SanDiego Nerd Parents
Campaign Summary
The campaign begins under dire circumstances. It's the goblinoids. Always the goblins.
It is the fall, 476 of the Venadir Kingdom (human). Kerwyn Venadir is the king of this realm. The border city of Waterbridge was assaulted by goblins and hobgoblins; the advanced legions of the hobgoblin Warlord Grodik.
The goblin invasion was heroically thrown back against all odds due to the aid of the King’s knight, Sir Aarin Ringstone. The victory was narrow. Westmarch is shattered, citizens are tending the wounded and burying the dead. Everyone does everything, even sleeping, with a weapon nearby these nights. Through whatever resources, luck, or skill you possess; you managed to survive.
All of the walls and fortifications are battered to the point of uselessness, and in any case, insufficient healthy soldiers to man them. Fighting got past the city walls and into the streets, more than a few buildings were burned to the ground. Goblin and Empire bodies lay in the streets. Crops have been razed by the invaders and supplies are low, even without another assault things will be dire when winter arrives.
It is only a few days after the attack, and Lord Darkstarr and Sir Ringstone are trying to put the remains of the city in order. Warlord Grodik is still out there with a goblin host, and there has been no communication from the capitol in weeks. Luckily, there have been only small groups of goblins raiding the area since the host was thrown back.
The campaign begins with each member of the party being summoned to Sir Ringstone’s encampment for a scouting mission...
NPC's of Note
Sir Aarin Ringstone - A human who was knighted by the king himself, he is not under Darkstarr’s command. The unique thing about his knighthood is that Ringstone is a sorcerer, and judging from the battle of Westmarch, a pretty bad ass one. Though no one knows the true story of how he came to be knighted, there are countless rumors - many of which are unflattering and likely political. Still, for those who have met him, Ringstone seems to be a honorable man.
Lord Ebreck Darkstarr - The Darkstarr family is ambitious, and has built Westmarch from a hamlet into a minor city (Lord Ebreck, and before him the late Lady Reledon Darkstarr). The Darkstarr family has become one of kingdom's new elite families in the last decade with many ties to the capitol.
His Grace, Pious Benir III - An elven priest of Abadar, and head of the most popular church in Westmarch. He is losing much of his flock to all of the smaller churches lately. There seems to be a particularly vocal Priestess of Pharasma that is getting a lot of attention by prophesying a great war from which great hero’s emerge.
Ryda Ironbelt - This sly dwarf is the town’s “moneylender”. She owned and operated from The Butchered Calf tavern (now a pile of ashes from the battle). According to legend the previous owner either gave it to her as a thank you for financial help, or signed it over while hanging upside down by his toes. Most people are inclined to believe the latter. There is no thieves guild per say, but there are several gangs and Ryda is often associated with the Twisted Axes.
Captain Arwen Amberway - He was the captain of the guard, and now is in charge of Darkstarr’s millitia. His reputation is that of an intolerant and bitter man; definitely not known for his patience with criminals.
Cities of the Venadir Empire
Everstarr - human capitol, a wondrous city. It boasts high walls and spires, as well as a large shipyard. Westmarch is home to the elite, powerful wizards, and the ambitious who want to join those ranks. The game of houses is fast paced, and treacherous in Westmarch.
Venadir Keep - Adjacent to Westmarch, it is the seat of the Venadir Empire.
Sulindal - Elven Capitol, by far the largest elven city, although they control many many towns within thier forrests.
Avgaard - The dwarves own several city states in the mountains, each of which has its own king. Avgaard is the largest kingdom, and nominally the capitol.
Rivermead - a trading city between the human and dwarven lands. Population is roughly split down the middle. Its a tough little town, and many merchants run boats from Rivermead to Westmarch and back.
Falcon Spike - The tallest point in the empire, perhaps taller than the dwarven mountains. Much of the city is built under the mountain. The city is largely dwarven, and controlled by Govenor Del Anvilcaster. Although some call him king in private circles, don’t call him a “king” in earshot of Venadir agents.
Garamond Monestery - The most renown in the empire, and is located in the hills outside of Falcon Spike. Its exact location is known only to the monks.
Palderton - This last holdout of the former human kingdoms is not part of the empire. The Palder family is extremely rich, and hold their fertile lands fiercely. This gives the Palders the resources to have a large standing army. The Venadir have long coveted this land, but there has been a tentative peace here for the last two generations.
Grandolton - This is the largest population of halflings in the known lands, and generally thought to be the most pleasant city in the empire. The locals love to tell tales of the haunted keep on convict lake.
Bailey’s Point - a rough seafaring city. Often associated with the less than legal captains of the Cross Islands.
Convict lake - This huge lake used to be the edge of the Palder kingdom until 205. When the empire took over, they used the keep as a prison - mostly for Palder supporters. After the Long Winter in the year 233 no one has come from the island, and no adventurer has returned from it.
Cross Islands - Not really part of the empire. Too remote and wild to be of an consequence to Westmarch, they are rife with pirate activity.
Sparcious - a large, but mountainous island. Only the shores are populated, mostly by fishermen who eke out a living here. The area between Sparcious and Westmarch is well patrolled by the navy.
Our Heroes
your character name here (real first name)
Pathfinder - Core Rulebook characters only (no exceptions, too many new people), 1st level
Give me a paragraph or two about your character. Take lots of liberties with locations and local people - you could be Ringstone's squire, make up a gang, the party could be the entire gang, Darkstarr lackey, local hero, emissary from nearby city, etc... Many of my best story lines have been taken from PC's plot hooks. If you are real ambitious, add a picture.
If you don't have a rulebook, you can find it for online free here:
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/classes.html
20 point ability score build
Advancement on the FAST experience column.
Episode 1 - Scouts
Beginnings:
