BTOD (Low Magic Campaign / Play test) (Inactive)

Game Master Lareg

Campaign started. Recruitment Closed. Inquires for future alternates welcome. See recruitment thread for more information.


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Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

There's enough interest that I thought we could start discussing starting characters.

Let's start with a 20 point buy with level 5 as a starting point.

Any thoughts about lowers or higher starting level?

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Level 5 is pretty accomplished, how does the world see high level characters and how common are they?

Also without magic, what's the current level of technology?


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Great questions. In short, there is magic. Take a look over the campaign document. In more broad detail take a look at the spoilers.

Magic and Tech. background:
The community the characters come from maintains stringent guidelines for those with magic ability as without the power to reinforce the barrier that protects the underground city the entire community would be at risk.

The current level of technology in the world at large includes advanced clockworks, limited use of steam powered creations, and advanced / magical firearms. These technologies are prevalent in specific areas and to differing degrees.

Within the characters' community, limited resources has made it very difficult to maintain the advanced technologies. Beyond firearms, which have been kept within families as heirlooms, little of the working technology is accessible by individuals. Only those dedicated to maintaining the various needs of the communities infrastructure have access to these various technologies.

Within the community their is general awareness of magic and these technologies. However, for hundreds of years the community has used these technologies for very specific things to help them survive.

Character level:
In the world at large individuals with even basic training / education (lvl 1) are seen as above average by the typical villager. Much of the world above has only recently begun to function 'normally.' The storm which forced the characters' ancestors underground, devastated nearly half the continent above. Mere survival created a 'dark age' of sorts, much like the historical middle ages.

Above the characters' community the desert conditions make it nearly impossible for anyone to survive without significant abilities (think level 7+). Within the protection of the community, communal guidelines (e.g. population controls, rationing, and conscription of those able to use magic) have protected the characters' community from many of the challenges faced above ground. However, the community faces challenges of its own. These unique challenges are those the group will likely be asked to help address.


Male Human

Since I'm a bit new I don't mind starting less than that as long as the 'level ups' are quick. Just to get used to the character and as an intro to the world before they get thrown into the thick of things. Level 2, Level 3?

Either way though I think I should be ok.


Male Human

BTW I use YAPCG and I don't think I'm up to creating the campaign class that I'm going to use so I'll just roll her as a standard pistolero on the character sheet. Is that ok?

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Interesting, my plan was Gunslinger as well. I was either going Pistolero or if you'd allow, Experimental Gunsmith (without the gnome requirement)


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

If the group is open to run of the mill sorts of stuff I have no problem starting at lower level with fast progression early on.

@Azih that's fine just to use the normal pistolero on the character sheet. I'll keep track of the campaign archetype.

@Mark It would likely work better if you selected a different class. I'm open to having two gunslingers if the group is ok with that. Are you open to playing the homebrew race? Edit: I've taken a look at the experimental gunsmith archetype and it would fit fine with the homebrew race. As far as a dwarf or human character it would be more of a stretch. Interested in hearing your thoughts either way.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

I'll look at the homebrew race in detail, but that sounds good.


Male Human

Any ideas on traits, hp progression, gold and the like?


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

HP wise I'm thinking max at first level and average +1 after. So d8 would be 8 (+con) 1st and then 5 (+ con) every level after.

Toss up two traits that you want and I'll let you know. Starting gold will be based on level (level progression chart is on prd).

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

So homebrew race is both innovative and creepy, not sure if its my style playing a tiny machine animating a corpse, but intrigued to see one played. May go with human Ranger.

Skirmisher archetype replaces spell casting with hunting tricks, would you be open to the Musketeer Combat Style? I'd still have to spend feats on Exotic weapon proficiency, and Gunsmithing.

Between those two I'd have a rifle toting hunter who's still very different from a Gunslinger. If not I can go with a different combat style.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Skirmisher is fine, but musketeer combat style isn't.

Thanks for the feedback on the race, those are exactly the kinds of feelings I'd hope to evoke.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Ok going with Skirmisher/Deepwalker archetypes, probably crossbow weapon style. Have we decided on a level? I'm fine with 5 if you want to start at that.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Looking it over, your Deepwalker comes out a little better than those two archetypes combined. I'm sold on trying it out.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Sounds good. I've been thinking and I'd like to open up musket as an option. Need to work up details, but it doesn't make sense to have pistols and not muskets.

If this changes what you have in mind I totally understand.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Well I would want to pick musket as a weapon style which is one of the features Obsidian Walker doesn't affect so it should still work.

In that case is Mustketeer Combat Style ok?


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. All I need to do is work out background as far as musket use within the underground city.

Off the top of my head I'm thinking that although within the city the close quarter urban setting would unlikely work (structures have no roofs, they are sandwiched in between the ground and ceiling), there are likely to be corridors on the perimeter of the city that could be well guarded with muskets.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Makes sense I'm sure there would be an outer perimeter guard that patrols the larger natural caverns outside the city to protect it from denizens of the underground world. They would probably specialize in long range weaponry. My character could have been the kid of a Perimeter Guard and grew up knowing how to use a weapon most people wouldn't.


Male Human

Actually Lareg, I know we talked about this on the initial mail, but reading the Obsidian Gunner description... it seems identical to pistolero? The gunner only gets Dex-1 to damage bonus at level 5 via Ancestral Training as compared to Dex via Pistol Training, but gets a +1 to damage from the Crystalline Power to compensate.

The only difference seems to be that for the Obsidian Gunner to be equal to the pistolero he or she must use the gun with the memory crystal and with any other firearm the Obsidian Gunner will be at a -1 disadvantage?

Did I get that right? It's great flavour, but a little less flexible.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

@Mark. Yes, that's exactly the sort of idea I had in mind. I'll work up a fuller description over the next few days, but feel free to toss out your ideas. I'd be happy to work in both.

@Azih, Exactly. The Obsidian Gunner is exactly the same. I'm happy to take another look at it to give it a bit of a bonus. The idea is that the pistol, along with memory crystal is passed down as an heirloom. There aren't really pistols available any other way

You'd be free to work up new backstory about a family disaster. Maybe the families memory crystals were lost / destroyed in an accident. All that is left is the pistol itself. I don't think it's a must to use the campaign archetype. Gunslinger is a class I'm not as familiar with so I didn't have an idea ready to give the archetype a bonus to balance out the crystal requirement.

I'll work one up over the next day or two, but you'd be free to pick the pistolero archetype if you prefer. Would just need to change up the backstory.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Character level wise here is an idea I've been toying with.

We'd start with level one characters, but only play through a key level appropriate encounter until some preset level.

For example, level one through four we'd play through one encounter for each level (4 encounters total, leveling up before each encounter). Then at level five we would continue at medium progression.


Male Human

Sounds good to me Lareg. I'd never say no to bonuses, but I like the flavour of the custom class and I'll keep my background as is. Not planning on changing the starting firearm and considering the world that might not be possible anyway.

Ok, for my noobish question. In my (one) other pbp I think they're using encounter based leveling anyway (as in the GM goes "everyone level up!" at some point) is that different from how things usually go?


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

The leveling process your are describing is one that I have seen. In my other pbp campaign I track experience and then mention leveling at the appropriate time. We are using a combination of published content and encounters that I have created.

Depending on the types of adventures used either can work. Many pre made adventure paths and modules are set up to have PCs progress at certain points. This is why the encounter based leveling works fine (in my opinion).

The approach I am suggesting initially would be to do a single encounter for each of a set number of levels. Each encounter on its own wouldn't normally be enough experience to progress the characters. I think the typical encounter leveling approach involves multiple encounters (there is a specific encounter after which the PCs level).

I'm not sure if there really is a typical way to run things and I haven't been at this long enough to have a good sense of what is common.

I've been gaming since I was a teen, but my game of choice was Shadowrun. I was first introduced to fantasy role playing through DnD 4th ed. about four years ago. Shortly after that one of my wife's coworkers invited me into a Pathfinder game. I started my first pbp campaign over a year ago. With this experience I think my sense of the game isn't even close to comprehensive.


Male Human

Sounds good to me.


Male Human

Just to make it official then, I am interested in playing a Female Human Obsidian Gunner


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

I'm assuming you got my email. Thanks for the official post :-)

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

I'll get started on creating my character. Ironically also considering Human Female but Obsidian Walker (Ranger). Sp is level 1 a sure thing or going with 5?


hey! just wanted to stop in and show Im still interested. Ive got a dwarf herbalist. in the works. Ill post back soon with more info. shooting for later tonight.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Let's start with level one, 20 point buy.

Thanks for the update Brooklyn85.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

So we have a human female gunslinger, a human female ranger, and a dwarf herbalist. All we need is someone willing to play the homebrew race and we're good to go.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Any specific GP limit to start or as normal per class?

Also if you want I can spend the feats at 1st for Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Firearms)and Gunsmithing, (fits the backstory)but I'm assuming for the archetype the same battered weapon exception from the normal insane cost of a firearm applies?

Something along the lines of inheriting her father's gun, and as such starts off non-masterwork.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

The weapon background I had in mind is different, but the short of it is you don't need to worry about paying for it.

Average wealth for level or class, which ever is higher.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Once Brooklyn85 has his dwarven herbalist set we'll be nearly set.

I'll keep working on getting us a fourth, but so far it doesn't look like anyone is interested in the homebrew race.

I"m not opposed to starting with three PCs. What do you all think?


Male Human

I'm fine with that. Please keep in mind that we are two low level ranged characters and a healer :-)


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

I'd work up a NPC to get in the way if we end up starting without a fourth.


Male Dwarf Ancestral Steward (Fighter) 2; 17/21 HP; +4 Init, +6 Percpt; AC 19, Touch 12, FF 17; +5 Fort, +2 Ref, +1 Will

Ok guys. Here's the basics for the Herbalist... he still needs some work but you this gives the general idea. Wanted to throw up what I have.
Also want to throw this out there, do we need a dedicated healer over a melee character at this point? I expressed interest in both and am happy to switch over. Only combat damage my guy might do is also at a range. Happy to draw up the sword/board dwarf of my dreams...

And last but not least, did you send the others more info about the world? Just wondering if there is anything else yet to give me a some background for my character.


I'll get my homebrew cleric in soon, I just have a lot going on today/tomorrow. When do you want characters completed by?


Male Dwarf Ancestral Steward (Fighter) 2; 17/21 HP; +4 Init, +6 Percpt; AC 19, Touch 12, FF 17; +5 Fort, +2 Ref, +1 Will

Hey Darth. Think you'll be doing some healing? Perhaps I should go melee after all. Lareg, what do you think?


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Yeah, for sure. You beat me to the punch on going melee.


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Just reading back a bit.. I love this:

Quote:
Happy to draw up the sword/board dwarf of my dreams...

Go for it!

I'm working on city map of sorts with some more history / background. For now I'll go with short sketches so we can get going.

During the encounters for the first few levels I'm thinking we can also bring some of the history of the city to life in play.

As far as progression goes, what level is everyone thinking would be good to return to typical leveling? I'm still leaning toward the 5-7 range.

Other thoughts?

Is Thursday to soon for characters? Friday seems fine too. Would be great to get the game thread going over the weekend. As for posting, I tend to be a once a day sort of poster. What works for others (this is flexible)?

Grand Lodge

Female Human Pistolero Lev 2 HP 19/19 |AC 19 (FF 14 Touch 15)| Init+6| Saves (Fort+4,Reflex+7,Will+2)| Per +7|Grit 2/2

Well here is Jenya. I'd love to post a lot but realistically I am a post a day person as well.. hopefully at least 5 times a week. Fine with whatever leveling scheme.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

In general what do the city's humans predominantly look like?


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

Most dwarves and humans will have complexions that are similar to the norm for humans in reality. However, because of the time underground (limited sunlight) their complexions will tend to be a few shades lighter,

Size wise, all humanoids tend to be a bit shorter than average. Beyond those slight differences everyone looks more or less like you might expect.

Styling varies greatly. The original three cities which had created a connected system of underground supply tunnels were settled by a variety of different dwarven and human communities. Because of the local mining in the area, dwarves were some of the first settlers, but humans followed soon after. Other races tended to avoid the area because of the harsh weather (very hot summers and very cold winters).

Note on muskets:
Muskets are, with very rare exceptions, only in the possession of the Corridor Guard. Though much of the city is located in one central area, which is bound by the limits of the three original cities, there is a corridor that runs deeper into the bedrock and leads to the obsidian mines. This corridor is protected by a guard. Enlistment status in the guard is primarily through familial association. Only enlisted COrridor Guard are issued and permitted to use muskets. Long serving Corridor Guard are often recognized by being given a musket, which is theirs until death. Enlisted guard are issued a musket, which they are permitted to use on duty and as a part of other sanctioned activities.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Ok I'll have her complete and posted later today.


Male Human

Hrm, I don't know why my Jenya alias became a PFS character. I don't even know what that means honestly. Also next time I update her character sheet I'll drop her height down a bit. Want her to be taller than average, not a giant. 5'1 would be considered pretty tall in this world right?


I will strive to have mine in tomorrow (Thursday) but failing that the character will be in on Friday. I do like the post a day option.

@Dwarf If you want to be an Herbalist and heal that just means that I can focus on some of the more interesting cleric options. If you want to be an Herbalist and focus elsewhere go for it.

Cleric =/= Healer


Male Human

I'm pretty sure Dwarf is going to be a melee fighter now :)


That works!


Male Half-Orc Monk 9 / Puppetmaster 2

I'd have to look at the averages for human height, but 5'1 sounds about right for a tall human woman.

I'm guessing Brooklyn (Dwarf) is going to make a fighter type. For a cleric bursts should be plenty for healing. (I may need to look at the CHA aspect so keep me posted on how your build is looking Darth).

Edit: haha, simul post.


Male Dwarf Ancestral Steward (Fighter) 2; 17/21 HP; +4 Init, +6 Percpt; AC 19, Touch 12, FF 17; +5 Fort, +2 Ref, +1 Will

Alright! Here's my fighter. Still need to name him an buy some gear. (Are we going with average starting gold?)

Also, wondering what your stance on alternate racial abilities from Advance Race Guide ( I chose Relentless and Rock stepper) as well as the traits I chose. Take a look, and if there's something you don't like I will adjust.

And he needs a name of course! Still trying to get a feel for him...

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