Clockwork Abattoir: A Cadaverous Earth campaign

[Rose-of-Vellum]

Love it! The storiette was great, and I especially appreciated all the local references (the day, Jeanne, chitin, spores, etc.). Catena's history is likewise solid. I look forward to seeing her stats.

Is there anything any of you still need from from me, in order to complete your characters?

One thing -which doesn't need to be part of your character stat-block, is a residence. If you want, I can create one, but if you have something in mind, please let me know. When thinking of where your PC usually calls kip, factor in your wealth. I don't need a lot of details (but I'll never complain if they're provided) -something simple as a paramour's tenement in Ebon Ward, a seedy hostel in Indigo Ward, or flea-bitten tenement overlooking the Eastern Cemetery, etc.

[Rhamnousia]

I'll flesh out the details later, but I'm tentatively placing Phrixia in a boarding house in the Indigo Ward, it being the part of Skein that reminds her most of home.

Also, I've noticed that every one of the characters seems to be a different flavor of ruthlessly self-serving. We really need a fifth player to make a Chaotic Good character, just to throw off the curve...

[Rose-of-Vellum]

I'll flesh out the details later, but I'm tentatively placing Phrixia in a boarding house in the Indigo Ward, it being the part of Skein that reminds her most of home.

Perfect.

Also, I've noticed that every one of the characters seems to be a different flavor of ruthlessly self-serving. We really need a fifth player to make a Chaotic Good character, just to throw off the curve...

Or a self-sacrificing templar of law, altruism, and orphaned kittens.

[Seraph]

Eldritch Oddities:

• Lashing Tongue: This foot-long appendage appears to be the still-living tongue of a demon.  Mr. Nix keeps it in a bag, where it worms and thrashes around eerily but ineffectually.  It is slimy, and drips saliva constantly, and it is covered in ugly boils and blisters.  Anyone who dares to put it in their mouth will instantly be able to speak Hellspeak, but can only manage to shout profanity and curses.

Theurgic Devices:

• The Dark Glass: The edge of this jagged shard of obsidian has been carefully engraved with glyphs of seeing.  Upon command, the glass will display an image.  "Show me ____" will always be obeyed, but the exact nature of the image is uncertain.  Everything looks smoky and slightly indistinct.  The vision lasts for one minute, and at the end, the vision fades, and the glass becomes ordinary obsidian.  The last thing you can see in it is the reflection of your eyes—No wait, who's eyes are those?  Who was watching me through this thing?
• Glutton Worm: Mr. Nix keeps this sluglike creature in a small ivory box.  The worm secretes a powerful, unique acid which can dissolve virtually anything, but has no effect whatsoever on flesh or other organic matter.  The creature gobbles up the dissolved material around it, and in a matter of rounds, eats until it explodes.  It can be used to eat through a lock, disable a clockwork device or a trap, or otherwise damage or destroy an object, but it can never be used to damage a living (or gravespawn) creature.
• The Wailing Bottle: A bottle carved with mourning, screaming faces, the lid is stoppered up, and sealed off with clay.  If this bottle is smashed open on the ground, it releases the damned souls in torment that were trapped inside.  They instantly start to be pulled down into Hell, and they will reach, pull, and claw at the closest living creature to try and remain in this world.  A horde of spirits assaults the subject of this bottle, making all action rolls two steps harder for 1d6 rounds.

I figured Mr. Nix would be squatting in an abandoned flat in the Ebon Ward.  He wouldn't exactly pay rent as such, but would periodically have to repair something, buy off someone who would report him or otherwise take care of matters. 

[Rose-of-Vellum]

SH,

Love the tongue.

I like the Dark-glass as well. The one change I will have you make is that it requires an Intellect check to make it work, with the DC based on the familiarity you have with the intended target. So, gaining a glimpse of your squatter's hole would be a DC 0. Glimpsing an associate you have worked with several times might be a 1 or a 2. Asking to see a magistra you've never met might be a 5, and seeing the bottom of Abysm (if such even exists) would be a 10.

Glutton-Worm is also awesome, though I'll have you temper the 'item's' effect, such that it can only dissolve inorganic material of level 3 or lower. Larger or hardier specimens might exist that could devour harder materials. Also, rather than exploding and outright dying, I would suggest that the creature devours the material, curls upon into an ephemeral cocoon, then explodes, releasing a cloud of tiny cog-midges/oil-flies, a species of diminutive flies that feast on grease and gear-rust, making them a local pest and nuisance in Skein. Also, I'd have it such that glutton-worms, otherwise known as gear-gorgers, rustmouthers, and their more scientific name of aerugo larvae, enter a state of torpor or stasis when they are cut off from food sources -hence the ivory box. Also, this would explain how they came to Skein, where they previously only infested the ruins of Cullys and Suchol, and are awakened by travelers who disturb their hibernation in otherwise barren stretches of the Slaughterlands.  

Hmm, now I want to write up a full blurb on these beasties, including how they plague the Painted House, Skein's patina-crusted prison in Ebon Ward, and how they prey upon the Brass-Skulls, even while some gearborgs use aerugo-flies as a form of mechanical maggot therapy, since the midges only eat rusted metal.

I love the wailing bottle as well. The flavor once again is terrific. I'll tinker with the mechanics, however, and say that the effect has an immediate range (and so one would need to make an attack roll to make sure one's aim was correct, even if the DC is low). Also, I'll say that different 'proofs' of wailing bottles exist. A 'distilled' bottle would reduce the victim's actions by 2 steps. Weaker 'vintages', however, only reduce actions by 1 step. Since this is a starting-level theurgic device, your bottle is one of the weaker ones.

Once again, amazingly evocative items, SH. Truly.

I figured Mr. Nix would be squatting in an abandoned flat in the Ebon Ward.  He wouldn't exactly pay rent as such, but would periodically have to repair something, buy off someone who would report him or otherwise take care of matters.  

Likewise perfect.

[Rose-of-Vellum]

Also, Ghostman, could you let me know which syndicate you want your PC to be attached to? I'm trying to finalize how all your motley PCs come together, and that piece is vital.

[Ghostman]

I've settled for the Brass Skulls as the most fitting syndicate for Xavier.

Selecting a Focus is proving a headache though -- I'm torn between Artifice and Assassination. The tier 1 of Artifice and it's additional equipment are very fitting for the character concept, but the further tiers feel like they go way beyond mere tinkering. All the automata-related benefits in particular seem inappropriate. Assassination OTOH presents a feasible progression through all tiers.

Is it possible for a character to gain tiers from different foci?

Another solution could be adding a new Rogue Trick similar to Gutter-Witchcraft that represents a rogue dabbling in clockwork without making it his primary pursuit.

[Rose-of-Vellum]

I've settled for the Brass Skulls as the most fitting syndicate for Xavier.

With his mechanical acumen, augmentation, and seeming amorality, I would say that fits well. Thanks for getting back to me.

Selecting a Focus is proving a headache though -- I'm torn between Artifice and Assassination. The tier 1 of Artifice and it's additional equipment are very fitting for the character concept, but the further tiers feel like they go way beyond mere tinkering. All the automata-related benefits in particular seem inappropriate. Assassination OTOH presents a feasible progression through all tiers.
Is it possible for a character to gain tiers from different foci?
Another solution could be adding a new Rogue Trick similar to Gutter-Witchcraft that represents a rogue dabbling in clockwork without making it his primary pursuit.

Based upon your posts, I would recommend picking Assassination. Then, as your first-tier human and/or archetype bonus skill, choose engineering and/or crafting (explosives, bombs, etc.). Due to your syndicate allegiance, I'll allow you to switch starting gear -taking Artifice rather than Assassination (since disguises and poisons are less Brass Skull m.o. compared to brute force and mechanisms).

But no, one cannot take benefits from different foci for different tiers. The tiered benefits are not balanced in that regard.  And while I might contemplate rules for multi-focusing akin to multi-classing, I would rather avoid such for this game, as we are de facto playtesting the Penumbra rules.

A clockwork prestidigitation or mechanical legerdemain ability might be possible. I'm struggling however to find a way to make it work, as items are generally benefactions and/or expendable things. So, I don't see such an esotery/trick doing the same things as gutter-witchcraft. But I'm open to proffered wording.

[Seraph]

SH,

Love the tongue.

I like the Dark-glass as well. The one change I will have you make is that it requires an Intellect check to make it work, with the DC based on the familiarity you have with the intended target. So, gaining a glimpse of your squatter's hole would be a DC 0. Glimpsing an associate you have worked with several times might be a 1 or a 2. Asking to see a magistra you've never met might be a 5, and seeing the bottom of Abysm (if such even exists) would be a 10.

Glutton-Worm is also awesome, though I'll have you temper the 'item's' effect, such that it can only dissolve inorganic material of level 3 or lower. Larger or hardier specimens might exist that could devour harder materials. Also, rather than exploding and outright dying, I would suggest that the creature devours the material, curls upon into an ephemeral cocoon, then explodes, releasing a cloud of tiny cog-midges/oil-flies, a species of diminutive flies that feast on grease and gear-rust, making them a local pest and nuisance in Skein. Also, I'd have it such that glutton-worms, otherwise known as gear-gorgers, rustmouthers, and their more scientific name of aerugo larvae, enter a state of torpor or stasis when they are cut off from food sources -hence the ivory box. Also, this would explain how they came to Skein, where they previously only infested the ruins of Cullys and Suchol, and are awakened by travelers who disturb their hibernation in otherwise barren stretches of the Slaughterlands. 

Hmm, now I want to write up a full blurb on these beasties, including how they plague the Painted House, Skein's patina-crusted prison in Ebon Ward, and how they prey upon the Brass-Skulls, even while some gearborgs use aerugo-flies as a form of mechanical maggot therapy, since the midges only eat rusted metal.

I love the wailing bottle as well. The flavor once again is terrific. I'll tinker with the mechanics, however, and say that the effect has an immediate range (and so one would need to make an attack roll to make sure one's aim was correct, even if the DC is low). Also, I'll say that different 'proofs' of wailing bottles exist. A 'distilled' bottle would reduce the victim's actions by 2 steps. Weaker 'vintages', however, only reduce actions by 1 step. Since this is a starting-level theurgic device, your bottle is one of the weaker ones.

Once again, amazingly evocative items, SH. Truly.

Thanks!  I am happy with all of those edits.  I especially like how you really ran with the glutton worm.  The extra details are really fun and cool. And yes, I did mean for the Wailing Bottle to have an immediate range (and thus require an attack roll).  I was in something of a hurry posting this, and forgot to mention those details explicitly.

[Ghostman]

I'm working on my character stats. Xavier will be Trained Without Armor, but his starting equipment from the Rogue archetype includes light armor. Can I swap this for a different item? Also, can money be spent to purchase additional gear?

[TheMeanestGuest]

If its not too late, I'll be cooking up a character this weekend.

[Rose-of-Vellum]

SH,

Let me know when you're ready, and I'll give Mr. Nix's sheet a final review. I'll create a character thread shortly thereafter -or would people prefer I do that now?

Ghostman,

Yes, you can 'cash' in unused armor. Theurges and rogues can do so, gaining 25 additional pence, while warriors gain 50 pence (since they can start with medium armor), if they so choose. You can pool your money to buy additional gear. For instance, for 100 pence, you can purchase your clockwork-toothed boots and gloves, that count as a benefaction for climbing tasks.

MeanestGuest,

By all means, we'd be happy to have you join our digital soiree! I'll post the following on the first page, but just so everyone is made aware, the party currently consists of:

Phrixia Gronne: Graceful human rogue (way of the blade & pistol) 1 (played by Superbright)
Catena: ? human warrior (bloodletting) 1 (played by Steerpike)
Mr. Nix: ? ghul witch (diabolism) 1 (played by Seraphine_Harmonium)
Xavier: shrewd human rogue (assassination) 1* (played by Ghostman)

*Belongs to Brass Skulls syndicate.

What type of character are you thinking of playing as, MG? I ask as I'm trying to finalize hooks and connections, and I want to make sure I'm not creating things contrary to your intended PC.

[Rhamnousia]

There are also grappling hooks and rope.

[Rose-of-Vellum]

True, more mundane gear exists that act as benefactions for climbing tasks. Granted, clockwork-barbed boots and gloves win out on style. ;)

[TheMeanestGuest]

I'm thinking of playing a Frenetic Sheevra Warrior named Hadric Beyam Phel-Nirian. Roughly a century old. Father was an itinerant vagabond, mother was a magistra of Skien. She attempted to raise her son properly despite his moody and ill-focused nature, and he loved her dearly. I am uncertain how she died yet, but she did, and Hadric was consumed by sorrow for quite a long time, flunked out of the College, and generally let his family's estate waste away. He vanished for a few years, and returned seemingly freed from his despondency - or at least better able to hide it - and has since become a somewhat unusual feature of Skien's upper society, well known, but not well thought-of, due to the continuing near-bankruptcy of his estate, and his involvement in unusual and unsavory incidents, usually as a result of attempting to pay his bills at the last instant. I imagine he has a rather hostile relationship with the family of his mother's younger brother, who to this day desire his inheritance. I'll have him up today or tomorrow.

Edit: Actually, only 50 or 60, so his uncle is a bitter and obsessed scheming old man.

Edit: Archetype specialization things will be biothaumaturgic modification, and it will somehow be plant related, as he'll have skills in botany and bio-engineering (assuming that's ok. I can't figure out how many starting skills you get). I'm also not sure what foci to pick.