Black Tom's War of the Burning Sky

Game Master Black Tom

Here is a handy link to the Hero point system that I use for my games. You start with 1 hero point (or possibly more if you bring a really good backstory) and will earn more as the game progresses.

Feel free to post here as soon as you've got a class and race to your name. We'll work the rest out from there.

Here is a handy link to the Hero point system that I use for my games. You start with 1 hero point (or possibly more if you bring a really good backstory) and will earn more as the game progresses.

Feel free to post here as soon as you've got a class and race to your name. We'll work the rest out from there.

Found it!

Continuing the conversation from the other thread, I'm leaning toward a more martial build still. Half-elven Cleric with a possible dip into the Fighter class. Still working on the deity for the new build -- and it might still be Nethys.

My monk now fully statted.

Looks good. I'm laying a bit low until some more characters are done but I'm excited to see what you all come up with.

Is there any information about monk orders in the campaign?

Jace isn't quite finished yet - I'll sort the rest of him out (gear etc) today.

Just so everyone knows, as a tweak of my original concept, Jace will be taking a few Fighter levels (probably starting at level 3), and his goal is to qualify for the Duelist prestige class.

I'm looking forward to running with you all.

In the Player's Guide, there is reference to the Monastery of Two Winds, located in the mountains on the border between Ostalin and Dassen, not far from a town called Eresh.

EDIT: But grab the players guide of RPGNOW or RPGDriveThru, because it's free to get - and it has all the pertinent details.

As I said in the recruitment thread, I've done everything but buy my equipment and redo my background.

BT, are the East Wind/West Wind styles going to be available from the Monastery of Two Winds (it would be a later level thing) or are they out of bounds, also?

Not sure I would take advantage, but I like to explore what's in the campaign, so I ask.

You said on a previous thread that hero points/piety points follow the player. Would points earned as Clark be available here?

What would be more useful to the party, a sword-and-board fighter focused on defense and maneuvers or a longbowman? I don't know which way to take Diterich.

What would be more useful to the party, a sword-and-board fighter focused on defense and maneuvers or a longbowman? I don't know which way to take Diterich.

Well, the toughest melee fighter we have right now is a halfling monk, so take of that what you will.

While I'm here, how much would an amulet worthy of eventually being used for an Arcane Bond cost?

thefishcometh wrote:

What would be more useful to the party, a sword-and-board fighter focused on defense and maneuvers or a longbowman? I don't know which way to take Diterich.

Well, the toughest melee fighter we have right now is a halfling monk, so take of that what you will.

While I'm here, how much would an amulet worthy of eventually being used for an Arcane Bond cost?

Aye, I think Audric's got the facts to consider, but it's your decision. If it helps, my "more martial" cleric isn't shaping up to be much of a warrior at first level. I kind of let the concept grow in my head, and she's turned into a healer/protector/scholar that will throw herself into the breach if necessary, but she doesn't do a lot of damage and she won't have an awesome armor class without using spells that might better be used for patching up allies.

Still looking at the cleric of Nethys with Knowledge and Protection domains, but with a different focus in life (out with the all-encompassing spellcaster, in with the holy warrior). Is that a combo y'all can live with? Might make her human -- which I think would be a first for me on the boards...

What would be more useful to the party, a sword-and-board fighter focused on defense and maneuvers or a longbowman? I don't know which way to take Diterich.

Jace is pretty defensive, he'll only really be lashing out when he can make the most of his sneak attack - but he won't have much in the way of armor. You could play a mix of the two roles - sort of a skirmisher. Pound them from a distance, and then move in to break some faces/ keep the heat off the squishy guys. Jace will be progressing into the same kind of role, so having 3 highly mobile melee charaters will be fairly badass, because monks are natural skirmishers.

I can change from a sorcerer to a fighter (duelist type), if the group feels we need some more muscle (or finesse) for fighting.

I think I'm going for a sword-and-board defender that can cripple foes but still throw some serious punches. He'll be using a flail and wearing light(er) armor, and I'll have Power Attack at some point so he can still lay down the pain. Now, which is more useful for you guys at first level, Power Attack, or Improved Trip?

I can change from a sorcerer to a fighter (duelist type), if the group feels we need some more muscle (or finesse) for fighting.

We already have a duelist and a monk, so that particular niche is getting pretty full. On the other hand, we only have one lonely arcane caster. In other words, stay with the sorceress.

I can change from a sorcerer to a fighter (duelist type), if the group feels we need some more muscle (or finesse) for fighting.

I think PsionicFox has a good vibe going. Play what you want to play. For me, I like the idea of a pair of arcane hitters. Right now, we're looking at a relatively strong defensive front to protect the soft targets with one unknown - haven't heard back from lordzack yet - so personally I'm fine with you pursuing your sorcerer build.

If you really want to play the duelist, it might make an interesting dynamic alongside PsionicFox's, and I can take my cleric toward mystic theurge, after all.

Either way, we're good. So which one would you rather play?

If you take improved trip, i'll be in sneak attack HEAVEN. "What? You've been denied your dex bonus because you just got knocked on your ass? SNEAK ATTACK!"

Haha. I kinda like the idea of three skirmishers, and we could base that around our combat aid, the flail-wielding fighter.

But hey, play what you'll enjoy. That's what i'm doing.

EDIT: Phrip, what about a Sorceress/Fighter/Eldritch Knight? Medium armor, decent spells, etc. Or even Dragon Disciple...

Improved Trip it is. Wheee!

After thinking some more, a shared background would be great, fish. Which means they'd probably have certain familiar tactics - like tripping someone up so i can hit them where it hurts.

After thinking some more, a shared background would be great, fish. Which means they'd probably have certain familiar tactics - like tripping someone up so i can hit them where it hurts.

Works for me. The previous background for Diterich is kind of out the window, so I'm thinking he could be a local mercenary/thug/bouncer. Maybe I work as a guard, and whenever I have to knock some heads the two of us rob the "wrongdoers" once we've knocked them out. If we're using the PF Pantheon, Cayden Cailean is most definitely his patron, and bars will certainly be a common hang-out.

I hate to possibly crush a promising plan, but I'm not sure the victim of a trip is denied their dexterity bonus. The act of standing, however, does provoke attacks of opportunity, so the idea of a central fighter dumping foes on their backsides while three skirmishers are available to run up and put a hurt on them is still promising. Combat Reflexes, anyone?

By the way, unless someone produces major concerns with what I've shared thus far, I should have a lady cleric of Nethys statted up and ready to go later tomorrow. The fluff's all done, I just need to record the crunchy bits.

Looks like a sorcerer it is for me then. Hopefully will have the character completed soon. Now, if we can only survive first level....

Works for me. The previous background for Diterich is kind of out the window, so I'm thinking he could be a local mercenary/thug/bouncer. Maybe I work as a guard, and whenever I have to knock some heads the two of us rob the "wrongdoers" once we've knocked them out. If we're using the PF Pantheon, Cayden Cailean is most definitely his patron, and bars will certainly be a common hang-out.

That sounds good. Maybe in the past, Diterich has pulled Jace out of the fire a few times - simply because he's bigger and meaner than other people. And Jace helps Diter out in turn by assisting him in giving tough customers the slip. Partners in crime, if you will. Jace breaks in, Diter breaks heads.

I hate to possibly crush a promising plan, but I'm not sure the victim of a trip is denied their dexterity bonus. The act of standing, however, does provoke attacks of opportunity, so the idea of a central fighter dumping foes on their backsides while three skirmishers are available to run up and put a hurt on them is still promising. Combat Reflexes, anyone?

Yeah, I just double-checked - my bad there. But I'm so taking combat reflexes. I do get a bonus on attack rolls against prone people, so if I'm flanking them, I'm not likely to miss.

By the way, unless someone produces major concerns with what I've shared thus far, I should have a lady cleric of Nethys statted up and ready to go later tomorrow. The fluff's all done, I just need to record the crunchy bits.

Sounds good mate. Which version? Combat-focused or super-caster?

BT, are the East Wind/West Wind styles going to be available from the Monastery of Two Winds (it would be a later level thing) or are they out of bounds, also?

Not sure I would take advantage, but I like to explore what's in the campaign, so I ask.

You said on a previous thread that hero points/piety points follow the player. Would points earned as Clark be available here?

The East Wind/West Wind styles are available for any multi-classed monks that would be interested.

Yes, you can transfer the points earned as Clark.

For Naria:

The emperor of Ragesia, Drakus Coaltongue, has been assassinated, or so rumor has it. As a counterstrike, Leska, head of the inquisitors, has declared the Scourge, a decree that all disloyal magic-users in Ragesia and the surrounding lands are to be captured or killed. Even as we speak a huge Ragesian army is marching on Gate Pass. A great war is brewing.

This I think should provide ample motivations for Audric and the sorcerer. Jace and Diterich may or may not be affiliated with the resistance, that fights for the continued independence of Gate Pass. But the adventure starts with a secret mission, so you'll have to give some thought to how you all know each other.

Physical description added (Hope it isn't over the top or anything)

The East Wind/West Wind styles are available for any multi-classed monks that would be interested.

To answer PsionicFox, I'm thinking combat-oriented more than super-caster because we already have a pair of arcanists on board. But this option is making me seriously consider monk as my melee class rather than fighter. Oh, the decisions!

Yes, you can transfer the points earned as Clark.

Yippee!!

Do I have to specify both favored classes at first level? (In other words, do I have to decide my second class today, or can I just proceed with cleric and cogitate over it more?

As for knowing each other, I'm still thinking my character is relatively neutral with regards to politics and the current law, but she's very concerned about the maintenance and furtherance (is that a word?) of knowledge and information. Thus, the interest in Nethys and interest in opposing the mage-purge in Ragesia. She's also the contemplative sort, so I'm thinking she will have a prior association with the Monastery of Two Winds, even if she's not a monk, and would have met Naria through those channels. Reasonable hooks?

No stats yet, but I thought I would reserve the name since it came to me as I was typing that last post.

Icon subject to change...

Do I have to specify both favored classes at first level? (In other words, do I have to decide my second class today, or can I just proceed with cleric and cogitate over it more?

As for knowing each other, I'm still thinking my character is relatively neutral with regards to politics and the current law, but she's very concerned about the maintenance and furtherance (is that a word?) of knowledge and information. Thus, the interest in Nethys and interest in opposing the mage-purge in Ragesia. She's also the contemplative sort, so I'm thinking she will have a prior association with the Monastery of Two Winds, even if she's not a monk, and would have met Naria through those channels. Reasonable hooks?

I'm afraid you'll have to choose your favored classes at first level.

Sounds good. A knowledge-oriented character is going to be very useful in this AP. Can't say more, but I like this concept, and I'll say that even if you become a fighter/cleric mechanically you could still be a honorary monk so to speak.

I don't think lordzack is going to be joining us, so I'm good to start the actual game by Monday. Hope you can get your characters to be about ready by then. It won't start with immediate combat, so you have a little respite when it comes to equipment and other small details, but I hope to see some party cohesion by then. If you need help, just say the word.

I'm afraid you'll have to choose your favored classes at first level.

Thought so, planned on it.

A knowledge-oriented character is going to be very useful in this AP. Can't say more, but I like this concept, and I'll say that even if you become a fighter/cleric mechanically you could still be a honorary monk so to speak.

Uh-oh. Dipping into monk is much more attractive than dipping into fighter for lots of reasons, including backstory, so I'm working with the requirement to have access to the Air domain. I didn't find a deity with Air and Knowledge, but I did find one (Shelyn) with Air and Protection (my original other domain). My work-up at the moment has her as a low-key cleric of Shelyn, more interested in the beauty of magic and music and mathematics (if you will) than physical appearance.

I'm less interested in the other aspects of the class than the ability to freely multiclass the monk -- but now that I think about it, is there still a multiclassing restriction in PRPG?

*putters off to the bookshelf*

I think that restriction is gone! If it's truly gone, I'll go back to the original plan, substituting monk for fighter and ignoring the West Wind Style feat. I have other things I'd like to use that feat slot for, anyway.

If it's still in force, I've got her done and just need to post her -- which I will do shortly in both forms, considering the differences are relatively slight.

I don't think lordzack is going to be joining us.

Gulp. I was afraid of that -- I was hoping for another healer to carry the load while I figured things out. Be patient, folks!

Any ruling available on the multiclassing of the monk/cleric?

Ellantera is still coming -- the boards ate what I had done, so I'm doing it locally and will post when it's complete - one or the other of the builds, depending on the forthcoming ruling.

Something came up to prevent my getting on at all today 'til now, and the day's done. I should have been in bed two hours ago.

The multiclassing restriction for monks is indeed gone and good riddance say I. You will have a NPC cleric joining you at least for the first adventure, so there will be some backup healing. Don't worry.

I will put the game thread up tonight or tomorrow, but it starts with you getting a mission from the Resistance, which may be the ticket out of Gate Pass for those less political of you. I will be assuming that you at least know each other and get the mission as a group. Your reasons for accepting it may vary, but you're in this together.

You don't have to have all your backgrounds done by tomorrow, but please use this thread if you need to discuss it between you so we can keep the action going in the other thread. There are hero points to be had for those who produce a background that makes your DM happy. (I don't presume to judge your writing but I know what I like.)

The game thread is up and running. Post your actions there. If you have some tinkering still to do with your character, do it here. Phrip, how is your sorcerer coming along?

Okay, in the interest of shared backgrounds, here's some info the gang probably know about Jace:

*He doesn't hide the fact that his activities are mostly criminal in nature.
*He's often in some kind of disguise - he's pretty good at it.
*He prefers to think his way around a problem rather than bashing it on the head.
*He's not a member of the resistance, although he sympathizes, and helps them out.
*He has a pretty strict code of behavior that he follows always.

For Thefishcometh AKA Dietrich

BT: Cleric of Nethys/Monk without the West Wind Style feat it is, then.

Ellantera has spent much of the last several years at the Monastery of Two Winds and has returned to Gate Pass due to the political turmoil. Basically, three things would get her involved in this mission: There are close family members that are mages, the Resistance has figured greatly in her family history (grandfather is an elven evoker that aided Gabal before he was "Gabal's School," and her affiliation with Nethys has awoken a passion to protect those that practice the arcane arts.

I presume she would have encountered Naria at the monastery if that has figured in her background. I haven't read the other character's backgrounds, but it's possible that she would be brought into the mission based on her family ties and would not necessarily know the rest of the crew even if we do not have other reasons to know one another.

EDIT: There is tidying up left to do, but I believe Ellantera is basically done and posted. Anyone with an interest is welcome to proof her for me -- my time is more limited than normal, so the proverbial fine-toothed comb was not used. Thanks! ;-)

Note: Clark's points haven't been brought over yet.

Anyone else having trouble getting a dot on the threads for this game? I haven't had a dot come up yet -- I always have to search the forum to find the thread. Kind of a pain 'cause I've become spoiled...

My profile is up. I'll do some more tweaking soon.

About Airlon

Self-exiled from Shahalesti as the pressures of being "different" became too much for his family too bear. Found acceptance amongst the citizens of Gate Pass, especially within the gnome community. Eager to learn about his elemental heritage and where along the family tree this bloodline started. Very interested in the recent rumors surrounding Ragesian persecution of magic wielders and the existence of a school of magic to the south that may be able to help him understand and harness the energies that course through him.

Give me a bit to get a full profile up. I've been super, super busy. I should have one up by late tonight.

Anyone else having trouble getting a dot on the threads for this game? I haven't had a dot come up yet -- I always have to search the forum to find the thread. Kind of a pain 'cause I've become spoiled...

Make a normal post, but using your primary profile name. That'll give you the dot.

Then just go back and edit the post so it uses your character's profile instead.

Easy solved.

OK, welcome everybody. The game is on here.

Ellantera wrote:

Anyone else having trouble getting a dot on the threads for this game? I haven't had a dot come up yet -- I always have to search the forum to find the thread. Kind of a pain 'cause I've become spoiled...

Make a normal post, but using your primary profile name. That'll give you the dot.

Then just go back and edit the post so it uses your character's profile instead.

Easy solved.

I'll try that, thanks.

Here's Dieterich. Tell me if you see any issues. I've integrated you into my backstory, Jace. I'm a city guard with some slightly criminal tendencies. I figure the two of us team up to rob those with "more gold than they know what to do with." You provide the mark and the quick hands, I provide the crowbar. :D

PsionicFox wrote:

Make a normal post, but using your primary profile name. That'll give you the dot.

Easy solved.

I'll try that, thanks.

Worked like a charm - interesting, because I almost never use my primary name. Was a touch confused when I originally created my account, didn't think the primary was an usable option as much as a container for the aliases.

Anyway, I'm 'dotted' now, thanks.

Hello there. This is your friendly neighborhood DM just checking that everyone is onboard. I apologize for my absence the last few days. I will try to pick up the pace. I'll be posting at least once or twice a day on weekdays and I hope that you can do at least once a day and that you'll let me know if you're going to be away or hard pressed for time.

In case you haven't figured it out, I'm on Central European time and not a native English speaker, so I may be posting at odd hours for you. Also if I express myself unclearly, just ask what I mean. I'm not entirely comfortable writing in English.

I'm also quite new to PBP but the other one I'm running is tons of fun, so I hope that we'll have a good time together. I promise that the campaign will take off shortly.

Please do use this thread and check in on it, so we can keep the meta-discussion from cluttering the game thread. Good luck getting out of Gate Pass.

Hello there. This is your friendly neighborhood DM just checking that everyone is onboard. I apologize for my absence the last few days. I will try to pick up the pace. I'll be posting at least once or twice a day on weekdays and I hope that you can do at least once a day and that you'll let me know if you're going to be away or hard pressed for time.

In case you haven't figured it out, I'm on Central European time and not a native English speaker, so I may be posting at odd hours for you. Also if I express myself unclearly, just ask what I mean. I'm not entirely comfortable writing in English.

I'm also quite new to PBP but the other one I'm running is tons of fun, so I hope that we'll have a good time together. I promise that the campaign will take off shortly.

Please do use this thread and check in on it, so we can keep the meta-discussion from cluttering the game thread. Good luck getting out of Gate Pass.

Meh, you talk about not being a native English speaker, but honestly, I can never tell. You do far better than I could hope to with a second or third or whatever language this is for you. Don't be so hard on yourself.

As far as the game is concerned, I'm on board, but I'm at a loss as to what Ellantera would do. As a result, she's just listening to the other's suggestions. Her bright idea got quashed, so she'll follow someone else's.

Gah! I have a rough draft of the map (not sure of final positions yet) and my mail won't let me in to send it to you! Gah!

Hey, everybody, I'm going to be afk from Saturday through probably Sunday the 20th. I'll post if and when I can, but I wouldn't expect much. Please feel free to DMPC Ellantera as necessary while I'm gone. Thanks!