[PF-1e] La Cosa Nostra - This Thing Of Ours

[Sic Transit]

Will see if I have an inspiration for this in the next day or so, but I just wanted to give a hat-tip to the Perenne underboss, because The Departed is a fantastic film.

[Silk]

Just out of curiosity, since I'm planning on going sword and pistol,

• Does Two Weapon Fighting and Rapid Shot stack?

With Rapid Shot as a requirement for the currently uncertain if I'll get itSword & Pistol feat and obtaining Two Weapon Fighting through Swashbuckler(Picaroon), I figured it might come up later on. <shrug>

[AlphaZ]

For some reason it never really occurred to me that Imveros actually played games on here.

Originally Posted by Silk

Just out of curiosity, since I'm planning on going sword and pistol,

• Does Two Weapon Fighting and Rapid Shot stack?

With Rapid Shot as a requirement for the currently uncertain if I'll get itSword & Pistol feat and obtaining Two Weapon Fighting through Swashbuckler(Picaroon), I figured it might come up later on. <shrug>

By RAW they should stack, for a total of 3 attacks (1 sword, 2 pistol) at a -4 to all. However, you won't be able to reload your pistol without a free hand. You could keep a dozen double pistols on your person and quick draw them I guess, but what you'll probably want is a third "hand" of some kind (tail, hair, juggling).

It would probably be more practical to forgo all that and just take Point-Blank Master to do normal two-weapon fighting with your sword/pistol. Get a Beneficial Bandolier to keep it loaded.

@Preacherwolf - Will languages play a role in this game, or will everyone just speak common? Common keeps it simple for sure, and you can always just use bonus languages as etiquettes.

[Imveros]

Originally Posted by AlphaZ

For some reason it never really occurred to me that Imveros actually played games on here.
.

It's the blessing/curse of having settled in to several multi year running campaigns. It's uncommon for the dance card to free up, but I just had a long term game fade out and who can resist the sirens call of a hub based campaign right in the sweet spot of Pathfinder power levels?

[Seekr34]

LOL nice. I can also verify that Imveros is a player in at least one game. I'm in a game with him.

[Silk]

Originally Posted by AlphaZ

For some reason it never really occurred to me that Imveros actually played games on here.




By RAW they should stack, for a total of 3 attacks (1 sword, 2 pistol) at a -4 to all. However, you won't be able to reload your pistol without a free hand. You could keep a dozen double pistols on your person and quick draw them I guess, but what you'll probably want is a third "hand" of some kind (tail, hair, juggling).

It would probably be more practical to forgo all that and just take Point-Blank Master to do normal two-weapon fighting with your sword/pistol. Get a Beneficial Bandolier to keep it loaded.

@Preacherwolf - Will languages play a role in this game, or will everyone just speak common? Common keeps it simple for sure, and you can always just use bonus languages as etiquettes.

Thanks for pointing out Point-Blank Master. I was already planning on taking the 4th level Fighter when we gain 9th level in-game. And Point-Blank Master is much less feat-heavy compared to Sword & Pistol.

As for reloading, I was already planning on going extra guns+Beneficial Bandolier+Rapid Reload+Kick Up. Effectively, drop sword to reload then Kick sword back up into hand when finished. ...or surrender and then kick up weapons into hands for surprise

I know, it's kind of situational, and Kick Up requires the Acrobatic feat, but... <shrug>

Anyway, thanks for the useful suggestion and pointing out the feat. It's sooooo easy to miss good feats in the pile of them that Pathfinder provides

Edit:

Originally Posted by Seekr34

LOL nice. I can also verify that Imveros is a player in at least one game. I'm in a game with him.

I can also attest to Imveros being alive and kicking on the site. Actually in a game of his and it managed to survive the year end slowdown without loosing a single player...it seemed like it was close though

[Silk]

Something curious while writing up on my background. I wanted to use the name of this city we're going to be playing in my background and you never come right out and say the name of the city. The map says it's Parsantium or is it La Cosa Nostra from the title?

[AlphaZ]

Originally Posted by Silk

Thanks for pointing out Point-Blank Master. I was already planning on taking the 4th level Fighter when we gain 9th level in-game.

Notably Swashbuckler levels count as Fighter levels for feat prerequisites. So you could have Point-Blank Master by level 5 before even dipping into Corsair.

[Ziether]

Jhoidha "Dead Eyes" Blackhelm is complete as per the main post's requirements at this time. If there are any changes you wish me to make, additions you want to see, or questions you want answered, please simply let me know!

[Silk]

Originally Posted by AlphaZ

Notably Swashbuckler levels count as Fighter levels for feat prerequisites. So you could have Point-Blank Master by level 5 before even dipping into Corsair.

Heh, its possible I read that somewhere and just forgot. Thanks again

[AlexN]

I am sorry Preacherwolf but you never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[Barrigan]

Azrael Seraph AZRAEL SERAPH Race: Aasimar Age: 32 Alignment: Lawful Neutral Class: Sorcerer 8 Description: Tall and lean with hair and eyes of shining gold. A handsome, sharply dressed fellow who would not look out of place in high society. While not of noble blood he has a nobility of bearing, of speech and of gaze which belies a heritage far more grand than any mortal aristocracy could hope to emulate. While a charming demeanour and disarming smile usually serve to navigate most situations, when expecting trouble the only addition to his clean cut ensemble is a small quiver of arrows worn beneath his cloak.   Azrael is a former prosecutor. He saw the families as unruly, unscrupulous gangs and once considered it his mission to rid the city of organised crime. He took on and zealously pursued every case against anyone even suspected of being associated with one of the families. One such case saw him prosecuting a high-ranking member of the Perenne family and this caught the attention of the Don of Dons. A group of well-dressed men visited Azrael's offices and made him an offer he couldn't refuse, an invitation to a personal meeting with Don Zaccaria Lettiere. The Don of Dons was cordial, but it was clear that Azrael would not be leaving until Lettiere had spoken his piece. At first only half listening while trying to find a way out of his predicament, Azrael soon found himself engaged in conversation and actively responding to Lettiere's arguments. The two were 'not so dissimilar' as the Don put it. Both wanted peace in the city, as much as was possible. Both wanted to limit any bloodshed and agreed that discussion and mutual understanding were preferable to violence. Lettiere asserted that stamping out crime completely was an impossible goal and Azrael was forced to agree. The families were not going away so the true goal, Lettiere said, was to minimise the chaos from infighting between them and this was not something which could be accomplished from outside. The two spoke for hours and by the end of it all Azrael's worldview was changed forever. The families were a reality of the city and actually served to keep the peace on the streets far better than the Guard ever could. If every family had its own rackets and didn't interfere with each other then everyone profited and there was no need for fighting. That peace was fragile though and Lettiere had taken it upon himself to be its keeper. Sometimes violence was required in service to that goal, which Azrael had to admit was no different than the City Guard being authorised to use force when arresting suspects or judges being authorised to hand down the death penalty. So long as everyone knew the rules in advance, those who broke them had brought any reprisal down upon themselves. Convinced that Lettiere's way was a more effective method of maintaining the peace in the city, Azrael resigned from the prosecution service and, ostensibly, opened up in private practice. He sought to join the Perenne Family but the Don of Dons politely declined, having no need of another advisor. Lettiere did make a suggestion though. It would benefit him and the peace he was trying to protect to have capable, level-headed people in all of the five families. The Don of Dons therefore recommended Azrael's services to the Big Cheese of the La Speranza family and the easy going goblin saw no reason to refuse. From then on, Azrael provided pragmatic counsel to the La Speranzas and represented their interests anytime one of the family got into trouble with the King's Justice. With the announcement of Lettiere's retirement though, the fragile peace is under threat. Unwilling to allow everything that Lettiere built fall to ruin, it will be up to Azrael and his fellow Capos to forge a new peace, this time with the La Speranzas in the top spot. The Line: Senseless murder. Mob justice may be swift and it may be brutal, it may not be proportional and there may not be due process, but it is justice of a sort. People get what's coming to them but only if they've got it coming. A mafioso does not kill for fun and he does not kill for frivolous reasons like 'he looked at me funny'. That is what separates a mafioso from a common street thug. What do you, the player, want: I want to play mafia in a fantasy setting, which is something I don't think I've ever seen outside of Discworld, and every good mafia family needs a good mob lawyer! Even if the party never ends up on trial I'll still enjoy being a face character threatening litigation, redefining bribes as 'personal charitable donations' and twisting language around in knots. There's a lot of fun to be had with a sky high Bluff skill but he should be no slouch in combat either and I'm pretty keen to try out this 'heal the party with fire' mechanic I've discovered.   "Your Honour, my clients cannot be found guilty simply for defending themselves when set upon by thugs in a dark alley late at night." "And what exactly were your clients doing in the dark alley late at night?" "Returning from a family dinner Your Honour. Two of my clients are brothers and all are friends and colleagues at the La Speranza docks." "I see. Your clients were considerably well armed for a family dinner, don't you think?" "Only a precaution Your Honour, and one which can hardly be criticised under the circumstances. Clearly the streets are not safe even for a group of five large armed men. Given its deplorable response time perhaps the City Guard ought to increase its patrols." "Yes, it appears from the reports that the Guard arrived only after all 8 of the victims-" "I must object Your Honour, the men who attacked my clients cannot be considered victims merely for having lost the fight any more than my clients are criminals for having won it. Self defence is no crime no matter how effective it is." "Effective is one word for it. Four dead, one blinded and the rest apparently missing fingers and even a hand. Some of these injuries almost resemble torture. Can you explain that?" "I couldn't begin to guess the types of injuries which might be sustained by desperate men fighting with blades in near darkness Your Honour. My clients are lucky to be alive and in one piece." "Yes, well. As none of their surviving opponents was willing to provide evidence against your clients-" "A clear sign of a guilty conscience." "...quite. Then as there is no evidence contrary to your clients' testimony there appears to be no basis on which they can be convicted. They are therefore free to go. That will be all." "Thank you Your Honour." Azrael gathered his papers and left the bar table before striding out of the courtroom. The five large men seated in the defendants' area followed him, faces solemn until they were out of the court before they all broke into broad grins. "Nice work Mr Az, thanks for that." "Try not to get caught next time Bruno. It's easy to brush off a first offence but the second, third and fourth times the Guard find you cutting fingers in a dark alley are a bit harder to explain." "Roger that Mr Az. You comin' to Nonna's for Sunday lunch again this week?" "Of course! Although how you and the tiny old woman who makes such delightful cuisine could possibly be related is quite beyond me!" "I'll be sure to pass on your compliments. See you then!" Shaking his head with a rueful sigh Azrael returned to his offices to see what other chaos had erupted between the families in his absence. Just another day in the city...

[Silk]

Samantha should be complete now.

[Preacherwolf]

Originally Posted by Silk

Something curious while writing up on my background. I wanted to use the name of this city we're going to be playing in my background and you never come right out and say the name of the city. The map says it's Parsantium or is it La Cosa Nostra from the title?

The City's name is Parsantium, La Cosa Nostra is just the title of the game and mafia in real life.

Originally Posted by Silk

Just out of curiosity, since I'm planning on going sword and pistol,

• Does Two Weapon Fighting and Rapid Shot stack?

With Rapid Shot as a requirement for the currently uncertain if I'll get itSword & Pistol feat and obtaining Two Weapon Fighting through Swashbuckler(Picaroon), I figured it might come up later on. <shrug>

Techincally yes, they stack. However you need a free hand to reload a firearm so I'm not sure how you'd be able to pull it off. Double barrel firearms do exist, but after one round you're up a very specific creek again.

Originally Posted by AlphaZ

@Preacherwolf - Will languages play a role in this game, or will everyone just speak common? Common keeps it simple for sure, and you can always just use bonus languages as etiquettes.

Languages will play a role, as secret or obscure languages serve as a good cover for messages. Plus certain Mob families take pride in their culture and heritage, case in point The Il Basso Family are all related to halflings or pure blood halflings, so the Halfling Language is predominante among them

Also, Its going to be hard to pick here. Sometime this week, probably wednesday, I'll go through and ask a few questions/give feedback on everyone's submissions but I love everything so far

[Silk]

Thanks for the confirmation on the city name, and yea, there is no way around the fact that there will be times when Sam will only have a rapier/shortsword and an empty pistol to fight with... hmm,

• Could I use the Catch Off-Guard feat I got from the Cad fighter archetype to use the empty pistol as an improvised melee weapon?

I also plan on having Sam use Intimidate/Bluff plus the Dirty Trick, Disarm, & Trip Combat Maneuvers in combat so I should be able to find the time to use a move action now and then to reload one barrel+that bandoleer. Too bad you can't use Combat Maneuvers with Two-weapon Fighting as the Magus does with spells <shrug>