Grogs'r'Us

Retired Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: Canaries Are Dying
1

Do I have to pay for this grog and if yes how many bp?

Anne - Finesse grog (one of three or four similar ones)

Anne is a mother of four who has used the covenant's magical items for washing and cooking for many years. She's well respected, and has been given an Incendior Hominis, which she may use if the alarm bell is rung.

Virtues: Custos, puissant finesse, strong characteristics
Flaws: proud, ability block: martial, covenant upbringing

Str 1, Sta 1, Int 0, Per 3, Dex 0, Qik 1, Com 1, Pre 0
Age: 26
Size: 0
Warping 0 (1)
Personality: Sure of herself +3, Loyal +3, thorough+1
Reputations: don't contradict her (covenfolk) 1
Combat:
Brawl/Fist Init +1 Att+2 Def+2 Dam+1
Soak: +1
Fatigue + wounds: normal
Abilities (360xp)
00 Local language (lullabies) 5
30 Latin (understanding) 3
05 Animal Handling (dogs) 1
15 Local Area Lore (scandals) 2
15 Athletics (lifting) 2
30 Awareness (Alertness) 3
15 Bargain (cloth) 2
05 Brawl (fist) 1
05 Carouse (stay sober) 1
05 Charm (husband) 1
30 Chirurgy (children) 3
05 Concentration (magic items) 1
50 Prof. Mother (praise) 4
30 Folk Ken (covenant) 3
05 Guile (husband) 1
15 Intrigue (covenant) 2
05 Leadership (people from covenant) 1
05 Order of Hermes Lore (this covenant) 1
15 Teach (children) 2
75 Finesse (covenant items) 5+2
Equipment: Normal clothing, Access to magical items used for covenant upkeep
Encumbrance: 0

2

Looking at the definition of teacher and specialist in the Covenants section of the mrb, and I'm thinking no, just one of the grogs.

3

Maybe we should start a grog thread (or a grog creation and a finished grog thread)?

Tjonnes – the boy who could talk to animals

Tjonnes is a simpleton, a large brute of a man with the intelligence of a four-year-old child. People usually make fun of him, until they realize that he can talk with animals.
He reeks with filth (people who have known him for a long time claim that he is blond) and smells like cow-shit. He usually grins like an idiot.

Virtues: Animal Ken, Puissant animal handling, large
Flaws: Short attention span, poor intelligence, poor student
Age: 19
Characteristics: Int -4, Per 1, Sta 2, Str 3, Cha 2, Com 0, Dex 2, Quk -2
Personality: Child +3, friendly +2, loyal to his animal friends +3
Reputation: not right in the head (covenant) 2, good with animals (covenant) 2
Combat:
Fist: Init -2, Att +5, Def +2, Dam +3
Abilities:
Local Language (animals) 5
25 Animal Ken 3 (cows)
75 Animal Handling (cows) 5+2
05 Local Area Lore (pastures) 1
30 Athletics (lift) 3
15 Awareness (animals) 2
30 Brawl (dodge) 3
05 Carouse (staying conscious) 1
30 Hunt (tracking) 3
15 Prof. Breeder (cows) 2
15 Ride (cows) 2
05 Stealth (sneaking) 1
05 Survival (pasture) 1

Equipment: clothes, stick

Note: edited (-75xp)

4

Re: Anne. The specialty on Charm does refer to her own husband, right? (The way this campaign is shaping up, you never can tell :laughing: )

Re: Tjonnes. It looks like he's got 75 xp more than he should have for a 19-year-old.

Other than that,they both look good.

5

a) husband, singular
b) (330-45)/15 = 19 (I forgot that you don't live your childhood twice). I'll reducxe xp.

6

Here's a quick Grog from the Mac-an-Toisich clan. Pretty straight forward.

He would be a second cousin to Nevin. I spelled his first name phonetically, it likely has its own unique spelling.

Name: Glowan Mac-an-Toisich Age: 24 Social Status/Profession: Clansman Warping: -/-
Decrepitude: -/- Religion: Christian
Place of Birth: Loch Ness

Str +2 Int -1 Pre +1 Quick +1
Sta +2 Per -1 Com 0 Dex +1

Virtues
Covenfolk/Clansman (free)
Warrior Minor
Tough Minor
Large

Flaws
Oversensitive to insults against Clan
Infamous (Mac-an-Toisich clan are cannibals)
Weakness (Drink)

Abilities 285
Speak Scottish Gaelic 5 (Bragging)
Area Lore 2 (Clan’s lands)
Brawl 2 (Dagger)
Athletics 2 (Running)
Single weapon 4 (Axe and shield)
Ride 2 (Combat)
Awareness 2 (livestock)
Animal Handling 3 (Hounds)
Profession 3 (Shepherd; prevent rustling)
Survival 3 (Highlands)
Stealth 2 (at night)
Carouse 4 (Drinking games)
Craft 2 (Carpentry; making shelters)
Bargain 2 (Drink)
Charm 2 (Women)
Folk Ken 3 (Clans)
Hunt 2 (With hounds)
Swim 1 (Rivers)
Music 1 (Singing drinking songs)

Personality traits:
Brave +2
Belligerent +2
Loyal +3

Gear:
Metal Reinforced Leather
Axe
Round shield
Skin with whiskey
A day or two of preserved mutton

7

Here is a Forge Companion that has had a run in with Aodhan's master. He wears an item that he's terrified to take off which has given him a classic curse; he has the ears of an Ass. He claims it came from all the times his poor hearing had annoyed Aodhan's master.

There might be a better way to handle the curse as a curse like that can't permanently be bestowed except with an item, but wearing it constantly would Warp him also.

Name: Alexander MacFinn Age: 29 Social Status/Profession: Forge Companion Warping: -/-
Decrepitude: -/- Religion: Christian
Place of Birth: Loch Ness

Str +2 Int +1 Pre -2 Quick 0
Sta +2 Per +1 Com -1 Dex +2

Virtues
Forge Companion (Minor, Social)
Affinity: Craft Smithing
Affinity: Craft Jeweller

Flaws
Covenant Upbringing Minor
Lesser Malediction (as Disfigured, an Ass’s ears)
Poor Hearing

Abilities 360
Speak Scottish Gaelic 5 (Crafting terms)
Awareness 3 (Flaws in work)
Brawl 3 (Punch)
Craft: Smithing 5 (Weapons)
Craft: Jeweller 5 (Rings)
Teaching 5 (Crafts)
Bargain 4 (Wares)
Leadership 3 (Craftsman)
Organization Lore: House Verditius 1 (Verditian Craftsman)
Folk Ken 3 (Craftsman)
Guile 1 (Magi)
Living Language: English 4 (Crafting Terms)
Living Language: French 4 (Crafting terms

Personality traits:
Proud +2
Brave -1
Loyal +1

Gear:
Leather apron
Craftsman clothes
Smithing and Jeweller tools
Concealed vault with precious metals and stones
Tall baggy hat
Cursed ring (provides the Ass’s ears)

Edit: Dropped Profession, added Living Language French and English.

8

on Alexander:

I'm guessing the Organization for the Organization Lore (Verditian craftsmen) is House Verditius?

You have Professions for Smithy and Jeweller, as well as the Craft for them. Profession is the ability to do a job that doesn't involve making something (that would be Craft); selling the stuff you make would be Bargain (possibly in conjunction with various Area/Organization Lores, Folk Ken, et cetera). You might want to reallocate those 100 points.

Yeah, I'm not sure about the ring giving you the ears of an ass either – I'm having a hard time seeing why somebody hasn't been able to remove it yet. How about this: Aodhan's master was fed up with Alexander's not hearing him, and tried to cast a spontaneous MuCo to give him the ears of an ass ("Maybe these will help you hear better, you jackass!" as he cuffed him on the head). Botch-o-rama. Sound good? (MuCo to give you the ears of an ass is only Level 10 for Sun duration).

9

Sounds good, I'll re-do the points on Profession, I looked at it as the necesities for running a shop. And yes it would be House Verditius; he mainly knows about how forge companions are treated and expected to act within the House.

The botch idea works to make it permanent, I want to make it a proper curse. I'll edit him here and in the character sheet post.

10

Thick Tongued Sal
Characteristics: Int -1, Per 0, Pre +1, Com -1, Str +1, Sta +3, Dex 0, Qik +1
Size: 0
Age: 34 (34), Height: 5'6'', Weight: 158 lbs, Gender: Male
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Virtues and Flaws: Custos, Warrior (50/50), Martial Abilities, Unaffected by The Gift, No Sense of Direction, Afflicted Tongue [Spells Using Words: Extra botch die], Weakness (Drinking)
Personality Traits: Brave +3, Loyal +2, Subtle -2
Combat:
Axe & Shield, Heater: Init: -1, Attack +10, Defense +10, Damage +7
Grappling: Init: -1, Attack +4, Defense +5, Damage +1
Fist: Init: -2, Attack +3, Defense +4, Damage +1
Dodge: Init: -2, Attack --, Defense +4, Damage --
Kick: Init: -3, Attack +3, Defense +3, Damage +4
Soak: +10
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Abilities: Area Lore: Area 2 (brewers), Area Lore: Area 2 (brewers), Area Lore: Area 2 (brewers), Sailor 4, Flemish 3, Scots Gaelic 1, Latin 4, Athletics 1 (running), Awareness 3 (in combat), Bows 1 (Bow, Short), Brawl 3 (grappling), Carouse 4 (drinking), Charm 3 (when drunk), Folk Ken 2 (magi), Great Weapon 3 (Pole Axe), Guile 3 (lying to magi), Italian 5 (talking about fighting), Music 2 (drinking songs), Single Weapon 5 (Shield, Heater), Survival 2 (at sea), Climb 1, Thrown Weapon 2 (Axe)
Equipment: Shield, Heater (Init: 0; Atk: 0; Dfn: +3; Str: 0; Cost: Standard); Full Metal Scale Armor (Soak: 10) (Soak: 10; Protection: 7); Pack
Encumbrance: 3 (4)

I need to flesh out his Area where he has Lore a bit. But here he is, thick tongue and all.

11

Paolo
Characteristics: Int +3 (1), Per 0, Pre +1, Com +1, Str -2 (2), Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size: -1
Age: 37 (37), Height: 4'3'', Weight: 73 lbs
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
[strike]Virtues and Flaws: Educated (50/50), Linguist, Unaffected by The Gift, Ability Block (Martial), Soft-Hearted, Small Frame[/strike]
Virtues and Flaws: Educated (50/50), Linguist, Arcane Lore (50/50), Small Frame, Ability Block (Martial), Stuck in His Ways
Personality Traits: Soft-hearted +3, Dreamy +2, Loyal +2
Combat:
Dodge: Init: +0, Attack --, Defense +0, Damage --
Fist: Init: +0, Attack +1, Defense +0, Damage -2
Kick: Init: -1, Attack +1, Defense -1, Damage +1
Soak: +1
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-4), -3 (5-8 ), -5 (9-12), Incapacitated (13-16), Dead (17+)
Abilities: Italian 5, French 4, Spanish 4, Flemish 4, Magic Lore 3, Code of Hermes 2, Faerie Lore 3, Norman French 4, Greek 4, Provençal 1, Scots Gaelic [strike]1[/strike] 4, Scribe 1 (2), Artes Liberales 4 (astronomy), Navigation 4, Sailor 1, Church Lore 3 (rites and rituals), Latin 5 (vocabulary), Order of Hermes Lore 3 (great wizards), Organization Lore: Noble 3 (heraldry), Area Lore: Mediterranean 2 (geography), Philosophiae 4 (natural philosophy), Area Lore: Cherbourgh and environs 2 (geography), Area Lore: Insula Canaria (history) 1
Equipment: Writing materials; Traveling clothes
Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Advancement 1222
Spring: Practice Scots Gaelic, 8xp
Summer: Practice Scots Gaelic, 8xp
Fall: Explore Insula Canaria, (Area Lore) 5xp, exposure Scots Gaelic 2 xp
Winter: Exposure Scots Gaelic 2 xp
Aging Roll, 9 + 4 -3 (Living Modifier)=10 (MetaCreator), 1 aging Point, any Characteristic, strength, which goes to 2 APs
Advancement 1223
Spring: Practice Scots Gaelic, 8xp
Summer: Practice Scots Gaelic, 8xp

Edit: when I originally posted Paolo, he had Magic and Fairie Lore, but no way to have earned those abilities.

Edit: Added Arcane Lore virtue, switched V&F around a bit.
He's the navigator and loremaster for Talia.

12

Thinking about one more magical aminal for Halie's menagerie/retinue. I was thinking something aquatic, that she might meet after arriving at Insula Canaria. Would anyone mind an otter or muskrat hanging around?

13

Talia would go for some Muskrat Love.
((runs away))

14

Were you wanting to give him Improved Characteristics? (I'm getting 13 points on Characteristics)

I'm picking up a definite Dr. Doolittle vibe here. :smiley: But, yeah, otter/muskrat should work.

15

MetaCreator - bug problem. Strength was -2

16

For playing in JL grog story:

Eoghann, young pirate

Characteristics: Int 0, Per 0, Pre +1, Com 0, Str 0, Sta 0, Dex +2, Qik +2
Size: 0
Age: 17 (17), Height: 168 cm, Weight: 60 kg, Gender: Male
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Virtues and Flaws: Perfect Balance (Avoid Falling and Tripping: +6), Tough (Soak: +3), Puissant Single Weapon, Branded Criminal, Missing Eye (Melee: -1, Missiles: -3), Overconfident
Personality Traits: Brave +3, Loyal +1, Greedy +1, Lazy -1
Combat:
Dodge: Init: +2, Attack --, Defense +5, Damage --
Fist: Init: +2, Attack +3, Defense +4, Damage +0
Kick: Init: +1, Attack +3, Defense +3, Damage +3
Short Sword with Buckler Shield: Init: +2, Attack +12, Defense +11, Damage +5
Soak: +3 + Quilted Armor = +4
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Abilities: Area Lore: Area 2 (personalities), Athletics 2 (acrobatics), Awareness 2 (alertness), Brawl 2 (Dodge), Carouse 1 (drinking songs), Charm 2 (being witty), Climb 2 (Mast), Folk Ken 1 (the opposite sex), Gaelic 5, Italian 1 (Sailor vocabulary), Sailor 2, Shipbuilding 2 (Repairs), Single Weapon 5+2, Swim 2 (underwater maneuvering)
Equipment:
Encumbrance: 2 (2)

Eoghann was born in a family of pirates and smugglers, and soon took part in illegal activities... Until he and his family were caught by the local authorities. His father was killed, as the outlaw leader he was, and Eoghann was branded for his crimes. But old habits die hard, and, soon thereafter, he joined Talia's equipage, in which he became both a combatant and the guy you send climbing to all those dangerous and high places. He thus spend a lot of time doing the vigil, despite his eye, which doesn't bother him.

EDIT: Picture is here: img15.hostingpics.net/pics/16403 ... Pirate.jpg