The Lost Voice |
Welcome, and well-written.
As we have the initial concepts, let us discuss the when and where this pair shall begin. Cold and snow is a given. I am curious as to what ideas the two of you had in regards to where it will set, and what you were looking to explore with the characters.
I have not yet set up a Gameplay Thread, as I would like to hash out the Crunch and where to open the setting.
Level: To be determined.
Traits: Allowed. Two to start, with Drawbacks to be taken for each one over the initial two.
Saelas |
We wanted to leave it pretty open, but I had a few overarching thoughts.
The dragon eventually needs to get back to Triaxus(probably), but it needs to grow up first. Saelas has little trust for his people and worries they'll mistreat her or worse.
So, we have a lot of room to explore on Golarion. Saelas, not particularly social with his own people, has a lot of learning to do about getting along in society. I'm not sure how far after the events in our background this will be set, but he'll probably learn he needs to cover his ears pretty early-on.
I imagine that he'll also learn how difficult and impulsive a young dragon can be.
I'm very open to setting, but it depends a little on what level we start/how fast we progress. I think it would be really interesting, for example, if we ended up somewhere in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings and found a different kind of dragon. But that might require a mid-level type start.
Also, one of the challenges I had in mind was convincing the people we come across not to automatically attack the 'evil' dragon accompanying Saelas.
I'll think a bit more deeply on it and come up with some more specific ideas in the next day or two.
Edit: By the way, thanks for selecting us! It's gonna be awesome!
Edit2: Also, the bottom line is that we're open to anything that you might find interesting, so put us through what you want.
Edit3: Oh and I forgot. At some point Saelas should see a season other than winter. There's a ton of room for development here I think. But we need to start in winter, I'm pretty sure. It'll be a lot more rewarding if he gets comfortable with the idea that this place is like his home in the most important way. Now, if the season starts to turn and the snow starts to melt... well, that could get interesting.
Saelas |
4d6 - 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 6) - 4 = 14
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (4, 6, 2, 6) - 2 = 16
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 3, 6, 6) - 1 = 15
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 1) - 1 = 9
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 1) - 1 = 16
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 4) - 1 = 9
Snow. |
Thank you very much for the selection TLV! :)
Saelas has covered a lot of the main points.
Back to Triaxus makes sense eventually - given the ominous prophecy made right at the start of the story, of course on a planet filled with Dragons Snow will have to be much much more powerful to last more than about 2 minutes! :)
In terms of location - Irrisen/Linnorn Kings and Mammoth Lords are the obvious ones. Baba Yaga has some ties to Triaxus so some time spent in Irrisen could be interesting (and it's the one I can read up on most easily since I have the campaign setting!) Honestly though - as long as there's some snow and ice to play with, Snow will be happy. I'm putting up my talon to vote against a joy-ride to Qadira though!
As Saelas said, one of the big reasons I picked a White Dragon was because on Triaxus dragons don't necessarily fall into the alignment scale the way they do on Golarion (applies more to Dragonkin than True Dragons, but its not unknown). So convincing people not to see me as evil (or trying to make them think that I am...) could/should be a big thing, at least early on.
Stats: 4d6 - 2 ⇒ (4, 6, 2, 3) - 2 = 13
Stats: 4d6 - 5 ⇒ (6, 5, 6, 6) - 5 = 18
Stats: 4d6 - 2 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 6) - 2 = 12
Stats: 4d6 - 1 ⇒ (5, 4, 1, 6) - 1 = 15
Stats: 4d6 - 1 ⇒ (6, 1, 3, 1) - 1 = 10
Stats: 4d6 - 2 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 2) - 2 = 11
In terms of level I'd say either 3, 5 or 6. 3 is strong enough to start with and gets Snow to the first age category. 5 is reasonably strong, gets Saelas his second discipline ability and Snow picks up a decent amount of stuff. 6 means 3rd level spells and a new age category for Snow. Up until 6 I could probably pretend to be Saelas's familiar (which could be its own kind of fun)!
Also: are we allowed multiple drawbacks? The way you wrote it implies that we can and Dragons have loads! :)
Saelas |
Also, Saelas might put some effort into chasing down the thief. Our thought for what happened is that the trauma of the elf-gate hatched the egg and the elf bailed rather than trying to deal with a live dragon. Though, I'm definitely open to other possibilities. Neither of our characters would actually know the truth of that.
It's kind of up to you if there's some larger conspiracy here or if it was just a lone elf who found his way through a gate.
Also, it's important that Saelas doesn't know how to activate the gateway. Part of his quest should eventually be learning that, or another way to make it back.
The Lost Voice |
I think it hasn't shown up because I haven't created a Gameplay for it yet, perhaps.
What classes were you considering? Compromise at level 2, perhaps? Or maybe there's a random life event list that could help cover each level gained before the story starts and build from there, as I find that the things that affected the characters the most were the early level things that they were not powerful enough to handle, but that makes for the best development. So it's a balancing act from there, to engineer situations that are difficult enough to threaten the characters enough to provoke that development without threatening their lives.
Drawbacks: Yes. You can have as many Drawbacks as you would feel appropriate, I just want to keep some balance with the extra traits.
So far, for location, we have a place with snow, and that can cover a lot of area including the Realm of the Mammoth Lords, The Worldwound, and Mendev, not to mention Irrisen, the land of the Linnorm Kings, and the Crown of the World.
Saelas |
Level 2 works for me. If we start right after going through the portal, Saelas won't speak common yet.
Saelas is a Rebirth Psychic and Snow will use the Dragon character rules from Dreamscarred Press. It's worth noting that Snow won't be able to actually fly until level 5 and will be Tiny size until level 6. XD
Dragons get reach with their bite so combat is possible before 6 at least.
Edit: Are you open to using background skills rules? What about the feat tax rules here?
Mostly I'm after the precise shot change for myself, but Snow might benefit from Weapon Finesse before getting strength from leveling up, after which it becomes a dead feat.
Saelas |
Thinking about it, we could definitely fill in some more backstory, including major events etc. to justify a little bit higher leveled start. If we get set on a location, I can put down some ideas.
Snow. |
I had a longer post eaten last night so here are the cliff notes.
I can do level 2, although I'd prefer 3. :) But Snow can always be Saelas' familiar for now! How are we going to handle HP - at lower levels (especially with a d6 HD character) that's important!
I like the feat taxes, mostly for Power Attack but the Wp Fin wouldn't hurt.
I'm going to assume that Snow starts with Triaxian and Draconic, rather than Taldane - unless she's an incredibly polyglot? :D She'd have heard more Triaxian in the egg than Taldane, unless her thief was a very talkative kind...
Personally I think Irrisen would be a good place to start - lots of different factions and ways for plot to go, but in Whitethrone at least they are pretty cosmopolitan and not likely to find either Saelas or Snow too wierd. I worry that Linnorn Kings will just kill Snow out of hand, and something similar with the Mammoth Lords.
The Lost Voice |
If the two of you want to use the Background Skills and feat tax rules, you can. I will adjust accordingly.
Go ahead and pull your choice of the "Important Events" from the generator here, and let me know what you choose. That will be what happened to gain your second level. I'll keep considering the locations- unless you'd randomly choose, then in which case, roll a d6.
Saelas |
One of the options is "You traveled to strange and exotic places for several months." lol
What if we meet a lone hermit and spend some time "helping" him survive the winter, but really he's the one helping us by teaching us the local language and how to go about getting along in the wild etc.
It would be interesting if he worshiped a deity of some sort and exposed us to some of the teachings of his god. Erastil is my first thought, but there are a number of options.
I'll build level 2 assuming background skills and feat taxes, and I'll use half rounded up for my HP, but just let me know if you want me to roll instead.
As for location, I'd much rather it be someplace that you find interesting, TLV. I'm really flexible so whatever inspires you is where I want to be!
Also, if we're dumped in the North, we probably don't learn Taldane anytime soon, lol. I'll leave a language open in case you go with my hermit idea.
Snow. |
The local hermit idea works well I think - Saelas and Snow would need quite a bit of help! R.e. God... I think Triaxians have a similar pantheon to Golarion - although whether Saelas knows/cares is another matter. Erastil works well. Apsu would fit too and Torag could be hilarious...
Build is nearly complete, although I'm not sure what to do with WBL.
For the rest I'm with Saelas, I've said why I think Irrisen is good, but wherever you want to put us is fine TLV! :)
I'll pick an event if we decide against the hermit.
The Lost Voice |
Go with the Hermit idea, Saelas. If you're picking up a language, Hallit or Skald could work.
Snow, WBL for you... I agree that is a curious problem. Consumable/craftables, most likely. Nothing that one couldn't find in a land of perpetual winter.
For the "Important Events" section:
• Travel to strange and exotic places, which allowed for contact with a hermit (allowing you two to get over the roughest part of acclimation to a new area)
• You made a friend, a lesser demonic being. They have some influence with a gang, a guild, or other larger group.
- - - - -
Then here, we have our first point of contention. Saelas, Snow, how would you feel about the hermit's affiliation with demonic forces, albeit that he seems to exhibit the signs of being a lesser incarnation(?) possession(?)— sort of, maybe? Granted, this is after a short while of living with him, and while he seemed a bit off (talking to people that weren't there, speaking in a tongue neither of you recognize), this suspicion was slow to come.
Saelas |
Saelas is probably completely at a loss as to what is normal in this environment. He might even assume everyone has demons here.
I don't think he's socially confident enough right away to confront the hermit about it either way.
He would probably try to Detect Thoughts on him at some point, though.
Snow. |
Snow has absolutely no idea! :D She's pretty much an innocent in this sort. (I'm taking Knw Nat and Geo but nothing like Arcana until she actually gets spellcasting.) So no problems here, she'll be relying on Saelas for social cues - at least for a while.
RE. WBL, in the end I'll be looking for Bracers of Armor, Amulet of Might Fists (Fangs!) etc. What do you think we need for now Saelas? I'm happy to be 'potions bunny' for now :)
@Saelas: shall we go with the 'Snow is my familiar' idea? It's probably the best cover at the moment and would explain Snow's small size but ok(ish) intelligence.
Also - I'm taking Hallit :)
Last thing - Saelas, would you have a problem with Snow taking the Avarice trait? It's dead fluffy for a dragon, but not very nice - especially in a party of two! The upside is that it only refers to 'monetary' treasure - so if you grab all the expensive items and leave Snow with all the shiny coins and precious stones it still works! :D
Saelas |
I'll get Saelas finished tonight.
And Avarice sounds both hilarious and appropriate. Gold is going to be better on your character anyway. Casters don't need much for awhile.
Saelas |
I missed the first question. Yeah familiar sounds good. And I'll just tell snow she can keep whatever she can carry ;)
Also, any suggestions for my build? I've been waffling around. Enchantment focus? Divination focus?
Edit: Looking at your build, Multiattack doesn't do anything until you get secondary attacks at level 10, so it might be worth holding off. Also, you should get a +2 size bonus to hit, so +8 with all of your attacks.
Saelas |
Wow, you can carry 150lbs while being the same size as a housecat. You can glide around with 50lbs comfortably!
lol!
I'm actually glad you have a lot of strength. Lets me play support without having to worry too much about how we'll defeat enemies.
Though, I imagine watching his cute baby little pet dragon savagely rip apart her enemies might be traumatic for Saelas. XD
Edit: Any build suggestions? If not, I'm just going with Spell Focus: Enchantment and Improved Initiative. Overpowering Mind for my amp.
Snow. |
Overpowering Mind is the go-to amp, so yeah take that.
Perfectly sound selection of feats - anything that will boost your save DC is good. The only other thing to consider is combat casting - if TLV enforces the psychic casting rules properly you'll have to stare down DC20 concentration checks and CC would help with that. Maybe over Imp Init.
And I'll try not traumatise you too much! Be a neat eater and what not :)
Edit: Snow is going to save her money for now until she can get extra-dimensional storage to hold all her shiny coins! :D
Saelas |
It's actually a DC 27 concentration check to cast a first level spell with a thought component defensively. Basically impossible, even with Combat Casting.
If I can't center myself to cast it, I'll have to just move and provoke there instead. Hopefully I don't get surrounded too often O.o
Psychic casting has a lot of weaknesses, so hopefully I navigate around them. My primary combat spell (Command) right away doesn't have an emotion component, so that helps some.
Maybe I should consider Nimble Moves so I can always 5ft step instead of Improved Initiative?
Saelas |
I didn't get the character sheet as fully done as I wanted, but I posted what I have so far. I just need to add the special abilities and maybe adjust gear some.
I'm open to suggestions.
Snow. |
Saelas looks good to me. I'd definitely go with sleep as your last first level - you can train it out later and since Snow is immune she can get a bunch of enemies grouped before you drop it on their heads, while not effecting her! :)
Saelas |
Ok, I think I'm ready. I don't know what to do with the rest of my gold, especially considering the limitation of my carrying capacity.
The Lost Voice |
I am three days out from returning to regular posting. I'll look over your sheets and ask questions as I get them.
Snow. |
Ok, I think I'm ready. I don't know what to do with the rest of my gold, especially considering the limitation of my carrying capacity.
I'm also limited but mostly by the physics of being 1 1/2 ft long. Shame I cant lend you my strength score for a while...
The Lost Voice |
Late flight. Just got in.
Given that neither of you has Survival, I read that as neither of you is intent on just setting out in a random direction. The hermit has sheltered and aided you through the worst of the season, what is your intent from there?
It has been made evident that you are not on Triaxus.
Snow. |
I'm going to be leaving the initial bit to Saelas I think. As a very young dragon Snow has all the survival instincts but not much in the way of 'meta-knowledge' and therefore won't be much for plans. Besides Saelas has Int through the roof! :)
Saelas |
I thought about putting ranks in survival but ultimately decided against it. I might do so at some point, but I like that Saelas is a bit lost in the wild.
We should set out for some town that the hermit directs us to, probably.
The Lost Voice |
The both of you, please convert three-quarters of your remaining wealth into rough gems of quartz and its variants, please. That much gold is a lot of weight to carry. Snow, being small and generally not noticeable in the snow and ice has been retrieving unpolished but still notable rocks from a nearby site, having amassed a proportional "hoard" during the time it took for the both of you to recover.
Saelas, please account for a couple of Spellgems containing these spells:
Corpse Babble
Mindlink
Oeneric Horror
Undeciphered Spellgem
Undeciphered Spellgem
Saelas |
Is a spell gem like this item from Starfinder? Basically scrolls?
I can make that work. What value should I assign to the undeciphered ones?
Also, by corpse babble, do you mean Grave Words?
I have my gear updated assuming the unidentified gems don't have a value. It's not too hard to update if you want me to do it differently.
Edit: I see that the gameplay thread is up. I will try to get a post up tomorrow night. I should've been in bed an hour ago O.o
The Lost Voice |
Indeed. Spellgems are basically treated as scrolls.
Oops, Yes. Grave Words is what I intended.
Snow: Effectively 10gp is ~1 pound— I'm going with the classic measurements for ease of reference. It's fine to condense the remainder into pieces of platinum, but as it's just the two of you, carrying capacity is going to be a bit of a hindrance for a while.
Snow. |
Hey TLV - is it ok if Snow and Saelas have the 'Telepathic Bond' rule from Dragonkin? It's 100ft telepathy between dragon and bonded rider - I love the Eragon books so I'm a soft-touch for mental communications between dragon and rider/bonded. Since Saelas is both psychic and the first person Snow met I think it makes sense too. That ok?
Oh yes - and she's completely oblivious to almost everything, apart from the lovely snow! :)
The Lost Voice |
I'll allow the rule, limited to communication only, and at half the range. It can reach 100' at 10th level.
Saelas |
I'm so glad you allowed this. I read a ton of the Dragonriders of Pern when I was younger, the Harper Hall Trilogy several times(And Snow is already seeming a lot like a smart fire lizard). The mind-speak was a really big part of that series. This is going to be fun :)
Making my initial post now.
Edit: Should we use bold+italics for telepathy?
The Lost Voice |
Also, apologies for not pointing it out earlier, but I'll typically roll any passive/reactionary checks for the characters, anything that would usually prompt a singular roll for the characters, without needing anything to post beyond that, just so it does not break up the narrative flow.
Saelas |
I'll make time to post in about 12 hours (after I sleep and work a short shift). Snow's welcome to handle the situation and I'll just post a reaction later. XD
Up to you.
Saelas |
Conversation in Pbp is still somewhat weird to me. Should we just monologue at each other or is it fine to do one line at a time back and forth, like a normal conversation might do?
My instinct is that it was right to do a brief response here but a lengthier discussion might be more appropriate if we manage to mollify her... somehow.
Open to suggestions for sure.