Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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At a perfumed arcade known as the Emporium, Governor-Mayor Lanod Neff rubs shoulders with common labourers awaiting an appointment in the Veiled Corridor. In an adjoining antechamber, snakes and exotic dancers gyre to a sonorous weave of cymbals and seductive pipes. A floor below, a gaggle of grasping miners presses against the windowed door of a darkened cell, impatient for a glimpse of a two-headed calf.
Out in the street, a gang of rowdies screams obscenities at a crumpled halfling, kicking it as if scrambling for a ball. Their drunken laughter echoes off shuttered windows and bolted doors.
In a tower-flanked fortress across the shadowy square, filthy men with nothing to lose shout hymns to St. Cuthbert, clutching to their idealism and principles like cornered animals. Their wild eyed chief minister smiles as a he draws the cat-o-nine-tails across his bare back, awash in their adulation and the spirit of his god.
It’s just another night in Diamond Lake.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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This is the discussion thread for Mothman’s Whispering Cairn play by post game. At this stage, the game is already full.
Guys, add a new post in this thread to let me know if you’ve found it ok. This thread is to discuss background, character concepts and out of character discussions.
Character creation:
Ability Scores generated using 4d6, drop the lowest, x 6, assigned as preferred.
Races and Classes: Any from the PHB; others on a case-by-case basis.
Starting money as standard for first level characters (as listed in the PHB).
Character generation house rules:
Wizards spell-book scribing is cheaper and quicker than detailed in the PHB. I’ll give details as / when they are required.
All spell-casters with access to 0 level spells get a number of bonus 0 level spells / day (or 0 level spell slots / day – not spells known) equal to their ability modifier in the relevant ability (Wizards = Intelligence, Clerics = Wisdom, Sorcerers = Charisma etc).
All characters will get a bonus feat assigned by the DM, based on their concept / background.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Play by Post primer:
Create an alias for your character, and use that alias to post as your character in the game thread. To create an alias, make sure that you are logged in, then click on “My Account”. Once in your account page, go to Messageboard Aliases and click on “Create New Messageboard Alias”. Then fill in your avatar name (which should be your character’s name) and sort through the avatar images to find the one that best resembles your character. Don’t forget to click “Submit changes”.
Character sheet / details should be set up in your character’s alias. Here is an example, although you don’t need to follow this format.
To enter information into your character’s alias, first make a post using that alias. When you add a new post to a thread, there is an option at the bottom of the screen to “Post As”, with a pull down menu – choose your character’s alias and post as that. If you miss it and post with your main alias, you can always edit the post and amend to post as another alias.
Once you have posted as your character, click on your character’s name at the top of the post – this will take you to your character’s page. Once there, click on “Edit my profile” to enter your character information.
Generally speaking, you will use your character alias to post in the game thread once we get going. If you’re posting in the discussion thread (here) you can use either your main alias or your character as you prefer.
If you’re posting in-game, out of character stuff can be entered in blue text to differentiate it from the rest of the stuff (as shown in the example in the next post). Blue (ooc) text can be done - {ooc}like this{/ooc} - but replace the { with [. When you add a new post you can click on “BBCode tags you can use” to see how to do ooc text, and other things like italics, bold and spoiler text.
Sometimes I will do stuff in spoilers, like this:
This might be done when I want to post something that only certain characters would know, or when the information I present depends on the result of a skill check or something like that, eg:
Spot check result 10+
Spot check result 15+
| Lightbringer |
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Lightbringer charges forward at the ogre that threatens the dwarf, unlimbering his greatsword as he runs. “For the Flame!” he cries, as he swings mightily at the giant humanoid.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Further information on Diamond Lake:
The small mining town of Diamond Lake nestles in the rocky crags of the Cairn Hills, three days ride east of the Free City to which it is subject. Iron and silver from Diamond Lake’s mines fuel the capital’s markets and support its soldiers and nobles with the raw materials for weapons and finery. This trade draws hundreds of skilled and unskilled labourers and artisans all hoping to strike it rich.
In ages past, Diamond Lake boasted an export more valuable than metal in the form of treasure liberated from the numerous tombs and burial cairns crowding the hills around town. These remnants of a half-dozen long dead cultures commanded scandalous prices from the elite of nearby cities, whose insatiable covetousness triggered a boom in the local economy. Those days are long gone though; the last cairn in the region coughed up its treasures decades ago, and few locals pay much mind to stories of yet undiscovered tombs and un-plundered burial cairns. These days, only a handful of treasure seekers visit the town, and few return to the Free City with anything more valuable than a wall rubbing or an ancient tool fragment.
In the hills surrounding the town, hundreds of labourers spend weeks at a time underground, breathing recycled air pumped in via systems worth ten times their combined annual salaries. The desperate, underpaid miners are Diamond Lake’s foundation, their weekly pay cycling back into the community via a gaggle of gambling dens, bordellos, ale halls, and temples.
Because work in the mines is so demanding and dangerous, most folk come to Diamond Lake because they have nowhere else to turn, seeking an honest trade of hard labour for subsistence level pay simply because the system has allowed them no other option. Many are foreigners displaced from native lands by war or famine. Work in the mines is the last honest step before utter destitution or crimes of desperation. For some, it is the first step in the opposite direction; a careful work assignment to ease the burden on debtor-filled prisons, one last chance to make it in civil society.
Diamond Lake
Population: 1025 (95% human, 2% halfling, 1% gnome, 2% other)
Exports: Iron, silver.
Religion / Places of Worship: The church of St. Cuthbert; chapel dedicated to Heironeous (at the garrison); Cult of the Green Lady (non orthodox sect of the church of Wee Jas); the Bronzewood Lodge (dedicated to Obad-Hai and the Old Faith); The Twilight Monastery.
Authority Figures: Governor-Mayer Lanod Neff (hm); Sheriff Cubbin (hm); garrison commander Tolliver Trask (hm).
Mine Managers: Balabar Smenk (hm), Chaum Gansworth (hm), Ellival Moonmeadow (em), Gelch Tilgast (hm), Luzane Parrin (hf), Ragnolin Dourstone (dm).
Other Notables: Zalamandra (hf, owner of The Emporium); Lazare (hm, owner of Lazare’s House); Jierian Wierus (hm, Cuthbertine preacher); Valkus Dun (hm, Heironean warrior-priest); Allustan (hm, wizard and sage); Dulok Blitzhame (dm, leader of dwarven trade delegation); Vulgan Durtch (hm, chief smelter); Nogwier (hm, leader of the Bronzewood Lodge community); Amariss (hf, priestess of Wee Jas).
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Dang... I missed the announcement...
Hey man, aren't you already playing in an AOW game? ;-)
Yeah, there was no announcement on this - I'm running it for my RL group, given that I rarely get to catch up with all of them for a game anymore.
At this stage it looks like I'll probably have a full swag of players. If it doesn't pan out like that I'll consider opening it up to the floor - I can put you on the list if you like Twiceborn?
| TwiceBorn |
| Male Human Bard 1/Ranger 1/Expert 3 |
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Dang... I missed the announcement...Hey man, aren't you already playing in an AOW game? ;-)
Yeah, there was no announcement on this - I'm running it for my RL group, given that I rarely get to catch up with all of them for a game anymore.
At this stage it looks like I'll probably have a full swag of players. If it doesn't pan out like that I'll consider opening it up to the floor - I can put you on the list if you like Twiceborn?
Yes I am, and it's a really good one, too... but the game has been progressing very slowly. We haven't gotten very far into the cairn yet, so it's not like I have alot of knowledge about what's in there. And given how much I've enjoyed your AoD PbP, well, I thought Mothman's AoW would be equally cool...
So sure, put me at the top of the tentative player list if you should fire up another PbP... thanks!
| Ash Walker |
| Male Human Researcher/4, Defender/5 |
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Hey Mothman - found it; i'll get a character concept up here soon.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Yes I am, and it's a really good one, too... but the game has been progressing very slowly. We haven't gotten very far into the cairn yet, so it's not like I have alot of knowledge about what's in there. And given how much I've enjoyed your AoD PbP, well, I thought Mothman's AoW would be equally cool...So sure, put me at the top of the tentative player list if you should fire up another PbP... thanks!
No problem!
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Also: I think I mentioned earlier, but forgot to include it in the above info; characters will start at first level … if anyone really, really wants to play a race with a level adjustment, we’ll talk about it…
Another house rule: Any character who is a native of Diamond Lake can use the Knowledge, Local skill untrained for things directly related to Diamond Lake. If they have ranks in the skill they get a +1 circumstance bonus to checks relating to the area. (Characters from elsewhere; such as the Free City, the Mistmarsh, Celene, Alhastar, Cauldron, wherever get a similar bonus in relation to their place of origin … of course, that’s less useful to them in Diamond Lake…)
| Accolyte Nikola |
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Accolyte Nikola (Troy) bids you greetings!
I was thinking of a "Collector of Secrets" as a concept, probably multi-class rogue/wizard. Human kid who came up on the wrong side of the tracks; opportunities have presented themselves to cross over but Nikola has taken none of them - the excitement of a job well done or a secret boosted is what gets him off.
Diamond Lake sounded like just the place all those years ago - and he hasn't been dissapointed yet!
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Nikola, welcome!
Concept sounds cool man. Here’s some ideas on how Nikola might fit into Diamond Lake:
- The sage and wizard Allustan has an intense interest in the archaic cultures that built the early cairns that dot the nearby hills – but he’s not much of an adventurer himself, and he knows that any cairns that have survived the centuries with their treasures and secrets intact are likely well trapped or guarded – so, he’s interested in training up an apprentice with a more adventurous outlook, who may be willing to uncover and share the cairns’ secrets with him. (As a side note, Allustan is also the only wizard of any note in town – for an apprentice arcanist seeking a master or teacher, he is the only logical choice).
- Everyone in town comes to the Emporium sooner or later, and many secrets are spilt in its darkened halls or gambling chambers. A rogue, bard, sorcerer or even perhaps wizard could make a decent living as an entertainer at the Emporium … but the gold one makes may pale in comparison to what could be made by happening on a loosely guarded secret – just beware who you cross; personages such as the Governor-Mayor and the more powerful mine owners do not take kindly to blackmail.
- The mine owners are constantly plotting and scheming between them to become more powerful than their fellows; whilst the Mayor secretly covets the power that the owners wield, and wishes to take it for himself. Any of them may seek the services of a “gatherer of information” to further their own agenda.
- Recent rumours have arisen of strange creatures and seemingly indestructible undead haunting the hills and swamps south of Diamond Lake. There is some suggestion that the origin of – or at least a clue - might be found somewhere within the town itself.
- An organization known as The Seekers (a group of rather unscrupulous archaeologists, treasure hunters and lore seekers) have long been interested in the rumoured treasures of the cairns scattered through the hills. They may send an agent to Diamond Lake to listen for rumours of new cairns uncovered – or else a rival of this group may come to town, hoping to beat a Seeker to his goal.
Also, given any thought to whether you would favour the rogue or wizard side of things – or both fairly equally?
| Accolyte Nikola |
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Nikola, welcome!
Concept sounds cool man. Here’s some ideas on how Nikola might fit into Diamond Lake:
Spoiler:
- The sage and wizard Allustan has an intense interest in the archaic cultures that built the early cairns that dot the nearby hills – but he’s not much of an adventurer himself, and he knows that any cairns that have survived the centuries with their treasures and secrets intact are likely well trapped or guarded – so, he’s interested in training up an apprentice with a more adventurous outlook, who may be willing to uncover and share the cairns’ secrets with him. (As a side note, Allustan is also the only wizard of any note in town – for an apprentice arcanist seeking a master or teacher, he is the only logical choice).- Everyone in town comes to the Emporium sooner or later, and many secrets are spilt in its darkened halls or gambling chambers. A rogue, bard, sorcerer or even perhaps wizard could make a decent living as an entertainer at the Emporium … but the gold one makes may pale in comparison to what could be made by happening on a loosely guarded secret – just beware who you cross; personages such as the Governor-Mayor and the more powerful mine owners do not take kindly to blackmail.
- The mine owners are constantly plotting and scheming between them to become more powerful than their fellows; whilst the Mayor secretly covets the power that the owners wield, and wishes to take it for himself. Any of them may seek the services of a “gatherer of information” to further their own agenda.
- Recent rumours have arisen of strange creatures and seemingly indestructible undead haunting the hills and swamps south of Diamond Lake. There is some suggestion that the origin of – or at least a clue - might be found somewhere within the town itself.
- An organization known as The Seekers (a group of rather unscrupulous archaeologists, treasure hunters and lore seekers) have long been interested in the rumoured treasures of the cairns scattered through the hills. They may send an agent...
Firstly, Nikola will likely concentrate on the rogue side of things; just the odd level of wizard to complement some of the skills of the rogue.
[spoiler] There's a prestige class in Van Richtens Arsenal called the Crypt Raider. It has a very Indiana Jones feel to it, but some of the feat requirements and some of the class features deal with bonuses to Fear, Horror and Madness saves. I will email copies to you (can't figure how to attach pics yet) but as those saves are all Will saves maybe it is an acceptable default to apply the modifiers to Will saves only. At any rate i couldn't take levels in it until 6th or 7th so it's a way off yet, but the material is good for feel
Spoiler:As for stats and things, guess i'll scan a char sheet for you?Spoiler:The Seekers sound an interesting bunch, plenty of room for Nikola to fit the role of agent while still maintaining plenty of free-will. Perhaps the work carried out in the cairns is strictly for the purposes of the Seekers, but his illicit activities in town are the result of his furthering his own goalsGlad to be on board, hope we can get started soon!
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Cool Nikola. Yeah, send me the Crypt Raider prc, I’ll check it out and see what we can do for it – I’ll also see if I have anything in a similar vein that you might want to look at.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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In your character concepts / backgrounds, let me know why you are in Diamond Lake (being born and breed there is an acceptable answer!); what your character’s feelings on the town are; and why he/she might want to begin a career as an adventurer.
If possible, I’d like to start the game with each character knowing at least one other character in the group. How well you know the other character(s) is up to you; friends, family, casual acquaintance, known by reputation only are all acceptable. As the character concepts develop I’ll offer some suggestions on how to link things up, or you guys might have some ideas of your own.
| Accolyte Nikola |
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Hey Mothman, some of that info as requested
concept/ideas
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Nikola:
Seeker interaction is based upon the lodge, in which members meet to discuss past and upcoming adventures, share maps, or show off the spoils of the latest expedition. Seeker lodges are often hidden behind a mundane front such as a cartography business or social club, and are renowned for their peerless libraries of Seeker journals and forgotten lore.
Members of the Seekers are expected to support the lodges they visit with a tithe equating to roughly 10% of their income. This is an informal system, so a Seeker who routinely donates rare books to a lodge library might be held in higher esteem than one who simply drops a few gold coins into the lockbox. All members are expected to keep an explorers journal, and to turn over the journal for transcription at least once a year. Upon graduating from apprenticeship, all Seekers receive a silver ring bearing the eight pointed star symbol of the order. Members are expected not to harm others they know to be Seekers … but mistakes often happen in the field, and no one spends a lot of time worrying about those who violate this stricture.
Also:
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Dude, feel free to get started on the character - let me know if you're planning on doing anything non-standard phb. You can set out the character info in your profile.
| Ash Walker |
| Male Human Researcher/4, Defender/5 |
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Dude, feel free to get started on the character - let me know if you're planning on doing anything non-standard phb. You can set out the character info in your profile.
Hey Mothman, I've got a couple of concepts in mind, but I don't have a players on me at the moment and haven't found much time to further them. I hope to get something up here soon.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Dude, feel free to get started on the character - let me know if you're planning on doing anything non-standard phb. You can set out the character info in your profile.Hey Mothman, I've got a couple of concepts in mind, but I don't have a players on me at the moment and haven't found much time to further them. I hope to get something up here soon.
No problem man. What have you got in mind?
If you don't have your phb at the moment, you can check out the d20srd website for info on phb classes and races.
| Ash Walker |
| Male Human Researcher/4, Defender/5 |
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No problem man. What have you got in mind?
If you don't have your phb at the moment, you can check out the d20srd website for info on phb classes and races.
Well, had a couple of concepts in mind, though they are possibly a little along the line that Troy was thinking, so not 100% sure. I was considering a scout (although thought this might be a little too close to Laithe in Age of Darkness).
My other thought was a rogue, but not your typical sneak around pick locks rogue but more a talker, wheeler and dealer etc.
Yep, I know d20srd, just haven't had much time at work to check it out. Guess I might jump online at home and take a look.
| Ash Walker |
| Male Human Researcher/4, Defender/5 |
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No problem man. What have you got in mind?
If you don't have your phb at the moment, you can check out the d20srd website for info on phb classes and races.
Well, had a couple of concepts in mind, though they are possibly a little along the line that Troy was thinking, so not 100% sure. I was considering a scout (although thought this might be a little too close to Laithe in Age of Darkness).
My other thought was a rogue, but not your typical sneak around pick locks rogue but more a talker, wheeler and dealer etc.
Yep, I know d20srd, just haven't had much time at work to check it out. Guess I might jump online at home and take a look.
I was also considering a magic user (wizard) and as Troy's said he's focusing more on the rogue side of things, that may be a good option too.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Mick, I hear you’re thinking of playing a paladin or a cleric – either (or both) would be an excellent addition to this game.
A paladin would most likely be attached to the Chapel of Heironeous, perhaps a student or contempory of the lovely and noble Melinde, the chapel’s resident paladin. It is also possible (although less likely) that a paladin might be associated with the local churches of St Cuthbert or Wee Jas; if a local, the paladin would likely be something of a popular figurehead of these cults; if not, they might have been sent from the Free City to investigate the cult’s somewhat non-orthodox teachings.
A cleric character would most likely also be associated with one of these three churches, or else a priest of Obad Hai (or another nature focused diety) residing at the nearby Bronzewood Lodge.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Another house rule; Wizards get an additional bonus feat at first level: Open Minded (found in the Complete Adventurer and also the psionics section of the d20srd) which gives a bonus 5 skill points.
(Ash, this is rather than giving wizards bonus skill points at each level, which could get unbalanced over time; I think it’s really only the first few levels where wizards are really at a disadvantage due to their limited number of spells. At higher levels they are arguably one of the more powerful classes. No restriction on spending these bonus skill points on particular skills).
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Ash, some ideas for some of the possible character options we discussed;
A scout or ranger would likely have a background with either the Diamond Lake Garrison, or the Bronzewood Lodge (depending on whether they were more military oriented or nature oriented). Alternatively, a ranger might be a swamper from the nearby Mistmarsh, or from one of the backwoods clans found in various parts of the Cairn Hills.
A charisma based rogue would very likely work at the Emporium, or one of the other entertainment venues in town; alternatively, he/she could be an agent for one of the mine managers.
A wizard, if a local, would almost certainly be an apprentice (or ex apprentice) to Allustan, the only wizard of any note in the town. He/she might also be associated with the cult of the Green Lady (if a Wee Jas worshipper). If from out of town, the wizard might have trained with the University of Magical Arts in the Free City.
A swashbuckler would be unlikely to have a background in Diamond Lake – but could well be from the Free City, or associated with the elven Mine Manager.
Humans are easy to fit into Diamond Lake. Dwarves are rare in the town, but a dwarf PC might be an associate or employee of the dwarf mine manager Ragnolian Dourstone, or else attached to the Greysmere Covenant.
| Ash Walker |
| Male Human Researcher/4, Defender/5 |
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Ash, some ideas for some of the possible character options we discussed;
Thanks for the suggestions Mothman. I'm going to go with the Wizard. I agree that the open minded feat is a reasonable option to give a wizard a few more slots to spend on some knowledge skills.
The character will be a local of the town and will have some connection with Allustan. He is someone who thirsts for knowledge and is learned in a fair variety of topics, but has very little practical experience in any. I'll work on creating a proper alias soon.
Here's what I've got so far:
SKILLS: Spellcraft 4, Concentration 2, Decipher Script 3, Knowledge: Arcana 4, Local 2, Religion 3, Architecture/Engineering 2, history 2, Dungeoneering 3
FEATS: Open Minded (free), Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (human bonus)
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Cool on the wizard – thinking of going specialist, or stay generalist?
| Laithe Greycoat |
| Male Human - Karandic Druid/4 |
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Cool on the wizard – thinking of going specialist, or stay generalist?
I'll more than likely go specialist, but want to have a good look at the spell lists first. d20srd doesn't seem to sort by school like the phb does so will can't get an easy look at what spells are available. Should get my phb back soon...
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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If you go to Spell Lists and Domains and then look at the sorcerer/wizard spells by level, they are broken up by school.
| Ash Walker |
| Male Human Researcher/4, Defender/5 |
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If you go to Spell Lists and Domains and then look at the sorcerer/wizard spells by level, they are broken up by school.
Mothman:
| Ash Walker |
| Male Human Researcher/4, Defender/5 |
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Mothman:
** spoiler omitted **
Mothman:
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Ash:
From a role playing point of view, it is probably unusual (to say the least) to have a good necromancer; what is it that drew the character to this specialty?
Now it could be that from a philosophical point of view, the character simply sees no moral distinction between necromancy and any other school of magic – they are all simply tools – is it any more evil to drain the life energy from an opponent than to burn them to a crisp with a fireball?
Maybe the character sees a certain grim justice in using evil’s own tools against them.
Maybe the character hopes to focus on fighting undead, and knowing and using necromancy is akin to knowing one’s enemy.
Perhaps the character follows a religion that associates death and magic – for example the church of Wee Jas, goddess of both death and magic. Necromancy might be an entirely appropriate specialty in such a case.
You can take spells from other sources if you run them by me first, but generally I’m not likely to have any objection to it.
As a wizard, you begin play with a spellbook, containing all 0 level spells from the PHB wizard spell list that you can cast (ie, not any spells from your prohibited spells). If you want some 0 level spells from non-phb sources, I’ll let you add one for each point of your intelligence modifier.
You can also start with any six first level spells, plus one for each point of your intelligence modifier.
| Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
| Male Human Wizard/3 |
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DM Mothman, here's my (Ash Walker's) character description and background. Let me know if it's all ok. I'll try and post stats, spells etc online soon
Physical Appearance:
Boland is fairly short for a human, standing just over 5½ ft tall. He has a fairly slight frame, his muscles having not developed as well as they could, having been less activity as a child while frequently missing meals. With most of his days spent in-doors, his skin is pale, though not quite albino.
Gone is the bowl cut that gave him his nickname as a child and teenager. His dark brown hair hangs straight and fairly thickly down to just past his shoulders. He typically hooks his hair behind his ears, though it often falls forward over his face on one side or the other.
Boland has maintained the black garb he took on as a teenager. He now wears simple though well-made black robes. From his shoulder typically hangs a black leather shoulder bag, in which can inevitably found at least a couple of books and other various odds and ends used in his spells.
He is not an overly handsome man, though not necessarily ugly. His face is slightly long for his short frame, made to look more so by his long, straight hair. His nose has a slight hawk-like curve to it while his lips are thin and rarely smiling. His dark brown eyes, framed by dark lashes and eyebrows, give the illusion of permanent slightly blackened eyes.
History:
Boland has always been somewhat of an oddity in Diamond Lake. The only child of simple parents, Boland was never particularly interested in playing outside with the other kids. He learned to read at an early age and quickly developed a thirst for knowledge. It didn’t particularly matter what – he read whatever he could get his hands on, which at times was precious little. All things magic was his favourite topic to read, but history, geography and religion were also well read topics for Boland.
Primarily because of this obsession, the other children his age teased and labeled him “weird” or “outcast”. He was nicknamed Bowls, a play off his name and the bad haircuts his mum used to give him. The name stuck and many adults as well as kids took to using it (and still do, despite the fact the bowl haircuts are a thing of the past).
As a child Boland largely ignored the teasing and bullying thrown his way by the other kids. But as he got older, the bullies got bigger and more ruthless, and the bullying grew far worse. This caused a change in Boland’s demeanor – he took on a darker façade, dressing in black and reading more on magic and the darker arts. This was in order to try and deter the kids, or make them think twice before beating up on him. He took to visiting the temple of Wee Jas – initially because the other kids were a little superstitious of the goddess. He also secretly had a crush on Amariss, the priestess there.
In time, this developed into a much greater appreciation of Wee Jas. He admired the lady because of her patronage of magic, while he also developed his fascination with the dead.
At the age of 15, this fascination turned horror as he witnessed first hand the power and horror of the living dead in action. He watched his parents torn apart by a mindless pack of zombies – from where they came he has never found out. He fled and narrowly escaped with his life. Many in Diamond Lake blamed him for the deaths, assuming that in his fascination of the dark arts he had raised the dead and then lost control of them. Though Boland of course denied it, and there was no proof to back up these claims, many still believe them none-the-less.
Boland was deeply affected by it, and for a time he blamed Wee Jas for his parent’s deaths. Yet in his heart he knew that the goddess was not responsible, and Amariss soon convinced him that Death was a natural part of life and something to be revered, not feared. Those who raised the dead for foul purposes were the ones that were corrupting nature, not the goddess who presided over death. And so his perceptions of death took a major shift – gone was the childish fascination with it. He now studied death to understand it, and perhaps to be better equipped were he thrust face-to-face with the living dead in the future.
Amariss saw no real potential in Boland as a priest of Wee Jas (and perhaps did not want the discomfort of having a gangly youth with a crush on her in her place of work!). But she did recognize the arcane potential in him and so she directed him to Allustan, the local wizard and sage, suggesting he try and get an apprenticeship. Boland already knew Allustan a little, having sought books and knowledge from him in the past, and was enthusiastic about the idea. He approached the Wizard and begged him to apprentice him. Over time, Allustan gave in.
Boland studied hard under the wizard soaking up as much knowledge as he could and eagerly learning spell craft and all things arcane. For the first 4 years he studied everything Allustan threw his way. In his fifth and final year, he began to do some of his own study, on necromantic magic. Fearing Allustan would disapprove of his focus, Boland kept this study secret.
Boland begins the campaign having just finished his 5-year apprenticeship with Allustan and feeling that to further his arts, especially the necromantic side of things, he would need to hunt further abroad for knowledge and spells.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Hey Ash, background stuff looks pretty good – we might change a few details to fit story background, but generally seems to work.
But …Bowls McKenzie … really? ;-)
| Ash Walker |
| Male Human Researcher/4, Defender/5 |
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Hey Ash, background stuff looks pretty good – we might change a few details to fit story background, but generally seems to work.
But …Bowls McKenzie … really? ;-)
Well, he prefers Boland, but doesn't have much say over what people call him. And as he's a nerd, the name seemed to fit...
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Well, he prefers Boland, but doesn't have much say over what people call him. And as he's a nerd, the name seemed to fit...Hey Ash, background stuff looks pretty good – we might change a few details to fit story background, but generally seems to work.
But …Bowls McKenzie … really? ;-)
Bowls is ok, not so sure about McKenzie. Nice avatar by the way, not one I've seen used very often (though did you happen to see the one with the bowl cut and the crazy eyes?)
Hey, do you happen to know if Clint is still interested in playing?
| Brashen Trell |
| Male Human Fighter / 3 |
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Howdy, yes am interested!
Thinking of a fighter based character, but maybe more ranger/scout like, or possibly even a monk or seomthing...
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Clit? Really? Are you sure about that name?
For your picture, go to “My Account”, then click on “Messageboard settings”
Select the pic you want then click “Submit changes”
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Howdy, yes am interested!
Thinking of a fighter based character, but maybe more ranger/scout like, or possibly even a monk or seomthing...
Hey, see you got the pic working and changed the name - nice work.
We have a probable ranger in the group already – you’re welcome to play one of you like, but just to let you know. A hard hitting, melee focused fighter would be good, and a monk could be interesting too.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Ash, I’ve taken a quick look at Bowl’s character sheet, looking pretty good so far. Heh, I see you changed the last name too, yeah, didn’t mean to give you a hard time about it, just seemed a bit too “real world”, especially for a wizard!
Re scrolls:
Scrolls with the following first level spells: Alarm, comprehend languages, Charm person, colour spray, feather fall, identify, magic missile, mage armour, magic weapon, shield, silent image, shocking grasp, Tenser’s floating disc, true strike. All cost 25gp each, except Identify which costs 125gp.
Unfortunately Allustan steers pretty clear of Necromancy (and frowns on your obsession with it) and won’t sell you scrolls of those – you’ve managed to learn most of your necro spells by looking in books you weren’t supposed to, or leant by Amariss.
Remember that you can’t use scrolls of spells from your forbidden schools.
| Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
| Male Human Wizard/3 |
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Ash, I’ve taken a quick look at Bowl’s character sheet, looking pretty good so far. Heh, I see you changed the last name too, yeah, didn’t mean to give you a hard time about it, just seemed a bit too “real world”, especially for a wizard!
Bowls is completed and all good to go. Any word on other characters?
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Ash, I’ve taken a quick look at Bowl’s character sheet, looking pretty good so far. Heh, I see you changed the last name too, yeah, didn’t mean to give you a hard time about it, just seemed a bit too “real world”, especially for a wizard!Bowls is completed and all good to go. Any word on other characters?
Looks good, just check your Knowledge the Planes skill.
If you plan to take a familiar, I'll let you start the game with one without paying the whatever gp cost if you like.
Good question on the others - haven't seen any other characters and no word from any of the guys in close to two weeks. I'm hoping still in ... I need to advertise for an extra player or two anyway it looks like, but I just want to see who we have for certain first.
| TwiceBorn |
| Male Human Bard 1/Ranger 1/Expert 3 |
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Hello all, and thanks for inviting me to this game, Mothman.
What characters are confirmed? I see a wizard (Ash), a rogue/wizard, and a fighter/ranger/scout-type on this thread... are all of these characters still "in"?
Depending on who has confirmed their participation, I could make either a human cleric of Wee Jas, a dwarven fighter, a gnomish rogue, or a sorcerer (race undetermined)... with an eye to filling gaps in the party, of course.
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Mothman
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| Male Mothman Expert 5 |
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Yeah, Ash seems to be the only 100% confirmed, with a wizard. I’ve got three other players whom I’m about 95% sure are in … well, maybe 85% … with a rogue (multiclassing to wizard), a ranger (probably non spell-casting variant) and undecided but likely a martial class.
If you’re looking to fill gaps, a divine caster seems like a good choice, and a cleric of Wee Jas would likely do well in this game; but play what you like and it should work out.