Ptolus: City by the Spire

Game Master EltonJ

A city of mysteries, secrets, and dark histories, Ptolus lies forever in the shadow of a towering stone spire reaching impossibly high into the sky, an enigma and reminder of evil long past. In Ptolus, the supernatural is expected and treachery lies around every corner—or is it that the supernatural lies around every corner and treachery is expected? Either way, the city of Ptolus abounds with danger, magic, intrigue, and above all, adventure.


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AdamWarnock wrote:
Fair enough, Can I just keep Overcharge and drop Empowered casting?

Okay, that might do alright.


Aleda Helene Kath:

Aleda Helene Kath
Female human fighter 1/swashbuckler 1 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 56)
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +7; Senses Perception +3
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 17, touch 15, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +5 Dex)
hp 16 (2d10)
Fort +2, Ref +7, Will -1
Weaknesses magical signs, personal warp, skilled casting, somatic casting
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk longsword +9 (1d8+5/19-20) or
. . unarmed strike +2 (1d3 nonlethal)
Special Attacks deeds (derring-do, dodging panache, opportune parry and riposte), panache (2)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 10, Dex 20, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 15
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 17
Feats Basic Magical Training, Slashing Grace[ACG], Weapon Focus (longsword)
Traits reactionary, talented
Skills Acrobatics +10, Climb +5, Diplomacy +6, Escape Artist +10, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (nobility) +5, Linguistics +2, Perception +3, Perform (dance) +8, Perform (sing) +6
Languages Celestial, Common, Elven
SQ casting, overcharge, quick teleport, swashbuckler finesse, tainted spirit, teleport
Combat Gear potion of cure light wounds (2); Other Gear mwk leather armor, mwk longsword, belt pouch, explorer's outfit, imperial citizenship papers, masterwork backpack[APG], noble's outfit, peasant's outfit, house kath signet ring (worth 75 gp), silver, sapphire, and diamond jewelry (worth 150 gp), 63 gp, 9 sp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Basic Magical Training (Warp) You gain access to one magic sphere
Casting (CL 2, Charisma) You can cast sphere effects.
Deeds
Magical Signs Your use of magic is obvious to all observers
Overcharge Gain +2 CL to a sphere ability in exchange for increasting your fatigue level
Panache (Ex) Gain a pool of points that are spent to fuel deeds, regained on light/piercing crit/killing blow.
Personal Warp You may only teleport yourself
Skilled Casting (Perform [dance], DC 16) You must succeed at a skill check to use magic
Slashing Grace (Longsword) Treat chosen weapon as 1-handed piercing weapon and can add Dex instead of Str to dam.
Somatic Casting You must have at least 1 hand free to use magic, and may be susceptible to ASF
Swashbuckler Finesse Use Dex for att with light/1-hand pierce wep. Use Cha instead of Int for combat feat pre-reqs.
Tainted Spirit Fort save DC 10 + rounds of combat after combat or become fatigued.
Warp: Quick Teleport Teleport as a move action for additional SP
Warp: Teleport You can teleport yourself as a standard action

Background:

Aleda was born the youngest daughter of Devina Kath twenty years ago. The raven-haired girl caused quite a stir with her talent for dancing and singing, especially since she was very young when these talents developed. It was decided that she'd become an acolyte of [Insert Deity's Name Here] and with some minor fanfare begin her training.
A few months later, a particularly mad sect of the Forsaken raided the temple and took Aleda and a dozen other young acolytes. Hunting parties were assembled and sent into the Necropolis to scour it and find the kidnapped children. Unfortunately, this took time, and by the time the forsaken holding the acolytes were killed, Aleda was the only one left. They found her curled up, whimpering in fear and surrounded by the blood and gore of at least two Forsaken where they'd discovered the trauma of watching her friends being tortured to death had caused her to snap and and lash out with a power they hadn't counted on.

Rumors and stories spread through the city like wildfire for the first couple of years, but as time passed and Aleda remained cloistered out of the public eye. However over the past few months, there's been rumors that Aleda had gone mad, other rumors speak of the youngest running away from home, and every few days, someone claims to have seen a young woman with raven-hair down past her knees standing on a rooftop only to disappear when the looked again to be sure of what they saw. Muggers have been found dead in alleyways, felled by a skilled swordsman or swordswoman. Still more tell of a woman singing softly of things better left unsaid and dancing on the rooftops.

Whether or not the rumors are true, one thing is certain, the flames are well on their way to an inferno and House Kath is in the middle of it.


Character Rules:

This is a set of rules to help me define how Aleda acts. This should help with playing her consistently and, hopefully, keep her from being too flakey.

1. She is eerily calm, even in battle unless
--A. She's getting crowded.
--B. She's fighting undead or the Forsaken.
2. She calms down if listening to soothing music. This is going to be pretty important when 1.B happens to popup.
3. She's constantly talking or singing to herself.
4. While she's more than capable in a fight and has seen some of the worst the city can throw at an eight year-old, she's very child-like in other aspects.
--A. She has to be reminded to eat half the time.
--B. She won't groom herself, someone else will have to do that.
--C. She'll wear clothes until they are nothing but filthy rags.
--D. She also won't bathe unless reminded or forced to.
5. Despite that, she's capable of playing the part of young, talented noblewoman. Assuming someone can coax her into doing it.
6. She's sheltered. She doesn't understand certain things that one would expect of a twenty year-old, and has a habit of asking awkward questions when things she doesn't understand crop up. She speaks like a kid most of the time, despite being quite intelligent.
7. She doesn't see anything wrong with killing someone that hurts her or her friends. The phrase "disproportionate retribution" has no meaning to her.


Appearance:

She's a tallish, slender woman with raven-black hair that falls almost to her knees, pale skin, and gray eyes. Left to her own devices, she is normally covered in dirt and grime and dressed in rags, though she does carry clothes that are less in need of a trip to a fire. These are kept in a fine backpack along with the jewelry she was wearing the night she ran away. She wears a silver, platinum, and white gold signet ring set with sapphires and diamonds on her right hand.

Can I get some feedback on the character rules. Are they too disruptive? Will they cause issues in play from your experience? Do I need to tone it down?


AdamWarnock wrote:
** spoiler omitted **...

Wow, I like what you have done. You must be pretty serious about playing, Adam.


This is a dot and a statement of interest. I've heard much of Ptolus, I'll at least be reading the players guide.


EltonJ wrote:
AdamWarnock wrote:
** spoiler omitted **...

Wow, I like what you have done. You must be pretty serious about playing, Adam.

Thanks. I really like the concept behind it, so here's hoping it's as much fun as it looks!


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I got stalled trying to build a bard. I am reading through the Ptolus book again to see what else draws my interest. I should have a character built soon, but might won't be tonight. Sorry.


This is Daniel Stewart and this is the crunch and profile for my submission...will work on the fluff next. Hope it works for you!


Just dropping a line to let everyone know I am still interested in playing in this campaign.

I have a couple other campaigns which just started in which I am already playing a spellcaster, and I don't really wanna try to play a third (or learn Spheres of Power), so I'm going to stick with the Dungeoneering Slayer I outlined above. If he makes it to the mid-levels, he might invest in Master Craftsman (Craft (Traps)) and Craft Wondrous Items so that he can make magical traps... However, since Slayers cannot take the Quick Trapsmith rogue talent (unless the GM chooses to make an exception for him to do so), I doubt that these decisions will have an impact on combat.

I plan to finish fleshing out the character and create a profile for them when/if this campaign goes from "Interest Check" to "Recruiting Campaign".


Cantriped wrote:


I plan to finish fleshing out the character and create a profile for them when/if this campaign goes from "Interest Check" to "Recruiting Campaign".

Done.

Oh by the way, figure out how the party comes together after all of you are chosen. And this is a beautiful Sandbox Campaign.


Well alright then. I guess I'll have to finish that character up then. I should have something up late tonight or sometime tomorrow.

Liberty's Edge

Just checking, has this thread now become the official recruitment thread?


Also. Till when do we have to finish up our applications?


Seth86 wrote:
Also. Till when do we have to finish up our applications?

Saturday.

Stardust wrote:
Just checking, has this thread now become the official recruitment thread?

Yes.


How are we calculating starting Hit Points?


Cantriped wrote:
How are we calculating starting Hit Points?

Full first level, average second.


Here is my submission:

Kali Soy
Human Barbarian 2

STR 16 (18)
DEX 14
CON 16 (20)
INT 12
WIS 8
CHA 14

HP 24 (28)
AC 17 (+4 Armor, +2 Dexterity, +1 Dodge), Touch 13, Flat-Footed 14/17
BAB 2 CMB +5 (6); CMD 18 (19)
Init +2

Fort +6 (8)
Ref +2
Will 0 (1)

Speed 30'

Scythe: +6 (7) to hit; 2d4+4 (6) damage; 20/x4 crit
Spirit Totem Touch Attack: +4 to hit; 1d4+2 damage; 20/x2 crit

Skills: Intimidate r2 +7, Perception r2 +4, Survival r2 +4, Climb r1 +7 (8), Swim r1 +7 (8)

Feats: Raging Vitality, Dodge

Traits: Kin Bond, Indomitable Faith

Class Features: Archetype (Dreadnaught), Dead Calm (half rage bonus with no penalties), Stead Gait (+1 to saves and CMD vs effects that would slow or immobilize), Uncanny Dodge, Rage Power (Lesser Spirit Totem)

Equipment: Masterwork Scythe, Masterwork Chain Shirt, 432 gp

Backstory:

Kali is searching for her twin brother Donavan. Donavan grew up strong, smart, and incredibly charismatic. The problem with Donavan is that he believes that he can talk is way out of any situation. He's not much of a fighter (unlike Kali, who loves fighting), but he does tend to take advantage of people to get what he wants. The last time Kali spoke to her brother, they had a huge fight he left for Ptolus to join the Longfinger's Guild.

She received a letter from him out of the blue one day, which was incredibly polite, well-spoken, and clearly a cry for help. Kali has made her way to Ptolus to find out what has happened to her brother.


Here is my (Cantriped's) submission. Please review my profile for details.


Jonas Deepdelver wrote:
Here is my (Cantriped's) submission. Please review my profile for details.

Looks good, but I won't be approving characters until Saturday. :)


That is fine, it'll give me more time to read up on Ptolus and make any necessary revisions.


Any one else?


Indeed, just working on the concept.


I'll try to get something in today...


Dot. I love intrigue & city campaigns!

Nemestrinus is a skilled craftsman, wizard, and greedy merchant. A world traveller and seeker of all thing beautiful and remarkable, he travels to Ptolus to find fortune.

(See details in the profile - equipment and other details to come)


I lied :)
Won't get something done in time.

Have fun storming the Spire!!!!

Liberty's Edge

Would it be possible for me to take the Rogue favored class bonus for catfolk even though Cad is a fighter class? I have the crunch, just need to make the fluff part. :)


stardust wrote:
Would it be possible for me to take the Rogue favored class bonus for catfolk even though Cad is a fighter class? I have the crunch, just need to make the fluff part. :)

Add a rogue level and that would work. :)


EltonJ wrote:


Stardust wrote:
Just checking, has this thread now become the official recruitment thread?

Yes.

I am definitely still interested now that the game has gone full recruitment. I'll Just drop Shellin back here for now, with some minor cleanup improvements + appearance, background, and trait updates:

(added draconic heritage and triaxis trained from legacy of dragons)
Shellin, Dragon Blooded Arcanist:

Shellin is 6 ft tall, with short brown hair and fair skin with hard smile lines, a sign of his ever present half-smile. His eyes are clear blue with near pinpoints of black for pupils. His eyes seem to catch and reflect every glint of available light, shining to the observer in the dark. Normally, Shellin casts an average shadow in the sun. But after the sun sets or during a stormy day, Shellin's shadow dances and surges as a thunder of dragons, sweeping around Shellin's every step.

Shellin, the son of a widowed hedge wizard and librarian, has spent his entire life voraciously reading anything he could get his hands on. His favorites include journals of famous generals and maps of their previous battles, particularly those involving any sort of dragon. One of Shellin's most thumbed book not about some great general or other is a guide detailing Triaxis drangon handling techniques.

Upon manifesting his magical powers, Shellin's reading interests became much more focused in topic. He quickly outstepped his father, teachable only by authors of any magical text he could acquire. After learning all he could on his own, Shellin seeks to apprentice himself to a true wizard here in Ptolus, and hopefully practice to hone his craft.

Background: Wizard’s apprentice +2 Knowledge (arcana)
Background Skills: Knowledge geography and history

Shellin
Level 2 Blood Arcanist(Blue Dragon Blood)
Human Male
LN Medium humanoid
Init +2; Senses Perception +4, Darkvision 10ft, low light vision

DEFENSES
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+0 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 13 (2d6+4)
Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +4

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +2
Ranged +3

STATISTICS 25 pts
Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +1; CMD 14

Traits: Magical Lineage(Shocking Grasp), Triaxis trained, monstrous shadow(thunder of dragons)

Feats Reach Spell, Spell Focus(Evocation)

Skills Perception +4//, Spellcraft +7//, Stealth 4//,
Knowledges{ Arcana +11//, Local +8/, Nature +8/, Religion +8/, History +9//, Geography +9//, Dungeoneering +8/}/ denotes skill ranks

Languages Common, Dwarven, Elven, Draconic, Celestial
SQ

Draconic Heritage Humans with this trait gain darkvision with a range of 10 feet and low-light vision. They can also ignore the Charisma prerequisite for Eldritch Heritage and any feat that has Eldritch Heritage as a prerequisite, but can select only the draconic bloodline with these feats. This replaces the bonus skill rank humans receive at each level

Arcane pool:4/5

Bloodline(Blue Dragon)
Arcana: Whenever you deal electricity damage with a spell, add +1 per die rolled to the damage
1st: Blood Havoc: Whenever you deal damage with a bloodline spell or a spell in spell focus school, add +1 per die rolled to the damage

Spells Prepared/known
0th 1st
5 2
all 9

1st
Shocking Grasp, Feather Fall, Identify, Comprehend Language, Mount, Disguise Self, Silent Image, Vanish, Enlarge Person

Gear 41gp Total Weight: 35lbs
Fighter Kit 9gp
a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, an iron pot, a mess kit, rope, soap, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin.

Spellbook

Wand of Infernal Healing 50/50 750gp

Sleeves of Many Garments 200gp

5 lbs in various books

Carry Capacity:
Light Medium Heavy
up to 38 lbs. 39–76 lbs. 77–115 lbs.

Shellin is a veritable database when it comes to knowledge checks. For combat I went with a more "signature spell" feel centered around Shocking grasp, which both frees up his other slots for utility spells and fits really well, thematically, with his bloodline!


I couldn't make the background work, ignore my entry.


Question: do you want/expect more fleshed out backgrounds? Or is a "tagline" sufficient?

Also, I believe that you decided that the characters are outsiders? Or can we develop characters that were born and raised in Ptolus? In any case, eager to develop my concept in line with your ideas and the needs of the campaign...


Alias ad Tempus wrote:
Question: do you want/expect more fleshed out backgrounds? Or is a "tagline" sufficient?

I love fleshed out backgrounds.

Quote:
Also, I believe that you decided that the characters are outsiders? Or can we develop characters that were born and raised in Ptolus? In any case, eager to develop my concept in line with your ideas and the needs of the campaign...

The campaign is an open sandbox at the moment.


Ok, got some of the background done and appearance (in profile). The background is getting pretty long..lol...so I will have to see about either shortening it up or making it point form.


Alder Tiller wrote:
Ok, got some of the background done and appearance (in profile). The background is getting pretty long..lol...so I will have to see about either shortening it up or making it point form.

The background is good. You just need to separate the paragraphs to make it easier to read.


EltonJ wrote:
Alias ad Tempus wrote:
Question: do you want/expect more fleshed out backgrounds? Or is a "tagline" sufficient?
I love fleshed out backgrounds.

Fluffed up the background, tried to get out of the "tagline" feel.

Shellin Fluff:

Shellin is a 6 ft tall Human male, with short brown hair and fair skin. He has hard smile lines, a mark of his ever present half-smile. His eyes are clear blue with near pinpoints of black for pupils. His eyes seem to catch and reflect every glint of available light, shining to the observer in the dark.

Many consider Shellin unsettling, either put off by his intellect, fearful of his heavy and constant stare, or occasionally by his shadow(s).

Normally, Shellin casts an average shadow in the light of the Sun. After the Sun sets or during any stormy weather, Shellin's shadow blooms out into a thunder of dragons, surging and dancing as they sweep around Shellin's every step.

Shellin, the son of a widowed hedge wizard and librarian, was fine to be left alone. He had his father, and their many books. Shellin spent his entire childhood voraciously reading anything he could get his hands on. His favorites include journals of famous generals and maps of their previous battles. Shellin's favorite story was of a Southern General, trained in the strange Triaxis ways, who rode a mighty blue dragon into battle.

Here began his true fascination, the primal force of lightning. Shellin would sit by his window on stormy nights, watching his dragons dance across the room by the moonlight, watching each flash of lightning throw his subtle horde into stark relief, and imagine himself the commander of his own blue dragon, slaying great beasts with lightning from his steed.

It was one such stormy night when Shellin was lost to sleep, dreaming as above, when he put his first hole in the ceiling of his room. As best as his father could figure, Shellin had fired a bolt of lightning in his sleep, straight through their roof! Only the rain kept their home from burning.

From that day, Shellin's father, Cerill, taught the boy what he could, and helped guide his reading when it became clear the boy was far more powerful than he. Shellin learned all he could alone, but his understanding was always haunted with questions that could be answered by neither his father nor the authors of what tomes he could acquire.

Shellin's dream has become quite different. He seeks to become the dragon of his dreams. He has left home for Ptollus, seeking any opportunity to improve his craft, gain new knowledge, and hopefully apprentice himself to a far wiser mage.


Shellin:

Summary: Shellin is a veritable database when it comes to knowledge checks. For combat I went with a more "signature spell" feel centered around Shocking grasp, which both frees up his other slots for utility spells and fits really well, thematically, with his bloodline!

Background: Wizard’s apprentice +2 Knowledge (arcana)
Background Skills: Knowledge geography and history

Shellin
Level 2 Blood Arcanist(Blue Dragon Blood)
Human Male
LN Medium humanoid
Init +2; Senses Perception +4, Darkvision 10ft, low light vision

DEFENSES
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+0 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 13 (2d6+4)
Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +4

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +2
Ranged +3

STATISTICS 25 pts
Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +1; CMD 14

Traits: Magical Lineage(Shocking Grasp), Triaxis trained, monstrous shadow(thunder of dragons)

Feats Reach Spell, Spell Focus(Evocation)

Skills Perception +4//, Spellcraft +7//, Stealth 4//,
Knowledges{ Arcana +11//, Local +8/, Nature +8/, Religion +8/, History +9//, Geography +9//, Dungeoneering +8/}/ denotes skill ranks

Languages Common, Dwarven, Elven, Draconic, Celestial

SQ
Draconic Heritage Humans with this trait gain darkvision with a range of 10 feet and low-light vision. They can also ignore the Charisma prerequisite for Eldritch Heritage and any feat that has Eldritch Heritage as a prerequisite, but can select only the draconic bloodline with these feats. This replaces the bonus skill rank humans receive at each level

Arcane pool:4/5

Bloodline(Blue Dragon)
Arcana: Whenever you deal electricity damage with a spell, add +1 per die rolled to the damage
1st: Blood Havoc: Whenever you deal damage with a bloodline spell or a spell in spell focus school, add +1 per die rolled to the damage

Spells Prepared/known
0th 1st
5 2
all 9

1st
Shocking Grasp, Feather Fall, Identify, Comprehend Language, Mount, Disguise Self, Silent Image, Vanish, Enlarge Person

Gear 41gp Total Weight: 35lbs
Fighter Kit 9gp
a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, an iron pot, a mess kit, rope, soap, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin.

Spellbook

Wand of Infernal Healing 50/50 750gp

Sleeves of Many Garments 200gp

5 lbs in various books

Carry Capacity:
Light Medium Heavy
up to 38 lbs. 39–76 lbs. 77–115 lbs.


I don't know if the GM is holding us to it, but there is a general guideline prohibiting spending more than half of your starting wealth on any single magical item (putting wands out of reach until 3rd level unless the GM makes partially used wands available at discount).


Cantriped wrote:
I don't know if the GM is holding us to it, but there is a general guideline prohibiting spending more than half of your starting wealth on any single magical item (putting wands out of reach until 3rd level unless the GM makes partially used wands available at discount).

Ah, shoot. Well, unless GM chimes in later, I'll just swap to around 10 scrolls, should be fine until we make adventure profits.


I'm sure he'll chime in sometime today or tomorrow. The deadline for character submissions was supposed to be yesterday after all.


Sorry for not chiming in. I must have a lot on my mind. You can't spend more than half of your starting wealth on any single magic item.
:)

I do have a lot on my mind right now, and I'm extending the deadline to Tuesday.


Fixed the equipement and got an alias up and running while I was at it.

I wanted to leave the background pretty open to (hopefully) connect with party members, happy to make changes.

@EltonJ, monstrous shadow drawback trait fair game? details in the fluff.


Shellin, Dragonblood Arcanist wrote:

Fixed the equipement and got an alias up and running while I was at it.

I wanted to leave the background pretty open to (hopefully) connect with party members, happy to make changes.

@EltonJ, monstrous shadow drawback trait fair game? details in the fluff.

Can you post the page where you see that?


EltonJ wrote:
Can you post the page where you see that?

My mistake, old GM called it monstrous shadow. The trait is Umbral Unmasking


Shellin, Dragonblood Arcanist wrote:
EltonJ wrote:
Can you post the page where you see that?
My mistake, old GM called it monstrous shadow. The trait is Umbral Unmasking

Alright.


Time to make a choice.

The characters playing in this campaign are:

  • Alder Tiller
  • Shellin
  • Aleda Helene Kath
  • the Chameleon Skink

    I have room for one more.


  • Thanks for picking me. I'll have her profile up tonight.


    Awesome...thanks ...looking forward to this game!


    me too. I'll post up the beginning scene as soon as the 5th slot is taken.
    I want to give Tenro a chance.


    I (aka Cantriped) am also still an applicant...


    Jonas Deepdelver wrote:
    I (aka Cantriped) am also still an applicant...

    Yes. You are. I'm looking over the two of you and what will be needed for muscle. Vog Skyreaver and Jonas Deepdelver. Maybe I can run this with six.


    Kay, I was just making sure I wasn't being forgotten. I'm not gonna be upset if you choose to accept other applicants instead of myself; just slightly disappointed because this sounds like a really interesting campaign!

    And in that vein; congratulations to everyone who has already been accepted!


    Vrog Skyreaver wrote:


    ** spoiler omitted **

    Can you link your background to the barbarian king?


    Jonas Deepdelver, and Kali Soy, are you going to join us? The party could use you.

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