Harrowed Ruins

Game Master Slothsy

The storykin are losing their stories, leading the town of Caesure to send a group of trained agents from the Ethere Court to investigate.


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Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Setting and Background

"Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems,
You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions of suns left,)
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books,
You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me,
You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self."
Walt Whitman, Song of Myself

In the middle of Varisia, a small town called Caesure is slowly growing. Storykin arrive weekly to the hamlet. Some flee from the destruction of the Harrowed Realm, while some dream-born come to finally live among their kind. However, most come, telling the same tale. They have lost their stories, and with it, their purpose. Days are filled with directionless wandering. For most races, moments of uncertainty and anxiety are to be expected. However, storykin have previously been more unthinking actors are the core of tales, immortal beasts that live through the same plot on a loop. Before, many storykin could not explain their motivations for their actions. The few that thought about it or were aware did not care.

Some arrive to Caesure with their stories more intact than others, but loss filters through the town until the soup served at the local tastes only of salt and cream. Buildings are painted in the rose grey of heartache, and there are few days when the down stops business to celebrate the harvest or other festivals. The houses themselves are often styled after the Harrowed Realm. Many are built as domes with blue ceilings. Rooms seem more like sets than actual living spaces. Pantries are often filled with wax fruit and bottles that will never be opened, while cellars keep the stores that are needed to sustain life. The town in does not have true glass in its windows, but stage glass made to collapse under any pressure.

You are a resident of Caesure, though you may be newly arrived. While you may have come from the destruction of the Harrowed Realm, or you may have been Storykin that were born from the dreams of a culture, you have found missing part of your story. Before the Destruction, as most Storykin refer to it as, your story was complete. At least, you believe it was - since the Destruction, you haven't been able to remember what's missing. Without this knowledge as a guide, many storykin find themselves struggling to function on any level. Some storykin disappear entirely after months of struggle. It had been assumed that they died, or perhaps dissolved back into the thread of stories underlying the material plane.

However, recent events have proven that the Storykin remain immortal. Two brothers, both storykin rooted in concepts, engaged in a battle outside of the town. While Tyranny and Anarchy no longer remembered why they used to fight, or how those fights even ended, Anarchy convinced his brother to duel him, in hopes that it would restart the stories once more. The battle ended when both lay dead. Several days passed as the storykin eagerly looked for any sign that stories were returning; Red thought that she had found her missing basket for her grandmother's dinner, and Rose began drawing again in hopes of remembering her lover's face. However, as the weeks drug out, it became clear these were only slivers of evidence to confirm hopes. In addition, Anarchy and Tyranny were found weeks later roaming a nearby mine, confused and without a clear sense of who they were. Time renewed their sense of self, but they remain in a similar state as before their battle.

The loss of stories is no longer a tragedy but an existential crisis, as storykin are destined to be reborn and live out the same story in all their lives. Withu In addition, there is growing anxiety over the fate of some missing storykin, who had previously been assumed dead. Rumors abound, but the most consistent thread in them is that they have been imprisoned or enslaved for some nefarious purpose.

Character Creation

"To keep from ending
The story does everything it can" -The Story of the End of the Story, James Galvin

You are a member of the Ethere Court, an organization founded on the prinicpal that there is no cost too great to restore the stories to the storykin. For this capacity, you may have undergone its formal training process, an 8-month training that instructs members in general skills, the theory of arcane arts and the theory of martial warfare, though most storykin specialize in regards to the practical arts. Other members of the Ethere Court, particularly those storykin who come from tales of heroes and adventurers, are accepted based on their previous experience and skills alone.

All characters are storykin, unique fey that are made from stories. While the largest concentration of storykin was found in the Harrowed Realm and made by Sonnorae, storykin can also born from the dreams of societies. Each, however, have a particular role to play in a story. Most are not consciously aware of their role, and few question their motivations.

All storykin belong to a subrace, or kith. These are the available kith for character creation.

Animal Kith:
These animal-human hybrids are strong, hardy creatures. In Caesure, these creatures are often on the outskirts of society and are rarely brought into planning meetings. They are often forced into roles as town guards or farm labor. This strains town relationships, and there have been rumblings of rebellion.

+2 Strength, +2 Constitution, -2 Intelligence Animal Kith are strong, hardy creatures that react first with instinct rather than plans.
Medium: Animal Kith are Medium creatures that have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Fey: Animal Kith are Fey with the Storykin subtype
Normal Speed: Animal Kith have a base speed of 30 ft.
Cornered Fury: Alone, Animal Kith are a terror to behold. Whenever a member of this race is reduced to half its hit points or fewer and has no conscious ally within 30 feet, it gains a +2 racial bonus on melee attack rolls and to Armor Class.
Natural Armor: Animal Kith have a +1 bonus to Natural Armor.
Darkvision: Animal Kith can see up to 60 ft. in the dark.
Languages: Animal Kith begin play speaking Common and the appropriate racial language of the race they most resemble. Animal Kith with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Gnoll, Goblin, Gnomic, Nagaji, Strix, Sylvan, Orc, Tengu

Concept Kith:
Concept Kith are the incarnation of ideals and philosophies. They are rarer than the other Kith, but are generally well-regarded and valued greatly for the purity they bring with them. The town of Caesura is run by Patience, a Concept Kith, and the town council has a high concentration of Concept Kith in it. However, some Concept Kith are exiled from town, such as Anarchy and his brother Tyranny.

+2 Wisdom, +2 Intelligence Concept Kith are wise and sharp, as informed by their pure devotion to their roots.
Medium: Concept Kith are Medium creature that have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Fey: Animal Kith are Fey with the Storykin subtype.
Normal Speed: Concept Kith have a base speed of 30 ft.
Arcane Focus: +2 to concentration checks to cast arcane spells.
Gift of Tongues: Members of this Kith gain +1 Racial Bonus to Bluff and Diplomacy, and they learn one additional language each time they put a rank in linguistics.
Conceptual Fascination: Once per day, a Concept Kith can create a 20-foot radius burst centered on themselves that causes humanoids to become fascinated with that Kith and the concept it represents (as the Bard’s fascinate Bardic Performance). Affected humanoids my resist this effect with a successful saving throw (DC 10 + ½ Character Level + Charisma Modifier)
Languages: Concept Kith begin play speaking Common and an aligned Planar language. Concept Kith with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Abyssal, Celestial, Daemonic, Infernal, Shae, or Sylvan.

Elemental Kith:

Elemental Kith are born of the world and its harsh elements. Few of them live in Caesure. Instead, they spend their time in the surrounding areas. They rarely interact with the town unless driven to by some greater force.

+2 Dex, +2 Charisma, -2 Constitution Elemental kith are quick, fierce and alluring in their danger, though they are ultimately frail.
Medium: Elemental Kith are Medium creature that have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Fey: Elemental Kith are Fey with the Storykin subtype.
Fast Speed: Concept Kith have a base speed of 40 ft.
Ferocity: Concept Kith can continue to fight even if their hit points fall below 0 (unless they are dead). If it does, it is staggered and loses 1 hit point per round. It still dies when its hit points reach a negative amount equal to its constitution.
Darkvision: Concept Kith can see up to 60 ft in the dark.
Languages: Elemental Kith begin play speaking Common and an aligned Planar language. Elemental Kith with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Aquan, Auran, Ignan, Shae, Sylvan, and Terran.

Humanoid Kith:

Humanoid Kith add +2 to any single ability score of their choice during character creation.
Medium: Humanoid Kith are Medium creature that have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Fey: Humanoid Kith are Fey with the Storykin subtype.
Emissary: Humanoid Kith are uniquely able to relate to non-Storykin. When making a Bluff or Diplomacy check against a humanoid creature, a Humanoid Kith can roll twice and take the higher result.
Integrated: Humanoid Kith gain a +1 bonus on Bluff, Disguise and Knowledge (Local) checks.
Multitalented: Humanoid Kith choose two favored classes at level 1
Bonus Feat: Humanoid Kith choose a bonus feat at first level.
Languages: Humanoid Kith begin play speaking Common and the language of their story’s society. Humanoid Kith with high Intelligence scores can choose from any human language as well as Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Halfling and Sylvan.

Point-buy: 25
Starting Level: 2
Alignment: While there are no strict alignment rules, characters are expected to be heroic or archetypal. Evil characters will face additional scrutiny.
Traits: 2 traits
Hit Points: Max hit die at first and second levels. Starting with 3rd level, players will roll for hit points.
Starting Gold: 1,250 gp
Races: Storykin (See Below)
Sources: All Paizo Classes and Books are allowed except Ultimate Combat. Genius Games’ Time Thief and supporting publications are also allowed. Open to other 3rd Party options, but must receive permission first. No Psionics.
Firearms: Very Rare (as detailed in Ultimate Combat)

Include the following information in your profile:
1) Appearance
2) Background
3) Personality
4) Story that your storykin hails from (may be Golarion-specific, a folk tale, or a tale you created yourself)
5) What your storykin is missing

Writing samples or links to other PbPs you are in are encouraged.

Those looking for inspiration for character creations will not go wrong by looking at the Fables graphic novel series, the short story "Travels with the Snow Queen by Kelly Link, and collections of folklore. In addition, The Harrowing module and the Harrower Handbook provide background on the Harrowed Realm and Storykin.

Campaign Length and Expectations
"I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster."
- Elizabeth Bishop, One Art

The initial campaign will be approximately the length of a 32-page module, with the expectation of completion within six months. The possibility exists for the campaign to expand past that point, but will be dependent on the game.

Acceptance into the campaign comes with the expectation that players will post at least once every 48 hours. I uphold the same standards for myself. While some days will be more active than others, this campaign will be generally more leisurely, in part to allow for robust roleplaying. I expect players to approach this game with a roleplay focus and to contribute to the story in ways that are both interesting and allow for a positive group experience.

Recruitment will end on January 15th.

I will be accepting no more than 5 characters.

If you have any questions, please ask away.


This certainly does sound interesting. I haven't gone through all the rules yet, I am a bit stuck thinking about a character. The first character ideas I had when I read the campaign background were particularly strong impressions that one may usually have in a dream:

Treason in the hushed whispers of a lover
Hope for a liberating storm while watching the clouds over the ocean
The moment when you realize you forgot putting your pants on

But that doesn't really qualify as concept kith, does it?

Would something as simple as "Compassion" do?

Or something as complex as "Categorical Imperative"?

My forum name is Feuerrabe (German: Fire raven), so a pretty obvious choice would be the raven, but poems by Edgar Allan Poe are not strictly fairytales. Would that work? Would you grant me lines other than "Nevermore"? (EDIT: I am just thinking... maybe he can say anything but that word and is always trying to remember the word he lost.)

And another thought that came into my mind was Snow White from "Snow White and Rose Red" (i.e. not Snow White and the seven dwarves, that's a different character). But then I'd need a sister as well.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

This is a lovely and fascinating idea. So all classes are allowed, but the only races choices are the four homebrew that you've laid out, correct?

All of us have a fairy tale story in our background, that would be part of our backstory -- yes?

Regarding hit points... Is there any chance that you would be open to them not being rolled but a standard of 1/2 your maximum or something like that? Rolling is a bit too arbitrary. Whenever I roll for HP, it seems I always get 1 or 2 on the die, no matter what I do.

If you pick a divine class, do you need to go with an ideal for your deity, or are there gods worshipped by Storykin?

Another question... There are no small races amongst the storykin currently. I assume that small races are off the table as an option?
Hmm


Dotting for interest. Indeed, a fascinating idea. Will work on a concept/character within the guidelines.


Dotting for interest!


So I have been thinking, I do not like the fact that animal kiths get a penalty to int. The are a number of notable animals that are known for their cunning. The cat in Puss in Boots for example as well as the wolf from Red Ridding Hood.

EDIT: Also, how to handle versions of different stories? For example Red Ridding Hood. Has several dark versions.

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

@ Feuerrabe - I'd allow the Raven as a background. Any story, really, can be used. Fairy tales, however, are the most obvious.

For concept kin, I'm thinking of personifications as used in tales. Those, while interesting, tend to not be personified in that way, but what "counts" really depends on how you work on it. Compassion is closer to what I'm thinking of than "Categorical Imperative", though something more complicated would be interesting in seeing how it works out! My inspiration for this type of kith are those where people make deals with Death or something similar.

@ Hmm - The storykin races are the available choices. I will be open to discussing rolling v. averages after deciding on characters. Divine characters that wish to align an ideal instead of a deity should have a strong reason for doing so. You may choose to have any of the races be small instead of medium. I should have mentioned that in the character option areas.

@ Nohwear - I thought of that myself, but I came to this decision based off of a number of factors. A -2 doesn't mean that you can't be smart, that it's on average. For those multiple versions of stories, feel free to choose the most appropriate one of the character. Perhaps the variation in stories can provide a base for your character's loss?

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

I actually prefer gods to ideals. I was just wondering which were available. May we select any from Golarian, so long as they have a fairy tale feel?

Thank you for including small options. There are so many fairy stories that center around "little folk" that it is nice to have those options.

More questions:

1) I am assuming that we need two backstories for this. One is the story that our character has lost, and the other is the mundane identity that they've cobbled together now. Is this correct?

2) What do you see as the balance in this campaign of combat vs out of combat roleplay and skill use?

Hmm


Very intriguing. So in terms of society in Golarion, would more Asiatic stories like The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter or the various stories of Sun Wukong be attributed to Tian Xia? IIRC, Minkai is more or less the equivalent to Japan.

As far as the character itself would go, perhaps Princess Kaguya from the former story.

Silver Crusade

As an aside from the Destruction could a dreamkin be born about a story from a culture's dream about it? As in the character in question being a facsimile of the character in the story and as such having to act just like said character but being annoyed by that compulsion?


I'm definitely falling in love with this idea. I've been wanting to do something similar to the concept kith for quite a while now. The only thing I'm having trouble with is the whole...losing one's story bit, is there homework I haven't done? I'm a little confused. Also how dark were you trying to go with this? Should I keep the fairy tale vibe at the forefront of my mind?

Forerunning ideas

-Fury, the moral of Fury's tale is "Be careful what you wish for, because life isn't fair". A young man of moderate fortune Fury once had a name, land, a wife, children, until it was all stripped from him by the forces of plot. Emotionally torn and maddened by sorrow he threw his soul on the altar of the gods and begged them to turn his fury into the strength needed to save his loved ones. A more sinister god granted him this power, but at a price, for he must wear his fury as a twisted monstrous form, a form so horrid and ugly that even is own family could not bear to look upon him, afraid of the brutal monster he had become. Now he wanders, a cursed heartbroken shell of the man he once was, his greatest sacrifice in vain. While his life of grief has left him emotionally unstable Fury is not a monster, he is somewhat wise, caring, and humble, showing great kindness to those that look beyond his monstrous visage.

-Are fairies an option in any playable way?

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

@ Hmm - All Golarion gods are available.

This game is going be to primarily roleplay heavy. All mechanics (combat, skills) will be weighted fairly evenly.

@ Mahorfeus - That would be appropriate. I intend for this campaign to be player-focused, in that story will at least in part evolve from player choices, options and goals. The general rule of thumb is that if you can explain the choice that you made (ie, cultural setting, deity, etc), I will allow it or provide you with a way to make it work.

@ Rysky - That's a great character idea!

@ GypsyMischief - I don't know if you're familiar with The Harrowing, but I'll give you the quick and dirty.

Light Harrowing Spoilers:
Storykin were originally characters made by Sonnorae to populate the Harrowed Realm. They were created for the soul purpose of living out various stories. For an example, The Unicorn and the Goblin (I think it was the Goblin - don't have my modules with me at work) were destined to always be fighting over the pear. If one was to die, it was remade in the Waxworks and would return to its fight.

In particular, the storykin, by all rights, should not have been able to leave the Harrowed Realm. Some strong-willed storykin were able to do so, but they were deeply wounded, with the wounds striking at the very core of their being - the stories that they were made of.

In this campaign, that cycle has been broken, and these creatures that were made with an express purpose are no longer able to live out that purpose, or even remember what it was. While some storykin in the campaign setting are adapting in other ways, many of them are lost, ontologically untethered or otherwise having difficulty coping.

All the storykin are a type of fey. I would say, mechanically, to either use the Humanoid Kith stats or the Concept kith stats for them.


Can animal kith get attacks like the catfolk does? claws for instance?

Cause i'd like to make a feline combatant

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

@ Seth86 - Yes, but it would replace the natural armor racial ability. They would be two primary natural attacks with damage based on your character's size.

Silver Crusade

@Slothsy - Yay! Will get to work on that nao.

"I play the Villain, the Villain does not play me."

Fable: The Heartless Baron of Blackwake:

There once lived a Baron, who had no heart, who knew not love nor fear nor hatred.
He spent his days waging wars and overtaxing the poor, as well as sweeping innocent maidens into his dark embrace.
No matter how innocent or how pure the maidens were they never survived past a fortnight, for the Baron would reach into their chests and pluck out their still beating heart, in an attempt to discover what he had not.
Until one day he demoned away the Love of a noble Knight in service to the King and Queen.
The Knight strove headfirst into the darkness of the Baron's estate, alone, onky to find his Love in the embrace of the Baron.
Full of love and fear and hatred he lashed out at the Baron, who in turned lashed back, beginning a dance that would end them both.
Altough valiantly fought the Knight did fall first, for he made the fatal mistake, of trying to impale the Baron. The Heartless Baron then thusly returned the favor, which proved to be much more effective against an opponent with a heart.
Fascinated by the man whose heart was so overflowing with things he could not possess the Baron failed to notice the Love of the Knight step up behind him and, picking up the discarded Knight's blade, free his head from his body.

As in all stories there are always path divergent. The most common has the tears of the Love healing the Knight of his fatal wound. Others have him surviving without his heart, for his Love is all he needs. Other darker endings have the Love killing herself to be with the Knight in death. Another has the Love keep the the still living head of the Baron around to please herself. Other's still omit the Love's triumph entirely by having the Baron fall dead when the lifeblood of the Knight, containing everything he does not, sprayed upon him.

Blackwake the person:

While he has no qualms about going around seducing pretty maidens the act of devouring their heart afterwards repulses him, not due to any moral connudrums but simply because it is a compulsion put into him by the story, rather than by his own free will. To this he denies the story while searching for his heart, not in an attempt for redemption or for the emotions that come with but simply to make his life his, not the whims of a storyteller. In dealings with other people he introduces himself as Heartless, and becomes agitated if anyone refers to him as Baron or Blackwake, further reminding him of his existence that has already been written out.

Appearance

Was thinking Antipaladin (Dread Vanguard) for the class, with Elemental (Shadow) Kith for the race. Makes for a good traditional villian.


Will I be able to take the cat folk rogue trick and feats?

My idea is a sher khan type character. Tail Spin

Silver Crusade

Seth86 wrote:

Will I be able to take the cat folk rogue trick and feats?

My idea is a sher khan type character. Tail Spin

I already love this character.


Thanks. =^^=

Very charismatic. And dexterous.
Better than Average strength. Constitution. And intelligence.

Story wise I need to think. Maybe plain Tail Spin stuff. Will see ;)

Silver Crusade

Don't forget the nice suit and Alan Rickman delivery of lines.


Noble clothing. For sure. And he will look down on most people :P

Mafia of the toon world. If we go to level 7... leadership is a must =^^=


My initial concept was going to be an evangelist cleric, a worshipper of the goddess of storytellers and bards, based off Scheherazade of the Arabian Nights... An expert in other people's stories who has escaped the harem of the wife-killing Sultan and come to Caesure as a refugee.

Then I realized what book that archetype came from... And I gave myself a dope slap for picking an archetype from the *one* book banned by the GM.

So, I've scrapped the idea and am now considering playing Pravda -- an investigator based off the folktale, Clever Manka. What I've always loved about that story is that Manka won her victories through wits alone. She has no magic except a ready wit, and a good sense of charm. I could see her doing alchemy (how else could she know her husband would sleep through being hauled off in a donkey cart, down a rutted road and into a bed in a shepherd hut?)

I'm thinking that Pravda is concept kith, born out of a burning need to seek the truth and win justice for those who in need.

If you like the idea, I'll stat her out.

Hmm


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"I... I think I was a traveler. Yes, a traveler. I saved worlds, fought monsters, and knew things beyond mortal ken. I ventured to far stars, and flew in an infinite ship. I fought in a war that encompassed all of time, a war that birthed monsters so terrible that it destroyed men just to think about them, a war that eventually destroyed both my race and my mortal enemies. But... I don't know what kept me anchored. Something must have kept me sane in my travels. Something must have comforted me when all hope seemed lost. I also had a secret. The greatest secret of them all. I don't know what that is, either. Somewhere, out there, is the answer. Wherever it is, I'll find it. My name is Doctor Smith."

The Legend:

For those of you who don't know, I'm creating the Doctor, a twelve-hundred year old alien who travels with in space in time with his companions-the people who "kept him sane." The one I'm creating is going to be the eleventh, one of the most capricious and silly incarnations. In the Caesure, there is a family who is living out a completely normal life, knowing that something is missing, but can't quite put their fingers on it-Amelia Pond and Rory Williams. These were his companions. And there is a strange, alien creature that stalks the outskirts of the town, who whispers and fractures reality where it steps, showing mad visions of the carnage of the Last Great Time War. This is the Doctor's true name, which is capable of bringing the horrors of the war to reality if spoken fully.

Appearance:

Before you stands a snappily-dressed young man. He has thick black hair, which is swept over the right side of his face. He has kindly brown eyes, and a prominent chin. The young man is rather tall, and wears a short tweed jacket with a crisp white shirt. On his neck rests a bow tie, which he straightens unconsciously and mutters "It's cool." He wears black slacks.

Silver Crusade

Pravda wrote:

My initial concept was going to be an evangelist cleric, a worshipper of the goddess of storytellers and bards, based off Scheherazade of the Arabian Nights... An expert in other people's stories who has escaped the harem of the wife-killing Sultan and come to Caesure as a refugee.

Then I realized what book that archetype came from... And I gave myself a dope slap for picking an archetype from the *one* book banned by the GM.

Hmm

Actually 'e said Ultimate Combat is banned but put rules for Firearms underneath it so is all of UC banned or just parts of it?


DOTTING


Rough Concept Character Submission: The Spirit of Vehemence

"I am Vehemence. I am a blesser of the world, though its gentle would never receive me into their home. Men, angels, demons and deities make pacts with me in the silence of their souls, though they would never know it. I have made selfish men to give way to hate and heinous acts, and selfless men to furious acts of justice. I have incited assassinations of kings, I have moved nations to war, I have provoked men against gods, and I have sung to the hearts of gods the song of Reprisal. I once reigned upon a throne wrought of the hearts of the souls of men, inside a castle wrought of all the means of war. Dragons and their kind are my pets, for the fire of their breasts are drawn from MY furnace.

I was the KING above all children of pride. But my throne was dashed, and my crown stolen from me. And all the elements will melt into nothing before I lay down like a wretch mule.

TO YOU WHO HAVE WHAT IS MINE; TAKE NO HEED OR FEAR FOR YOURSELF; FOR IT IS ASSURED- I WILL FIND YOU. TAKE NO HOPE EITHER, FOR I, THE SIRE OF ALL HELLS AND ALL DAYS OF WRATH, WILL COME TO YOU WITH MY OWN RESERVED FIRE. YOU HAVE MY PROMISE, DARLING. ALL HELLS WILL WEEP AT SOUND OF YOUR NAME, FOREVERMORE."

He is in the backdrop of every tale, true or fable, setting the tone of the climaxing conflict, spinning war into each heart, that they might not just stand, but MOVE.

Conceptkin CN Skald

Slightly inspired by Sandman.


Is there any consideration for alternate racial traits or racial favored class bonuses?


Ah, so yes, there is homework I haven't done. I feel as though I may not be familiar enough with Golarion to participate. Enjoy the game <3

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

As beautiful as this one sounds, I (and my character Pravda) are dropping out. I think this one will be so fascinating that it may draw me in too far. I need to work more on my own writing and spend a little less time in the fantasy worlds of others this winter.

:)

But thanks for offering this one... I think this idea has great potential for cooperative storytelling.
Hmm


I have one idea for a humanoid kith. More in a day or so


I'm working on Pandora, the concept kith for curiosity. I think I'll play her as a summoner, carrying around a tiny box and opening/closing it obsessively. Her eidolon would act as her curiosity, which is the thing she lost from her story, and without which the entire story doesn't work. Pandora herself isn't much interested in solving her problem because of her lack of curiosity, but Antíka the eilodon wants Pandora to get her story back.

More to come, this is just the rough concept for the character and how it'd play.


This is really interesting, curious though, would you allow me to take the Wishcrafter archetype? I feel like its super fitting for this game.

I'm thinking a Concept Kith, though I am unsure which one. However, I would like to tie it in to either wishing, or the fact that I can not use the "wishes" on myself.


Dot


So, for clarification for my own thick head:

Ultimate Combat is wholly banned?

So no spells or feats or weapons allowed?

I don't want to step on toes or press buttons, or build gamebreaking gunslingers.

Thank you! :)

Liberty's Edge

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Sorry, I was working on some big projects yesterday and ended up falling asleep while working on a draft for this post.

For clarification: Ultimate Combat is completely banned. Firearms rules were included for setting flavor. (If you look them up, it says that they're NPC only, pretty much.) I find the book fundamentally unbalanced and it introduces many elements that I do not want in my games.

@ Seth86 - Awesome. For that character concept, I'll definitely allow catfolk rogue talents and tricks.

@ JohnnyCat93 - Alternate racial abilities will be at my discretion. My general guidelines are that they must somehow be integral to the character/concept that you're seeking to play and that they should generally be similar race points cost to the trait that you're looking to replace. If you have something that you want (ie, the claws discussed above), I can seek an appropriate solution. If you have a direct switch you want to do, you can present it with justification.

@GypsyMischief - Thanks for your interest! The background isn't going to be "must know or else" for this campaign; it's more the setting background in general. You're welcome to submit a character without having the history, but I can understand your decision if you do not wish to.

@Hmm - Thanks for your interest as well! I understand what you mean by getting too involved. Recruitment will be open until January, so if you change your mind, you have time later.

@Aestereal - That's really, really interesting and I think there's a lot of ways that character can be played. I'm looking forward to seeing more about it. (Personally, I would like to be able to hook the eidolon into exploring/examining things, with Pandora having to reluctantly tag along, or something similar.)

@ MonkeyGod - Well, for wishing, Wishcrafter is a no brainer for an archetype! You have my blessing.

@ The DoomKitten - That idea is cool.


@Slothsy: I have two questions concerning Doctor Smith: Can I blow all of my initial gold on having a Sonic Screwdriver? And kind I swap out Multitalented for some form of telepathy, maybe message as an at-will SLA that you can only hear in your mind?

Anyways, thinking Investigator because of Inspiration, etc. Will get to working on it meow!


One of the sylph feats or racial abilities allows for message as sla

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Doomkitten - Hmm, let's look at options. I've been using the ARG's race builder because it's more standardized, so let's start with what they have available.

To start with, we have this pre-packed option

Magical Linguist (2 RP)::
Prerequisites: None; Benefit: Members of this race gain a +1 bonus to the DC of spells they cast that have the language-dependent descriptor or that create glyphs, symbols, or other magical writings. They also gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against such spells. Members of this race with a Charisma score of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1/day—arcane mark, comprehend languages, message, read magic. The caster level for these spell-like abilities is equal to the user's character level.

I'd allow you to swap out multitalented for Magical Linguist.

Here's a second option:

Spell-Like Ability, At-Will (Variable, see Special)::
Prerequisites: None; Benefit: Choose a 3rd-level or lower spell that does not attack a creature or deal damage. Members of this race can use this spell as an at-will spell-like ability. The caster level of the spell is equal to the user's character level. Special: This trait costs as many RP as twice the level of spell chosen (minimum 2). Up to five spells can be chosen when you take this trait. Each time you take an additional spell, adjust the RP cost of this trait appropriately.

This second one appears to be closer to what you want. I would says that this is going to be 4 RP for a telepathic at-will message SLA. I'd say that it would replace the bonus feat gained at first level.

An a sonic screwdriver makes sense as starting gear for that character; I'll likely also give you some extra gold for other needed items. However, creating stats for it is more what I'm interested in. I think that it would makes sense for it to be a use-activated knock spell, as well as something that allows for bonuses on disable device checks (and allowing them to be done at a distance). Can't work on wood, though ;) What do you think?


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The Stat block

Shere Khan:

Shere Kahn
Animal Kin (Tiger) rogue 2 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Race Guide 90)
N Medium humanoid (Animal Kin- Tiger)
Init +0; Senses scent; Dark Vision 60ft; Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 14, touch 10, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor)
hp 20 (2d8+4)
Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +1
Defensive Abilities evasion
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee dagger +4 (1d4+3/19-20) or
. . 2 claws +6 (1d6+3)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 16
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 14
Feats Catfolk Exemplar (sharp Claws)[ARG]
Traits artifact hunter (mwangi expanse), blood of pharaohs
Skills Appraise +7, Bluff +8, Climb +14, Diplomacy +8, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (history) +7, Knowledge (local) +6, Knowledge (nobility) +7, Perception +5, Sense Motive +5, Swim +7, Use Magic Device +8
Languages Catfolk, Common, Nagaji, Sylvan
SQ cat's luck, rogue talent (vicious claws), trapfinding +1
Other Gear mwk chain shirt, dagger, bedroll, belt pouch, claw blades, claw blades, fishhook (2), flint and steel, hip flask, jewelry, masterwork backpack, noble's outfit, sewing needle, signal whistle, signet ring, string or twine, thread (50 ft.), trail rations (7), waterskin, whetstone, 149 gp, 2 cp
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Special Abilities
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Artifact Hunter (Mwangi Expanse, Knowledge [history]) +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (history) checks, and one of them is always a class skill for you.
Cat's Luck (1/day) (Ex) Can roll 2d20 for a Reflex save and take better result.
Catfolk Exemplar (Sharp Claws) Your feline traits are more defined and prominent than those of other members of your race.
Prerequisites: Catfolk.
Benefit: You can take the Aspect of the Beast feat (Advanced Player’s Guide 151)
Climbing (20 feet) You have a Climb speed.
Evasion (Ex) If you succeed at a Reflex save for half damage, you take none instead.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
Sneak Attack +1d6 Attacks deal extra dam if flank foe or if foe is flat-footed.
Trapfinding +1 Gain a bonus to find or disable traps, including magical ones.
Vicious Claws (Ex) With cat claws, use d8s instead of d6s when making a sneak attack.

Yes, you are seeing correctly. A non Dex rogue

Planning on taking a fighter level or two


Can we PM you submissions?

Liberty's Edge

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

You're more than welcome to.


Interesting! I'm thinking I might make a Suit Seeker Inquisitor, modeled after the tale of Dr. Knowall, making a concept-kin of Luck.

I'm also considering making an elemental-kin of Life, but still working on the general idea for that one. Likely, it'll be a shaman with the Life spirit.


Hi Calvinball! How's Calene doing? This is Ranna.

Edit for on-topic: The crunch for Pandora and Antíka is up HERE! I'm having an interesting time developing the fluff.


Is ultimate magic ok? I was thinking of a vivisectionist.


I read a bit more of Shere Khan, he is considered an anti-hero in talespin, and i will try to play him as such

Shere Khan according to the Wiki


Character is created.

Role play will be...weird.

Long story short, I may use a mix of random emotion generation and triggers to determine her emotion for that post.

Background and Lost:
Amaterasu of myth is the goddess of the sun. This is of course a myth, and she is not nearly of the power to be considered a god, but when she appeared to the Tien people in their forests, simply as a coincidence, with a bountiful and beautiful spring, or a victory in war, she was quickly and unbeknownst to her, raised to a god like status. Most of the stories of her deeds are made up, to provide reasons for festivals, or dances, or celebrations. The stories of her travels are not. She travels far and wide through the forests, protecting nature, both new and old from becoming unbalanced. There is a place for human ingenuity and advancement, but sometimes it is too much, or for a certain species to go through a boom period, or for a rogue wave to wipe out a settlement. These are the periods she appears, to bring balance.
She has always been a story of balance, a story of cause and effect, of how nature can always restore things to how they need to be. What happens then when she loses her balance? What happens to the places under her care? This is what has happened. Awakening one day, she found no balance in her life, no control of emotions, of wants, of needs, of tastes. Her balance has been taken from her, and much of her emotions are out of control. She gained a semblance of control over herself physically and magically, but she has no control of her mind, or thoughts, as they race through her, and what she says.
She is now desperate to regain her balance and her focus.

Amaterasu


Hmmm, yes, use activated knock. I also gave it the ability to spend a full-round action to "scan" something, giving Doctor Smith a +5 bonus on the appropriate Knowledge check for every round scanned. I'm also thinking the screwdriver can also cast the technological equivalent of detect magic and technomancy.

I also added psychic paper, which gives Doctor Smith a +5 circumstance bonus on Bluff and Disguise.

EDIT: I know Empiricist and Sleuth don't normally stack, but will you allow it in this case?

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

@ Professional Calvinball - Very flavorful class choices! I'm excited to see what you do with them.

@ Aestereal - Awesome! The fluff is supposed to be fun in this game.

@Seth86 - I'll definitely do my homework on Shere Khan. He'll be a fun character to bring into the mix.

@ Yazo - Ultimate Magic is good!

@ Amaterasu - Good to see your submission. That roleplay still will be interesting.


What exactly needs to be in the background? Just curious. What they were before? What they feel they miss?


I have a character I would like to submit to this game, a Synthesist Summoner (sorry Aestereal) named Ugolino Lycaon. His profile should contain all of the background and character information necessary. I'd appreciate if anyone could offer feedback, below I have included a summary of the information available in the alias for brevities sake:

Spoiler:

My core concept was to create the first Werewolf. In that light I chose to make a Humanoid Kith Synthesist were my Eidolon could be the bestial form and the physical powerhouse that is implied by the creature. Continuing with the theme of a dual nature my character has two origin tales: those of Lycaon of Arcadia and Ugolino della Gherardesca.

Lycaon of Arcadia could be considered the first Werewolf to be introduced in Greek Mythology. He attempted to trick Zeus by feeding him the flesh of a man. The god became furious and transformed Lycaon into a wolf and killed his sons.

Ugolino della Gherardesca was sent to hell for attempting to overthrow the ruling Italian party at the time. His death came at the hands of mere hunger though he first had to watch his own sons die in the same manner, begging for their father to eat them as they did.

I believe that these two stories have many similarities and thus that it is reasonable to say that they could overlap into one character. However, they are different so my character still suffers from several conflicting urges and memories. Ugolino is the embodiment of each characters positive traits while his Eidolon embodies the negative ones. Again this continues with the theme of duality.

My characters ultimate goal is to become two individuals once more, curing himself of his curse metaphorically speaking (though the stories he would return to don't end in his favor anyways). I guess that you could say that my Storykin has lost his sense of self or individualism.

@Slothsy - I'd like to replace the Multitalented racial trait with either Skilled (Both Ugolino and Lycaon were high-ranking noble people and would have had a better education and upbringing to reflect that) or Frenzy (Werewolves are often described as being easily aggravated in both their human and bestial forms, at least in popular media).

I'd also like to take an alternate favored class bonus: +1/4 Eidolon's evolution pool. Again, Werewolves are usually physical power houses so the more EP I can squeeze out, the stronger my curse becomes.


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(Professional Calvinball's submission)
Hiya, Aestereal! Calene's doing pretty well. Hopefully we'll get a chance here to RP together again.

Appearance:
Tree of Life appears very similar to a dryad; her hair is made of verdant leaves, and her skin appears as the coarse wood of a tree trunk. Her body is covered in lichen and moss, with vines growing and flowers blooming to form clothing that covers her body. As of late, however, the various iterations of plant life have begun to slowly decay, and show signs of wilting. Her vines have turned brown and her hair has grown bright and brittle, as leaves in autumn.

Background:
In many myths and legends, a bold hero must seek out the golden fruit that ripens on the tree of life, or the water that grows at her feet. Whether it is to win a princess' hand, to save an ailing ruler, or simply to prolong their own life, the tree of life marks the quest's end goal, and her vitality-giving powers feed the future.

Tree of Life once celebrated such tales, and her role in them. As of late, however, she has grown to resent her place as a mere means to an end. An item to be sought, rather than an entity all her own.

Personality:
Tree of Life once held a humble outlook of her own life, and was satisfied to extend others' lives without asking anything in return. Now, though...

Tree of Life has become a braggart as of late. While she still possesses much of the kindness of her former self, she has developed a superiority complex. It is only by her benevolence that lesser creatures may be granted her healing powers. As she has also come to fear her own possible death as her vitality lessens, she is trying to ensure that at least her story lives on forever, and makes certain that any who encounter her know her name.

Story/Tale:
Many tales, such as The White Snake, or Water of Life.

What's Missing:
Tree of Life has lost her ability to bear the fruit that grants immortality. Moreover, she has lost a sense of identity, and struggles to find a new role to fill as she slowly withers.

Tree of Life will be a shaman with the life spirit. I am also considering making her a Speaker for the Past, tying into the immortality theme in her stories. It would also allow her to give up the need for a familiar, which would probably work better with her personality.

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