"Sly Youth" has chosen to be The Landless Noble which makes them an Elder (Nobility), Warrior-Rogue.

They can speak for the character of Elton Hunter if this is the direction everyone wants to go.

The average age of the characters is no longer "youth". Interesting.
Late bloomers?

I wouldn't mind playing out the short-term town reaction to the tanner's death. Perhaps that would lead to a quest Beyond the Wall!

Also chasing Dumoss to the Fae King would be a great followup. The only downside perhaps (not really to me) is that the Town/Trial whatever might be pretty intense RP for a little while. I guess we'll just trust our DM to keep the story moving.

In all honesty though, I like the darker, grittier turn this story took, and would like to follow it out a while.

Would it be possible to get a quick recap on the events so far? All these paths seem interesting, I just have so little investment thus far!

And thanks for the warm welcome, I've noticed this GM seems to really know his stuff. I'm excited to see the game in action!

Starting on a Morning Like Any Other, Alvar the Tanner turned up missing.
He hadn't arrive for breakfast at the inn which was unusual.
Both because his fiancee was cooking it and because it was his established habit.

Since Alvar the Tanner's fiancee is Tobias's sister, Tobias forced himself to get involved.
The other friends joined him in looking for Alvar and instead found the trail of a golden deer.

While following the trail of the deer, they were sidetracked into a Sinking Situation of rescuing a child that had fallen into a sink hole and hurt his leg.
They kept the resident bear at bay while getting the boy out.

Taking it Again From The Top, Tobias and Dumoss went on into the woods following the deer trail, while the others returned to town.

Just as Elton the Hunter found and shot the deer, Tobias and Dumoss caught up with him.
They witnessed the shooting.
After Elton shot the golden deer, Alvar the Tanner was found with Elton's arrow through his heart.
Dumoss took the beautiful belt with a ornate silver Fae buckle off of Alvar's body and said he wanted to have The Erl King determine its powers.

Tobias convinced him not to leave and to help return Alvar to Tobias's house so they could work out a plan.
With the last of his energy, Tobias animated Alvar's body and the four of them proceeded to Tobias's tower home.
---
Currently, Tobias has passed out and Alvar's body is no longer animated.

Wow, that's gonna haunt Elton for the rest of his days. I would gladly defend him before Lord Math, as Etiquette and Charisma are the best things I have going for me. Following that up, I think a trip to the Fae Realms to see the Erl King and determine the effects of the belt would be a fine time!

Oh, and can I get my name changed to Rolan Bauer?

Just so you are aware "The Erl-King" is of the Unseelie (Dark) court and his daughter Elithien of the Seelie (Light).

"The Erl-King" is the leader of the Wild Hunt while his daughter leads the Promenade.

Time moves at a much different pace in the Fae Realms and there is no way for mortals to know which court is antecedent at any specific time without entering the Realms.

Unless either of you know of anyone else that might be interested in playing, we will start the next chapter with Tobias's awakening.
At that point I will roll to determine if Dumoss is still in the tower.

"Sly Youth" is now known as Rolan of Bauer.

I hope I can live up to those high expectations that were mentioned.


13:40, Today: Oracle rolled 17 using 1d20.  >= 14 Dumoss has left .
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:41, Wed 05 Feb 2020.

That Sir Rolan of Bauer to you, peasant. XP

I don't want to randomly appear, so I'll hold off on having Rolan make his appearance until Tobias and Elton return to the village.

Well, you could tell me where you are so I know where they will have to go to find you.
;)

Do you have a run down mansion at the edge of the wood?
Having fallen on hard times and not owning land, you will need to work for your income.
I assume from your background you are somewhat of an alchemist (organic chemist) and spend a lot of time in the surrounding woods?

I assume you know Ravyn Nox well? Many call her the "Witch" or the "Ol'Witcher Woman".
Also that you provide her with exotic materials from the woods?

This is just guessing and you can correct or elaborate as you see fit.
Things are only "locked in" once you "start".

Rolan does live near the woods, but in a run-down tower, not mansion. His younger siblings live in the Noble Manor with Lord Math. He earns his keep hunting and foraging in the wood and brewing potions for the locals. He would likely be somewhere in the woods, but I had imagined him currently in audience with the Lord when Elton and Tobias return and attempt to absolve themselves.

It only makes sense that Rolan and Ravyn have, at least, a working relationship. Seeing that Charisma is his strong suit, I'm ssure Sir Rolan also maintains a friendly reltionship with most, if not all, of the town.

I was thinking that you being comfortable in the deep words more than most, you would hunt for mushrooms, roots and berries that were rare and not generally used for food.

Mandrake and mugwort roots for example.

Things that a healer/"witch" would want but wouldn't risk the deep woods to gather.

Maybe even traffic with the Fae or accepted to be near their realm.

Not trying to re-create your character just trying to fit what you described as your background and method of vengeance in smoothly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:31, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

No, I appreciate the expounding! That all fits perfectly for the character I have imagined. Polan would relish the opportunity to make as many allies as he can, one day he may need them. Holding onto a long list of favors would be beneficial to him, as well, and could be the more driving purpose behind defending Elton in court, in addition to believing his word.

Yseult of Tolay has expressed an interest in re-engaging with the game.
They said that Real Life has settled down enough to allow play.

Excellent! Glad to hear that!

Woo! Awesome to hear!

With Nevyn never engaging in the game besides creating a character, I've decided that Rolan will take his "slot" and get player to right learns of Fae +1 int from Jeffery Smith.

The "learns of Fae" is also provided.

Sick kids. Sry. Will catch up tomorrow. Gotta love winter.

In reply to Oracle (msg # 86):

Good deal! Thanks for the info!

"Stonetop" looks like it would mix well with BtW.
https://www.kickstarter.com/pr...dYmC7hoT4UrTUoYAJ6l4

May have to give it a try.

I was listening to an actual play podcast of this game. It sounded fun. Let me know when you're back in the saddle! ;-)

In reply to Tobias Draigh (msg # 90):

Same, it looks good from what I've seen so far.

The basic character playbooks are: The Blessed, The Fox, The Heavy, The Judge, The Lightbearer, The Marshal, The Ranger, The Seeker, and The Would-Be Hero.

These are all "persons of note" for the town.

Of course the town also has its own Playbook, as it is a "character" that develops during play.

Read this and it seems true.

I think the biggest differences in "vibe" between Stonetop and BTW are:
1) In BTW, you're all young adults, just starting out, and the game is metaphor for growing up (at least, I think it is).
In Stonetop, you certainly can be a young adult, but you can also be an old, established pillar of the community.
The game is more about the community itself, and how the PCs fit into it, protect it, build it up.

2) In BTW, character creation and your starting adventure pack shape the village pretty much from nothing.
Stonetop has a much more baked-in starting point.

3) BTW tends to put the starting village in context of a larger kingdom or civilization.
Stonetop is much more on the edge of nowhere, isolated, etc.

4) The baked in elements of the Stonetop world tend to be... grimmer?
The magic especially has a certain sort of bloody, powers-that-you-probably-shouldn't-mess-with vibe.
I don't generally get that from BTW, though it certainly can be there.

FYI
The creator playing an example game.
https://spoutinglore.blogspot....et-con-2018.html?m=1