GM Lil"Eschie Second Darkness- or L.S.D (Inactive)

Game Master Escharid Blackrose

Hello fellow gamers! This is my first time GMimg on the Paizo forums, but I have plenty of experience roleplaying and storytelling. For a while now I've wanted to GM a PF-AP, and one I have been meaning to try is Second Darkness. With a dedicated group, I hope to tell a story that won't end in fire.

Character Creation
-1st level w/ max starting gold for your class
-All official Paizo classes are allowed...
--...but not third party or psionic classes
-For races all core races are allowed, along with tieflings, without question. Drow/thinbloods/anything from the Darklands are forbidden. Any other race is an option if you can make it work.
-Two traits off the bat, with a third allowed should you also take a drawback
-Only CE is not allowed when deciding alignments, but if you play a NE char, play him/her smart. I love a "good" LE character, so they're always an option in my stories.
-Any Paizo material is allowed for equipment/traits/feats/etc
-A good character is made from a good backstory. A few paragraphs should cover the basics of your character, but the more the better!
-An idea of where you plan to take your character would be helpful too, especially for alchemists/wizards/prestige classes.
-The Second Darkness Player's Guide is free on Paizo.com, so I'd recommend downloading that when building characters.

How I usually GM
-I don't like maps, but if necessary I can paint one up for reference's sake.
-I'm pretty lax about carrying capacity, so unless you're carrying a handy-haversack of bricks I won't worry about it too much.
-I love good RP, so if your character has key persons in their backstory/wants to wander the area for conversations/etc, I will try and make it work towards telling a great story.
-I'm not going to be pushy about posting everyday. I have a job in RL and I understand if RL might get in the way. A post once a day is all I can ask.
-I don't like huge parties, so five and maybe six PCs is my cap.

I am hoping for at least some interest. Deadline for char concepts is Dec 13, finished products Dec 20.

How do I say that I want to join? Because I do.

Looks interesting to me!

Thoughts, thoughts, fun fun thought.

Any chance of allowing an LE Antipaladin? If so, I was thinking of the spelless archetype from champions of corruption.

I am going to submit here my Dwarven fighter, he is currently waiting on acceptance here on a carrion crown campaign too but dead line for that is today later this evening so ill post back later to weather im in that or not, i will have to change one trait and some of the starting gear if i prep for this one but that will take all of 30 seconds to fix

I'd like to join in as a shield slinging archetype for the Brawler class? Get my Captain America action on. She'd be a pit fighter, professionally.

How are we generating characters? Rolling? Point-buy?

Barebones of a background idea I had. I need to expand it some:

Svetlana of the Stoneshaper clan made a mistake. She fell for the sweet, honeyed words of a boy from a rival clan. When he found out she was pregnant, he couldn't drop her quick enough. The same is true of her family. For the shame of bearing the child of a rival clan, Svetlana was cast out onto the streets. She found refuge in one of the poorer sections of Highhelm and made her living much as one might expect. She named her daughter Aetherna, after the dwarvish word for "fool's gold" as a reminder that the beauty of love could be a deadly trap.

Live wasn't easy for Aetherna. The streets were tough and every moment was a struggle for survival. She received her first beat down at age five, when she tried to take an apple from a vendor. That day, Aetherna learned an important lesson: you run, you fight, or you die. And she sure as hell wasn't going to run or die.

By the time most young women were noticing boys, Aetherna was noticing them, too. They were the ones sulking about how they got their asses kicked by a girl. A pit fighter named Harsk who was "visiting" Aetherna's mother noticed her potential at that age and agreed to train her. Aetherna spent the next phase of her life learning how to use her fists and her feet, her elbows and her knees and her whole body as a weapon. She's heard there are those who follow the path of the unarmed fighter as a spiritual one. Her? She just wants to survive, beat the next guy down and win the fight.

Just after she reached adulthood, Aetherna lost her mother to a wasting disease. There was nothing to tie her to either the dwarven city or the whole damn dwarven race so, when Harsk offered to take her away from the city and to distant lands where she could learn new fighting techniques and earn more gold, she accepted, eagerly.

Her last fight was interesting. Just her and a big, nasty half-orc. He had a spiked mace and a buckler. She had just her fists. He got her to the ground, bleeding and broken. He raised his mace down to deliver the killing blow. Something inside of her snapped. She reached up, grabbed his buckler, wrenched it from his hands and used it to deflect the blow.

Then she beat him to death with the damn thing. After the fight, she kept it.

I submit Danior Silvanus, a Neutral Varisian Ninja.
He has been living in Riddleport with his girlfriend, Patrina, but recently left her after she discovered his worship of Norgorber. He still has sporadic contact with his old boss, Andrezi, and looks to eliminate Andrezi's enemies to fulfill the Innocent Blood story feat. More background, family info, and traits below the spoiler.

How do we generate stats?

Once I know this, I can start deciding which concepts to go with. I have a few ideas ready.

I have never played this AP, but I have wanted to. Was thinking of a elven or 1/2 elven ranger. Might go the arcane archer route, but not sure yet...or a magi for that classic fighter/magic-user feel...will try some different builds out. How are we doing attributes? points or roll?

I'm thinking about a gnome inquisitor of Nivi Rhombodazzle , I'll probably get every luck related ability I can get my hands on.

He'll be more of a skill monkey/support spellcaster than a combat type.

Dot.

Definitely interested. I'm thinking a Tiefling Slayer. More to follow as I look at the player's guide.

Sorry bout the confusion, use a 20 point buy system for stats!

Any chance of allowing an LE Antipaladin?

Any chance of allowing an LE Antipaladin? If so, I was thinking of the spelless archetype from champions of corruption.

Sounds good to me, run with it!

Here is the crunch for my submission...will get fluff up soon. Just a note, even though he is using the bladebound archetype, he actually uses a composite longbow as his bound weapon.

ok, i got passed on that other campain i was looking at so here is Gramlag's official petition to participate in your campaigne, all character details are in the profile :) if you need anything more fleshed out feel free to ask

i plan to stick to strait fighter for class levels mostly, i feel it fits the best for my character and what i want to do with him and how i want to portray him

edit: updated, my backstory is updated hope its got enough in there for you, ive always prefered a lighter backstory, the personality of the charicter i feel is more important than the where he came from part in my opinion

ok, i got passed on that other campain i was looking at so here is Gramlag's official petition to participate in your campaigne, all character details are in the profile :) if you need anything more fleshed out feel free to ask

Would you mind altering his backstory to fit Second Dark for me? It'll help in the picking of chars :)

edit: That works just fine, thanks. I guess my leaning towards backstory is that I create indepth characters but never get to play them. IDK

GM: Just checking before I go through chargen. Is Aetherna's backstory good? I want to make sure before I begin so I don't have to alter traits and such later.

Alrighty then.

I think I'll stat up an elven brawler for this. Because why not?

EDIT: I keep waffling on whether or not to go for an elf brawler or halfling ranger... right now I'm kinda leaning toward the ranger...

GM: Just checking before I go through chargen. Is Aetherna's backstory good? I want to make sure before I begin so I don't have to alter traits and such later.

It fits the mood of the first book of the AP better than you may think. Use the player's guide to hone any fine details, but all in all it works fine.

Any comments for me?

Any comments for me?

Dark, gritty, simple ... I like.

I plan on using poison often, poison use is a class feature after all. Any issues with that?

I've almost finished the crunch, here it is: Ripley Brumblestark.

@GM Samael Arneste - Would you allow me to pick the numerological gift trait? It is actually a dhampir racial trait, but the idea of a "lucky number" fits Ripley's concept like a glove. If the answer is yes, here it goes: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) = 4

I'm working on the backstory now.

I am thinking something..... hmmm. several ideas....
wizard
rogue
alchemist...

all good choices :/

Ooooh, Second Darkness! I was almost going to run this for my players one time, but I decided to go for Carrion Crown instead. It looked interesting from the free read-up, so I might as well play it myself! So, while the actual nitty-gritty character building-blocks are going to have to wait a bit, here's my character idea for an Elven Inquisitor of Zon-Kuthon.

Lilica Fancygirl, a surprisingly beautiful elf even at a young age, did not have what could be considered the best of childhoods. Granted, this is hardly anything special in a city like Riddleport, but it's especially true in her case. The elf has no memories of her parents. In fact, the earliest memories she has are scrounging for survival on the streets with a tiefling girl in much the same situation that she was. Her name was Lil. The two were inseparable during their youth, often working together to earn just a few copper pieces to grab a bite to eat. Eventually, she was scooped up into prostitution with Lil.

Like her friend, Lilica had no real objections to the business itself, merely the constraints pressed upon her. However, where the tiefling's desires remained small, Lilica's dreams aimed higher. She wanted nothing more than to see to her pimp's painful demise, then to establish herself as a crimelord within the city. After all, the frequent visits that both she and Lil had gotten from such individuals showed that they could make good money, and the power they could have over the affairs of the city.... Well, what better way to ensure your freedom could there be? When Lil developed her magic, it was Lilica who urged her to try for freedom. While Lil evaded capture, it was Lilica who helped cover her tracks. And then, when the time came, it was Lilica who pushed him in with the bunyip. Years later, and she still finds joy in the memories of his screams as he was ripped to pieces. Now, with their freedom secured, the two friends moved along their separate ways.

Lavender Lil moved on to her prostitution, while Lilica became more and more obsessed with the infliction of pain on others. She kept up prostitution for purposes of income, but it slowly twisted and evolved as time went on, eventually overwhelming her former desire to become a major figure within the power system of the city. Pain and pleasure were exchanged without hesitation upon her clients, and even herself, all in an attempt to relive that glorious moment she had experienced. Perhaps being found by that group of Zon-Kuthonites was simply a natural extension of her evolving excesses: Goodness knows she had already fallen into the practices of the Lord of Pain without even learning officially of them. Perhaps it was even more natural that she joined them in worship of their god, diving head-first into the joy and clarity that only pain could bring.

However, this was still not enough for Lilica. The cult she had joined awakened her old desire to rule. This time, however, it was not for herself that she desired power. No, it was a simple realization: Everyone in Riddleport already paid homage to the Dark Prince in some fashion or another. The envy of those around them, the pain inflicted, the loss created... Yes, Riddleport already gave her god praise, whether they realized it or not. But it was not enough. No, the Whore and the Drunk both ruled the faith of this city in the open. But much like her master, faith could be warped and changed. And so, Lilica "joined" the Church of Calistra as an Abbess, one who offered "Experience without Limits" to those who employed her, who embraced acts that even others in her profession found unsavory. All this to build up a base of clients who could be led to the worship of Zon-Kuthon.

Recently, she has met with her old friend Lil again, and heard about her plight with Clegg Zincher. Seeing as Lil was the one responsible for Lilica's faith and focus, the Kuthite has seen fit to help her friend get a measure of revenge upon both Vancaskerkin and Zincher. Who knows, maybe she can use this as just the stepping stone she needs to really establish the worship that rightfully belongs to Zon-Kuthon....

Planned Traits: Prostitute, Looking for Work (Bluff), Memorable
Drawback: Cruelty

Ok, narrowed it down further, Going to go with either a blaster wizard (because I love explosiony magic lol.)

or a rogue, most likely a wizard though. true neutral, looking for items and knowledge to increase his power, and eventually become immortal. thinking elf, or human. not sure yet.

EDIT: going to go wizard, teifling most likely (normal variant), will probably go into mystic thuergre later on, like I said Idea is someone that has studied magic since his birth, and being the son of an elven woman has had a tad longer to do so then most others of his race.

in the end he will be a blaster caster, with some decent support abilities. (most of those on the divine caster side) (focus on ranged touch attacks)

now, one last question, do you allow PFS ooptions to swap out scribe scroll for spell focus?

JGray wrote:

GM: Just checking before I go through chargen. Is Aetherna's backstory good? I want to make sure before I begin so I don't have to alter traits and such later.

It fits the mood of the first book of the AP better than you may think. Use the player's guide to hone any fine details, but all in all it works fine.

Okay. I'll get you the crunchy bits tomorrow.

HI! new to playing on line? i was wondering if there was any spots left and if i could play? I have played irl and gm'd a bit as well (currently running Emerald Spiral on mondays)
I have recently come up with a 1/2 drow magus (with back story) that i want to play and all games at my local place are on hold till the new year. may i join?
If yes is there any thing i can read up on how to post stats and such?
also if the race is not oaky i can change it to a 1/2 elf magus/ rogue. (yay mulitalented ablity)

Scratch that. I can't seem to get into that character....

I plan on using poison often, poison use is a class feature after all. Any issues with that?

Nope, no issues here :)

@ Pedro Coelho: sure, if it will better build your character I do not mind altering a few rules slightly.

@mourge40k: I'm a little worried about the fact that you have GM material to Second Darkness, but I am more than willing to trust you to not meta. The concept is great, and gives her ties to a NPC right away. Good luck!

@Ivysun: Yeah, it's going to have to be a plain ol' elf. For reasons important to the campaign, drow and the like are not generally allowed as PC races. Sorry, but I hope that doesn't deter your interest.

Would like to try my luck with this character.

Would like to try my luck with this character.

Sorry for the late reply, but welcome to the roster!

Would the Calistrian Hunter archetype from Inner Sea Combat be ok?

Would the Calistrian Hunter archetype from Inner Sea Combat be ok?

Yep

Mulling over an Elven Ranger (urban or infiltrator) concept. A fellow sent from the Mierani Forest to Riddleport in order to surveil the goings on in the city. Hal'dorel has proven adaptive, observant and patient; all the qualities the Mierani elves require in a good spy.

The other name-giver races - especially humans - are a bombastic and impetuous lot. Prone to finding the treasures of the world and squandering them within the fog if their short-sighted natures.

In the months he's been in town, Hal'dorel has established himself as a minor player. Just enough demonstration of skill to place him as a fixture, but not enough to light a bonfire to attract attention. He keeps his heritage as under wraps as possible, being short for his race and going by the name Hal Greenwater, Hal'dorel can pass for half elven on occasion.

Other than watching and learning, Hal'dorel is not aware of the true intentions of his superiors back home. His cliff side village of Arsmeril stands as a watch tower of sorts, keeping careful eye on the ruins of Celwynvian. His interactions with the drow are few, perhaps his superiors sent Hal'dorel to Riddleport to harden his resolve. The months in the filthy warrens have firmed his resolve that if his brethren are not careful, they too could be infected by the other name-givers. They too could become lax in the vigil

-------

Hal'dorel is barely tolerant of humans, but his skill at bluffing and saying next to nothing has allowed him to be ensconced am no them as an observer. Playing the part of "Hal Greenwater", he's earned his way as a bodyguard and urban scout for minor players in the city. He's affable enough among the populace to continue getting work, but he knows his primary obligation is the his homeland.

Just outside the city, Hal'dorel has established a cunning location into which he drops the ocassional piece of information for back home. Each time he returns, there are cryptic miss of instruction left in return.

------

Just something I'm tossing around. What do you think?

Mulling over an Elven Ranger (urban or infiltrator) concept. A fellow sent from the Mierani Forest to Riddleport in order to surveil the goings on in the city. Hal'dorel has proven adaptive, observant and patient; all the qualities the Mierani elves require in a good spy.

The other name-giver races - especially humans - are a bombastic and impetuous lot. Prone to finding the treasures of the world and squandering them within the fog if their short-sighted natures.

In the months he's been in town, Hal'dorel has established himself as a minor player. Just enough demonstration of skill to place him as a fixture, but not enough to light a bonfire to attract attention. He keeps his heritage as under wraps as possible, being short for his race and going by the name Hal Greenwater, Hal'dorel can pass for half elven on occasion.

Other than watching and learning, Hal'dorel is not aware of the true intentions of his superiors back home. His cliff side village of Arsmeril stands as a watch tower of sorts, keeping careful eye on the ruins of Celwynvian. His interactions with the drow are few, perhaps his superiors sent Hal'dorel to Riddleport to harden his resolve. The months in the filthy warrens have firmed his resolve that if his brethren are not careful, they too could be infected by the other name-givers. They too could become lax in the vigil

-------

Hal'dorel is barely tolerant of humans, but his skill at bluffing and saying next to nothing has allowed him to be ensconced am no them as an observer. Playing the part of "Hal Greenwater", he's earned his way as a bodyguard and urban scout for minor players in the city. He's affable enough among the populace to continue getting work, but he knows his primary obligation is the his homeland.

Just outside the city, Hal'dorel has established a cunning location into which he drops the ocassional piece of information for back home. Each time he returns, there are cryptic miss of instruction left in return.

------

Just something I'm tossing around....

Sounds both really good but suspicious, like you know more about this campaign that you're supposed to. However, I trust you not to meta should you be selected?

Never read the materials themselves. I've read the preview panes from pathfinder wiki, and have more hands on the Elves of Golarion book, that's about it. That's why I want good old Hal to not have the real truth on why he must live among the humans. I'll leave that reason to you to flesh out or leverage should you choose. Plus, any experience with drow would be minimal, hence his reasoning internally as to why he's in Riddleport. Could he be not elf enough to defend the homeland? Or is he here to observe in case there are human designs on their forest home? Lots of things for Hal to ponder while he waits for instructions.

I'll flesh him out more. Thanks for the consideration!

No worries about me going meta, man. A combination of no longer having the books to look at, the last half of Rise of the Runelords and prep for Carrion Crown being between me and the last time I read into Second Darkness about two years ago, and only reading the first book and player guide in the first place should hopefully greatly limit my capabilities to metagame. The little bit I do remember is tied up in Lilica's backstory, so that she can fit the over-arching themes of the Adventure Path. Speaking of which, I figure it's time for some more delicious elven crunch!

Lilica Fancygirl:

@ "Hal Greenwater" and mourge40k: Thanks for understanding my initial worry, sometimes it is better to ask forgiveness than permission. Both chars are great, best of luck!

Okay. Here's my sheet.

I think I'm going to bow out of this one... I can't seem to come up with a good backstory for my character.

@GM Samael Arneste - Absolutely understandable. Plus, it gives me reasonable boundaries into which I can feed the pc writing monkey. Thanks again!

Is there room for me to throw my hat in, or are you pretty full already? I see a lot of interest so far. Mad Dog Talbot they call me, and my tiger's called Maggie. She thinks you smell good. I'm not so sure yet myself. I would need to level him down to 1, he's from a previous campaign that ended, but the concept's there!

Is there room for me to throw my hat in, or are you pretty full already? I see a lot of interest so far. Mad Dog Talbot they call me, and my tiger's called Maggie. She thinks you smell good. I'm not so sure yet myself. I would need to level him down to 1, he's from a previous campaign that ended, but the concept's there!

** spoiler omitted **

There's plenty of hat-hangers left open, come on it!

Crunch finished and fluff polished and elaborated somewhat. As Danior has a high enough Craft(alchemy) to make drow poison, would he be able to start with 4 doses at the crafted price of 25 gp each if selected?