text:
|DM Alexander Kilcoyne
Welcome players (and perhaps lurkers).
I'm available for guidance, queries and advice re: character creation etc.
I am also on MSN throughout the day most days and you may find it much easier to ask me questions on it rather than in PbP format when checking something pre-post for example. I regularily clarify things over MSN for my kingmaker players and they seem to find it useful. My msn is-
I'm looking forward to seeing how your going to tie your backstories together.
*pulls up a chair, mixes a cool drink*.
|Jakob Mulle
|Alexander Kilcoyne
Thank you for letting me in AK. This looks like a fun ride.
Question on "Friend to animals" relavation. Does the bonus to animal's saves extend to hostile animals? I think it does which is very odd.
I would rule it only applies to non-hostile animals, I suspect thats the RAI.
Checking in. Have a lot to do on the build, as I did not work on it out of fear of jinxing it.
N'bellocq would have arrived in town perhaps hawking colorful feathers, a small crocodile skin, and some exotic meats. Something the jungle can provide and a bow can collect. But he would also be looking for work, if there was work to be found.
The Zen Archer can feel the lurk, more than see them. But they are there, he knows..one lurker..reptilian...the other? a kender? N'bellocq bites his lip. Oh, he so wants to shoot the lurker, but he awaits orders. Too bad, Kender meat bring a good price in the market, seems everybody likes a dead kender. :P
|Jakob Mulle
Jakob Mulle wrote:I would rule it only applies to non-hostile animals, I suspect thats the RAI.
Thank you for letting me in AK. This looks like a fun ride.
Question on "Friend to animals" relavation. Does the bonus to animal's saves extend to hostile animals? I think it does which is very odd.
Cool that way does seem reasonable.
Next question. Is reading the entrails of a humanoid/thinking beastie an evil act?
Fair warning I tend to ask a great many questions.
|Alexander Kilcoyne
Alexander Kilcoyne wrote:Jakob Mulle wrote:I would rule it only applies to non-hostile animals, I suspect thats the RAI.
Thank you for letting me in AK. This looks like a fun ride.
Question on "Friend to animals" relavation. Does the bonus to animal's saves extend to hostile animals? I think it does which is very odd.
Cool that way does seem reasonable.
Next question. Is reading the entrails of a humanoid/thinking beastie an evil act?
Fair warning I tend to ask a great many questions.
Not a problem.
Not an evil act; neutral I would say.
Generally as long as people play their alignment with some degree of consistency I doubt we'll see any mid game changes (none forced by me at any rate).
|Mark Sweetman
Checking in as well, thanks for the acceptance - definitely looking forward to seeing this unfold.
Will have my profile up later today with the majority of crunchy choices made. Will also cast my eye over the other party members to start getting a feel for how Qhude will play off them.
DM Alex - for the background trait, I haven't selected one. Would you like me to propose something for you to review, or would you like to select something for me?
Welcome players (and perhaps lurkers).
I'm available for guidance, queries and advice re: character creation etc.
I am also on MSN throughout the day most days and you may find it much easier to ask me questions on it rather than in PbP format when checking something pre-post for example. I regularily clarify things over MSN for my kingmaker players and they seem to find it useful. My msn is-
I'm looking forward to seeing how your going to tie your backstories together.
*pulls up a chair, mixes a cool drink*.
Just checking in. I should have Ansha ready by tomorrow. Thanks for having me!
Hope no one minds me copying all the backstories over here in one place. I didn't keep up with the character concepts as they came in so putting them all in one place makes it easier to go through them and look for connections. I think I got the latest version of everyone's characters.
Tebati was born in Nantambu in the Mwangi Expanse and grew up happily in that bastion of safety and civilization among a large extended family. Like most Bonuwat, she took to the water, fishing with her family in small boats in the Vanji river from her childhood, but she always seemed to have an instinctual bond to Shimye-Magalla and her family was unsurprised when she left the fishing life to apprentice to a local priestess of the goddess of water and freedom.
The shamaness taught Tebati all she could, but as her apprenticeship neared its end, she told the young woman that she would never understand the goddess's full nature without experiencing her most wild and unfettered form on the waves of the ocean. Tebati's love for her home was strong, but her desire to serve Shimye-Magalla was stronger. Tearfully, she bade goodbye to her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins and began her journey down the Vanji to the coast, her neck draped with multiple colored glass charms as keepsakes of her home.
Her arrival in Bloodcove was Tebati's first real encounter with the foreigners from the north and their incursion into her homeland. Expecting the same sense of openness and peace that pervades Nantambu, she found that this city was based not on beauty and knowledge like her home, but on power and money. She was in Bloodcove only for a short time, as ocean-bound ships recognized the value of having not only a healer but a cleric of the local ocean-deity on board, to please the native sailors, if nothing else, but the experience left its mark on her in a bad impression of Avistani colonials, an impression her time on board the Aspis Consortium ship and the various ports of call it visited did little to erase.
She served out the term of her contract on the ship, enjoying at least her growing acquaintance with Shimye-Magalla's unbound side, but refused to sign on for another voyage, preferring to return to her home than to spend any more time with the profane and uncouth ship's officers. Angry at her refusal to continue to serve, the captain refused to let her stay on board until the ship returned to the mouth of the Vanji, insisting that no native whore would cadge free passage on his watch. Instead, she was let off at Eleder, her glass charms glistening around her neck, to find another ship or her own way back north to Nantambu. As she is more picky about what ships she will agree to serve on now, and as land caravans north are few and far between, she could well have been in and around the capital of Sargava for several seasons.
Tebati is a striking young woman, with a pretty face and an air of confidence. While neither an overt rebel nor a condoner of violence, she is a strong advocate of the Mwangi civilizations and way of life over and against that of the colonizers. She bears no particular ill will toward individual colonials, but they have their work cut out for them convincing her of their virtue and/or competence. While she is willing to share her continent with the foreigners, she firmly believes that they have more to learn from the natives than to teach them.
If any of the other party members were rescued from Smuggler's Shiv, her ship could have been the one to pick them up. Her motivation to enter the Baron's contest would be to demonstrate that a native Mwangi can achieve anything a colonial can try for. She hopes eventually to return to Nantambu, hopefully with any party members in tow, to show them how a real Mwangi city should look and behave. She would also be motivated to uncover relics or remains of any Mwangi civilization as proof that her continent has housed greatness at least as far back as Avistan can claim.
Alignmen: Lawful Neutral
Gender: Male
Race: Human (Ijo)
Classes: Zen Archer Monk
N'bellocq Details:
Campaign Trait
Laughing Jungle Hunter- a perfect fit, as it is the inspiration for the character.
N'bellocq was born to Ijo fisherfolk but taken by Ombo slavers in his early teens. He was sold to Captain Trasker, a member of the Rivermen's Guild. The Captain trained N'bellocq to assist piloting boats along the Korir River. Chained at the front of the boat , N'bellocq would call out obstacles such as sand bars, dead falls, and exposed rocks. From early on, he carried rocks and sticks to try to drive off or scare river creatures, such as snakes, crocs, and hippos away from the boats. When the Captain judged N'bellocq to be adequately broken in as a slave, spears and a bow were allowed to help ward off animals.
With the spear, N'bellocq channeled his pent of pain and rage into the moment he threw the weapon. Momentarily satisfying, but the thrill was too short lived. But with the bow, he developed a place in his mind that he could escape to. With an arrow notched, he could stand on the prow and see the whole river unfold in front of him. With the spear, his senses went out only as far as he could effectively throw it. But the bow, allowed his mind to roam from bank to bank, assessing, cataloging, and remembering. All this took him away, he could forget the chain on his ankle, the whip marks on his back, the bow connected him to every point on the river, in a sense, setting him free.
N'bellocq never saw the hippo that crippled the Captain. The monster rose from the bottom of the river, underneath the barge. It first capsized the boat, before smashing the stern and Captain Trasker. Chained to the sinking craft, N'bellocq used a pole, to reach the unconscious captain. He gained the key to his shackle and with it his freedom. Able to leave to captain to his likely deserved fate, N'bellock instead carried him ashore.
No longer chained and whipped, N'bellocq nursed the wounded pilot back to health. Once back at Port Freedom, the captain rewarded N'bellocq for his loyalty with his official freedom. Free, N'bellocq left his river life behind. Knowing Sargava needs those who can fight, N'bellocq figured his bow skills would be of value there.
N'bellocq is a tall, lanky Ijo man. Denied a razor, his hair is long and braided, tied together midway down his back with a strip of leather. Colorful knotted cloth in his hair was his only allowed expression of personality. His eyes large and dark and no facial hair grows on his face. He is bare-chested, but wears a colorful paisley vest. The vest covers a network of old scars across his back from when he was stubborn as a new slave during his 'training'. His pants, red and white striped and voluminous, in a style similar to the pirates of the area. His feet are bare. His only possessions are his bow and quiver, a sack holding food and a water gourd, and a scroll tube containing his Official Writ of Freedom.
Despite a strong powerful voice, N'bellocq says little. He is stoic and never seems to rush. But his eyes are large and seem to take in everything around him. He bears the physical and mental scars of having been a slave. Over the years he had built mental barriers that have kept away the pain and anguish. Only recently, after having earned his freedom, has he begun to come out of this shell. He is extremely self sufficient as he never had anyone he could count on.
N'bellocq had matured on his own, but had never really been alone. Never having a friend, he lives a lot in his own mind. Spending most of his time on the river or in small Port Freedom, the crush of people, the noise, and smells of Eleder are very strange to him, and thus make him retreat just a little more into his own world. It is not that he is afraid of the world, it is that is a lot to assess and process in his mind like he is always doing. He has learned of expeditions and caravans that have need of warriors and figures such a job will keep him employed and out of trouble. He had friends as a child and a family, but all that seems so long ago, it will be hard to ever have that amount of trust again.
Just being free is such an overwhelming rush, as that was his aspiration for the last six years. But he is discovering that a part of him misses his time on the prow...the search, the shot, the kill. He won't go back to the river or the pirates and guild that operate there, but he figures overland caravans can perhaps offer an equivalent experience. Or especially, whatever these games might be. A chance to shine at these games might land him with a prestigious group that defends the city or caravans.
Alignmen: Chaotic Good
Gender: Male
Race: Half-elf
Classes: Fighter/rogue/duelist
Archetypes: Free Hand Fighter, Swashbuckler
Trait: Reactionary
Array of Choice: 15, 14, 14, 12, 12, 12
Time Zone: GMT +3 (Athens, Greece)
Campaign Background:
Crown's End Smuggler
Raven-haired and silver-eyed, Kieran stands five feet and ten inches tall, his slender build and somewhat pointed ears serving as proof of his elven heritage. He tends to dress in comfortable fitted clothes of midnight blue and light grey, usually complemented with short gloves and knee-high boots made of soft black leather.
Kieran is easy-going and relaxed, the smile gracing his features more often than not a clear enough indication of his nature. A well-spoken man, he is quick with a joke or a witty retort, a trait that seems to stay with him even during a fight, as much a weapon sometimes as the Aldori blade in his hand.
The thrill and challenges of adventure and the promise of honing one's skills that comes with it would seem good enough motives for the free-spirited half-elf, and indeed they are. They are not the only things spurring him onward, however. A certain falling out with a group of smugglers, people who would gladly cause him considerable harm were their paths to cross, definitely plays its part to his desire to travel and, if circumstances would allow it, surround himself with comrades who will support him if -or when- a 'meeting' with his former 'associates' occurs.
Although not a particularly ambitious person, Kieran is not one to say no to material rewards. However, becoming a swordsman of considerable skill and renown, preferably after having his fill of adventure, is probably as close to a goal as the half-elven duelist will ever admit to having.
Born the bastard son of a minor noble from Brevoy and an elven dancer and part-time thief from Varisia, Kieran was raised by his mother. Unlike the way such a story usually goes, however, with the noble parent staying as far away from his illegitimate offspring as possible, in this case the man proved to be the exception. He kept in touch with both the elven woman and her son, sending her money and visiting the pair as often as possible; that is not to say, of course, that he went so far as to speak about them to his family and he did manage to keep them a secret for quite some time. Like most secrets, though, this one too eventually remained a secret no longer.
Once the half-elven boy was old enough, his father visited once again, this time with a proposition. He asked to take Kieran with him to Brevoy, not as his son, but as a squire of sorts. He wished to spend some time with his son, play a more active role in his upbringing. One might say that his feelings had clouded his judgement and, considering what followed, one would be correct. At first, everything seemed to be going well. The noble did indeed succeed in spending time with his son, even if he could not call him that, and started training the boy, now old enough to use a sword, in the art of dueling with an Aldori blade, something the young half-elf seemed to enjoy immensely. It was a good time. And, like most good times, it did not last very long. Soon enough people started noticing how alike the two of them looked and remembering how often the man would travel away from his home on unknown errands. Thus, as is often the case, it did not take long before thoughts and ideas turned to rumors and rumors turned into a scandal. Kieran had no choice but to leave and return to Varisia, a decision made by the young man in an attempt to at least spare his father, who still stood by his intention to care for his son, further disgrace. There was no warm welcome waiting for him when he reached his home, though. His mother was nowhere to be found and the young half-elf's search for her or for clues as to what had happened to her met with failure again and again. After a while, with nothing keeping him there anymore and thinking his mother gone one way or the other, Kieran decided to leave, to start a new life, even if he was not sure how to go about doing such a thing.
His travels eventually led him to Crown's End, where he found himself as the newest member of a smugglers ring. Alone and down on his luck, this seemed like a good way to earn both money and reputation, while at the same time training skills the basics of which had been taught to him by his parents. After all, what was the harm in moving some contraband now and then? And so he thought and so it went for some time. Until the items being smuggled started leaving a sour taste in his mouth, until his 'associates' started trading in weapons and drugs and people. That was that for him. Unfortunately, one cannot simply resign from such a 'business', especially when one knows a bit too much about its comings and goings and has told certain people of authority about them. Anonymously, of course, but there are ways to find out the names of even the anonymous, especially when a lot of money is involved. Unwilling to stay and just wait for such an inevitable event to take place, Kieran chose to leave, taking with him some of his earnings and putting some distance between himself and his former comrades.
Ansha is a delicate-featured young elflady, six feet tall and slim with almond-shaped emerald eyes and long platinum-blond hair. Achingly beautiful, she is quick with a disarming smile and comes across as something of a flirt. Obviously proud of her appearance, her porcelain skin is unmarred but for a pair of piercings through each ear, and she wears her hair down almost to her knees, a bright blue hair-ribbon binding it loosely into a long, elegant ponytail. She walks with the grace and poise of a noble and with the confident air of someone used to getting what she wants.
She dresses primarily in green and black, and her most common attire consists of a low-cut green corset and matching full-length skirt. Black half-gloves that end above her elbows cover her arms and similarly-dyed knee-high leather boots adorn her feet. A finely-crafted black choker adorns her throat and a slender silver necklace rests just beneath it.
Ansha Saeralyan is the only daughter of an elven noble family corrupted into the worship of the demonlord Nocticula. Raised in a family that prized the arts of magical and mundane manipulation, Ansha had a fairly unhappy childhood--right up until she discovered the family secret and fled home. Pursued by demonic agents of her family, she was briefly captured and traumatized before being rescued by a pair of married elven adventurers. The trauma was enough that she developed a form of amnesia called dissociative fugue, and she came to believe that her rescuers were her parents--in fact, the only thing that she remembered from her old life was her name, Ansha.
The married pair, for their part, took the elf in and cared for her much as if she were their own daughter, right up until they met their end on an expedition south into the Mwangi Expanse at the hands of smugglers.
Ansha was taken prisoner by these smugglers, but over time managed to work her way into their confidence and joined the smuggler band herself--right up until she betrayed them all in retaliation for her "parents'" deaths. In the wake of her adoptive parents' deaths, she has slowly had her memories return, and she realizes that in addition to the fact that she can never go home again, she has been living a lie for years. As a result, she has taken to wandering and adventuring on her own, trying to find a place for herself in a world that she doesn't quite trust.
Personality and motivations:
Ansha is a flirt who uses physical and magical charms to get what she wants out of life, but behind the facade she is a very lonely, scared young elf who feels like she doesn't belong anywhere. She is prone to bouts of depression, but has learned to deal with it by throwing herself wholeheartedly into whatever she does. Physically and mentally running away from her past, she can be very subdued and quiet at times, and forces herself to put on a coy and sociable front at others.
More than anything, she wants to belong--and is terrified that she will lose everything should her real family ever find out where she is.
Campaign background trait.
I was thinking Laughing Jungle resident to represent a childhood spent up country, or Native Sargarvan to reflect growing up the square peg. But Noble of Eleder looks good. Scion of peace would fit and be an unusual choice for a fighter. Yes, not the most combat optimal but the most flavorful, Noble of Eleder to represent the sheltered, upper-class child hood, Scion of Peace to reflect his personal attitude.
The Mulle family is well established in Sagava. They are a trading family with interests from the inner sea to the deep interior. They do not have the best reputation. They are known to deal with the Apsis consortium and are closer to several leading shackled pirates than the Sagavan government likes. Most suspiciously they pay their taxes on time and correct to the copper.
Jakob is not an ornament to the family. He is not a drunkard, or a womanizer or incompetent or trying to sell his soul to demons. The family could deal with that, Gorzeh knows they have in the past. No Jacob is honest, upright, friendly and has no head for business.
Luckily the family noticed this flaw and kept him from becoming aware of anything too upsetting, but Jakob was getting brighter. He was asking questions. Something had to be done.
So they sent Jakob to a school in Magimar. They hoped it teach him how the world works, or at least keep him quiet while he learned something useful. The reports sent back by the investigator the family hired to keep an eye on Jakob were exactly what the family had hoped for. Jakob was doing well in classes, making friends and contacts, even getting in a squabble with the local law. The family was happy. But in the last year the reports changed. They told of Jakob focusing more on his studies following a relationship gone sour. They told of him starting to excel at history , ethics, and Natural philosophy. They even mentioned private tutelage under Abraxes, a prominent thinker and powerful druid.
That was the last straw. The family would not have one of theirs hanging around with those green blooded rabble rousers. They were the cause of half the security and labor problems up country. Jakob was pulled home fast. Not knowing what to do with him the family sent him to Kalabuto to inspect a date plantation the family was buying.
Jakob enjoyed the trip. It was good to get out of the city. More and more of what Abraxes had spoken to him about on their long walks was making sense; the need for a balance between the urban and the wild, between different peoples, between the parts of the self.
The date plantation was in a bad shape. The orchards were salvageable with work but the buildings were badly overgrown the guide who led him to the remote station warned him to stay out of the main warehouse but Jakob felt he needed to make a full inspection. The rotted floor gave way. Jakob never felt himself hit the ground because the cellar was a breeding ground for dream spiders. It took two days for the guide to smoke out enough of the spiders to get Jakob free. It was a clear week before Jakob could talk again.
Since then Jakob has taken to wandering. Taking long walks in the forest surrounding the city; meeting with tribal people in strange taverns and road houses. At least he seems disinterested in family business but he is becoming an embarrassment.
The Trials of Gallus were an answer to the family's prayers. They are applying some gentle persuasion to see Jakob is chosen. If he dies, it is unfortunate but an acceptable loss. If he wins he may yet make a profit.
I see the family as something like a proto-mob. Closed, conservative to fascist politically, profit oriented, prone to violence but under strict internal rules. Jakob is someone with strong liberal ethics who received half a druidic education and a massive dose of hallucinogens. He is a hippy raised by the Cosa Nostra.
Average height. Not bad looking more supporting cast than leading man if you know what I mean. Skin tan from the sun. Favors dusty reds and browns. You could pass him on the street except there is something that catches your eye. He always seems relaxed .
Attitude and Motivations
Jacob is not as stupid as his family thinks he is. He is aware that his family business is frequently well over any conceivable line. He has even started to do something about it. Some of the people he meets work for the government or have ties to the more active resistance movements. The information he is passing is not very important but it is useful.
Jakob knows that Sargava has problems. The 'fees' paid to the Shackles pirates make normal commerce and government very difficult. Jakob sees this as the main force driving the exploitive relations with the native population and the rising role of crime families in the government. Up until now though he didn't know what to do about it. He hopes the Trials will open up more options. Jacob knows the government has an agenda in sponsoring the trials he just hopes it is an agenda he can agree with.
Long term.
Jacob wants to see a strong Sargava.; one not as dependent on the shackles for defense and not as fearful of, nor as rapacious towards the interior. He knows this is an ideal and like all ideals something that can never be reached but he hopes in spite of that. He sees adapting to the land as key to the future. The government is trying to force the jungle to act then way they want it to. This is dooming the former colony. Only by living with the jungle can Sargava prosper. Northern methods can be adapted to these southern climes but they cannot be imposed.
Short term.
Jakob wants to complete the Trials and whatever real mission lies behind it. He hopes this will be a quick path to influence or at least a way out from under the families thumb.
To do this he will need help. So his first priority is to find friends and comrades among the others competing in the trials or among those he knows in the adventuring community. His family contacts with the Apsis might be useful here or they might lead him to the wrong kind of people.
Once the trials begin though Jacob's main goal will be to see that everyone survives. He will work with people he disagrees with in pursuit of long-term goals.
Friendly. Open. Outgoing. Jakob actually enjoys helping people. He can take a joke and prefers to trust people until they betray him.
Human (Mwangi – Bas'o) Fighter (Free-Hand Archetype)
Qhude is an open book, though the pages to date are mostly filled with dark words and deeds. Growing up among the tribes he lacks the subtlety of city folk and tends to be blunt and direct. While he drinks deeply of the draught that is life, his outlook is currently bitter due to his life experiences. He enjoys wide open spaces and gets uneasy when in a city or the jungle.
He has cast off the shamanistic roots of his tribe, and is currently not in worship of any single god.
When raised to anger or during combat his demeanour changes. His eyes take on an analytical hardness and he fights ruthlessly to win – deriding his opponent with words and assaulting common decency with his actions.
Qhude is a muscular yet wiry man of five feet and nine inches. His skin is darkened to almost black due to long hours spent in the sun. Hair is cropped short, cut remains in tight curls against his head. A jagged scar across his cheek is the key feature of his face, but when turned to anger his eyes also take on a noticeable hardness. He is garbed in a pair of shorts in the colonial style, but his upper body is left uncovered bar a simple amulet hanging round his neck. The right side of his chest also sports three jagged scars. His feet are bare, as his years of walking the plains has built up impressive callouses.
When garbed for combat, he cuts a different figure. Dropping into fighting stance his left hand is held forward and upward, palm facing the enemy. Though the hand is free, his arm bears leather armor along its length culminating in a pauldron that is secured by a leather strap across his chest. A wide leather belt studded with rivets offers some gut protection. Combined effect of armor would be studded leather
His right hand is held drawn and ready to punch, making a fist while wrapped tightly in rope covered cloth Cestus. His left leg is wrapped is also wrapped in knotted rope, and he occasionally raises it before him as though a shield. His right leg is uncovered and held back, used as a pivot.
Fighting style was inspired by Dambe
Qhude was born into the Bas'o tribe to a mother who died in childbirth, leaving him as his father's only child. His father was a butcher, low in the caste structure of the tribe due to his handling of dead flesh. Growing up among the tribe the children held no prejudice and he has happy memories of his early wanderings along the plains of Sargava. His youth spent wrestling, running and sparring helped him grow into a muscular yet wiry frame of five foot nine.
It was in his early adulthood that his caste began to make a difference. When hunting parties were sent, he was not selected and was held from claiming his first scar (Bas'o ritually scar when they kill an antelope or worthy enemy). Qhude would spend the time during the hunt sparring with his father, before being put to work butchering the antelope carcasses during the evening when the hunters returned. Despite being overlooked due to his caste, Qhude was still comfortable in tribal life and enjoyed the days spent with his father.
At the age of twenty, Qhude first competed in his tribes' annual combat tournament. Fighters were paired off in elimination bouts of wrestling and striking with hand and foot. Bouts were settled through submission or unconsciousness. His first tournament saw him survive only one bout before he was knocked out by the son of an elder with a kick to the head. He let out a womanly cry of pain as he collapsed, which is where he gained the derisive nickname Qhude (or rooster) due to his sign of weakness.
Shame grew from that experience and each day he endured the taunts of those returning from the hunt. Growing bitter as he was repeatedly kept from any opportunity for glory, his thoughts became darker. He spent all his spare time over the year training for the event. Honing his body and fighting style as much as he could to put in a better showing.
When the event arrived he went well through the first few rounds and had to luck to be drawn against the same opponent as the year before. As they faced each other, Qhude settled into his fighting stance while the other man mocked him and insulted his family. In action born out of pure rage, Qhude crippled his opponent with a kick to the groin before launching an uppercut into the other's chin snapping his head back with a sickening crack. The opponent crumpled to the ground silently as Qhude lived up to his namesake and crowed in victory.
As his foe failed to rise, a medicine man came to his side and tried to rouse him. As Qhude continued to cock and crow, the shaman declared the elder's son dead. In the aftermath that followed, much was made of the dishonour shown by Qhude in combat and in victory. The bitter elder successfully lobbied to have Qhude and his father banished from the tribe as penance – an act that broke his father's heart. An unrepentant Qhude took a knife and gave himself his first scar across his cheek at the same time that the elder delivered the tribe's judgement.
As they were nearby Katabuto at the time, Qhude gravitated there to attempt to find safe harbour. However the prejudice against Mwangi weighed against him, and he could only find work at a slaughterhouse in the slums of the city. His father, spirit broken by the exile, became ill soon after their arrival. Unable to raise enough money to pay for his father's care from butchery, Qhude turned back onto his fists and began fighting in shady taverns and rinks set up in dark corners. His practiced hand and killer instinct brought him some measure of success, but despite the additional care it bought – his father still passed on.
Qhude continued to fight in the alleys after his father's death. Without the guidance his father offered his outlook on life has become even more bitter and twisted. He fights without rules and without honor, but three more scars have been added to his tally. The tail of his story can be filled in as required to mesh in with the party if chosen. I'd imagine that someone saw him during a pit-fight and gave him a better offer.
Banished from his tribe and his father recently dead, Qhude has no ties to bind him and no moral centre to guide him. He seeks personal glory at all costs, but under the bitter exterior yearns for a sense of family that he has lost.
Race Dwarf
Gender Male
Class Witch (Elements Patron and Monkey Familiar)
Traits Scholar of the Great Beyond , *Crown's End Smuggler (Shackles pirate flavored of course)
Array of Choice 16,14,14,14,12,8
Zone of Time EDT (Eastern US)
Is that thing even a dwarf?
The first thing you should know about ol' Picklebeard is that he isn't old. In fact, he looks like a rather youthful dwarf. He is quite an unkempt naturalistic dwarven fellow. Not naturalistic in the sense his manhood is typically on display, but he has a preference for simple garments of brown, dull blue, green, or gray. His current motley seems to be a patchwork of all of these colors. He has sort of short brown hair that is all wild and hangs on his head like wet shaggy dog fur. His big eyebrows seem to give him the appearance he is always squinting. Some say that is a typical dwarven trait, but I figured it needed noting. His long, dark, wiry beard is where half his nickname comes from. His beard is a strange color of brown. So strange that most wouldn't even call it brown. It most of the time, in most lights, looks more green than brown. Like I said, his greenish colored beard is only half of why he is known as Picklebeard. The other half of the reason stems from the fact he smells of sea. Rather strongly, I might add. Legend has it that his clan of Dwarves have been on the sea so long they SWEAT sea water. He is typically seen with a gnarled driftwood-esque stick a little bit taller than himself in on hand and his monkey, Sasha, perched on his shoulder.
Sasha is an Emperor Tamarin. It looks exactly like the wikipedia article image of one.
The history of the Blackhammer clan is a long one, indeed. Legend has it that the Blackhammers were miners who shipwrecked in the Shackles long ago who took reaving and raiding out of desparation. It turned out they were good at it and even more so... they liked it. Others say they were miner slaves from Ghol-Gon. What is certain is that, although relatively small in number, Blackhammers are reputable fellows. Picklebeard's father was no different. Except for the fact he was particularly cruel. Not as cruel has his grandfather had been, but still not a nice guy. He was always pictured adorned in gold chains and rings on every finger.
Keep in mind that the Blackhammers have a custom: dwarven men of the Blackhammer clan wear no jewelry unless they bought it "in iron." Meaning they killed the person for it.
It was the first night Rurlick was of age to reave the seas with his father. Boy he was eager to leave Bloodcove and be like his pops. Actually, he wished to better than him. His father was no captain. First mate to a future Free-Captain sure enough, but no captain himself.
"I'll be a captain un' day. Fer shure. Or I'm a bearded gnome!"
Rurlick was never the best fighter, but he was tough and smart. Traits that meant he wasn't the best at combat but not a dead man, neither.
This was the night he would prove himself. They had the ship in their sights. The winds and rain were almost constant since they left port. They soaked Rurlick to the core. It didn't matter to him, though. He felt his muscles tighten and ready for combat. What a feeling. That's all he remembered of that night. It was told an explosion from below deck knocked the dwarf unconscious and flew him to the other ship! Unarmed and badly injured, he awoke briefly to see the carnage around him. The sounds of fires burning, swords clashing, men dying, and animals screaming. The last thing he saw was a small monkey,a small black little thing, darting around fires, barrels, swords, arrows, and feet. It jumped and landed on his chest looking at him right in the eyes. The pain of this tiny creature jumping on him knocked him out again.
He awoke again on his ship. This was not the same dwarf that was launched from his ship via firey explosion, though. Something changed in him. He grew up.
Back in port, he made preparations to avoid being a raider. He declared he was interested in magic and seeked to become a magewright. This was true enough. He always thought he had the smarts for it. He seeked out the ship's mage, a witch named Sasha Greyjoy. That black tamarin following him all the time. He didn't mind.
He found magic much more appealing than swordplay. Mages were not frowned upon by the swordsmen, in fact they were somewhat afraid of their power, but they certainly did not treat them the same as swordsman. This was fine for Picklebeard (a nickname he was given while recovering). He was trained in history, geography and the arcane arts and was ready to once again board a ship.
Only this was not what his father said. Something was wrong. This ship was not going north, but south. To Sargava. Afraid and scared, he was put in the brig. A few weeks later, he was in Eleder.
Unbeknownst to Picklebeard, his father sent him away for his own saftey in secret. The captain of his father's ship (The Free Captain) had come under allegations of selling out routes to Cheliax or Rahadoum or maybe even both. The Free-Captian fled before he could be questioned. A few days later, although the crew was innocent, Picklebeard's father and the rest of the crew were killed. Such is justice in the Shackles.
Poor Picklebeard had not a clue about what was going on when he got to Eleder. He was thrown in jail and awaiting trial for some charges... he was never told what they were. Questions meant less food for dinner.
"Wake the f*c4 up, saltsh%1t. Visitor."
The visitor was a dwarven woman. Short and small. Her back was to him when he entered. The door locked and it was just them. She seemed familiar though.
"Mum is that you? Well shave me beard!"
The figured turned around. It was the magehand, Sasha Greyjoy!
Picklebeard was silent. He didn't know how to react.
"Notta werd ye weasly gnome!" Said she in her accent. She also always used to call him a weasly gnome.
"It so good to see ye......" He stopped. His mentor shhh'd him, smiled and vanished. Left behind were a few papers explaining the previous events, how she and her father died not long ago. Also there were signed offical papers of pardoning. The notes also said as far as anyone in the Shackles knows, you're dead. This is good because if they knew he fled he'd be craven and be put to death if he returned anyways.
Picklebeard was a free dwarf again. Confused, sad, and angry sure, but free!
Returning to him were his meager supplies and his monkey. Until then he had no name for the beast. He referred to it as monkey. But now, he'd call the thing Sasha after his instructor. He liked the name, missed his mentor, and half believed her powers were somehow tied to the beast itself.
With no hope of returning home and a rather decent fortune in his pocket, he did what any dwarf would do: Drink and gamble.
Now risking being in debt to some not-so-nice people, he entered the Trials of Grallus to get out of debt and prove to everyone what a true dwarf is made of.
His muscles clenched as he registered like that first night reaving. He felt the adrenaline again. He missed it.
His primary motivation is getting out of debt.
His secondary motivation is glory.
He'd also like to, one day, track down the Free-Pirate captain.
Picklebeard is a dwarf true and true. He drinks, spouts gruff remarks, and is loyal as a dog. He is ok with most morally dubious activities but will be the first one to help out a friend or companion needs it.
"I donnae why yer pickin a fight with this town official, but I'd be damned if ye take him just by yerself!"
"This is what ye beardless fairies call BEER?"
Qhude now has a profile that has been updated with crunchy goodness. I massaged a few things around, but nothing major.
Array used: 16 / 14 / 14 / 14 / 12 / 8
Still need a background trait.
Also - for wealth are we rolling or taking average?
Joana - thanks for the compilation, makes it alot easier to look over the fellow party members. Only difference for Qhude is that he is a Barbarian now.
Ok as per DM Alex's initial recruitment post, we need to come up with the background of our little troupe and what led us to compete in the trials. I've been looking over the backgrounds of our merry seven and would like to posit a possible reason for the convergence for people to review and critique.
Jakob's backstory looks like it could provide us with a catalyst for drawing us together. He is being forced / pressured into going into the trials by his family, and was in Kalabuto immediately prior to the Trials. He receives word from his family of their arrangement and has to make for Eleder to join the Trials.
Travel path is from Kalabuto to Port Freedom by river scow, then north along the coast to Eleder.
Qhude - joined Jakob in Kalabuto.
N'bellocq - pick up him in Port Freedom.
Tebati and Picklebeard are both in Eleder - so can join there.
Kieran's backstory places him in Crown's End - so would need to have a means of him getting to Eleder, though his backstory has him on the run so that should be easily doable.
Ansha's backstory is flexible and can have her joining the crew at any location.
What do people think of that as a possibility?
|Jakob Mulle
What do people think of that as a possibility?
I like it. Jakob would be looking for people and news and he rather outgoing and fun to be around if a little odd.
Kieran's former associates may well be Jakob's family at least in part.
|Jakob Mulle
Thanks for choosing me! I'll work on getting Picklebeard's crunch in order tomorrow.
Picklebeard probably doesn't know any of you unless you were in jail the same time he was since he hails from the Shackles. I'm thinking the easiest way for me to meet everyone is to be setup by the trials putting him with the rest of you. If anyone has any more creative ideas I'd love to hear them.
I think an interesting connection could be the exotic animal smuggler that was a target in my backstory. Perhaps that could be a strange tie to others. Not a direct tie, but maybe you knew someone on that ship or something.
Joana - thanks for the compilation, makes it alot easier to look over the fellow party members. Only difference for Qhude is that he is a Barbarian now.
Sorry about that. I knew several of the characters had evolved throughout the thread. I just picked the latest post that had backstory to copy and paste; for finding connections between PCs, that seemed the most important part.
AK, I don't have a campaign background trait, either. The only one that seemed to tie in to Tebati at all was the Crown's End Smuggler one, but she's not very Sleight of Handy.
Jakob - have put a possible chance meeting between you and Qhude in spoiler.
Not paying enough attention you drifted into an alley and were accosted by a thug.
Qhude was on his way back to his hovel after a pit fight - still in armor and with a blood covered cestus.
Qhude stared down the thug, then bludgeoned him to unconsciousness when he wouldn't turn away.
Then you either recruit him for the trials at that point, or hire as bodyguard / muscle and we have a little history prior to the trials?
In keeping with Qhude's tribal dispossession and general spiritual malaise (at least at the start of the journey) - he's going to start as a mild flayleaf addict. If any of the smugglers want to start afresh as drug dealers that could be a connection.
@ Joana / Tebati - no problems, nothing changed in the backstory / appearance anyhow so it is still all valid and true.
I can definitely see that. Being Ijo, N'bellocq was a coastal fisherman's son, but yes he is a Bonuwat. His faith in Shimye-Magalla is probably not kosher, as it is what he knew as a young teen, and then what has kept him going. He has likely latched on to the Desna-destiny aspect of the faith, as sort of everything happens for a reason, including his slavery and release.
And I shamefully forgot to mention it above, but thanks for the invite Alexander.
Okay, I think Ansha's good to go. As expected, she's got a fair amount of jewelry on her. She's also got the House Saeralyan signet ring and the remnants of the outfit she wore when she ran away from home buried in the bottom of her backpack, and a host of masterwork-quality gear more suited to a con-artist than a wizard.
Her betrayal of the smugglers who captured her was fairly recent. Kieran is likewise in hot water with the Crown's End smugglers, and it's possible that the two worked together to bring this about before leaving Crown's End, though Ansha is likely to make sure that her own betrayals are fatal, or at least crippling.
As for how she is added in to the main group, I'm open to ideas. My initial thought is that she went to Eleder intent on attaching herself to a group that could help shield her from the reprisals of the smugglers she had just betrayed. She may have tried to insinuate herself into the first group she met that seemed upright, possibly using her fortune-teller's deck, beguiling touch spell-like ability or general diplomatic skills to convince the party that it was their idea that she tag along.
|F. Castor
Hello all! Glad to be selected for what seems like a very very promising and fun game. I will begin work on the character sheet as soon as possible and should have it ready in a few hours.
As far as connections between the characters are concerned, I too find that Ansha's and Kieran's backgrounds lend themselves to the two knowing each other even before the group came together, having worked with the Crown's End smugglers before both characters turning on their associates and leading to the smugglers', shall we say, intense dislike of the pair. :-P
The above would also make the two of them sticking together after their leaving the smugglers ring and joining the adventuring group together a plausible scenario.
As for the relationship between them, friendship and cooperation or a healthy mix of friction and uneasiness? Given Ansha's initial imprisonment by the smugglers and the fact that Kieran was a willing member of the group before he turned himself around, I would probably lean towards the latter.
Just collating the possible connections:
1) Qhude and Jakob come together from Kalabuto.
2) N'bellocq is picked up in Port Freedom.
3) Tebati is connected in via N'bellocq in Eleder.
4) Ansha and Kieran come as a package deal from Crown's End to Eleder.
5) Picklebeard is currently in Eleder and could be either added to the group by the Trials, or recruited in Eleder.
Giving us our merry band of seven.
DM Alexander - I know that the original intention was for the party to have been together for a while, but would you be amenable to the bare-bones of the reasoning so far?
We can embellish the journey from Kalabuto, and also have a short history in Eleder once we were joined together.
here's hoping this game will provide as good entertainment as AK's other ones. Definitely following this one as well. Good luck everyone and remember most jungle beasties can be escaped by hamstringing a party member before legging it.
Hope no one minds me copying all the backstories over here in one place.
Don't mind at all! Thanks Joana.
|F. Castor
Well, Kieran's character sheet is ready, so here he is.
Kieran Markavien, Swordsman and Scoundrel
If I may ask, would it be possible to sell or exchange the free masterwork simple weapon -in this case, a masterwork dagger- that the Crown's End Smuggler background gives? Given the fact that the Aldori dueling sword is Kieran's weapon of choice, a masterwork dagger would not be of as much use to him as, say, a suit of masterwork studded leather.
If such a thing is not allowed, there is of course no problem at all. Just thought I should ask is all. :-)
|DM Alexander Kilcoyne
Hi guys. Was excited to wake up to 18 new replies. I'll go through the thread and answer questions where I can.
@Mark/@Joana- You are free to come up with a background bonus based on your backstory. The crunch of the background essentially boils down to a free feat or the combination of two traits; it has to be a feat you are eligible for at level 1 though if you go that route.
@All- Average wealth for your class.
F. Castor you may sell the masterwork weapon you get for half its value as per normal selling rules. I often find keeping a dagger is handy for those pesky times your swallowed whole or really want to throw a dagger at someones face though personally.
Working out the bare bones is fine, you have a few days to refine it. I was particularily interested in Kieran and Ansha's story of fleeing the smugglers :). I'd like you to have already made introductions to each other by the time the Trials roll around and have some idea of how you interact with each other; perhaps you've been an adventuring group for one week in preparation for the trials starting.
So Kieran is finished and so is Ansha- anyone else ready for review?
Edit: One more thing. Work out your characters age, height and birthday. I'm serious. If the Kingmakery elements end up happening game time can very swiftly progress. The half-orc in my KM game is a couple of years from middle age now.
|F. Castor
F. Castor you may sell the masterwork weapon you get for half its value as per normal selling rules. I often find keeping a dagger is handy for those pesky times your swallowed whole or really want to throw a dagger at someones face though personally.
You find me in complete agreement as to the uses of the dagger, which is why almost none of my characters leaves home without one. Which is also why Kieran will still be getting himself a dagger, just not a msterwork one. :-)
|DM Alexander Kilcoyne
Well, Kieran's character sheet is ready, so here he is.
Kieran Markavien, Swordsman and Scoundrel
If I may ask, would it be possible to sell or exchange the free masterwork simple weapon -in this case, a masterwork dagger- that the Crown's End Smuggler background gives? Given the fact that the Aldori dueling sword is Kieran's weapon of choice, a masterwork dagger would not be of as much use to him as, say, a suit of masterwork studded leather.
If such a thing is not allowed, there is of course no problem at all. Just thought I should ask is all. :-)
Wow, that is one fine character sheet!
Crunch wise I don't spot any errors, looks like your on the ready list.
Okay, I think Ansha's good to go.
Fort save should be +1 to reflect +1 con bonus.
Other than that everything looks good.
Qhude should be ready for DM review and approval.
For my background I'd like to take this:
Childhood Wrestler
Growing up among the Bas'o tribe a large part of your childhood was spent wrestling and sparring with your peers. Fighting with the older and larger boys has helped teach you to keep yourself protected and hit your foes where it hurts
Gain the Improved Unarmed Strike feat
I've been mulling over how Qhude views the rest of the party over the course of today and will put up some pointers (as well as quirks you'd know about Qhude himself) later tonight.
|Alexander Kilcoyne
Qhude should be ready for DM review and approval.
For my background I'd like to take this:
Childhood Wrestler
Growing up among the Bas'o tribe a large part of your childhood was spent wrestling and sparring with your peers. Fighting with the older and larger boys has helped teach you to keep yourself protected and hit your foes where it hurts
Gain the Improved Unarmed Strike feat
I've been mulling over how Qhude views the rest of the party over the course of today and will put up some pointers (as well as quirks you'd know about Qhude himself) later tonight.
Looks good.
I applied to DM Barcas' Kingmaker: Korvosa game with a tweaked version of Picklebeard and I think I like him more that way than the piratey version I came up with. With the DM and the group's consent I'd like to change the backstory of Picklebeard. I assure you this is not some sort of bait and switch. Picklebeard will still be gruff and eccentric dwarven witch with the elemental patron. I just think the changes I make to him let him have a stronger personality, more character hooks, and better overall direction that is more suitable to this campaign.
His appearance stays the same except for a change in familiar perched on his shoulder. Instead of a bearded tamarin, it is a bearded dragon lizard named Verithrex. His name still comes from the greenish tint in his beard, but also because of a clinging smell of salt due to his family's history of being salt miners in the Bandu Hills of the Mwangi Expanse.
The history of the Blackhammers is a long one.They are well known for being great miners, brewers and having a curious approach to the arcane arts. They have relations and connections to the Deeptreasure Mining Company. These connections got strained after the dissappearance of Picklebeard's great-great grandfather and the increased use of Xorns to mine out gems but more on that later.
The Blackhammer clan were salt miners and damn good ones at it. His great-great-grandfather, Brannidar, was legendary with a pick-axe. One day, while mining, Brannidar went too deep and a cave-in occured. He got trapped and cut off from the tunnels out and from his comrades. For almost a year, he remained trapped in the deepest niches of earth. Alone. Or so everyone thought.
While trapped, he was visited by the earth itself which took shape and offered him these exotic, tasty purple mushrooms called Plump Helmets. This creature taught Picklebeard's great-great grandfather the secrets of these mushrooms and how to ferment them into wine. When he was finally rescued, Brannidar taught his son (Picklebeard's great-grandfather) the secrets as well. Then his great-grandfather taught Picklebeard's grandfather. All the while this earth beast remained at the side of Brannidar. When it was time for his grandfather to teach his father, the legendary Brannidar dissappeared! To this day no one knows what happened to him. Some say it had something to do with the pit he was trapped in. All that was left was a ultra-smooth rock with a strange symbols engraved in it. It remains undeciphered to this day. The creature also was gone.
These events estranged the Blackhammer clan. Their strange arcane magical abilities combined with the dissappearance of the legendary Brannidar led Clan Blackhammer to relocate to Eleder instead of staying with the Deeptreasure Mining Company. Clan Blackhammer also had a problem with the use of Xorns for mining purposes. They viewed it as slavery. Although still reknowned miners, they are primarily brewers now who sell wines made from these purple helmet mushrooms and of course regular ol' dwarven brewskis.
Like his father before him, Picklebeard, adopted a pet- a bearded dragon lizard. Like his father always said: "Us dwarves find it easier ta forma empathic bond witta creature that's bearded too!"
He named his lizard, Verithrex after an ancient dragon of dwarven tales. It was a custom to name one's bearded dragon lizard after dragons from stories. He exceled at his arcane practices and began learning the secrets to brewing thanks to his familiar and father.
When clan Blackhammer settled down in Eleder and tried to set-up shop, the city guard told them to close down because they lacked proper permits. They went to the magistrate to apply for permits but were denied again and again. They began asking questions. The magistrate, backed into a corner, said they would sign off on the proper permits and waive all fees necessary for the founding of the Blackhammer Brewing Company in Eleder if one representative would win the Trials.
Picklebeard wasn't going to stand by and his family not be able to sell their brews. No sir. He signed up for the Trials the next day.
"Its arr goshdurn livelihood and i'd bea bearded gnome if I diddunt win this for me clan!"
--optional extra plot twist--
This didn't stop the threats though. A polite dagger stabbed through a piece of paper was found on the bedside of Picklebeard's father saying, "Watch yerselves or next time this dagger won't be lodged in yur table." Someone or something still doesn't want their Brewing Company to get going.
I think Picklebeard has a better motive for joining the Trials and a better connection to the region. He hopes one day to see to the start and success of his family's brewing company and track down the mystery concerning the dissappearance of his great-great-grandfather. This, of course, is in addition to wanting to be rich and bring honor to his clan like all dwarves do.
As far as character plans go, I'd be lawful good and still an elemental patron witch. I'll be taking the cauldron hex at level 1 and hope one day to have an earth elemental as a familiar much like his great-great-grandfather.
I'd also like to make a custom background trait and take Steel Soul.
Racial Requirement: Dwarf
Your time spent working with the Deeptreasure Mining Company in the Bandu Hills have made you more in touch with your senses and the magical resistances in the Barkskin Lake toughened your dwarven soul.
Select either Steel Soul or Improved Stonecunning as a bonus feat.
For my second trait, I'd like to take Deep Guardian from Dwarves of Golarion.
Olondir / Picklebeard - no issues from me.
2. Only possession he overtly cares for is his amulet
3. His rage is a bit like NSFW, and you'll see Jango Fett in a whole new light
4. Only goes armored / armed when fighting is in the offing, otherwise only wears shorts with a dagger in the belt
5. Bit of a death-seeker tendency in conflict situations, more likely to inflame rather than defuse
6. Currently godless, and presently looks down on religion
7. Flayleaf user - specifically in smoked form
8. His four scars so far have come from: 1 - the elder's son, 2 - first antelope kill en-route to Kalabuto, 3 - half-orc killed in a pit fight, 4 - Sargavan mugger in backstreet of Kalbuto
|Alexander Kilcoyne
|Alexander Kilcoyne
|F. Castor
Concerning the shared history of Ansha and Kieran, here are a few things I came up with.
At the time Ansha was captured by the smugglers, Kieran was still a willing member, although he had just started to come around and reconsider his place among the group. He could not simply resign, however; instead, he would bide his time, waiting for the opportunity to not just part ways with his associates, but hurt their operation as well. It was during that period that Ansha went from a prisoner of the smugglers ring to a new recruit, a fact which surprised Kieran.
From that point onward, he kept an eye on the woman, trying to spend time with her and get to know her, at least as much as she would allow him to. Was her partnership with the smugglers a real thing, or had she chosen to become a part of their organisation because of some ulterior motive? That was what he was trying to determine and before long her true agenda became apparent. And when the elven mage finally turned on her 'associates', she found in the half-elf a willing partner and ally.
Once the smugglers found themselves in trouble, thanks in no small part to the two of them, Kieran and Ansha left together and tried to put as much distance between them and their former 'friends' as possible, at the same time remaining together due to their former common goal, as well as the fact that together they would have a better chance of defending themselves and surviving against potential reprisals if or when it came to that.
It was not, and probably still is not, a match made in heaven, however. There is a certain amount of friction and uneasiness in their relationship. After all, Kieran was a member of the smugglers when that group killed Ansha's adoptive parents and captured her, even if he was not present at the incident itself. Such things are not easily forgotten or forgiven, no matter what good intentions may follow.
So, what do you think Ansha? DM AK? Any and all feedback is most welcome.
Oh ok. I think I understand how the trials are set-up now. I assumed it was kind of a group vs group thing. If you registered for the trials and did not have a group you were assigned based on merit to a group. The tournament would be a bunch of different groups competiting for the same prize. (Like a race through an obstacle course/maze, capture the flag, jousting, etc.) Anyways, the point is that I thought you register and then get assigned to a group if you didn't have one. Its more clear now.
As far as meeting people, I could have easily sold a few cure light wounds potions and alcohol to Qhude. Perhaps several members of the group were in my clan's recently opened bar (days before it got shut down due to the missing paperwork) and I overheard them talking about entering the tournament. When the bar closed I tracked Qhude or someone else down and asked we join strength and enter the tournament together.
Perhaps I even met our zen archer before in passing as my clan took the Korir river south to Eleder.
|Joana Fan Club
|Jakob Mulle
Qhude, I like the alley meeting. Jakob most likely views you as a friend. He disapproves of the pit fighting but realizes ther are worse ways to make a living. We could back this meeting up a couple of months and have Jakob even helping out at the fights with the odd cure light.
AKCrunch is done. Just need to buy gear and add background and such.
As for the relationship between them, friendship and cooperation or a healthy mix of friction and uneasiness? Given Ansha's initial imprisonment by the smugglers and the fact that Kieran was a willing member of the group before he turned himself around, I would probably lean towards the latter.
She probably doesn't entirely trust Kieran, but given her background as an enchantress and manipulator, she probably wouldn't let him know it was anything other than friendship.
At the time Ansha was captured by the smugglers, Kieran was still a willing member, although he had just started to come around and reconsider his place among the group. He could not simply resign, however; instead, he would bide his time, waiting for the opportunity to not just part ways with his associates, but hurt their operation as well. It was during that period that Ansha went from a prisoner of the smugglers ring to a new recruit, a fact which surprised Kieran.
From that point onward, he kept an eye on the woman, trying to spend time with her and get to know her, at least as much as she would allow him to. Was her partnership with the smugglers a real thing, or had she chosen to become a part of their organisation because of some ulterior motive? That was what he was trying to determine and before long her true agenda became apparent. And when the elven mage finally turned on her 'associates', she found in the half-elf a willing partner and ally.
Once the smugglers found themselves in trouble, thanks in no small part to the two of them, Kieran and Ansha left together and tried to put as much distance between them and their former 'friends' as possible, at the same time remaining together due to their former common goal, as well as the fact that together they would have a better chance of defending themselves and surviving against potential reprisals if or when it came to that.
It was not, and probably still is not, a match made in heaven, however. There is a certain amount of friction and uneasiness in their relationship. After all, Kieran was a member of the smugglers when that group killed Ansha's adoptive parents and captured her, even if he was not present at the incident itself. Such things are not easily forgotten or forgiven, no matter what good intentions may follow.
So, what do you think Ansha?
I think this works, though again, the tension between Kieran and Ansha may not be apparent to the casual observer. He may not entirely trust her, expecting that enchantment magic may have been involved in Ansha's insinuation into the smuggling ring; and she probably doesn't trust him, either, for the aforementioned reasons.
|Alexander Kilcoyne
Jakob looks about ready although I would personally advise using a different stat array for Oracle- charisma does a lot of heavy lifting for a nature oracle (especially as with noble scion it essentially substitutes for dexterity in everything but reflex saving throws) so i'd get an 18 or 20 in it if you can. Building an oracle is a bit more like a sorceror than building a cleric.
Edit: His feats line confuses me-
Cosmopolitan, Bluff, Handle Animal
And I can't see his chosen revelations. As a human he should have two feats.
|Jakob Mulle
Jakob looks about ready although I would personally advise using a different stat array for Oracle- charisma does a lot of heavy lifting for a nature oracle (especially as with noble scion it essentially substitutes for dexterity in everything but reflex saving throws) so i'd get an 18 or 20 in it if you can. Building an oracle is a bit more like a sorceror than building a cleric.
Edit: His feats line confuses me-
Cosmopolitan, Bluff, Handle Animal
And I can't see his chosen revelations. As a human he should have two feats.
Gah! looks like the last update didn't take.Feats.Cosmopolitan: Bluff & Handle Animial, Extra Revelation.
Revelations. Natural Divination. Nature's Whispers.
I will fix this and add gear in a few hours when I am back at my real computer.
Re: Stats. I thought about really focusing in CHA but I was afraid it would cripple the character. Combat wise the Oracle does need to get his hands dirty at least at first so a good STR and CON are needed. At least that is what I am seeing but then this is the forst time I've played an Oracle. You think 18Cha / 14 STR might be better?
|Alexander Kilcoyne
I applied to DM Barcas' Kingmaker: Korvosa game with a tweaked version of Picklebeard and I think I like him more that way than the piratey version I came up with. With the DM and the group's consent I'd like to change the backstory of Picklebeard. I assure you this is not some sort of bait and switch. Picklebeard will still be gruff and eccentric dwarven witch with the elemental patron. I just think the changes I make to him let him have a stronger personality, more character hooks, and better overall direction that is more suitable to this campaign.
His appearance stays the same except for a change in familiar perched on his shoulder. Instead of a bearded tamarin, it is a bearded dragon lizard named Verithrex. His name still comes from the greenish tint in his beard, but also because of a clinging smell of salt due to his family's history of being salt miners in the Bandu Hills of the Mwangi Expanse.
** spoiler omitted **...
Awww. I was looking forward to Picklebeard the dwarf pirate, too! But no real objections here, either.
|Jakob Mulle
Yeah, i'd only recommend str 16 or more for a battle oracle or the like. You have a lot more spells than a cleric does and in a party of seven I suspect you won't need to hold the line much. Cha and Con are probably your main stats.
I could take the str to 10 and the int to 14 for some more skills. I would be very spell dependent at that point. The curse starts biting then as well. A spell focused character relies more on scrolls/potions and alchemical items than someone who can swing an axe. Might change the curse......hmmmmm......advice is welcome.
re. The line. We are caster heavy and muscle short though.
Awww. I was looking forward to Picklebeard the dwarf pirate, too! But no real objections here, either.
Haha I know. I'll save him for another time. I'm afraid that he's too volatile to be played for this campaign and would have no issues selling you guys out or turning on the party. I'd rather not fudge his personality so that he won't do those things. He deserves better than that.
Anyways is everyone as pumped as I am for this campaign?
I finished my his sheet on my netbook which is currently not on the internet here at work. It will be up here before I got to bed tonight.
Just wrestling with my feats and then will be ready to go. Having Point Blank Shot as a Trait has me in a nice quandary. :-) Any input is appreciated
I have Child of Nature as my other Trait- gives Know (Nature) as a class skill, which with a Nature Oracle might not be such a big need, but it fit the character. Other thought was Poverty-Stricken for Survival. Actually just thinking on it, he might go that way. He doesn't know what every animal in the jungle is, but he knows which ones are harmless, which ones to avoid, and which must be killed.
I have three other Feats (1st level, Human, Monk) Precise Shot is a definite, but I don't have the BAB for any of the other interesting archery feats. So then I thought Dodge (meh!) and extra ki (even though I wont use Ki till 4th level). So I can really use some help.
And not that I expected to have much equipment as a Freedman. But a Shortbow and 40 arrows leaves me with 3 gp for equipment. "Bring on the Games!"
|Alexander Kilcoyne
You can't take Extra Ki until you have some ki for it :).
Dodge is not a bad feat- its also +1 to CMD as well as AC so I am a big fan of it.
My other suggestions are- Improved Initiative, Deflect Arrows (if you still get IUS, can't remember), Far Shot, Mobility if you want shot on the run later (mobility also leads to the excellent Sidestep from APG).


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In this activity students investigate cloud opacity, including transparent, translucent, and opaque cloud characteristics. The activity is a companion resource to an episode of the PBS series, SciGirls. The episode, titled "SkyGirls," featured NASA... (View More) female scientists and a citizen science projects for students. (View Less)
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per group of students
This series of learning modules is designed for adaptation in an introductory Earth science or planetary science course. The modules actively engage students through Mars remote-sensing data and Earth-based analogs to understanding Mars geology.... (View More) Interviews with planetary scientists and geologists present current issues in planetary sciences. (View Less)
This Science On a Sphere video and docent show (script and playlist), explores factors that render Earth habitable and influence Earth's energy budget. The video gives an overview of NASA's Search for "Goldilocks Planets" - planets that are not too... (View More) hot or too cold for liquid water. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
This lesson plan teaches how to select the landing site for a planetary surface investigation, using the 5E learning cycle. Students will be able to determine a landing site for their Mars rover; work with their team to summarize information and... (View More) identify important details in non-fiction writing; research Gale Crater through an online interactive module; use Google Earth Mars to learn about Mars surface features; gather and analyze data to conduct a scientific experiment; collect and record data in a science notebook to draw logical and scientific conclusions; define and identify the role of controls and variables in teams' scientific or technical questions; and differentiate between weather and climate. The lesson plan has a number of appendices, including standards alignment. This is Lesson 8 of the elementary school version of the 6 week Mars Rover Celebration curriculum. (View Less)
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per group of students
This series of ten lessons has been developed to teach students about local and global water issues. They are based on NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission. The activities are done largely outdoors and include scientific data... (View More) collection and analysis and integrate technology. Many of the lessons involve data collected based on protocols from the GLOBE Program. Each lesson is designed to take one hour; the lessons build on each other, but can also be used independently. Each lesson topic includes a lesson plan, PowerPoint presentation, student capture sheet and capture sheet answer guide. (View Less)
Materials Cost: $5 - $10 per group of students
Learners will read or listen to a story about two sisters, Marisol and Sofia, as they explore the Sun's role in the water cycle. Additionally, numerous extension resources are included in the accompanying educator guide, such as suggestions for... (View More) no-cost language arts activities, links to further science activities, a book walk cue chart to guide classroom discussion before, during, and after the story, a graphic organizer, and alignments to the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). (View Less)
This collection of activities is based on a weekly series of space science mathematics problems distributed during the 2012-2013 school year. They were intended for students looking for additional challenges in the math and physical science... (View More) curriculum in grades 5 through 12. The problems were created to be authentic glimpses of modern science and engineering issues, often involving actual research data. The problems were designed to be one-pagers with a Teacher's Guide and Answer Key as a second page. (View Less)
This is an activity about the atmospheric conditions (greenhouse strength, atmospheric thickness) Mars needs to maintain surface water. Learners will use a computer interactive to learn about Mars past and present before exploring the pressure and... (View More) greenhouse strength needed for Mars to have a watery surface as it had in the past. This lesson is part of Project Spectra, a science and engineering education program focusing on how light is used to explore the Solar System. (View Less)
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per group of students
In this activity, participants learn about the atmosphere by making observations and taking measurements. They will go outside and use scientific equipment to collect atmospheric moisture data (temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and cloud... (View More) cover). Students will use this qualitative and quantitative data to understand how water is found in the atmosphere, how the atmosphere determines weather and climate, and how Earth's spheres are connected through the water cycle. The data collection is based on protocols from the GLOBE program. This activity uses the 5E instructional model and is part of the "Survivor Earth" series of one-hour lessons. (View Less)
Materials Cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
In this lesson, students will think about their experiences with hurricanes and severe storms, and then learn the basics of what causes hurricanes to form. Students will learn how hurricane prediction has progressed, and how satellite technology is... (View More) used to see inside storms to get improved data for enhancing computer-based mathematical models. To share what they've learned, students will create a news report (script or comic strip) to tell others about hurricanes and hurricane prediction. This lesson uses the 5E instructional model. TRMM is Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free

subset: commoncrawl


text: Need advise. I'm very new to the beekeeping community. Nectar flow is very good, and my bees were drawing all the foundations in the hive boby, so I added a queen excluder, and a super. The bees are sealing the openings of the excluder, haven't touched the foundations in the super, and are making honey between the excluder and tops of the frames in the hive body. HELP!


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Stay connected with us to get the latest health and fitness news, innovative workouts, healthy recipes and wellness tips.
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This grilled pork dish offers a triple hit of the fruit with an apricot preserve glaze for the tenderloin plus a grilled apricot and watercress salad with an apricot-spiked vinaigrette. Serve with grilled whole-grain country bread and a chilled Chardonnay, which will harmonize beautifully with the smoky-sweetness of grilled apricots.
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes Appropriate
Healthy Weight
Heart Healthy
High Potassium
Low Calorie
Low Carb
Low Sat Fat
Low Sodium
Serves 4
Prep Time 40 min
Total Time 40 min.
Step 1
Preheat grill to high.
Step 2
Sprinkle pork with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the pork, turning occasionally, for 10 minutes. Brush the pork with 2 tablespoons preserves and continue grilling until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 145°F, 2 to 5 minutes more. Grill apricot (or nectarine) halves on the coolest part of the grill, turning occasionally, until tender and marked, about 4 minutes. Transfer the pork and apricots to a clean cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
Step 3
Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon preserves, vinegar, shallot, oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Cut the fruit into wedges and add to the dressing along with watercress (or arugula); toss to coat. Thinly slice the pork. Serve the salad with the sliced pork.
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This workout provides a challenging total-body workout that can be done from the comfort of home with no equipment other than bodyweight and space.


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(Harlem Globetrotters / Special to the American Press)
Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 9:51 AM
By Cliff Seiber / American Press
When the Harlem Globetrotters take to the court at the Lake Charles Civic Center on Wednesday, Feb. 20, one player won't be far from home.
The showmen (and show woman) of the basketball court will put on their zany play at 7 p.m. in the Civic Center coliseum.
Flight Time Lang, a native of Arkansas, lives in Bossier City and is a graduate of Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport.
"I'll be looking forward to some good crawfish in Lake Charles," he told the American Press in a telephone interview this week.
He calls his time at Centenary as "the best four years of my life. I got a good education."
He was a star of the Gents basketball team and in 2011 was inducted into the Centenary Athletics Hall of Fame. While a student he was on the honor roll a couple of times and was named to the first team All-Conference basketball team.
But that may be overshadowed by his 14 years with the Harlem Globetrotters.
"I've been to 90 countries and met so many different kinds of audiences," he said.
Basketball is not Lang's only appearance before audiences. He and teammate Big Easy Lofton of New Orleans were seen by millions of TV viewers on ABC's "The Amazing Race" reality show.
"I had to listen to Big Easy's big mouth for two trips around the world," Lang joked.
In their first season as a team in the race they had some success but bombed out on a tea-tasting trial. They had to give up on the task and wound up in fourth place overall.
"Yeah, the tea thing knocked us out," he said.
In the "Unfinished Business" season, they redeemed themselves with a second-place finish.
Flight Time has also appeared on "Hell's Kitchen," "The Bachelorette," Disney XD's "Kickin' It," "Today," "Good Morning America," "The Price is Right," "The Bonnie Hunt Show" and "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" where he answered each question posed to him. He has even shot hoops with President Barack Obama at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
"It was tough," Lang said of the transition to straight basketball competition to the show-off, trickster mode of play for which the Globetrotters are known, "but it's a great bunch of guys, and girls, to work with," noting that three ladies are on the team roster.
One of those, rookie T-Time Brawner of Oakland, Calif., will be with the team in Lake Charles. However, the exact team roster is subject to change according to circumstances.
The current season for the Globetrotters is dubbed the "You Write the Rules" World Tour. Fans can go online and vote for the rules of play in Lake Charles.
"Fans will decide the rules for the game that could affect the final outcome," Lang said. "This could be anything from having a penalty box, playing with two basketballs at once, to getting double the points for each basket made."
The team encourages fans to go online with their children at www.harlemglobetrotters.com to vote for which rule they want to see implemented in the game. Then, get your tickets, and see the winning rules in live action at the Globetrotters' world championship game.
A unique 30-minute pre-show, "Magic Pass," will allow families to spend time on the court with the Globetrotters one-on-one, shooting, trying out ball tricks, and getting autographs and photos.
After virtually every game, Globetrotter stars remain on the court for autographs and photographs with fans.
"We are really having as much fun as the audience," Lang said. "The smiles on the kids' faces make the job worthwhile."


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Welcome to the Quilting Board!
Thank you, Patrice. After 3 weeks of trying for several hours everyday, I had finally gotten everything to work but Bookmarks. Now I think I can do that as well. Thank you for the reference sheets. Carolynjo
The only thing I have at the top right is a small box and and search (magnifying glass). It doesn't look anything like whats in the tutorial. suggestions?
What happened to "my pages"???
Thank you, Patrice! I've printed off your tute and also the one on "watching" your own topics. Helps a lot!
When someone mentions quilting, I go to pieces!
Wow, thank you folks. I didn't even think to go to the How to .... section !!!
Mary B


text: Hello! I will be starting my very first (and second) hive(s) this spring! I'm very excited, and their new homes are almost ready. But I think they need a name...you know, in case I want to sell honey and/or other bee products in the future? We live in town, not near any natural features of merit....I want something distinctive and maybe a little unusual. My family is me, my husband, 12 year old son, 6 cats and a turtle. Our last name is Kellerman and my son's initials are AOK. Ideas include AOK Bees, Honeyside Gardens, Cat's Meow Honey... I like the second one, but hubby says it sound like I've killed the honey. Thoughts? Oh, and is there one thing you wish someone would've told you when you were a brand new beekeeper?


text:
If you were to use a trap the same size of a 10 frame deep, would you load the trap up with undrawn frames of foundation? Maybe foundationless frames with starter strips? Maybe a couple of frames with drawn comb (a premium for a new bee keeper like me!!)?
My whole thing is I dont want to have to transfer wild comb to frames unless I have to, unless im doing a cut out or something. Is it possible to have a swarm take up residency in a swarm trap and then build out frames?
Question for Charlie and ODFrank since we are in the same area..............when do you start seeing your first swarms in the bay area?
Take care and thanks for any and all replies!!..................Jason


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So I put in a grease/sugar patty with probably not enough grease in it, then had too many visiting little black ants. I started using a syrup spray "smoker" with lemongrass and spearmint oil in it. I sprayed some on that patty and all the ants left > I was messing around for quite a while and they never came back. I tried cinnamon but it just blows away. I also saw lots of dead mites on the bottom so it seems the powdered sugar treatment might turn the tide of the mite war. I am new, just a month or so into this. Anyway, it seems like they are recovering from the bad storm incident, reattached the comb I tied up except also burred to the walls one one side and I had to cut and clean up some, then dusted them again. Now I am going to leave em alone until next week.
Does anybody else use the grease patty in top bar hive? Has it seemed to help? I am wondering if it is just more trouble if it attracts other bugs or if I just used the wrong thing. The recipe I found said vegetable oil + sugar. Anyway I will search through more posts here. :P Hopefully they stay out. I saw some other things like vaseline on the hive legs so will try that too. Also, I probably shouldn't plan on harvesting any honey this year right (?)


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"The problem with the Obama plan is basically that it doesn't contain a long-term strategy for tackling the debt, which they will concede," says Bob Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, a group in Arlington, Virginia that advocates deficit reduction. . . .
Reluctance to trim Medicare benefits could require cuts in the rest of the budget, or vice versa. Further, Obama may need to break his promise to prevent tax increases for 98 percent of taxpayers, Bixby said.


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[Web Link Author talk: 'Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore']
A tale of global conspiracy, complex code-breaking, high-tech data visualization, young love, rollicking adventure and the secret to eternal life -- mostly set in a hole-in-the-wall San Francisco bookstore. The event is tomorrow, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.
[Web Link Workshop: Holiday Pinecone Crafts]
Participants can help decorate the senior center for the holiday season. They will create critters, snowmen and more from pinecones. No experience necessary, just a willingness to get messy with art supplies. The event is tomorrow, Dec. 6, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 9:27 AM
Town Square
Tomorrow's events (Dec. 6)
Original post made on Dec 5, 2012
Like this commentPosted by LVK
a resident of Professorville
on Dec 5, 2012 at 12:09 pm
I often enjoyed aurthor talks at Kepplar's Books in the past.
I realize that bookstores need to earn money, However, since I've a very limited income, at $10.00 a shot for such events, I can no longer attend even though I might like to.


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Application process for Becoming an RA for the 2017-2018 academic year has closed. Please check back in late November/early December for more information about becoming an RA for the 2018-2019 academic year
Becoming a Resident Assistant
What is a Resident Assistant?
The position of Resident Assistant at Rhode Island College is a life changing leadership opportunity. Resident Assistants are expected to act as positive role models and maintain the highest level of commitment towards attaining the goals established by the Office of Residential Life and Housing. This position is challenging and rewarding. It calls for leadership, interpersonal skills, appreciation of diversity, and initiative. Training is offered to help build confidence in this new and challenging role. A resident assistant will work as a community developer and an administrator for staff and students in the residence hall. Resident Assistants are expected to recognize the needs of their residents and serve as a liaison between the resident population and the administration.
How do I become a Resident Assistant?
Becoming a resident assistant is a multi-step process. The first step to becoming an RA is the application. Applications are available starting December 1, 2016 and are due back by February 8, 2017 to the Office of Residential Life & Housing. Applications are available in the Housing Office located in Penfield Hall. The next part of the application is Group Process on Saturday, February 25, 2017. Group process is a positive and exciting part of the selection process that serves as an opportunity for the professional staff to observe applicants interacting in a group setting. Applicants will go through a series of activities which will challenge how they work and interact with others on various tasks. The final step of the process is an interview. All interviews will be held in the morning of Saturday, February 25th. Applicants will be assigned an interview slot after their application has been received and processed.
What are the requirements for application?
The requirements for application for a resident assistant are as follow:
- Must be a full time student at Rhode Island College with a minimum GPA of 2.5 as of the end of the Fall 2016 semester.
- Must complete at least two full time academic semesters as of May 15, 2017.
- Must demonstrate leadership potential, dedication to and involvement in student development activities at the college.
- Must not have any outstanding financial obligations to the college.
- Cannot be on a judicial probationary status as of the start date of employment as a Resident Assistant.
What is the compensation for Resident Assistants?
Resident assistants are generally contracted for the entire academic year, including training period, and receive:
A taxable credit on the student account equivalent to the cost of room and board.
A stipend of $100 each semester, totaling $200.
Download and print application to submit at Housing Office by February 8th.
Word Document of 2017-2018 Application
Process Overview
December 1: Applications available for New RAs
February 8: New Applications due the the Office of Residential Life and Housing Office by 4:30pm
February 25: RA Interviews (Morning)


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Stay connected with us to get the latest health and fitness news, innovative workouts, healthy recipes and wellness tips.
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Charring tomatoes in a hot, dry skillet makes them smoky and flavorful; in combination with fresh herbs and spices, they elevate this dish from "everyday" to "ta-da!" Serve the tacos with reduced-fat sour cream.
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes Appropriate
Gluten Free Diet
Healthy Weight
Heart Healthy
Low Calorie
Low Cholesterol
Low Sat Fat
Low Sodium
Serves 2
Prep Time 35 min
Total Time 35 min.
Step 1
Heat a medium skillet over high heat until very hot. Add tomatoes and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until charred on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly. Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise; squeeze to discard seeds. Remove cores and chop the remaining pulp and skin.
Step 2
Cut chicken into 1-inch chunks; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add 1 teaspoon oil to the pan and heat over high heat until very hot. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and no longer pink in the middle, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Step 3
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add lime juice, the chicken and tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cilantro and scallions. Divide the chicken mixture among tortillas. Serve with lime wedges.
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This workout provides a challenging total-body workout that can be done from the comfort of home with no equipment other than bodyweight and space.


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A blood drive will be noon-5 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Hodgenville Woman's Club, 19 Lincoln Square, Hodgenville.
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I can't believe you didn't try Hoboken Pizza!
Austin - Searching for Jesse James
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Day one
Upon arriving we walked around the city to get a sense of the area. It was HOT and very HUMID. We walked up to the State Capital, and then made our way along 6th Street (where everything is said to happen) - even on a Friday afternoon this place was already jumping. Austin is known for its venues and music scene, and there were tons of places to choose from. We even found a place called "Hoboken Pie", a pizza place that prides itself in making the "real thing". When approaching the place to check it out, this guy outside said to us.."its open, you can go in, this pizza is the best thing since water". We will have to take his word for it, as we didn't go in. While we were walking around, we came across a restaurant that was setting up for a Spring Fest later that evening, The Belmont
Day Two
We luckily were in Austin this weekend, as there was an Arts and Music festival going on all weekend. We made our rounds through the festival and popped in a local pub just in time to take in the Kentucky Derby. That night, we had the best sushi in a very long time at Piranha Killers Sushi. After dinner we took a walk along the river and noticed a bunch of kayaks, boats in the water hanging out under one of its bridges, together with at least a hundred people hanging out and waiting for something. When we asked what was going on, it was described how every day, just a few minutes before dusk, swarms of Bats fly out from under the bridge. This must be a huge event because of the amount of people that were waiting around for it to happen. After a long wait, a few handfuls of bats came flying out, but apparently it was a disappointment for the locals who are use to seeing large swarms take off
Day Three
We took our bikes out on this day and toured Austin. We toured the river banks/river walks and went up to the campus of University of Texas (Longhorn country). We saw the football stadium from the outside. It was a great ride, and there were many people out doing the same thing we were. Also, as we rode along the river, there were herds of kayakers in the river/lake. It appears Austin takes it's water sports very seriously, there were many boat houses where you could rent crew boats, kayaks, etc. Later that night we had dinner in Sandra Bullock's restaurant, Bess Bistro, it was awesome, unfortunately though, we didn't see Sandra.
Austin is a very active and social city on many different levels and we really enjoyed every aspect of it.
April 30 - May 3
Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures
Muchachos ya veo estan disfrutando su viaje, de lo lindo y yo tambien.
Siganme mandando las opiniones que tienen de cada estado y las fotos, ya que he abierto un file con vuestro viaje.
Besos para los dos,
Hi guys! I went to Austin once on business and loved it. A town with great margaritas. I remember running along that river in the morning before my business meeting. I totally forgot about the bats! Safe travels. Did you catch any Roller Derby? Remember to listen to the Whip It soundtrack when you drive. Just wanted to let you know that I am reading the blog and it's fab. xoxox Elke


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This is a lesson about using evidence to construct sequences of geologic events. Learners will interpret real NASA science data to identify features on the surface of Mars, determine the surface history of the area, calculate the size of features,... (View More) and develope investigable questions. Students will study images taken by NASA's Mars Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) camera orbiting Mars. Students will use the THEMIS images to analyze the surface features and geological history of Mars. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes and vocabulary. (View Less)
Keywords: Visual analysis; NSTA2013
Audience: Elementary school, Middle school, High school
Materials Cost: Free
Materials Cost: Free


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So, I won. I don't know what to say about that right now: I don't think I ever will. I owe a few folks interviews, and I'm procrastinating on a deadline, but I need a poem right now. How about this one?
Poem Written in A Copy of Beowulf
At various times, I have asked myself what reasons
moved me to study, while my night came down,
without particular hope of satisfaction,
the language of the blunt-tongued Anglo-Saxons.
Used up by the years, my memory
loses its grip on words that I have vainly
repeated and repeated. My life in the same way
weaves and unweaves its weary history.
Then I tell myself: it must be that the soul
has some secret, sufficient way of knowing
that it is immortal, that its vast, encompassing
circle can take in all, can accomplish all.
Beyond my anxiety, beyond this writing,
the universe waits, inexhaustible, inviting.
--Jorge Luis Borges