Kingmaker: Welcome to Free Roaming

Game Master Tassadan

Here are the rules:

#1: There will be six players at 20 point-buy. Why 20 points? Because six people at 25 would probably be a cakewalk. Why six people? So more people can play, so I'll have an easier time choosing players, and so the party can be well-rounded in many fashions.

#2: No ability scores can be above 19 AFTER racial modifiers are in place. This is not a campaign for min-maxing. If you min-max I will not pick you. It's as simple as that. You can still dump stats if you so wish, but I don't encourage it. This is not a campaign for your crazy-awesome "I get 14 attacks per round" build. This is a challenge to you: create a person, not just a caricature who dumped CHA or INT.

#3: Alignment can be any good or neutral. Evil players are possible, but will need my okay first before being eligible. Kingmaker is one campaign where evil characters, especially lawful evil ones, can flourish. Keep in mind that NE and CE characters will be judged more harshly.

#4:Come up with a compelling backstory. Something that helps move you along, gives your character reasons to be in the Sodden Lands that go beyond your class, race, and traits. It needs to make sense, too. I don't want to see you try to be from Chu Ye just so you can get a trait bonus on your unarmed strikes.

#5: Speaking of races and classes: races and classes! This is where I am most lenient: Go crazy! Have you ever wanted to build a Gnoll Magus? A Monkey-Goblin Alchemist? If you can justify it, go for it! Here are the restrictions: No uncommon races of 11 RP or more. I don't care how cool it is, I'm not letting you be an Android, Drider, or gods forbid: a Drow Noble. If you want an Aasimar or a Tiefling, the variant heritages are open to use, but don't take traits or abilities from the d100 tables. And remember, most importantly you have to justify these choices. Your story is just as important, if not more than, your mechanics.

#6: Traits: Two Traits, one must be a campaign trait found here. You'll note that there are seven campaign traits. Know that I will not be excluding your characters based upon what trait you take. Yes, I will take it into account when reading your story, but I won't say "Well that one's already taken, so this guy automatically gets the boot." I will consider you all equally no matter what traits you have chosen. Also: no rich parents. It's tempting, I know, but the classes all have different starting gold for a reason, and I'm giving you a gift that will make the trait less necessary...

#7: Maximum Class Gold and max HP! You get the max for your class in gold at first level. This means that the Monk, who usually gets 35 gp or 1d6x10 gets 60 gp to start. I always found characters starting off with their only possession being a weapon ridiculous. Get some g++$+%n rope and rations! (You'll be eating, drinking, and sleeping too, so you'll be wanting the corresponding items.)

#8: Posting rate should be daily. If you have real life-conflicts, believe me I understand. Tell me beforehand and I'll either send your character to do other work. If a character is dormant for 24 hours or more, I'll reserve the right to bot them or make them fight defensively.

#9: No hero points. Don't build your character around them. Don't take hero point based feats. Just don't do it. If you do, I'll know you haven't read this and will immediately gloss over your character.

#10: Initiative will be determined in block format. If you don't know what that is, look at Kenderkin's profile.

#11. Emerging Guns. I have nothing against gunslingers, but beware the many pitfalls of the class. If you fall in water, I'm going to count all of your powder as being wet and unusable unless you have the appropriate items. Also note that you cannot get a double barreled pistol or pepperbox at level 1, only the standard single barreled. Many seem to think that Gunslingers are broken, but they have many chinks in their attack strategies.

#12. No leadership. This feat is broken. If there's one thing that I learned from the GM guide, it is to not allow characters control of more than one character. There are obvious exceptions in cases of Eidolons or intelligent animal companions, but those are class features that exist for balance purposes. By this token, no undead armies either, be they from evil characters or Juju Oracles.

#13. Psions and 3rd party content is a no-no. Paizo content only, and links are appreciated. D20pfsrd is considered legit and Archives of Nethys entries will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

I am also looking for recommendations of mapping websites, as this campaign has a lot to do with geography.

Tentative deadline is Monday, January 9th at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time May the Gods be ever in your favor!

I want to join this game. I would like to run kingmaker in person, but I want to play through it first. I have not read the book yet, I do not have the book yet.
I can post often, and if picked I will stick with the game until the end.

I would like to submit Alagor - he was originally built for another, more combat oriented, Kingmaker campaign, and since my return to the boards months ago, I have been trying to find a spot for him in one of the Kingmakers.

Btw, the link for traits (point #6 in your original post) does not work, at least for me.

Btw, the link for traits (point #6 in your original post) does not work, at least for me.

My bad. Here's the link.

Still a work in progress...

Color me interested.

One question: minimum 1 post/day with or without weekends? (either is fine just would like to know)

Color me interested.

One question: minimum 1 post/day with or without weekends? (either is fine just would like to know)

Prince, you do raise a good point there. I have to be honest here, usually 1 (or even more) posts during a workday is OK for me, but weekends could be a problem. Not every weekend, typically I can squeeze anywhere between 1 and 10 posts on a "regular" weekend, but there may be some times when I will not be able to post both Saturday and Sunday. Rarely, but it may happen - just FYI...

Dotting for interest. I have a half-orc Inquisitor that I had to drop out of a Kingmaker game a while back, but with the races so open, I'm actually thinking of something different: a Kobold sorcerer. Kobold's ain't exactly the a-number-one player race, I know, but memories of the kobold Deekin from NWN: SoU and HotU are presently dancing through my head.

Checkerwall here

This is a Oracle I made for another game, I still need some adjusting and fixing before its ready. I think I'll make a new Sorcerer if we need a arcane spell caster though.

I might be up for this, will look into character options. I assume you mean the deadline is Monday January 7th, as the 9th is a Wednesday. Regardless, great campaign ideas!

@Prince Nimzar: Weekends are included.

@Phillip0614: Yes. This is exactly the kind of character I'm hoping for! Not only do Kobolds make sense in context, but you're doing something very creative with him. Keep up the good work!

@Checkerwall: Versatility noted.

@Secondsight: You are correct! I did mean that Monday the 7th at 8:00 PM would be the due date.

Chelaxian Wizard for consideration. I shall provide a background and refine other details sometime in the next day or so. Probably going Pioneer, Issian or Noble Born: Lebeda. These fit the theme of the character best.

Here is my submission for the King Maker campaign. I decided to go for something a little unusual. He is a Hobgoblin fighter, but I went down the polearm master archtype. I've never tried this archtype before, but it seemed interestingly on this hobgoblin and made sense to me being that he was partially trained by a human military. His motivations aren't all that complicated, but I left a few threads in the background for interesting plot hooks.

Thanks Tassadan! I appreciate it. One thing that I want to note about the character I'd like to create, though: the stuff written up about Golarion kobolds basically has them all being closet power-hungry jerks, as represented by the LE alignment of the typical version in the bestiary. I'm not usually one for playing evil, or really even neutral characters, though. Would you be ok with a kobold whose alignment differed significantly from his brethren?

Dotting for interest. I have a half-orc Inquisitor that I had to drop out of a Kingmaker game a while back, but with the races so open, I'm actually thinking of something different: a Kobold sorcerer. Kobold's ain't exactly the a-number-one player race, I know, but memories of the kobold Deekin from NWN: SoU and HotU are presently dancing through my head.

I play a Kobold sorcerer in a Kingmaker PbP on these boards (this alias, actually) and I LOVE IT. He's not very powerful, but you can roleplay the snot out of him. I have another player, Prazil who is also playing a kobold and we roleplay clutchmates. He's the good one. I'm the less than good one. It's so much fun and I hope you get as much pleasure from it as I do!

I'm looking to join the game as well, but I've never done play by post, and don't know how to write a character to use as an "Alias" on the Paizo forums. I've sent you a PM with a character question, but I've got the stats done (mostly), and am working on a glorious (I think anyways) backstory. Also, I work thirds (Mon-Thurs 9p-7a, sometimes Sun 9-7). So while I can post daily, and most definitely will, those times I'll be unable to do so. So far though, the only thing I'm snagged on is my characters race, and that involves the PM that I've sent/am writing to you at this moment.

@Marius Cambari: Your build is sound and your infernal intentions intrigue me. Your character will have come a long way from Cheliax though. Those of the evil empire are not the only ones who consort with devils...

@LurkingTyranny: I like it, except for your armor. I'm well aware that Four-Mirror armor is mechanically superior to many western armors, but it doesn't fit well in this context. What I'm looking for here is a willingness to set aside the mechanical for what makes sense. A GM is not your adversary, only your storyteller.

@Phillip0614: Yes, creatures outside their normal alignment can definitely exist. I would be hard-pressed to believe a Lawful-Good Goblin Cleric of Iomedae, but a good Kobold Sorcerer can make a lot of sense if it isn't the chromatic type of dragons he's related to. Be creative. See what you can garner about Kobold culture and how a member could be ostracized from it or reject it.

@Kereek!: Good to hear about the experience! I'm glad my plans have a plausible outcome.

dotting for interest...hopefully will have time to get something up. Gonna be outta town tomorrow. Thinking Tengu Cloistered Cleric, running from people.

I’d like to be part of this too. I will adjust my point buy tonight.

I imagine a gnome or catfolk character would have a lot of personality. I can make a new character before the deadline.

@Gilthanis: Okay... keep in mind that the closest place a Tengu would come from would be the Sodden Lands or the Shackles, which are still very far away from Brevoy. You may want to invent a small Tengu slum that's nearer to Restov.

@Wallop Fey: Cool beans, but no rush. All will be considered equally, so whether you get it in early or late in the game doesn't matter.

@Checkerwall: Whatever you'd like! You may submit more than one character, if you wish.

Me as a player:

I abide by the rules always, as i´m a GM myself (and Venture-Captain), i don´t like when someone upsets the game i´m running, and spoils mine, and everyones hard-earned "immersion", just to do something out of the rules. So why would i even consider not doing the same?! I also like to roleplay a lot, so PBP is ideal for this.
I also can post daily and at various times of the day.
I´m currently not playing any PBP game , so my commitment is total , and my schedule is free.

I envisaged Marius as a Chelaxian noble exiled... well it's all in his background (now up in my profile). I didn't realize exactly how far Cheliax was from the River Kingdoms, though. I think there's cause for him to go that far, but if you think it's too far I can reskin things if you have a suggestion for a Brevic noble family or other family nearby.

@Wulfgars: Good to see ya!

@Marius: Nah, the exile thing works well. Just be sure not to pigeonhole him as a quiet character. He should have that +2 Cha for a reason. Don't change the backstory, though. It's good writing and shows that you have a decent command of third person limited.

Going crazy, still working up my halfling cleric....

This is the Thing from Beyond the Edge

I'm working on my half-orc alchemist here. I have a backstory worked out but I have not yet put it into words in the profile

I play a Kobold sorcerer in a Kingmaker PbP on these boards (this alias, actually) and I LOVE IT. He's not very powerful, but you can roleplay the snot out of him. I have another player, Prazil who is also playing a kobold and we roleplay clutchmates. He's the good one. I'm the less than good one. It's so much fun and I hope you get as much pleasure from it as I do!

Thanks! It will certainly be interesting trying to get it work. I've never played a character that had a net negative for their attributes before, as well as the whole light sensitivity thing. I'm looking forward to the challenge, should I get chosen!

Auren "Rin" Cloudstrider

Female Sylph Air Elemental School Wizard

Dex 16 Con 12 Int 17 Wis 14 Cha 12 Str 7

a quick young weather saavy female Sylph whom was once raised by a varisian caravan, 5 feet in height and barely 40 lbs due to the hollow structure of her bones, making it difficult for her to carry heavy loads. Auren was apprenticed to the caravan mystic of her troupe, and ended up seperated by accident before she could complete her apprenticeship. she was forced to live on the streets as a performing magician of the slums.

kissed by the breeze that flew around her, a common prop in her performance, and a tool of inconvenient accidental mischief, Auren was kicked out of magnimar and she wandered alone, using her performance skill to survive off the tips of others. until a public charter in Brevoy, sought exceptional individuals to found a colony in the stolen lands.

during her travels, Auren befriended a pale blue iridiscent falcon she named Nicoletta, after her best friend in the caravan, (treat as a raven familiar that speaks Auran), dyed her silver hair a bluish green color, and uses magic to bring out the blue of her deep bluish hued green eyes.

Auren bears a strong affinity for wind and weather, but hasn't the patience for the strict and rigid concept that is earth magic. she though seemingly cute in appearance, is a little flighty, preferring to avoid combat when possible, out of fear of the consequences of what happens after snapping her hollow bones and the intense pain that affects her, a little sweet, optimistic, and upbeat, from her happy go lucky varisian attitude, preferring a positive outlook on things, hoping to make things positive by means of example, and she sees herself as little more than an apprentice wizard who became a performer.

Tassadan, what would you say to a Lawful (N or E) Fetchling Shadow Caller (Summoner Archetype)? I'm not sure how many RP Fetchlings have, nor how you feel about the Archetype.

If possible, I'd like to try out a hybrid Shadow Caller/Synthesist, instead of a plain Shadow Caller. I'm somewhat enamored with the the idea of my character's shadow stretching out from beneath and growing to envelop him in some terrifying form.

The primary issue is that both Archetypes alter the Eidolon, but in the case of the Shadow Caller, it really seems like pure flavor. In fact, the flavor would seem to lend itself towards a Synthesist, because "[a] shadow caller's eidolon is at once a thing ... called from the ... Shadow Plane and his own shadow; the two are inseperable" (emphasis mine).

It goes without saying that I'd have one hell of a backstory to justify it, but I want to make sure I'm not completely wasting my time before I start crafting something interesting. And my goal will most definitely not be a powergaming build. It definitely won't be a quadruped pounce build -- I'm thinking of a serpentine constrictor build, for a stealthy shadow-snake, which would go well with a LE "snake" character.

Thanks for reading!

Oh, Marius is not quiet, that's for sure. That's just the situation he was in. I plan to play him as a confident and outgoing man with a bit of a superiority complex. I've finagled Bluff, Diplomacy and Intimidate as class skills and the +2 Charisma for that reason. He's going to be a social character, despite being a Wizard, and will push those skills for all he's worth. He has plans. What's more dangerous than a man with Intelligence to make plans with, Charisma to back it up, and magic? (And a little, or a lot, of Infernal assistance down the line.)

This sounds pretty interesting, would a tiefling cleric of dispater interest you?

Alignment: LN

He has the domains of: Law and Trickey, Sub-domains: Devil and Deception.

He wields a Greataxe and wears an armored coat.

I can easily input this character in appropriate format (as it is currently on paper), i just wanted to see if you liked the idea of the character first, as I have other characters with equal story that you may find more interesting :)

@Caspian: Don't worry, I see you despite your height.

@Drucas/thing: Looks good so far. Keep up the good work!

@Lumiere: You've got a great general feel of "Rin's" personality. If you can flesh it out with specifics you'll be on your way to a great character. What was the accident that separated her from her caravan? Why didn't they wait for or look for her? Wthat led her to be kicked out of Magnimar? That sort of thing.

@Grom: I like the Shadow Caller Archetype, and while it would be cool to fuse it with a Synthesist I'm a big stickler when it comes to archetype overlap. You can choose one or the other, but not both. As for the Fetchling's RP... it is very high at 17, but it's distributed in a way that makes it hard to overpower a Fetchling at first level. I'm okay with the race's use. As for the alignment? Write him a personality and I'll think on it.

@Marius: Good to hear.

@Ebonnard: Why Dispater and not Asmodeus? Also, if he's a Cleric that has devoted his life to this deity, why not wield Dispater's weapon: A heavy mace? You've got the lawful and the evil down, now turn it into a person whom someone could sympathise with despite his faults. As for your other characters, bring them on if you so desire. The more, the merrier. FYI we're currently short on rogue-like characters and Ranged attackers.

@Caspian: Don't worry, I see you despite your height.

@Drucas/thing: Looks good so far. Keep up the good work!

@Lumiere: You've got a great general feel of "Rin's" personality. If you can flesh it out with specifics you'll be on your way to a great character. What was the accident that separated her from her caravan? Why didn't they wait for or look for her? Wthat led her to be kicked out of Magnimar? That sort of thing.

@Grom: I like the Shadow Caller Archetype, and while it would be cool to fuse it with a Synthesist I'm a big stickler when it comes to archetype overlap. You can choose one or the other, but not both. As for the Fetchling's RP... it is very high at 17, but it's distributed in a way that makes it hard to overpower a Fetchling at first level. I'm okay with the race's use.

May i ask what about my character? AS far as the idea goes if you like it or not

Question, Tassadan: Does the weight of gold unspent count towards my character's encumberance? Thanks!

@Ebonnard: Hold yer horses! I'm getting around to everyone in my own time. As you can see, I have edited my former post to respond accordingly.

@Phillip0614: For all my championing of the rules, I hate hate hate hate monetary encumbrance. It's a pain to keep track of, but at the same time I don't want a bunch of Ezio auditores roaming around the place with hundreds of thousands of gold lining their pockets but unable to carry more daggers. Basically: don't worry about gold weight at low levels. As we level it may become an issue.

@Ebonnard: Why Dispater and not Asmodeus? Also, if he's a Cleric that has devoted his life to this deity, why not wield Dispater's weapon: A heavy mace? You've got the lawful and the evil down, now turn it into a person whom someone could sympathise with despite his faults. As for your other characters, bring them on if you so desire. The more, the merrier. FYI we're currently short on rogue-like characters and Ranged attackers.

I chose dispater for the Lawful aspect, which is his sympathy point. He would do whatever he could to break up an unlawful fight or destruction of a village, mainly because he sees all of it as his own. Despite that, he would gladly pin two kingdoms against one another for power.

And the greataxe because a heavy mace is one handed, and i can't seem him holding a shield and the greataxe adds to his diabolic look.

And i don't know if i have gotten HOW lawful he is across... In scenario with him and a LG Paladin, he would be the one that would uphold the law above the paladin.

And as far as the other characters, i will take them from paper and put them on my comp. (at least my favorite ones). I will have them to you tomorrow.

Lol its cool man :). Sorry if i seemed like i was rushing :P

If you are still taking submissions, I would like to make one - Dench, the hobgoblin bladebound magus. I have his crunch below, and will add the fluff ASAP. I hope he meets your approval.

Vesaana P'Salek

Female Changling Ninja

Str 13, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 12

The off-spring of a Green Hag mother and accomplished rogue father, the latter of which was seduced through the Hag's magical means. Although custom dictates the Hag deposit the child on the doorstep of unwitting foster parents, by chance the child was left at her father's cabin. A recluse and retired adventurer, the rogue nevertheless took pity on the wailing infant and raised her to adolescence, training her in his craft along the way. However, as the child crested into her late teens she began to manifest unusual magic powers (OOC: Magical Talent Trait, will also explain Ninja Ki powers later on) secondary to her maternal heritage. Her father, noting the child's unmatched emerald and violet eyes and pale skin, realized her heritage from his daliance many years earlier. This coincided with a appearance of mystical voice urging Vesaana to leave her father and discover her path, perhaps even her mother. Upon discovering her mother had left the area years before, Vesaana decided to strike out on her own.

Initially her travels went array, including a brief stint having fallen in with Brigands and similiar ner-do-well's (OOC: Brigand Trait from Kingmaker, I can expand this part too), and is seeking a way to move on to greener pastures. Maybe an expedition to a rugged new wilderness?

Tall (5'10) and thin with pale skin and raven black hair, Vesaana is stunningly beautiful. She is young, however (18 years old) and is prone to immaturity and impulsivity at times (CG alignment). A follower of Cayden Cailean, she thrives on experiencing the world and enjoys throwing back an ale or three at tavern as much as anyone. Behind all of this though lies an astute mind and quick learner who tends to remain positive even in the face of stark adversity.

OOC: Sorry for the text wall, just wanted to give an idea of the background I envisioned. Can tweak as needed to fit the campaign. Possibly finding her mom could be a good roleplay but definitely not a requirement. As for me, I've played in several PbP's before on another site (dndonlinegames.com, can provide reference links if desired).

I have a heroforge file for the character if desired. Not sure if you want more "crunch", if not this is my official submission. Hope you pick me!

the accident that seperated her from her caravan, i was considering something cliche like a bout of illness that took too long to heal. she couldn't walk, couldn't perform, and the caravan felt the healers of magnimar could help her better than the caravan mystics.

the caravan had intended to return when they got news that she recovered, and otherwise, assumed she was deceased due to the nature of the illness.

the doctors had failed to send a successful message due to a group of goblins slaying the messenger.

when she recovered, she became a street magician (using sleight of hand as a perform skill). the breeze surrounding her (the breeze kissed alternate racial trait), though helpful as a performance prop, has gotten her into unwanted trouble. the wind was unintentionally performing minor annoyances such as knocking papers over, flipping skirts, breaking fragile pottery and similar things. she elected to leave on her own accord as a means to get out of the massive debt. an option that while akin to being kicked out, allowed her to escape the debt and avoid unwanted conflict. the exile was for a 10 year period and not too recent.

since the caravan does a lot of traveling, she believes that there is a lead that she might find them within the stolen lands.

Thanks! I'll just note it in HeroLab as being dropped to ground for the moment so that it won't count against encumbrance.

Getting the crunch done...trying to decide on a campaign trait now, between brigand and pioneer. I honestly feel like pioneer is a better choice for what I have in mind, but I don't believe the horse would be appropriate for a Kobold...and the write-up for pioneer in the player's guide isn't exactly what I had in mind.

The basic idea for the character that I've got in mind is that his tribe was attacked by the same kobold tribe that is in the Stolen Lands and wiped out, with him being the lone survivor of the assault because his dissident views on a kobold's place in the world ostracized him from his clutchmates. He has since wandered the Stolen Lands, doing his dead-level best to stay hidden and alive while simultaneously trying to figure out how he can avenge the loss of his tribe.

It'd be nice if there were a trait that let you pick Survival or Knowledge (Nature) to get a +1 bonus and treat as a class skill.

Still around....

DM

Quick correction...I noticed he did not have a campaign trait, so I removed adopted and took sword scion instead...the background will, I hope make the decision understandable. Thanks

Here's my submission.

Here is my submission Grif Hallisp, all his info is in his profile.

Tosniak Voxile "Vox the Vile"

I will post two more tomorrow

Hey Tassadan,

I'm excited about this! I've never been able to get into a Kingmaker game on these boards that didn't die in the first week. Anyway, from your language (I could be totally wrong :S) I sense a level of DM Maturity so that compels me to want to join your game.

I can't tell you that my submission will be such a unique concept, but it will fit, and it will have a purpose. I hope you'll be candid with me with your reflections on my build and backstory!

I should have something up tonight or tomorrow morning.

Just dotting and announcing my intent to create an alchemist character. Not sure of the race - I want to firm up a concept first: would you allow the PFS grenadier archetype?

Alice here. This is my character. I, uhh, went a little overboard with writing… Apologies! Ask me if you would like an abbreviated version. :P

Some of the tiny specifics (feats, skills, equipment, etc.) may change a little depending on party make-up and so forth, but the overall character is otherwise complete. Hope you like her!