Shisumo's Cult of the Ebon Destroyers (Inactive)

Game Master Shisumo


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So I've decided that I can manage one more PbP, I think, and I wanted to try something higher level (since APs take seemingly forever to get into the midlevels, let alone anything higher). As a result, I'm opening up recruitment for a PbP of Cult of the Ebon Destroyers. I'm looking for 5 players, no more, and will be choosing on the basis of player enthusiasm, party balance, interesting roleplaying and character background (that list's pretty much in order). Submissions should include race, class(es) and levels (including archetypes or prestige classes), alignment and general character concept, but need not be full builds.

Your characters cannot be native to Jalmeray (they can be from pretty much anywhere else, however), but should have some reason to be sailing on the Fare Winds, a merchant vessel sailing to Niswan, the capital of Jalmeray, from Absalom (and before it, Katapesh) and scheduled to put into port just in time for Niswan's famous Festival of Colors.

Here are my usual chargen rules for PbPs, modified for this particular game:

* 20 pt buy (with level advancements as usual, of course)
* Standard core rules races
* Any classes/racial traits/archetypes from core, APG, Ultimate Magic and Ultimate Combat, plus the ARG (3PP material potentially allowed - I don't have a lot of it, though, so it's by approval only). Archetypes from basically any Paizo (and potentially 3PP, as I said) sources are permitted; prestige classes from non-core sources are likely to be approved, but I reserve the right to veto anything I feel doesn't fit the story
* Feats and spells from any Paizo-produced Pathfinder RPG source (with stuff from the 3.5 Pathfinder era potentially allowed - I'm mostly thinking of the spells from Gods and Magic that haven't been converted yet)
* Two Traits
* 33,000 in starting gold, with no single item costing more than 10,000 gp
* PFS-style hit points advancement by level (d6 classes gain 4+Con mod hit points each level after the first, d8 classes gain 5+Con mod each level, d10 classes gain 6+Con mod, and d12 ones get 7+Con mod)

I am not automatically opposed to non-standard races, but I tend to lean a little harder on them than most other rules options. Consider them by-approval-only, but please feel free to ask. Of course, as noted above, archetypes from the Advanced Race Guide are fair game for any race I choose to allow in the game. Ultimate Equipment is also open for use essentially without restriction.

Anybody have questions or comments, shout 'em out!


What is the starting level? See no mention and I havent memorized the starting gold to pc level chart yet.

Sovereign Court

I believe it is 8th level.

DM, I would like to incorporate for my part of this story a Vanara monk on his way to the isle for the famed competitions. Deemed the most fit in his tribe - under encroachment from tribesmen in the Mwangi expanse - to compete, he is tasked with gaining some favor in the hopes their (relatively small) tribe can migrate to a new, safer location. The competition is his venue to this favor, he hopes.


I've been wanting to check out this module since I first heard about it! Really excited to give it a go. Since you don't need a full build, I'll give the requisite details here (though I may just build this out anyway because I love chargen exercises!)

Presuming 8th-level (which is what is recommended for the module) since it wasn't specified.

_____________________

Jamnimar Volgant
Lawful Neutral Human Monk (Master of Many Styles/Hungry Ghost Monk) 1/Fighter (Brawler) 7

Jamnimar is a liberated slave from Katapesh, formerly held in the possession of an efreeti member of the Aspis Consotrium named Izah. Serving as an arena fighter, Jamnimar earned his freedom through brutal arena combat and serving as an Aspis enforcer. While taken care of in his servitude, Jamnimar always longed for freedom from his shackled life to find his own path.

Opportunity found Jamnimar at sea when on a Consortium vessel bound for Osirion in pursuit of an enemy of Izah an Eagle Knight vessel boarded the Consortium ship to liberate the captive slaves aboard. Jamnimar was torn between defending his master's investments or the smell of approaching freedom. When the Eagle Knights reached the holding area that Jamnimar was in, he turned on his captors and aided the Eagle Knights in battle, earning his freedom.

Jamnimar turned his back on the Consortium that day and spent the next two years wandering the Inner Sea. He made his way from Andoran to Taldor, then out to Absalom before finally taking a vessel out to distant Jalamery.

If any other players want to conjoin their backgrounds/concepts with Jamnimar I'd totally be down for that. Maybe they were slaves that worked together for the Consotrium, maybe an Eagle Knight of Andoran who adventured together after his liberation. I'm up for anything!

Also, Shisumo: While I have Jamnimar listed here as human, I'd leap at the opportunity to make him an Oread. The idea of a hulking stone monstrosity being a bruiser for the Aspis Consortium seems pretty fun! But if you don't want a plane-touched race in the game, human is fine :)


Man, how did I miss that? headdesk

Yes, the game begins at 8th level.

Also, since I now realize I also forgot to put this bit in as well, I plan to leave recruitment open for one week. It'll close next Monday, the 25th, at about 10 AM PST.

Scarab Sages

Considering Katapeshi Bard (Dervish Dancer) who uses belly dance for other non combat performance effects.

Would level this character up to 8


I am interested and I might try to work my background in with your Lucent (Aak here). Maybe a Paladin of the Shield, sent by his Liege. Take out the slavers, and set free those that cannot free themselves. Will work on the crunch and other fluff, just wanted to give a bare bones of character.


Yo, Aak! That'd be fun.


I'm interested! Will try to come up with something in the coming days. Off the top of my head, I would like to play something akin to the Bene Gesserit from Frank Herbert's Dune cycle, perhaps building the character with a little bit of monk with some inquisitor and/or ranger.


Does it start at Katapesh? Meaning that's where we should be located in the beginning?


Javell DeLeon wrote:
Does it start at Katapesh? Meaning that's where we should be located in the beginning?

It will begin on the Fare Winds, en route to Niswan (having already left Absalom). The Fare Winds usually sails a three-stop loop from Katapesh to Absalom to Niswan and then back to Katapesh again. So you could have boarded in Absalom or Katapesh, but either way Niswan is your next stop, and you're currently in the middle of the Obari Ocean.


Doomed Hero here.

I don't get to play higher level games much. This sounds fun.

Vash is a former gladiator turned bodyguard. I included a plot hook in his backstory to get him into the game, but he could just as easily be set up to be a hireling or friend of one of the other PCs.

Mechanically, this is the guy every caster wants to stand behind. Bad guys around him tend to fall over and allies near him tend to get hit a lot less.

Please take a look and tell me what you think. He's mostly done. All that's left to do is some shopping.


dot


I'd like to run a concept I've been kicking around for a while.

The exact blend of levels is still up in the air until I start writing him out but it will likely be an unarmed Rogue (Rake)/Fighter (Brawler) that specializes in knocking a sucker out.

A glory seeking Varisian boxer with an enigmatic smile and a nigh-incomprehensible accent. Exactly how he ended up in Absalom or what he plans to do in Katapesh is anyone's guess, but there is a decent chance it involve rattling someone's teeth.


Dreaming Warforged wrote:
I'm interested! Will try to come up with something in the coming days. Off the top of my head, I would like to play something akin to the Bene Gesserit from Frank Herbert's Dune cycle, perhaps building the character with a little bit of monk with some inquisitor and/or ranger.

The Conversion and Heresy inquisitions let you subsitute Wis for Cha for several social skills, if that's what you want.

Dark Archive

Dotting for intrest.


This is Nimon. Here is my Character Concept. Synthia "Blood Scythe" Rogue(Scout/Poisoner)/Red Mantis Assassin. I have the background finished in my alias. The rest I will transfer from Hero Lab soon.

Dark Archive

I am also interested.

I'll have thought of something next time I'm on.


Bearded Ben wrote:
Dreaming Warforged wrote:
I'm interested! Will try to come up with something in the coming days. Off the top of my head, I would like to play something akin to the Bene Gesserit from Frank Herbert's Dune cycle, perhaps building the character with a little bit of monk with some inquisitor and/or ranger.
The Conversion and Heresy inquisitions let you subsitute Wis for Cha for several social skills, if that's what you want.

Thanks BB. I had been looking into that possibility. At the same time, there are so many nice options in the domains...


Vash Ossari wrote:

Doomed Hero here.

I don't get to play higher level games much. This sounds fun.

Vash is a former gladiator turned bodyguard. I included a plot hook in his backstory to get him into the game, but he could just as easily be set up to be a hireling or friend of one of the other PCs.

Mechanically, this is the guy every caster wants to stand behind. Bad guys around him tend to fall over and allies near him tend to get hit a lot less.

Please take a look and tell me what you think. He's mostly done. All that's left to do is some shopping.

Hi DH! My intended character would be way too close to your mechanically (I had thought of going monk 2 / inquisitor 6, with Snake Style).

Not to mention Lucent's proposal as well!

I'll see if I can come up with something else.


Would this campaign be crafting-friendly?

Was thinking a Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider... who had elevated his "craft" to an art form and painstakingly made his own gear. Wizard 3/Rogue 5 (Trapsmith).

+1 Keen Scimitar & Dervish Dance feat a must.


Interested so far:

vanaran monk - Stratos
human (oread?) monk (MoMS/hungry ghost)/fighter (brawler) - Lucent
(race unknown) paladin - Gilthanis
human bard (dervish dancer) - Mark Thomas 66
human monk (MoMS)/fighter (lore warden) - Doomed Hero
(race unknown) rogue (rake)/fighter (brawler) - Ptolmaeus Arvenus
human rogue (scout/poisoner)/Red Mantis assassin - Nimon
(race unknown) wizard/rogue (trapsmith) - Black Thom

plus a couple more (Zenergy and Dreaming Warforged) without a specific concept yet.

I see a lot of people wanting to stand on the front lines, but almost no one interested in casters. Interesting...


Lucent: Most of the element-kin would fit fairly well in this game. I'd probably be good with you going oread instead of human for your character, as far as that goes.

Gilthanis: just so you know, by default the game pretty much has no slavers in it to kill whatsoever. So make sure you don't overfocus.

Nimon: I often shy away from evil PCs. That's not to say there's no way I'd pick Synthia, but you're taking the harder road there, just so you know.

Black Thom: I guess it depends on what you mean by "crafting friendly." The biggest obstacle would be time, because as written the entire story takes maybe three weeks. Bigger projects likely won't be feasible, but smaller stuff shouldn't be a problem.


Shisumo: Excellent! I think I'll get down to building out an alias and stat block tonight after work. I'm likely going to drop the monk levels entirely and focus on fighter (brawler) levels making him a close-quarters gladiatorial combatant. Probably working with punching daggers or something of the sort.

If anyone else wants to coordinate a character background with me (Gilanthis already accounted for) I'm totally up for it :)


no worries, still trying to think of fluff and crunch right now anyways :)


I''m working on an arcane caster.


Would like to submit Nesipho Inkosi, a human (mwangi) magus/rogue. Stat block is in alias, but it is incomplete at present.

Will be making further tweaks to background info, but here is an initial pass.

Concept:
Magus/Rogue. Human (Mwangi). Intense interest in languages and cultures, both modern and ancient, strong interest in ancient architecture. Combat flanker and tracker/scout. Not a traditional rogue in the sense of being a pick pocket or a cut purse, but more of a scout or spy.

Back story:
Nesipho Inkosi (meaning gifted king) was born into the Ilanga tribe, one of the Zenj jungle tribes, where he was quick to learn the skills necessary to survive the dangers of his homeland. As both a hunter and tracker he is comfortable either alone or working with a group to take down his quarry whether by direct confrontation for smaller less dangerous creatures or by setting traps and snares to entangle or weaken more dangerous foes. The various ruins in the expanse have always intrigued him and he took the opportunity when he could to delve into a few of the small ruin sites near his tribal lands.

A few years after his rite of passage into manhood he left the jungles to explore the world beyond the expanse. This caused some slight contention within his family. His parents did not want him to leave the tribe or his homeland. It was there that he came under the tutelage of Adian Veray and learned he had a natural capacity for the arcane arts. A friend of Adian's, Logan Drais, taught him in the use of blades. Under their guidance he learned the art of weaving steel and magic as a magus. While he now favors the rapier as it seems a natural extension of his agile limbs he continues to carry the traditional weapon of his tribe, a short throwing spear.

Meeting the different peoples of the outside world developed in him an intense interest in both languages and cultures. This growing interest fueled his curiosity regarding the many ruins of then Mwangi Expanse. He returned to his homeland for a short time in association with the pathfinder society and spent several months on an expedition into the drowning stones. He was joined there by his brother Ojore, a tribal druid of his people, and several others of the society. The expedition ultimately met a tragic end. While ahead exploring a collapse in the tunnels separate him from the group just as a horde of ulat-kinai (skum) attacked the group. Nesipho managed to find a different way out of the drowning stones and spent a month searching for his brother to no avail. It is believed all other members of the group fell to the skum.

Feeling a heavy weight at the loss of his brother he once again left the expanse to explore the world beyond. He took passage upon Fare Winds to distance himself from his recent past and to again persue his interest in other cultures.

Personality:
His ability to learn quickly has made him a little arrogant, which sometimes puts people off. But he is friendly and talkative when not engrossed in study of a new language or the hunt. He can frequently be found using both chalk and paper (of which he always has some on hand) to capture the engravings and hieroglyphics that are sometimes found in old ruins. He has a growing collection of these impressions which he leaves carefully wrapped up wherever his current base of operations might be.

Like many of the Mwangi, Nesipho holds a great reverence for his forefathers, and the traditions that have been handed down from them. While normally slow to anger those who show disrespect to either his ancestors or his tribal traditions will find his wrath kindled against them. While it would be unlikely he would be provoked into attacking someone for such a sleight, he would hold a grudge against such a person.

While he has an interest in other cultures, he doesn't always understand them, and has gotten himself into some minor predicaments for not following local laws in places he has spent time in outside of the Mwangi Expanse.

Appearance:
Standing at 5'2" Nesipho is of a slim build, weighing in at 146 lbs. His dark skin is covered by plain loose fitting clothing of earthen colors. A foot long braid of black hair hangs down his back.

Family:
Nesipho is the oldest of two. Both his parents remain with the tribe. His younger brother, Ojore, joined him in the expedition into the drowning stones but did not return. Normally upbeat about life, his memories of his brother occasionally leave him in a morose mood.


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Popping in to dot. I'm going to brainstorm a bit, see what other submissions there are, and probably toss in a character at some point this week.


Dreaming Warforged wrote:


Hi DH! My intended character would be way too close to your mechanically (I had thought of going monk 2 / inquisitor 6, with Snake Style).

Sorry I stepped on your toes. Since you're throwing in a caster, maybe I can be your meat shield.


Here is Ptolemaeus' crunch, I'll fill out the background and personality shortly.


Bren is pretty much done, I might flesh some of the fluff out more later and do a little extra shopping.


@DM Shisumo - Thanks.


No problem I understand hesitance to going with an Evil character. If it's any consulation I do not intend to play overtly so and will attempt to hide my true nature when ever possible.


Overlooked something in my skills, fixed now.


Okay, I want to throw in this guy. Darnak

Now, there are 3 of them. There's a "8th", "18", and "9". The top one, which is the "8th", is the one you want.

I worked so hard on those other ones, I just don't have the heart to erase them. :)

And sorry about the background. It's located within the "18" build. I ain't never done one that long and never will again. Background's the worst part for me. It's interesting, I actually created this character before Cult of the Ebon Destroyers came out. So I thought it was pretty cool when it did come out, and I already had a dude built for it.

Dark Archive

I'm planning on making an Arcane Trickster with a Jack of All Trades approach. I've been spending some hours getting the mechanics to work the way I want them, but I should have it ironed out very soon.


Still working on the crunch, but I have the character finally figured out!

Tania Teg, Female Human Sorcerer (wildblooded Sylvan) 8

Spoiler:

DESCRIPTION
Tania Teg is an open-minded spirit with a knack for business and social influence. Her father's heritage speaks of a strong upholding of Cheliax's customs and ways, while her mother's brings a more open and fluid outlook on things.

Tania is gifted with a very strong presence. She is generally joyful in her demeanor and her light blue eyes captivate and taunt the soul for confidences. Her voice and her laughter remind one of the sound of water bouncing off the leaves of a luscious green plant at the bottom of a small spring. Youth and energy pervade her movements and her stance, yet she keeps an impeccable posture at all time.

Trained from her infancy in the arts of entertainment, influence and seduction, Tania shows a devout care to her appearance, for she understands the subtle power such things have on people's hearts.

She wears her blond hair somewhat short and straight, keeping them lustrous and dense. She usually mixes Varisian jewelry of silver with Chelish dresses of blue, white and grey tones that underline the very fine bone structure of her silhouette. She favors clothes that follow the latest fashion in Westcrown and that are likely to have a symbolic meaning. She often makes small modifications to make them more comfortable and to add Varisian influences.

BACKGROUND

Coming from a wealthy family of Korvosans merchants. Tania has worked for her Chelaxian father since her youth, while her Varisian mother helped her develop her natural gift for magic. As she developed her art, she started to look at the bigger picture, embracing in secret the cause of the weaker castes of society.

After successfully opening a trading counter in Absalom, she is sent to explore trading opportunities in Jalmeray.


DM ruling. Can I use the feat dervish dance if wielding a buckler since the buckler is strapped to my forearm and not technically carried in my offhand?


Gilthanis wrote:
DM ruling. Can I use the feat dervish dance if wielding a buckler since the buckler is strapped to my forearm and not technically carried in my offhand?

Not a chance.


Wasn't sure how it worked which is why I asked :)

Liberty's Edge

being 8th level leaves room for lots of opening builds. How do you feel about races with templates? Allowed? Discouraged? More scrutinized application?


DM Shisumo wrote:
Gilthanis wrote:
DM ruling. Can I use the feat dervish dance if wielding a buckler since the buckler is strapped to my forearm and not technically carried in my offhand?
Not a chance.

You can strap the buckler to the arm carrying the scimitar. It's effectively a -1 attack, +1 AC option that still leaves your off-hand free.

This is RAW legal, but as always, subject to GM override.


Daynen wrote:
being 8th level leaves room for lots of opening builds. How do you feel about races with templates? Allowed? Discouraged? More scrutinized application?

They're going to get a very, very close eyeball. I very rarely think templates are balanced from a PC perspective, and generally don't allow them. Likewise...

Doomed Hero wrote:
DM Shisumo wrote:
Gilthanis wrote:
DM ruling. Can I use the feat dervish dance if wielding a buckler since the buckler is strapped to my forearm and not technically carried in my offhand?
Not a chance.

You can strap the buckler to the arm carrying the scimitar. It's effectively a -1 attack, +1 AC option that still leaves your off-hand free.

This is RAW legal, but as always, subject to GM override.

Actually, if -1 attack and +1 AC was all it was, I'd be okay with that. But given how much you can stack onto even a buckler - an 8th level fighter could easily turn that into -1/+6 - I'm not interested in seeing it stacked with Dervish Dance.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16

Will have the character generated tomorrow.


DM Shisumo wrote:


Actually, if -1 attack and +1 AC was all it was, I'd be okay with that. But given how much you can stack onto even a buckler - an 8th level fighter could easily turn that into -1/+6 - I'm not interested in seeing it stacked with Dervish Dance.

So are you house-ruling that you can't wield a buckler and a weapon in the same hand then?

I ask because it might affect my build also (because of crane style). I wasn't really planning on using a buckler because I need all the attack bonus I can get, but it was a defense option I was thinking of. No problem if you just don't like it.


Most "empty hand" options are balanced on the presumption that you're not getting a shield bonus in addition. The buckler's ability to be used with a weapon in hand breaks that balance presumption if you try to exploit it, so bucklers on primary hands in order to avoid triggering "and nothing in your off-hand" clauses don't fly with me. It's worth noting, though, that the exploit is based on a pretty iffy rules interpretation in the first place: RAW, the text says "You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon)," which means you can't use it on your primary hand regardless. (I've considered, when the topic was broached before, allowing it - but forcing the application of off-hand weapon penalties, which basically means a -8 penalty to a one-handed weapon or a -6 to a light weapon.)


Interested so far, recapping:

vanaran monk - Stratos
oread fighter (brawler) - Lucent
(race unknown) paladin - Gilthanis
human bard (dervish dancer) - Mark Thomas 66
human monk (MoMS)/fighter (lore warden) - Doomed Hero
human rogue (rake)/fighter (brawler) - Ptolmaeus Arvenus
human rogue (scout/poisoner)/Red Mantis assassin - Nimon
(race unknown) wizard/rogue (trapsmith) - Black Thom
dwarf monk (iron mountain) - Javell DeLeon
(race unknown) arcane trickster - Zenergy
human sorcerer (wildblooded sylvan) - Dreaming Warforged

Also, Stalwart hasn't posted a character idea yet.

Sill no healer so far, only one dedicated arcanist, and a couple of traps/skills types. Is there something about Jalmeray that makes everyone want to play monks and/or unarmed fighters?

Dark Archive

I primarily play healers, and since you shy away from evil characters I will whip one up and offer it in place of Synthia.


Fair enough. I wasn't planning on using a buckler anyway, but it's still nice to know what the house rules are before you join.

Would the same thing apply to a Ring of Force Shield?

Dark Archive

http://www.dndsheets.net/view.php?id=48546

I got to work on the complicated stuff, so it'll be done soon. I'm still deciding on a few background ideas.

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