Karnakiid: Valley of Mist and Flame (Player Discussion Thread)

At Siberys's suggestion, I'm opening this thread for "character discussion, planning and trading" for the Karnakiid: Valley of Mist and Flame campaign I am currently DMing. Basically, this exists to reduce the clutter level of the main campaign thread, which can be found here.

I'll be mostly hands-off here from now on. If anyone has any questions, just ask.

Oh, and for formality's sake, the current players:
Moogleman as Ehren Streicher
malinzaro as Westan Krest
Siberys as Shar'ra Agamemnon
MistSonata as Elliah Airana
kozeph as Akumo

Edit: We are FULL. Sorry, but I don't think I can handle more than five players.

Worth mentioning: before you start, bear a couple things in mind.

Elliah and Ehren
The two of you met on your way to Karnakiid City, in Osirian. You traveled here together, so some familiarity would be acceptable. Or you could have ignored each other on the way. Completely up to you.

All but Shar'ra
Shar'ra is the first asherati any of you has ever seen. Her appearance may seem a bit... unnatural to you. Here's a picture of one, in case you have no idea what I'm talking about.

I am not sure if the question was asked but do we know each other or not? From the first paragraph it seems that we are together ... relatively. Maybe me and Siberys could met in the desert before reaching Karnakiid? She could have saved me from a desert storm or something like that, since after years spent in a city, my senses should be dulled somehow.

How about the weapons we have on us? I presume we cannot enter Karnakiid like that and the guard doesn't mention them in the introductory speech. Any suggestions as to hide them.

Edit: I am not sure of this is important or not, but probably I should say in the bio that elven kingdoms are west not east. Just a minor thing really.

Siberys: You replied to the guard as in already knowing about the weapon law, though no one in the campaign actually told us about it. Isn't this called meta gaming? Please remember I am new to this, so I might be wrong.

Can you or the DM clarify if we actually know how thinks work in Karnakiid (history that was revealed for example) or not? Moogleman character could know a few bits because he is here with a purpose or my character could know from reading in his father's library. Still, I am not sure how to treat these things. Maybe I am looking here in too much detail, but I just want to learn how things work correctly in this campaign so I am a better player. Thank you!

Malinzaro: I'd say Shar'ra is already familiar the laws of Karnakiid, being from the same region and all. As for knowledge, learning it whilst reading your fathers library seems reasonable. You could also have learnt it from passers by on your travels.

Annette: I'm cool with me and Elliah arriving here together, we may have exchanged a few pleasantries on the way but no real bridge building. Also are we posting whenever on the game thread or shall we decide on an order?

I think what would make most sense would be knowledge checks, with Westan and Ehren getting a +2 circumstance bonus. Shar'ra won't get the bonus because she's from a secluded wasteland tribe, and has had little to no interaction with Karnakiid itself. You should all role twice; one knowledge (local) check to see if you know the laws, and one knowledge (history) check to see how familiar you are with the bit I wrote last week (and I'm aware it has a few errors. I'll fix that later today.)

I suppose it might be common knowledge for Westan and Ehren, but Shar'ra will have never left the wasteland before now. No travelers visit the wasteland, so she would have no way of knowing. Elliah is from the neutral land (which, due to a commonly believed in curse, has little to no interaction with any foreign nations), so she'd be in the dark as well.

So Westan and Ehren are exempt, while Shar'ra and Elliah have to make the (local) rolls. Everyone has to make the (history) one.

When I first enter the manticore sand wyrm inn are the asherati and dwarf Shar'ra and Elliah ?
Also I'm posting my character sheet

Ehren Streicher
Male Human Cleric 1
Neutral Good
Representing Moogleman
Strength........14...(+2)...Size:....Medium
Dexterity........10...(+0)...Height:..6' 1"
Constitution....14...(+2)...Weight:..210lb
Intelligence.....12...(+1)...Skin:....Pale
Wisdom..........16...(+3)...Eyes:....Hazel
Charisma........12...(+1)...Hair:....Red wavy;Beardless
XP..............0/1000......Age:.....21
Hit Points......10/10

Armour Class: 15 = 10 +4 [Scale mail] +1 [light steel]
Domains: Sun, Strength
Energy: Positive [Healing / Turns Un-dead]
Speed: 20 feet [armour]
Touch AC: 10
Flat-footed: 16

Initiative modifier:....+4= 4 [Improved Initiative]
Fortitude save:.......+4= 2 [base] +2 [constitution]
Reflex save:...........+0= 0 [base]
Will save:...............+5= 2 [base] +3 [wisdom]
Attack (handheld):..+2= 0 [base] +2 [strength]
Attack (unarmed):...+2= 0 [base] +2 [strength]
Attack (missile):.....+0= 0 [base]
Grapple check:.......+2= 0 [base] +2 [strength]

Light load:.......58 lb. or less
Medium load:......59-116 lb.
Heavy load:.......117-175 lb.
Lift over head:...1-175 lb.
Lift off ground:..1-350 lb
Push or drag:.....1-875 lb.

Languages: Common, Infernal

The Temperate Star [1d8, crit x2, 6 lb, one-handed, bludgeoning]
Light Crossbow [1d8, crit x2, range inc. 80 ft., 4 lb, piercing]
Scale mail [medium; +4 AC; max dex +3; check penalty -4; 30 lb.]
Light Steel Shield [+1 AC; check penalty -1; hardness 10; hp 10; 6 lb.]

Feats: Improved Initiative, Priest of the Wastes

Skill Name.............Abi....Mod.....A.Mod...Ranks.....Mod

Concentration........Con....6=......+2.......+4
Diplomacy..............Cha....3=......+1.......+2
Gather Information..Cha....1=......+1
Heal......................Wis....5=......+3.......+2
Intimidate............. Str....2=......+2
Jump.....................Str...-2= .....+2.......+0......-4 [Speed 20]
Knowledge (religion)..Int....5=......+1.......+4
Listen....................Wis....3=......+3
Search...................Int....1=......+1
Sense Motive..........Wis....3=......+3
Spellcraft................Int....5=......+1.......+4
Spot......................Wis....3=......+3
Survival..................Wis....3=......+3

Zero-level Cleric spells: 3 per day: Create Water, Detect Magic, Cure Minor Wounds
First-level Cleric spells: 2+1 domain per day: Bless, Doom, Endure Elements

Ehren Streicher's Equipment:
42 lb Weapons/Armor/Shield (from above)
2 lb Crossbow bolts (case of 10) x2
3 lb Backpack with waterskin
5 lb Bedroll
3 lb Blanket, Winter
0.5lb Bletpouch
0.5lb Sack
Ink vial
Pen
Parchment x4
2 lb Lantern (hooded)
2 lb Oil (1 pint flask) x2
3 lb Rations (1 day) x3
1 lb Soap
20 lb Tent
1 lb Wooden Holy symbol (Sun disc of Pelor)
2 lb Spell component pouch

Total 87 lb

Gp31sp80cp96

More about Ehren Streicher:

From an early age Ehren was singled out among his peers for his fiery red hair in the village
of Cumberland. On an errand one day for his alcoholic father, a couple of the older village boys,
trying to impress a suitor, decided to tease Ehren. Whoever could make him cry first was the
winner. Ehren was confident with his physical form and nothing anyone could say would bring him
to tears. His mother, however, was another matter. As soon as she was mentioned Ehren’s eyes
turned to steel, covering his rage within.
The smarter of the oppressors saw the young boys’ mood darken and stopped what he was
saying, realising he may have crossed the wrong line with his last comment. The dumber one,
lacking the perception skills of his associate kept on with his bombardment. Each word was
stoking the inferno in Ehrens’ heart and at last he reached his limit. Remembering the bottle of
potent liquor his father had sent him to collect, his arm grew taught as he swung it with a rage
only a berserker could attain at the dumb persecutors temple. It connected with blast of glass
shards, the older lad sent sprawling.
Ehren’s heart turned to ice as he realised what he had done. His face a picture of sorrow,
it quickly changed to confusion once he looked at the boy he had struck. Apart from being on the
floor and very surprised he seemed none the worse for wear. No blood, nothing. Seeing vengeance in
the smarter one’s eyes he quickly turned and fled only to be grabbed by what felt like a claw. He
whipped round ready to plead for his life only to realise it was the village priest who had
apprehended him.
“Come, child,” said the priest. “We have much to discuss.”
That night Ehren poured his heart out to the priest, Wycombe, as he revealed himself to be.
Wycombe had witnessed all that had transpired and had been granted an insight into Ehren. He had
shown great control in not lashing out much sooner, but poor judgement by not walking away.
Wycombe was nearing the end of his days and in need of an apprentice. Ehren, with some moulding,
was that apprentice. He moved in with Wycombe, leaving his father no issue since they were never
close. His mother had died soon after birth. He was taught the ways of Pelor, the Sun God, and leant
how to control his temper in the pursuit of good.
The day came when Wycombe passed away. On his death bed he handed Ehren a package and said,
“I wasn’t always an old man. I see your strength of body and heart and I envy you. Go now, into the
world, seek out injustice wherever you see it and burn it at its core. Remember . . . Temperance.”
Wycombe’s last words echoing in his heart, Ehren set out from Cumberland to make the world
a brighter place. The package contained Wycombe’s legacy, The Temperate Star. With the half-dozen
years of tutelage Wycombe had bestowed upon him, Ehren was confident in his ability to wield the
mighty Morningstar, with reserve, in his quest for justice.
Months passed that felt like years and Ehren roamed the land helping all those he could, yet
his life lacked purpose. Nothing he did seemed to affect the grand scheme of the world. His blazing
passion was guttering. Eventually rumours started circling of a virgin-eating king far to the West
in the scorching land of Karnakiid. Ehrens’ birth land, Tormany, was considered hot, almost arid but
Karnakiid was in the highest echelon of hostile environments.
This, thought Ehren, is what my life has been building up to. With new ire in his heart and
purpose in his stride he set off for Karnakiid.
Again months went by, yet this time with speed. Every step closer to Karnakiid was a step
closer to destiny. The city walls came within sight and anxiety gripped Ehren. He steeled his resolve,
squeezing his moist palms into fists and paced to the city gates. He entered the city and a great
roar rose from the masses choking the streets; “The King is dead!” And so is my purpose, thought Ehren . . .

No, the dwarf and asherati are NPCs. That was purely coincidental, though a psychologist might argue otherwise.

Does the serving girl return return to my table after I eavesdrop on the whole conversation between Shar'ra and the half-orc or do I miss out on her second question?

She just came back after their conversation ended.

Annette, can you please provide any information I have at this point related to actions performed by the other characters (which I witnessed) so I can figure out where in time I am situated?

Also, I don't have much of a D&D experience, but I have a suggestion that might fit a play by post campaign. It might help a lot if in your campaign posts you mention all characters and what are they doing when you give the update, so it's easier for all including you to keep track of where is everyone situated in time.

For example you could answer to some actions performed by Siberys or Moogleman, but you could also mention that Ellie is still negotiating at the gates and I am wandering the streets or I am in the inn at that time. A simple template with the names of everyone in bold letters (like you are doing already) would be perfect. It will prove very convenient, since for most of the time you might only copy&paste from below, but at the same time no one will need to read below where they are when the action happens.

Sure, malinzaro. For simplicity's sake, you came into the inn right after Shar'ra's conversation with the half orc, so you didn't hear that part. I realize that it would probably make more sense for Shar'ra to have arrived last, since she wandered around the city for a bit, but I think it'll be easier for everyone if we assume the posts are for the most part in chronological order unless otherwise noted (for example, in the post I just made in the Campaign thread, I mentioned that Elliah is a few minutes behind everyone else.)

And your suggestion is a good one. Like I said back when we started, I've never been involved in a forum-based game before, so I'm very open to suggestions right now.

Caught off gaurd by the surprisingly perceptive Asherati, Ehren was at a loss for words for a moment.
"I meant no offence friend, they were so loud beforehand it was hard not to overhear. Besides, judging from your tone I'd guess your'e not too impressed by this 'tomb raiding' thats happening. Well neither am I, desecration of the dead is a mighty sin and I intend to find out whats going on."
Remembering his manners Ehren stands up;
"I'm Ehren Streicher, I believe I saw you at the gate this evening." He hesitates a moment before offering his hand to the lithe creature in front of him.

"A meeting with the queen may not be so easy to come by, I hear the debates are still mesy as to whether she has a right to the throne. I think we should gather all the information we can on the matter before taking any kind of action. I don't want to get blind sided by a piece of information that I could of easily discovered beforehand. Maybe the Adventurers Guildmaster your 'friend' recomended would be the best place to start."

Siberys: I'm thinking we should wait a little bit for Westan and the serving girl to join our table. Also did Shar'ra shake Ehren's hand and introduce her self or did she ignore it?