You Can't Hide From Fate

Disciples of Nivi Rhombodazzle

Gambling for the sake of gambling and not for the sake of winning. The supposed mother of the Svirfneblin, Nivi Rhombodazzle was never one to turn her back on a good wager. One of the few non-human ascended gods, she received her divinity from Torag in exchange for a special gem. So we know some of Nivi’s history and a little bit about who her followers might be, but who are they truly?

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game we will play. In this game, we are to make a follower of Nivi Rhombodazzle. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Empyreal Lord. What character do you make?

For more information on Nivi Rhombodazzle

Nivi Rhombodazzle Pathfinder Wiki Page 

Nivi Rhombodazzle’ Archives of Nethys Page 

The 7^th Pip

Among the small number of above ground worshipers who revere Nivi, many of them specifically look to her for her aspect as a gambler. Cardsharps, bones throwers, and wheel spinners often find themselves under the watchful eye of the Grey Polychrome. The 7^th pip is a group that specifically see chance and fate as the only path through life.

Members of the 7^th pip have taken a solemn oath to never make a big decision on their own. The world will take them where they need to go. To this end, when faced with a tough choice a member of the 7^th pip will flip a coin, roll a die, or draw a card to make the decision for them. Even the founding of the organization came to pass when two friends, a halfling and a gnome, let a coin toss decide if it was meant to be.

The 7^th pip isn’t so much a group with a set goal as a group looking to see where fate takes them. Members of the sect record their dilemmas, methods of choice, and fate-directed outcomes as well as all their adventures. These chronicles are kept in the backroom of a gambling house in the city of Kaer Maga. The group even leaves its membership up to chance. Anyone can petition once every five years. They choose the method of chance and hope for the best. The odds are always fifty-fifty.

The Grey Moles

It is said that Nivi was the very first Svirfneblin. Whether or not this is true is matter of debate, but many of the deep gnomes take her as a patron. The Svirfneblin spend much of their time battling against the evil races of the Darklands. Although they rely on the followers of Benorus known as the Cavern Knights to stand toe to toe against the enemy, sometimes the deep gnomes need to take more covert action.

The Grey Moles are an elite group of spies, some of the stealthiest Svirfneblin the race has to offer. The group only ever numbers seven members and each is a devout follower of Nivi Rhombodazzle. Admittance to the group, in gnome fashion, is a giant game of hide and seek. Sadly a spot only opens up when one of the members doesn’t return from a mission. Missions are doled out by the church hierarchy and are mostly aimed at their hated enemies, the dark fey of the Court of Ether.

The Gemstone Society

The Gemstone society is a group of scholars who spend their lives studying the earth and all its riches. Their membership includes some of the best geologists in the world and much of their knowledge will never be known by most surface dwellers. These deep gnomes mix magic and scientific learning to fashion gemstones into devices that can harness and enhance magical abilities. Although they are mostly reclusive, the Gemstone Society has an uneasy connection to the followers of the elven goddess Yuelral, called The Memory Keepers and the Ruby Architects.

Many of the devices that the Gemstone Society makes ends up in the hands of the Grey Moles for use in their espionage. Among the tricks the society has learned to empower through gems; the ability to bend light, disperse heat, and focus fire have been handiest. Like all good scientists, once a breakthrough has been mastered it is time to move on to the next experiment.

The fickle hand of fate influences everything we do. So who is your fate-born follower of Nivi? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Grey Polychrome? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

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Character Exploration 44 - Alisanna Underroot

This week’s random rolls are a female elf. The stats showed us a strong and quick character with a low con. Low mental stats across the boards means that casting classes are pretty much out of the question. Stand up fighter seemed like a bad idea as well, even with the high strength, so just a few things were left open. Looking at the fact that religion is her one true motivation and she worships Nivi Rhombodazzle, Rogue seemed the way to go. I had some ideas for background sorted out, but a roll on the class background generator took me in a whole other direction.

Rogue Training: [Spy] You've always had an innocent expression and a silver tongue, so naturally you were recruited as a spy during your childhood. You could have come from any social class; you might have gathered information as an urchin on the streets or acted as servant to one lord while you reported to another. You gain access to the Fast Talker trait.

As a note on mechanics: For this class I decided to go with the Sczarni Swindler archetype. Although she is not actually Sczarni, the archetype is perfect for what I am going for. Since a class is just a chassis for rules, I have no issue with just calling her a swindler.

Alisanna Underroot

Once Razmiran was a part of the River Kingdoms, a place where one could get lost from the world. Many a forlorn elf has found a home in the wild areas. When the living god Razmir took the Arch-Duchy of Melcat as his own, many who lived there were trapped under the tyrant’s rule. Celderic and Issalla Underroot were two such elves stuck right smack-dab in the middle of Razmiran.

Through her childhood Alisanna lived a mostly peaceful life in the Arch-Duchy of Melcat. Her family represented the only elves in the little village that would later become the town of Pilgrimage. For 80 years the only thing she had to worry about was the local bullies who picked on her because of her ears. When Razmir came and they took the area by force, the pogroms began soon after.

Those who would not bow to Razmir and convert to his religion were taken away. Fear gripped everyone and in an attempt to save themselves, people turned on each other. But that didn’t stop those who wouldn’t give up their faith from starting an underground. Even those who didn’t worship the same deities clung to each other for safety in their worship.

The Underfoots have always called the elvish deity Yuelral as their patron. As gem cutters by trade they found solace in the goddess’ faith. Issalla could not give up her faith when it was demanded. Even though she covered her tracks and hid her faith, not every other faithful was an ally. When they came calling Alisanna told them nothing, but still she failed her mother and the masked priests took her away.

With her father withdrawn and her own faith shaken Alisanna lost her way. She began picking fights with everyone, especially as the village grew around the roadside tavern into Pilgrimage. She also took to taking what she wanted and getting in with the wrong sorts. All of this seemed to be taking her down the wrong path until a blue haired gnome caught her cheating at cards.

Glipslip was a friend of Alisanna’s mother. He was among those who would worship with Issalla when they did so in hiding. When they had to worship in hiding they would do it together. The Gnome was an adherent of the faith of Nivi Rhombodazzle. With her father closed off because of the abduction and probable demise of her mother, Alisanna was left in the dark. Glislip brought her into the fold of The Grey Polychrome.

The gnome’s teachings were not just in the faith of Nivi, but also the fine art of gambling. Alisanna learned to use the harrow deck in the many games of chance that people liked to play. New found marks became easier and easier as Pilgrimage grew into a town known by some for its underground trade, outside the prying eyes of the Church of Razmir.

All the illicit trade also meant a lot of illicit talk. Alisanna heard from an informant that heard from an informant that heard from a guy that an elf woman was still being held somewhere in the heart of the Exalted Woods. Alisanna hopes beyond hope that this is her mother and seeks to free her from her imprisonment. To that end she’s taken to working with any underground efforts within the realm of Razmiran so that one day she can work her way to this secret facility.

And there you have it, an elf in the heart of Razmiran. This is my character, what you would have created? Does Rogue fit your thinking or is another class better? In what manner would the faith of Nivi Rhombodazzle be central to your character? What would you have done different?

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Random Roll 44 - The Randomness

An elf in the land of the living god Razmir. Living apart from other elves with no family but her father, a tradesman. Bullied as a child only to grow up strong and quick, but with a glass jaw. Finding her way to the worship of Nivi Rhombodazzle and those religious beliefs being paramount to anything else in her life. Who is this elven maiden? What did she become when she grew up?

Gender: Female

Race: Elf
Nationality: Razmiran

Age: 134
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 105lbs

Alignment: Neutral Good

Str: 17

Dex: 16

Con: 8

Int: 10

Wis: 11

Cha: 12

Homeland: Non-Elven Town or Village

Parents: Only your father is alive.

Siblings: You have no siblings.

Circumstance of Birth: [Middle-Class Birth] You were born to the middle class, which includes merchants, artisans, and tradespeople. You likely grew up in a good-sized settlement, and one of your parents is likely associated with a guild or other trade organization. As a free person, you don't experience the bondage of serfdom or peasantry, but you also lack the privilege of the nobility.

Parent's Profession: Tradespeople

Major Childhood Event: [Bullied] In your early life, you were a victim— easy prey for those stronger or cleverer than yourself. They beat you when they could, using you for their sport. This abuse nursed a powerful flame of vengeance.

Influential Associate: [The Mentor] You had a mentor who taught you everything worth knowing about life. This could have been the person who taught you the heroic abilities you possess, or simply a kindred spirit who helped form your worldview.

Conflict: [Minor Failure] You failed a friend, family member, or loved one who depended on you to fulfill an important task.

Conflict Subject: Civic or military official.

Conflict Motivation: Justice.

Conflict Resolution: [You Enjoyed It] Those who cling to petty morals have no understanding of what true freedom and power is. The fact is, you enjoyed your part in the conflict and would do it all over again if the opportunity presented itself. Many people know of your misdeed, and they also realize your complete lack of remorse.

Deity/Religious Philosophy: Nivi Rhombodazzle

Romantic Relationship(s): [One Significant Relationship] You had a true love once, but that time has passed.

Drawback: [Religion] Your beliefs are of paramount importance in your life, whether you belong to a temple, follow a cult, or practice a religious philosophy independently. When others question or attack the beliefs, principles, relics, or structures of your faith, you respond with fury.

(Trait) Artisan

(Trait) Bullied

(Trait) Forlorn

(Trait) Life of Toil

(Trait) Magic Is Life

(Trait) Mentored

(Trait) Merchant

(Drawback) Zealous

In the comments please tell us what character you would make with these disparate pieces information? What class would this elfnaturally gravitate towards? Who is this worshiper the Gray Polychrome? And don’t forget to stay tuned Friday when my background hits the CRB.

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