Black Tom's Serpent Skull

Game Master Black Tom

Since it is hard to replace characters in this AP once it’s started I’m going to be clear from the start about what is expected. I’m a pretty old-school DM, and not a great role-player (although you are welcome to contribute with that). I can’t give you flowery prose or deep immerstion. But I do try to keep the pace up and to be civil, and it’s worked for the games I’m running.

I’m bad with maps but they work and I have my own way of handling initiative. Basically the round breaks on the monster’s turn, and after that you can all act irrespective of initiative. That means that initiative will only matter in the first round (that’s why it’s called that). I find that speeds up play more than having to post in order. I try not to make that work to your disadvantage, so you are free to retcon your actions to profit from buffs and so on. Not every player is comfortable with that though.

As for posting rates, I expect a post every 24 hours on weekdays, more of course being welcome. That is also what I commit to. I’m in European Standard Time (GMT+1) and I may post at odd hours, but I do try to post sometime every 24 hours on weekdays. Sometimes I fail to do that and I’ll have to ask for your patience but I do run two games that have run over a year, so I’m fairly reliable.

I’m also a great Freeport fan so I’d like to import some Freeport flavour into the AP, which I think suits it great, although SS is not a naval campaign. Because I’d like to try a gritty campaign, I’ll go with 15 point buy. Books allowed will be Core, APG, UM and the Freeport Companion (but please check with me if you make any odd choices – the Azhar are out). Two traits, one of which should be a campaign trait, roll for gold or take the average. The campaign world will be Golarion for simplicity’s sake.

I’m looking for five players. Three slots will be given to the first characters presented and two I’ll pick arbitrarily. I prefer players who have gamed with me and liked it (I’ve gamed with some pretty amazing people here and I have likewise had some great players drop out on me – it’s just a matter of preference), and I appreciate if anyone wants to try out some of the classes from the Freeport Companion. The Player’s Guide to the AP is a free download and that should give you an idea of what sort of character you should create.

Very interested - don't know anything about Freeport, but I'll pick up the pdf and check it out.

Ooh! I'm definitely interested, although I don't know much about Freeport. But I'm definitely enjoying your Age of Worms game so far.

Would you be open to a character (an oracle, maybe) using the Words of Power system?

Right...so my character idea is for a gnome master summoner, something of an eccentric (though in a friendly way), who's traveling to the expanse basically for the adventure. I'll fill in the details as they come, but I figured I'd get an initial sketch up.

Mememememe!

Is the Freeport Companion somewhere for free?

EDIT: never mind, I thought not.

*ponders* already people are leaning toward magic-y types, eh? Hm. Maybe a ranger or rogue in an Indiana Jones style?

Welcome Qik, hogarth and Shisumo. *happy grin*

Let's roll with the Words of Power. It will be a learning experience. The Freeport stuff is strictly optional, so just ignore it if you don't have the book. Don't know if any of it is included in the PFSRD.

Glad to be aboard!

I should be able to get some good work in on my character later on this afternoon (I'm GMT -6), and hopefully will have things more or less wrapped up by tomorrow.

I'm working on my deaf, stargazing Lore oracle now.

Right, so here's what I've got so far (realized it was more sensible to just do the sheet like this). I'll keep updating/tweaking as I go along.

Been at work all day and I have some fireworks to set off tonight, but I should be able to get some work done on a character tomorrow morning. Currently leaning toard a human or half-elf ranger, rogue or ranger/rogue. Out of curiosity (though this is way down the line regardless), BT, how do you feel about the Pathfinder delver? It's basically "I'm Indiana Jones" as a prestige class, and I've always wanted to play one...

Ralf is an old gaffer who has spent most of his life as a helmsman or assistant navigator on all manner of small ships, although he seems to spend most of his time woolgathering and staring at the stars. Over the years, he's picked up some knowledge of queer old magic and odd bits of forgotten lore, but by this time of life he's almost stone deaf and rather unsteady on his feet. Right now he's working as a night steersman on the Jenivere.

Got most of the character worked out, I think. Background and description forthcoming (i.e., when I have time to sit down and write them up).

Sounds like we've got us three fun characters. Just wondering: what source is Fangwood Diplomat from? I'm happy to allow the Pathfinder Delver. It would be really cool if we could get the Indiana Jones vibe. And will Ralf's deafness be an issue in play when it comes to intra-party communications? Haven't seen an oracle in play yet.

Still hoping for two more players but you look like a well-rounded party as it is.

I'd be interessed if you still have a free spot, I'd like to play a dwarven cleric of Torag. Tell me if I can join, I'll send background and stats.

Cheers,

Tulkash

You're welcome to join, Tulkash.

And will Ralf's deafness be an issue in play when it comes to intra-party communications?

Probably some of the time, but gestures and notes and whatnot should be fine most of the time, I hope. We shall see. :-)

You're welcome to join, Tulkash.

Thanks :)

Here's a brief description of who the character is, I'll send the complete sheet to Black Tom (but I need to know where to send it first :D)

Thanks. You don't need to send the sheet to me. The simplest way to handle things is to make an alias and put all the information in your profile.

Think Torch's profile is done for now. I've got his background in my head, but I think I'll pass on writing it up - if it comes up in play, it'll show up then, otherwise... (shrug) So looks like I'm ready to rock and roll!

Also, though it doesn't quite match the trait I took, I think Sam boarded the Jenivere in Corentyn, in Cheliax.

Think we could maybe use another front-liner if there's anyone still thinking about joining us.

I would be in to playing a Paladin if you still need that front-liner.

Here is the Paladin. Character Sheet is linked, background will be worked on.

Fangwood Diplomat is from the Inner Sea Primer; I actually found it on the online SRD.

Frontliners will be good, although it's worth noting that, as a master summoner, I'll be summoning up a storm of meat shields as needed.

Should be able to wrap things up this evening; looking forward to it!

Frontliners will be good, although it's worth noting that, as a master summoner, I'll be summoning up a storm of meat shields as needed.

Noted, but someone else to make attacks and absorb damage while you are summoning would be really useful!

(FYI - it looks like Quij is missing 1 hp and his favored class bonus...)

Check my profile for stats abilities, I'll update skills asap

Welcome aboard Surkoff. I'm closing recruitment now and opening the discussion thread.

Please put all your info in your profile.

You all start with one hero point. You can read in my profile what they can be used for. They are generally less powerful than the ones from the APG, but you'll probably get more of them.

Quij, Surkoff, what kind of cargo do you have in mind?

Thanks, Shisumo - I'm still trying to figure out if I'd prefer the skill point or the extra eidolon HP. Any input would be welcome.

As for cargo - I'm open to things. Given the nature of the character (a quirky arcanist), I think some sort of magical cargo would be suitable. Maybe an amulet or something of that sort would be suitable. He wouldn't use it of course. It could even be cursed (i.e. of no usable benefit).

Not sure if anyone is watching this thread, but we're going to need two replacements for the campaign. I'd prefer them to be taken from the established NPCs (in order to keep it believable) but if you have a concept that I really like we might be able to make an arrangement.

Two spots are open, and you are welcome to remake the NPCs to fit you.

BT, it would be an honour to die in your game once more....what are the NPCs you have waiting to spring into life....

However I am playing this AP in another game as a witch, but if you're happy to have me I'd be fine with joining in as either an NPC or taking over the existing 'missing' character.

If you have plenty of applicants, then I'm also happy to step aside and wait for an opportunity in another of your games.

If you're playing this AP you should know the NPCs (Aerys Mavato, Gelik Aberwhinge,Ishirou, Jask Derindi and Sasha Nevin are all still alive). Their short description is in the first post in the gameplay thread.

Then again, knowing your appreciation for the odd, we also have the half-crazed tengu Pezock, although I'm not sure how popular he'd be among the PCs. ;-)

Either of these would be my firsthand choice, if you would play them.

I had a fighter called Gorax that was in a Kingmaker campaign that died, if he changed sex and became Aerys, it might work... he was very much against alcohol, which given a recovering alcoholic like Aerys it could also work. His race was human, as opposed to half-elf, if I could morph Gorax and Aerys together it would work for me. He is a mobile fighter, archetype..

If you have time would you like to take a look at Gorax and see if you think the two characters would morph together into a new Aerys? What do you think?

Not a Serpert's Skull NPC, but this character was made for that AP. Details in the profile page.

Deevor, if you think you can morph Gorax and Aerys into something, you are more than welcome to join. Mobile fighter will be nice.

Raal Saikhan isn't quite what I am looking for, sorry. If we can't morph another NPC, what the party is lacking at the moment is an arcanist.

Deevor, if you think you can morph Gorax and Aerys into something, you are more than welcome to join. Mobile fighter will be nice.

Raal Saikhan isn't quite what I am looking for, sorry. If we can't morph another NPC, what the party is lacking at the moment is an arcanist.

BT, I've morphed Aerys slightly...biggest change is to change her race to Human, the stats are essentially the same, though a couple have changed...mostly the same feats, but took dodge instead of weapon focus. Added a longsword and buckler to use as weapons. Happy to use Aerys backstory, so it fits with what's gone before, even giving her elven blood sometime in the past, so she looks slightly half-elven, without taking the half-elf abilities. Tell me if this is acceptable or not?

I'd like to give Gelik a whirl, if that works for you.

P.S. - I'm old school, too.

Gelik works fine for me. You can keep him as is or redo him as a sorcerer. Welcome aboard!

Also I've made some calculations and I'm going to have to ask you both to peel them back to level 1 to be on equal footing with the others. You'll start at the same xp as they do (about 1500) so you should hit level 2 soon enough.

We'll get you into the game Monday if you're ready, or in your own time.

Will be ready for Monday...

In her new character.....

Black Tom, I've decided to go sorcerer, with the maestro bloodline. That should cover the arcane needs well, and the bloodline is performance based. Should I build Gelik from scratch, or do you have ability scores, etc, already determined? Also, is there any info Gelik knows that would be useful / interesting? Any background I should consider? I've read the game log up to date, so I think I have a handle on what he knows in-game.

You can basically build Gelik from scratch. The Maestro bloodline was a nice touch. Here is the background from the module, which you can use or ignore as you see fit:

We're good to go as soon as you are ready. By the way, love both your avatars and glad that you are willing to take on the NPCs. You both start with one hero point (more about those later).

In case anyone is following our intrepid adventures it seems our cleric is going to leave. We're just about embarking on the second book in the AP and a cleric (or anyone with healing capabilities) would be a welcome addition. Since the party is pretty well-rounded I'm open to other suggestions too, but a cleric would be especially nice.

I have an Oracle of life currently level 1, who's story is pretty unpolished, but he's a healer and could (hopefully) fill in the Cleric shoes easily. Thanks!

I've had a CLeric concept I've wanted to play for a long while. I'll have to check to see if it would mesh well with the crew.

Any tips on who'd fit in and who wouldn't?

The character I've been hoping to play in a S&S campaign is a Linnorm King Summoner. I'm posting this as his Alias, just for easy access. His alignment is easily maleable, based on how much control Myrkr has.

You've room just for the one PC, correct?

Edited to add: It looks, so far at least, like an archer cleric of Erastil would work quite well. He'd be focused heavily on the kind of community you can build on a ship.

I'd certainly prefer to bring in Skaldi, but I can also stat out the cleric if you think he's a better fit.

ETA2: Man, it's funny how your brainn plays tricks on you sometimes... SS =/= S&S...

I need some caffeine.

Ah, I'll admit to browsing almost any PbP with a 2500+ post count from time to time.

Seeing the party has an Oracle and a Bard already...

I've long had an itch to play an Inquisitor of Nethys, with an Indiana Jones vibe ("that belongs in a museum!"), long searching for the lost city of Saventh-Yhi. This can provide yet more healing, but also add some more skills, knowledge and a buddy for Torch and Gelik to bond with.

I'll see if HeroLab distracts me at lunchtime and perhaps stat something up.

A cleric of Erastil or an inquisitor of Nethys both sound like interesting concepts. We do have an oracle, so that's not anything I'd go for.

Good Morning Black Tom,

I saw you have opened recruitment for your Serpent Skull AP. I still have the original "Death in Freeport" trilogy sitting on my shelf at home. Freeport is a great setting and in hindsight, is a great backdrop for Serpent's Skull. I also want you to know that in real life I am DM'ing a smuggler's shiv adventure, and I have read the AP.

That said, if you're willing to take me on, I would be interested in applying for your open spot and I feel I can separate my in game knowledge from out of game knowledge. If your alright with it rather than making a cleric I would like to submit a Ekujae half-elf druid with the jungle druid archetype. I see my character being very spiritual, combining a mix of shamanism and ancestor worship with a dash of druidic reverence to Gozreh. My role would still be healing and support, but I think it would fit the theme well. Conceptually I was thinking that the character could be a part of whatever faction the group most favored on the island, hired as a guide.

Please let me know if you're interested and I will put together an character after work.

Druid, especially jungle druid, would fit very well, thank you. I'm not too bothered about you having read the AP, as that has never been a problem before.

Ok, sounds good. I'll have a level 3 jungle druid, with character sheet and profile done up after work for your review. Oh, how do you want to work traits? I see two as the standard, but do you want me to re-skin one of the campaign traits, or just pick something that could easily be tied to the campaign?

Oh, and I tend to start new characters at half the xp of the most experienced character to give those who have stuck with the game an advantage (which eventually evens out). That would put the new character at level 2, starting with 2 hero points. I hope anyone is still interested.

As for traits, just pick any two that seem appropriate.

Seeing the party has an Oracle and a Bard already...

Eh? Did someone say we have a bard, or am I hearing things?