Ormund Crowley, investigative reporter

[Blue41]

Ormund Crowley was my second real attempt at a Bard since efua (I played some level 7 weirdo with Egon/Eq who called himself the Mouth of the Ooze) and was born out of a desire to play a rebel against the King, an investigative reporter who was more interested in finding out the uncomfortable truth rather than act as someone's mouthpiece.  His background was something like

Waterdeep born, Bardic college dropout with a mad-on for authority and a chip on his shoulder. Awakens while being tossed headfirst into the Waterdeep harbor by some swarthy sailors who had little patience for probing questions. Short-tempered and an uncanny knack for asking the wrong questions at the right time--though he would claim the opposite is the case. Klink is self-sufficient and content enough to leave him to his own devices, and that's all he can ask for; responds poorly to oversight and even worse to demands. Fondness for cats. Too young to be a cynic, though he tries not to show it

He started life as a Bard/Barbarian (7/2), a believer in Ticker Square who opposed the Peerage Ward for pushing forth what he believed to be lies about the King, the city and the world itself. He ended life as something else. My build was pretty sub-optimal, I took some feats and made some skill choices that didn't get emphasized as much as I would've liked, but somehow I made it work over the course of his time in the city.

He got involved in quite a bit, but early on I made it a point to try and argue with whoever was beating the drum of the King the loudest, whether that was a Peer, a mercenary or something else. He investigated forbidden texts and saw interesting sights.  He was even briefly part of a plan long ago to try and take out Ib'javi, using the Needle to travel directly to her seam.

After a fateful meeting with Horatio Fynn, however, Crowley grew disillusioned with Ticker Square. He got drunk, attended a performance hosted by Samantha Cassady and tried to speak the truth about Ticker to a crowded room. When the event was moved to the Ponds, he never got to speak anything at all, murdered by assassins under the old willow tree. He was returned to life by Eupraxia and promptly swore off his citizenship, his employment and 99 altogether. Unfortunately, the Guild had other plans, and he was forced to ringrun for his life.

I did not come into this setting with a good impression of Ringrunning, but maybe it helps that the group came together through (mostly) organic means, and the OOC coordination required was an afterthought. The Seven Striders were far from optimal, and constantly improvising, but I couldn't ask for a better experience.

We spent a lot of time around the campfire.

Shared some victories.

Saw some weird shit.

Dreamed of what might be.

Crowley was never intended to become a Red Dragon Disciple, but it felt like a natural progression over the course of 40 rings and lots of experience. He went into the Rings as an angry, paranoid man and returned as something else entirely. I tried my best to RP this change as a more confident Crowley, willing to speak with just about anyone on anything given the opportunity (Brass Dragon blood, if anyone cares.)

He returned to 99 a master ringrunner, just in time to hear about the plan to kill Ib'javi. Ticker Square had lost its luster for Crowley- they deserved what they got for welcoming it in in the first place. But at the same time- he had friends he wanted to protect, and a dream that could come to fruition if the plot was successful. Ultimately, this made entering the seam an easy, if final, decision.

An earlier encounter with Ib'javi. A very different Hesh champion would land the killing blow on me, weeks later.
Fynn got better.
Fortano.jpg
Sights unseen
The fray
Fire all day

Thanks to all of the Seven Striders- Yarn, Rosey, Bloom, Princess, Hev, Beak, Fynn, Mitts and Tommy, DMs SFP, Arc and Abala and everyone else I interacted with between 99-55, with shout-outs to the Wakers & Breakers. This was definitely the most fun I've had with a PC this chapter, and that makes it the most successful to me. There's more screenshots I could add but I am notoriously bad at organizing them, so just trust that if you had any meaningful interaction with my PC, chances are good you left an impact. So pat yourself on the back or whatever


Loot shots.
Toothpick
Striding
Striding v2
Running
Class Ring
Purchased this hat for 600 gp from Anseau de Ilay, and ended up carrying it all the way to Baz'eel
He exchanged this hat for Fynn's signature mask in Baz'eel, a changing of the guard.

[LiAlH4]

Crowley was one of the PCs I always wanted more interactions with. Great work! :)

[Stranger]

Incredible character from an incredible player...

..and a jewel in the crown of an incredible team..

I'll always wish that I could have been part of the legendary, iconic journey undertaken by the Seven Striders. I'm grateful for the glimpses we've seen through their obituaries.

[putrid_plum]

Completely awesome dude.  I enjoyed my interactions with him!

[Quarterdragon]

It made me so sad to see him fall.  He was a titan of ringrunning, and one of the coolest writers with his column while he was a regular.  The first death was an agonizing moment, but I'm glad I was there for it.  He was right when he said that one day he'd repay Eupraxia, but I really wish it hadn't been quite how he did.