New thread, although I think most folks aren't checking our site these days.  Still, it gives me an opportunity to put some info out there and organize (albeit poorly) my thoughts.

"The Merchant Mages are subtle, and quick to anger, as a friend of mine once said.  I believe that a departure from the warrens, slums, and fleshpots of Rimsedge is both recommended and wise...for a space of some short time."

Lathridios spoke quietly as he arranged bottles and various glasses, mugs, and other less nameable items behind the bar--his mongrelman hands moving with surprising deftness and speed.

"Numerous destinations might suggest themselves to intrepid travelers, particularly those who have publicly shown no small measure of bravery in the face of both Spawn from the Pit and the Mages--should one wish to differentiate."
This message was last edited by the user at 07:33, Thu 21 Mar 2013.

In reply to Lathridios (msg # 2):

Options for skipping town follow.

Option 1:  An itinerant merchant approaches the party, aware of their increasing renown and reputation.  His once-noble family has fallen into a disgrace so complete that all records, information, and real property pertaining or belonging to the family was destroyed.  However, he believes that a means of refuting the charges and restoring his family honor exists--in the only remaining sanctum of the family that was not destroyed...its ancient burial complex.

Of course, fabulous wealth is also rumored to be housed within.

Such a course would remove the party from the discomforts of Rimsedge, for a time.  Will you take this path?

Option 2:  In spite of the outcome of the so-called "competition" associated with the opening of the Merchant Mages Academy and its clearly fraudulent and deadly nature, tournaments abound throughout the kingdoms and realms of Arret.  One such tournament, almost mythically famous and far to the East along the coasts of Grang, is approaching--in spite of the war-torn lands that surround the area.  This is a martial tournament, a pitting of warriors, monks, and those puissant with arms and magic against one another in a controlled and orderly manner.  Wondrous prizes are said to be allotted to those who perform well, and the tournament has attained a virtually legendary status.

The party, through its reputation and recent adventures, has received invitations to attend the Fallen Heavens--the fabled tournament of Grang.  Will you take this path?
This message was last edited by the user at 07:17, Thu 21 Mar 2013.

Option 3:  To the west, in the high fastness of the Broken Tooth Mountains along the ancient caravan route, lies the last significant outpost of Paldorian culture and clergy--the stronghold of Bris.  Thought to possess a mystical place in space and time and provide protections against extraplanar incursions, and known to have amples stores of magic and wealth laid by, Bris is regarded as both refuge and a place to gain deep knowledge.  All of the Mithran orders are represented there, but the followers of Vagrani are most numerous.  Doors to other places, knowledge of those places, and the aid to understand and unravel the complexities of space and time are said to lie within the monastery and caravanaseri of Bris.

The party has, by dint of its reputation and encounter with the Merchant Mages, been invited to travel to Bris for rest, relaxation, enlightenment, and any and all amenities and opportunities such a place could afford to intrepid adventurers.  Will you take this path?

Holy crud...this site or my computer is posting bullshit links to some of my words that have NOTHING to do with our campaign.  Testing:

Invitations

Broken Tooth

I'm trying to see if either of these words/phrases acquires an advertising link.

I like #3, then #1. I imagine Scott and Jason would dig #2.

In reply to Perrato Viatomagne (msg # 7):

I like #3 then #1.  After the last frustrations of the last adventure, Aine would like the rest and relaxation option.

Option scoring:

Scenario 3 (Vagrani temple): 4 points
Scenario 1 (Family honor/tomb): 2 points

Please continue to weigh in.  High hand wins...

KOB

I vote for 2 pts for option #2 and 1 pt for option #1

Tally:

Option 1: 3
Option 2: 2
Option 3: 4

Caylin, Gilrak and Totmacher still need to vote.

Hey gang,

Let's keep those ballots coming...please weigh in on which two of the three options have the most appeal for you and your character.  Nat will, hopefully, be weighing in with Caylin as his character (unless he wants to play the wizard Aidrin) and will be joining us in Kansas City this year.

I'm encouraging those of you who haven't expressed option preferences to do so by this coming weekend.  That will give me ample opportunity to prep, tweak, and pick up some minis for the event.

Cheers,
Kev

In reply to DM (msg # 11):

...I guess no surprise here - I vote 2pts for option #2, and 1pt for #1

In reply to Totmacher of the Wilds (msg # 12):


All tied up at:

Option 1 (Family honor/tomb):          4 pts
Option 2 (Fallen Heavens Tournament):  4 pts
Option 3 (Vagrani temple and retreat): 4 pts

Nat and Jason are the determining votes.

KOB

Gilrak eyes the cast of characters around the card table with squinty-eyed suspicion...  And then slams his cards down, adding with an ale laden belch:

Two points for the Tourney and one point for the Stronghold of Bris!!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Thu 30 May 2013.

Scoring update as we move into the river...kinda.  Nat's will be the sixth rather than fifth ballot, but a deciding one nonetheless.

Score at this point:

Option 1 (Family honor/tomb):          4 pts
Option 2 (Fallen Heavens Tournament):  6 pts
Option 3 (Vagrani temple and retreat): 5 pts

If there is some sort of weird 3-way tie (i.e. Nat votes Option 1 as a primary and Option 3 as a secondary), I'll do a sudden-death (get it?  y'know, for the upcoming, brutal, and unwinnable Pathfinder scenario?) tie-breaker.

KOB

Nat says:

Hmm...  I'm good with playing the archer again, and thus the tournament sounds appealing. However, it sounds challenging from a group dynamic standpoint (i.e., if we're spectating).  Also, in the last weekend, I was sort of a one trick pony/damage machine, and would vote for a path that might showcase skills more generally. So I vote Option 1 followed by 2.

Option 1 (Family honor/tomb):          6 pts
Option 2 (Fallen Heavens Tournament):  7 pts
Option 3 (Vagrani temple and retreat): 5 pts

This isn't really a spoiler alert...rather, more of a heads-up.  You will be competing as a team in this competition, generally against other teams, or to overcome specific challenges, or to accomplish various tasks.  There will be a *lot* of dice rolling and game mechanics deployment, so be prepared along those lines.  I'll post more info re: the origins of the tournament, the general nature of the tournament (it's not a psycho-fest and is very controlled, albeit with a significant possibility of serious injury and potential mortality).

KOB

The sorceress Hao Jin left an indelible mark upon the lands of Cha Neng Ling, in the Empire of Grang. Throughout her centuries-long life, Hao Jin—a devout follower of Tsai Chen, Grangian god of contracts, wealth, and order—set out to amass her own First Vault, a collection of those items she deemed most perfect or wondrous in all the world. Among the many pacts and contracts with her god, and her dealings with the celestial bureaucracy that dictated Hao Jin’s life, was her carefully contracted agreement with the temple of Tsai Chen in the City of Moshin regarding the fate of her collection in the event of her eventual death. Fearful that her treasures would fall into the wrong hands or simply be lost to history, Hao Jin left strict instructions that were she not to set foot within the temple for 10 years and a day, on the 10 year anniversary of that occasion, an epic competition of martial arts was to be held, overseen by the city’s Tsai Chen clergy; the winning team would be allowed to choose a single item as a prize for their victory. Not only would this prevent the collection from immediately being broken up, but it also ensured her life’s work would attain its own legendary immortality through the prestige the contest would bring.

During her lifetime, many who knew of her will attempted to end her life prematurely, and many succeeded. But Hao Jin had contingencies in place to such a degree that even her most cunning and careful would-be assassins underestimated her ability to return from the dead. Each time an enemy killed her, she miraculously emerged unscathed days later, her silver hair a shade more vibrant and lustrous than before her death. Her ability to overcome death and the resemblance her hair soon had to an animated, flickering white flame earned Hao Jin the nickname Silver Phoenix, and over the centuries of her life, many believed her to be truly immortal.

Yet in 6891 IC (Imperial Calendar), a recordkeeper at Moshin’s Grand Bank of Tsai Chen informed the archbanker that a decade and a day had passed since the Silver Phoenix last visited the temple. The conditions of her will had been met. As no one had seen nor heard from the sorceress for several years, she was assumed to have finally met her end, and the preparations were made to conduct the first Tournament 10 years later--designated as the Fallen Heavens Tournament. That tournament also established the office of the Emissary, a Tsai Chen official appointed for life to run the proceedings. Each decennial since, for 310 years, the greatest champions from across Arret have vied for the victors’ spot, and most contestants have competed honorably and passionately.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:03, Wed 12 June 2013.