“A missing persons case is anything but straightforward,” Mardon says. “If we’re talking straightforward, killing all the Zhentarim in a warehouse is about as clear cut as they get. I’d like to take a serial killer off the streets, myself, but the question is on two of them, do we have the skill set for investigation work? Asking around, that kind of thing? I mean, maybe - but I’m pretty straightforward in my skill set. I can sneak and bluff decently, I can investigate and I’ve got pretty sharp senses, but I’m no expert with any of that. Shootin’ Waterdeep’s enemies dead, that’s my bread and butter. So yeah, I’m good with whatever - so long as you guys are ok with some more complex work if we go after investigating a killer or a missing persons case.”
"I agree, getting the killer off the streets is probably the most important one. Well, I may not have the sleuthing skills, but I got the gift o' the gab," he smiles, "I managed to talk us into a hairy situation, granted. But I can be convincing and we don't necessarily need talk to one of this killers lackeys. I've always found that the girls working in the local taverns always hear much more than they let on."
Ander is no longer wearing his leather armour, but instead is just wearing his traveller's clothes (He now casts mage armor at will). He flicks through his Book of Ancient Secrets, reading over the new ritual he'd learnt (now has Tiny Hut that might come in handy for resting in unsavoury places).
OOC: I assume this follows a full rest, recovery, time to buy items, etc.
Mardon now wears studded leather, in order to facilitate stealth, given that it came up often on the last mission.
“Let’s track that killer then,” Mardon says. “My family lives in this city. Gotta make the streets safer for my wife and little girl. I’m a decent investigator, Ander’s a good talker, Rubin can do damn near anything he puts his mind to. Let’s find this killer and put him down.”
"Let's go after the killer then." Rubin says with a shrug. He has taken a level of forge cleric now, so his weapon does magical damage, plus he has some good cleric spells such as bless and guidance.
Mardon goes with his allies to take up the bounty for the serial killer, relating in-character his proficiency with investigation, perception, stealth, and thieves tools. “I’ve done a few other investigation jobs, skill set comes in handy for finding traps and s*** too. I should be able to move a lot more quietly with this new armor, so any quiet recon or B&E we need to get info on this guy, I should be in a good spot for. I bought a couple of pairs of manacles, and some other stuff for getting in places. I’ve got basics covered but no magic on this, and you know I’ve got a decent three dragon ante face - I can hold a bluff - but if we need to get witnesses to open up to us, Ander or Rubin, one of you guys will probably be more persuasive at that sort of thing. I keep tellin’ the old lady, one last job. Well, one more one last job, at least. At least this ones a damn good cause.”
Ander nods at Mardon, "I'm sure I can talk us into some trouble," he chuckles. "I'm ready when you gents are. Just need to get some particulars on the mark and location."
Unfortunately, it is also "Bring your kid to work day", and Mardon's wife insisted Mardon bring his daughter.
OOC: Would Izrral1 rather I play the daughter or we get a temporary player?
OOC: It is up to you, I can play her if it’s just for the one scene, I assume we’re not dragging her along to investigate a killer.
—General concept is a smart kid, takes after her mom like that, talented in music, knows she’s going to outlive her father but not her mother and is still coping with that, right now just trying to have a normal childhood. Her father doesn’t talk about his work much so she’s likely curious about this part of his life. I’ll do a description, if you the DM want to play her for the scene that is fine.—
Mardon’s wife is an elf, if he is bringing his daughter to work then the tough talking man comes in acting uncomfortable, bringing in a half elf girl who looks somewhere around age 10-12. She has the same black skin and Afro hair as her father, but a pair of short pointed ears, showing her half elvin heritage. The girl wears a violet dress and a large pair of eyeglasses. She has a violin in a case on her back.
Mardon wears his studded leather armor and his trench coat loaded with cases of crossbow bolts, as usual.
“Hey, guys. It’s, uh, bring your daughter to work day, and, well, here we are. Boys, this is Esme. Esme, these are some trouble makers you don’t want to get to know.” Normally Mardon would light up a cigarette during downtime, but he looks to the half elf girl, and frowns, answering an unspoken reminder. “I promised, I won’t smoke. I know you don’t like it.”
Unfortunately, it is also "Bring your kid to work day", and Mardon's wife insisted Mardon bring his daughter.
OOC: Would Izrral1 rather I play the daughter or we get a temporary player?
OOC: It is up to you, I can play her if it’s just for the one scene, I assume we’re not dragging her along to investigate a killer.
Oh, cuz it's bring your kid to work day, you are dragging her off to work to investigate a killer. :)
OOC: Ah, if she's expected to go along with a hunt for the serial killer, we'll probably need to make her a bit older. Waterdeep has its own culture as does Force Gray and that is up to some interpretation. What age would be considered normalized for a child to be brought to observe a hunt for a killer, by your estimation?
OOC: Mardon wouldn't realistically take a 10-12 year old along for a hunt for a serial killer, unless there's some specific norms or customs in Waterdeep or the Force Gray organization that involve routine child endangerment. An older teen perhaps, medieval societies like Faerun mimics have kids "grow up fast" so to speak, but even there 10-12 would likely be considered too young to go along with a hunt for a serial killer most liekly. DM, the family was mainly intended as a bit of background character flavor, I have no problem with the NPC accompanying the group, it's an amusing complication actually, but if so, I can just make her a teenager, more reasonable for a medieval society to view them as "adults" in essence, Mardon could be about 40, he could have had a child early in life, etc.
OOC: Mardon wouldn't realistically take a 10-12 year old along for a hunt for a serial killer, unless there's some specific norms or customs in Waterdeep or the Force Gray organization that involve routine child endangerment. An older teen perhaps, medieval societies like Faerun mimics have kids "grow up fast" so to speak, but even there 10-12 would likely be considered too young to go along with a hunt for a serial killer most liekly. DM, the family was mainly intended as a bit of background character flavor, I have no problem with the NPC accompanying the group, it's an amusing complication actually, but if so, I can just make her a teenager, more reasonable for a medieval society to view them as "adults" in essence, Mardon could be about 40, he could have had a child early in life, etc.
I would say that you disprove of it, but your wife insist and you are now in a embarrassing situation.
OOC: Mardon wouldn't realistically take a 10-12 year old along for a hunt for a serial killer, unless there's some specific norms or customs in Waterdeep or the Force Gray organization that involve routine child endangerment. An older teen perhaps, medieval societies like Faerun mimics have kids "grow up fast" so to speak, but even there 10-12 would likely be considered too young to go along with a hunt for a serial killer most liekly. DM, the family was mainly intended as a bit of background character flavor, I have no problem with the NPC accompanying the group, it's an amusing complication actually, but if so, I can just make her a teenager, more reasonable for a medieval society to view them as "adults" in essence, Mardon could be about 40, he could have had a child early in life, etc.
I would say that you disprove of it, but your wife insist and you are now in a embarrassing situation.
(OOC: I think this is a twist that is meant to be interesting and add something different to the game, but that it is doing just the opposite. It is making something unrealistic happen, when it is not necessary. What parent is going to allow, or even encourage, a child to go with on a job, when the last job had the father come home burned, battered, and barely alive? doesn't add to the game or the realism of it at all here I am afraid.)
OOC: Mardon wouldn't realistically take a 10-12 year old along for a hunt for a serial killer, unless there's some specific norms or customs in Waterdeep or the Force Gray organization that involve routine child endangerment. An older teen perhaps, medieval societies like Faerun mimics have kids "grow up fast" so to speak, but even there 10-12 would likely be considered too young to go along with a hunt for a serial killer most liekly. DM, the family was mainly intended as a bit of background character flavor, I have no problem with the NPC accompanying the group, it's an amusing complication actually, but if so, I can just make her a teenager, more reasonable for a medieval society to view them as "adults" in essence, Mardon could be about 40, he could have had a child early in life, etc.
I would say that you disprove of it, but your wife insist and you are now in a embarrassing situation.
(OOC: I think this is a twist that is meant to be interesting and add something different to the game, but that it is doing just the opposite. It is making something unrealistic happen, when it is not necessary. What parent is going to allow, or even encourage, a child to go with on a job, when the last job had the father come home burned, battered, and barely alive? doesn't add to the game or the realism of it at all here I am afraid.)
OOC: Essentially that. I'm fine with a less serious tone for the game, but even with a more tongue in cheek approach to things it would be hard to rationalize bringing such a young child along on a dangerous mission, especially considering how dangerous they tend to be (based on our one in-character example). If the child is a bit older and perhaps a prospective adventurer with class levels, like a low level bard for example, that might be more credible, but even a low level character would likely be at least in their later teens (assuming human level development, which I believe half elves follow, they just live longer after they hit their development) for the majority of character classes, some a bit older.
If he was told to bring his daughter to work and she is a very young girl, he might introduce her to his co-workers and then drop her off at a "daycare" equivalent in Waterdeep, before going on the mission proper. If she's old enough that she has learned the skills of an adventurer, and he has reason to believe in her (relative) safety in coming along, then he might bring her on the actual mission, but otherwise, if more of an NPC and not a combat trained adventurer, he would probably do the same - introduce her to his friends and drop her off somewhere safer before investigating the serial killer, perhaps with a friend of hers, at a music tutor or conservatory, etc.
“A missing persons case is anything but straightforward,” Mardon says. “If we’re talking straightforward, killing all the Zhentarim in a warehouse is about as clear cut as they get. I’d like to take a serial killer off the streets, myself, but the question is on two of them, do we have the skill set for investigation work? Asking around, that kind of thing? I mean, maybe - but I’m pretty straightforward in my skill set. I can sneak and bluff decently, I can investigate and I’ve got pretty sharp senses, but I’m no expert with any of that. Shootin’ Waterdeep’s enemies dead, that’s my bread and butter. So yeah, I’m good with whatever - so long as you guys are ok with some more complex work if we go after investigating a killer or a missing persons case.”
"I agree, getting the killer off the streets is probably the most important one. Well, I may not have the sleuthing skills, but I got the gift o' the gab," he smiles, "I managed to talk us into a hairy situation, granted. But I can be convincing and we don't necessarily need talk to one of this killers lackeys. I've always found that the girls working in the local taverns always hear much more than they let on."
Ander is no longer wearing his leather armour, but instead is just wearing his traveller's clothes (He now casts mage armor at will). He flicks through his Book of Ancient Secrets, reading over the new ritual he'd learnt (now has Tiny Hut that might come in handy for resting in unsavoury places).
OOC: I assume this follows a full rest, recovery, time to buy items, etc.
Mardon now wears studded leather, in order to facilitate stealth, given that it came up often on the last mission.
“Let’s track that killer then,” Mardon says. “My family lives in this city. Gotta make the streets safer for my wife and little girl. I’m a decent investigator, Ander’s a good talker, Rubin can do damn near anything he puts his mind to. Let’s find this killer and put him down.”
"Sounds a plan, lets get this second bounty then."
"Let's go after the killer then." Rubin says with a shrug. He has taken a level of forge cleric now, so his weapon does magical damage, plus he has some good cleric spells such as bless and guidance.
Mardon goes with his allies to take up the bounty for the serial killer, relating in-character his proficiency with investigation, perception, stealth, and thieves tools. “I’ve done a few other investigation jobs, skill set comes in handy for finding traps and s*** too. I should be able to move a lot more quietly with this new armor, so any quiet recon or B&E we need to get info on this guy, I should be in a good spot for. I bought a couple of pairs of manacles, and some other stuff for getting in places. I’ve got basics covered but no magic on this, and you know I’ve got a decent three dragon ante face - I can hold a bluff - but if we need to get witnesses to open up to us, Ander or Rubin, one of you guys will probably be more persuasive at that sort of thing. I keep tellin’ the old lady, one last job. Well, one more one last job, at least. At least this ones a damn good cause.”
(OOC - love forge clerics!)
Ander nods at Mardon, "I'm sure I can talk us into some trouble," he chuckles. "I'm ready when you gents are. Just need to get some particulars on the mark and location."
OOC: I posted in the other "recruitment thread" for selecting a bounty, I am still adjusting to this structure, wasn't sure that was the next step.
A few weeks later, after resting up a bit. You arrive back at the Yawning Portal for mission assignment. X is sitting in his usual spot.
(BTW, if any of you have the criminal bounty hunter background, your contact is a Grey Hunter agent in the basement of the yawning portal.)
Unfortunately, it is also "Bring your kid to work day", and Mardon's wife insisted Mardon bring his daughter.
OOC: Would Izrral1 rather I play the daughter or we get a temporary player?
OOC: Mardon’s background is Urban Bounty hunter, so that works. Could be his Ear to the Ground contact with underworld news.
OOC: It is up to you, I can play her if it’s just for the one scene, I assume we’re not dragging her along to investigate a killer.
—General concept is a smart kid, takes after her mom like that, talented in music, knows she’s going to outlive her father but not her mother and is still coping with that, right now just trying to have a normal childhood. Her father doesn’t talk about his work much so she’s likely curious about this part of his life. I’ll do a description, if you the DM want to play her for the scene that is fine.—
Mardon’s wife is an elf, if he is bringing his daughter to work then the tough talking man comes in acting uncomfortable, bringing in a half elf girl who looks somewhere around age 10-12. She has the same black skin and Afro hair as her father, but a pair of short pointed ears, showing her half elvin heritage. The girl wears a violet dress and a large pair of eyeglasses. She has a violin in a case on her back.
Mardon wears his studded leather armor and his trench coat loaded with cases of crossbow bolts, as usual.
“Hey, guys. It’s, uh, bring your daughter to work day, and, well, here we are. Boys, this is Esme. Esme, these are some trouble makers you don’t want to get to know.” Normally Mardon would light up a cigarette during downtime, but he looks to the half elf girl, and frowns, answering an unspoken reminder. “I promised, I won’t smoke. I know you don’t like it.”
Oh, cuz it's bring your kid to work day, you are dragging her off to work to investigate a killer. :)
OOC: Ah, if she's expected to go along with a hunt for the serial killer, we'll probably need to make her a bit older. Waterdeep has its own culture as does Force Gray and that is up to some interpretation. What age would be considered normalized for a child to be brought to observe a hunt for a killer, by your estimation?
OOC: Mardon wouldn't realistically take a 10-12 year old along for a hunt for a serial killer, unless there's some specific norms or customs in Waterdeep or the Force Gray organization that involve routine child endangerment. An older teen perhaps, medieval societies like Faerun mimics have kids "grow up fast" so to speak, but even there 10-12 would likely be considered too young to go along with a hunt for a serial killer most liekly. DM, the family was mainly intended as a bit of background character flavor, I have no problem with the NPC accompanying the group, it's an amusing complication actually, but if so, I can just make her a teenager, more reasonable for a medieval society to view them as "adults" in essence, Mardon could be about 40, he could have had a child early in life, etc.
I would say that you disprove of it, but your wife insist and you are now in a embarrassing situation.
(OOC: I think this is a twist that is meant to be interesting and add something different to the game, but that it is doing just the opposite. It is making something unrealistic happen, when it is not necessary. What parent is going to allow, or even encourage, a child to go with on a job, when the last job had the father come home burned, battered, and barely alive? doesn't add to the game or the realism of it at all here I am afraid.)
OOC: Essentially that. I'm fine with a less serious tone for the game, but even with a more tongue in cheek approach to things it would be hard to rationalize bringing such a young child along on a dangerous mission, especially considering how dangerous they tend to be (based on our one in-character example). If the child is a bit older and perhaps a prospective adventurer with class levels, like a low level bard for example, that might be more credible, but even a low level character would likely be at least in their later teens (assuming human level development, which I believe half elves follow, they just live longer after they hit their development) for the majority of character classes, some a bit older.
If he was told to bring his daughter to work and she is a very young girl, he might introduce her to his co-workers and then drop her off at a "daycare" equivalent in Waterdeep, before going on the mission proper. If she's old enough that she has learned the skills of an adventurer, and he has reason to believe in her (relative) safety in coming along, then he might bring her on the actual mission, but otherwise, if more of an NPC and not a combat trained adventurer, he would probably do the same - introduce her to his friends and drop her off somewhere safer before investigating the serial killer, perhaps with a friend of hers, at a music tutor or conservatory, etc.
Sure, we'll make her 15, then.
I'm still trying to find a player for your daughter. Meanwhile, you see X coming in through the door again.