Organized Play Line Developer
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Ok thank you for your feedback! Yes I guess it would be a stretch to commit to someone with no previous history! sorry for missing details, there is a LOT of information so is a little overwhelming!
Hey, Stowelly, I highly suggest if you want to get into PBP and Pathfinder you start with a Pathfinder Society character, and play a game with PFS. It's generally easier to get into level one games, and most of the GMs I've played with on such adventures are very helpful for first-time players. The games are also much shorter, which gives you a chance to see if you like the game and format before committing to a long-term adventure.
You're welcome to PM me if you have further questions about how to go about making a PFS character or getting into a game. There's also lots of helpful folks on the Flaxseed Lodge message board who can offer direction as well.
Obviously not the GM of this game, but I second that a long term PbP campaign probably isn't the best idea to launch into PbP, and that PFS is a lot easier to get into for a roughly month commitment. Check out my profile page; it has a lot of GM advice I've collected / stolen from other PbP gurus. If you have some questions shoot feel free to shoot me a PM :)
Posting here to show that I'm still very much interested in this game.
Hey all. I'm starting to dig into this tonight. Please double check that I have your name or your character's name on the list.
CG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +3
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DEFENSE
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AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +2 dex, +0 shield)
hp 9
Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +1
+2 vs mind-affecting sans confusion/insanity
Defensive Abilities
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OFFENSE
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee morningstar +2 (1d8+3)
Ranged sling +2 (1d4+2)
Spells Known (CL 1st, Concentration +4)
1st—burst of adrenaline, burst of insight,
0—know direction, resistance, stabilize, virtue
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STATISTICS
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Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 8, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB +3; CMD 15
Traits Touched by Zagyg, Armor Expert
Feats Fast Learner, Improvisation
Skills (6 points; 2 class, 3 INT, 1 favoured class, 2 background)
Bluff +6, Diplomacy +6, Intimidate +6, Linguistics +7, Perception +3, Profession (thug) +3, Sense Motive +3, UMD +3
Knowledge (all) +6, INT-based +5, WIS-based +1, others +4, Stealth +2
Abilities Spell Recollection, Discipline (Rebirth) [Past-Life Memories, Mnemonic Esoterica], Phrenic Pool [Intense Focus]
Languages Aklo, Common, Giant, Necril, Protean
Of course Diamond Lake sees it's share of unusual folk, but when a seven-foot hulk of man arrived from the direction of Greyhawk some time ago more than a few heads were turned. Strangely, the oversized vagabond's first act in town was to demand an audience with Allustan.
Even stranger still was the meeting that took place when the wizard finally acquiesced. The ragged man apparently didn't even know his own name or where he had come from, yet insisted that he descended from a long line of mages. After purchasing a spellbook from a travelling peddler, the giant travelled to Diamond Lake to meet the "smartest man in the world" in hopes of becoming his apprentice. The story was rife with inconsistencies and the "spellbook" turned out to be nothing more than a bunch of paper scraps covered with gibberish. Nevertheless, the man insisted that "the voices in his head" taught him to cast some of the spells. After several agonizing minutes of concetration... nothing happened. Beyond skepticism at this point, Allustan turned the man away.
As news of this incident spread, the visitor gained the nickname "Scraps," although many referred to him as "the Ogre." Although defeated, Scraps elected to stay in Diamond Lake - much to the delight of the mine managers, ever in need of muscle. Between his size and brief displays of inhuman strength, Scraps excelled as a hired thug. However, potential employers quickly learned of a glaring weakness as well - his notoriously poor memory. Many a time has the Ogre ripped the wrong door off it's hinges or simply forgotten who to shake down in the first place.
Nowadays, Scraps the Ogre mostly keeps his head down, keeps out of trouble, and keeps trying to annoy all the damned voices in his head.
Scraps tends to be a loner, although not by choice, as many go out of their way to avoid him. Given his poor memory and tendency to think a little too long about things, most assume him to be the dim-witted brute that his moniker suggests. In reality, he is remarkably intelligent and even knowledgeable, although more from listening to the voices than dedicated study. Equally unknown, he also possesses a kind streak which he keeps hidden from his employers. To this end he deliberately botches certain jobs which he feels are too unethical, blaming his failure on his memory.
Although he hasn't had much success, he still occasionally attempts to work magic and jealously guards his "spellbook." He has mastered the burst of insight and burst of adrenaline spells (he uses the latter to convince people of his "ogre strength") as well as several cantrips. However, he doesn't know that these abilities are spells, instead believing they stem from simply concentrating extra hard.
Hope you don't mind a little last minute submission here! Heard great things about the AP but never played.
Hey all. I'm starting to dig into this tonight. Please double check that I have your name or your character's name on the list.
Good to know! I just finished the re-write on Zomeraand's background so that everything makes more sense in terms of the campaign starting point, campaign traits, and character skills.
Hey all. I'm starting to dig into this tonight. Please double check that I have your name or your character's name on the list.Good to know! I just finished the re-write on Zomeraand's background so that everything makes more sense in terms of the campaign starting point, campaign traits, and character skills.
Awesome! That's a lot more connected to the story, for sure!
Actually, arch bards do not get disable device as a class skill, so I may have to take additional traits as a feat. Is Maestro of the Society available as a trait, GM, tailored to Greyhawk? I could take that and Vagabond to get disable device as a class skill and put off Lingering Performance to later.
This is my preliminary character.
** spoiler omitted **...
I modified my crunch and added background info.
Lukan Graves
Half-orc bard (archaeologist) 1 (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Combat 32)
LN Medium humanoid (human, orc)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +4
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Defense
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AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 11 (1d8+3)
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +4
Defensive Abilities sacred tattoo[APG]
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee greataxe +4 (1d12+6/×3) or
. . morningstar +4 (1d8+4)
Ranged javelin +2 (1d6+4)
Special Attacks archaeologist's luck 9 rounds/day (+1)
Bard (Archaeologist) Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +3)
. . 1st (2/day)—cure light wounds, timely inspiration[APG] (DC 13)
. . 0 (at will)—daze (DC 12), detect magic, mending, prestidigitation
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Statistics
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Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB +4; CMD 16
Feats Additional Traits
Traits fate's favored, maestro of the society, vagabond child (urban), Cairn seeker
Skills Climb +6, Diplomacy +6, Disable Device +3 (+5 with tools/+7 without armor), Intimidate +8, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +5, Knowledge (history) +5, Perception +4, Perform (oratory) +6; Racial Modifiers +2 Intimidate
Languages Common, Orc
SQ bardic knowledge +1, orc blood
Combat Gear vermin repellent; Other Gear lamellar (leather) armor, greataxe, javelin, morningstar, backpack, belt pouch, blanket, flint and steel, hemp rope (50 ft.), soap, tindertwig, trail rations (5), waterskin, 9 sp
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Special Abilities
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Archaeologist's Luck +2 (9 rounds/day) (Ex) Gain Luck bonus to attack, damage, saves, and all skills.
Bardic Knowledge +1 (Ex) Add +1 to all knowledge skill checks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Orc Blood Half-orcs count as both humans and orcs for any effect related to race.
Sacred Tattoo +1 to all saves.
Lukan was born in the City of Greyhawk to a couple of adventuring parents: his human mother, Emily, a famed treasure seeker, and his half orc father, Killian, a warrior by trade. Even as a child, Lukan was considered a favorite of Istus, for his luck and good fortune in games, chance, and life. Lukan admired his mother a great deal and was fond of her tales and skills as a rogue. He inherited his father's strength and he was taught in the ways of the greataxe. Unfortunately, Lukan's life changed when he was 12 years old and his mother disappeared on an expedition into a tomb. After missing for weeks, his mother was given up for dead. This affected Lukan's father greatly and he eventually drunk himself to death and left the orphaned Lukan destitute. To survive, Lukan turned to thievery but eventually realized his destiny was in treasure hunting. He is obsessed with learning what truly happened to his mother, what was his mother's final fate. He moved to Diamond Lake and had to work in the mines to survive, using strength as an asset. He worked as a bouncer for several shops in town, where he learned how to be intimidating with just a look. In his free times at night, he researches his mother's journal and books on history and dungeoneering. Having been gifted with his mother's charm, Lukan can charm your pants off or scare the crap out of you. He hates Balabar Smenk for the treatment of his mine workers, both the working conditions and the cheap pay. He hopes to find some treasure and return his family honor and earn glory in Greyhwawk.
Hey everyone. I'd really like to get close to making a decision on this tonight so if you still have not submitted your concept, can we try to get it done? If I get everyone in today, I'll make the selection and get the game started tonight.
I'm willing to wait until tomorrow morning if absolutely necessary(I will wait to see concepts from everyone who is on the list). But I will probably cut off submissions at 10 or 11am CST on 11/18.
I want to thank you all for spending your time and energy on submitting a concept for this game. I really appreciate it!
-LCF
Good luck to everyone.
It's a great AP....good luck everyone!
Good luck folks! :D
This week has not gone as planned and I doubt tonight will be any different. I haven't been able to finish my backstory to a sufficient level so I'm going to drop out. Good luck on those that get picked.
I will be submitting Larricia Tovander, my Half-Elf Psychodermatist Occultist. Mechanics aren't done yet but those are a minimal amount of work.
Considering the higher than normal mortality rate within the family each and every birth is a cause for celebration. Even if you are the fifth child of you parents. The fact that Larricia ended up the only girl among seven brothers did not matter either as it was of no influence to your skill as a hunter. All it meant for Larricia was that she worked even harder to be better than her brothers at everything. And she was her father's favorite. Her father, who was a specialist in taking out drakes and wyverns but always dreamt of taking down a real dragon. A fanciful dream according to the family as even lesser dragons were pushing the upper limits of what they could handle.
Growing up followed the same pattern for all in the family. You'd receive your first combat training by the time you learned to write and from there on where educated in knowing prey, stalking prey and killing prey. If you were found to excel at one over the others the focus would be there. For Larricia the focus was on the theoretical side and as a result, archery. She loved it.
It was only a few years ago that things started to go bad. Her father had gone out on one of his solitary hunting trips, hunting for dragons. When he did not return a wake was held in his memorial and all moved on but Larricia could not.
She now ended up in Diamond Lake because it's the last place her father had been sighted while still alive. It had been a painful few weeks as none in town were as eager to accept money as they were on making good on it. She has had to sell most of her position to stay afloat in town, including her horse.
Still she was stuck in Diamond Lake. The information on her father's movements were incredibly limited and often expensive and she couldn't call quits or she'd lose face with the family. So she hung tight, and she still does.
Good luck people!
Presenting Lossell, a half-orc urban druid for your consideration.
I tried so hard to finish mine. I'm sorry. It's just not gonna happen. :(
And then there was one...
In case you missed my message LCF, Ateris has his Background posted up. It's still showing as a note and I'd rather over-communicate rather than potentially hold things up.
Yeah, I meant to get back to you. Sorry about that.
I'm sad to see that some of you didn't have time to complete your submissions. Know that I appreciate the time you did spend on this.
I'll give Gaurwaith a little bit longer to post his submission while I organize.
Is there a way to do a new discussion thread or will we have to continue on the same one?
I think you have to continue the same one. You may be able to get a moderator to un link it and start a new one but I'm not sure of the process for that.
I just tried this, and it appears to work:
Go to the Campaign Info tab.
In the upper right hand corner click Edit this Campaign.
Under the Description fields there should be a list of the associated Threads. Click Unset for the Discussion Thread.
Click Save Changes.
You should be able to then create a new Discussion Thread, then associate it to the Campaign.
Awesome, thank you. I thought I saw it somewhere I just couldn't remember where.
I just got a PM from Gaurwaith and he's still working on his submission. I'd like to give him a little time since technically my initial post said 2 weeks, which would end at 10pm CST (11 hours from now).
In order to keep things moving forward and since I have some time this morning but almost none this afternoon or evening, I'm going to pick 4 players and start the discussion. I'll leave open the option of adding a 5th member until after Gaurwaith's submission. I will let you all know this evening what my final decision is about that.
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Good luck with the PbP.
I'm not angling to join the campaign, as I've already GMed it, but I like to dip into any AoW threads I see in the recent posts, to see what others have done with it.
I appreciated the activity at the party, was amusing, and I may try a similar ice-breaker if I run a PbP again.
This... is... extremely difficult.
And thanks, Snorter. I was trying to preview some of the characters in town in a lighter environment than the rest of the story will have. I know that some like to do a short adventure in town to start the campaign, but I'm more a fan of just starting on the way to or at The Cairn. I probably wouldn't do this kind of thing at the table, I don't think.
Ah the anticipation of selection Saturday. Good luck everyone.
Selection Saturday. Well played...lol.
I'm not done with the selection yet, but I wanted to say something first.
I said it before but I want to say it again, I really appreciate all the time you guys put into your concepts and characters. There are 21 submissions for this game and I can only take 5, and that really sucks. I know how deflating it can be to spend all your time and energy on a character, to become attached to that character and then not get to play.
And there are 16 of you that will be in that boat by tonight. I really wish there was more I could do for you guys, but there's no way I can reasonably commit to multiple instances of this game right now. Maybe sometime in the future.
Here's what I can do. If I don't pick your character, I owe you at least a little bit of my time. So if you want, send me a PM and I can offer some feedback if you're open to that. Or if you just want to rant at me, that's fine too.
I know one thing for sure; when I do this again, it will be in a very different way. I really don't think it's reasonable to ask people to spend hours building a character that could end up getting passed over because someone else had a concept that was a slightly better fit. And the decision on my end has been agonizing. This is taking way longer than I planned.
No. There has to be a better way. I'm going to spend a long time thinking about this before I start another game.
Thanks again for your time. I'll have an update for you guys within 8 hours.
-LCF
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Here's what I can do. If I don't pick your character, I owe you at least a little bit of my time. So if you want, send me a PM and I can offer some feedback if you're open to that. Or if you just want to rant at me, that's fine too.
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I think that's awfully decent of you, and if not selected I'll definitely take whatever feedback you have (at your leisure, as you'll be focused on starting actual gameplay :) ).
Personally, I accept the risk that the time spent will not lead to immediate participation. Two things about that which I keep in mind:
1. You've encouraged me to give thought to the motivations and life of a character such that I could still take him or her and re-contextualize for a future submission with much less effort. It could be that for future recruitments I would instead latch onto a completely new idea, but that's my choice and I still do have this build to try to fit elsewhere. I appreciate the process for even that outcome.
2. The ratio of players to GMs with recruitment opportunities is simply a current reality of how the PbP community is composed. You're already doing a great part in offering games at all. The rest of us can only help improve it by ourselves considering and doing some GM'ing (others here already are). I'm just getting started with PbP, I joined my first two at the beginning of October and they've just ended (but I have much IRL RP experience prior to that). After a bit more player experience I'd like to contribute there as well.
That's all. Don't beat yourself up too much, but I understand where you're coming from.
Selection is closed. I've sent out PMs to the ones I've chosen. I'm still waiting for Gaurwaith but I didn't want to make you guys wait any longer. The 5th spot will be either Gaurwaith or the one I messaged explaining this situation.
Thanks again for applying, everyone!
Thanks for taking the time to be a GM. Congrats to those that made it.
I appreciated the opportunity. Building character concepts is fun, so no worries. Have fun!
Thanks for the opportunity GM Lazyclownfish, good luck to those who made it!
Grats to those who made it :D