Of Gears and Greed (Inactive)

Game Master Nevynxxx

So, after reading ChattyDM's blog posts about Gears of Ruin, I have the urge to apply a similar theme over the top of Runelords, and I propose doing such on these very boards!

My plan would involve 5 or 6 players, keeping the storyline pretty much intact, but swapping out the bits I fancy with more steampunk versions. There will be fights in Golemworks, and huge clunking steam driven titans to fight....

This would be a low magic thing, low point-buy to start with, and only spontaneous casting magic classes. Potions would rule, as there will be no scrolls and not a lot of the more powerful magic items....

Also, just to give a good solid impression, I'm a bit of a paranoid DM, and would want to know that all players have an rss feed of the game thread to keep up, and I'd probably want an active email address for you all too. ;)

If none of that sounds too onerous, and the idea sounds quite cool, let me know. I'll then put some more solid work into theaming and any additional house rules.

Oh, and yes, PFRPG, there is no other system :D

I might be interested. Just for clarification,
(1) the only magic users would be sorcerers and bards right?
(2) Scrolls are not allowed but potions are.
(3) What about item creation feats? will they be allowed?
(4) what's an RSS feed of the game thread? How do you set one up?

1: Magic users would be Sorc/Bard indeed..no clerics or druids, and no spells for paladins. Plan on including the AGP classes too, so I'll have to check how they fit in, but basically anyone who doesn't need to prepare spells is ok...

2: Yup, wands, rods and staffs extremly rare, if not none existent too....

3: Most likely ok, but obviously restricted as above.

4)little red with-circles-in-it icon in it, the one near the top of a thread that says "recent posts". If you click that, it will take you to a page with options to set up where you read the feed. I watch them in my email client, but there is a Google reader too. It basically means you don't need to worry about the thread dropping down to the archives.

Obviously if you don't do RSS to start with, me whinging about it wont be very worth while, but it would be nice if people do to add it in.

I'm still working through this, so things are subject to change depending on group concensous a little too.

This sounds interesting. Since there is no divine magic, and therefore not much for healing spells, might I suggest a character background out The Black Company Campaign Setting. It's called Physician and allows a Heal skill check to convert a certain amount of lethal damage to nonlethal damage once per day. I can expound on this if you'd like.

Edit: Now that I am thinking of it, The Black Company setting also has somme pretty sweet weapons rules that allows different levels of masterwork quality which basically replaces magic weapons.

I would like to play if there is still room available. Just to let you know, I have never done a PbP before, so I may need a little introduction if it is not too much trouble. Sounds really cool and hope to talk to you soon.

This sounds interesting. Since there is no divine magic, and therefore not much for healing spells, might I suggest a character background out The Black Company Campaign Setting. It's called Physician and allows a Heal skill check to convert a certain amount of lethal damage to nonlethal damage once per day. I can expound on this if you'd like.

Edit: Now that I am thinking of it, The Black Company setting also has somme pretty sweet weapons rules that allows different levels of masterwork quality which basically replaces magic weapons.

Just because there is no Divine magic, doesn't mean there are no healing potions ;) pretty much the same with magic weapons, I'm not out to cripple anyone, just reduce the class selection a little, and put the emphasis on steam, and mundane, rather than magic.

The varying degrees of masterwork does sound good to me though. As does the heal skill check thing...

Three people so far, we are getting somewhere....

@galvatron, don't worry, if you can post, you can play by post. I'll go over some of the uses of BBCode at some point, but there's really nothing special or hard.

I'm interested, but before I commit, what sort of time frames are you looking at?

I've not done PbP before, but from what I've read from other groups, everyone coordinates to be online at a given day & time.

Depending on when you'd want to have a session, I may or may not be able to participate.

The steampunk aspect is intriguing. Will the campaign be set in a steam-enhanced Golarion, or will this be homebrew? What races will be allowed, and would psionics be an option, or do you not want to go that route?

Edit: Are firearms going to be used in this game?

I'm interested, but before I commit, what sort of time frames are you looking at?

I've not done PbP before, but from what I've read from other groups, everyone coordinates to be online at a given day & time.

Oh no, the joy of these is that you can post whenever. Checking things over about once per day is fine, so that the pace stays up.

I also tend to take all combat actions in the order posted, and then work them into initiative order for combat. It's too easy to take a week to run a round otherwise.

The steampunk aspect is intriguing. Will the campaign be set in a steam-enhanced Golarion, or will this be homebrew?

Basically a steampunk version of Golarion. Maps will all be applicable, cultures etc My aim is to stay close enough to the original RotRL to be spoilerific, but different enough that there are surprises for anyone who has played it before.

What races will be allowed, and would psionics be an option, or do you not want to go that route?

Edit: Are firearms going to be used in this game?

I'm currently thinking pfrpg core, campaign setting and AGP playtest (and eventually final) with just the magic caveats.

You will see firearms, and they will be available to buy in some places.

I'm tempted to steer clear of psionics, as I've never even read them, let alone played.

Hey Nevynxxx,
I would also check out Iron Kingdoms
from Privateer Press, really great steampunk
setting that you could adapt to Golarion I think.
Definitely worth a look for your campaign.

You will see firearms, and they will be available to buy in some places.

There is a Gunslinger prc in the latest Wayfinder.

So, is anything coming out of this? I've been interested in playing RORL, and this twist seems fun.

@Senmont. Yes. We appear to have three players. I'd like to see a couple more, but if we start batting some concepts around, I'm pretty sure another couple will chip in.

We'll go for a 20 point buy. Max starting gold. Spontaneous casters only, with the exception of the witch, which I think could work pretty well thematically...

All content from the AGP Playtest Final document is allowed. So getting an Alchemist or Inquisitor into the group should solve anyone's healing worries....

You will find my email address (cryptically) in my profile, please drop me an email sometime just to let me know who you are if you are playing...

Thank You!

I have a summoner rolled up and pretty much ready that I'd like to try. I just need to review if it is spontaneous or not and make whatever changes are necessary from the final document. I can't remember right now. If not, I think alchemist would be fun.

Edit: I must have failed my intelligence check to find your email, because it didn't deliver and I swear this is what I got out of your profile was your handle plus @yahoo.com.

I have a summoner rolled up and pretty much ready that I'd like to try. I just need to review if it is spontaneous or not and make whatever changes are necessary from the final document. I can't remember right now. If not, I think alchemist would be fun.

Edit: I must have failed my intelligence check to find your email, because it didn't deliver and I swear this is what I got out of your profile was your handle plus @yahoo.com.

Summoner is fine, it's spontaneous.

Sorry, my mistake, try yahoo.co.uk...

I'm trying to decide on a character, but I am still very intrested in playing. I'll get a character done this weekend and email you.

Oh jeez, I should have looked closer.

As far as character classes, I am not 100% going to do summoner, just in case someone else wants to do one and doesn't because I mentioned it so go ahead and make one if you want. I am playing two other charismatic spell-casters already so to vary it up, I am probably going to do a non-spellcaster. I am re-familiarizing myself with the APG classes. I am definitely not going to pick Cavalier, and will likely not play an alchemist.

Senmont here posting as PC.

Inquisitor.
Probably human.

I'm working on a sorceror, hope to have it finished up by tommorow.

Hey all, this sounds like a cool concept, I'd be down for it. I'm thinking of a half-elf charismatic rogue-type. I'll e-mail it to you tomorrow.

This is all looking cool.

Up to now we have a sorcerer, a rogue type and an inquisitor. Would probably be good to get someone who can do some serious damage up front.

As far as backgrounds go, it would be nice to know why you are in Sandpoint for the Turandak Academy's Annual Inventors Parade.

I don't know who has this book, but the Ultimate Equipment Guide Volume 2 has a bunch of "Steampunkable" gadgets in it and the Tome of Secrets has some gun rules.

Nevynxxx - is there any advice you can give us in creating steampunk characters. I am think I would have Ninian use a crossbow vs a bow for instance, and I will describe is armor as less "medieval" and more close to clothing that has been adapted to the armor type. Am I on the right track?

Edit: Also, if we can't get a damage guru, I was toying with the idea of multiclassing Ninian with a fighter anyway, I could just adjust stats to make him melee focused and use fighter as his first level, leaving the inquisitor stuff for level two.

Thanks for the steam punk setting sources everyone, I'm going to see about checking out the ones I can.

Nevynxxx - is there any advice you can give us in creating steampunk characters. I am think I would have Ninian use a crossbow vs a bow for instance, and I will describe is armor as less "medieval" and more close to clothing that has been adapted to the armor type. Am I on the right track?

Edit: Also, if we can't get a damage guru, I was toying with the idea of multiclassing Ninian with a fighter anyway, I could just adjust stats to make him melee focused and use fighter as his first level, leaving the inquisitor stuff for level two.

Well, this was kicked off by reading ChattyDM's Gears of Ruin notes on his blog. So that may be a good place to start. I'm thinking basically a more Victorian setting than medieval. There will be gas lights in streets and houses, glass in all the windows. People will wear long tailored coats and bustles are the norm.

Crossbows rather than bows? Yes. Rapiers rather than broadswords? Definitely. Swords and knives concealed in walking sticks, hell yes!

I saw the new Sherlock Holmes film the other week, so that is having a big impact too. Think Van Helsing, Solomon Kane, Dracula.

I'm happy to let you lot define the feel though to a certain extent, google steam punk, and let your imagination run wild.

Oh perfect!! My look for the character was that he wore studded leather with a trenchcoat over it, a la Gambit from the X-Men, wielding a rapier. This is looking cool!

Oh perfect!! My look for the character was that he wore studded leather with a trenchcoat over it, a la Gambit from the X-Men, wielding a rapier. This is looking cool!

Nice. :D

I am assuming we are keeping everything Pathfinder. However, I am looking through 3.5 Equipment to find appropriate gear for this setting. i am posting what I use under a spoiler on my character page. If this stuff is not allowed I'll get rid of it.

I am assuming we are keeping everything Pathfinder. However, I am looking through 3.5 Equipment to find appropriate gear for this setting. i am posting what I use under a spoiler on my character page. If this stuff is not allowed I'll get rid of it.

Indeed, pathfinder it is. I'll have a good check over Ninian later, and let you know if I think anything seems wrong, or if I don't recognise it.

Lucendar here, posting as PC. Half-elf rogue. You can't see his ears due to his hat, but he's got the goatee. :)

Nev, I e-mailed you the character concept. Feel free to modify it to fit the setting.

Indeed, pathfinder it is. I'll have a good check over Ninian later, and let you know if I think anything seems wrong, or if I don't recognise it.

I actually only grabbed the sword cane and some tumbling bolts. Anything else that seemed 'higher technology" either didn't fit my character concept or was too expensive.

Character sheet posted in profile.

This looks to be coming together nicely.

Any more prospective players? Two or three would be nice.

I'm still trying to put together a concept. So far there is:
halfelf rogue
fighter/inquisitor
sorcerer
summoner

right?
I'll look over the alchemist and the witch. Otherwise I was thinking of a bard who is a healer.

I'm still trying to put together a concept. So far there is:

halfelf rogue
fighter/inquisitor
sorcerer
summoner

right?
I'll look over the alchemist and the witch. Otherwise I was thinking of a bard who is a healer.

I might have missed something, but I don't think we have a summoner...Senmont mentioned a Summoner, but then went with Inquisitor instead.

Waiting on the Sorc build, but that isn't a problem.

I will be massively disappointed if there isn't an alchemist in play at some point ;) but a bard sounds fun too.

I'd be up for playing an alchemist. Possibly a Gnome, with shades of chemical induced madness. Will put together a character tomorrow if that works?

I'd be up for playing an alchemist. Possibly a Gnome, with shades of chemical induced madness. Will put together a character tomorrow if that works?

That would be perfect....

Any more takers?

Just in case we don't get a meat shield, is one necessary for this campaign?

Just in case we don't get a meat shield, is one necessary for this campaign?

Well, as written, and with a 20 point buy, I'd be inclined to say "yes", but I'm tweaking enough already that I'm happy to go with the flow. So no, not necessary at all really ;)

Since we've got the spellcasters, I'm thinking fighter or ranger. Can we start with firearms or will that come later?

Since we've got the spellcasters, I'm thinking fighter or ranger. Can we start with firearms or will that come later?

Hahaha...perfect timing!

Since we've got the spellcasters, I'm thinking fighter or ranger. Can we start with firearms or will that come later?

My Campaign setting book is sat in an 18 month old's bedroom and its 9:15pm....So I can't check the costs etc, but...

I'd say if you can afford the firearms in there at first level, go for it. More will come later too.

Well shoot. I was going to make a sorceror, but went with a fighter instead when I heard mention of need for a damage output. My fighter is done and will be emailed to you shortly. If you would rather I go ahead and make the sorceror, let me know and give me another day or so. I have not played any steampunk, so I would appreciate any ideas to help me get into the mood. I have a general idea of it, but thats about it. Also, I don't have any way to scan my character sheet, so be prepared for a long email. For everyone else, if he gives the go on my fighter, I will be glad to be resident meat shield as well as party chef. My character is Emanual Stokes from Riddleport, fighter and aspiring chef who has taken up adventuring to earn the cash to open his own resturant. He has come to the festival to sample the many fine dishes he has heard will be presented by the local food halls, always looking for inspiration for his next great recipe.

Just checked the amounts. Couldn't come close. I was thinking of taking craft(gun) to do it. Concept is tinker/ex-military type or perhaps duelist who only uses his own weapons. Could I use the rules for crafting magic items while adventuring to cover the time in making the gun?

Just sent the email with my character info. I know its not as organized as a real sheet, but I tried to make it simple and give you the big stuff. I'm not sure if I got your email right, so let me know if you do not get it and I'll try again. Looking forward to this.

Dean, our characters seems to have similar proficiencies and equipment and even feats. Which way you thinking of going as to weapon feats/style, so we don't compete for same weapons? I can go ranged specialization or 2 weapon. Let me know.

I noticed that but I never thought of the consequence. I am pretty sure I won't be doing 2 weapon. I was going to use the hand x-bow as the ranged weapon, hopefully be able to use alchemist bolts, adapted from alchemist arrows in the Complete Arms and Equipment Guide for 3.5 if Nevynxxx allows it. I was probably going to eventually move to firearms depending on how prominent they are in the campaign. I am not set in stone on anything so let me recheck some things.

Edit: Now that I think of it I doubt I am going to run across any magic canes to replace my current choice of weapon. I am going to rethink a couple choices.

Galvatron, is your fighter sword and board, 2-weapon, or 2-handed? Just trying to have different fighting styles. Thinking about double short swords or light crossbow specialization.
Edit: You're making a sorceror, never mind!

Still looking for players?

This is Graynore. Here is a ranger. Fighting style is single saber (long sw) for now. Waiting for ruling on firearms. Plan is sword in one hand, pistol in the other.

Luc, I think if you do a double short sword, that would be pretty sweet. Something about that just seems cool. I'd still get to do the rapier without having to worry about us figuring out who gets the keen rapier +3 I know that Nevynxxx is going to let us find wink wink. I currently have a buckler, but am doubting that shields really have a place in a campaign like this, so I may go with rapier and dagger (main-gauche) eventually.