Perched atop one of the highest parts of the Storval Rise in the land of Varisia, overlooking the verdant lands to the south, is the city of Kaer Maga. It is built inot the ruins of an immense, mysterious fotress that predates Thassilon, and its denizens enjoy anarchy in its purest form. All manner of strange factions hold court in Kaer Maga's halls, from the blood thirsty bloatmages to the militant monks of the Borthers of the Seal and the grisly augurs - troll soothsayers who use their own entrails to prohesize with questionable accuracy.
How you wound up in this notorious city is of little concern. For an adventurer like you, Kaer Maga is a sprawling web of intrigue, ancient relics and forbidden magic, as well as shrines and tombs to forgotten gods and ancient rulers. Whatever your motivation, there is treasure and glory to be found here, as well as unspeakable horrors and torments. Will you emerge from the City of Strangers with the reputation of a mighty hero. or will you merely escape with your life? Or worse, be forgotten in the sands of time as just another foolish mortal who found their end disturbing things best left alone?
In Kaer Maga, you make your own destiny.
This is a recruitment thread for the Pathfinder module The Godsmouth Heresy, an adventure for level 1 characters. If you have little experience with Pathfinder, please don't hesitate to come up with a character you would like to play, as new players are always welcome in my games!
PLAYER SELECTION
I will be selecting 5 players for this play by post game who post in this thread no later than 12 AM, July 7th 2012. The selection criteria will be based on the following:
- an interesting and creative character background
- achieving a multifaceted party (divine/arcane spellcasters, martial strength, skills)
- GM discretion...I pick the ones I like the best!
In order to be considered, post your character's name, sex and race; as well as a short paragraph about them and their background. No need to get too detailed, but feel free to talk about the character's motivations, where they come from, and what is important to them.
When determining character classes and races, the following books are allowed: Core Rulebook, Advanced Player's Guide, Ultimate Magic, and Ultimate Combat. Player Companions and Campaign Setting material is probably OK as well. If it's not too crazy, I'll probably allow it. I'm much more likely to consider characters that are interesting as characters rather than a collection of statistics. If you're big into character optimization and min maxing, this might not be the game for you. Don't worry about ability scores and mechanics right now, if you get selected, we'll do all that in the discussion thread.
ABOUT THE GAMEPLAY/POSTING
This may be the beginning to further adventures in Kaer Maga or even beyond, but it mostly depends on how the game progresses. I've run and participated in a few games via play by post now, and have just a few caveats.
-Don't post in this thread if you are going to drop out a week into the game. These games usually take a few months or so with everyone's schedules being different, and dropping out early after I've picked you means I have to go through this process again. Please don't do this. Either let me know early before we start, or give me some lead time so I can find a replacement. Don't leave me and the other players hanging.
-The more often you can post, the better. I can usually post in the evenings, EST 6PM-12AM, and I try to do so daily once a game gets going. Nothing kills the momentum of a game faster than waiting a week or two for somebody to post. I'm very reasonable if you're out of town, or you are working late, or whatever. Just let me know in advance, so I can let the other players know as well, and can plan accordingly.
Other than that, I'm all about having as much fun as possible, and I think the job of a DM is to create a fun, descriptive experience for the PCs, who are the 'heroes' of the adventure after all! I like campaigns with both a lot of role-playing and combat, and tend to be more narrative with a play by post. However, this adventure may require some visual aids as well, so I might provide a combat grid and maps as we go.
Good luck! I hope to see you in the City of Strangers!
Ok so I'm feeling pretty good about my concept and would like to submit the basics and a little backstory.
Name:Giblingus Arturo Subverzion Phil (aka Gibz)
Sex/Race: Male Gnome
Class/Role: Ninja/Alchemist High Int/Cha skill monkey
Story: Gibz didn't grow up in Kaer Maga. He came here looking to leanr all he could however he could. There is lots of information here and he enjoys liberating it from people however necessary. He can talk it out of them, Scare it out of them, steal it, trade (fake documents with linguistics skill) for it, or any other number of things as long as he ends up ahead. He Is also in love with languages(plan on taking gnome racial trait to get 2 per linguistics rank) and often speaks nonsense using weird combinations. He is well cultured and has been alive long enough to have done all sorts of things in his past. One of which included being effected by the bleaching as proof by his completely white left arm and leg(this does not have to be true if you don't want it to be). His future is unclear to him but he plans to live until old age takes him, or the bleaching comes back to claim what it could not take before.
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Ditto for me, Shizzle
Name: Nathaniel
Sex/Race: Male Half-Elf
Class/Role: Summoner(Synthesist) Tanky fighter with spellcasting abilities
Story: The white-haired bastard of a madwoman, Nathaniel was bullied and beaten by the villagers and starved by his glassy-eyed mother, and became a thin and withdrawn youth. His only solace was his father, a travelling mage, who had known his mother before she had been struck down. Many had seen his father call up fireballs and black lightning, and the fear kept him safe for a week, but rarely more. Only Nathaniel had seen his father break bread with a misshapen blue creature summoned with a hand on a pentacle. Unlike his body, his intelligence was honed to a finely-hewn point, and so one day, after an exceptionally hard beating, he drew the runes of the pentacle from memory and summoned up a blue monster that was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. As time went on, Nathaniel would grow close with the blue creature with which he would share an intimacy previously unexperienced, and eventually make it part of himself, two beings with a single mind and a single purpose: to spite the bullies by doing good in the world, the most good possible.
As I mentioned in the original post, this is an adventure for level 1 characters.
I was thinking for ability score generation, 20 point buy, maximum 18 minimum 9 (after modifiers.) Average starting wealth by class as per CR or APG. We might even roll for stats, but I doubt it!
Like I said though, I am more interested in the character 'concept' than the statistics at this point. Once the player selection happens, we'll figure it out in the discussion thread.
To elaborate, I'm not necessarily looking for far out or strange characters. In fact, if you want to do something as tried and true as a sword and board fighter, that would be great, as long as you've made him or her interesting or compelling in some way.
Dotting for Intrest. I will come up with a concept to pitch at you sometime tomorrow night.
I know you haven't mentioned it, so its not likely, but I figure it couldn't hurt to ask. Any chance you would run this as a PFS mission?
Sethious, I'm not too familiar with PFS since there aren't any game stores near me that do events. I guess I wasn't aware that you could do that via play by post. For now, I think I'm just going to run it as a non-PFS thing, but I'd be open to doing something like that in the future.
Also, if any of you would like to use the Advanced Race Guide, let me know. I don't have that book yet, so I would be using the Bestiariy books for reference, but it might be interesting to have a few exotic races represented, given the nature of Kaer Maga.
In addition, I've figured out a pretty clever way to use a combat grid/map for this module, which I'll update each round and provide a link to the image in the gameplay thread.
Kyro, Male Goblin Cave Druid with a Dire Bat companion,(Bitey), kind of a bike messenger between the levels of the city. The Duskwardens have even used his services on occasion to deliver messages to agents in the field, with hazard pay of course.
Hat into the ring.
Name: Nichelle
Sex/Race: Female Human
Class/Role: Knife Master Rogue/Precision support and Skills
There was something alluring about a well-made sharp piece of metal. Treat it right, take care of it, and it will take care of you. Learning the blade was like art, and any capable artist knew their tools well. So now she intends to make her way, following rumors and stories, to find that perfect blade. Complete the job, get the money, find(or make) the blades, and the stories of her achievements will paint a beautiful picture. However, a city this big has rules. Keep your mouth shut. Don't skim off of the top if you're getting a share. Have escape plans. Most importantly, always, always know what lines you cross.
Yeah, you can, just locks characters in until the PBP is completed. Thanks for answering my question though and good luck.
I'll submit. Putting forth two characters, in case you aren't keen on multiple "monstrous" PCs.
Name: Tigon
Sex/Race: Male Gnoll
Class/Role: Paladin (Divine Hunter archetype). Ranged offense and support healing.
Fluff: Tigon was born in Varisia's Cinderlands to a tenacious tribe of gnolls still hunting there. The gnolls drew the ire of the other races, though, when they began raiding wagon trains and merchants to supplement their hunting. A paladin led a small group of warriors out to deal with the problem when Tigon was still a young pup. The inevitable clash left most of the gnolls dead or fled, Tigon having been left behind. Most of the warriors were of the mind to kill him, despite being just a pup, but the paladin wouldn't hear of it. He took Tigon under his wing and set him on a path of righteousness, law, and good. Several hardships and years later, Tigon has become a paladin, though he still must prove his worth endlessly due to his being a gnoll, despite primarily being human raised, having a human name, and largely possessing a human philosophy. He has tracked a criminal out of Harse to Kaer Maga, though there is certainly enough corruption and lawlessness there to keep him busy.
Name: Azrim Deepwalker
Sex/Race: Male Dwarf
Class Role: Cleric of Torag (possibly Crusader). Melee healer.
Fluff: Azrim is part of a family of priests who maintain their own temple. Azrim was weaned on the teachings of Torag from birth to near zealotry, indoctrinated by the teachings of the god. Once his training was complete and faith tested, he was sent out as all children of the church were when they were ready, to travel and bring the word of Torag to the world, and to deliver the hammer of righteousness against all evil in a divine crusade. With his armor etched in holy scripture his speech well flavored with religious idioms, Azrim has passed through the Lands of the Linnorm Kings and Irrisen, finding himself in Varisia and Kaer Maga, a place in dire need of the teachings of Torag.
P.S. Might make some minor cosmetic changes, such as renaming him Guano. Let me know if you'd need more background.
Dotting for interest. I'll have a draft character up sometime tomorrow, most likely.
Name: Belor Bladethirst
Sex/Race: Male Human (Shoanti)
Class/Role: Barbarian / Martial Strength
Short Background: As a member of the Shundar-Quah (Spire Clan), Belor has recently completed his 3 three year Journey, living with another Quah. Having learned more about the strengths and weaknesses of the Shoanti people, he wanted to find out about the non-Quah, those not of the people. Belor had visited Kaer Maga for brief periods during trading missions with the Quah he had lived with for his Journey. He found the place somewhat disturbing and some of the more isolationist members of the Quahs present the city as an example of the foulness of the non-Quah. Even so, Belor was intrigued, for he also sensed a kinship with the ancient city, something in the symbols and structure. Belor decided to go to Kaer Maga on his own, to learn more of the city and of the non-Quah.
For consideration ... Alexi Moonspotter - Male, Half-Elven Inquisitor undead hunter.
More detailed info in the Profile, but it is a work in progress, lots of crunch refining to do, but you can see where I am going with him.
Alexi grew up in Korvosa, the son of doting parents, whose love for each other transcended their racial divide. His parents were bookseller merchants, always fascinated by tales of adventure or the knowledge to be gained hidden in vast tomes. They regularly ran caravan trains throughout Varisia in search of suppliers for rare and unique books. One night on a trip between Korvosa and Harse as the family slep they were awoken by a group of savage beast, not men, not quite alive but hungry for the flesh of the living. Alexi was able to make a run from the caravan to a nearby ditch, his father drawing their attention to enable him to flee. He saw the entire horrif attack, unable to turn away.
For a while he was lost and a very angry young man, full of vengence. Perhaps by coincidence or divine intervention, he found solace at one of the churches of Sarenrae. There he built on his knowledge, honed his skills and became a disciple in the service of his Deity. He would seek out and cure the world of undead evils in the name of his faith and his beloved parents.
He has learend to temper his rage and to take selective action - he doesn't run down every undead creature he sees, he's more calculating - realizing that many of the lesser beasts are a means to an end. He'd prefer to make deep cuts rather than just scratch the surface of his nemesis. He's studied hard and ready to put his book knowledge in to practice.
He finds himself in Kaer Maga on a mission, just one lacking direction at this point. But not one lacking in zeal.
I'd like to ad Hallingtom Gemlofter for your consideration. I created him for another PBP for the same game, so I can make changes to the configuration if necessary.
I've been thinking about playing in one of these for awhile now. The timing is good, and this one sounds like fun, so here's my character idea:
Name: Quicksilver
Sex/Race: Female Halfling
Class/Role: Oracle, Primary healer, secondary support caster
Even at a young age, while she was being raised by a group of traveling Varisian performers, it was clear there was something special about Quicksliver. Born blind, with striking silver colored eyes, she nevertheless possessed an uncanny ability to perceive her immediate surroundings without sight. Trained as an acrobat and performer by the Varisians, she spoke little, but laughed often, and quickly became one of their most popular attractions. As she grew, her strangeness only increased, she developed a talent for fire-eating and fortune-telling, and began to deliver cryptic prophecies that came true with disturbing regularity. On her 18th birthday, she received a startling vision of a great treasure surrounded by darkness and lies. Taking it as a sign, she convinced her Varisian companions to travel with her to Kaer Maga, where she believed her vision would come true. But during their first night in the city, the group was attacked by bandits, and all her companions were slain. Quicksliver survived by hiding in a ruined building, but now she must face the treacherous city alone with only her enigmatic vision as a guide.
Doomed Hero here with Broken the Troll
Broken is the smallest, weakest, most deformed and vile looking excuse for a troll that ever lived. He was killed when he was a baby, but it didn't take. He woke up in the pile of entrails after the priests finished the sacrifices and rights. He mother had come to pray for his soul. She was particularly kind for a troll. When her baby came crawling awkwardly to the top of the pile, she was horrified. Even the gods rejected her son. She did the sensible thing and tried to eat him, but he made her sick before she could finish. To hide her eternal shame she threw him off the side of the mountain.
He landed far below on the house of a rather old and rather blind monk-priest of Irori. Life got better after that. By the time the old priest died some years later Broken understood that what you were born as was not what you were destined to be. With nothing but a book, a medallion and a stubbornness worth ten trolls, he ventured out into the world in search of ways to test and better himself.
(Insert some plot-hook to connect him to the story here. Broken is ambitious, curious, stubborn and idealistic so not much prodding will be necessary)
Trolls are normally a CR 5. I'm willing to take whatever penalties and hindrances you can dream up to bring him down to a more reasonable level. I figured the Young template was a good place to start.
I picture Broken as a Cleric or Oracle of Irori who will use magic and martial training to slowly recover from his deformities, breaking and re-breaking his own bones to straighten them, carving away gnarled flesh until it heals in proper form, eventually become a perfect example of the troll species.
In terms of personality, Broken is young, determined and very aware that what you see is not always what you get. He is profoundly un-prejudiced and tries to see the potential for growth and learning in everything. That said, when he gets frustrated or comes to the conclusion that a situation is hopeless or immutable he reverts to the predatory instincts he tries his best to suppress.
Broken is much smarter than most Trolls and has a hunger for knowledge that matches most troll's hunger for food. In terms of party role, Broken will be a healer, a secondary frontliner and a knowledge-monkey.
Name: Jargrimr Fordaemdur (Jargrimr the Damned)
Sex/Race: Male Human(Ulfen)
Class: Pit-Touched Sorcerer
Brief Background: Jargrimr is a massive man, whose long blond hair and facial hair clearly mark him as an Ulfen. He was born to a minor chief in the Land of the Linnorm Kings. When his sorcerous abilities first manifested, there was rejoicing—until the source was made clear, shortly after Jargrimr’s fifteenth birthday. Fleeing for his life, Jargrimr made his way south, seeking a place in the world.
As Jargrimr has aged, his abilities have grown—as has the devilish taint in his blood. Now in his early twenties, Jargrimr’s thinking is now being affected by his bloodline, despite his efforts to prevent this. Left to his own devices, Jargrimr would be happy to work as a minor mercenary, as many Ulfen who travel south do. His blood cries for him to do more, however. Kaer Maga is a city that could clearly use strong rule… and who better to bring it than Jargrimr?
Notes: I can go several ways with Jargrimr, depending on party composition (among other things). Buildwise, I think that Enchangment or Evocation could be fun, while also fitting his backstory. As far as the struggle with infernal influences, that could work out one of several ways, and I'd be happy to keep him Paladin-compatible, if a is in the group.
. For interest.
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Name: Sarek
Gender/Race: Male Dwarf
Class: Ranger (urban?) or rogue (scout?)
Appearance: Sarek is broad-shouldered, although somewhat lean for a dwarf, with a slightly pudgy face hidden under a thatch of straw-coloured hair and a bristling beard of the same. His skin is not pale, but less ruddy than most of his kin. He wears practical clthes, augmented by a flash of colour.
Background: Sarek was born in and raised in the deep places of Golarion and he treasures the deep silence of the stone ways under the earth. When he was young his parents moved from the Five Kings Mountains to work on construction projects in Widdershins. Work was good and paid well while the project lasted and his family put down roots here, becoming part of the city. Sarek learnt to embrace the excited energy and unending strangeness of Kaer Maga. When prestigious work dried up (his father won't say why, but Sarek suspects that his father made enemies, or at least the wrong friends) the family had to move to cheaper quarters and Sarek went to work, guiding strangers around the tunnels and pathways of Kaer Maga.
Present: Now Sarek lives in The Bottoms, amongst craftsmen, traders and a few fellow guides. He lives a few streets from his parents and often visits to help with chores, run errands for his father's business or just entertain his younger siblings and eat some home cooking. In the evenings he likes to eat out when he can afford it, savouring strong cheese, mushrooms, dark ale and sourdough breads. Sarek likes to experience the music of many different species who visit Kaer Maga or make it their home. He especially enjoys haunting centaur dirges and liely Varisian fiddle-songs. As often as he can though, Sarek slips away from the bustle of Kaer Maga's streets and finds a dark place under the Storval Plateau where he can sit quietly in the the deep-quiet and strong, vast darkness beneath the ground.
Future: Sarek hopes to join the duskwardens one day, although he knows he may instead have to take work as a mason, as his father grows older and work grows thinner. He will seize almost any chance to join the wardens or claim lost treasures underground: a great way to make a living and, perhaps, secure a future for himself.
Nathaniel HATED this place and all the people in it. Kaer Maga was a cesspit of mixed breeds and rejects, a place undead could walk out in the open and too many rules when people should simply be living by thier swords. It's one redeeming feature was the drink was.plentyful and it was easy to get lost. After his failure to become a BURN RIDER, this missionaries son wanted nothing more than for the world to swallow him whole. Spirited away upon his father's spell to this place to start a new life, he only existed to find death.
In and out of the streets and byways and bars he weaved. Having no formal education but a good judge of character, it was not hard for one of his size to find work either by arm or by. fist.
"Gorum keep me, I grow weak in this place, give me a challenge that I might restore my honour or find a good death."
He entered the ally to find his intended victim- a large Half-Orc with a Greataxe who'd been threatening the old Ulfen lady, Tresha, who'd allowed the warrior to sleep on her floor. No longer. The woman deserved some peace and that Half-Orc was carrying coin that did not belong to him...
LN Human Monk of Irori, Sensei-Four Winds Archetype
As the junior at the monestary, he drew the short stick. And is sent to gather information... chronicle. Should be a cake-walk, or so he was told.
:)
Oooh! If Thom and Broken both get picked we could link up our back-stories.
Name: Gaius Vekkhar
Race: Hobgoblin
Class: Fighter
Gaius has served in various hobgoblin warbands and mercenary outfits throughout northern Avistan. Sick of taking orders from what he felt were incompetent commanders, he headed to Kaer Maga with hopes of making it big and starting his own free company. He fights with a tower shield and gladius, and wears a breastplate with an armored skirt. For ranged weapon he uses a heavy crossbow.
His nature is very lawful, yet amoral. He simply appreciates organization and discipline. Whatever it takes to achieve that is irrelevant. He has been attempting to sell his services in the city, but only as a contractor. He has no desire to swear allegiance to anyone.
Oooh! If Thom and Broken both get picked we could link up our back-stories.
Always glad to collaborate.
Not long now
I have yet to come up with a name, but I'd like to present a human wizard specializing in the Thassilonian school of Sloth.
Name: Oleg Volchenko
Gender: Male
Race: Human (Varisian)
Class: Cleric (Separatist) of Abadar
Oleg was born and raised in Kaer Maga.
He joined the Church of Abadar because they seem to have their hand in everything.
The Abadar Church in Kaer Maga is considered to be a bit too "radical" with its endorsement of necromancy for the good of the city.
Oleg considers himself an extension of his god and thus he acts to uphold the city and civilization in spite of the many chaotic elements bonded together that make up Kaer Maga.
Commerce is paramount as is wealth and power.
Oleg strives for these goals.
OK folks, the deadline is past, and I've had to pick just 5 of you...it was tough, and I'd like to thank all of you for showing interest and posting up your character ideas. There were a lot of really great ideas, and the ultimate decision did come down to a little bit of arbitrary selection on my part.
If you didn't get picked this time around, don't worry! I'm planning on running may more play by post games here in the future, and I'm working up to running an entire adventure path via play by post! Anybody who posts in one of my recruitment threads is on the short list for the next game.
So without further ado, here is the party:
'Gaius Vekkhar' male hobgoblin fighter
'Hallingtom Gemlofter' - male gnome sorcerer (wildblooded)
'Alexi Moonspotter' - male half-elf inquisitor/undead hunter
'Azrim Deepwalker' male dwarf cleric of Torag
'Nichelle' female human/catfolk? knife master rogue
Which gives us a pretty good party balance, some monstrous PCs, some tried and true, and some unpredictability, I think. Should make for some interesting interactions, to say the least.
Discussion thread is up, and if you have any questions concerning character creation, I'll be posting some guidelines there shortly. I'd like to have everyone's characters squared away by the end of this weekend, so we can start in Monday evening about 8 PM EST.
Great - thanks very much - this looks to be a really great adventure! Can't wait. I'll have a draft up today for review/comment.