Into the Haunted Forest (Inactive)

Game Master Storycrafter

A short adventure intended for a new-to-PBP DM and new(ish) players.



"Greeting travelers, and well met. Please come sit at a table -- the waitress will be by to serve you shortly. Perhaps I could entertain you with a short tale while you wait. How about I sweeten your ears with a lavish story in exchange for a drink? I see you have some pipeweed. Nothing gets a story flowing faster than a friend sharing some smoke."

"This story has it all: a barroom brawl, a priceless relic, ancient artifacts, and a haunted forest. There's intrigue and danger aplenty. It's supposed to be a short story, to be true, and it may not be long in the telling, but many heroic saga begin with humble beginnings such as I will tell you, and you never know how far the tale may unfold!"

I'd like to have a go at a short module via PBP. I'm a moderately experienced DM who hasn't yet attempted this style of play so I'm hoping to find other folks who are also new to Pathfinder and/or PBP to get some practice in. We'll be running an early Paizo published module called "Into the Haunted Forest."

For rules, I'm looking for the following:


  • 4 to 6 players
  • Sorry, no ninjas, samurai, monks, or gunslingers
  • 20 point build
  • 2 traits per PFS rules
  • Postings at least once per day, preferably twice (once or twice on weekends)


What about starting gold? I'm working on making a druid for this


Not sure if I would count as new, but its been over a year since I last played. I would definitely be interested, probably as a cleric or wizard.

Before I propose a character, what world is this being set in for deities and background? Where are we beginning and what is starting gold?


As I'm generally following the PFS rules, starting gold would be 150, and hit points are max at first level.

As for world setting, let's call it Golarion so all of the canon Paizo material is in play. I have just about all of it in one form or another.

The party will begin their story while travelling in the Varisian forest of Artfell, not too terribly distant from the city of Sandpoint. As these stories so often begin, they will likely be somewhat acquainted with each other.

Liberty's Edge

Sounds interesting, I will try to get a cleric up...


A blocky young fellow, who seems not so much fat as naturally square shaped approaches. His cheeks are freckled and his hair a careless current of golden curls, he wears an anxious frown and only darts glances at faces before looking to his own flexing fingers.

"Ah aha. Hum, allow me to, er, introduce myself. I am Colwin, Colwin Throssel, sculptor, wizard, genius, and, um, accidental arsonist. The later being the reason for my good fortune in making your acquaintance I fear," he runs his fingers through his hair wincing with pained recollection.

"I was a sculptor, and apprentice at the Golemworks in Magnimar, these hands helped to shape some of the mightiest constructs that bestride the earth - albeit in a rather minor way. Then I began to develop an affinity for fire, flames would come at my call and dance across my person without biting at my tender flesh.

I am shamed to say I was fascinated by my new gifts and distracted by their exploration even at work, and sadly I decided to try summoning flame from nothing just as my Master - Toth Bhreacher, I am sure you have heard of him? A mage and business man of great repute - chanced past with a valued client the Lady, ah something, of um, Whereever. Sadly the fashion calls for extravagant gowns which are regretably flammable, and what I had envisioned as a small spark turned into a twenty foot gout of rageing flame. The Lady went up like a bonfire and ended up eyebrow less, with some minor burns, and, ah, considerably less clothed.

My Master lost a commission potentially worth hundreds of thousands of gold coin and I lost my apprenticeship, and was urged to leave the City lest said Lady attempted to press charges. Now you find me seeking sustenance of both the intellectual and physical varieties. I am a useful fellow to have in a fight, and more so out of it. I hope we can blend our talents to form a cohesive and effective team?"

OOC:
I am going for the Fire Specialist Wizard from the APG. Colwin having been wandering for some months in search of gainful employment, and hopefully some suitable redemption that will allow him to resume his place at the Golemworks.

Probably Str 7, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 20, Wis 8, Cha 9.


How bout a Paladin? I've been itching to play this character ever since I came up with her a while ago...


SoldierSolidus wrote:
How bout a Paladin? I've been itching to play this character ever since I came up with her a while ago...

I'm open to anything at this point (other the previously stated exceptions). Bring it!

Silver Crusade

I'd like in. Need a sorcerer?

Silver Crusade

As part of learning discipline and real world experience off the safety of the island, all Bre-ayne are required to serve two years in the Bre-ayne navy between high-school graduation and the start of university.

Kensington Stone is a communications officer aboard a Bre-ayne navy ship. At least, Kensington was a communications officer. He and a small crew were put off of the main ship and sent off on a rescue mission in a fairly small boat to assist an Elvish vessel under shark attack. While his lack of pure strength would not make one think him a worthy candidate for such a rescue mission, among his many known languages is draconic, which was a language he shared with a female Elf aboard the ship he presumed to be their own communications specialist. Together, they were able to interpret for their mutual parties.

But after the Half-Orcs rescued the Elves, a terrified Elf caused the small ship to sink, resulting in a shipwreck. Kensington awoke on a mainland beach. He does not know what happened to the rescued Elves or to his fellow rescuers. He knows the Bre-ayne ship would keep looking for thier missing crewmen as long as it was safe to do so, but he knows they will never be able to come back and rescue him. If he's ever to get home, he must do it himself. So, it's time to start a new life.

Kensington grieves for the wonderful home that he must leave behind, but he is excited at the prospect that he doesn't know what he's going to find. For his mother and father were Half-Orcs, as were his grandparents. His great grandmother was a full Orc Paladiness, while his great-grandfather was a celestial who had taken human form at the time. Kensington knows that his great-grandmother had once lived among humanoids, as one of their great defenders, before she moved on to the Bre-ayne island as part of the tribe that started the whole thing. He also knows his great-grandmother was from a noble family. So, since he must start his life again, he wishes to find his great-grandmother's legacy and birthplace, and reclaim her legacy, doing his great-grandparents proud.

He wears a monk's outfit that is combined into a redcoat uniform where all the red is replaced with viridian green. His hair is brown, his eyes are purple, and his flesh is sage green. He never goes anywhere without his flag, (the Bre-ayne flag), which is the Union Jack, but all the red replaced by kelly green.

(The Bre-ayne are a group of mostly Half-Orc druids & witches who, though of strictly good alignment, prefer to keep their island home a secret. Rather than fighting and conquering anyone, the Bre-ayne intend to become the masters of white drudic magick through a special communion with nature. As such, though people of all races can be found there, it is mainly a Half-Orc druid & witch community where all worship the Green Faith, led by Madame Kirustinu. Only druids & witches know of the Bre-ayne's existance, and all druids & witches are welcome on the island.)

Silver Crusade

"We do not hate the man, we simply do not trust the man."

Aldaara Drower is a paladin of Iomedae. She is a member of a secret Paladin sect known simply as Benevolence. It is a female-only Paladin sect who holds all of the codes of a normal paladin of Iomedae, with a few additions. Paladins of Benevolence believe that men are corrupt by nature. Too often are they drunk with power, or think with their 'lower head'. One of the codes of Benevolence is that it's paladins remain vigilant for these corrupt men, and do what they can to stop these men. They understand that not all men are corrupt; indeed, Benevolence gets along very well with male followers of Iomedae, Sarenrae, and Erastil. However, they are wary first, and warm later.

Aldaara was born into this sect – they must be, otherwise they cannot be taught unbiased why men are a problem of Golarion. It sounds counter-intuitive, but most women who seek Benevolence do so because they have been wronged in some fashion by a man, and not because they realize when men are truly capable of. Mothers willingly give up their children for the cause, relinquishing all ties to the child, probably never to see the child again. They do this so that the children can serve a greater good, as there is no greater honor (in most eyes) of being a Paladin.

Aldaara is much of your stereotypical Benevolence Paladin, a female chauvinist who follows the code of her order to the letter. Her low wisdom represents her closed-mindedness. However, the code of Iomedae supersedes the code of Benevolence, she will not hesitate to save an innocent man, nor even allow one she sees as guilty of abusing their power as a man a chance at redemption. She simply keeps a watchful eye for the sins that men are destined to commit. Unfortunately, this sometimes leaves her blind to the atrocities that women can commit, just as horrific as any man. The fallacy of Benevolence.


I changed my mind, I'm gonna be a rogue. What are the rules on races? Only PFS legal races or what?


zauriel56 wrote:
I changed my mind, I'm gonna be a rogue. What are the rules on races? Only PFS legal races or what?

I'm open to suggestions.


Oh, I was just wondering in case someone else needed to know. I'm playing a human which if that isn't allowed I ll be shocked.

Sczarni

Dotting with intrest if there are more needed, I am new to the PBP since I am only in one at the moment. If there is room I am thinking a Elf Druid. Might not join but will watch still.


You got room for one more? If not then don't add me if you do then awesome! This would be my first PbP but I have played pathfinder for a couple of months now.

If there is room then I would like to submit a Dervish Dancer Bard (if no archetypes are available then normal Bard is what I'll do).


Well, let's see. It looks like we have so far:


  • Byden playing a very interesting wizard
  • Katie playing a secretive druid
  • Aldaara the judgmental paladin
  • Tanis with a cleric
  • Zauriel56 with a human(gasp) rogue
  • Ravagwen the elven druid
  • Zotsune the dervish dancer

That's 7. One more than I was shooting for, so let's see who's really ready to rock and roll?

1) How did you meet and happen to be walking along a road in the Artfell forest (there's an Inn at the end of your destination, if that helps)
2) Complete this joke:
"A wizard, 2 druids, a paladin, a cleric, a dervish, and a rogue walk into a bar...."

Byden:
Fantastic story. Looking forward to hearing more.

Katie:
My first impression is that a half-orc druid could work, but the military background/choice of uniform seem to clash somewhat. If it works for you and you can play it, I guess it's fine

Aldaara:
Interesting concept. Wonder where that might take us. Perhaps not far with this relatively short adventure. On the other hand, there may be opportunities to see some conflict

Tanis:
The adventure could definitely use a cleric's healing presence. Would like to hear the cleric's story

Zauriel56:
Wherefore art thine rogue?

Ravagwen:
If you only watch, will you simply take tree form and watch from a distance? Will you simply shake your branches every now and again to re-affirm your passive presence?

Zotsune:
Would definitely like to see a bard. How do you play them? Bold and boisterous? Recounting every step along the way?


Am I too late? I'm brand new to Pathfinder, and PBP, but I'm eager to join. I'm working on a halfling ranger.


Leoian Mousekewitz wrote:
Am I too late? I'm brand new to Pathfinder, and PBP, but I'm eager to join. I'm working on a halfling ranger.

Well, so far I have only seen character backgrounds from 3 players, so I'd be happy to hear about a 4th.


Just working up the crunch for Colwin, is it too much to hope this is a we begin as soon as we have enough players game? :)

Sczarni

This is zauriel56's rogue.

Silver Crusade

1. Aldaara could have possibly bumped into them on route to her destination, the inn at Artfell. Seeing that they were heading to the same destination, she decided to go with them to keep a watchful eye, as is her code. Powerful individuals these are, and it would behoove her to watch them, lest they abuse that power.

2. ...And all hell breaks loose? (I SWEAR I'M FUNNIER THAN THIS!)


Byden wrote:
Just working up the crunch for Colwin, is it too much to hope this is a we begin as soon as we have enough players game? :)

Never give up hope! Never.

It appears we may have 1 or 2 players too many. I don't see why we couldn't get started pretty quickly here as long as the party can get sorted out how they may have gotten together and as soon as everyone can get their crunchy bits in order.


GM Storycrafter wrote:
as long as the party can get sorted out how they may have gotten together

I suppose I probably shouldn't put too much emphasis on the reason for the party being together. It's not that important -- this is just a short adventure meant to let us all learn how to play PBP in a safe way without the risk of harm or injury to ourselves or anyone else for that matter. Still, it'd be nice to see if your characters can find a way to somehow have at least one thing in common.

Silver Crusade

I'm not playing Katie Eaglefeather. I just forgot to switch profiles. I'm playing Kensington Stone, a sorcerer (though he is from the same island Katie is.) Should I change Kensington to a female character?


I play this bard as a bard who is a bad a** belittling other bards calling them fools and imbeciles for singing, playing instruments and telling stories. He is fearless to an extent and relishes in battling many foes at once. And to complete the joke:

The dervish has an idea to get relatively free beer... He orders water from the barmaid then asks the Paladin to change the water to beer. Tells the wizard that it is still water and makes him drink it to see what magic will happen while he is drunk! Repeat with the sorcerers and rogue.


My apologies, but I have to reset the locale...instead of starting in Varisia near Sandpoint, we're going to be starting in Andoran, heading north on a trade route in the Darkmoon Vale, passing near the forest of Arthfell.

One possible starting seed could be that the group is responding to a summons by a mysterious stranger offering an interesting bounty in Falcon's Hollow.

I'll post maps and such shortly.


Okay Colwin adjusted Colwin's backstory to move him half a continent, lol. First time teleport has ever come in handy before a game started! High level wizard in backstory for the win!

His sheet is pretty much finished save for my feat choices, which will likely be different than currently listed.

Sczarni

I walk into a tavern and ask the Bartender "How might one with more, shall we say stealthy skills gain employment around here?" in a relatively quiet voice for such a boisterous place. Looking around as he says to see if he notices anything unsavory or anyone paying to close of attention to him.


This is my Dervish Dancer for your consideration back story is basic, and all the crunch is there. If you would like a better back story just say so and I will work on it some more. (This was just to him out there for crunch I can give a better back story but I was just working on the crunch more so than the back story).

Lantern Lodge

Leotian's search for the paladin Alusys brought him south into Andoran where he heard rumors of a paladin of Iomedae he knew the chances were slim that she had any connection with Alusys, but at the moment she was the best lead he has. He set about finding and following her trail towards Arthfell forest.

A full back story is in my profile let me know if you need any more information


Okay Colwin is complete - I think - gave him an owl familiar, Gibbeous, and selected his feats. 12 hp isn't bad for a 1st level wizard, could have got 15, but as Neville longbottom teaches us toads suck ;)


OK, it looks like we have at least 6 people who have shown interest, shared a story from their character, and are ready to go.

  • Aldaara, a human? paladin
  • Colwin, a human wizard
  • Leotian, a halfling ranger
  • Horfil, an elven dervish dancer
  • Kensington, a half-orc sorcerer
  • Steven, a human rogue

It would be nice to have seen the cleric from Tanis, but alas. . .

I have created a campaign discussion thread here

Silver Crusade

Yes, human. Sorry about that. I have the crunch all ready to go.


Aldaara Drower wrote:
Yes, human. Sorry about that. I have the crunch all ready to go.

Very cool, thanks. We're reconnoitering on the discussion thread nowadays.

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