Here's the ooc/character tuning (if necessary) thread. I'm currently in the process of moving and finishing some freelance work, so it may be about a week or so before we get rolling. I will be available to answer questions and discuss things in the meantime, though.
Thanks for having me Keegan! That sounds like a pretty crazy game.
Just the way I like it!
Hey everyone. Thanks for picking me Keegan. Hopefully this will be a lot of fun.
As Keegan (is that what we should call you?I see that Keegan is what Dreaming Warforged used, but if you prefer James or something else, let me know) said, Arasmes' class is still a bit up in the air.
For those who didn't read his background–and why would you?–Arasmes was a talented student of the Professor who wasted his potential becoming addicted to Shiver . While under the spell of the drug, something reached out to him, some alien inhuman thing from the Dark Tapestry . The experience left him changed. His addiction was cured and he was gifted with strange horrible powers and visions. He has come to the professor, seeking help, but, alas, the professor is dead.
Anyway, two classes seem to fit the idea, an oracle or a sorcerer with an aberrant bloodline. Looking at the other characters who made it into the adventure, it seems that an oracle would be best, since there are several other potential arcane casters with only a paladin representing the divine side of matters. Right now I am planning on making Arasmes an oracle of lore, unless someone has a compelling argument otherwise.
Being an oracle, it makes sense, from a party balance perspective, for Arasmes to take the cure spells. But, from a character perspective, it seems more on point for an oracle of the Great Old Ones to have the cause wounds set of spells. What does everyone think? I could probably reskin the cure spells to make them more aberrant in flavor if necessary.
Good question. Come to think of it, I prefer James.
As for the dilemma, go with what you'd like to play (everyone always tell me that, the I end up playing a cleric because there's none in the group!).
The other characters might have some healing too, and there is always ways around a lack of cleric.
I see witch too in your concept, no?
That's both funny and true. I always end up playing the cleric. One of these days I'll get to be the fighter.
I never thought of a witch. That might work. I guess I'm looking for something a bit more passive. Becoming an oracle or sorcerer is something that happens to you. Arasmes doesn't want his abilities, his visions, or his madness. That's why I was drawn to oracle.
I'm kind of worried that I am going to end up building a character that thematically rich and useless in game terms.
I prefer James; my last name just completes the alliteration in the title.
As for Arasmes' access to cure or inflict spells, it's really up to you and what you think best fits the character. But the Old Ones are inscrutable, after all- maybe your cure ability manifests as ethereal fingers that reach into your (or a comrade's) wounds to knit the flesh back together. Or perhaps his ability to heal is his own nature (and sense of self-preservation) exerting itself over the powers he's been given.
I prefer James; my last name just completes the alliteration in the title.
As for Arasmes' access to cure or inflict spells, it's really up to you and what you think best fits the character. But the Old Ones are inscrutable, after all- maybe your cure ability manifests as ethereal fingers that reach into your (or a comrade's) wounds to knit the flesh back together. Or perhaps his ability to heal is his own nature (and sense of self-preservation) exerting itself over the powers he's been given.
Nice!
Thanks for the spot, looks like an interesting group.
As for Arasmes dilema, i think oracle or witch are strong choices.
To make witch work, you could have the witch's familiar be an agent of the old ones. The familiar teaches you spells as you go, helping to mold you into what they want you to be.
Either way, i think james had a great point about cure spells. Even when being manipulated/molded by outside forces, its not uncommon for the persons own will to shape that process as well.
Thanks, James! I'm, well, geeked to be in. Jormungandr, feel free to take alchemist. I think I'm going to go with the dhampir magus. I have some family stuff today, but I'll take a look over what everyone has and catch up the posts when I get a chance.
So, just to get it straight in my own head, so far, we have:
Dreaming Warforged as Trevor the Yellow, a male human paladin.
Lovely Dwarf as Arasmes, a male human oracle.
Jourmungandr as Alison Crane, a female changeling alchemist.
Billzabub as Luka Katic, a male dhampir magus.
Prince of Darkness as Evelyn Stormbow, a female human ranger.
Wow, I like it. An almost all human party (3.5 out of 5), with plenty of melee ability, spread out healing and arcane abilities. I'll mkae sure I put ranks into use magic device. Should be a very interesting game.
edit: ninja'd by Jormungandr. Great minds think alike,
Wouldn't we be 4 of 5 humans since I'm half changeling and you're half vampire :P
Correct! Or, 4 humans, 1/2 a hag, and 1/2 a sucker.
Changed my avatar again too, should be for the last time though. Its really hard finding a dark haired human avatar, nearly all the human women have either white or blondish hair :)
Did some work on Alison's sheet, mainly just making it a little more aesthetically pleasing.
I knwo what you mean about dark hair, had to dig to find one i liked
It's tough finding the right avatar. Just fyi, I also need to update my sheet to reflect the 3round playtest version of the magus. I noticed a few changes.
Tell me about it!
I sometimes start from the image and build from there...
I can't find anything for wealth starting what for a magus is, so I'm going to roll for wizard and fighter and split in half:
19 x 10 =190 / 2 = 95
lol, starting gold seems to be the last thing they get to
Billzabub, your avatar picture is in perfect sync with your roll for wealth! Made me laugh.
Billzabub, your avatar picture is in perfect sync with your roll for wealth! Made me laugh.
What's Ogre for Oy Vey?
That one flew high above me! Sorry, English is my second language...
That one flew high above me! Sorry, English is my second language...
It's basically yiddish for, "Ah crap."
Thanks, fits superbly as well!
Just dropping in to roll my starting funds.
x10=90
Remember kids, don't do drugs or get mixed up with elder gods from beyond this dimension. Eh, I guess that is exactly average so I shouldn't complain.
All the more reason to hope the professor left you something in his will!
So who else is chomping at the bit? No pressure, James. I know you have some stuff to get in order first, but I'm excited to get this going.
I'll see if I can put something up tonight, if I can find the time.
I'm so excited, I just can't hide it, I'm about to lose control and I think I like it... but not really, though I am eager :)
Aaaargh! You've infected my brain! Curse you! I'll have my revenge someday...
I know that... this much is... TRUE!!! Ooooh, yes it's true!
I have a question for folks who know more about Golarion than I. What university would Arasmes have attended? I imagine that he is from Taldor with a Katapeshi ethnicity, thus the name. But I mainly picked the name because it sounded like Erasmus
There's nothing I know of, although I'm certainly not the most knowledgeable person to ask. Maybe the new Inner Sea World Guide will have something, otherwise, when in doubt, make something up!
I have a question for folks who know more about Golarion than I. What university would Arasmes have attended? I imagine that he is from Taldor with a Katapeshi ethnicity, thus the name. But I mainly picked the name because it sounded like Erasmus
Well, there are several named in Ustalav itself and given Arasmes' studies, this is the country to carry them out. Ustalav has been fought over in ancient times between Varisians from the West and Kellid tribes from the East. Many of the ancient Kellid tribes were part of the Old Cults and left menhirs and monuments throughout misty Ustalav. Around here there is the University of Lepidstadt north of Ravengro (the opening town), the Quarterfaux Archives south in the capital Caliphas and Rozenport's Sincomakti School. In Absalom, there is the Forae Logos the great library- Arasmes may well have studied or worked there. There is also the Arcanamarium and the College of Mysteries, but those are arcane magic schools. I couldn't find significant colleges in Taldor or in Katapesh, but feel free to make them up.
Hey, LD, with a charisma of 20, you need a better avatar!
Bad timing for me. Just popping in to say I should be able to post in about 4 hours. Roll along if you must. No problem on my side.
Arasmes has had some hard times. He was once pretty good looking. Perhaps he will be again. Right now, it is measuring his magnetism, a dark and sinister magnetism perhaps.
Changing my own avatar. Trying to decide if I want to play Luka smooth and charming, or dark and morose.
I was about to say that I choose my avatar because you had already taken the Dr. Strange avatar. Maybe, once Arasmes gets himself cleaned up (if he ever does), I can nick your old one: smooth and charming is one potential future for Arasmes, if he can ever get the drugs and eldritch beings out of his system.
I hope Trevor's entrance wasn't too offbeat. I tried to play out his teenage goofiness from the very start, but was concerned it would bring the narrative in the wrong direction.
Btw James, I love your writing! You force me to improve my own "second language" level. Thanks!