Manbearcat
Legend
Alright, @zakael19 is interested in possibly running a 4e game for his home group, so I'm running a one-shot, solo PBP for him to help him get a feel of both sides of the effort; GM and player. This will be a solo game, so my combat encounter budgets will feature monsters/NPCs leveled down to 6 to account for this.
He's elected to play this in the default Points of Light setting for 4e (map below).
Once we've resolved his 3 Minor Quests and 1 x Major Quest, the tale that has been carved out for Valak-Born-Anew will be told. His character particulars are below:
Name: Valak-Born-Anew
Race: Deva
Background: Purified Soul
Theme: Sohei
Story and Quests:
At some point in the past Valikos fell - descending into cruelty and whims, his form twisting into a rakshasa. Through the blessing of Avandra and the sacrifice of a cousin deva, he was redeemed. Now he travels the world atoning for his past, each act of repentance absolving a perpetuated wrong and returnsing some of the memories of his past lives before the blot of darkness severed him from that history. Rumors of a cult springing up in the Fallcrest area led by what may be a rakshasa have filtered to his ears, redemption of such a figure is the highest calling of his purified life.
Major Quest: With the Changebringer's Grace, redeem and purify the rakshasa - or end their dominion before they can grow into a true tyrant.
Minor quest: Locate the cult's hidden sanctuaries and verify their leader's identity.
Minor quest: Obtain a holy implement or ritual to bind the rakshasa's power.
Minor quest: Perform an act of repentance, preventing an occurrence of the sort of cruelty he perpetuated in his past.
Valak-Born-Anew, level 8
Deva, Avenger
Build: Pursuing Avenger
Avenger's Censure: Censure of Pursuit
Background: Purified Soul (Insight class skill)
Theme: Sohei (+2 insight & perception at level 5)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 14, Dex 17, Int 13, Wis 20, Cha 8.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 8.
AC: 22 Fort: 17 Reflex: 18 Will: 20
HP: 70 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 17
TRAINED SKILLS
Religion +12, Acrobatics +14, Insight +16, Perception +16
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +5, Bluff +3, Diplomacy +3, Dungeoneering +9, Endurance +6, Heal +9, History +7, Intimidate +3, Nature +9, Stealth +9, Streetwise +3, Thievery +7, Athletics +6
FEATS
Level 1: Melee Training (Wisdom)
Level 2: Avenging Resolution
Level 4: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Level 6: Deadly Draw
Level 8: Invigorating Pursuit
POWERS
Avenger at-will 1: Overwhelming Strike
Avenger at-will 1: Bond of Censure
Sohei at-will 1: Sohei Flurry
Avenger encounter 1: Angelic Alacrity
Avenger daily 1: Aspect of Might
Avenger utility 2: Resonant Escape
Avenger encounter 3: Deadly Stride
Avenger daily 5: Menacing Presence
Avenger utility 6: Deliverance of Faith
Avenger encounter 7: Inexorable Pursuit
ITEMS
Radiant Temple Uniform Cloth Armor (Basic Clothing) +2, Adventurer's Kit, Grappling Hook, Holy Symbol, Hand Crossbow, Sandals of Precise Stepping (heroic tier), Blade of Vengeance Falchion +2
MBA
Blade of Vengeance Falchion +2
+15 to hit, 2d4 + 7
+2d6 radiant on crit
1s & 2s on damage become 3s if my Oath of Enmity target.
And zooming in a little bit, we're going to set this in the isolated enclave of southeastern Nentir Vale; the Barony of Harkenhold. Furthermore, we're going to set this in the more isolated still hamlet of Easthill:
We're going to set this after the brief abstract of events above (because it thematically has no bearing on our lone PCs dramatic needs!). Lets say that Adalbar was convinced by a fraction of the small village's shepherds and stonecutters to make a stand against the Iron Circle marauders...and make a stand they did. However, the cost was immense. They were cut down to half their numbers and, though he led the vanguard to push the marauders out in the final stand, Adalbar was rendered blind in one eye and lamed terribly in the fight. Though a symbol of courage and a figure of sound counsel, he will never walk, hunt, or fight again.
Meanwhile, Sarken Toldorff was forced into exile into the Briar Hills during the siege. However, he has returned and the large majority of the community, most of the remaining living, are furious at the profound losses that Easthill endured due to Adalbar's being swayed by a small fraction of patriots (less than a handful still alive and each of those maimed) within the ranks of Easthill's now-routed community.
Lets go with that as our starting point...
The sun is setting at the back of the priest as he enters the outskirts of the adrift community of Easthill. A mixed company gathers around a maimed man tied to a stake, kindling at his feet. The captive's eyes are sad, yet unafraid. Weathered skin tells the tale of many hours as a shepherd. Horrific wounds on naked body, futilely attempting to scar, tell a tale of war. And recent at that.
The air is thick with the promise of violence. A ringleader brandishes burning torch.
Whether it's a snapped twig, the crunch of grass, a cough, or the feel of eyes upon them, as one, they turn to behold the newly arrived stranger. The rays of the sun blind them despite their shielding hands.
Does a memory wash over Valak-Born-Anew as he takes in this spectacle?
What does he do?
Once we figure out a Goal and declaration here, we'll go to the conflict mechanics (if we indeed have a conflict here).
He's elected to play this in the default Points of Light setting for 4e (map below).
Once we've resolved his 3 Minor Quests and 1 x Major Quest, the tale that has been carved out for Valak-Born-Anew will be told. His character particulars are below:
Name: Valak-Born-Anew
Race: Deva
Background: Purified Soul
Theme: Sohei
Story and Quests:
At some point in the past Valikos fell - descending into cruelty and whims, his form twisting into a rakshasa. Through the blessing of Avandra and the sacrifice of a cousin deva, he was redeemed. Now he travels the world atoning for his past, each act of repentance absolving a perpetuated wrong and returnsing some of the memories of his past lives before the blot of darkness severed him from that history. Rumors of a cult springing up in the Fallcrest area led by what may be a rakshasa have filtered to his ears, redemption of such a figure is the highest calling of his purified life.
Major Quest: With the Changebringer's Grace, redeem and purify the rakshasa - or end their dominion before they can grow into a true tyrant.
Minor quest: Locate the cult's hidden sanctuaries and verify their leader's identity.
Minor quest: Obtain a holy implement or ritual to bind the rakshasa's power.
Minor quest: Perform an act of repentance, preventing an occurrence of the sort of cruelty he perpetuated in his past.
Valak-Born-Anew, level 8
Deva, Avenger
Build: Pursuing Avenger
Avenger's Censure: Censure of Pursuit
Background: Purified Soul (Insight class skill)
Theme: Sohei (+2 insight & perception at level 5)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 14, Dex 17, Int 13, Wis 20, Cha 8.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 8.
AC: 22 Fort: 17 Reflex: 18 Will: 20
HP: 70 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 17
TRAINED SKILLS
Religion +12, Acrobatics +14, Insight +16, Perception +16
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +5, Bluff +3, Diplomacy +3, Dungeoneering +9, Endurance +6, Heal +9, History +7, Intimidate +3, Nature +9, Stealth +9, Streetwise +3, Thievery +7, Athletics +6
FEATS
Level 1: Melee Training (Wisdom)
Level 2: Avenging Resolution
Level 4: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Level 6: Deadly Draw
Level 8: Invigorating Pursuit
POWERS
Avenger at-will 1: Overwhelming Strike
Avenger at-will 1: Bond of Censure
Sohei at-will 1: Sohei Flurry
Avenger encounter 1: Angelic Alacrity
Avenger daily 1: Aspect of Might
Avenger utility 2: Resonant Escape
Avenger encounter 3: Deadly Stride
Avenger daily 5: Menacing Presence
Avenger utility 6: Deliverance of Faith
Avenger encounter 7: Inexorable Pursuit
ITEMS
Radiant Temple Uniform Cloth Armor (Basic Clothing) +2, Adventurer's Kit, Grappling Hook, Holy Symbol, Hand Crossbow, Sandals of Precise Stepping (heroic tier), Blade of Vengeance Falchion +2
MBA
Blade of Vengeance Falchion +2
+15 to hit, 2d4 + 7
+2d6 radiant on crit
1s & 2s on damage become 3s if my Oath of Enmity target.
And zooming in a little bit, we're going to set this in the isolated enclave of southeastern Nentir Vale; the Barony of Harkenhold. Furthermore, we're going to set this in the more isolated still hamlet of Easthill:
Easthill
Population: 155 A hamlet of shepherds and stonecutters, Easthill rests on the slopes of the Briar Hills. The stone used to build the crossing at Albridge was quarried from hills nearby. A human trader named Sarken Toldorff is the village elder, but he is thoroughly cowed by the Iron Circle marauders. A hunter named Adalbar has quietly stepped up to organize Easthill’s fight.We're going to set this after the brief abstract of events above (because it thematically has no bearing on our lone PCs dramatic needs!). Lets say that Adalbar was convinced by a fraction of the small village's shepherds and stonecutters to make a stand against the Iron Circle marauders...and make a stand they did. However, the cost was immense. They were cut down to half their numbers and, though he led the vanguard to push the marauders out in the final stand, Adalbar was rendered blind in one eye and lamed terribly in the fight. Though a symbol of courage and a figure of sound counsel, he will never walk, hunt, or fight again.
Meanwhile, Sarken Toldorff was forced into exile into the Briar Hills during the siege. However, he has returned and the large majority of the community, most of the remaining living, are furious at the profound losses that Easthill endured due to Adalbar's being swayed by a small fraction of patriots (less than a handful still alive and each of those maimed) within the ranks of Easthill's now-routed community.
Lets go with that as our starting point...
The sun is setting at the back of the priest as he enters the outskirts of the adrift community of Easthill. A mixed company gathers around a maimed man tied to a stake, kindling at his feet. The captive's eyes are sad, yet unafraid. Weathered skin tells the tale of many hours as a shepherd. Horrific wounds on naked body, futilely attempting to scar, tell a tale of war. And recent at that.
The air is thick with the promise of violence. A ringleader brandishes burning torch.
Whether it's a snapped twig, the crunch of grass, a cough, or the feel of eyes upon them, as one, they turn to behold the newly arrived stranger. The rays of the sun blind them despite their shielding hands.
Does a memory wash over Valak-Born-Anew as he takes in this spectacle?
What does he do?
Once we figure out a Goal and declaration here, we'll go to the conflict mechanics (if we indeed have a conflict here).
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