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Closed Group - My apologies to other players who may stumble upon this thread. Happy gaming on the boards to you.
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For your own, respective reasons, you found yourself in Cassomir. An urgent call for adventurers and mercenaries was issued – Caravan Guards were needed for a well-to-do merchant headed into the Verduran Forest. The merchant was a portly, middle-aged, human male named Silas Gribb. He offered each guard 100 gold pieces to be paid once the caravan was safely delivered to Wispil. For your respective reasons (coin, experience, reputation, boredom, etc), you decided to become one of the caravan’s escorts. You were not given much information regarding the cargo you were protecting – merely that it was “delicate cargo” and Silas Gribb would not see it stolen on the road to its final destination.
The journey from Cassomir to the dangerous Verduran Forest was uneventful and the weather held up – fine days and semi-cool nights.
Late afternoon, in the very early days of mid spring (30th day of Pharast), your caravan arrives at the southern gates of the town of Belhaim. Upon arrival, the town’s Sheriff, Sir Pelle Benhovy, and a handful of his most skilled deputies, seize the caravan and arrest Silas Gribb on a warrant for smuggling. You manage to convince the local authorities that you were ignorant of Silas Gribb’s criminal activities and you are not arrested. Within an hour, the sheriff and his best deputies ride out of Belhaim to escort Gribb back south to Cassomir, leaving your group stranded and unpaid in town. The friendly Proprietess of The Wise Piper, a human woman named Talia Orem, takes pity on you and offers you all free room and board at her inn for a few days until you figure out what you will do next.
Courageous and displaced adventurers, welcome to Belhaim. Founded by a famous dragonslayer, Belhaim is a small, rural town located on a tributary of the Verduran Fork in the Verduran Forest of north-central Taldor, on a minor trade road between Wispil (a gnomish city) and Dunholme (a ruined settlement). The tributary runs along the side of the town, connected to the main road by a covered wooden bridge. This is a settlement where everyone knows everyone and strangers are the talk of the town.
This is my first foray as a GM on the Paizo boards - exciting and humbling at the same time.
Character Level: 1st
Allowable Races: Core + Changeling, Aasimar and Skinwalker.
Classes: Core, Base and Hybrid Classes only. No Third party, please.
Abilities: 20 pt buy (no ability lower than 8).
Alignment: Any non-evil.
Wealth: Roll per class, but if lower than average gold, then take average.
Character Traits: 2 traits of player’s choosing. May take a Drawback for a third trait, however this is not mandatory. Those who choose a drawback will be asked to play it out accordingly/appropriately in game.
Drawbacks permitted: Attached, Avarice, Forgetful, Headstrong, Hedonistic, Loner, Paranoid, Pride, Sentimental, Sheltered, Superstitious, Unlearned, Vain, Xenophobic, Zealous and
Amended Naïve: You take a -2 penalty on Sense Motive and Bluff and a -2 penalty to CMD against Dirty Trick Combat Manoeuvres.
Descriptions of Respective Drawbacks found here
Background Skills: Yes, we will be using them. A bonus of 2 background skills per level.
Info on Background Skills and Adventuring Skills
Deities: Those found in Golarion and applicable to your selected alignment.
* Characters/PCs are NOT native to Belhaim.
* No Crafting in game as there is little downtime in which to do so in the adventure.
* There are 4 pre-selected PCs and possibly a DMNPC, if there is an unfilled/necessary role in the game and the PCs are happy to have one.
* I’m into roleplay and not necessarily roll play. There will be times where checks are necessary and I will advise you where they are required in the adventure. I will go ahead with group initiative vs monsters initiative to simplify the process and not hold up action/posting. I want people to enjoy themselves in this adventure.
* Posting Rate: Not set in concrete, but we’ll go with 1-2 times per week day and NO posting on weekends (family and individual time is important).
* I do require a decent backstory (it doesn't have to be a novel *winks*), personality and description of your character.
* No Player versus Player, please. You will need to work together to the best of your ability.
* Drama will not be tolerated. I’m pretty forthright in my communications. If there is any issue, it will be handled off the board, via private messages, whether between me and a player or between the players themselves. Detailed/lengthy OOC (more than three sentences) should be placed on the discussion thread so as to not clutter the main game thread, please.
* If a player will be away from the boards for any extended period (2 or more days), please advise us on the discussion board, so I can take that into consideration. I will extend you all the same courtesy. It can derail a game if people (including the GM) “disappear” without reason and I’d like to see this adventure through with you all.
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As this group has already been selected, you will have three weeks to create a character and nut out all the final details before we formally start the game. This will also give me time to get my stuff together and also look over your respective characters and make any changes.
You can use the recruitment thread to toss up ideas and talk amongst yourselves during these three weeks. I will attempt to give you as much information as I can in the meanwhile without giving away too much of the game/plot/story. Please don’t read spoilers online as I think that ruins the fun and mystery. It is, afterall, about FUN. ;)
Thank you, all! :)
Dot!
Thank you for the invite GM Ariarh! I am thrilled to be involved!
Dotticus Maximus
What are you guys thinking as far as class and role for your characters? I am extremely flexible.
What are you guys thinking as far as class and role for your characters? I am extremely flexible.
Not entirely sure, myself. Right now I'm still considering the world "Type". So, for example, while the Monk class can do some amazing Kung Fu style martial arts and is generally a pretty cool class, it never really struck me as feeling "right" for something like a "Lord of the Rings" style world, if that makes sense?
For now, I'm thinking something like a Ranger/Hunter type - a person who lives off the land, is good at tracking and that sort of thing (possibly)?
On the other hand, I may try something a little different and play a "Multi-Class" character, but I'll try to keep the same skill set as a Ranger-esque character in play.
How about you?
Also, nice meeting everyone :)
Late last night, I extended an invitation to a fifth player. As yet, I have not received reply, so I do no know if this player will join us. I will let you know as soon as I know. :) As I've already mentioned, if there is no fifth PC, then perhaps a DMNPC can be created or we can carry on with the four PCs. I'm good either way.
I have received PMs re some character ideas and I believe the remaining players will shortly join us here on the board to discuss their ideas with everyone.
I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with. Thank you for joining me in this "trial by fire". ;)
@Eminem: Thank you for coming along on my first, solo attempt as GM. I know I still have much to learn, but I'm willing to put in the work. :)
@Dain: You, multi-class? How absurd. ;p LOL
Nice to meet you too Dain. I am not really sure yet on class. I was kind of waiting to see if the other players had something they were really wanting to play first.
@GM Ariarh: Nice job on the links!
Nice to meet you all! And eyyyyy, Dain. c:
I'm considering a Life Oracle, a Summoner, or a Cleric. I figured I'd sort out which as we got further sorted. c: I haven't played any of the classes before, so I figured I should try branching out and seeing what it might be like. Still undecided on the race, too. >.<
@Eminem: Thank you, kindly. I'll be tossing up relevant links every now and again to help you guys.
@hiyami: Good to see you, here!
@All: I realise that some players like to have pre-existing links or connections to other PCs in game. I'm generally for this in rp, but for this adventure, and the small size of the group, I'm going to say "no" to pre-existing relationships. So that means you were all strangers when you signed up as Silas Gribb's caravan guards/escorts. Just putting it out there now so people don't plan their backstories and characters around prior PC relationships. My apologies if this interferes with some people's character development, and, thanks for your understanding. :)
Re: Timing of posts
As you are all well aware, I'm on the opposite side of the world from the rest of you. I will try and post as timely as possible to keep the flow and game moving, but some days, the GM posts will have to wait until my after work hours/evening. Life for me is full and busy right now (as I am well aware it is for you all). So, let's enjoy a nice, stress-free pace to the game. :)
Re: Setting of adventure
As you have read from the recruitment blurb, and can see from the pic of the town (link I posted yesterday), Belhaim is a small rural town, surrounded by forest and close to a river. The population is predominantly Human, with a very small cross section of Elf, Half-Elf. Half-Orc, Halfling and Gnome.
Belhaim presents a sleepy, rustic facade to the wandering visitor. The town is in large part self-sufficient. Its main commodities are pottery and fish, but the town doesn’t receive enough trade to garner much renown from these industries. Most of the town’s inhabitants work for family businesses or provide services.
The three main faiths represented in Belhaim are those of Abadar, Green Faith and Shelyn. Since the PCs are not native to Belhaim, they can choose whatever deity is applicable to their homeland or religious/spiritual leanings.
Bwahaaaa, with some discussion on the side, I've decided! I'm gonna go with an Aasimar Life Oracle! Because Aasimars are pretty and I'm shallow and I haven't played an oracle before. :D
Bwahaaaa, with some discussion on the side, I've decided! I'm gonna go with an Aasimar Life Oracle! Because Aasimars are pretty and I'm shallow and I haven't played an oracle before. :D
Great choice! I need to play an ugly character though since I am deep. :P
In all seriousness, Oracles are a blast and can be very powerful!
@GM Ariarh: Do we know yet if we have four or five?
So it looks like we may have an oracle and a ranger/hunter so far. Immortal, what are you thinking?
Oh, yay. :D 140 starting gp!
@Eminem: I think I might be the 5th?
@Eminem: hiyami is our fifth. Our fourth player is new to Paizo and has not yet set up an alias etc. Once they do, they will dot the thread. :)
As for Dain, he is still thinking and I believe is considering gunslinger for his first level. He'll let us know soon as he's sick at the moment.
So, it does seem like we will start with 5 players.
I just realised I forgot to include HP in the creation rules. Sorry about that.
Maximum hit dice plus CON modifier for first level, average-rounded-up plus CON modifier thereafter.
@hiyami: Are you considering any Variant Aasimar Heritages? (Following up from the conversation we had earlier today. Thanks!)
@ALL: Can you guys please list separately your background skills from your adventuring skills on your character sheets? It'll make it easier (at first glance) to see what your background skills are. Thanks. :) BTW, the gameplay and discussion pages are open for dotting. Can you please delete your dot from the game play after you've posted it...It helps to keep it clean.
As for Dain, he is still thinking and I believe is considering gunslinger for his first level. He'll let us know soon as he's sick at the moment.
@Dain: Sweet! I haven't seen a gunslinger in play. I am looking forward to it! Get well soon brother!!
@GMAriarh: Dotted and removed!
@Ariarh: Nope, I'm going to go with the basic bits. c: I also dotted and removed. I think I've more or less finished with my character, though I might tweak some of the items so she's got actual armor. <_<
I'm tossing around either a human bard or a skinwalker unchained rogue at this point.
@Ariarh: Are you OK with VMC?
@hiyami: Alright. Got your crunch and will look it over soon. I'm eager to see what your character's backstory is. :) (Can you provide me a blurb on her personality and description as well, please.)
@Eminem: A skinwalker unchained rogue sounds interesting. :) For my first time as GM, and to keep it as simple as I can until my feet are well and truly wetted, I'm going to have to say no to Variant Multiclassing. Sorry about that.
@Ariarh: I just updated for personality and a physical description. ^^ I look forward to hearing what you think :D
Also the backstory may or may not have gotten a bit out of control while I was working on it. I forgot about how I'm actually a super irresponsible student and I had deadlines, so I instead spent a bunch of time working on my character instead of being academically productive. /facepalm
@Ariarh: No problem. I probably wasn't going to use it anyway. I was just looking at it.
@hiyami: I'll check those out, too. And thanks for being an irresponsible student for a moment. Now back to studying! ;)
@Eminem: Thank you for your understanding. :)
My wife is playing for the first time ever and is finishing up a class then we are going to get to work on her character and I will fill in the gap wherever it is needed. It looks like weve got ranged, skilled, divine, and a combo covered. So it seems like beatstick and arcane which works for us.
Dain has mentioned he may go another route class wise. So, I'm not sure if he's sticking with gunslinger. I hope he can check the board soon and clarify.
Apologies all for not posting sooner.
For now I'm going to be playing a Ranger-esque character, but level 1 he'll be a Gunslinger so he'll concentrate more on Range than melee.
The other option is to go a Ranger-esque but with a bigger focus on Melee.
That being the case, I can go either way; melee or range.
If people prefer a melee fighter instead, I have a somewhat alternative build which doesn't involve the gunslinger type.
Let me know what you guys think - Range or Melee - and I'll have the character up soon :)
@hiyami: Enjoyed reading your backstory very much, as well as your blurbs on looks and personality (nicely done). I have sent you feedback/adjustments via PM on Facebook - just minor tweaks and things you may want to consider. I'll look over your sheet again once you finalise armour, languages, alignment and other details. :) Thank you!
Addendum: Looking at your CHA and your Diplomacy, are you thinking of making your character the "face" of the party as well as the healer?
@Dain: No worries. Gunslinger is noted unless I read of any change. Thanks for posting. Hope the other guys pipe in regarding your question. If Immortal is thinking of making a beatstick - he may go melee, but I will leave it to him to say one way or the other. ;)
@Ariarh: I haven't decided what I'm going to do for armor yet, or even if she'll use it... Because for the most part, she thinks of herself as a civilian. It's why her only weapons are those two daggers. If, as the rest of the party starts shaping up, it looks scary, I'll probably swap out one of the kits in favor of something sturdier though c:
I totally said it before, but I'll say it again - I'm super pleased you like what I wrote up. <3 I love your writing so that's a big compliment~
Also, I hadn't really been thinking about it, but if no one else wants to do it, I don't mind filling in that role? I think we both remember how well that went last time. <_< *casually falls for every single lie and cheat possible*
@Everyone: I finished up my sheet (barring a few possible tweaks a la armor, etc. Please take a look: paizo.com/people/Rhialtyra
Edit: I removed the pretty url-link bit because it was going back to the main page of the campaign instead of the character ;A;
So I am thinking Half Elven Unchained Rogue with an Elven curve blade. He will be a striker and cover scouting, traps, and other roguish skills. I may take unchained barbarian at 5th level. Sound ok?
@Eminem: Yaaaaay~ Thank you! \o/ I don't know why it was redirecting, but it was makin' me sad ;A;
@Eminem: It sounds good to me, but I'm just the GM. I'll let the other guys let you know what they think. ;)
@hiyami: Thanks for the compliment, sweets. :)
BTW guys, if you want to try out a class you've never played before, please go right ahead. I think this game is perfect for first time moments. :)
Still looking at options so we will cover arcane and melee tankingness or something similar.
Still looking at options so we will cover arcane and melee tankingness or something similar.
I spoke to the GM earlier and I think I'm going to modify my initial concept to be a melee fighter.
It's something a little different than what I had in mind, but some of the players have encouraged me to try to branch out.
He will still be more "outdoorsy" but not the ranged/finesse-melee-fighter/skill-monkey/healer-caster type I typically play.
Anyhow, here's to something different.
I am at work now, unfortunately, but I hope to have something up later tonight when I get home.
See you all then!
Sweet Dain. I may look at ranged Alchemist too then, especially if Immortal does a beatstick. I'll plan to keep the trap/skills stuff too unless someone else wants them.
ok hold on so what is everyone playing?
ok hold on so what is everyone playing?
Connor can be called (by some): a thief, a reaver, a gladiator, a corsair, a slayer, a mercenary and (most recently) caravan guard.
He hails from the River Kingdom and in his wake is blood.
Hail, and well met, friend!
x 10 = 130 GP
@Dain: Re Connor, I calculated your reflex save as +1. Not sure where you got the +3.
And you have 6 skills listed, with your bonus skill rank for being human. I have also given everyone a bonus 2 skills per level for background skills. Please choose two more. Thanks. :)
Will await your backstory and blurbs on description and personality (thanks for the image, however).
Immortal, so far we have these definite character concepts:
hiyami : Rhialtyra Sunaki, Female, Aasimar Oracle (Life)
Dain: Connor son of Ceorl, Male, Human Barbarian (Savage Barbarian).
Will await your backstory and blurbs on description and personality (thanks for the image, however).
Gear should be added now; as well as new skills (bonuses amended by Traits) and Saves adjusted.
Sorry for delay; it is taking me a little while to get everything together, but sadly I have to be up for work in about 5 hours, unfortunately, so I won't be on much longer tonight.
I will have more soon, though :)
@Dain/Connor son of Ceorl: No delay, really. There is still time for you to work on finalising your character. I look forward to getting a feel for your guy via the narrative you provide. :) It seems you have one language to add ... with your rank in linguistics.
Rest well.
ok hold on so what is everyone playing?
@Immortal: Looks like a divine caster and a beatstick for sure. I am completely open. Feel free do whatever you guys want to do. It looks like we need an arcane caster and a skills character. I am eyeballing a melee rogue and a ranged alchemist, but I do not have my heart set on anything. Bard is a perfect 5th if one of you guys is looking at one and can fill the skills/trap role too (depending on how you want to build it). I am out of town until tomorrow, so I will get serious on a build then. I am a weirdo about party balance and everyone having their own role so no one feels like their character isn't special. Most importantly, you two play what you are "feeling". ;)
Awesome picture for your guy Dain! I can wait to see his background and personality!
Awesome picture for your guy Dain! I can wait to see his background and personality!
Thanks, Eminem80, I appreciate that!
Meantime, I need to get to work on the backstory. Depending on how it flows I may make a few tweaks to the stats as it's been suggested to me that man of the Æsir could stand to be a little more charming, but we shall see :)
Wifey now has a character. She hasn't made an avatar yet but she is playing an Agathion blooded Aasimar Sorcerer with the Arial Bloodline. So we have the Arcane covered. Not sure if I want to go ranged or skilled but i'm leaning towards skilled so a ninja or unchained rogue or bard or something like that.
Wifey now has a character. She hasn't made an avatar yet but she is playing an Agathion blooded Aasimar Sorcerer with the Arial Bloodline. So we have the Arcane covered. Not sure if I want to go ranged or skilled but i'm leaning towards skilled so a ninja or unchained rogue or bard or something like that.
Perfect. I'll be home from my trip tomorrow and I'll figure out what would round us out.
Unfortunately, it's a no to Ninja but I'm happy with either an Unchained Rogue or Bard. :)
Now that we have two Aasimar females in game, I'm going to say no more Aasimars in the group, please. Otherwise it'll end up being an Aasimar convention in Belhaim. It's a small, insular-esque town and to see more than one-two at a time ... Probably would throw them in a tizzy ;)
So, in the party we currently have,
* Rhialtyra Sunaki, Female, Aasimar Oracle (Life Mystery with Merciful Curse),
* Connor son of Ceorl, Male, Human Barbarian (Savage Barbarian),
* Yet Unamed, Female, Aasimar (Agathion-Blooded/Idyllkin) Sorceress (Wildblooded with Arial bloodline).