| Black Thom |
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...might have been working on a 26 point buy...
I had Wisdom at 10 (you have it at the original 11), since you will only have 1 opportunity to get +1 Stat, Level 4. It will be used on Dexterity. Wisdom of 10 or 11 makes no mechanical difference game-wise.
But, Strength 12 to 13, gives some extra Carry Capacity.
How do you like the character this way? Think you can still enjoy playing him... with a smidge of extra whup-azz!?
That's the ultimate test... I think it will allow you to do "more". Meaning be more active.
| DundjinnMasta |
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This seems to be the official list that I got from looking over the thread...
Completed Characters
Grendolynn - Hobgoblin Ranger (Warden)
Arasmes Vors - Human Cleric (High Priest)
Sir Marcus Helflynn - Human Cavalier (General)
Antha Scapegrace - Half-elf Wizard (Grand Diplomat or Magister)
Teyran - Aasimar Paladin (Warden, General, or Councilor)
No Background
Erostil Vramir - Dhampir Bard (Councilor or Grand Diplomat)
Hengist Garess - Human Barbarian (Assassin, General or Warden) - Saw a very short concept on the first page, but no official background write up yet.
Role Not Chosen
Orne - Half-Orc Cleric
Flynn - Human Magus
No Character Submitted
pavaan - Halfling Cavalier
sai ling - (race) Ninja/Sorcerer
joriandrake - Human Gunslinger (Pistolero)
princeimrahil - (race) Rogue
I am going to go ahead and give an extra day for anyone to come back to choose their role or post their character sheets before I make my selection. I like everything I am seeing to this point!
| Sir Marcus Helflynn |
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Question: For the Noble Born Trait, would I be allowed to, instead of being a "noble," be a Knight sworn to one of the Noble families.
Then, and this question need not necessarily effect the other, would I be allowed to have been dismissed from the aforesaid lord's service and still retain the trait bonus?
| DundjinnMasta |
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The trait can definitely be altered to fit something similiar to a sworn Knight in the service of a noble house, however if you are getting dismissed from the aforesaid lord's service then the trait would more resemble the 'Bastard' trait to simulate the Knight Errant/Ronin aspect. You no longer have the weight behind your words/status of being 'Noble'
| Harcos Maverick Morrison |
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I made the fine-tuning of the background, and choose my attributes, feats and traits in this Alias. Black Thom if you wouldn't mind, please tell me what you think of stats and feats. I plan to have Harcos place his +1 attribute point on Dexterity at level 4.
I still have to do the actual character sheet, and due to the great cost of one revolver (not to mention I need 2) one of my traits was required to be Rich Parents.
As for flavor, Harcos will wear an armored suit that is essentially a hide shirt as per stats but looks more like blue and black noble clothing with some golden lines. He basically looks exactly like the avatar. This is one of the rare cases I DID find a fitting image.
I am considering to take one level of Beastmaster Ranger later to have a wolf companion. Making the whole 6 levels be as : Beastmaster 1 / Pistolero 5
Considering reloading won't be that great issue with revolvers, maybe Extra Grit, Extra Deed, or Point-Blank Shot could be a better choice instead of Rapid Reload? Signature Deed could also come in handy, feats are what I am most uncertain of.
PS: "Harcos" may sound/feel Hispanic to readers first, but it is in fact a Hungarian word what in ancient times was the name of a god of war (also often known as Hadúr which today means warlord), but for about a thousand years it means fighter/warrior. Pronouncing it is H (like Holy) A (like Award) R (like Rider) C (like Caesar) O (like Orion) S (like Shotgun)
| Sir Marcus Helflynn |
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Ah, alright, I think I'll choose the bastard trait then. Just to getcha informed, I designed my character based off of Ser Barristan the Bold from A song of Ice and Fire series, which is difficult, seeing how it's just so bloody difficult to encapsulate such incredible amounts of awesome, but I do try. Also those pesky aged stat changes do kinda f*$& around with him. Barristan's supposed to be 60. Marcus couldn't go past 52 before he'd start going into premature rigor mortis. *sigh.
Anyway, just giving you the 4-1-1.
Edit: Which reminds me, gotta decrease those stats. Don't want to get flavorful with our characters, no, gotta stay under 35 else we start going fuzzy in the brain. Can't remember the day of the week, start winding up naked in supermarkets. *sigh again.
| Grendolynn |
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Harcos, your stats look pretty good to me.
Though, you might be better served by waiting until third level to go for two pistols. Especially since they are so expensive.
The way you're doing it now you'll be attacking with
2 pistols +1/+1 for (1d8 x4)
Rapid reload is virtually useless, since most fights don't last more than 3 or 4 rounds, and you can reload a revolver as a move action anyway. Also, you can't do more than 5' step each round and still get those two attacks.
------------------
If you took Point Blank Shot and Deadly Aim instead, you would be attacking at
+5 (1d8+3 x4) (within 30')
and could move 30' a round. Then you could grab a fighter level for level 2, and get rapid shot giving you an attack of
+4/+4 (1d8+3 x4) (within 30')
then go back to pistolero for the other 4 levels, take two weapon fighting at level 3 and have
+1/+1/+1 (1d8+3 x4) (within 30') or +5/+5
Now, without precise shot you'll be getting a -4 every time you shoot into melee, but attacking touch should basically mitigate that. You'd probably be better served by Weapon Focus than Precise Shot.
| Harcos Maverick Morrison |
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rapid reload with a revolver is not that a bad idea as it makes reloading a free action, however, as you said it is less useful due to the gun having 6 bullets in it
I plan to keep TWF on level 1, that gives me one more attack, and exactly because it is a touch attack the lower bonus won't be much of an issue. Huge advantage on low levels, plus I made Harcos a Pistolero for the very concept of a two pistol using cowboy. (Although he ended up feeling more like a char out of Fullmetal Alchemist) For the more warden/ranger/sheriff flavor is why I consider to take 1 level in Ranger, plus for the wolf companion of course.
| Sir Marcus Helflynn |
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I added the Strategist archetype onto the class to flesh out some things and changed the backstory to better suit the campaign, (I hope.)
Take a look when you've got the chance.
Sir Marcus Helflynn
Born as the middle child into a small hamlet, Driftcoin, in the Northern Brevoy, Marcus in his youth felt he could never truly aspire to much more than a life of farming in the hard soil and barren conditions of the mountainous terrain. He was one of three brothers, but compared to the ostentatious actions of his brothers, Marcus always sat in the background of his brother’s exploits. With his older brother, wicked strong and brutishly volatile, his younger brother, cunning, dashing and cynical, the only marked trait that seemed to comprise the middle child was his almost absurd adherence to honesty and a boyhood admiration of the knights that sometimes patrolled the countryside. Perhaps it was Marcus’s position in the family, the only of the three brothers to take any interest in keeping the family farm afloat that led to his reliance on a code of honor for guidance, or maybe it was the stories his mother would sometimes read him, of knights that would lead glorious charges against the frontlines of huge enemy garrisons to break their lines and send men screaming away, or maybe it was just a custom quirk of personality, but Marcus has, his entire life, adhered to his own personal code of honor, and the strong sense of duty that followed it. In a sense, Marcus takes his code of chivalry farther than many other knights, a near reverential dogmatism that defines his existence, and plagues it also.
That was, until the bandits attacked. Managing only to escape with the lives of parents, his brothers and only two other families as the brigands demolished and burned the homes and the lives inside them, all they could do was to move farther south and attempt to start anew.
It was there that the three Helflynn brothers joined in the local militia. Serving for years under several knights, a motley order changed and warped from the classical meaning of the term, “knight” from the ever increasing prevalence of gunpowder, organizing several attacks and training to face the inhumane evils that haunted Brevoy at the time, learning to ride in mountainous terrain and stand undeterred at a charge even against lines of gunmen, the three learned quickly that vigilance was the key against the unstoppable might of man’s greatest foe, the firearm. Fighting with the mounted calvalry, going up against revolvers and rifles, Marcus learned that the forward charge was never the optimal path, and soon gained a keen tactical mind admired on the battlefield, even by his betters. Both Marcus and his older brother, Dromus, soon excelled at this fighting, gaining the honor of squiring for Landed Knights, pledged to the Brevoyan Noble House of Surtova.
Eventually, after years of service, when many of the bandits had finally been driven from the area, both Marcus and Dromus were granted knighthood, in service to Lords of Surtova. His younger brother, Frannus, who never truly suited himself to the arts of combat, finding himself better integrated into the estate of their newly gained liege lord.
Coming from common straights, Marcus believed this meteoric rise was the height of his life’s journey, giving a name to the code by which he should uphold above all else, chivalry. Instead what he found at court was a decadent, corrupt and malign debaucherous incoherent governing body. There only sycophants and mindless prospered, and to his dismay he saw his eldest brother, along with himself, rise to the rank of the High Lord’s personal guard and his younger brother become of the old Lord’s many assistants, whispering sweet nothings into the Lords’ ears. All Marcus could do was what he had always done, he told the truth, and he acted chivalrously, but for the greater part he obeyed, even at the cost of his honor. For years and years, that is what he did, saying time after time that “honesty was his and everyone’s one and true virtue.” He tried his hardest to urge his lord to help lead sorties against the many bandit groups still hounding the Northlands or to try and make peace with the other lords to promote a less congested and more harmonious governance, his voice fell on deaf ears. He continued his training with sword and lance for a while even as firearms grew even greater in popularity, favoring the reliability of a horse and lance against the unpredictability of a rifle, but the constancy of his position and sedentariness of his life made atrophy his highly precious skills.
Soon, his requests to speak freely were met with nothing but rebuttals, and as Marcus got older, so too did the old Lords, the heads of the households and the few who still remembered his exploits, and on the day of his death, Lord Marxceis Surtova’s lands, estate, wealth and power were all granted to his son, the young new lord Romulin Surtova. And only days after his father’s funeral, the Lord brought Marcus to his attendance, commenting against all protestations of Marcus’s of the need for newer spryer men in his personal guard, refusing to listen on how a knight serves for life. Lord Romulin Surtova dismissed Marcus from his service, and it was there Marcus through his green cloak, the mark of the personal guard, to the ground, and stormed off, gathering up his steed, who he had named Virtue, and heading off to prove his worth in an expedition to the fabled “Stolen Lands.” What lies ahead for Marcus, even he could not fathom.
The Helflynn coat of arms is a disembodied eye sitting atop a reddened white mountain range on a sky blue field, representing the mountain roots and the paradigm of “Constant Vigilance,” which also happens to be their motto.
Marcus’s fighting style is based on a very tactical, yet punishingly direct method. Marcus does his best to grant the rest of his allies the tactical advantage, using his banner as a rallying point, before charging into the rear, flank, or sometimes front of his enemy. When he is unable to be mounted, he likes to get in close and mitigate the ranged capabilities of his enemies, yet still using his lance’s reach to prevent enemy counter-attack. He often teaches his tactics to the members of his party, to further their initial advantage in a fight where preparation is permitted.
| Grendolynn |
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rapid reload with a revolver is not that a bad idea as it makes reloading a free action, however, as you said it is less useful due to the gun having 6 bullets in it
I plan to keep TWF on level 1, that gives me one more attack, and exactly because it is a touch attack the lower bonus won't be much of an issue. Huge advantage on low levels, plus I made Harcos a Pistolero for the very concept of a two pistol using cowboy. (Although he ended up feeling more like a char out of Fullmetal Alchemist) For the more warden/ranger/sheriff flavor is why I consider to take 1 level in Ranger, plus for the wolf companion of course.
Suit yourself. But crunch mechanics wise taking point blank and rapid shot at level 1 would give you two attacks at +4/+4 (1d8+1 x4) within 30' instead of +1/+1 (1d8 x4). It's the stronger choice. If you took fighter at level 2 you could take two weapon fighting then and have 3 attacks at level 2 for +1/+1/+1 (1d8+1 x4) within 30'.
Basically all you're doing by taking two weapon fighting first is making yourself crappy at level 1. Which you will be spending some time at because of the slow progression. Then if you stick to ranger or gunslinger levels you won't have an opportunity to get bonuses to damage until 3rd level when you get your next feat.
If none of that sways you, then clearly you aren't an optimizer and I will shut up at risk of being that guy who tells you how to play your character. Just trying to get you the most bang for your buck.
| Black Thom |
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@Harcos - Please understand that I'm not all that familiar with Pathfinder firearms, gunslingers, etc... I wish I could help more, but this is what I've noticed:
1) Ranger Beast Master - Animal Companion effective level Ranger Level -3. I do not think (could be wrong) that 1 level is going to help your cause. Maybe Druid? But, you lose your second attack for +6/+1.
2) Pistols = Melee. It's nearly suicide. You're within 20 feet of the enemy (range increment) or you take -2 (21-40ft), -4 (41-60feet, -6 (61-80ft), etc... Touch AC is fine until 100ft, but you're at -8 to Hit. Bad deal. I'd use pistols to finish them off.
3) I'd take a basic Gunslinger, have proficiency in both one- and two-handed firearms and use which ever is appropriate for the situation. Rifle (pepperbox?) until they're within range... or as the first volley, then pistol up close.
I'm a firm believer (in general, not just guns) to maximize to Hit (over number of attacks)... there's no point in missing more attacks. Work to guarantee the hit. So, +4/+4 is better.
Hope I haven't made matters worse.
| Grendolynn |
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There is the gunslinger feat to alleviate the being close to melee thing, but you need weapon focus as a prereq. Which again, without a level or two of fighter is going to be hard to squeeze in.
Although I would still take 5 levels of pistolero for:
Pistol Training (Ex)
Starting at 5th level, a pistolero increases her skill with one-handed firearms. She gains a bonus on damage rolls equal to her Dexterity modifier, and when she misfires with a one-handed firearm, the misfire value increases by 2 instead of 4. Every four levels thereafter (9th, 13th, and 17th), the bonus on damage rolls increases by +1. At 13th level, a pistolero never misfires with a one-handed firearm.
That's HUGE for your damage output.
| Black Thom |
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Every Gunslinger gets that... just has to choose a specific type. Pistol?
Actually with Guns Everywhere... they get that at Level 1, right? Instead of Gunsmith, they get Gun Training. I think Pistol Training is meant to replace Gun Training.
In which case, I would TOTALLY focus on HITTING!
But, still... wouldn't you focus on Rifle, thereby dropping the enemy before they got close.
Gun Training (Ex): Starting at 5th level, a gunslinger can select one specific type of firearm (such as an axe musket, blunderbuss, musket, or pistol). She gains a bonus equal to her Dexterity modifier on damage rolls when firing that type of firearm. Furthermore, when she misfires with that type of firearm, the misfire value of that firearm increases by 2 instead of 4.
| Harcos Maverick Morrison |
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I misunderstood rapid shot, may be better to pick it over TWF then, hmm
Pistol Training/Gun Training: they don't replace each other, they stack
So what about feats then? point blank and rapid shot eat up two feats, meaning all level 1 feats are used up
then I get one more at lvl 3, 4 (class), and 6
If I go the beastmaster way that would eat up 2 Companion Boon feats to get the animal up to char level (on hindsight this seems too much fuss, but it would on level 6 make me have a level 6 companion), otherwise level 3 seems to be the time to take TWF now
I want to avoid taking levels in something that is not a full BAB class so no druid levels, if I would consider a non-full BAB class it would be monk instead.
As it is, level 5 is where Pistolero gains most benefits from and the 6th level can be something else, so maybe fighter, if fey bloodline would allow it I would take a Eldritch Heritage feat to get a proper animal companion
no, I am not an optimizer but I would like to make a char that can benefit the best from a concept idea (...or does this actually make me an optimizer? hm o.O)
| Black Thom |
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They stack? Hmm... They're the same bonus. In Musket Master, they specifically call it out.
I'd think someone forgot the short sentence at the end. But, hey... if they stack... then they stack!
I think you should stay away from adding stuff to grub at bonuses, if the concept is a cowboy (in an E6 setting), then let him be a cowboy.
I'm not sure I've gotten my range increment penalty concept across, but that's OK. I'd take that "Gunslinger" feat. You could then wade into combat if you're planning on melee.
Sounds like a cool character.
| Harcos Maverick Morrison |
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I never actually seen anyone caring about range increment unless someone is a sniper planning to snipe from "across a map". Usually when fight gets initialized the enemy is upon the party already. I don't mind 1-2 range increase modifiers anyway, sure the negatives stack up, but as I have to hit touch AC it is a smaller issue than otherwise, plus Advanced guns like the Revolver can work properly up to 5 range modifiers.
| Grendolynn |
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We probably need a ruling on it since the rules don't actually say. But my interpretation would be that Pistol Training replaces Gun Training, and since you get it at level one under Guns Everywhere there is no reason to take 5 levels of gunslinger. Also, there is no way it allows you to add your dex bonus to damage twice. There are no feats/abilities like that anywhere else in the game. 4 levels of gunslinger with 2 of fighter would be most optimal I think.
Feat wise you could do something like:
1:Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot
2:Two Weapon Fighting (fighter)
3:Weapon Focus (Revolver)
4:Deadly Aim (fighter)
5:Gunslinger
| Harcos Maverick Morrison |
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doesn't really matter, that ability comes only at level 5, plus I looked into other threads about it and seems even PFS uses it in addition and not as replacement. Exactly because of that it is worth taking 5 levels, and yes, other builds for Pistolero I found also count Dex bonus twice. :)
It is now more than a a year ago that a few people asked an errata for it, but it was stated there is nothing to errata about it, the Pistolero was made this way to make it able for also taking the Mysterious Stranger archetype in addition to use it in combination with Pistolero, but that archetype doesn't interest me.
| DundjinnMasta |
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After reading over the conversation I wanted to jump in for a moment and point out a few things...
The first thing is about when it comes to feats in E6, remember that after hitting level 6 you still advance by gaining a feat every 5000 XP. So if you have a few feats you want to take but can't seem to fit them in the first 6 levels (rapid reload, companion boon feats, etc) then you can pick them up on the backend if you plan ahead.
As for the Pistol Training/Gun Training I am going to look around a bit before I say anything about it. You should get Gun Training at level 1 because of Guns Everywhere.
| DundjinnMasta |
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After a lengthy Google search I have come to the following conclusion:
It is widely viewed as a misprint and no one official has ever weighed in on it. It seems most would not allow it as written, but by the RAW it means that Mysterious Strange/Pistero can stack. It means that theoretically if you select Gun Training (Pistol) then you would stack Dex twice, and never increase your misfire chance with a pistol.
It does seem odd when Pistol Training is exactly worded as Musket Training. And that Pistol Training would have ran into another page with "Replaces Gun Training 1, 2, 3, 4" added, which means it likely got cut before printing...
I will go by the RAW at this moment. However if it seems to become an issue of balance I reserve the right to change it.
You do not get Pistol Training at level 1 though, but you do get Gun Training and can select Gun Training (Pistols).
| Black Thom |
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so, Black Thom, I assume you are joining the game after all?
Thank you for asking!
No, I'll skip this time around. I think you've got enough to fill all the roles in the party and the makings of a budding kingdom.
I'd ONLY offered the Cleric because there was a glaring deficiency in Divine Casters... But, Dark Netwerk offered a Cleric of Sarenrae which works well with the Aasimar Paladin of Sarenrae. More cohesion.
My current concept requires multi-classing, which E6 pooches. :)
If a slot opens up, maybe I can join later with something the group needs... A KING (whatever skillset/class they need, too)!
Muhahaha...
It's all up to the will of the DundjinnMasta.
And, I wasn't helping folks to get a spot... I just like helping folks take a concept and make it "crunchy"(?) while maintaining enough style to make it RP friendly. Glad folks took me up on my offer, and I hope I was able to help. You guys better get in the game!
| Harcos Maverick Morrison |
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After a lengthy Google search I have come to the following conclusion:
It is widely viewed as a misprint and no one official has ever weighed in on it. It seems most would not allow it as written, but by the RAW it means that Mysterious Strange/Pistero can stack. It means that theoretically if you select Gun Training (Pistol) then you would stack Dex twice, and never increase your misfire chance with a pistol.
It does seem odd when Pistol Training is exactly worded as Musket Training. And that Pistol Training would have ran into another page with "Replaces Gun Training 1, 2, 3, 4" added, which means it likely got cut before printing...
I will go by the RAW at this moment. However if it seems to become an issue of balance I reserve the right to change it.
You do not get Pistol Training at level 1 though, but you do get Gun Training and can select Gun Training (Pistols).
yes, thanks, that is how i planned to do it, it is not that much of an issue and only at level 5 will the two both be active at once anyway (and level 5 becomes level 6 if I multiclass)
strange that you got those results though, almost all my results except max 2 or maybe 3 were about how that works, and all pistolero builds (except 1) focused on that. I assume even if it were a mistake, the problems would only arise around level 11 so its not a problem here
and yes, forgot about getting more feats after lvl 6 :)
And, I wasn't helping folks to get a spot... I just like helping folks take a concept and make it "crunchy"(?) while maintaining enough style to make it RP friendly. Glad folks took me up on my offer, and I hope I was able to help. You guys better get in the game!
thanks for the help, I don't usually ask for that but I needed to get used to the concept of a gunslinger, even though in head I saw the image of the char, stat-wise I had no clue what to do with it
EDIT: GM, is my background fine?
| Black Thom |
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Feat wise you could do something like:
1:Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot
2:Two Weapon Fighting (fighter)
3:Weapon Focus (Revolver)
4:Deadly Aim (fighter)
5:Gunslinger
Can you increase #attacks with Rapid Shot and TWF? Don't they both call for Full Round Actions? I'd think you couldn't utilize 2 feats that both require Full Round Actions.
If the image is two guns blazing... I'd stick with TWF.
Level 1 I'd move up Weapon Focus (I love guaranteeing the hit, and it works for both weapons... nice). Or, Precise Shot and be able to fire into melee. Your allies are going to be in your way. -4 to Hit. And, we can't keep saying "Oh, it's Touch AC."
-2 from TWF, -2 from Range increment, -4 from into melee = -8, they don't need armor. 'Nuff said.
Example: 2nd level. I'm a Barbarian with Hide and Dex 14. Shield for +2. I've got AC 18. I'm attacking your Mage. You are 30 feet away.
My touch AC is 12, you get +2 BAB, but -8 penalty. You need a 18-20 to hit.
Unless I've got it wrong. Oops, I forgot Dex bonus. OK, it's not too bad, but it still adds up. Just saying, be careful.
Also, Gun/Pistol Training becomes glaring if no Guns Everywhere setting. BAM, you get Dex x2 Damage. Am I right?
| Harcos Maverick Morrison |
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Rapid shot and TWF stacks, ALL the builds I looked into had both of them
after level 12 or so such a char could attack 10+ times per turn, but this may only be with two-barreled pistol, which I won't use
but yes, as you listed yourself, the stacking negatives from added attacks make the roll about as likely to hit with the gun as it is to hit with a bow against normal armor
so: basically a "multishot gunner" give up his advantage of easier hitting targets in return for more attacks (and feats required)
Also, Gun/Pistol Training becomes glaring if no Guns Everywhere setting. BAM, you get Dex x2 Damage. Am I right?
Yep, but let me remind you what kind of damage Archers, Power Attack using fighters, or Mages can deal out. The extra damage from Dex seems much less even if doubled when you think about what all other classes can do, and for Pistolero that already focuses on just one type of weapon group it means it has to focus even more on a single weapon as a very specialized fighter
In a low-gun/tech world that is usually an issue, guns can't be found everywhere, once one explodes or is stolen you may not be able to help the team at all for a whole campaign. Heck let it rain and the gunslinger is almost for sure doomed
| Sir Marcus Helflynn |
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And then I cleaned up the backstory to make it easier to read. Can't underestimate the power of paragraph breaks.
Sir Marcus Helflynn
Sir Marcus Helflynn
Born as the middle child into a small hamlet, Driftcoin, in Northern Brevoy, Marcus in his youth felt he could never truly aspire to much more than a life of farming in the hard soil and barren conditions of the mountainous terrain. He was one of three brothers, but compared to the ostentatious actions of his brothers, Marcus always sat in the background of his brother’s exploits. With his older brother, wicked strong and brutishly volatile, his younger brother, cunning, dashing and cynical, the only marked trait that seemed to comprise the middle child was his almost absurd adherence to honesty and a boyhood admiration of the knights that sometimes patrolled the countryside. Perhaps it was Marcus’s position in the family, the only of the three brothers to take any interest in keeping the family farm afloat that led to his reliance on a code of honor for guidance, or maybe it was the stories his mother would sometimes read him, of knights that would lead glorious charges against the frontlines of huge enemy garrisons to break their lines and send men screaming away, or maybe it was just a custom quirk of personality, but Marcus has, his entire life, adhered to his own personal code of honor, and the strong sense of duty that followed it. In a sense, Marcus takes his code of chivalry farther than many other knights, a near reverential dogmatism that defines his existence, and plagues it also.
That was, until the bandits attacked. Managing only to escape with the lives of parents, his brothers and only two other families as the brigands demolished and burned the homes and the lives inside them, all they could do was to move farther south and attempt to start anew.
It was there that the three Helflynn brothers joined in the local militia. Serving for years under several knights, a motley order changed and warped from the classical meaning of the term, “knight” from the ever increasing prevalence of gunpowder, organizing several attacks and training to face the inhumane evils that haunted Brevoy at the time, learning to ride in mountainous terrain and stand undeterred at a charge even against lines of gunmen, the three learned quickly that vigilance was the key against the unstoppable might of man’s greatest foe, the firearm. Fighting with the mounted calvalry, going up against revolvers and rifles, Marcus learned that the forward charge was never the optimal path, and soon gained a keen tactical mind admired on the battlefield, even by his betters. Both Marcus and his older brother, Dromus, soon excelled at this fighting, gaining the honor of squiring for Landed Knights, pledged to the Brevoyan Noble House of Surtova.
Eventually, after years of service, when many of the bandits had finally been driven from the area, both Marcus and Dromus were granted knighthood, in service to Lords of Surtova. His younger brother, Frannus, who never truly suited himself to the arts of combat, finding himself better integrated into the estate of their newly gained liege lord.
Coming from common straights, Marcus believed this meteoric rise was the height of his life’s journey, giving a name to the code by which he should uphold above all else, chivalry. Instead what he found at court was a decadent, corrupt and malign debaucherous incoherent governing body. There only sycophants and mindless prospered, and to his dismay he saw his eldest brother, along with himself, rise to the rank of the High Lord’s personal guard and his younger brother become of the old Lord’s many assistants, whispering sweet nothings into the Lords’ ears. All Marcus could do was what he had always done, he told the truth, and he acted chivalrously, but for the greater part he obeyed, even at the cost of his honor. For years and years, that is what he did, saying time after time that “honesty was his and everyone’s one and true virtue.” He tried his hardest to urge his lord to help lead sorties against the many bandit groups still hounding the Northlands or to try and make peace with the other lords to promote a less congested and more harmonious governance, his voice fell on deaf ears. He continued his training with sword and lance for a while even as firearms grew even greater in popularity, favoring the reliability of a horse and lance against the unpredictability of a rifle, but the constancy of his position and sedentariness of his life made atrophy his highly precious skills.
Soon, his requests to speak freely were met with nothing but rebuttals, and as Marcus got older, so too did the old Lords, the heads of the households and the few who still remembered his exploits, and on the day of his death, Lord Marxceis Surtova’s lands, estate, wealth and power were all granted to his son, the young new lord Romulin Surtova. And only days after his father’s funeral, the Lord brought Marcus to his attendance, commenting against all protestations of Marcus’s of the need for newer spryer men in his personal guard, refusing to listen on how a knight serves for life. Lord Romulin Surtova dismissed Marcus from his service, and it was there Marcus through his green cloak, the mark of the personal guard, to the ground, and stormed off, gathering up his steed, who he had named Virtue, and heading off to prove his worth in an expedition to the fabled “Stolen Lands.” What lies ahead for Marcus, even he could not fathom.
...
The Helflynn coat of arms is a disembodied eye sitting atop a reddened white mountain range on a sky blue field, representing the mountain roots and the paradigm of “Constant Vigilance,” which also happens to be their motto.
Marcus’s fighting style is based on a very tactical, yet punishingly direct method. Marcus does his best to grant the rest of his allies the tactical advantage, using his banner as a rallying point, before charging into the rear, flank, or sometimes front of his enemy. When he is unable to be mounted, he likes to get in close and mitigate the ranged capabilities of his enemies, yet still using his lance’s reach to prevent enemy counter-attack. He often teaches his tactics to the members of his party, to further their initial advantage in a fight where preparation is permitted.
| DundjinnMasta |
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It took me awhile to narrow down the nine final submission into the six characters that would make it into the game. Without further ado...
Antha Scapegrace - Half-elf Wizard (Grand Diplomat or Magister)
Arasmes Vors - Human Cleric (High Priest)
Teyran - Aasimar Paladin (General)
Erostil Vramir - Dhampir Bard (Councilor or Grand Diplomat)
Harcos Maverick Morrison - Human Gunslinger (Warden**)
Grendolynn - Hobgoblin Ranger (Warden)
**The only problem that I had with the current selection was Harcos and Grendolynn being up for the same position with no alternative selections. After some review of the roles, I think it would beneficial for Harcos to change to the Marshal role, which is dexterity-based and The Marshal leads the kingdom's defenders and city guards.
The following is the Reserve list in the order that I will take the characters into the game if one of the above bows out/chooses to not join.
Sir Marcus Helflynn
Flynn
Hengist Garess
I want to thank everyone for their submissions and a special thanks to Black Thom for the mechanical assistance to some of the players. Tomorrow I will post the OOC thread so that we can reconcile all the characters (backgrounds) with the games timeline, and then I will post the IC thread.
| Grendolynn |
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Grendolynn bows deeply from the waist. "I am honored sir. I will report for duty immediately"
| Harcos Maverick Morrison |
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honestly, I don't care much for roles, and I think I listed a bit more than just Warden earlier :)
Here a new list:
Councilor, Marshal, Spymaster, Treasurer
I will go with TWF and Point-Blank Shot for starting Feats, as revolvers count as light weapon it is not a problem, and this sets up the prerequisites for Rapid Shot on level 3.
Undecided yet if I take the Beastmaster level on level 2 or maybe decide upon something else, but that can wait anyway.
Finishing up the stats today.