Alrighty,
so this will be the out of character and discussion thread for my upcoming Play-by-post "Rennick's Rise of the Runelords Campaign" (I know, very original, but if it's not busted, don't fix it"
so right out of the starting gate: We will be using the pathfinder rules, The Core Book and Advanced Player's Guide are both accepted without question, any other sources published by Paizo will also most likely be accepted.
Please check out the "Rise of the Runelords Player's Guide"
I will be posting character creation guidelines here shortly, as well as a list of campaign traits.
As it stands I already have four people who have shown interest in joining this game, but I would be comfortable with one or two other players joining if anyone is interested. I'm okay if you've read the AP, (It is 3 years old and this is the Paizo message boards) but I do ask that you keep anything you know separate from your character knowledge.
thanks guys, more to come shortly.
Okay, now to try to give you guys everything you need to make your characters.
First of all, a note on how this game is going to be played. As all my regular players know by now, I'm much more of a story-teller than a number cruncher when it comes to D&D. Not that I don't like rolling dice, or dislike combat, but if all you want is to be "Bob the Barbarian" and go kill goblins, this may not be the game for you, or maybe it is and you just have a really kick-ass backstory for why your Barbarian is named Bob.
I would like everyone to try and post once a day. It doesn't need to be page after page of text, in fact I might hate you if you do that repeatedly since I need to read it, but a couple lines of text and the numbers for any of your rolls. This kind of game takes a while and I'd like to keep it going as smoothly as possible, which is already going to take some doing as some of us are literally 12 hours apart from each other.
Later we'll get into the actual mechanics of how to make our posts, but for now that's enough. Let's get to characters.
The Fluffy Stuff
The town of Sandpoint is an almost idyllic one, located on the coast of the Varisian Bay, it is a close knit community of farmers, tradesmen, fishermen and other simple folk. In the past five years though, she has seen her share of tragedy. First, a string of serial killings that terrified the populace before he was brought to justice, and then a fire that burned the towns church to the ground. But now the people of Sandpoint are ready to begin again. The town's new Cathedral has been finally completed and just in time for the Swallowtail Festival, a religious ceremony that is easily one of the biggest parties that the community has! But even as the people of Sandpoint prepare to welcome this bright new day, something evil stirs in the shadows.
Your characters should all be made with a reason for them to be at the festival, it is alright for your characters to know each other and if you're stuck, hopefully the campaign traits can help you.
The Crunchy Stuff
Character creation will be done using the Point-but rules in the Core rule book. We will be using the "High Fantasy" model, with 20 points to purchase your abilities.
Everything else is standard first level characters, all races from the core and classes from the core rulebook and the Advanced Player's Guide are allowed.
You are also allowed, and highly encouraged to pick two traits. One trait from the lists in the Advanced Player's Guide, and one from the list of campaign Traits.
Sandpoint Traits – these traits are for characters who have grown up within the town of Sandpoint.
Favored Son/Daughter
You were born and raised in the town of Sandpoint or one of its outlying farms. You know many of the regions secrets and the locals already know who you are. You are well liked by most of the townspeople, but the seedier side of town sees you as something of a snitch. You gain a +1 knowledge (Local) trait bonus and Knowledge (Local) is always considered a class skill for you. In addition, choose one of the citizens’s listed below as an ally to your character, Each citizen will give different bonuses.
Ameiko Kaijitsu (Local (but out of favour) noble, former adventurer and owner of the Rusty Dragon Inn): Ameiko is one of Sandpoint’s most beloved citizens. She is the eldest daughter to the Kaijitsu family, but at a young age she chose to take up the life of an adventurer, against her father’s very vocal wishes. She has since returned to Sandpoint and opened the Rusty Dragon, a tavern and Inn which in the past few years has become one of the most popular in Sandpoint. As one of her friends, you’re always guaranteed a place to sleep and eat for free. But sometimes perks come with a price, and Ameiko has enlisted your help to run the Rusty Dragon’s table at this year’s Swallowtail festival.
On top of this, Ameiko has a lot of merchant contacts and can sell any of your loot for you, gaining you an additional 10% over the amount of GP that you would normally receive.
Belor Hemlock (Town Sheriff): Sandpoint’s no nonsense arm of the law, Belor has always been like an uncle to you. The benefits of which are extensive, you can either call in a favour once per day, such as help with legal trouble or to hook you up with a town guard for help. Otherwise you may use a onetime +10 bonus on bluff, intimidate or diplomacy. Because of this familiarity, Belor has called in a favour on you, and asked that you attend the Swallowtail festival to help him keep an eye out for Ne’er do wells.
Father Vantus (Local Priest): You’ve been taken under the wing of Father Abstalar Vantus, the new town Priest of Sandpoint. In the five years that he has been a member of Sandpoint’s community the two of you have become fast friends. Gain a +1 trait bonus to any Knowledge (Religion) checks. As well, Vantus is happy to provide any minor healing you may need.
Vantus has asked that you help him coordinate all of the happenings of this year’s festival, and to be honest, you spend so much time at the Cathedral that you wouldn’t have missed it anyways.
Black Sheep
You were born and raised in the town of Sandpoint or one of its outlying farms. You know many of the regions secrets and the locals already know who you are. It’s not fair to say you’re hated by the townspeople, but they do see you as a troublemaker, and definitely don’t trust you. The town’s tougher lot respect you, but the law-abiding citizens do not. You gain a +1 trait bonus t knowledge local, and knowledge local is always a class skill for you. In addition, choose one of the citizens’s listed below as an ally to your character, Each citizen will give different bonuses.
Alliver “Pillbug” Podiker (Apothecary): It’s an open rumour in the town that the sweaty, shifty-eyed Pillbug actually sells poisons from his cluttered and ramshackle shop. You are one of the few people who know this is true. You start the game with 400 gp worth of poison. Pillbug will also happily continue to sell to you, as long as you keep your mouth shut.
Titus Scarnetti (Town noble): Lord Scarnetti is the head of one of Sandpoint’s noble families and has his hands in a number of local businesses; chief among them is Sandpoint’s Lumber Mill. What most of the citizens don’t know is that Titus has his hands in a number of less than legal enterprises as well, and you are one of the agents he uses to facilitate these enterprises. With these connections you can call in a small favour once a week, such as help avoiding legal problems, or you can make a onetime +15 intimidate check made against any local.
Jubrayl Vhiski (Sczarni Thug): A local thug, Jubrayl is the leader of the local gang of Sczarni, an extended network of Varisian thieves, cutthroats and con artists. Whether you like it or not, you’ve been working for Jubrayl for years as anything he needs you to be, from errand boy to pick pocket. Pick one of the following skills; bluff, sleight of hand, stealth. You gain a +1 trait bonus to that skill and it becomes a class skill.
Varisian Native Traits – These traits are for characters who have their backgrounds tied into Varisia, but not Sandpoint itself.
Country born: You come from the rural region around Sandpoint, where you were raised in an
environment of rustic tradition, honest, hard work. The Swallowtail Festival is about the only thing
even remotely interesting (and not at the same time life‐threatening), so there is no force in the world
that would keep you from getting there. Your toil‐filled childhood has granted you reserves of
endurance. Once per day, when an effect would normally leave you fatigued or exhausted, you may
ignore the fatigue or exhaustion effect. This ability activates the first time you are affected by
fatigue or exhaustion in a day—you cannot “save” it to apply it to a specific effect.
Lone Wolf: You let a lonely childhood and were forced to fend for yourself. You were found and rescued by a Desnan pilgrim on his way to the Swallowtail Festival. Ever since, you visit the festival
every year to show your respect. Your past has made you resilient. Whenever you are dying, your chance of stabilizing is 50%.
Totem Spirit: Your tribal totem spirit favours you. Your tribal shaman has decided that because of this favour, you are best suited to serve as an observer for the interlopers in lower Varisia, and sent you to the Swallowtail Festival in Sandpoint to learn about their traditions. The totemic favour grants you a benefit depending on your clan:
o Lyrune-Quah (Moon Clan): You gain a +1 trait bonus to Perception and Perception is a class skill for you.
o Shadde-Quah (Axe Clan): If you have the rage ability, it lasts for one additional round.
o Shriikirri-Quah (Hawk Clan): You gain a +2 trait bonus on Initiative checks.
o Shundar-Quah (Spire Clan): You gain a +1 bonus on Fortitude saves.
o Sklar-Quah (Sun Clan): You gain a +1 bonus on Acrobatics checks, and Acrobatics is always a class skill for you.
o Skoan-Quah (Skull Clan): You gain a +2 trait bonus on weapon damage against undead.
o Tamiir-Quah (Wind Clan): Your base land speed increases by 5 feet. This counts as a trait bonus.
Magical Legacy: The magic of your homeland is in your blood. You were told by a Varisian soothsayer that this magic is linked to the ancient monuments that dot the landscape, and that if you want to
learn more, you should visit the Swallowtail Festival in Sandpoint. Select a school of magic except divination. If you take the Spell Focus feat for that school, you cast spells of this school at +1 caster
level. In addition, you can cast a single cantrip as a spell‐like ability a number of times per day equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1/day, caster level equals Hit Dice, save DC is Charisma based).
o Abjuration: Resstance.
o Conjuration: Acid splash.
o Enchantment: Daze.
o Evocation: Dancing lights.
o Illusion: Ghost sound.
o Necromancy: Touch of fatigue.
o Transmutation: Mage hand.
Magnimaran Diplomat: You hail from Magnimar, City of Monuments, which is known for its openmindedness and acceptance of a variety of races and cultures. You decided to visit Sandpoint during the Swallowtail Festival to see some more of these cultures, or maybe just in order to celebrate. Because of your tolerant upbringing, you gain a +1 trait bonus on Diplomacy, and Diplomacy is a class skill for you.
Korvosan Imperialist: You grew up in Korvosa, former colony to the empire of Cheliax. You've been brought up to believe that it is Korvosa’s mandate to rule Varisia, and do not tolerate anyone to question that right. You decided to see for yourself the backwards cultures of western Varisia by visiting the Swallowtail Festival in Sandpoint. Your breeding has prepared you for giving orders and having them obeyed. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Intimidate, and Intimidate is always a class skill for you.
Riddleport Fast Talker: You spent your early life in Riddleport, City of Cyphers, a former pirate port and still home to more than its fair share of dangerous criminals. You learned that in order to survive, you need a quick tongue, but found other uses for it. You decided to visit the Swallowtail Festival in Sandpoint, whether because you want to celebrate without watching your back all the time for once, or because those hillbillies are easy pickings. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Bluff and Bluff is always a class skill for you.
Traveller Traits – Traits for characters who are not native to Varisia
Hunter of Legends: You have a passion for fighting the gigantic creatures that stalk Varisia’s landscape. You heard stories about the Sandpoint Devil, a legendary creature that stalks the Sandpoint area, and decided to learn more. You figured that going to the Swallowtail Festival, with most locals busy getting their tongues loosened by alcohol, is your best chance to find out if the creature’s real. Your experience in fighting big creatures grants you a +2 trait bonus to damage rolls against creatures of size large or larger.
Exile: For whatever reason, you have been forced to flee from your homeland. By chance or fate you have landed on Sandpoint’s shores, and not long after that, a lack of coin decided that you would be staying as well. You hope to find employment or purpose through the many visitors said to attend the Swallowtail festival. However, years of being pursued by the enemies who chased you from your homeland has left you paranoid. Gain a +2 trait on all initiative checks.
Missionary: You have come to Varisia looking to expand the presence of your chosen faith after being guided to do so by a vision that told you your faith was needed here. Just what you are supposed to do however, is something you aren’t sure of. So you have decided that the opening of a new cathedral dedicated to a number or deities is as good a place as any to start. You gain a +1 trait bonus to knowledge religion and it is always a class skill for you. If you cast divine spells, pick three spells on your spell list. You are adept at casting these spells, so they function as if one caster level higher,and their save DCs (if applicable) gain a +1 bonus.
Pathfinder: You are a member of the Pathfinders. A society of Adventurers and Explorers dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of the world. You have travelled to Varisia, on orders from the Venture-Captain in charge of your Lodge, to explore the culture and ruins of the Thasillonian Empire, as well as any other discoveries of importance that you might find. Choose one of the following skills; Knowledge (History), Knowledge (Local), Knowledge (Dungeoneering), Survival. You gain a +1 trait bonus to that skill and it is always considered a class skill. You also start play with a Wayfinder.
Special thanks to both James Jacobs and KaeYoss, they did most of the actual work on this stuff.
I think that's all you'll need. Any questions, just toss me a line.
Here's a list of non-campaign traits from the SRD
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits
Oh! and I forgot, roll your wealth and put starting equipment together from there.
Now for the basics of posting.
For those who are trying this for the first time, PbP D&D is run a fair amount looser than a normal game. Player positions on battle grids and all that will be tossed to the way side for a greater focus on storytelling. (Actually lots of you have played normal games with me, so you should be fine)
So first of all, when writing in character, write in 3rd person, in the present tense. use normal black text.
Ex:
Jareth sits at a table near the back of the tavern, sipping quietly at a mug of ale he ordered. his eyes scan the dim tavern, looking for his mark. He spots her, the Elf with the flower in her ear, stands and walks towards where she's sitting, "Would you mind if I sat with you?" he asks
----
Use the OOC tag to write anything that isn't in character. Most importantly your dice rolls, and any random comments.
Make an ooc tag by writing ["ooc"] and [/ooc] around your sentence, but without the quotation marks.
for your rolls, write down the equations for me in ooc text, so I know if there's any bonuses I need to add or take away.
As an example, if I asked our Rogue Jareth to make an ooc check, he would roll and then write:
["ooc]14+4=18"[/ooc"] (again, without the quotation marks)
Hi
Surveys the room. trips over a rocking horse, breaking it's leg.
Is there a 'Light something on Fire' skill?
[ooc]I am ready, how does the spoiler thing work and what stats do you need for us to post?
Welcome Mr. Gripplen, just to check how often are you wearing the owl mask?
don't forget the blue
So far we have:
Immless Gripplen, Gnome Alchmist
Brogimchiagle Gripplen, his Gnome Barbarian cousin and friend to the Shoanti, Squoan-Quah.
and Elodie, Half-Elven Druid.
And one more player who has yet to show his face *Dm glower*
I think this is enough to get the game started, and toss out a message for one, maybe two other players. I'll link the thread in a little bit.
Elodie walks in six minutes late, glances over the collection of strangers in front of her, and wonders where her animal companion has got to.
Brogy, look above for the ooc text. the only thing you forgot is to put [/ooc] at the end of your sentence.
to make a spoiler tag, do the following
the first part of the tag looks like this (without quotations) ["spoiler=to whoever its for here"] then you write with you want to type, then you write ["/spoiler"] easy.
So if Jareth, our example PC, wanted to tell me that he was going to go hide in the shadows, he would use a spoiler tag. so the first thing he would write is:
["spoiler=for the DM"]
then he would write his prose, something like "Jareth slips into the shadows of the dark inn. He stalks towards the unsuspecting Gnome"
Any ooc stuff, like say his stealth roll would be written in the "ooc" code above,
then close it all off with ["/spoiler"]
all together it would look like this:
["spoiler=for the DM"]Jareth slips into the shadows of the dark inn. He stalks towards the unsuspecting Gnome
["ooc"]I rolled a 14+5=19 on (Stealth)["/ooc"]["/spoiler"]
Again, don't put the quotation marks when actually writing this.
What is your Anmial companion, Elodie?
and on that note, if everyone could email me your character info at:
james[dot]d[dot]corbett[at]gmail[dot]com
The game is up and running here: Rennick's Rise of the Runelords
This thread is now for all the chatter, offtopic, and side discussions that normally happen over the table.
murr?
Spindle pointed out to me that this site has a dice roller.
to use it type ["dice"]then the number of dice and what kind, then any bonuses, then [/"dice"]
our last original player just sent me his concept, we've got a healbot! I mean... Cleric.
Have you ever heard about a charismatic barbarian? Well now you have, kind of scary...
I'd like to welcome Kazgrim and Morthos to our game, two Dwarven wizards, fresh from Janderhoff!
Kaz check your email, Morthos I am going to need an email address from you.
Also if everyone could take a look at how these two dwarves have their info in their profile. If you could all do that it would make my life so much easier. (No huge rush, I figure that'll take a bit, so I'll only start nagging by Monday,:p)
I'd like to welcome Kazgrim and Morthos to our game, two Dwarven wizards, fresh from Janderhoff!
Kaz check your email, Morthos I am going to need an email address from you.
Also if everyone could take a look at how these two dwarves have their info in their profile. If you could all do that it would make my life so much easier. (No huge rush, I figure that'll take a bit, so I'll only start nagging by Monday,:p)
I have put a current e-mail address under a spoiler on Morthos' profile :-)
Good evening, all. If I might introduce myself, Kazgrym von Janderhoff at your service.
Is there a wait list? I'll keep this flagged incase you need a replacement :-)
I'd like opinions on how to handle combat, stickler to rules or be a little free form with it? the reason I ask is because technically at least two people did attacks they couldn't do this turn, because they don't have quick draw. (letting it slide this time, they missed)
but I'd like opinions on the matter.
*shrug* that is entirely up to you :-)
You can draw a weapon as part of a move action if you have a BAB of at least +1, so it should not be too inconvenient, long-term.
Personally, I tend to think of it (having to spend a move-equivalent action to draw a weapon, which still allows for a 5' step) as the 'level 1 tax' for non-full-BAB classes :-)
Also, in future, I would be happy for you to roll initiatives for everyone, but I will bow to the majority opinion on this.
Unless we have a battlemap of some kind, we have to freeform it somewhat. It takes far too long to post "am i within 5' of a monster?", or "can I manage to light this group of children on fire without getting soot all over my new boots?" and wait for an answer.
As long as the game is flowing nicely and no one feels like they're getting their toes stepped on (it is lame to blow a feat on quick draw when everyone else just assumes they have it) then run with what we're doing now.
As far as solving the battlemap problem, I'm actually having a lot of luck with creating the maps in a rough form in MapTool, then screenshotting it and making the image available through GoogleDocs. I've been doing that in both of my campaigns, and it's working very well. It gives people the image of where things and people are, and can show states if necessary. Just to put two cents in as far as the Battlemap.
With regards to the drawing a weapon taking time, if you aren't familiar with the weapon, then it does take longer to draw and get into a useful position. That's just how it is. Like Morthos said, it's the Level 1 Tax, more or less.
Other than that, I like how you're doing the combat at present. I'm assuming Brogi and I are at the bottom of the Initiative order because we didn't make the check to get the Surprise Round.
sounds all fair to me (and I say this as one who must remember from now on to have his weapon drawn beforehand). Also I really like Immless' idea for running initiative as a PC's vs. baddies run. It seems like the easiest idea to keep the combat flowing as well as allowing the DM on post instead of several individual ones. Any other thoughts?
I'm quite proud of that goblin diddy.
It kind of reminds me of 'The Hobbit'... or at least the 1977 cartoon version with all the crazy goblin songs that are constantly stuck inside one's head. Oh Tolkien... why must you have introduced the world to the monster rhyme?
My laptops power cord shorted out. I postin doesn't happen this is why
Danate, RE: your arcane bond item
Valid point, so please don't take this as a DM-smackdown, its simply what I feel is fair. I'm not going to give a retcon and for future reference please specify when you are using your bonded item to do so.
On that note, according to the rules, a bonded item needs to be an Amulet, ring, staff, wand or weapon. You have yours listed as hat. Now I actually think that's kinda cool so I'm good to let you keep it, but it will be much easier to knock away from you, and would take your characters head slot.
The spellcraft check was taken into account when I wrote the description, short order is your character has no clue what this thing is.
Hahaha, yep. Totally did.
I have created a Google Spreadsheet to track Party Loot. The URL is hidden under a spoiler on Morthos' profile page.
I thought this was something I should put out in the open.
On combat and character death.
I am not one of those DMs who feels it is my job to make the player's life a living hell or that my campaign really isn't doing its job unless I have a TPK (unless its a Tomb of Horrors game). On the same note I'm not interested in throwing out freebies to players to help them along.
At any point though, it may look like I'm doing either of these things, I'm not. I try to build my worlds and stories as realistically (relatively speaking) as I can. This same philosophy applies to monsters and villains.
While I try to make sure that no one gets killed by a random encounter, combat can, and in my opinion should have the possibility to, be deadly.
This is a somewhat roundabout way of saying up front that while I will not endeavor to strike anyone down, I won't pull my punches in combat either. PC death is a possibility (A very real one at low levels) and I wanted everyone clear on that.
and thanks for the sheet Morthos!
Pellynor's situation keeps getting this song stuck in my head.
a Head's up, I have my RL game tonight, and Martial arts practice after that. This weekend is my birthday and my black belt exam so its most likely I won't be able to update for a couple of days.
And I'm sorry to those who've been put to the side for Pel's excursion, the time shift is coming soon.
and video = Lol!
Wanted to give everyone a head's up.
This week I'm racing to get my grad school applications sent in and my report cards marked and commented, and to get ready to leave for Thailand on Christmas.
So I will not be maintaining regular posting schedule this week. I'm sorry but it's unavoidable. I will try to get a couple more updates this week, but no promises.
Because of the aforementioned vacation, on December 24th the game will be going on Hiatus until around January 06th.
I have no intention of the game dying out, and hope everyone can have the patience to stick around and start back up at full speed in a few weeks. thanks guys!
Checking in to see if we still have interest in this game, sorry for the wait but myself and two of our players had a lot of long travelling over the holidays.
Welcome back, and i'm still good for the game
I'm in!
Morthos is still here :-)
alright, keep an eye on this thread, I'll be starting it up soon, hopefully we can get everyone back.
Still here, i was watching the other thread though :P
Cool, all we're missing so far is Kaz, who I think I have an email for, and Immless. Should be able to find him, :p
Just a heads-up that I will be on the road for the next couple of days, so my ability to post may be limited. Feel free to DMPC me if necessary.
Probably won't be starting up for another few days so you should be ok, if we do I will DMPC. thanks for the warning.
Hey. I'm still game for game, although I was out of commission for a few weeks. New Year's surprises that led to cross-country travel followed by my current stay in the hospital. I should be able to post at least once a day, but if I can't, feel free to -BOT me as well.
Immless has been suffering a severe shortage of internet in his new home. I'll prod at him to see if he's still in. Sorry for the delay.
Immless has gotten in touch with me about it, and given his current situation he has chosen to bow out of the game. So we have all our players. I'll get the game up and running soon.