I have two dedicated players for my City of Psionics campaign. They are Kitsuneko (Fox) and Deren Drake (Deren). You will be playing in a city predominately controlled by psychics. Formally called Phoenicia, I'm rewriting it for publication.
If Golarion was Earth, the City of Alalea is located in the Middle East -- specifically the northern part of the Levant. It's out of the way of the Inner Sea. The City itself is predominately Arabian Nights with a strong Ramayana influence and Greek History influence (Alexander the Great).
The city is located on and below a 150 foot Escarpment with a cataract waterfall dead in the center. This divides the city into four Quarters, each controlled by a particular Ethnic Group.
The Hellenistic Quarter: The Greek cultural center of the city. This part of city was built up by Hellenistic Armies (al la Alexander the Great's army). The people who live here are predominately Western European and Greek in look. They have fair skin. highlights:
* Academy of the Will and the Way. This is the Psionic Academy that takes a scientific approach to teaching Psionics. The Desire of the Science, a primitive Many Worlds theory of Quantum Mechanics, and an analogue of Force Religion is taught here to produce Psions and Soulknives.
Many shapers, egoists, nomads, kineticists, and seers come from this academy.
* Gymnasium. The Gymnasium trains Athletes (re: Monks). Most Athletes are experts or commoners, but Athletes who adventure take levels in Monk (Players who make a Monk for this setting are strongly advised to change the Class name to Athlete). Since Gymnasium means "the naked place" it's a tradition for Adventuring Athletes to wear a modicum of clothing.
* Crystal Row: Here, Alchemists and Psions with Psionic Craft Feats and skills cater to Adventurers. Crystalsmiths work with crystals, shaping them with psionic power, Blacksmiths work psionically at their metal -- creating psion steel, Alchemists infuse copper with glass -- creating Crysglass, and Duergar work with Ferroplasm.
* Massalia Town: Where Kyonin elves live. The place is a veritable paradise. The Elves here live apart from their cousins in the Vedic Quarter. There is some bad blood between the two. The Elves here also practice Cheliaxan magic as a matter of course.
-- Languages Spoken: Hellenic, Common
-- Ethnic Groups from Golarion found in the Hellenic Quarter: Taldan, Varisan; Elven Ethnic group: use Elf from the Pathfinder Game to create an elf of Massalia town.
The Hellenistic Quarter is located below the Phoenician Cataract Falls, North of the Phoenix River (Northwest Quadrant).
The Khorasani (Arabian Nights) Quarter: The Arabian Nights quarter of the city. It's located Above the escarpment on the Northside of the Phoenix River. It's the largest part of the city and is the Western terminus of the fabled Silk Road. Here, merchandise from the Dragon Empires flow into the city some ready for redistribution into the Inner Sea.
* Khorasani Bazaar: the Great Bazaar is where people can find goods from Casmar and the Dragon Empires. PCs can buy anything here, from clothes to rugs to Hashish to Soma to slaves. Although certain specialized slaves can be purchased elsewhere in the city.
* Sultan's Palace. This structure was used as a Palace before the Hellenes came in and conquered the city. The family of the Sultan of Alalea is now one of the noble families that are represented in the Senate.
* Tian Xia Town. The equivalent of Chinatown, here there are permanent settlers from Tian Xia, and they are mostly from the Land of Lingshen. They accept the rule of the Alalean Republic but have their own Ethnic practices. They are mostly tolerated and in some places (like the two Psion Academies) welcomed and embraced. In other places in the city, they suffer extreme prejudice (like the three Elven population centers). The people who settled here are a welcome site to travelers on the Silk Road.
--- Ethnic Groups allowed: any ethnic human from Tian Xia, Casmar
The Vedic (Indian) Quarter: The Vedic Quarter is populated by people from Vudra. Here they maintain their cultural and ethnic identity, even after they conquered Phoenix's city in the late Bronze Age. The people here live under a strict Caste System, which was abolished several times, but is always resilient. This quarter is distinctly Vudran in sights and smells.
* Chakra Academy. Here Psions are trained in a mystical approach to psionic cultivation. Many soul knives, egoists, nomads, seers, and telepaths in the city come from here. Rather than depend on science, the gurus teach the secrets of the inner self and harmony between the inner self and the outside world. Psionic power comes from the Chakras rather than the True Source that the Will and the Way Academy stresses.
* Kshatriya Training Grounds. Here, Vedic nobles learn to become like their exemplar, Rama. Many paladins come from this training ground.
* Spice Market. Spices from Vudra can be bought here. The spices of the east: Cardamon, Cinnamon, Pepper, Ginger, and so forth; can be found here in great quantities. Here, some of the spices are packaged for shipment into the Inner Sea Region.
* Mordant Town. Here Elves from the Mordant Spire are found. There is some bad blood between them and the elves of Massalia Town, so there tends to be great prejudice between the two elven groups.
--- Ethnic Groups: Vudrani
Sounds interesting, especially the Chakra Academy, will need a day to check out my books.
Question: Are you using the 3.5 psionics rules or are you using psionics unleashed?
Question: Are you using the 3.5 psionics rules or are you using psionics unleashed?
PSIONICS UNLEASHED!
I'm not finished describing the Levantine quarter yet. :)
Nor is there any race information.
Yay! That's what I was hoping you'd say. :)
Are races from that book okay, or are you wanting players to stick to core races? I have an idea for a xeph telepath from the vedic quarter, but I could easily rework it to make her a half-elf.
Edit: Just saw your post in the other thread. It's confusing that there are two. I can wait for more info to be added. :)
Well, I'll be adding info here.
It's okay that you play a Xeph. I'll be getting to them. Doing a handout isn't a one day thing, you know.
I'll have one thread for a campaign here on the boards, and another for my campaign on the Virtual Table -- OpenRPG. They'll be fairly consistent.
Fairly curious about this. I believe I've seen your world before, Elton, it's the "everything is Greek Bronze Age" world, correct?
Still, having psionics being 90% of the population instead of .001% would mean a totally different powers set. One more self-defensive than secure against counter-psionics.
What's your stand on "created" races, like Elans? Secret society, or "open" society? What's the level of technology in Phoenicia? How available are psionic items in this "major" city? Are magical items available in the "magic store", or you have to craft it to get it? Are you going with "Psionics-Magic Transparency" or "Psionics Is Different"? Any problems with psionic beasts plaguing the citizens/city? Any planar travel, or is that a secret? Is deep crystal common for weapons, or rare? What's your planed game plots - land-based adventure, sea-based, dungeon-based, or all?
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Well, this has officially grabbed my attention. My character concept, if possible, is a non-psionic stuck in a psionic era. Maybe a non-psionic who's built himself up to be immune. I'll be dotting for interest and lurking until I find out more about your plans. No application to play yet, but I will create a character just in case I do become interested in time.
This setting has definitely interested me. I'd like to play a Vudrani Soulknife dedicated to both the destruction of the caste system and the establishment of an order of Soulknives.
I'm answering your questions one at a time.
Fairly curious about this. I believe I've seen your world before, Elton, it's the "everything is Greek Bronze Age" world, correct?
Uhm, no. It's fairly consistent with Avestan. They can make steel, a really good fine steel called Psion steel or Psionic Steel. This steel is made by psychokinetically guiding the iron crystals and carbon bits where they need to go, creating a steel that is lighter and stronger than Damascus steel.
Still, having psionics being 90% of the population instead of .001% would mean a totally different powers set. One more self-defensive than secure against counter-psionics.
What's your stand on "created" races, like Elans? Secret society, or "open" society?
Elans are as secret as Wizards. Wizards (and sorcerers, and oracles, and witches, and summoners) are either tolerated or persecuted. The Magus (battle-mages) aren't tolerated at all and are asked to leave the city or be forcibly teleported to a battlefield. Mostly they are tolerated, especially if they are performance artists. Although there are a lot of Charletans (you know the type, the guys that have "Official 15th Level Wizard" on their hats).
Elans are a secret society, but not an "evil" secret society. However, most people are wary of them because the process that create them are similar to creating a psionic lich. There are Kalashtar in the city, though.
What's the level of technology in Phoenicia?
Mid to Late Iron Age.
How available are psionic items in this "major" city?
Most shapers are not concerned with making psionic items. So you have to hunt for them a bit. Psionic Swords and Armor are much easier to get than the other types of items (from Kineticist smiths of both human and duergar origin). Psionic Tattoos are available at high brow tattoo parlors and in the 'Red Light' district.
Are magical items available in the "magic store", or you have to craft it to get it?
You have to special order your magic item with a society liken unto what Monte has in Ptolus. Prepare to pay through the nose for your item. If you stiff them, you might end up with an item that is cursed (i.e. a ring of wizardry becomes a ring of bureaucratic wizardry).
Are you going with "Psionics-Magic Transparency" or "Psionics Is Different"?
The process of manifesting a psionic power is principally the same as casting a spell. A wizard and a cleric are still manipulating and collapsing the Quantum Energy Wave in exactly the same way as a psion does. The only difference is that Psions have gotten over the bullcrap of using a spell book and reciting incantations and went straight to their Subconscious. Psionics-Magic Transparency.
Any problems with psionic beasts plaguing the citizens/city?
Yes, and no. It depends on the beast. Id Beasts can be fairly common, there is a tribe of Psychic Ogres living outside the city, there was recently a puppeteer infestation that can come back at any time. There is a sleeping psionic liche in the city graveyard, and brain moles and other creatures found in the wilderness and are away from man.
Any planar travel, or is that a secret?
Maybe. You're just going to have to discover this (generally, the answer is yes but you're going to have to find out how).
Is deep crystal common for weapons, or rare?
Rare. Deep Crystals are known as Lemurian or Azlant Crystals. Most crystals that are mined out are Tetrahedrite, simple quartz, rubies, emeralds, citrines, and tanzanites.
What's your planned game plots - land-based adventure, sea-based, dungeon-based, or all?
City based with some Wilderness and Sea. I might try an AP if I can find a good one. Although I have yet to use Hyperconscious' written adventure and I'm anxious to try it. :)
This setting has definitely interested me. I'd like to play a Vudrani Soulknife dedicated to both the destruction of the caste system and the establishment of an order of Soulknives.
That sounds like a good goal. Mind you, you will be paddling up an ancient river.
Wow, thanks for all the answers, Elton. I can't believe I didn't ask a question in this way: are you crafting-friendly as a GM, or will we have to have our own smithy protected from disapproving city Guilds? I'm so used to the typical "anti-crafting-within-a-game" attitude of APs with Plot Trains, but there's always the possibility of being the party crafter to make stuff at half price.
a ring of wizardry becomes a ring of bureaucratic wizardry
That's just...evil.
I am thinking about an Elan character, a Psion (Telepath) or Psion (Nomad) (going to Elocator). Either the party Diplomat or party Transporter. If party crafting is needed I could opt to be a Psion (Shaper). Why Elan? No need for food/water and longevity more than the additional psionic power points and expensive damage reduction.
I asked about crafting/magic store availability to see how hard getting a Handy Haversack, Bag of Holding Type I, or Sustaining Spoon would be.
Wow, thanks for all the answers, Elton. I can't believe I didn't ask a question in this way: are you crafting-friendly as a GM, or will we have to have our own smithy protected from disapproving city Guilds? I'm so used to the typical "anti-crafting-within-a-game" attitude of APs with Plot Trains, but there's always the possibility of being the party crafter to make stuff at half price.
I'm crafting friendly in a most shrewd way. If you tell me in advance how much time you wish to set aside for crafting, I can space the episodes to accommodate your crafting. However, it's best to start crafting after the scenario is over.
That's just...evil.
a ring of wizardry becomes a ring of bureaucratic wizardry
I'm just being realistic.
I am thinking about an Elan character, a Psion (Telepath) or Psion (Nomad) (going to Elocator). Either the party Diplomat or party Transporter. If party crafting is needed I could opt to be a Psion (Shaper). Why Elan? No need for food/water and longevity more than the additional psionic power points and expensive damage reduction.
I asked about crafting/magic store availability to see how hard getting a Handy Haversack, Bag of Holding Type I, or Sustaining Spoon would be.
Not hard, you just need to find the appropriate place where you can contact them.
I am interested in playing a Soulknife. What are your character creation rules?
Oh, I didn't think that people would be looking here for them. Hmm . . . forgive me, this is the first time I did this sort of thing.
To create your characters you can do it in one of two ways:
* The common way is to roll 4d6, drop lowest, arrange to taste. This is good if you have a concept and are willing to develop it (three pages of background is enough).
* If you hate rolling and leaving your stats to chance, you can point buy. But, to use 25 point buy means you have to earn it. You have to create most or all of your background using Paul Jaquays' Central Casting: Heroes of Legend from Task Force Games.
Record your characters and their backgrounds on this thread so we can get started. If you use Central Casting, record your results of your rolls so that everyone can see how your background was generated.
So, we possibly have:
1. Telepath
2. Non-psionic character
3. Elan -- something
4. a Vudran Soulknife that wants to destroy the caste system.
5. another soul knife.
To create your characters you can do it in one of two ways:
* The common way is to roll 4d6, drop lowest, arrange to taste. This is good if you have a concept and are willing to develop it (three pages of background is enough).
Bleah. Three pages?! Holy exhaustive exposition, Batman!
14
15
14
11
7 (DUMP STAT)
14
I don't mind "zeros", I just hate negative scores. So that "7" is getting the Elan character creation's "2" to make it a "9".
The rest of the party appears to be fighter types, and someone else wants to be the Telepath, so it looks like Psion (Nomad).
* If you hate rolling and leaving your stats to chance, you can point buy. But, to use 25 point buy means you have to earn it. You have to create most or all of your background using Paul Jaquays' Central Casting: Heroes of Legend from Task Force Games.
Never heard of it.
"Unflatten your cardboard characters!" - back cover blurb
A background generator for characters in fantasy RPGs. Uses several types of dice for the tables, and has it's own system to help you convert the generated numbers to the game system you use. Includes such things as culture, social status, family, and events that happened to the character during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Some events also include points that can be used to determine alignment and personality traits (Lightside, Darkside, or Neutral).
The book works better as an idea generator for a character background than taking it as gospel, as some combinations are highly improbable and impractical. (It is possible to roll that a character to run away from home and eventually be arrested for involvement in organized crime... at the age of 2.)
This book caused some controversy because of the author's stated beliefs that homosexuality and bisexuality were considered "Sexual Disorders" and automatically gave Darkside personality points.
Riiiggght. I'll stick to Pathfinder's Core and APG with the Dreamscarred Press books, thanks. That means two traits, correct? Since we're starting at 1st Level, my character might need the Rich Parents trait to get some goods.
Record your characters and their backgrounds on this thread so we can get started. If you use Central Casting, record your results of your rolls so that everyone can see how your background was generated.
I'm going to recycle a character from a dead thread, be back later.
Three pages??? I can't think of anything that would take three pages...at that point you're getting into their favorite breakfast foods and the color of their favorite socks and the name of the hamster of their best friend from when they were a toddler. o.O
To create your characters you can do it in one of two ways:
* The common way is to roll 4d6, drop lowest, arrange to taste. This is good if you have a concept and are willing to develop it (three pages of background is enough).
Bleah. Three pages?! Holy exhaustive exposition, Batman!
Yep, that's the dead MAXIMUM of character background I want to read. Some GMs demanded 10, 20, or 50! (I should know, I know them).
That means two traits, correct? Since we're starting at 1st Level, my character might need the Rich Parents trait to get some goods.
Two traits. Only two. :)
You are allowed to take feats from Hyperconscious (you can't beat Bruce Cordell -- he's still better than Jeremy, although not by much).
Three pages??? I can't think of anything that would take three pages...at that point you're getting into their favorite breakfast foods and the color of their favorite socks and the name of the hamster of their best friend from when they were a toddler. o.O
It's 1 paragraph to 3 pages, Lynora. I want an anecdote of background, not a novel. :)
Guys, I'm thinking of using an AP. A lot of people suggest Curse of the Crimson Throne as they think Ileosa would be an excellent Psion. I'm going to check out the first adventure and see what I can do with it. If I like the story, the title of the campaign will change.
Whew. A paragraph or two I can do. I was worried that it was a three page minimum, not maximum. :)
Also, just letting you know that I've DM'd Curse of the Crimson Throne before, so if that makes me ineligible as a player, I'll understand.
Whew. A paragraph or two I can do. I was worried that it was a three page minimum, not maximum. :)
We are creating a living novel, Lynora. i don't need a novel of background. :)
Also, just letting you know that I've DM'd Curse of the Crimson Throne before, so if that makes me ineligible as a player, I'll understand.
If you are up to slow progression I can add a second plot that will keep you all second guessing. Maybe even create a red herring. This will be Curse of the Crimson Throne by Nicolas Logue and I. :)
I don't like it when players opt out of a scenario they played before. Sure, it's a challenge to keep things fresh, but I promise, I can turn a scenario you've been through into something fresh. I bet everyone has run through Curse of the Crimson Throne, but Paizo doesn't produce Adventure Paths I'm really interested in at the moment (except for the Jade Regent!). If Paizo needs a psionic AP, I'd gladly write it. I'd be the first to raise my hand and say, "Let me do it!"
So I have turn an AP into something I want to run.
Okay, well, if it's not going to be a problem, then that's great. Different DMs have different views on that. RotRL and CotCT are the only adventure paths I've done, the first as a player and the second as a DM. Crimson Throne has a lot of possibilities for going off on interesting tangents though, so I think that can work just fine. :)
I've checked out Crimson Throne and I can adapt it to the City of Psionics. Prepare yourselves for a new recruitment thread. Because here it comes.
Elton