Carnival in Pathfinder

[Mortavius]

Ding ding! Inza's birth is the event I was looking at. But in hindsight, perhaps the first verse of the Grand Conjunction is a better pick.

[Mortavius]

Nemesio you should draw some Carnival NPCs for Mortavius upcoming pdf supplement!

Also get in touch with the FoS guys, they'll gladly take more art for the next netbook...

Carnival! That was another great Ravenloft product with some good art...

I'd be happy to draw a few Carnival NPCs... Just give me the word and a few specifications, and I'll get started...

Well, I'd be honoured if you'd want to do some art for Carnival, Nemesio. Far be it from me to tell you what to draw though. I wouldn't want to get in the way of your artist's inspiration.

If you'd like a suggestion though, I don't think we actually have a single picture of Hermos in any book, so that might be a good place to start?

[Mortavius]

The Familiar

Timeline
743 BC: The Crimson Rose gives birth to her son, fathered in an assault by the Gentleman Caller. The Skurra-Vera is applied to his face on the day of his birth, and he comes to be known as The Familiar.

Twisting: Because the Familiar has worn the Skurra-Vera since the day he was born, he has ultimately been “away” from the Twisting long enough to fully recover from any effects it may have had on him in the womb.

Base Stats
Str 9, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 9, Cha 17
Racial: +2 Dex, +2 Int, -2 Cha
Aging: Young
Favored Class: + Skill Ranks

760 BC (Current day stats)
CR 1; XP 400
Tiefling Rogue (Chameleon) 1
Neutral Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +3; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Perception +3

Defense
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10 (+3 Dex)
HP 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +1, Ref +5, Will -1
Resist Cold, Electricity, Fire 5

Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee MW Dagger +0 (1d4-1, 19-20)
Ranged MW Dagger +4 (1d4-1, 19-20)
Special Attacks Sneak Attack +1d6
Spell-Like Abilities
1/day – Dimension Hop

Statistics
Str 9, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 17, Wis 9, Cha 15
Base Atk +0, CMB -1, CMD 12
Feats Skill Focus (Bluff)
Skills Acrobatics +7, Bluff +11, Climb +3, Escape Artist +7, Handle Animal +3, Perception +3, Ride +4, Sense Motive +3, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +9, Survival +0
Languages Skurra, Abyssal, Patterna, Balok, Vassi
SQ Misdirection (4 points to Stealth/day)

Equipment
MW Dagger (made by the Blade Brothers)



Stating up the Familiar was actually a welcome change to some of the more complex NPCs I've done over the past while (Prof. Pacali I'm looking at you). Since he is only first level, he has only a few options really.

For his skills, I tried to choose a wide assortment. I think he learns things from all the Skurra, so to get Survival from the Blade Brothers and Handle Animal from the Organ Grinder, etc.

[jules]

what's the familiars twisting anyway?

[Ryan Naylor]

He gets the benefits of the half-fiend template without looking half-fiendish?

I think it says in the book that if he is Twisted, it's internal rather than external.



The timeline also reminds me (gosh those are useful things) that when Carnival was due to meet Our Hero and the Gentleman Caller at the end of the Gaz metaplot, the Familiar would be 20 years old. Perhaps just about to turn 21...?

Interesting timing, anyway.

[Mortavius]

what's the familiars twisting anyway?

The Familiar may or may not have Twisting. The Skurra applied the face paint to protect him the day he was born, and he's been silent since then. There is a suggestion in the text that the Twisting affected him in the womb, and that his Blink ability may be the result of that. I chose to believe that his spell-like ability is the result of his heritage.

He gets the benefits of the half-fiend template without looking half-fiendish?
I think it says in the book that if he is Twisted, it's internal rather than external.

Well, I was operating under the assumption that he is a child of the GC. I figured the Half-Fiend template fit that; do you think I shouldn't use it? The problem with him looking fiendish is I think there would be real problems with a kid who had claws, fangs, and wings.

I don't recall anything in the book saying that he is Twisted internally though.

The Twisting is interesting. It says in numerous parts of the book that it brings inner natures and manifests them physically. This is held up by how most of the Troupers are Twisted and how it reflects their natures.

But then, what about the animals? Madame Fortuna even claims the Twisting would affect the grass under Carnival if they stayed too long in one spot. But what is reflected in the inner nature of a horse? Why does it get extra eyes or legs? What about grass?

If the Twisting reflects inner nature, a baby in the womb really doesn't have an inner nature yet. It may have a heritage that affects it, but D&D is rife with examples of creatures rebelling against their natures (both good and bad), and it seems clear that the game adopts more of a "nurture" approach than a "nature" one.

What do you all think?

[Nemesio]

If you'd like a suggestion though, I don't think we actually have a single picture of Hermos in any book, so that might be a good place to start?

I agree one hundred percent! Hermos would be a great place to start! Just watched "Hansel and Gretel" last night. It was terrible but I kind of like the troll... Perhaps its a sign...

I'm on it as soon A.S.A.P.

[Ryan Naylor]

Well, I was operating under the assumption that he is a child of the GC. I figured the Half-Fiend template fit that; do you think I shouldn't use it? The problem with him looking fiendish is I think there would be real problems with a kid who had claws, fangs, and wings.

I don't recall anything in the book saying that he is Twisted internally though.

The Twisting is interesting. It says in numerous parts of the book that it brings inner natures and manifests them physically. This is held up by how most of the Troupers are Twisted and how it reflects their natures.

But then, what about the animals? Madame Fortuna even claims the Twisting would affect the grass under Carnival if they stayed too long in one spot. But what is reflected in the inner nature of a horse? Why does it get extra eyes or legs? What about grass?

If the Twisting reflects inner nature, a baby in the womb really doesn't have an inner nature yet. It may have a heritage that affects it, but D&D is rife with examples of creatures rebelling against their natures (both good and bad), and it seems clear that the game adopts more of a "nurture" approach than a "nature" one.

What do you all think?

Just because you are half-fiendish, doesn't necessarily mean you have the Half-Fiend template though. Malocchio is also half-fiend, but doesn't have the template. It says in the template it's about how heavily imbued with fiend you are rather than just simple genetics.

Essentially, I think you can be half-fiend without being Half-Fiend.

Given Carnival says (or suggests) the blinking might be from the Twisting, I thought a reasonable compromise might be that he wasn't due to get the template, but the Twisting gave him part of it. So stat-wise you're fine; it's just that there's more narrative in how and why it was applied. Which I'm fine with - I've always thought that the story and the game mechanics happen on different levels.


I can't explain the animals. The Twisting is completely random, unless there's a guiding force (intellect? (demi-)human soul?) to direct it, in which case it reflects their inner nature?

[Mangrum]

The design intent behind the Twisting was that as a powerful celestial, Isolde's reality wrinkle has what you might call a caustic effect on the planar fabric of the Demiplane of Dread; if she sat in one spot long enough, everything within range would eventually dissolve into ethereal mists. However, she's chosen to exert a considerable portion of her will toward limiting its otherwise purely destructive effects. She can't stop the dissolution entirely (short of somehow losing her wrinkle), but she's found a way to channel it into the quasi-moralistic mutations known as the Twisting.

A benevolent (though Old Testament) consciousness imposing itself on pure entropy, in other words.

[Mortavius]

Ahhh. Well that explains that somewhat. Thank you Mangrum, for coming in and clarifying that.

Ryan, I'm going to take another look at the Familiar. I like what you're suggesting; that the Twisting did indeed affect him in the womb and gave him some of the qualities of a Half-Fiend because of the nature of his parentage.

I appreciate all the feedback folks. Just wanted to let you all know.

[The Giamarga]

Great to hear you guys chime in in this thread. I would also have mentioned Malocchio here as an example. Malocchio does not quite look human though, with his sixth fingers on each hand. Also he matured in 2 days after his birth.

As for not using the half fiend template I wonder how going with a tiefling base race would work out for either the Dukkar or the Familiar...

Anyways I still like the acrobat archetype for the familiar. He looks like a contortionist to me on the cover art plus there's no acrobat or contortionist in the carnival yet. The Rose already fills the cutpurse niche, lets give the familiar another Act. Though the chameleon archetype might also fit him, further blurring the lines between supernatural and skill explanations for his disappearing act. I rather like that.

Looking at the young template I'm wondering if he should really have only such a low Dex when mature. Or wait he doesn't have the young template does he? He's 17 after all.

What i alway found most strange about the Familiar is that he did indeed keep quiet from birth. Even as a baby. As a father i can tell this is rather outlandish. I wonder how it would affect his development mentally and physically. Maybe he's mute? Maybe Isolde talked to him mentally similar to the Imp, Claude Rivale's brother.

Now I'm thinking of Paizos official oracle mute curse and a level of oracle perhaps. It would certainly explain how he could grow up a bit more normally if he could converse with his mother telepathically. Dual cursed (tongues, mute) possessed oracle perhaps? Maybe he is twisted after all and Isolde separated the fiendish part from the human part. But what mystery would fit... Dark Tapestry?

Oh we'll it's probably to farout and complicated...

[Ryan Naylor]

I think oracle might be a step too far. I imagine he's silent because he's of somewhat sinister lineage - half-Vistani (which is creepy enough for most) and half-incubus. While it is unrealistic, that morbidly silent child is enough of a trope in gothic horror that I wouldn't tie it to the oracle class.

[Mortavius]

I've gone back and re-worked the Familiar. Tell me what you folks think.

As for not using the half fiend template I wonder how going with a tiefling base race would work out for either the Dukkar or the Familiar...

I actually like this better than the Half-Fiend template. It's more subtle.

Anyways I still like the acrobat archetype for the familiar. He looks like a contortionist to me on the cover art plus there's no acrobat or contortionist in the carnival yet. The Rose already fills the cutpurse niche, lets give the familiar another Act. Though the chameleon archetype might also fit him, further blurring the lines between supernatural and skill explanations for his disappearing act. I rather like that.

I like Chameleon a lot for him. I did see it originally, but I thought it involved disguises, and he doesn't do that. But in reality, the archetype is based on stealth, which works great for the Familiar. I'm not sold on the Acrobat though. He doesn't preform in Carnival in the book, and though he is older now, I wonder what kind of act he would do? I visualize him very much as a shy child, one who does not want the spotlight.

Looking at the young template I'm wondering if he should really have only such a low Dex when mature. Or wait he doesn't have the young template does he? He's 17 after all.

Nope, no young template. Sorry if that confused you under the ageing category.

What i alway found most strange about the Familiar is that he did indeed keep quiet from birth. Even as a baby. As a father i can tell this is rather outlandish. I wonder how it would affect his development mentally and physically. Maybe he's mute? Maybe Isolde talked to him mentally similar to the Imp, Claude Rivale's brother.

Now I'm thinking of Paizos official oracle mute curse and a level of oracle perhaps. It would certainly explain how he could grow up a bit more normally if he could converse with his mother telepathically. Dual cursed (tongues, mute) possessed oracle perhaps? Maybe he is twisted after all and Isolde separated the fiendish part from the human part. But what mystery would fit... Dark Tapestry?

Oh we'll it's probably to farout and complicated...

I appreciate the idea, but I agree with Ryan, I think Oracle is too much of a stretch. I don't see any religion in the character or practised spellcasting.

It is also outlandish for a child to be quiet from birth, but look at the company he keeps. Compared to some of the other Troupers, the Familiar is almost normal.

[Ryan Naylor]

Tiefling wouldn't be bad, and you can swap out darkness for dimension hop again. That would mean he hasn't got any of the Vistani abilities though, unless you're prepared to wreak havoc on his stats again.

[Mortavius]

Tiefling wouldn't be bad, and you can swap out darkness for dimension hop again. That would mean he hasn't got any of the Vistani abilities though, unless you're prepared to wreak havoc on his stats again.

Yeah, they changed around a little. I re-posted the new version above, editing out the old one. Do you see anything I missed, Vistana-wise?