So, I'm looking to run a game set a homebrew kingdom in Tian-Xia. Ideally I'm hoping for four to six characters, with a spectrum of abilities which will allow them to move between courtly intrigue and more stereotypical adventuring.
Setting Info:
The Islands of Lost Virtue make up a moderately sized kingdom off the coast of Tian-Xia, comprised of an extensive archipelago of nearly 200 discrete landmasses. Isolated from the mainland continent by treacherous ocean currents, dense fog, and freak storms, the people of the Islands have little regular contact with the outside world.
According to the history the Islanders tell themselves, they are the remnants of the last rightful rulers of all of Tian-Xia and their most loyal supporters, driven into exile by treachery on the mainland many thousands of years ago, as a race of dragons attempted to supplant them. The official stories hold that the rightful rulers had retreated to the islands (which had once been a vacation estate) to recover weapons that had frightened the dragons so extensively that the dragons used the sea and skies themselves to trap the ruling family and their loyal supporters away from Tian-Xia for all time.
Functionally, the modern day islands are a Confucian autocracy. Each island is ruled by a satrap, who claims descent from the original ruling family, and nominally owes loyalty to the current head of the family (who, upon ascending to this position, forgoes his personal name in favor of the title of Emperor).
Society on the islands is strongly organized around the concepts of service to one's lord and community, because life on the islands is simply too harsh for each individual to go their own way. Virtue is prized because it is believed that a virtuous society will be a harmonious one.
Everyday magic is relatively common among the islanders (see character creation), a fact which they claim comes from their virtuous nature. Because they stood by their lords when power was usurped, the spirits of their lords and ancestors favor them even now, granting them the minor talents most individuals demonstrate. At birth, each Islander goes through a divination ritual which is used to determine what their talent will be, and by the time they become an adult they are expected to use that talent for the sake of their community. It is widely held among the islands' populace that the more powerful the talent you are born with, the greater the services your ancestors performed for the royal family.
Your PCs should be in the service of a minor Satrap named Shi Gongxi, who is in charge of an island on the eastern edge of the archipelago.
Character Creation:
Attributes will be generated using a 25 point buy.
All Races from Core and the Dragon Empire setting will be available.
Alignments Because the behavior of Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil, and Chaotic Neutral characters are disruptive of society as a whole, with little or no redeeming value, they will not be allowed in this campaign: the inhabitants of the Islands rely upon a close knit and cohesive society for their survival, and individuals with these alignments would be jailed, ostracised, or outright killed by the authorities. Any PC who moves to one of these three alignments will become an NPC under the control of the DM.
All Classes and class options which do NOT involve firearms and were published by Paizo are allowed. 3rd party material will be approved on a case by case basis (3rd party requests must be readily accessible to someone who does not own the actual publication they came from.)
All characters begin at level 1.
All characters begin play with two traits. One must be chosen from a list of campaign traits (not yet finalized, but the campaign traits will relate to what sort of service you perform for your lord).
All Characters begin play with one extra non-combat feat.
All characters begin play with a Talent, which is a spell-like ability they possess. Talents may be chosen from the spell list of any full spell casting class (ie, level 0-9 spells). 0-level talents are usable once per day, 1st level 1/week, 2nd 1/month, 3rd 1/year, 4th 1/decade, higher once per lifetime (using the talent kills you). PCs are encouraged (but not required) to keep their talents at or below the 2nd level mark so they can be a functional portion of your character.
All characters begin play with average starting gold for their class.
A few words of warning on my DM style, because I don't like to risk there being misunderstandings that have to be hashed out after the game has started about what I expect of my players and what they expect of me.
I favor challenging my players over taking it easy on them, and I do not protect PCs from the consequences of their own actions. I won't ever put you in a situation where the only way out is my way, or there isn't a way out at all, but I expect players and characters to be able to judge encounters and think about the consequences of their actions before performing them. Traipsing through a monsoon with an unprotected spell book will result in it being destroyed, and since you were the one who failed to protect it, I will not feel guilty in the least.
The more intelligent and dangerous an enemy you face, the more likely it is that they will seek to use your class and character weaknesses against you. Paladins and Cavaliers will sometimes face enemies that will seek to manipulate them using their codes, or trick them into outright breakage of the codes. Casters who store their spell knowledge externally will sometimes face enemies who try to deprive them of that resource. Similar situations apply across the board: a summoner will find that rivals want to attack him when he is without his eidolon, a cleric will find that an enemy necromancer wants to destroy his holy symbol to prevent channeling. Plan accordingly when you're making your character.
Anyways, let's see what we get for interest. I'll give at least 48 hours notice before I close submissions and accept a group, which will not come before I get up the list of campaign traits (those will probably be up within the next two to three days).
Redemption is something I'd allow if the PC was forcibly changed to the alignment against their will (such as a Helm of Opposite Alignment). I should have mentioned that above, but apparently left it out (my bad).
If the PC's alignment has changed in play, because of actions the player undertook and the mentality they've had the PC, than they'll have been warned at least once that what they were doing risked an alignment shift, and the adjustment shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. It doesn't really strike me as possible for someone to 'fall down that path' without a willful commitment to walking it. Redemption, at that point, really becomes hypocritical to my mind: It implies that you didn't want to go as far as you did, when your deliberate choice to continue a line of behavior that you were warned about pursuing is what has landed you in hot water.
The restriction has a lot more to do with how difficult it would be for the society on the islands to accept a chaotic neutral individual. He's motivated to challenge traditions and avoid/resent authority without actually contributing benefically to the well being of the community around him (if he were motivated to contribute, he'd be Chaotic Good and we'd have no problem). Because of the difficulty of life and survival on the islands, society really has no tolerance for this, and a chaotic neutral individual is going to quickly end up ostracized: traditions of everyone contributing and obeying orders have kept the island communities alive through times when everyone going their own way would have been disastrous.
Ultimately if a character of that willful alignment was allowed to stay with the party, the other party members supporting them would experience a potentially substantial backlash from the society they will be predominately interacting with. Given that not all players (and PCs) would have been party to, or had the ability to prevent, the creation of such a scenario, it does not strike me as particularly fair that they should be punished for it occurring. Ergo, the fairest solution (to my mind) is the removal of the source of the problem.
Ahh I see, makes sense. I was worried more for if a character was forced to change alignment as some DMs are very picky with it, whilst others likeme are a bit more laid back and don't change a PCs alignment unless they're constantly going against it.
Hmm...kind of a shame I can't think of a character to be set in Tian Xia.
I might like to post a tengu diplomat(either somekind of bard or sorcerer) most likely CG on NG. Today is my daughter's 3rd birthday so it may be difficult to post stats before Monday.
Special Abilities:
Cat's Luck (Ex): Once per day when a catfolk makes a Reflex saving throw, it can roll the saving throw twice and take the better result. It must decide to use this ability before the saving throw is attempted.
Sprinter (Ex): A catfolk gains a 10-foot racial bonus to its speed when using the charge, run, or withdraw actions.
Making a character for this right now, will post when done. What day and time were you wanting to do this? Thursday and Saturday are taken for me. But the rest of the week I am open. Would you accept Kval as a race? And of course it would have to be Neutral.
Making a character for this right now, will post when done. What day and time were you wanting to do this? Thursday and Saturday are taken for me. But the rest of the week I am open. Would you accept Kval as a race? And of course it would have to be Neutral.
This would be a Kval Poisoner (rogue). Maybe something else, but this for now lol!
As far as posting, I'd like folks to be able to post at least once every other day during the week (though posting more often is perfectly fine by me). Weekends are optional, because I know a lot of folks like to keep them available for time with family and things of that nature.
As far as Kvals for a race, I'm gonna have to say no. I'm not particularly comfortable with the mechanics for the race (they strike me as being built to have all the advantages of a tiny creature, while possessing traits that negate the more substantial disadvantages). I also don't see a particularly workable way to have them be involved in the campaign; Since the islands were isolated, there hasn't been any real event on them which would give rise to kvals manifesting. The implication therefore being that any kvals present on the islands had actually experienced the flight to the islands, given their agelessness and lack of ability to reproduce. With that much experience and time to draw on, they'd be regarded as something close to a living treasure by the populace, likely kept in close proximity to the actual court of the emperor (simultaneously so he can benefit from their wisdom and so they don't go talking about any experiences that contradict the official histories).
Here is my character submission, let me know if you have any questions or if I need to update anything.
Looks good for the most part. Only thing I see off hand is that You appear to have listed your class skill bonuses for Craft, Knowledge: Local, and Profession in your skill section. You don't actually benefit from the +3 bonus for something being a class skill unless you put at least a rank into that skill, and two of the skills (profession and knowledge) can't actually be used untrained.
I also don't see your gear anywhere, though you appear to have taken it into account already in some of your stats (for instance, you list a +4 bonus to AC from armor, but I don't see the actual armor anywhere on the sheet). Not a big deal at this point in the process, but worth keeping in mind.
Here is my character submission, let me know if you have any questions or if I need to update anything.
Looks good for the most part. Only thing I see off hand is that You appear to have listed your class skill bonuses for Craft, Knowledge: Local, and Profession in your skill section. You don't actually benefit from the +3 bonus for something being a class skill unless you put at least a rank into that skill, and two of the skills (profession and knowledge) can't actually be used untrained.
I also don't see your gear anywhere, though you appear to have taken it into account already in some of your stats (for instance, you list a +4 bonus to AC from armor, but I don't see the actual armor anywhere on the sheet). Not a big deal at this point in the process, but worth keeping in mind.
Oops, I'll update that right now. And I might make changes to my gear overall. Is there any gear you recommend, or just what we choose?
Here is my character submission, let me know if you have any questions or if I need to update anything.
Looks good for the most part. Only thing I see off hand is that You appear to have listed your class skill bonuses for Craft, Knowledge: Local, and Profession in your skill section. You don't actually benefit from the +3 bonus for something being a class skill unless you put at least a rank into that skill, and two of the skills (profession and knowledge) can't actually be used untrained.
I also don't see your gear anywhere, though you appear to have taken it into account already in some of your stats (for instance, you list a +4 bonus to AC from armor, but I don't see the actual armor anywhere on the sheet). Not a big deal at this point in the process, but worth keeping in mind.
Oops, I'll update that right now. And I might make changes to my gear overall. Is there any gear you recommend, or just what we choose?
Whatever you choose should work fine. Most of the campaign traits will give you some gear that would be necessary for the positions they correspond to. For obvious reasons (you're in an archipelago, meaning water travel will probably become an issue at some point), I would recommend a waterproof bag for anyone who relies on a spell or formulae book.
As I get a moment I will post clarifications. Right now I am thinking:
Xaikon Tengu Male Oracle NG (Ancestor Mystery, Haunted Curse- mischievous ancestral spirits!) who is a court official/diplomat/or archivist. I want to emphasize Linguistics, Diplomacy, Know(nobility), and Know(history)as his out of combat abilities and focus on his ancestral sword in combat. Would ancestor worship (or something similar) be an appropriate religion? I don't have the Dragon Empire Gazetteer in arms reach at the moment.
As I get a moment I will post clarifications. Right now I am thinking:
Xaikon Tengu Male Oracle NG (Ancestor Mystery, Haunted Curse- mischievous ancestral spirits!) who is a court official/diplomat/or archivist. I want to emphasize Linguistics, Diplomacy, Know(nobility), and Know(history)as his out of combat abilities and focus on his ancestral sword in combat. Would ancestor worship (or something similar) be an appropriate religion? I don't have the Dragon Empire Gazetteer in arms reach at the moment.
Ancestor worship would be an excellent choice of religion in the setting.
Well here's my proposed character. Wasn't sure what to do about wealth so went with the average, is that alright? Also, had the Guard trait in mind unless something better suited comes up.
Wasn't sure what sort of mount works for a Nagaji either so went with a Horse, but can change if that doesn't work.
Spoiler:
RASAMORO
Male Nagaji Samurai 1
LN Medium Humanoid
Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision; Perception +1
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DEFENSE
--------------------
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16. . (+5 armor, +2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 13 (1d10+3)
Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +0
Defensive Abilities Resolve (1/day)
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OFFENSE
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Spd 20 ft.
Melee Light Shield Bash +5 (1d3+4/20/x2) and
. . Gauntlet (from Armor) +5 (1d3+4/20/x2) and
. . Lance +5 (1d8+6/20/x3) and
. . Longsword +5 (1d8+4/19-20/x2) and
. . Lucerne Hammer +5 (1d12+6/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +5 (1d3+4/20/x2)
Special Attacks Warrior's Challenge +1/+1 (1/day)
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STATISTICS
--------------------
Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 17
Feats Endurance, Power Attack -1/+2
Traits Armor Expert
Skills Acrobatics -1, Climb +1, Escape Artist -1, Fly -1, Handle Animal +5, Intimidate +5, Perception +1, Ride +3, Stealth -1, Swim +1 Modifiers +3 Ride while riding your bonded mount.
Languages Nagaji, Tien
SQ Animal Companion Link (Ex), Resistant (Ex), Serpent's Sense (Ex), Warrior's Skills +1
Combat Gear Lance, Longsword, Lucerne Hammer, Scale Mail, Shield, Light Wooden;
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+3 Ride while riding your bonded mount. (Ex) Cancel your armor check penalty of -3 while riding your mount.
Animal Companion Link (Ex) You have a link with your Animal Companion.
Armor Expert -1 Armor check penalty.
Endurance +4 to a variety of skill checks. Sleep in L/M armor with no fatigue.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Resistant (Ex) +2 racial saving throw bonus against mind-affecting effects and poison.
Resolve (1/day) (Ex) Starting at 1st level, the samurai gains resolve that he can call upon to endure even the most devastating wounds and aff lictions. He can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day for every two samurai levels beyon
Serpent's Sense (Ex) Nagaji receive a +2 racial bonus on Handle Animal checks against reptiles.
Warrior's Challenge +1/+1 (1/day) (Ex) +1 to damage target, -2 AC vs. others when used, DR 1/- against attacks from challenge target.
Warrior's Skills +1 +1 For Knowledge (Nobility) checks relating to the nobles or politics of your land.
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JUN
Male Horse
NN Large Animal
Init +1; Senses Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +5
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DEFENSE
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AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 15. . (+2 armor, +1 Dex, -1 size, +4 natural)
hp 17 (+4)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +1
--------------------
OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 50 ft.
Melee Bite (Horse) +3 (1d4+3/20/x2) and
. . Hooves x2 (Horse) +3 x2 (1d6+3/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +3 (1d4+3/20/x2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
--------------------
STATISTICS
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Str 16, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 16 (20 vs. Trip)
Feats Power Attack -1/+2
Tricks Attack [Trick], Combat Riding [Trick], Come [Trick], Defend [Trick], Down [Trick], Guard [Trick], Heel [Trick], Track [Trick]
Skills Acrobatics +5, Fly -1, Perception +5, Stealth -3
Languages SQ Combat Riding [Trick], Track [Trick]
Combat Gear Leather;
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Combat Riding [Trick] The animal has been trained to bear a rider into combat.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
Track [Trick] The animal will track a scent.
I'm interested. I've never PBP before, but been playing PF since it came out and I DM regularly. I can start working on a character and have him up within 12 hours.
Looks like submissions so far are 2 Nagaji Samurai, 1 elf wizard, 1 zen archer and a catfolk ninja.
Assuming only one of the Samurai makes the cut, it looks like a divine caster is needed. I'd like to play an inquisitor, are the core deities being used?
He's an albino human whose family has long worshiped the wolf as a totem creature. Due to having some foreign blood and strange religious beliefs they have always been at the bottom of the 'Confucian' scale. However like the wolves they venerate they are extremely loyal to their "pack" and have served their lord for generations as hunters, trappers, and trackers.
Sage: You are known for your scholarship, and have managed to secure a place as an adviser or instructor on some subject to an individual of either wealth or standing in Eastwall Satrapy. While it is the responsibility of a sage to offer honest advice/criticism to his charges, you must always be cognizant of the fact that they are your superior, and the wrong word at the wrong time can mean an end to your position, and in the case of truly powerful or angry charges, your life. As such Sense Motive is always a class skill for you, and you begin play with a free scholar's outfit, a free skill rank in the Knowledge or Profession skill to which your position is related, and medium treasure chest with a simple lock in which your personal belongings are stored when you are living or travelling with your charges.
Entertainer You are an artist, craftsman, or performer who possesses a patron among the satrap's court. In return for performing at the request and to the specification of your patron, you've managed to find a place in the lower echelons of the court itself, with individuals knowing that things said to you will likely be reported to your patron at some point in the future. Of course, too keep the interest of your patron requires only giving them your best works, and being quite capable of degenerating the work of your rivals. Appraise is always a class skill for you, and you receive a free skill rank in the craft or performance skill for which your patron employs you. Your patron also supplies you with a set of normal qualities tools for your area of expertise, and a modest stipend (represented by 20 extra gold at character creation).
Courtier You are a minor functionary of your satrapy's bureaucracy, such as a clerk, port inspector, tax assessor, etc. Too reach this position it was necessary that you pass a civil servant's exam and swear loyalty to the Emperor and your satrap. While it is probable that you've never spoken with the satrap or emperor personally, your position carries with it a certain degree of prestige, and your training before the exam was designed to instill you with a strong sense of ethics and responsibility, as a result of which you receive a +1 trait bonus on saves to resist charm and compulsion effects, a signet ring (your badge of office, not a personal seal), a free courtier's outfit (without jewelry), and a free skill rank in Knowledge: Local.
Diplomat You are minor functionary of your satrapy's court, tasked with conveying the words and will of the bureaucracy and satrap to others. You might be a messenger, a courier, a herald, or simply a minor member of diplomatic missions. These positions are usually only given out to individuals who have demonstrated themselves to be trustworthy and loyal over time, either through civil service, or because the history of their family. Your responsibilities include always conveying your lord's words accurately, but never giving any unintended offense. Diplomacy is always a class skill for you, and you begin play knowing 1 additional language of your choice. You also begin play with a signet ring (your badge of office, not a personal seal), and a free courtier's outfit (without jewelry).
Guard You are a low ranking member of the Satrap's Guard, a defensive military force charged with the protection of his holdings, court, and family and person. Trained to hold your ground against whatever might attack on pain of death, you receive a +1 trait bonus to saving throws to resist fear effects, and a +1 trait bonus to damage when bracing a weapon to receive a charge. Because some of your military gear is supplied by the satrapy, you begin play with an additional 30 gold, which must be spent on weapons or armor.
Soldier You are a low ranking member of the Satrap's offensive military forces. Because most offensive actions are raids carried out on other islands of the archipelago, this means you're used to travelling to other islands and fighting while at sea. Acrobatics and Swim are always class skills for you and you receive a free skill rank in Profession: Sailor. You've also learnt to take advantage of the terrain around you and your opponent, using it to make unpredictable attacks and hinder your enemies attempts to avoid your blows. As such you receive a +1 trait bonus to hit if either of you occupy difficult terrain. Like a guard, some of your military gear is supplied by the satrapy, and you begin play with an additional 30 gold, which must be spent on weapons or armor.
Spy You are responsible for performing covert operations for the satrap and members of his court, and keeping them safe from others of your kind. You might be a spy, a scout, a member of some internal police force, or an outright assassin. Regardless, your training was geared towards striking unaware or distracted foes quick and hard to take them down in silence. Sleight of hand is always a class skill for you, and you receive a +1 trait bonus to damage when striking a flat-footed or flanked enemy. You begin play with a free skill rank in the Disguise skill, an extra outfit of no more than 10 gp value, a mask (for concealing your identity when you're working), and a spring loaded wrist sheath.
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Jelani: yes, Core deities are allowed. While we're a bit off the beaten path in Golarion, the isolation of the islands is not a powerful enough effect to keep the gods out.
Most of the submissions look good so far. I'm thinking that I'll close out recrutiment and pick the group on Friday the 30th.
Okay, well since you didn't say otherwise I'm gonna assume worshiping the Wolf as a totem is ok. Here is Gui Lang with his traits added in and a couple mistakes corrected.
Okay, well since you didn't say otherwise I'm gonna assume worshiping the Wolf as a totem is ok. Here is Gui Lang with his traits added in and a couple mistakes corrected.
** spoiler omitted **
For my Talent I'll take Longstrider. Used to deliver the Satraps' urgent messages all the faster.
Okay, well since you didn't say otherwise I'm gonna assume worshiping the Wolf as a totem is ok. Here is Gui Lang with his traits added in and a couple mistakes corrected.
** spoiler omitted **
For my Talent I'll take Longstrider. Used to deliver the Satraps' urgent messages all the faster.
Seems sensible and thematic, so no issues with that. And yes, I'm fine with the choice of concept to worship.
I'm quite interested. I'd play a Lawful Evil Hobgoblin Abjurer. I like hobgoblins. If the GM would prefer a human, that doesn't damage the concept. :)
Abilities, ignoring racial modifiers:
14 Strength
12 Dexterity
12 Constitution
16 Intelligence
14 Wisdom
10 Charisma
The Concept::
Karval is a bitter creature. Born with magic too powerful for him to handle (Breath of Life, a fifth-level spell), he has decided his purpose is only to assist another. The prospect of such a 'worthless' life disgusts him, but Karval believes strongly in fate and will not question it here. He is determined to make his sacrifice worthwhile, and is always on the lookout for a worthy individual.
Outside preparing for being 'expended', Karval studies protective magic. But this as well is preparation, for he wishes to ensure he makes it to the critical moment.
The fact is, Karval is obsessed with his own death. He places far too much stock in prophecy, and hasn't even considered finding a way to bypass it. He has ceased to properly value his life, and is quite prepared to die.
Karval is moody, cynical and unfriendly. To those who don't know of his spell (and he tells none), his determination to stick around others makes no sense--he is not a social creature.
He's prepared to die. That doesn't mean he has to be happy about it.
I'd be happy to come out with another concept, since this one obviously doesn't heed the GM's suggestion. This seems like a fun game to play in.
Karval would take the Soldier trait, and would take Armor Proficiency (light). If he manages to reach third level, he'll take Arcane Armor Training.
Sometimes, with the most careful of words, one can place themselves into the most interesting of situations. Why, even the most skillfully placed of single words will later be attributed to causing an event so far-reaching as to end up in the legends spun by storytellers of centuries yet to come. Words have ended fights and begun them, making words the sharpest of weapons, the most precise of tools. Learning to wield such tools takes practice, and what better a place to learn than in a court, where words are the rise and downfall of so many would-be names? So Kanoko hid herself, began the climb, and set forth to make sure that her words would be the words recorded for all of history to witness.
I picked Diplomat because it seemed like he could function well as a messenger.
But now that I'm thinking about it more he's really a trapper and scout/woodsman. Trapping and tanning don't really fit into the traits. Trapping might be Courtier, tanning would lean towards Entertainer, scouting would probably be Soldier. I also just realized I included the 30 gold from Soldier on accident. Merrr...dunno what to do. Highest skills are Knowledge (Nature, Religion), Perception and Survival. What say you DreamAtelier?
Flavor wise I'd really like his Talent to be Aspect of the Wolf or Ghost Wolf, but both are 4th level spells. Likely to only be usable once the entire game. Kinda pointless...
How about I take Soldier and then take Rage as my talent. Usable 1/month isn't too bad. He could conceivably develop a reputation as a feral warrior by 'roiding out once a month during battle.
Marked for interest...as for that Talent..is taking the wish spell a bad idea?
When it comes to picking higher level spells for talents, it really depends on how you define a bad idea. If you're looking at it from the perspective of your character's longevity, than yes, because using the talent will kill the character.
If you're looking at it from the aspect of telling a good story... self-sacrifice makes for some of the most poignant tales that can be created, particularly if it's done for a good reason at a pivotal moment in time. I don't have any problem with people building their character with that mentality, but I do want them to go into it with their eyes open.
Kobold Cleaver:
I hadn't originally planned for hobgoblin PCs to be a large part of the setting, but I like the concept. Sufficently so that I'm actually going to build on it a bit and say that the most hobgoblins are born with powerful talents similar to Karval's, and as such make prized servants: having hobgoblin individuals or clans loyal to you is a serious mark of a Satrap's power.
The fact that hobgoblins using their talents often kills them is a useful check on their population, preventing them from overrunning the other groups on the islands.
Jelani:
Soldier and Rage could certainly work, but I could also see what you're describing working with the Sage trait: your area of expertise would simply be leather work or woodlands lore. While I don't see any way to help with the spells you mentioned for talents, given their level, if what you're looking for is a sense of him calling on his totem in battle for aid, why not consider Summon Nature's Ally? SNA II would get you a wolf and be usable 1/month, and SNA III would get you a small pack to use (only usable once per year, though).
Ultimately, I'm fine with either solution.
Dezhem:
The mechanics look fine, and yes, Naganji can certainly ride horses, so that's fine for a mount. Alarm is definitely a good choice of talent for a guard.
drawesome:
Spy seems workable with that background and your stats. Swallow your fear seemed like a bit of an odd talent for a scout to have to me at first glance, but then I thought about it and said "hmm... but you know, folks rely on scouts to know what they're going up against and how dangerous it really is. I could see a few words from a scout being reassuring enough to get someone to rally against a thing that appeared frightening at first glance.
Me'mori:
I like the concept, and the choice of talent to go with it. Am I correct in reading it that you see Kanoko more as an agent provocateur than truly loyal to the satrap she's in service too? It's fine if so, I just want to be sure I'm understanding correctly.
What about flavoring Rage to make him wolfy when he uses it? No change to the effect of the spell just the description.
Perhaps his canines enlarge, face becomes slightly muzzle-like ears a bit pointy. Think Shifter from Ebberon.
Also can we know a little more about Shi Gongxi or the island we live on? I'm enjoying thinking about this character but it would be nice to have a mental setting for it. For example what kind of lord is he? What is the terrain like on the island, how big is it?
Traits:
Soldier: You are a low ranking member of the Satrap's offensive military forces. Acrobatics and Swim are always class skills for you and you receive a free skill rank in Profession: Sailor. You also receive a +1 trait bonus to hit if either of you occupy difficult terrain. You begin play with an additional 30 gold, which must be spent on weapons or armor.
Suspicious: You were betrayed by someone close to you. You gain a +1 bonus on Sense Motive checks, and it is always a class skill for you.
Equipment:
Spent 10 gold on armor, 5 gold on the buckler and 15 gold on the scimitar, using up the 30 bonus gold.
Leather Armor: +2 AC, 10% Spell Failure Chance, 15 lb. Tidy, well-maintained leather armor, with shallow runes cut into it along the arms.
Scimitar: 4 lb. Carefully kept sharp, this curved sword is treasured by its owner. Runes were scratched along the blade, but constant use has worn them away to the point of illegibility.
Sling: Worn around Karval's neck to conceal his amulet, this ratty old sling is rarely used. He's even stopped keeping sling bullets for it.
Spellbook: Six pages used, 3lb. This heavy book is bound with the hide of a yrthak, according to Karval. The hobgoblin eyes the book with dread, and generally keeps it at arms-length when he uses it.
Spell Components Pouch: 2 lb. Always attached to Karval's belt.
Whetstone: 1 lb.
Buckler: 5 lb. This simple wooden buckler is kept strapped to Karval's back, and he rarely wields it--he's not actually trained in its use.
Amulet: 1 lb. This simple cold iron amulet features a tiny arrangement of garnets. Karval does his best to obscure his spellcasting focus, tucking it under his armor and covering it with a cloth sling.
Five Flasks of Acid: 5lb. Karval loves using alchemical weapons, though he uses them sparingly. One of these flasks is tucked in his pocket (rather dangerously), and the rest are in his pack. Many accidents have taught him caution, and he's learned enchantments to guard him from the burns he often acquires.
24 gold coins, 9 silver coins, 8 copper coins.
Combat Figures:
Attacks:
CMB: +3
Scimitar: +3 attack, 1d6+3 slashing damage (18-20/x2)
Sling: +1 attack, 1d3+3 bludgeoning damage, range 50 ft. (x2)
Acid Flask: +2 ranged touch, 1d6 acid damage, 1 splash, range 10 ft. (x2)
Tophan Stormwalker; Deaf Half-Orc Rage Prophet of Storms
The storms have whispered to Tophan his entire life. Though all he can hear of the world is the crashing of waves and the howl of the storm, he has learned to compensate somewhat, and his penchant for storm-magic makes him useful to the empire, which he takes a lackadaisical approach to. He cares not for the absolute law of the region, nor outright chaos; and morality is a luxury he does not possess. Instead, he adapts, taking the path of least resistance, and battering away obstacles that would make his life difficult or mundane.
Tumultuous, passionate, and immoral, Tophan embodies the strange storms of his homeland.
Race changeable upon request: Perhaps nagakin or something similar. Being an outsider, and slightly startling, is part of the RP i want to experience, but I understand if Half-Orc doesn't mesh with the setting, and I'm not attached to it. I'd rather you decide my Talent; it's a born trait, after all, and you've a better feel for what will be useful, apt, and appropriate. More detailed backstory available upon request. Plot hooks: Born of the storm, knows not who parents were. Floated in on mid-sized ship; adopted by a crotchety old fisherman who lost his wife to childbirth. More available upon request.
Post daily, if not more often. PbP reasonable experience. Pathfinder much experience. RPG more experience that I can count; been playing since I could speak. For a look at my style, check out other campaigns I'm in, or I can write a specific scene for this character if you'd like.
Oh, one more thing. I was considering a variation where this Oracle would choose from the Druid Spell List, as opposed to Cleric Spell List, due to his direct relation with nature.
Just something to consider.
Two possible Talents: Read Weather; Touch of the Sea.
Had an interesting thought on a concept. However, the basis depends on if you would allow the use of Psionics (Psionics Unleashed section of d20pfsrd.com). I was thinking of a Samarsan Soulknife with the Spy trait.
Oh, and noticed that there's an option for a waterproof bag on the PFSRD. I also noticed that I'd forgotten a couple items I wanted to get. So here's a small addition to equipment:
Backpack: 2 lb.
Waterproof Bag: 1/2 lb. This leather sack is kept at the very bottom of Karval's pack, and contains the hobgoblin's spellbook. Runes of dryness and quiet are drawn on it in black ink.
Vial of Ink: This vial is kept in Karval's spell component pouch.
Inkpen
Also, I would like to make the spell component pouch waterproof (seems a sensible precaution). I'm just adding the price of the waterproof bag to that of the components pouch. Is that alright?
Karval now has 13 gold and eight silver.
I'm willing to consider the class, though I've no real experience using the psionics from pathfinder; It doesn't look any more unbalancing than a well built barbarian can be.
If you get picked and experience proves me to be wrong, I might ask you to rebuild the character, however. Ergo, if you know of some super disruptive combo that I'm not seeing as I look over it, please avoid using it.
Enaris:
I don't have any problem with half-orc as a race, and so long as you're not trying to use the druid list to get a cleric spell at an earlier level, I'd probably be okay with you picking from it (I've never actually done a side by side comparison to see if there are spells this would happen with, but I'd be checking your particular spells).
The problem I'm seeing with the concept is that you describe the character as "tumultuous, passionate, and immoral". I'm hoping we're just running into a minor word choice error here, and you meant amoral, but want to double check: Immoral would mean that your character does things which are contrary to the general conscience and prevailing sense of morality (ie, he would be evil), while amoral would mean that the character didn't care one way or another about morality.
If you meant immoral as you typed, I don't really see the character you've described falling within the alignment restrictions of the game. If you meant amoral, it might be more workable.
And, since it was asked for, more setting material! (Jelani sets a good precedent here, both in and out of game. If you want more detail or an explanation from me, please just ask. Chances are good I'll give it, and if I can't, I'll try to be as honest as possible about why.)
Shi Gongxi:
is the satrap of Eastwall Island. According to official records, he is 137th in line for the Imperial throne, closer than any other satrap in the history of the island. He is nearly 50 now, and has been satrap for nearly 40 of them, ever since his mother (the satrap before him), used up her life and talent to prevent a massive iceberg (more of a glacier, really) from striking the northern edge of the island. He is a twice married and twice a widower, each of his wives having died from complications during childbirth. The second of the two children survived, and is his son, Shi Hankyu.
To the people of the satrapy, Gongxi is considered a fair but strict master, in that he does not abuse his position as other satraps are rumored to. It is said that there is no job on the island that Gongxi has not tried his hand at at least once, and the fact that he understands the common people and has curbed the worst excesses of his court have won him a fairly loyal following. But he is known to have little patience for foolishness, and overt demonstrations of mercy from him are few and far between (he has publicly stated that he would show it more often, but believes that would compromise the integrity of the law). His son, Hankyu, is perhaps the largest exception to this: Gongxi is well known for doting upon the boy (who is only about 12), to the point that on the only two occasions where Gongxi had reversed a ruling on a matter that was brought before him, it was because of the boy's protests.
Gongxi's talent is known to be the Zone of Truth spell, which he uses when called upon to judge hearings of his subjects. He is also known to have made a cursory study of magic in his youth, and keeps a pet snapping turtle that has been in his family for the last four generations. Hankyu's talent has never been publicly announced, and it is rumored that Gongxi may have deliberately suppressed the knowledge of what it was, even from the boy (which would be a very large, and uncharacteristic, violation of Imperial law if true).
Eastwall Island:
is the easternmost landmass of the archipelago. Shaped like a crescent moon, with the open portion facing the rest of the Islands, it is about eighty miles long, but only 15 miles wide at it's widest point. As you travel from west to east, the entire island rises steadily into a snow-capped mountain range, before falling sharply away into the ocean again. It is from this eastern cliff face that the island receives its name: the eastward side is buffeted by tumultuous weather from the Okaiyo Ocean, and forms a great seawall that allows the rest of the archipelago to be inhabitable.
Farmland is at a premium on the island, more so than most other places in the archipelago, because Eastwall is the only island which supports relatively abundant forests. The simple reason for this is that Eastwall's forests are predominately comprised of darkwood trees, which makes them highly prized for shipbuilding throughout the entire archipelago. According to local history, these trees were planted by the first Emperor, shortly after the imprisonment began, as a plan for the eventual return of the descendants of those trapped on the island. These histories may even be true: Laws that only the emperor may change govern how many of these trees may be cut down each year, and how they may be used.
Eastwall has four major population centers, three of which are located on inner curve of the island. Northwatch and Southport are both located on natural harbors at the respective ends of the curve, and serve predominately as shipyards. Each has slightly over 10,000 people living within it, but are otherwise unremarkable; they are left mostly unmolested by other Satrapies because attacking them is a certain way to ensure you can not buy good replacement boats for any you might lose in the near future, or at least not at reasonable prices. Where a small river descends from the island's mountains, about two thirds of the way along the inner curve to the south, the capital city (of the satrapy) of Einjeru is located. Boasting a population of just under 50,000, Einjeru is where the satrap makes his home and the center of his court, almost unique in the whole archipelago for being within sight of the water. Nearby reefs and a very shallow harbor (only usable at high tide) keep the city far safer than it has any right to be, given it's proximity to the sea. Because of the shallow harbor, most vessels that come to the city are docked at locks along the river which bisects it.
The final population center is called the City of the Spires, and has a population of barely 4,000. It is located on the eastern side of the island, literally carved into the cliff face and mountain side a thousand feet or so above the sea. The city is large, easily capable of holding half a million people in the dwellings that are cut deep into the mountains themselves, and predates the founding of the Islands of Virtue by an unknown amount of time. It draws it's name from seven arches that extend nearly 200 hundred yards from the cliff face and rest of the city, before meeting a set of great opalescent spires that rise from the sea. Hugging the curve of each spire paths can be seen, leading down to and beneath the water, clearly designed for multiple methods of locomotion. While there's no recorded history of any creature gaining entry to the spires, or traveling the paths, over the last four centuries a lot of individuals have expended their lives and talents to make doubly sure that nothing will ever be able to, and there's an actual detachment of Imperial mages stationed here, tasked to aide anyone who wishes to make a sacrifice towards this purpose in ensuring that sacrifice will be permanent (and record their names to be honored by the rest of the empire). Persistent rumor holds that looking directly at the towers with an eye attuned to magic has left even these skilled mages permanently blind because of how heavily layered the defenses are.
Oh, and noticed that there's an option for a waterproof bag on the PFSRD. I also noticed that I'd forgotten a couple items I wanted to get. So here's a small addition to equipment:
Backpack: 2 lb.
Waterproof Bag: 1/2 lb. This leather sack is kept at the very bottom of Karval's pack, and contains the hobgoblin's spellbook. Runes of dryness and quiet are drawn on it in black ink.
Vial of Ink: This vial is kept in Karval's spell component pouch.
Inkpen
Also, I would like to make the spell component pouch waterproof (seems a sensible precaution). I'm just adding the price of the waterproof bag to that of the components pouch. Is that alright?
Karval now has 13 gold and eight silver.
