Session 0: Character Creation

[Enoch]

I believe they all either have their own Nature questions or direct you to use a specific stock's questions (Dhampir and Death Knight have their own; Skin-Changer says to use the Human questions).

...Except Witch, of course. I'd say that since they're Human (the stat block even calls that out explicitly) they probably use the Human questions from the base book, like the Skin-Changer.

[Faolan7]

Thank Enoch! I guess I should have looked through the document more thoroughly, which I will do.

[Marullus]

EDIT:
@Marullus: Did you think my ruling on Witch casting is fair?

Yep! I think using enchanting for item use is probably the best answer. You imply that she could Beginner's Luck into Arcanist, though... I figured real casting would be beyond her?

[Rusty Tincanne]

I think arcanist should be beyond most characters, but witches dabble at the edges of casting. They traditionally make potions, portent the future and cast hexes. Why shouldn't full-on casting be within reach of their character?

[Enoch]

They do actually get access to spells, but the skill isn't one they get.

[Faolan7]

@Enoch: I looked at Denizens of the Dark. It includes Nature questions for the special stocks. Thanks for helping me with that though!

@Marullus: You could BL into Arcanist, however it wouldn't be very useful. The document says that witches can only use her spells to enchant, so witches are unable to cast spells, but they can use their spells to place charms or hexes on an object. I really need to stop being so wordy. Basically, you can't cast spells, but instead you charm objects.

@Rusty: Ya ninja'd me man. As I say above, the witches' casting consists of placing charms on objects. So, while they can't cast a spell as a magician could, they can still hex and charm things.

@Coil: If you plan on playing a cleric, I have a fun idea you could maybe toy with. To be clear, I'm not forcing you to go with this or trying to move you towards this idea. I just thought it was really cool. Anyway, I have a friend who I talk to about my tabletop endeavors often, and I was telling him about your guys' character plans. When I mentioned the cleric, he thought it would be cool if that cleric was new to priesthood or something similar, and while he knows the church's rules, he's inexperienced and maybe has to gray the lines between what's right and wrong to justify the party's actions. I explained that terribly, but that's the gist of it.

Also, messages to everyone! Woo! And, um, Enoch, you ninja'd me too.

[Rusty Tincanne]

...I have a friend who I talk to about my tabletop endeavors often, and I was telling him about your guys' character plans...

And why isn't that friend part of this budding campaign?

[Faolan7]

I asked him if he wanted to play, but he doesn't want to learn a new system over a PbP, and he doesn't enjoy PbP games very much either. He's lots of fun though.

[Marullus]

No problem, FAO. That's a good ruling. You are sensible and fair.

Coil - what do you think? What are your desires for your character?

[Enoch]

Posted up a draft of my character, Magda the Dhampyr, assuming we go the way we appear to be going. Still a work in progress, but I wanted to give those who haven't played TB before something to work at.

[Faolan7]

Thanks Marullus!

@Enoch: Your character looks good so far. Bloodthirst is going to be interesting to deal with though.

[Enoch]

Yeah, I agree. I suspect he'll (hopefully) be feeding off opponents...and if they're not "bad guys", he may be trying to do it in secret.

[coil23]

Sorry for the delay in responding. My Thursdays and Fridays are especially busy for this semester.

Thinking about all of the suggestions for me as a cleric, my thoughts are this:

Tymian is a cleric of some experience and has risen a fair ways in the church as his devotion and discipline have become evident. He is too veteran to be naive any longer and so understands there is grey in the world. But while he is respected, he is not overly popular due to a reputation for being a stickler for details and rules (called Tymian the Tight behind his back). The church finds the need for this shadow squad distasteful but, alas, necessary due to the dire situation. [dire situation to be defined later, I assume] Tymian has been assigned to accompany the group to be the eyes and ears of the church and, ostensibly, to enforce the true morals and dictates of the church. In reality, Tymian has been given the uncomfortable burden of having to be a witness to the dealing with this situation in any way necessary while still balancing the public moral face of the church. Tymian is valued and respected enough within the church to be given this important but unenviable task. He is to be the church's official representative and scapegoat.

Thoughts? Shall we just stone to death the poor sod now?

Personality-wise I am thinking along these lines: upright, cynical on the surface but compassionate deep down, pedantic, somewhat sour-disposition (in summary: pious but pissy)

[Faolan7]

That sounds like an awesome character Coil! Don't worry about delaying. Remember that I only expected two posts a week .

[Marullus]

Isabelle was born in the town of Hazla under stars portended by the Gods. The church found her when she was nine, when her home burned and parents died, swiftly taking her in as a Ward to repair her education and put her on a correct pathway for her God-given gifts. She was assigned to Tymian, who's wisdom and stiff structure was deemed best for her (whether he wished to be saddled with a girl or not). She has spent the last five years working as his cook, ward, and student, adapting into the role he designated for her (either through true affection or Stockholm syndrome). Now, needs arise, and he must teach her more...

Age: 14

Alchemist 4, Cook 3, Enchanter 2, Healer 2, Lore Master 2, Mentor 2, Scholar 2, Persuader 2

Traits: Moonchild 1, Thoughtful 2
Nature: 4

Unaffiliated is for those who think having shelter,
food and family is more important than ideals and
ideologies.

Her alignment is Unaffiliated. Despite the church's attempts to inculcate her with Law, she is dominated in her beliefs by a desire to once again have a home, family, and food. This deep need is what ties her to Tymian with familial bonds stronger than the church could ever otherwise inspire in her.

Her speciality is up to the group... She could have Cook 4, Persuader 3, Healer 3, or Cartographer 2, based on what the group needs most.

Instinct: Always slip in an enchantment every time I make something.

Spell: Thread of Friendship

Familiar: Ferris, loyal Dog (Might 2, Nature 3 guarding, barking, running)

[Faolan7]

Awesome characters guys! Feel free to make a post in the character sheet thread with your character, unless you want to flesh out your character a bit more.

Now we're only waiting on Rusty, and then we can move onto the next step!

[Enoch]

That does sound like an awesome character.

[Marullus]

I'd like Coil's reaction to it, as his character will determine much about mine. I am holding on the Specialty skill, but also on relationships and to hear about what Tymian would reinforce, as that will drive her Belief.

What do you all think about linked relationships? Like, "my mentor is your enemy" or "your parent is my friend"? That works in other games but I am not so sure for Torchbearer. Each relationship is a specific useful asset, should we all have them independent to maximize the map?

Rusty, with the other three concepts on the table, what are you considering?

[Rusty Tincanne]

Wife has been sick, so I'm the primary person for the past few days. Sorry.

I love the paladin-turned-death knight idea. I'll flesh it out in the next few days. If Coil doesn't like the relationship, we could shift it to my character, with the paladin having been your handler, but he died. So the untested young witch is his link to life.

Basically though, I think coil needs to be ready for us all to be linked to him. He's our handler.

[Marullus]

If Coil doesn't like the relationship, we could shift it to my character, with the paladin having been your handler, but he died. So the untested young witch is his link to life.

That's pretty awesome, too. I'll wait for Coil's input.