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Hey everyone. I'm putting together this thread so that we can start discussing characters and see if this gets of the ground. Hopefully things work out well.
Greetings how is it going? I'm Times, I've been asked to join in!
Good day all
I'm also among those interested in playing
Hello folks! I'm a friend of the GMs, reporting in.
I've looked over the player's guide and started thinking on things, but I don't have any firm concept at the moment. What are other people thinking?
I am thinking about playing a fighter of some kind... maybe an archer fighter.
Outside of that I don't have much else to go on yet. I need to read the player's guide in greater detail.
Hello all. Nice to meet you. I'm interested in playing. I was thinking about a front line fighter or a cleric. Slayer and warpriest are looking pretty interesting.
Whasssssssssssup.
What I would do depends significantly upon allowed material. GM? Anything off-limits?
My initial thought is to play a spellcaster.
My usual build rules for an AP are 20 point buy, anything Paizo.
I actually have a concept I'd love to play:
A Dwarven Witch and priestess of Bolka. While working as a matchmaker in Kraggodan she sought to escape the marriage arranged for her by her own family. She had no interest in the lecherous, old drunk, even if it helped her family if she married a man of such noble standing. When they came to find her on the day she was supposed to marry she desperately prayed for help and a chance to escape but the only one who answered was Nocticula, a demon lord. In desperation my character accepted her help and so she was shrouded in shadows and none could see her while she fled to the surface.
Now she has become a Demon-Sworn Witch and is stuck with a pact she wishes she hadn't made. She ended up in Phaendar where she continues to provide the services as a priestess of Bolka, though with a focus on supporting newlyweds and those about to be married. At the same time she desperately searches for a way out of her pact without damning herself again in the process.
Just to be clear, she'd be Neutral Good.
EDIT: I'm not absolutely tied to this concept as it fits multiple APs. Basically it just requires the proximity of a Sky Citadel/large Dwarven city.
Mechanically, I see nothing wrong with this concept. The bigger issue would be roleplaying implications. I can see Bolka being willing to forgive accidentally invoking a demon, and given the description of Bolka, her not actually offering help herself makes sense. However, most people are not going to be very happy about someone running around with an obvious demonic familiar without a damn good explanation, especially if that person is claiming to represent a good aligned goddess.
Luckily for you, there is a Sky Citadel nearby, Kraggodan, and a large dwarven settlement near it. I believe it's a rather large part of book 4, so dwarf characters will have something to do way down the line. There's also a dwarven exile in Phaendar from the same area who doesn't like to talk about how she got kicked out, so that's something to consider as well.
I'm thinking Skinwalker ranger. Maybe werebear or werewolf kin but I haven't settled on that yet... Native to the town, works with the local hunters and guard, does her best to keep her "family" secret, that kind of thing!
I'd like to look into this ranger archetype they suggest but the srd doesn't have it...
The Nirmathi Irregular right? The SRD isn't allowed to use names that reference the campaign setting directly, so they have to rename everything. It's under the name Woodland Skirmisher on the site. They're less versatile in Favored Enemy and Terrain and lose a little animal ken stuff, but get extra spells and are better in the forest.
GM beat me to it. @Timeskeeper: Which archetype? I may be able to cut and paste it for you I have PDF's of a lot of the Paizo books.
Aaah! That's right! XD
What do you think GM? Worth it? Maybe go Hobgoblin and Forest? Because you get one. And only one, of each.
@CariMac: GM got it. Yeah that's the one I wanted to look at. It might be worth it since the guide itself calls it out.
Up to you really. Hobgoblin will definitely get enough of a workout for that to be worth it, though you actually take Humanoid (Goblinoid), so it applies to stuff like bugbears and regular goblins too, which is nice. Terrain has plenty of forests, though there's a variety including dungeons, underground, and towns too. Really your call if the extra casting is worth it, though the addition of druid spells at least adds some versatility.
If you can play a druid, that would be a killer class. The ability to have favored enemy with some of the druid spells could seriously be worth it.
Yeah I want this class... So question now is bear or wolf?
@Timeskeeper. Inner Sea Magic is one I don't have. Sorry
@CariMac: It's cool! But I do thank you for your willingness to help! Would you like the weigh in on the bear or wolf question?
I'll say as a fan of skinwalkers, I'm more partial to the bear variant than the wolf myself. For a ranger, though, the witchwolf may be better overall--Charisma isn't big for them, and the bonus to Perception is nice. Hard to pass up that racial +2 to all saves when in bestial form, too... Only shame is that the +2 to Wisdom is only in bestial form, so you wouldn't get extra spells from it if you're looking at a more casting-heavy build.
With other build considerations, I assume we're using traits, but how many? One plus a campaign trait, or two plus a campaign trait? (I've seen both as fairly common.) Also, are we using anything from Unchained, like Background Skills or Variant Multiclassing? I assume ABP is off the table because that would probably involve changing a fair amount of treasure in the AP, but some of the other options can help open things up.
I'm still not sure what I'll play for this. Have to keep looking and thinking.
I'm willing to allow skinwalkers to keep their modifiers in both forms honestly. It's silly that the basic +2, +2, -2 doesn't apply to them properly.
Yes, two traits, one campaign one anything else. Background skills are being used and Variant Multiclassing is allowed if you'd like it. ABP will not be used since it's a pre-written AP.
Yeah, werewolf-kin would fit better.... Maybe get a bear at level 4! XD
Sweet! Thank you GM, that makes my plans a lot easier.
I'm looking at options for a cleric. I'm thinking kind of a wandering wilderness healer who takes care of the spiritual needs and the health needs of those living in the area. Is anyone else looking into a healer? Otherwise, I'll look into a martial melee fighter.
As far as Skinwalkers go: The first book of Ironfang Invasion actually offers a new kind of Skinwalker as well: The Aeriekin.
They are the Skinwalker descendants of Wereraptors (the bird kind).
Their stat bonuses are +2 Wis -2 Cha and an extra +2 Dex when shifted. Skill bonuses are to Perception and Sense Motive and they get Featherfall as their spell-like ability. Lastly their shifting options are: 1d6 Bite, 2 1d4 talons, +4 perception or +10 ft. to any flight speed.
As for my concept, I understand that having a Quasit familiar will cause some conflict, especially since it will still be evil (though 100% obedient, as per the archetype). Those who witness the arrival of the Quasit will probably understand but that'll probably be a small group.
I can understand if you think it wouldn't work in which case I'd look at other ideas I have for this AP. Probably something more martial, like an Occultist or a Phantom Blade Spiritualist.
The quasit is possible, but I'm not going to hold back on the consequences if you want to go with it. The people you help at the beginning of the game will probably give you the benefit of the doubt, but gaining the trust of further allies will be much harder with a demon around unless you manage to hide it completely.
Yeah, sadly I can't take bird kind seriously... I know it's bad to say but it's true! XD
I can't pick between Foxclaw Scout and Ironfang Survivor... I have a good story for each!
Working on a female Kellid cleric of Sarenrae with the Merciful Healer Archetype. She is an Iron Fang Survivor.
I'm assuming the Demon-Sworn witch is not strong on healing. I'm not familiar with the archetype so it may be a bad assumption.
She will wade into melee and be a flanking partner.
Thoughts?
I get that and I'll give it some more thought. A thing to note though is that the Quasit does have the ability to change shape into any 2 of small centipede, bat, toad and wolf (I'd say it's at least bat for this one since it's sent as a "gift" by Nocticula and her sacred animal is the bat) and can turn invisible at will so it does have ways to avoid being found out as a demon.
The alternative at the top of my list at the moment is Panoply Savant Occultist with the Warrior panoply. Not sure that'll still be a Dwarf though.
EDIT: As for the healing; Not really. All her hexes would do 1d4 nonlethal damage, including her Healing hex. In addition the mechanical downside of the archetype is that half of your patron spells get replaced by evil spells (Protection from Good, Unholy Blight, Dispel Good, Blasphemy and Unholy Aura to be precise) though the upside is evil spells don't change your alignment.
Well if you're going IronFang Survivor then I shall go Foxclaw Scout. Unless you want to work on a joint backstory?
I'm okay with either idea. Keeping your familiar as a bat would certainly help and I had actually forgotten that Nocticula's sacred animal is the bat. I'm not sure how actually, it should be obvious. A Panoply Savant seems interesting for a dwarf actually, so if you're interested in that, go ahead. Invoking ancient ancestral weapons and combat prowess seems like a thing that an occultist would be good at and would fit a dwarf.
Well if you're going IronFang Survivor then I shall go Foxclaw Scout. Unless you want to work on a joint backstory?
None of the other traits really fit my vague idea of a backstory. We can certainly work on a back story together if you want to.
Seeing as though the Tian Xia angle I'd heard about before has been dropped, I'm instead going to put forth a modified version of this character. He was originally built for Kingmaker but any game set near Numeria works just fine for him. He's going to play a magus probably focused on zone control and drawing opponents to himself to protect party members. He's still capable of damage spiking, but he'll mostly keep people from reaching squishier party members and pin them down to finish them off.
What does everyone else think about the Demon-Sworn Witch? Would you be ok with travelling alongside someone who regretfully made a desperate pact with a Demon lord and ends up actually being stuck with a fully evil demonic familiar?
As for why no Dwarf on the Panoply Savant: I don't like playing the stereotypical Dwarf and that's where you'll quickly end up with that, be it a smarter version of the stereotypical Dwarf.
@CariMac: Well what where your thoughts on the character's backstory?
@Cuán: I'm always a fan of witches! My first character ever in pathfinder was a witch. As for the demon-sworn... I don't mind people having troubled or even evil characters if it gives a good story and doesn't hurt the party internally. I don't know enough about my character at the moment to say if they would or wouldn't care, but I do know that they themselves have a problem or two and most likely will not judge you for yours. Dispite if they like it or not.
I mean my character is walking around doing her best to hide her animalistic behaviour because werewolves scare people. With good reason.
My point being, some handy caps we place there to give us better story, so long as you are willing to pay the mechanical and story base price along with the benefits, knowing that you're paying more for it, to for it.
I'm not feeling the Merciful Healer which requires the healing domain. The gods who have that just doesn't jive with what I was thinking for a character concept. I see her as growing up in Nirmathis in the woods. She'll still be a cleric, but probably of a wilderness god.
@Timeskeeper: Still working on it. She grew up in Nirmathis. She's not super young late 20's early 30's, and has been traveling around to the various villages at the edge of Fangwood Forrest healing and teaching as she goes. Kind of a traveling minister type.
@Cuan: Will this affect the healing you get? What about Bless etc. Do you think that will affect if your familiar receives them? I don't mind someone who had to make hard choices to survive. I have concerns about being able mechanically to buff and assist you. If you are good with possibly odd interactions with a good cleric. I'm good with your character. Not sure what her reaction is going to be when that thing craws out of your old familiar. :)
My character would still be a Neutral Good it's just her familiar that is evil. In fact, I could even turn the character into a full time necromancer and she'd stay Good (as long as she doesn't acquire the corpses in an evil way). Just to be clear: I wouldn't.
The character would be very much a good person and made a horrible mistake and might have to pay with her soul. She might descend into something else though if she gets desperate to save her soul.
To be honest, I'm actually starting to doubt whether I want to run this character through this specific AP. Basically I'm stuck with too many fun ideas.
As for a healing wilderness god, have you checked Immonhiel? She is an angel empyreal lord, a devoted healer and goddess of herbalism, swamps and toads.
Another that might come close is Shei, tied to nature simply by virtue of being an agathion empyreal lord and a goddess of age, self actualisation and the cycle of life.
If you want to move outside the Inner Sea region there also is Qi Zhong, Tien god of healing, magic and the elements.
@Chuan: Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into them.
Would a Summoner fit the game, thematically? And would I have to play Unchained?
Pretty much anything can fit thematically as long as you have a decent backstory to tie it in. And yes, unchained summoner please.
I'm still looking over things and thinking on stuff--today was my final day as an undergrad, which did mean having plenty of final projects to turn in, so I haven't had a ton of time to work on things yet. That said, I'm not seeing anyone putting forward a tanky frontline character yet; if I'm wrong on that front, please let me know, but this may be an opportunity to play an Id Rager, which I've been considering for a little while. Possibly an Unbreakable Survivor?
EDIT: This also strikes me as a fun opportunity to play a classic type of character, to fit the classic fantasy theme of a hobgoblin invasion and all. I'm strongly considering a sword-and-board type of some kind, although precise class will depend on a few considerations (the rest of the party, how I can potentially see myself building one).
So right now it looks like:
CariMac: Cleric
Timeskeeper: Skinwalker Ranger (Nirmathi Irregular)
Loup Blanc: Bloodrager (Id Rager)
Cuan: Witch (Demon-Sworn) or Occulist
Elegantly Waste: Summoner?
JDPhipps: AE-G5, Android Magus (Blackblade/Kensei)
Alright I found a deity that works with Merciful Healer: Milani. I also took the Frontier Healer trait.
A Merciful healer cannot damage undead with her channel. Is the group ok with that? I don't know how much undead we might see.
Mm. Going away from summoner. I'll have an idea shortly.
That's fine, I think we can handle undead even if we can't hurt them with channeling.
After some more thought I'll actually be going for the Panoply Savant Occultist. I figured the witch is better suited for other adventures (read, places where the whole demonic connection and quest to reverse damnation is more fitting. How I'd love to play such a character in Wrath of the Righteous).
Only thing I'm in doubt about is whether I want to focus on Trappings of the Warrior panoply or the Mage's Paraphernalia.
The first would be a sword and board style fighter, though the board would be a defensive feature only. The latter would be a very good caster of spells upto 6th level, assuming I can get my hands on a decent spellbook.
I'm looking at a sword and board type, so if you want to go with the mage setup, that seems like it could be a good go. Alternatively, a pair of sword-and-boarders to draw enemy attention and work together could be very solid.
My sword and board wouldn't be your full on sturdy gall though. For starters there'd only be medium armor and a d8 hit dice. Let's just say she'd be an anvil with your character and both ranger and magus being hammers. In addition the character would be handing out buffs.
The caster version would still be a melee combatant as well, including the medium armor and martial weapons, but the focus would be on the casting. It doesn't really work unless I have a filled (upto 6th level) spellbook though. Now if I could borrow our Magus's spellbook I could prepare any wizard list spells he has. Still, it isn't ideal and I'm not even sure if someone who isn't a wizard/magus/other book-based caster could even write new spells into a spellbook.
Yeah I'm going to shoot things with pointy sticks! XD
Also don't ask her to talk to anything other then animals. She has no charisma. She is blunt as hell!
I'll be able to talk to people. I might hit them right after, but I can talk. :)
Aegis has a Charisma of 6 and a racial trait that gives him a -4 to Bluff. He should never talk to anyone.
Aegis is also actually going with a pseudo-defensive build on a Magus focusing on Aid Another actions to grant AC bonuses (up to at least a +9 by the end of it) and disarming via the Bodyguard and Shield Gauntlet feats. Magi don't really need many feats to deal good damage considering most of it comes from spells, and I'll be purchasing some magic items to increase my available pool of spells to cast when it gets to that point. Instead, he's best when paired with another melee character who's AC he can boost while he relies on his own good AC and Flamboyant Arcana to deflect attacks.
I don't know if that changes anyone's plans, but Aegis is not a typical Magus. Also, I just realized that rhymes. Go figure.
I'm trying to get Telka to be able to take a couple of hits in melee having someone to add to my AC would be helpful. I don't expect to be one of the main front line characters.
Of course if we have two or three front liners already we might need another ranged fighter. I'd need to switch deities to Erastil for bows, and would need a different archetype. I don't mind making the change.