized crime to survive, you soon found yourself enslaved by the powerful magics of the nobleman Silvio Bellavaux, whom you suspect is no mere man. Now you must do his bidding against your will - and seek your freedom from his spell at your peril.
>>6479344>NebetBitchin!
>>6479344>Nebet (Human, Shadowcrafter, Har'Akir) The next in a long time of magicians charged with guarding a text too terrible for imagination and more ancient than ancient, the Medjat en Ren Shetau, you awaken one night to find your grandfather slain by adventurers, the forbidden scroll stolen. Armed with the dark secrets of lost ages, you depart from the sun-baked familiarity of home for the exotic and misty land known as the Core, to recover the Medjat and prevent an unthinkable calamity - by any means necessary.
>>6479344>Doctor Laurent Goodfellow
>>6479344>>Nebet
>>6479344>Doctor Laurent GoodfellowSpooky hobbit detective is too good to pass up. Excited for this quest!
>>6479344>>Camille Carovitsi (Caliban, Master of Masks, Borca) A man born with a supernatural mutation conferring you with a haunting beauty and alluring voice, you are treated as a novelty and freak on account of your exotic features. A noble family purchased you at a young age and you performed as their best entertainer for decades before their fortunes fell. Falling in with organized crime to survive, you soon found yourself enslaved by the powerful magics of the nobleman Silvio Bellavaux, whom you suspect is no mere man. Now you must do his bidding against your will - and seek your freedom from his spell at your peril.
>>6479343>>Nebet (Human, Shadowcrafter, Har'Akir)
>>6479344>>NebetGod I love the name.
Vote closed. Nebet wins, narrowly. These initial updates will come a little quicker than usual while we get things established.>>6479401Poor Camille. But perchance he will get a second chance to suffer in a hypothetical future Pathfinder quest.
>>6479453In the meantime, here's some geography...
>>6479453I did quite like Camille, the idea of being a man outside society by birth, the low and dark start, etc. You can practically see a split road of whether to follow through with surrendering to dark urges, and darker powers, due to our lot in life, or whether we can find happiness. It writes itself practically.Just didn't quite feel like it atm.
You stand in the streets of the town of Muhar beneath the shade of the immaculate Temple of Osiris, the hewn sandstone gilded by the fiery glow of the midday sun. This place was once the seat of the proud and mighty Akiri Empire, prosperous and powerful beyond imagination by Ra's mandate. Today, it is a ruin, a hamlet of mud brick houses subsisting on commerce with distant lands, infested with foreigners and barbarians, and the 'adventurers' who come to plunder the buried wealth of your esteemed ancestors. One such band of foreign thieves infiltrated the sanctum of the Medjat en Ren Shetau in the night whilst you slumbered, slaughtering the scroll's protectors, your grandfather among them, before absconding with the forbidden text and the secrets contained therein. Though you yourself are not privy to the truth of its contents, you are well aware that calamity will befall this world should it fall into the wrong hands.Bordering the lands of Har'Akir and its neighboring nations is a seemingly impenetrable mist which descended upon the empire centuries ago, shortly after its tragic fall. Though ordinarily difficult or impossible to navigate, a nation of nomadic people who call themselves 'Vistani' know the secret behind traversing the perilous geography of your world. Dressed in vibrant clothing, the few dozen belonging to this clan of Vistani carry their lives with them in wagons known as 'vardos.'You have journeyed to Muhar to treat with these nomads and bargain for passage to pursue the thieves. Though they allege not to know the identities of the killers, you have no means of verifying this, and are not inclined to trust them besides. Yet still, an older woman, the raunie - a sort of tribal leader in their culture, as you understand - assures that she can take you to the nation beyond the mists to which the reprobates fled, and do so at no expense."You will help me find the Medjat en Ren Shetau and my grandfather's murderers?" You ask her.With a toothy grin, the elder lady, Madame Pesha as she is called, observes you with her one good eye. "I will help you find your destiny," she states with the utmost surety.
>>6479482These are your Attributes. Assign one value from 14, 12, 10, 8 to each, with 14 being the best, and 8, the worst. Note that all Attributes will be useful for every character in and out of combat, although Nebet is a caster of spells, not a warrior. For those not concerned, all of the math will be done by the QM. >Strength - Brawn, constitution, physical power, and durability. Your Health is equal to your Strength score + 10. >Agility - Quickness, poise, and reflexes. Your Defense is equal to your Agility score, modified or replaced by armor. >Intellect - Cunning, wit, memory, and education. Your Perception is equal to your Intellect score. Add half your Intellect to Power. Any roll to resist your spells must equal or exceed your Intellect.>Will - Courage, discipline, and sense of self. Your Power is equal to your Will score plus half your Intellect score, which is used for casting spells. You are a human, a versatile species that can become capable of a great many things. Choose any one attribute to increase by +2. You will have the opportunity to determine several important facts about Nebet's past shortly.
>>6479470Agreed on all counts. I'm running a quest about a dark-aligned, marked from birth handsome lad trying to break out of bondage already, so it felt redundant to vote for him. But I like the idea!>>6479482This origin amusingly has similarities to what I'm running as well, but I am still pretty excited. Kind of feels like we're playing Shadi or a memebr of that cult from the newest Mummy movie.>>6479484>14 Intellect, 12 Will, 10 Agility, 8 Strength>+2 to AgilityWe are a scholar after all.
>>6479484>14 Intellect, 12 Will, 10 Agility, 8 Strength>+2 to Intellect>>6479510Oh? What quest?
>>6479484>14 Intellect, 12 Will, 10 Agility, 8 Strength>+2 to IntellectNice character art
>>647948414 will, 12 intellect, 10 strength, 8 agility. Constitution +2
>>6479546Constitution isn't a separate stat here. It's part of strength.
>>6479453I kinda wanted to vote for Camille, but it was already pretty clear dude wouldn't win, so I voted for Nebet
Vote closed. Camille didn't win. But those of you familiar with my previous work will know that his story isn't over.
The deal is struck, and you've secured your transportation to lands unknown. Settling comfortably on the cushioned seat of the vardo, you are seated with Madame Pesha alone, who settles into a comfortable silence with you as you ride off into the distant sunset toward the land's misty border, commencing your journey to parts unknown...There will be many opportunities to delve further into Nebet's past. Last, you will determine some key facts about who she is, and what she can do. Skills provide a +5 bonus to any roll where they are relevant to the context, while Feats change how you can engage with the world.
>>6479734You were not always a sorceress proficient in the arts of shadowcraft and illusion inherited from your predecessors. Though your life and youthful vigor have been prolonged through arcane techniques passed on for generations, even you were once an ingenue, albeit a particularly wanton one. As a young lady, you became infamed for the mayhem that followed in your wake. You are that woman no longer, though you recall the experiences fondly, and have retained the talents you had accumulated during that time besides.>I leveraged my natural assets to cajole men - and sometimes women - into fulfilling whatever whims possessed me in those days. (Gain skill: Gilded Allure)>I operated a ring of urchins, beggars, and pickpockets to enrich myself and spent my gains extravagantly. (Gain skill: Bazaar Spider)Long have you honed your talents, spending countless hours in the expansive library of your home in the Sanctum of Ren Shetau, poring over aged papyrus and whatever books the traders brought to Muhar. Gifted in the magical arts though you are, there is more to life than simply casting spells, and you have accumulated broad knowledge in various subjects. Yet there is one subject which you have mastered above all others.>Mine is the study of the past, both ancient and very recent. I am versed in the cultures and histories of lands distant and near. (Gain skill: Queen Antiquarian)>The body and its inner workings speak to me. I am intimately acquainted with the physical form and myriad alchemical solutions. (Gain skill: Mistress of Physic)As you truly came into your own as a sorceress, your grandfather often had you duel your adoptive younger brother, Arzu, to further your development as magicians. A friendly rivalry blossomed between the two of you as you each endeavored to outdo the other, but the outcome of that very first contest defined your later career.>Naturally, I was victorious. He would prove to be the better magician in the end, but I possess greater potential. (Gain feat: Spellcasting Prodigy)>I was soundly trounced by Arzu's clever spellcraft, and from that day on I have endeavored to study twice as hard. (Gain feat: Knowledge Devotion)
>>6479736>I operated a ring of urchins, beggars, and pickpockets to enrich myself and spent my gains extravagantly. (Gain skill: Bazaar Spider)>Mine is the study of the past, both ancient and very recent. I am versed in the cultures and histories of lands distant and near. (Gain skill: Queen Antiquarian)>I was soundly trounced by Arzu's clever spellcraft, and from that day on I have endeavored to study twice as hard. (Gain feat: Knowledge Devotion)
>>6479736>>I leveraged my natural assets to cajole men - and sometimes women - into fulfilling whatever whims possessed me in those days. (Gain skill: Gilded Allure)>Mine is the study of the past, both ancient and very recent. I am versed in the cultures and histories of lands distant and near. (Gain skill: Queen Antiquarian)>I was soundly trounced by Arzu's clever spellcraft, and from that day on I have endeavored to study twice as hard. (Gain feat: Knowledge Devotion)
>>6479736>I operated a ring of urchins, beggars, and pickpockets to enrich myself and spent my gains extravagantly. (Gain skill: Bazaar Spider)>The body and its inner workings speak to me. I am intimately acquainted with the physical form and myriad alchemical solutions. (Gain skill: Mistress of Physic)>Naturally, I was victorious. He would prove to be the better magician in the end, but I possess greater potential. (Gain feat: Spellcasting Prodigy)
>>6479736>I operated a ring of urchins, beggars, and pickpockets to enrich myself and spent my gains extravagantly. (Gain skill: Bazaar Spider)Hence our interest in artefacts.>Mine is the study of the past, both ancient and very recent. I am versed in the cultures and histories of lands distant and near. (Gain skill: Queen Antiquarian)Hence our scholastic zeal and high intellect.>I was soundly trounced by Arzu's clever spellcraft, and from that day on I have endeavored to study twice as hard. (Gain feat: Knowledge Devotion)Underdogs are best dogs.>>6479530>What quest?It's on Akun, alas.
>>6479736>I leveraged my natural assets to cajole men - and sometimes women - into fulfilling whatever whims possessed me in those days. (Gain skill: Gilded Allure)>Mine is the study of the past, both ancient and very recent. I am versed in the cultures and histories of lands distant and near. (Gain skill: Queen Antiquarian)>I was soundly trounced by Arzu's clever spellcraft, and from that day on I have endeavored to study twice as hard. (Gain feat: Knowledge Devotion)
>>6479736>>I operated a ring of urchins, beggars, and pickpockets to enrich myself and spent my gains extravagantly. (Gain skill: Bazaar Spider)>Mine is the study of the past, both ancient and very recent. I am versed in the cultures and histories of lands distant and near. (Gain skill: Queen Antiquarian)>Naturally, I was victorious. He would prove to be the better magician in the end, but I possess greater potential. (Gain feat: Spellcasting Prodigy)
>>6479736>>I operated a ring of urchins, beggars, and pickpockets to enrich myself and spent my gains extravagantly. (Gain skill: Bazaar Spider)>Mine is the study of the past, both ancient and very recent. I am versed in the cultures and histories of lands distant and near. (Gain skill: Queen Antiquarian)>I was soundly trounced by Arzu's clever spellcraft, and from that day on I have endeavored to study twice as hard. (Gain feat: Knowledge Devotion)
Vote closed. We will explore the consequences of these choices over the course of the story.It seems that Nebet was using her dark Twitch streamer powers to fund her addiction to Prada bags and iced lattes.
"Your Akiri is impeccable," you say, breaking the long silence that had settled comfortably between the raunie and yourself. That familiar effulgence, the sure sign of Ra's eternal splendor, has long since faded into nothingness. Gazing through the window of the sealed vardo, you observe as the clan navigates a dreary landscape, although to call it a 'landscape' would be disingenuous. The vardos tread a world of amorphous shapes, sailing through a sea of dimly-lit haze as though it were paved road. Those who venture into the mists seldom return, and those that do seldom return as they were - but your guides are proving quite adept at traversing them, just as you've heard."We know many languages," replies Madame Pesha, who rests her hands on her lap. Leaning in conspiratorially, she too glances through the window before her attention returns to you. "As do you, no? Hee hee." It is true. In your extensive studies of the histories of the distant barbarian nations, you have learned a handful of languages that will no doubt serve you well on your quest. "Yet it is rare to know the tongue of the Akiri, even amongst ourselves in these times," you state bitterly. "Many of our own children are raised to learn the language of our neighbor, Pharazia. How did you happen upon such knowledge?""All in good time, my giogoto. You will understand what you need to understand when you need to understand and not a moment sooner," she assures, like a mother insisting that their child be patient. How vexing. "Rest now. You have a long and difficult journey ahead of you, no doubt, and will need your strength for what is to come." She is right, of course. To locate the thieves will be no simple task, and those who could dispatch both a magician as accomplished as your grandfather and the men guarding the medjat alongside him must be formidable in combat. But the medjat must be found, and you owe these criminals a debt of pain that will be paid back tenfold.Taking advantage of the spacious interior of the vardo, you splay yourself out horizontally on the cushioned seat, resting your head on one end while your legs extend out in the other. Lazily, you allow your foot to dangle off of the side, as the gentle rocking of the wagon sways you into a deep slumber. You have not rested well since your grandfather was laid to rest, and....
>>6480051You dream a pulchrous dream of a millenary of colors. The sun is timid today, concealing its visage behind a wispy veil. Its warmth is tender and forgiving, nothing like the midday blaze of the Akiri god's power at its apex. The rays filtering through the clouds paint the sky all manner of hues both cool and warm alike, descending down to the body of water before you. No mere oasis, this lake stretches out into a horizon of mild hills and thriving forests, the ripples of its crystal waters delicate and inviting.The refraction of the light against the lake's surface works in tandem with the technicolor flora that have bloomed around its edges, lending the waters the appearance of a thousand gleaming gems. A breeze, crisp but neither too dry nor too humid, caresses your exposed skin, carrying with it the sublime scent of a fresh bouquet that wafts over you, the land's invitation to remain in this idyll forever.The cushion at your back molds to the shape of your body, permissive enough to allow you to sink further, settling in to watch the play of light and water for eternity. Is this paradise that you dream of?
>>6480052You lose track of the minutes, idling as your senses drink deeply of the sublime aesthetics of your slumbering body's wandering mind. Yet the moment of your waking never arrives. Indeed, you only grow more aware with the passage of time, coming to realize that you are not asleep at all. No, you are wide-awake, your body resting upon a downy pillow of grasses. It seems you've been had - your Vistani guides have abandoned you in parts unknown.Scrambling to your feet, you take in your surroundings with a discerning eye. This is Har'Akir no longer, the scenery of endless desert and fertile river valleys long behind you. In their place, a verdant land of picturesque rolling hills and sparse forests of beech and plane. It would almost be pleasant, were you not unaware of your present location with no leads with which to pursue your quarry. Your foremost priority is determining your present location. Only then could you decide how to proceed. Based on the position of the sun, you are able to infer which direction is east, for the hour is early in the morning. Strolling up a nearby hill, a survey of your surroundings indicates that there is a road of well-maintained cobblestone a short walk to the west, which runs to the north and south. Upon the road travels a carriage, a dreary thing of once-lacquered wood painted black now faded to a dull and dark blue-gray, drawn by two sepia-furred steeds at a brisk pace. They are in no hurry, meaning you can intercept them and flag down the driver provided you sprint for them. Still, there is no guarantee that the people of this strange land will not be hostile toward you, or at the least that this individual will not be hostile to you. A risk that may be worth taking.For lack of alternatives, you will have to go somewhere.>If the carriage goes north, I will go north as well. Surely there is some civilization at whatever destination they intend.>I will go south, to wherever it was that the carriage travels from. The origin must be nearby.>I need to get the attention of the driver. Surely they'd be willing to give me some directions...>[Write-in.]
Introducing Fortune points. Exceptional roleplaying, insightful conversations, and successfully pulling off remarkable stunts have a chance to earn a Fortune point. When (You) vote to spend your Fortune, you may choose to either succeed any one Attribute test automatically OR restore half of your Power. Right now, you have none. But if someone can guess what country we're in, I'll award one.>>6479958Usually I let these sorts of late votes slide, though this time we'll have to let Gilded Allure go. We'll have other chances to choose similar soft skills for our protagonist in the future, however.
>>6480055>I need to get the attention of the driver. Surely they'd be willing to give me some directions...If the natives are haters, better to learn it now in an isolated encounter rather than when we arrived at their city and are taken to their jail.
>>6480055>>I need to get the attention of the driver. Surely they'd be willing to give me some directions...
>>6480055>I need to get the attention of the driver. Surely they'd be willing to give me some directions...
Going to close the vote early this time to try and give readers from other time zones a chance too.
If you are to intercept the carriage, you must move swiftly. Cooler though these climes are, you find yourself breaking into a sweat from the exertion as your feet carry you along the grassy knoll leading toward the road. By the time you reach the cobblestones, you are already glistening. And to think you had only just applied new henna. It had taken hours to get the design along your thigh just right...Pausing to catch your breath, you lean on a birch tree by the roadside for support, inhaling deeply and holding your breath as you attempt to regain your composure. As the clop of hooves on stone grows louder, you frantically straighten your hair and readjust your posture in an attempt to regain your statuesque and regal bearing. You extend your arm out, and the driver brings the horses to gradual halt. You expect him to address you, but it is not so. He leans back, conversing with the passenger for a good minute before the carriage door opens. Out steps a handsome and tall man in his middle years, standing at roughly the same height as you, dressed in some absurd layered garment. Beneath a black coat, he wears a matching vest and trousers, and beneath the vest a white shirt. For what purpose? Why so many layers? If nothing else, the quality of the garments suggests that he is a man of some means. The silken ornament tied around his neck would fetch quite the price in Har'Akir.Inclining his head slightly in acknowledgement, he addresses you with a clear tenor voice, speaking with a measured cadence. "Wes thu hal! Ye comen to Dementlieu in troublous tymes, gode wayfarer. By youre semblaunt, ye seme nat to be of thise londes. Fro whens come ye?" He asks, resting his hands in his pockets.
>>6480244Fantastic. You were cozened by your guides, left to lie in a field in parts unknown, and the locals speak a language that you are wholly unfamiliar with. He is friendly, and that is enough. Your position could be several magnitudes worse. Making note of your puzzled expression, he tries again to strike up a conversation. "Veuillez m'excuser. Me comprenez-vous à présent?""Ah!" You exclaim, finally able to comprehend. This is Mordentish, a tongue spoken in many western nations of the geographical region known as the Core. "Oui! Yes, I understand you now." You huff, still winded from your sprint. "Knowing that I am understood makes my heart sing, kind ser. You say we are in Dementlieu?""Verily, that we are, madame. You must have traveled far indeed if you are unfamiliar with these lands. From where do you hail? Valachan, I suspect, or perhaps Souragne on account of your complexion. But where are my manners? I am Roger Harthwell, third to bear the name. By all accounts, I hold the title of 'lord,' though my estate is rather modest. I travel to Port-a-Lucine on some important business, and I suspect you travel on some important business as well."
>>6480246You rack your brain, recalling the barest minimum knowledge of the nation of Dementlieu that was available for your perusal, minding that your books were out of date. Mayhaps it would be worth doing some research to refresh your memory in the near future...The founding of Dementlieu dates back roughly three centuries. Governed as an 'aristocratic republic' - ruled by the so-called Conseil Éclat, headed by the Lord Governor, who is elected by the nobility for life - the nation is apparently known for its rapid intellectual and cultural development compared to its neighbors. The seminal event of Dementlieuse history occurred a mere 52 years ago, in the summer of 707 BC, following decades of declining conditions for the common sort. Several peasants had reportedly been swimming at the beach of Parnault Bay near a cove where noble ladies were bathing. The Lord-Governor at the time, Bernard Foquelaine, ordered over thirty of these peasants executed, prompting the poor to erupt in violent revolt. Foquelaine was executed by his own guillotine that very night, though the nobility would succeed in restoring order and reasserting their hold over the nation in the subsequent years. The casualties on both sides were alleged to be substantial.At least, that is what the books say.
>>6480248"Madame, are you quite well?" Asks Harthwell, his expression one of concern. You emerge from your academic trance, returning to the present from the past, blinking twice. "Yes," you respond awkwardly, clearing your throat.You may choose up to three options.>He is privileged to stand before the venerable Nebet, Protector of the Medjat en Ren Shetau, from the once-great empire of Har'Akir. Fear not, barbarian, for I am an erudite and magnanimous creature.>I am called Nebet, of Har'Akir. It is good to meet you, Lord Hartwell.>If he could just be so kind as to give me some directions and detail where both ends of this road lead, I do believe that I could make my own way from here.>I cannot help but notice that there is room for more in that carriage of his. Seeing as I would also like to go to Port-a-Lucine...>To be forward, I seek criminals who have absconded with a precious relic from my homeland. Would he happen to know of any such thieves operating in these lands?>[Write-in.]
>>6480249>I am called Nebet, of Har'Akir. It is good to meet you, Lord Hartwell.>If he could just be so kind as to give me some directions and detail where both ends of this road lead, I do believe that I could make my own way from here>To be forward, I seek criminals who have absconded with a precious relic from my homeland. Would he happen to know of any such thieves operating in these lands?I don't trust anyone powerful from this land in particular. Riding with this man leads to bad things, I think. Give us directions and we'll be on our way, my lord.
>>6480249>I am called Nebet, of Har'Akir. It is good to meet you, Lord Hartwell.>I cannot help but notice that there is room for more in that carriage of his. Seeing as I would also like to go to Port-a-Lucine...>To be forward, I seek criminals who have absconded with a precious relic from my homeland. Would he happen to know of any such thieves operating in these lands?
>>6480246>cozenedI learn many a new word in these threads, Greenwood.>>6480267I would normally concur, but we're already working up a sweat.>>6480249>I am called Nebet, of Har'Akir. It is good to meet you, Lord Hartwell.>I cannot help but notice that there is room for more in that carriage of his. Seeing as I would also like to go to Port-a-Lucine...>To be forward, I seek criminals who have absconded with a precious relic from my homeland. Would he happen to know of any such thieves operating in these lands?
>>6480249>>I am called Nebet, of Har'Akir. It is good to meet you, Lord Hartwell.>>I cannot help but notice that there is room for more in that carriage of his. Seeing as I would also like to go to Port-a-Lucine...>>To be forward, I seek criminals who have absconded with a precious relic from my homeland. Would he happen to know of any such thieves operating in these lands?
Vote closed. While the update is worked on, here are is an optional language primer for the roleplay nerds in the audience who like such details.There is no "common" in this campaign setting. Instead, a handful of languages are spoken in every geographical region, based heavily on real-world languages. Nebet cannot necessarily just cross a border and understand what's being said, as we've seen. Let's go over the four main languages of the land known as the Core, and then we'll go over some minor ones.Balok is the oldest known language in the Core, based heavily on Romanian. It's prolific in the southern lands, and the home language of Barovia, our Transylvania-like. It is described as a guttural and unpleasant language, a perception not helped by the fact that Barovia is considered something of a provincial, illiterate hellhole those from more prosperous lands.Mordentish is spoken mostly in the southwestern lands, and is broken up into two dialects that have branched off into essentially two languages with time. Low Mordentish was originally a common dialect, and is akin to Old English with many Anglo-Norman holdouts. High Mordentish is French proper, and considered the setting's elite and sophisticated language. As the lands speaking High Mordentish have significant economic, artistic, and scientific output, they basically run propaganda of their pedigree and enlightenment nonstop.Darkonese is spoken mostly in Darkon, which takes up a full third of the Core's land area. It has also bled into neighboring lands in the north and east through commerce. It's based on a mix of proper and vulgar Latin, especially vulgar Latin, though proper Darkonese is one of the premier academic languages of Arcane Science and the study of spellcraft and necromancy.Vaasi is an odd beast. It's sort of like Norwegian or Danish, though bears significant Slavic corruption in its naming conventions. It is spoken mostly in the southeast and south. These are the primary languages. We'll go over the notable minor languages later. For now, all that matters is that Nebet can speak her home Akiri (based on Egyptian) and the neighboring tongue of Pharazian, which is based on Arabic. She also knows High Mordentish and Darkonese from her books, making her quite the polyglot. But if she's to succeed in her quest, she's going to have to pick up much more knowledge still.
"It is very good to meet you Lord Harthwell. I am called Nebet, of Har'Akir," you say, inclining your head in a slight bow. Highborn Akiri though you are, it is only fitting to demonstrate some amount of deference to your hosts, savage though they may be. Still, you shall not genuflect, not even to a lord in these lands. "I seek a a band of well-armed criminals who have absconded with a precious relic from my homeland, its value incalculable. Might you happen to know of any miscreants operating in this land of yours?" You ask, placing your hands at your side expectantly.Harthwell blinks, pursing his lips. "Har'Akir? The land of coffee and sugar?" He asks, pensive. While it is completely true that Har'Akir today subsists on the cultivation and sale of such goods considered exotic luxuries elsewhere, it stings to know that your magnificent empire has been reduced to a mere source of novelty in the foreign imagination. "I suspect that it is no mere family heirloom which you seek if you have traveled so far in search of this relic of yours. Alas, I know little enough of local affairs, criminal or otherwise - I hail from Mordent, Dementlieu's southern neighbor.""Even so, you have come to the right place. If the culprits have come to Dementlieu, the gendarmes will surely hear you out, as you seem to be of higher standing, though they have quite a lot on their plate presently as I understand. You might consider hiring a consulting detective instead; many of the Core's finest investigators congregate in Port-a-Lucine, and I hear that they are worth their rates," he explains.
>>6480816You haven't the slightest clue as to what a 'consulting detective' is, though you logically infer that it is an individual whom you can consult to detect something. You pity those lesser minds that cannot match your erudition. "Would criminals operate from Port-a-Lucine?" You ask. The historical texts simply inform that it is a large city, apparently of great culture and advancement. "Most definitely," he answers firmly. "All manner of commerce happens there, and the conditions are oft a catalyst for ignoble conduct." You raise an eyebrow, expecting him to elaborate, though Harthwell politely declines. "I forget myself. Never you mind - it is a lovely city, for the most part."If there is even the slimmest chance that you can find the criminals responsible for the Medjat's theft, or even a lead, however vague... "I do not mean to impose, Lord Harthwell, but seeing as you journey for Port-a-Lucine and there is room enough for one more in your vehicle..." you trail off, allowing him to intuit your meaning. After a moment's consideration, he nods. "I suppose that you could accompany me, yes. It has been a long journey with only Mister Richardson - my driver, quiet fellow - for company, and you seem like a right enough sort. You are no Falkovnian spy, at least.""How is it that you know that I am no Falkovnian spy?" You ask sincerely, curious as to his reasoning. Admittedly, you know only some facts about the country, namely about the many wars it has prosecuted against its neighbors in the past, Dementlieu included. Harthwell breaks out into a boisterous guffaw, holding both hands to his abdomen. For a good minute, he chuckles sensibly before finally relenting. Producing a silken handkerchief from his pocket he wipes his face. "You are no Falkovnian spy, madame. Now come along, I will help you enter the carriage."
>>6480817Cushioned though the seat is, the journey is less comfortable than your trip from Har'Akir to the Core realms with the Vistani. The nomadic folk have some means of making the journey more pleasant, though whether it is knowhow or some magic at work you cannot say for certain. What is certain is that Lord Roger is adept at small talk, capable of speaking at length without saturating the air with frivolous words. He is courteous enough to explain the lay of the land and provides some much-needed information on your destination. You travel along the Route des Jardins, the main road to Port-a-Lucine which comes to parallel a water route known as La Sélune, which sees some commercial activity into and out of the city. The city is walled and its entry points well-controlled, making unauthorized entry difficult unless one knows the right people.
>>6480818The city is broken up into roughly four districts. To the north is the Quartier Marchand,, the economic hub of the city from which most of its industries and services operate. This is an excellent place to shop, or to hire help should you choose to pursue seeking the service of an investigator or mercenary to assist you, and the workhouses produce finished goods in quantities unmatched by other nations. Lodging for the middle class can be found here, too. The Quartier Marchand is also home to the salacious docks which see a great deal of naval traffic year-round and brings a steady stream of foreigners and curious goods into the city, though Roger warns that the docks are not safe for women at any hour.To the east is the Quartier Ouvrier, where the common sort dwell. Roger confesses that he has never been here himself, though the stories he has heard of the conditions are quite dismal, despite the Conseil Éclat allegedly making provisions to provide relief for the poor. Best stay away, he warns, though there are businesses and places to stay the night here for those of modest means, to put it generously.At the heart of the city is the Quartier Publique, home to the ruling palace as well as much of the nation's administrative infrastructure, cultural institutions included. The prestigious cathedral of Sainte Mere des Larmes, the Grande Bibliotheque, and the Grand Opera Nationale, to name just a few. It is from here that matters of state and governance are attended to. Some quality hotels see business here from those visiting Port-a-Lucine for matters of state.At the south is the expansive Quartier Savant, the noble quarter. Many minor aristocratic residences are here, though a great deal of expensive shops and eateries can be found here as well if you have yet to overcome your extravagant habits from your past, as well as better inns for the visitor with refined tastes.Positioned just outside of the city to the north is the University of Dementlieu, the premier academic institution of the country and the southern Core where most every subject is studied, and to the south the Domaines de la Vie Éclairée, the Estates of Enlightened Life, mansions and plots of land reserved for only the most powerful Dementlieuse noble houses.
>>6480819By the time you arrive at the city walls, it is already late evening. Towering things made of gray-white bricks tastefully arranged to appear smooth, they slope outwards, some manner of defensive engineering trick you believe. The the gate is busy even at this hour, both with vehicle and foot traffic. Guards garbed in blue uniforms with red-plumed hats inspect goods and question every individual seeking entry rigorously. Fortunately, Roger is quickly identified as a 'reputable individual' and he vouches for you, expediting your entry significantly. "We have arrived at last, madame, although it would be most ungentlemanly of my to simply leave a lady to make her way through the city on her own at this hour, and my business can only be conducted during the daylit hours regardless. Please, allow Mister Richardson and I to take you to your destination, at least." The search for the thieves proper begins now, although his assessment is correct - the hour does grow late, and perhaps it may be better to retire for the day. Then again, what better time to catch a thief than those dark hours during which they are most active?If nothing else, there would be no point in refusing the gentleman's offer.>Take me to the Quartier Marchand, if you will.>If he could transport me to the Quartier Publique, I would appreciate it.>The Quartier Savant suits my tastes, and I think I will retire for the night.>I would like him to take me to the Quartier Ouvrier. I can defend myself.
>>6480820>Take me to the Quartier Marchand, if you will.As we mean to hire help in our pursuit of our quarry. Perhaps one of these 'consulting detectives'.
>>6480820>Take me to the Quartier Marchand, if you will.
>>6480820>>The Quartier Savant suits my tastes, and I think I will retire for the night.
>>6480820>>Take me to the Quartier Marchand, if you will.
Vote closed. Let's pay a visit to the Quartier Marchand...
Requesting to be deposited at the Quartier Marchand, your driver guides the carriage along the quay sitting adjacent to the waters of the Sélune. In the evening gloam, you behold Port-a-Lucine in its full glory, a terraced city set upon a hill that descends gently into a placid sea. You have seen illustrations of the sea, granted, and the oases and rivers of your homeland and its neighbors are quite expansive, yet the Pernault Bay and Sea of Sorrows beyond it extend so far as to vanish into the horizon, the final hours of sunlight casting a refraction of brilliant gold lustrous enough to rival that of the gleam of the desert sands.Along the flagstone streets you travel betwixt dense buildings constructed of immaculate stone and wooden shingles painted in neat white or various pastels, each towering at three or sometimes four stories high. Most all have one if not several windows. Even one pane would be prohibitively expensive in Har'Akir, and likely in other lands as well, yet the homes and shops before you seem to boast silently of their prosperity as you ride by.Jutting out from the heart of the city is a decrepit building that towers above all others, made of a mirthless dark stone that culminates in a jagged point, like a dagger parting the sky. That is the cathedral of Sainte Mere des Larmes, explains Harthwell, one of the greatest and most ancient religious sites dedicated to the goddess Ezra, the dominant faith in these lands (and according to him, the only true faith). Even today, the priests are still excavating and translating sacred texts retrieved from the seemingly endless archives below the cathedral. Perhaps it may be worth visiting?Passing along a quay active with both pedestrian and vehicle activity, peddlers offer goods ranging from fresh vegetables and street foods to clothing and furniture, with silver and goods trading ownership far faster than any bazaar you've beheld in your time. Is this new world the successor to your empire?
>>6481079Crossing a bridge, you enter the Quartier Marchand, passing by what you deduce to be the workshops of the city, unadorned buildings with forbidding facades to convey their severity. The rumble of toil reverberates through the streets the sounds of metal on metal and woodwork originate from all directions as thousands labor in unison. A gang of burly men hauls bundles of iron ingots out from the sweltering interior of a forbidding structure, the heat palpable even from a distance. Loading it onto a cart, they sing a laborer's tune all together, both to coordinate their efforts and ease the monotony of grueling work.At the end of the day, ya get nothin' for nothin', Sittin' flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread, There are children back at home, and the children have got to be fed, And you're lucky to be in a job, and in a bed!Leaving behind the miasmic stench of smoke and productivity, you are embraced by the smell of freshly-brewed coffee and delicate cuisine, complemented by a more domestic and floral palette. Roger directs the driver to come to a stop at a square. Opening the door, he steps out, and assist with your exit from the carriage, despite being more than capable of doing so yourself. It must be some quaint habit indigenous to these lands.Re-entering, he leaves the door open momentarily, placing his hand on his chest and inclining himself toward you. "It is here that we part ways, madame. If you ever have need of me in the future, I will be lodging at the Hôtel de Governor in the Quartier Publique for the duration of my stay here. And if I may offer one final piece of advice... do consider changing your wardrobe. I recognize that things may be different in your homeland, but even in an open city such as Port-a-Lucine, you risk inviting the wrong sort of attention, never mind the sorts of abuses that will be aimed at you throughout the rest of the Core," he cautions."Noted," and ignored. "Thank you again for everything, Lord Harthwell. Ma'a el salama," you bow again.
>>6481081On your own again, you have little in the way of leads, and less still in means. True though it may be that you must recover the Medjat as soon as possible, doing so with the resources presently at your disposal may prove impossible. Perhaps it would be worth researching the land, accumulating some wealth to further your ends, or building networks with the locals. The day has been long as well, and the hour grows late - retiring for the night is not out of the question either. Asking around, you manage to put together a list of some establishments worth visiting.Some places to rest your head and relax...>L'Hôtel des Négociants, a popular and affordable place for merchants and landowners to stay while conducting business. The standards are said to be impeccable.>Au Bon Retour, an establishment by the docks frequented by sailors and experienced travelers. The staff ask no questions here, and the rates are inexpensive, but the crowd is rowdy.>La Maison des Glycines, a boarding house for women only. It is quiet and discreet, with strict rules of conduct and communal meals.Mayhaps you'd like something to eat or drink...>Le Café des Deux Plumes, the de facto meeting place for journalists, junior academics, and aspiring writers. The discussions about politics and current events are frequent and extensive.>L'Heure Bleue, a fashionable café where those of humble means aspiring to high society congregate. Discussing how many such folk managed to rapidly accumulate their fortunes is considered faux pas.Is it services that you're after?>Vaillant Detective Agency, where the detective Alain Vaillant offers to investigate private matters at a negotiable rate. He is said to be one of the city's more skilled investigators.>Les Bains du Cygne, a place with heated baths, steam rooms, and private bathing chambers at different prices. People of all classes and backgrounds mingle freely here.
>>6481082>Les Bains du Cygne, a place with heated baths, steam rooms, and private bathing chambers at different prices. People of all classes and backgrounds mingle freely here.Are we meant to choose one from each category? Or is that just for our convenience?Anyway, we want a detective, but I doubt we can afford him yet, unless he takes payment in kind. I think we should freshen up and build contacts first. Get some funds, spread the wealth around, take the city's pulse. Then pay the detective to pick up the trail of the thieves, if we haven't found some suitable rumours to chase ourselves.
>>6481091It's just separated by category.As the mage protagonist of the three options, Nebet isn't really built for the "run around and kill people" play style (at least not until she gets some levels), so don't be afraid to take your time in exploring the city.
>>6481082>>La Maison des Glycines, a boarding house for women only. It is quiet and discreet, with strict rules of conduct and communal meals.>L'Heure Bleue, a fashionable café where those of humble means aspiring to high society congregate. Discussing how many such folk managed to rapidly accumulate their fortunes is considered faux pas.>Les Bains du Cygne, a place with heated baths, steam rooms, and private bathing chambers at different prices. People of all classes and backgrounds mingle freely here.
>>6481117Perhaps I should have clarified to select just one of the options for the time being, though of course all of them will remain available to visit in the future. Apologies.
>>6481082>Vaillant Detective Agency, where the detective Alain Vaillant offers to investigate private matters at a negotiable rate. He is said to be one of the city's more skilled investigators.
>>6481082>L'Hôtel des Négociants, a popular and affordable place for merchants and landowners to stay while conducting business. The standards are said to be impeccable.>Le Café des Deux Plumes, the de facto meeting place for journalists, junior academics, and aspiring writers. The discussions about politics and current events are frequent and extensive.>Les Bains du Cygne, a place with heated baths, steam rooms, and private bathing chambers at different prices. People of all classes and backgrounds mingle freely here.
>>6481257Oops, sorry. Just read the replies>>6481082>>Les Bains du Cygne, a place with heated baths, steam rooms, and private bathing chambers at different prices. People of all classes and backgrounds mingle freely here.
>>6481082>>Les Bains du Cygne, a place with heated baths, steam rooms, and private bathing chambers at different prices. People of all classes and backgrounds mingle freely here.
Vote closed.
Your sandals press firmly against the flagstone as you traverse the streets of the quartier on foot, attracting officious glances at every step as you weave through the crowds. Have these sad folk never seen an individual possessed of your rare pulchritude before? You suppose that you can entertain their looks, if only to add some zest to their insipid lives. Such is the magnitude of your beneficence. Upon learning of the local bathhouse, you elect to pay visit to the establishment. Many of your greatest ideas were formulated during your time in the cold baths of Muhar, and it was from a bathhouse that you operated your network of urchins and beggars to finance your extravagant appetites. Perhaps you might do so again... only for a just cause this time, of course. Treading down a side street, you pass by a cobbler's shop, a quaint thing with a glass window displaying the master's work; boots and shoes of leather and fabric of the sturdy and reliable sort.In front of the shop sits a fair girl of less than ten years on an unbalanced stool, her blonde hair cut neatly to the shoulders and her frilly indigo dress faded, but kept well. Idly, she kicks her feet, sporting lace socks that have been mended one time too many, evident despite how lovingly the patches have been sewn. She hums an off-key tune, oblivious to the world around her.
>>6481462Beside her stand two men engaged in serious conversation. One, the girl's father you infer based on the likeness, is well-dressed and well-kept for his station, wearing an undyed worker's shirt and trousers pressed straight with rugged boots to match. "There must be something you can do. At least repair the soles, to make them last for another month. By then I'll be able to afford another pair," he pleads. "Everything costs so much more these days, but they pay us the same at the workhouse."The second man, of similar age, is of slight build, though by no means feeble. With a heavy leather apron designed to carry all manner of implement, he studies a pair of children's shoes, shaking his head firmly. "Not this time, monsieur. These are gone for good, and they are already too small for your girl anyway," says the cobbler. Pursing his lips, he looks to the father, then the girl. "Wait here."Entering the shop, he returns moments later with a used pair, offering them to the father. "My own daughter's old pair. She has no more use for them," he explains. The father takes them reluctantly, his relief palpable. "How much do I owe you?" The father asks."Nothing, monsieur. She has already outgrown them."
>>6481465Les Bains du Cygne, or 'The Swan Baths' as they are called, pale when compared to the baths of your homeland. Even still, they are rather impressive, and you feel confident that you will derive something good from this place. A place of rough white tile and dark ruddy wood lacquered against humidity, there are baths for women and men, chambers for steam, and private bathing rooms all, the latter presumably for discussing discreet matters, getting away from the crowd, or amorous encounters. Renting a private bath for yourself is not an immediate priority, though perchance you will do so in the future when you'd like to relax. For the moment, you need to decide where your talents can be leveraged most effectively.>[2 Copper] I will visit the common ladies' bath. There is much that the humble folk know which the wealthy disregard, and I know how to make good use of them.>[1 Silver] The steam rooms are most oft frequented by the aspiring sort of some means, and available to both sexes besides. I shall try my luck here.>[1 Gold] The noble ladies' bath is available to me, as one of esteemed lineage. Let us see what I can exact from the aristocratic sort of this city.
>>6481467>[2 Copper] I will visit the common ladies' bath. There is much that the humble folk know which the wealthy disregard, and I know how to make good use of them.We have experience plying those lesser to ourselves. Lets put that experience to use.
>>6481082>La Maison des Glycines, a boarding house for women only. It is quiet and discreet, with strict rules of conduct and communal meals.I'm sure we can manage. If not, we go elsewhere. That pleasant fellow all but told us that the men here are ravenous jackals, though. We should take shelter when we sleep, so we can rest properly.We can get started on the rest when we're rested and refreshed.
>>6481502Oops, I'm late to the party.>>6481467>>6481475 +1>[2 Copper] I will visit the common ladies' bath. There is much that the humble folk know which the wealthy disregard, and I know how to make good use of them.
>>6481467>[2 Copper] I will visit the common ladies' bath. There is much that the humble folk know which the wealthy disregard, and I know how to make good use of them.Greetings, fellow proletariats.
>>6481467>>[1 Silver] The steam rooms are most oft frequented by the aspiring sort of some means, and available to both sexes besides. I shall try my luck here.
>>6481467>[1 Silver] The steam rooms are most oft frequented by the aspiring sort of some means, and available to both sexes besides. I shall try my luck here.
Rolled 1 (1d2)Vote closed. Looks like we have our first tie. On a one, we'll visit the common bath, on a 2, the steam room. We can decide if we'll keep checking around the bath later.
The Dementlieuse are squeamish about mixed bathing, as you soon learn - as if the body is something vulgar to hide away from the world. This minor inconvenience should prove no hindrance to your immediate plans, however. Paying a pittance for your admission, you dispel the quasi-real glamer that makes up your garments, descending into the steaming pool of rough tile. Admittedly, you had never considered that a bath could be warm. The Akiri sun encourages one to seek the relief of cool waters, though this heated pool is pleasant as well.Allowing your lithe and eminent form to relax, you survey your surroundings. There are ladies of all ages here, from girls only just able to walk on their own to old crones nearing the end of their life's journeys. Many have rough hands from labor and the sturdy physique that comes with making one's way through their life by the sweat of their brow. They congregate in groups, speaking of this, or that. You listen in on a clique of five nearby having a lively discussion..."My husband finally found work in the factory. Fourteen hours a day, he works, and he hardly makes enough silver to put bread on the table for me and the girls, even with my job at the tavern. I had to start visiting the kitchen for charity just to keep 'em fed," complains a motherly woman. "Least you get to see your husband, Margot. The gendarmes arrested my Pierre for stealing a stale loaf last week, and it's been tough going since. My poor man doesn't get out for another month," says a maiden at least ten hers her junior. "A whole month just for stealing bread, and we still don't qualify for charity!"
>>6481803"Colonel Lenoir has the right of it," chimes in another young lady with smooth features. "The nobles don't give a damn about poor folks like us. I'm blessed to work for a good man like Comte d'Orvaux, but his nephew Armand is a lech with the wandering hands and the manners of a pig," she says. "Colonel this, colonel that. What Lenoir says don't feed my girls," says the mother. An elderly woman, a poor lady with a hunch who leans against the edge of the bath for support, responds. "Don't know much about politics, but I remember the Falkovnians very well. The colonel is a right sort, a man who knows what he's saying. I trust him."You may choose up to three options.>Tell me the latest news of happenings in the Quartier Ouvrier, and the city at large.>What is a 'Colonel,' and who is 'Lenoir?' What is it that he's saying about what?>[Intellect, Difficulty 15] These folk don't know how much they know, but I can derive something useful - and profitable - from them if I ask the right questions...>What are conditions like for the poor here? A gentleman told me of Lord-Governor providing charity for the less fortunate.>I have only just arrived in these lands. What does a woman need to know about what to do and what to avoid to survive this city?>[Write-in.]
>>6481805>I have only just arrived in these lands. What does a woman need to know about what to do and what to avoid to survive this city?and from that...>[Intellect, Difficulty 15] These folk don't know how much they know, but I can derive something useful - and profitable - from them if I ask the right questions...people in dire straits identify with the outlaw. They may know something about the higher-order criminals who murdered our father and stole our holy shit!
>>6481805>[Intellect, Difficulty 15] These folk don't know how much they know, but I can derive something useful - and profitable - from them if I ask the right questions...>I have only just arrived in these lands. What does a woman need to know about what to do and what to avoid to survive this city?>Tell me the latest news of happenings in the Quartier Ouvrier, and the city at large.
