I took a little Tumblr break - but I’m back! I sent Paizo some goblin Christmas ornaments, and they did a little blog. Check it out if you haven’t! They’d make suitable cell phone charms and keyrings, too.
Today was Free RPG Day.
For those of you not in the RPG know, Free RPG Day is like Christmas for us tabletop gamers! The organizers of this day pull together free modules and samples from all the big (and small) gaming organizations who want to participate and offer free materials for promotional purposes, and distribute them to brick & mortar gaming stores.
Above is our FLGS, Dungeon’s End. We run Pathfinder games here every Sunday, and today we did Free RPG Day there.
Originally, I was to run a game as well, but the Pathfinder players were mostly spoken for and so I joined my husband’s game. We ended up playing the module from Gaming Paper titled Slavers of the Sunken Garden.
Our cover seems to have been cut incorrectly, but if it’s free can I really complain?
The first thing you notice about this module isn’t the cover art…it’s the map.
Twenty sheets of high-quality gaming paper create the map used for almost everything in this module. And I do mean high quality! At one point during the adventure I accidentally got a little too excited and knocked Diet Coke all over two of the sheets. The paper recovered very gracefully - it’s a little puckered, but not a stain remains!
Unfortunately, the module didn’t come with pre-generated characters, which is a standard feature of modules like this. My husband had to use Hero Lab to create a party for people…so he decided to create level 7 versions of the Pathfinder Iconic characters.
Our party consisted of four level 7 characters, due to a shortage of free players.
The module says it’s for levels 6-8. I’m not sure about that, though. The encounters were very, very difficult for a party of four level 7s, especially the end boss. It felt hard enough that I feel a level 6 party would very easily wipe.
All things said though, this module is very, very good. It was a really nice one-off. We normally just do campaigns and adventure modules that are very roleplay heavy, so playing with some new people in a carefree, unconnected module was kind of liberating!
I don’t want to spoil anything, as Gaming Paper is soon going to be selling this module/map combo on their website HERE. But this module took us 6 1/2 hours to beat, which is within the time that they estimate in the game itself.
I’m not sure how much replayability it has, but if you can get your hands on a copy and have an afternoon to spare, I definitely suggest it. Just make sure you have built your level 6-8 characters beforehand. The character generation itself would make this a 10 hour endeavor, which is a little much.
Also, my husband won candy dice. They tasted so damn good. :q
I found this cool 100 character questions survey, as if your character is being interviewed. I decided to fill one out for one of my Pathfinder PCs, a half-orc named T’ankwa.
Part 1: The Basics
What is your full name? T’ankwa
Where and when were you born? Somewhere in the Mwagni Expanse. I can’t show you where it is on a map, I don’t know. I am perhaps close to seventeen springs old…I do not know exactly how old I am, but I was born in the spring
Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.) My mother was a human, but I know nothing else about her. My father was Kerrlok, a warrior in my old tribe. I did not ever speak to him
Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like? My father made many more children. I didn’t know any of them well. I do not know if my mother had other children
Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people. I don’t have a home, but I travel with Sidnei, Talryn and Inadia. Sometimes Sidnei and I share a room at Inns
What is your occupation? I am an adventurer
Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks. I am very tall with green skin. My eyes are mostly orcish eyes, which look kind of like snake eyes with with red rimming around the pupils. I am very muscular compared to most humans, and have black hair that is kind of stiff and bristly. I have ritual tattoos and scarring, and have two slave rings under the skin near my shoulders
To which social class do you belong? Monetarily, I am wealthy. I am a half-orc though, and I know in the eyes of most species and people this puts me in a class well below any human
Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses? No
Are you right- or left-handed? Right
What does your voice sound like? A strange question – I like to think it sounds intimidating. The best defense as a half-orc is to preemptively warn people you will not deal with them
What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently? Don’t think I have any
What do you have in your pockets? Coin
Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? Not that I am aware of
Part 2: Growing Up
How would you describe your childhood in general? Difficult
What is your earliest memory? I think it was a birth. I remember it because it was so shocking and I hadn’t seen it before
How much schooling have you had? I never had formal, civilized schooling. I learned female tasks from the moment I could hold things though
Did you enjoy school? I learned to enjoy the tasks associated with my schooling, yes
Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities? I learned cooking, skinning, whittling, crafting…all of these things…from the mothers. My fighting techniques are self-taught, they were things I never knew I was capable of until I was free
While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them. I did not
While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? I did not get along well with the full blooded females. The other female half-breeds – there were two, Leyak and K’ran – I was friendly with. We had little choice but to protect each other
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I had only known being a mother. It was not a dream but I knew it was my future, so I came to terms with the idea. No other life was shown to me
As a child, what were your favorite activities? I very much enjoyed crafting weapons. It was something I took pride in
As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display? I was not a stubborn child. I folded very easily to demands, and consider myself to have been a very meek child
As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like? There were Leyak and K’ran. We were not close friends, those relationships didn’t really exist. But we protected each other
When and with whom was your first kiss? Talryn, only a moon or two ago
Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? No. I very recently became intimate with Talryn.
If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today. It was on my first night alone in the jungle, when I was attacked my a jaguar. I did not know what to do, and out of fear I swung and found myself acting as feral as the cat was, and my nails turned into claws.
Part 3: Past Influences
What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? Escaping the village. If I hadn’t, I might not even be alive.
Who has had the most influence on you? Gorum. He has given me balance in my life I desperately needed.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?I don’t think I’ve achieved much yet. My greatest achievemtn is still to come.
What is your greatest regret? Not being able to find my mother’s identity.
What is the most evil thing you have ever done? I guess it would be all those people I killed on Smuggler’s Shiv.
Do you have a criminal record of any kind?I have never been arrested.
When was the time you were the most frightened? When I was told that I was going to be K’yik’s fifth female.
What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you? Probably that monkey hitting me with its feces.
If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why? I wouldn’t have defended Inadia against those people he lied to.
What is your best memory? Probably when Talryn and I were first alone, and he told me honestly how he felt…I had thought he was teasing me about my orcish features in a not-so-friendly way.
What is your worst memory? Knowing I was going to be K’yik’s mate, and being marked like livestock that he owned me. That specific tattoo is the one I almost wish I could remove.
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions
Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic? I am an optimist, but I keep my positivity internal.
What is your greatest fear? Becoming like an orc.
What are your religious views? I worship Gorum. People often find it odd, as I am not a person who lives by many strict guidelines, but he gives me the balance I often cannot find on my own.
What are your political views? I don’t care for politics.
What are your views on sex? As long as it is not forced upon someone, I don’t care what or how people take to it.
Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable? If it is justified. I don’t want to kill the defenseless, or ones who need protection. But if I’m being attacked with lethal force I will not hesitate to tear them to pieces.
In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do? Perhaps torture? Few humans are capable of true evil.
Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? I did not use to, but I’m heavily weighing the idea now.
What do you believe makes a successful life? Freedom.
How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)? I hide my feelings from others. My thoughts on matters such as battle or strategy I share, but personal feelings and thoughts are very private to me. I will usually only share them if someone has wounded me…like in Inadia’s case.
Do you have any biases or prejudices? I do, though I try to get past that.
Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it? Make another person submit to my will, or enslave anyone. I know that life and I wish others did not have to.
Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)? My friends.
Part 5: Relationships With Others
In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how? I keep people at an emotional distance. I will share my feelings with those I know I can trust.
Who is the most important person in your life, and why? It is now Talryn. He has shown a sensitivity toward me I’ve never experienced before in my life, and I’ve never felt so happy.
Who is the person you respect the most, and why? Ishirou. The man carries the weight of a long life of struggle, and remains a brick wall against those things pressing against him.
Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people. My friends are my best friends – Sidnei and Talryn. In Sidnei I’ve found a kindred spirit. She’s physically strong and a match for me in battle, and very loyal as a friend. I know she has my back. Talryn is much the same.
Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person. I am seeing Talryn. He is a lighthearted elf, who is very kind and gentle.
Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened. I think I may be…
What do you look for in a potential lover? Until I met Talryn, I had thought perhaps someone physically strong and able to match me in a fight. But now, I’m not sure.
How close are you to your family? Not at all.
Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not? I’m not sure. Orc blood is not a blessing, and my life will be very short.
Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help? Talryn or Sidnei
Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? I know Talryn would try to protect me if he is or isn’t able to, and Sidnei would stand by my side.
If you died or went missing, who would miss you? I would hope my close friends and my party, but I am unsure.
Who is the person you despise the most, and why? Anyone from my tribe. They are vicious, ignorant brutes.
Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? If I feel strongly about something, I will argue until the end if it is productive.
Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? No.
Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? I do not. I have little experience in dealing with most kinds of people face to face, let alone in a group.
Do you care what others think of you? Yes, I do. I am always worried people will see me as a monster, especially when I have trouble controlling myself .
Part 6: Likes And Dislikes
What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes? I enjoy crafting weapons, and enjoy a stiff drink. I also enjoy sparring, and working out.
What is your most treasured possession? I do not have one. I guess it would be my mace?
What is your favorite color? Blue.
What is your favorite food? Roasted snake.
What, if anything, do you like to read? I do not know how.
What is your idea of good entertainment? I enjoy war marches, and other such songs.
Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit? I enjoy a good drink, and I don’t plan to stop drinking. It relaxes me after battles.
How do you spend a typical Saturday night? Usually on guard in a camp.
What makes you laugh? A good joke. I don’t tell good ones, but Talryn often can make me laugh. And even Gellik’s humor has grown on me.
What, if anything, shocks or offends you? I am not easily offended by anything.
What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself? Practice with my axe, fists or mace, to wear myself out and hone my skills.
How do you deal with stress? I work out.
Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan? I am spontaneous. I have a tendency to do what first comes to mind rather than plan.
What are your pet peeves? I dislike when people take a long time making a decision.
Part 7: Self Images And Etc.
Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted? If I am on the trail, when I wake up I spend about half an hour or longer warming up, practicing with my weapons and stretching. This is followed by breakfast. After this I train Specs.
What is your greatest strength as a person? I am loyal to those who are loyal to me.
What is your greatest weakness? When I get into a frenzy in combat, I have a tendency to lose perspective or recognize the severity of situations. Sometimes, I lose control completely.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish I had better control on my emotions in battle.
Are you generally introverted or extroverted? Introverted.
Are you generally organized or messy? Organized I guess. I don’t own many things with which to be either.
Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at. Good: Fighting, protecting others, crafting weapons. Bad: Controlling my temper while in a fight, singing, anything artistic
Do you like yourself? Yes.
What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons…) Initially, I was only traveling to try and see if I could find my mother, and if she had survived. After a year or so of that, I decided to move on and took up adventuring in order to help others. My goal isn’t to gain money, but to help people and further goals to help people that are enslaved or not able to control their own lives.
What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime? Jaask has been able to promise us land in Eledar if this mission is successful. I want to be a land-owning half-orc, and buy Chelish slaves, free them, and find work for them on my land. This is my dream, not just my goal.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hopefully as above.
If you could choose, how would you want to die? Quickly, and in battle.
If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left. I would spend time intimately with Talryn, perhaps try to relax and play some cards with my friends, and give them the few pieces of information I have about who my mother is/was, so perhaps one day they can find out who she is.
What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death? Here’s this word again – hopefully for my loyalty, and I’d like people to remember that half-orcs are not as bestial as their green parent.
What three words best describe your personality? Intense, kind, loyal
What three words would others probably use to describe you? Strong, savage, quiet
If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice…) (haha, couldn’t find an answer to this one)
