Well, if there are followers involved, I propose this guy.  Now we just need a butcher and a candlestick-maker. ;-)

EDIT: stats are now the elite array, starting gold adjusted to 900gp.  Upgraded his holy symbol and gave some magic items.  Also added two feats and an extra 4 skill points for being human.

Certh the baker, son of Dened

Certh is Oakhurst's village baker, a stout fellow who makes a brisk trade in delicious baked goods.  He is devoutly religious and is reliable in character.  He trains with the village "militia" (such as it is), although he's never seen any combat more involved than scaring off the odd wandering goblin.

Male Human Commoner 1
HD: 1d4+2+3 (9 hp)
Init: -1
Speed: 30ft
Str: 15 (+2)
Dex:  8 (-1)
Con: 14 (+2)
Int: 13 (+1)
Wis: 10 (+0)
Cha: 12 (+1)

Skills:
+8/+10 Craft (delicious baked goods) [Int 1 + ranks 4 + feat 3; also +2 rolling-pin]
+4 Profession (baker) [Wis 0 + ranks 4]
+2 Spot [Wis 0 + ranks 2]
+2 Listen [Wis 0 + ranks 2]
+1 Use Rope [Dex -1 + ranks 2]
+3 Use Magic Device [Cha 1 + ranks 2]

Feats:
* Skill Focus: Craft(baking)
* Toughness

Proficiencies: Clubs.  No armours.  No shields.
Languages: Common, Celestial

BAB: +0 (melee +2, ranged -1)
Saves: [+2/-1/+0]  (attr [2/-1/0] + Commoner [0/0/0])
AC: 10 (Dex -1, armour +1)

Equipment: (631.17gp, 21.5lb)
* Padded armour (AC +1, 5gp, 10lb): nonproficient
* Cudgel (melee 1d6+2, 3lb)
* Rolling-pin (as club: melee 1d6+2, 400gp, 3lb): magically provides +2 competence with Craft(baking) checks
* Towel of purification (200gp): once per day this kitchen towel can be draped over some contaminated food/water to make it suitable for eating and drinking.
* Potions: 2*cure light wounds, shillelagh oil, shield of faith
* Silver holy symbol (25gp)
* Basket of fresh-baked cakes, baker's dozen (2lb?)
* sack (1sp, 0.5lb)
* 5 torches (5cp, 5lb)
* flint and steel (1gp)
* bag of flour (2cp, 1lb)
Cash:
* 68.83gp

Load: 0--66lb light, 67--133lb medium

Jady Jastian sat in the common room of the Old Boar Inn, a melancholy spirit flickering in her eyes.  Somewhat in her cups, the foreign aristocrat regaled onlookers with tales of distant lands and the warlike poems of ancient heroes.  Between tales, she sipped delicately from a goblet of the inn's cheapest wine, her teeth gritted against the inferior drink's silty dregs.

"Oh, for a few stout companions, such as were seen in the days of yore!  Alas, folk of true mettle are not to be met with in this benighted age.  The mighty champions and learned wizards of the sagas are naught but dreams, legends of a better time."  She paused for another sip of the inn's vinegary vintage.  "A band of such puissance would surely rout the innumerable evils that plague this land!”

Quote from: jibbajibba;597868I fancy creating a commoner that runs the local basket shop. Maybe does a bit of thatching in the side....

I'm picturing a heroic man of mystery...
"The Basketeer, Mysterious Master of Wickerwork"

I've never played this module before, is it feasible for the followers to get isolated from the main group? Seeing as we're XL1 and all, get the full experience :-D I don't see where the "XL7 group vs level 1 challenge" bit is from, but sure I will help out either way.

EDIT: oh, I see, it's the context we're embedded in. In a sandbox environment the party can choose any objective as their next one. Here we assume an XL7 party has chosen to raid the Sunless Citadel, which is at least as valid as them choosing the deathtrap dungeon from the other thread. Actually I might make a character for that game too, double the entertainment.

Castellan should feel empowered to step up with a cohort.

DonEsteban, Tanthius, Greyknight, jibbajibba should all whip up 1st level followers.

Let's aim for a deadline of Wednesday at 8 pm CST for those. Once that's done, I'll do a thorough/final auditing pass on all character sheets and we can firm up all the character backgrounds. The rough objective I'm eyeballing is to launch into actual gameplay over the weekend, but we'll see how it goes.

Quote from: Josh;597921I have updated Winthrop to be a level 7 PC.  He is stronger, skillier, and poorer.

Looks good for the eyeballin'.

QuoteHow much would a small hut in the hills cost?  I only have 11g remaining, but could probably pawn some of my axes or armor.  Otherwise, I guess he lives under a tree.

Using Cityscape, I've determined that a hut in the hills would cost 100 gp. A nice cottage in town will run you 1,000 gp.

QuoteAlso, this is more theoretical, but is the bard actually considered to be one of the "powerful" classes?

Not AFAIK.

Sea your father crossed: The Krakenwake.

Mountain range: Ashardalon's Teeth.

Quote from: greyknight;598000I've never played this module before, is it feasible for the followers to get isolated from the main group? Seeing as we're XL1 and all, get the full experience :-D I don't see where the "XL7 group vs level 1 challenge" bit is from, but sure I will help out either way.

Splitting the party is always sound strategy.

As Lady Jastian's complaints die out, a man stands up from where he had been sitting at the bar, nursing a mug of the inn's cheapest ale.  He is verging on middle aged, rugged and plain-faced.  He leaves his bulging haversack and belt full of axes by his stool and crosses the inn to the lady's table.

"Not so, milady.  This is a rough and dangerous land, to be sure, but there are heroes aplenty.  Buy me a glass of that delightful wine and I will tell you the tale of the time I lead a band of heroes to battle the dragoncult kobolds of the Ashen Plain."

Justin: Hopefully I'm not jumping the gun here, if you'd rather wait until all the characters are firmed up, I can wait until the weekend.  In my defense, Sir Wulf started it.

Also, I have no idea if there are dragoncult kobolds in the Ashen Plain.  If there are, maybe Winthrop actually did battle them.  If not, I guess that's why it's a story.

I may have jumped the gun a bit, but I figure that a chat in the local inn is mandatory for such dauntless adventurers.  (Lady Jastian heard a rumor that an adept of some skill dwells somewhere near the village, but she is starting to suspect that the information was false.)

Winthrop now owns a hut in the hills.  The only things of interest are a few furs and his ratty book collection.

Barnaby is now just a regular ol' horse, instead of a warhorse.  I wanted him to be a pony, but apparently those are for little people only.  I thought about a mule, but felt that having a mount with a slower base speed than his rider was possibly silly.

Go for it.

Quote from: Justin AlexanderDonEsteban, Tanthius, Greyknight, jibbajibba should all whip up 1st level followers.

Will do. Happily. What's the budget? Standard starting gold by class?

Quote from: Josh;597921Also, this is more theoretical, but is the bard actually considered to be one of the "powerful" classes?  It's not in the list of classes, which I only noticed when considering multiclassing to up my storytelling side.  I'm not concerned, just surprised, but I'm not a power builder at all (my most op build was a mediocre charging barbarian).  Just curious.

Not as powerful as full casters, but versatile. A bard can be a diplomat, a buffer, deal damage, provide utility spells and be a secondary healer even. And it got a lot of love in splat books giving the class lots and lots of options. That's why it's considered to be in a higher tier than, say, fighter or rogue.

Quote from: Sir WulfI may have jumped the gun a bit, but I figure that a chat in the local inn is mandatory for such dauntless adventurers.

Jumping or not, shouldn't we get an in character and an out of character thread at least? It makes pbp gaming so much more enjoyable. IMHO!

Quote from: DonEsteban;598042Jumping or not, shouldn't we get an in character and an out of character thread at least? It makes pbp gaming so much more enjoyable. IMHO!

I was thinking of proposing the same thing.

Pardon me if the ship has sailed (perfectly understandable), but I did not notice the ruling about followers until just now. Have you any use for another follower, Lady Jastian?

I believe that the gamemaster has given his blessings to adding another follower or two.  Lady Jastian would never deny the heroic desires of a prospective companion.

CUDBERCT
CR 7
Male Human fighter 7
LG medium humanoid (human)
Init +0; Senses Listen +0, Spot +0,  
Languages*Common

AC*18,*touch*10,*flat-footed*18  
hp*70*(7HD)
Fort*+8,*Ref*+2,*Will*+2

Speed*20 ft.*(4*squares)  

Melee*dagger*+8/+3*(1d4+1/19-20)
Ranged*dagger (thrown)*+7/+2*(1d4+1/19-20),*within*30*ft.*+8/+3*(1d4+2)
Melee*dagger*+8/+3*(1d4+1/19-20)
Ranged*dagger (thrown)*+7/+2*(1d4+1/19-20),*within*30*ft.*+8/+3*(1d4+2)
Ranged*composite longbow str*+7/+2*(1d8/x3),*within*30*ft.*+8/+3*(1d8+1)
Melee*longsword*+8/+3*(1d8+1/19-20)
Melee*morningstar*+8/+3*(1d8+1)
Melee*pick, heavy*+8/+3*(1d6+1/x4)
Melee*shortspear*+8/+3*(1d6+1/x3)
Ranged*shortspear (thrown)*+7/+2*(1d6+1/x3),*within*30*ft.*+8/+3*(1d6+2)
Melee*sword, short*+8/+3*(1d6+1/19-20)  

Face 5 ft. Reach 5 ft.
Base*Atk*+7;*Grp+8  

ATK OPTIONS  Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot,                

ABILITIES  Str 12, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 15

FEATS  Animal Affinity, Armor Proficiency (Heavy), Armor Proficiency (Light), Armor Proficiency (Medium), Athletic, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Mounted Combat, Persuasive, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Run, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Tower Shield Proficiency

NO ARMOR PENALTY:  Appraise -2, Bluff +4, Climb +7, Concentration +3, Craft (Untrained) -2, Diplomacy +2, Disguise +2, Forgery -2, Gather Information +2, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +7, Jump +4, Ride +5, Search -2, Swim +7,

WITHOUT TOWER SHIELD: Appraise -2, Balance -6, Bluff +4, Climb -2, Concentration +3, Craft (untrained) -2, Diplomacy +2, Disguise +2, Escape Artist -6, Forgery -2, Gather Information +2, Handle Animal +7, Hide -6, Intimidate +7, Jump -5, Move Silently -6, Ride +5, Search -2, Swim -3

WITH TOWER SHIELD: Appraise -2, Balance -10, Bluff +4, Climb -6, Concentration +3, Craft (untrained) -2, Diplomacy +2, Disguise +2, Escape Artist -10, Forgery -2, Gather Information +2, Handle Animal +7, Hide -10, Intimidate +7, Jump -9, Move Silently -10, Ride +5, Search -2, Swim -7

POSSESSIONS  alchemist's fire (flask) (x5);  arrows (20);  arrows (50);  banded mail;  barding (leather);  bedroll (x2);  bit and bridle (x6);  blanket (winter);  buckler;  chalk (1 piece) (x5);  climber's kit;  crowbar;  dagger (x10);  firewood (per day) (x5); flint & steel; flour (per lb.) (x9);  gloves of dexterity +2;  grappling hook;  hammer;  ladder (10 ft.);  lamp (common) (x2);  lantern (hooded);  leather;  lock (good) (x3);  longsword;  mirror (small/steel);  morningstar;  oil (1 pt. flask) (x10);  boots (x2); cold weather outfit;  explorer's outfit;  peasant's outfit (x5);  traveler's outfit (x2); pick, heavy;  pick (miner's);  pole (10 ft.) (x2);  potion of cure light wounds (x2);  rations (trail/per day) (x20);  ring of feather falling;  rope (hempen/50 ft.) (x2);  saddle (military) (x3);  saddle (riding) (x3);  scale (merchant's);  sealing wax;  shield, heavy;  shield, tower;  shortspear (x6);  signal whistle;  signet ring;  soap (per lb.) (x2);  spade or shovel;  sword, short;  tent (x2);  thunderstone (x4);  torch (x23);  waterskin (filled) (x5);  whetstone (x2);  Backpack ; Basket ; Basket ; Bucket ; Cart ; Cart ; Chest ; Chest ; Chest ; Dog (Guard) ; Dog (Guard) ; Donkey ; Donkey ; Composite Longbow STR ; Pot (Iron) ; Sack ; Sack ; Sack ; Sack ; Sack ; Sack ; Sack ; Sack ; Sack ; Sack ; Saddle (Pack) ; Saddle (Pack) ; Saddle (Pack) ; Saddlebags ; Wagon ; Warhorse (Light) ; Warhorse (Light) ; Warhorse (Light)

Ol' Boar Inn "Grand House" 5,000 GP

Money/Wealth: 5,838 GP remaining (can a portion of it be in script and favors to people around town and the like? sitting on a dragon horde of cash seems silly.) (Caravan Supplies = -16.2gp. Current Total= 5821.8 GP.)

Gear in Caravan

Cudberct  36 lb
Explorer Outfit 8 lb, Leather Armor 15 lb, Buckler 5 lb, Longbow + 20 arrows (quivered) 3+3 lb, Dagger x2 (belted) 2lb, Signet Ring, Ring Feather Fall, Glove of Dex+2.

Dog guard (Patita)

Warhorse, light (Buñuelo) 59 lb
Saddle military 30 lb, Short Spear x3 (assume military saddle has spear basket) 9 lb, Barding leather 15 lb, Bit & Bridle 1lb, Waterskin 4 lb,

Warhorse light (Certh's?)  35 lb
Saddle military 30 lb, Bit & Bridle 1lb, Waterskin 4 lb

Warhorse light spare (Mika? Maggie?)  35 lb
Saddle military 30 lb, Bit & Bridle 1 lb, Waterskin 4 lb

Cart + 2 Donkeys  (*= in cart)
(106 + 16 + 5.5 + 580 + 112.5 + 19 + 70 + 77 + 17 = 1003 lb carried)

*Miscellanea loose  106 lb
Saddlebags x3 24 lb, Shield tower 45 lb, Shortspear x3 9 lb, 10' Pole  8 lb, Torches x20  20 lb

*Bucket (so liquid accidents don't get everywhere...) 16 lb
Oil x8  8 lb, Waterskin x2  8 lb

*Backpack 5.5 lb
Bedroll 5 lb, Lamp 1 lb, Chalk x2, Soap 1 lb, Signal Whistle, Mirror 0.5 lb, Peasant Outfit (pajamas) 2 lb,

*Barrel x2  580 lb (30lb barrel + 260 lb wgt (US 32.5 gal barrel, 8lb per gal = 260lb))
1 Water, 1 small beer (2%)

*Weapon/Armor/Tool Chest  112.5 lb (25lb chest + 86.5lb contents)
Banded Mail 35 lb, Shield heavy wood 10 lb, Longsword 4 lb, Morningstar 6 lb, Dagger x4 4 lb, Shovel 8 lb, Hammer 2 lb, Pick 10 lb, Whetstone 1 lb, Arrows (50) 7.5 lb, Lock 1 lb (lock attached, chest open)

*Sack climbing 19 lb
Climber's Kit 5 lb, Grappling Hook 4 lb, Rope 50' hemp 10 lb,

*Sack dry rations 70 lb   (only buy 50, as I already have 20. 50 rations x 5sp = 25gp)
Dry Rations x70 70lb (covers 14 days for 5 people: Cudberct, Certh, Hasor, Mika, & Maggie)

*Sack x2  perishable meals  77 lb    (2sp x 11 people x 7 days = 15.4gp)
Common meals/day x77  77 lb?

*Basket 17 lb
Pot iron 10 lb, Flour x5  5 lb, Sack x4  2 lb


-------------------------

And I can definitely use servants-cum-hirelings.
Likely Employed = Chambermaids x2, Errand Boy, Cook/Baker (greyknight, if he wants it), Stablehand, Night Manager.
Naturally room and board factors into pay, explaining why hirelings earn only 1 silver daily untrained, or 3 silver daily trained, so you'll have a place to stay and food to eat if you work the Old Boar's Inn.

My wife, Ermengilda, and I will float between all those positions like any good manager. During slower times we get to staff the bar and wait on guests, listening to their stories. The little boy is too young to work, around 6, and the girl is just younger at 4; both old enough for us parents to have *some* sleep, but now more able to get into bigger trouble.

/whisper "Ermengilda, if the noble-looking lady buys that guy approaching her table there a glass of our cheap house wine, accept the order but break out a glass of fine wine for them both." *sigh* "Perhaps they've both seen better days than this."