Valkur's Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Valkur

I'd like to propose Tae, human monk (zen archer). Everything is in his profile.

Abrar "Glade" Ajmal wrote:

Oooh, interested! I've got a paladin/sorcerer concept that I think would be great to try out if you're still open for new players. Human or possibly Aasimar if allowed. I plan to play him as a paladin who sees his role as one of setting an example for others rather than militantly enforcing his notion of "how to be good" on the world. Having received martial training in his home village of Styrion, close to Sandy point, he has now ventured in to the "Big City" to study at the temple...

let me know your thoughts and I'll flesh him out more

Abrar, recruiting is open until the 5th, so feel free to expand on your concept.

For your consideration:

Eugeni Serius.

Background is fleshed out, if this seems like a good candidate I will complete the crunch numbers etc.

OK - back as promised with my rogue/assassin character for your consideration:

Update list of submitted characters.

22 so far, you all are not going to make this easy, lots of cool ideas!
I appreciate the interest.

I submit to you 3 barebones concepts to gauge your interest.

It's definitely a tough choice for choosing parties for the APs. They tend to be popular games.

Ok, Khrondak's profile is 100% complete.

If you like this character, I can de-level him back to 1st for your game as the game he was in has been discontinued.

Bob Evil here, ready to submit. Click on the character name for Miera Kespin's full sheet, background, and appearance.

Picked up the Anniversary edition at the FLGS. Looks like it was worth it over the original modules.

Good evening Valkur!

My submission for your Rise of the Runelords pbp is Akrem Stormcaller. Akrem is a Sylph Magus who was raised among the Tamiir-Quah. The sourcebooks say that the Tamiir-Quah are known as the "Wind Tribe" and that their totems are the Storm Roc, Griffin, Wind and Cloud. I thought that a Sylph born among them while unusual might not be unheard of. And the Magus fits their more martial bearing rather than a pure wizard. I honestly cannot tell you how hard this character concept was. I considered several other ideas including a dropout Korvasa Acadame student with a unhealthy obsession with primal magic "unwords/words of power" (Bard; Sound-Striker Archetype). A Cheliaxian born noble, turned Preacher of Asmodius (Inquisitor; Preacher archetype), and a Varisian nomad charlatan, who's fake divinations are starting to become real (Sorcerer; Tattooed Sorcerer). In the end I settled with Akrem and I really like the concept. I though roleplay wise, the character had a very rich and multi-dimensional background, while not causing potential conflicts with other group members. I hope you like him!

ok... I'd like to submit Alaric Morgain, bard archaeologist for this campaign... everything is in his profile.

Valkur, do you mind if I ask a few questions about the upcoming game?

1. I see you are new here, but have you run a PbP before elsewhere?

2. How will you be handling mapping?

3. How do you handle initiative order, by group (those that rolled higher than enemy, enemy, those that rolled lower) or by individual?

4. For posts, do you prefer text heavy or text light?

Normally I look at the posting history of other games they run to get an idea, but since this is your first game here I figured I would just ask. I hope this doesn't go over poorly, my curiosity gets the better of me.

Excellent questions Thaddeus! I noticed the low post count as well, but I'm still new enough to not think of these questions. Thanks!

Hi GM, I present Lorasaadi the half orc monk who is an honorable friend. Do co sidereal the background story etc to see it fits. will make adjustment.

Valkur, do you mind if I ask a few questions about the upcoming game?

1. I see you are new here, but have you run a PbP before elsewhere?

2. How will you be handling mapping?

3. How do you handle initiative order, by group (those that rolled higher than enemy, enemy, those that rolled lower) or by individual?

4. For posts, do you prefer text heavy or text light?

Normally I look at the posting history of other games they run to get an idea, but since this is your first game here I figured I would just ask. I hope this doesn't go over poorly, my curiosity gets the better of me.

Not a problem Thaddeus!

1. Not really, I did one a long time ago on the Wizards boards, I was a PC and it fell apart rather quickly. So I've just kind of stayed away from PbP games since. I have been playing D&D and all of its various editions (except 4th) since 1984, mostly as a DM. The last 20 years with the same group, but we only get together now twice a month due to family commitments. Which got me to thinking, I've got a bit of time here and there through out the day, why not run a pbb game? I know there are lots of challenges and what not, the biggest the game just dies for what ever reason. But I wanted to try DMing one and see what happens.

2. I've been brushing up on mapping! I'm quickly learning to use rp map tools to create the encounter maps. Not quite there yet, but I almost have the first map done. I was just going to post the maps to a photobucket account during the game. Seems like a lot of games on here do that as well. I'm open to suggestions.

3. Initiative, I was going to have all of the PC roll individually. For the opponents, I am going to roll all like monsters together. Enemy leaders will roll separately as well.

4. Not sure on this yet, but I am thinking whatever makes sense at the time. I don't want to bog the game down, but at the same time I do want some interaction. Also if the game needs to move along, I will move it along. I don't like to do that, but I don't want to see the game die either. Hope that makes sense!

Hope that answers some questions :)

Updated list of submitted characters:

Hey this is a pretty nice Mapping set up I don't know if you have heard of it but its called app.roll20.net
It may take a little getting used to but feel free to mess with it its free and it has a lot of useful things for it. Watch the video they provide for sure. Just a suggestion I know there are quite a few different ways of doing this.

I'd just like to submit Scoria the Stalwart, Monk of the Sacred Mountain. I made her for another RotRL game that fell through when our DM dropped off the face of the earth. Will adjust her stats to your standards if she's put through. You can read her background in her profile as well, that probably won't change at all.

A couple suggestions based on the answers to my earlier questions.

1. When things start getting hectic, sometimes it's better to post less and keep the game going than to burn out and feel you are unable to maintain expectations. Narrowing down to a post a week during a rough patch is better than trying to maintain 1 a day and then the game dying.

2. For mapping, check with the players you choose if there are any tools they can't access. I have seen some where players can't get to certain sites (like when posting from work) to see the maps. Also, there is a few neat tools out there, despite sometimes having hiccups. Dabbleboard.com is neat as it allows the players to move their own icons so you the GM don't have to update them every turn and end up getting the "I had moved to here" replies.

3. Rolling init for the players can save a lot of time. I know most players like to have control of their own rolls, but the same post you introduce combat in can be the one you roll init for everyone and put it in order. Otherwise there comes a time where you end up waiting a day for someone to post, just for init. The key is make a pre-post init for yourself, maybe in a text doc or the campaign tab, so you can just paste it in whenever init needs to be rolled.

Overall, I'm glad to see anyone willing to take up the mantle and run a PbP, as there are a lot of people looking for a game on here, and a lot of games that struggle to make it past the first encounter. I hope all goes well with running your first one.

I may be running a game of this myself before too long if I can figure out an easy way to get the excellent maps provided into maptools.

Notick has been altered for your rules and for the RotRL AP!

Please feel free to ask if you have any questions about his background - a lot of it is implied through his story, but I could understand of a 'tangent' story for some information is needed!

I present Terran Goldpeak, as I proposed earlier.

Been looking over the campaign traits and I think I've settled on one for Bel'Tanis here. If he's selected, I think I'll have him take the trait Favored Son (Ameiko).

A couple suggestions based on the answers to my earlier questions.

Overall, I'm glad to see anyone willing to take up the mantle and run a PbP, as there are a lot of people looking for a game on here, and a lot of games that struggle to make it past the first encounter. I hope all goes well with running your first one.

Me too, I hope this goes well.

As for posting, I don't expect people to post a novel every post (or even the majority of posts). Just try to post something everyday (and once on the weekend). The post doesn't have to be long, it just lets me know you are still with us.

For initiative, is it possible in the profile to have a per-rolled init? That way I can start the encounter with out waiting for an init roll, that way you the players get to control the roll. And the game keeps rolling. Also if you do not post within 24 hours during an encounter and I need your action, I will just act for you. That way it keeps things moving.

I'm guessing it will take a good six months to get through Burnt Offerings. Has anybody actually finished an AP module pbp? How long did it take?

This PbP which I've been following (and anyone who isn't already should start, the group's got a great thing going here!) has been running through Shackled City and they started back in June of last year. They're nearing the 7500 post mark and are in Chapter 4 of that particular AP.

Personally, I've not finished any APs yet. My experience is that more often than not the GM burns out early on. Thaddeus' first suggestion was inspired, in my opinion, in light of this. Slow, steady and enduring is far more preferable than a sprint to a quick burn-out.

All those words aside, I think 6 months to finish Burnt Offerings is a fairly reasonable target.

This PbP which I've been following (and anyone who isn't already should start, the group's got a great thing going here!) has been running through Shackled City and they started back in June of last year. They're nearing the 7500 post mark and are in Chapter 4 of that particular AP.

Personally, I've not finished any APs yet. My experience is that more often than not the GM burns out early on. Thaddeus' first suggestion was inspired, in my opinion, in light of this. Slow, steady and enduring is far more preferable than a sprint to a quick burn-out.

All those words aside, I think 6 months to finish Burnt Offerings is a fairly reasonable target.

I'll have to take a look at that PbP. That is impressive that they are in chapter 4 in one year.

Finishing an AP pbp would be epic.

Hi GM, I present to you Thordan the swashbuckling Bard.
Just finishing up the storyboard but you can check out my character page first.

Dotting for interest, still eager to play :)

Updated submissions list. Tomorrow (5th) is the last day to submit a character for consideration. I will select PCs on the 6th.

Once we get everything set we can start the game.

Applicant's List

If anybody is interested in the classes and races submitted.

Races

Classes

Me too, I hope this goes well.

As for posting, I don't expect people to post a novel every post (or even the majority of posts). Just try to post something everyday (and once on the weekend). The post doesn't have to be long, it just lets me know you are still with us.

For initiative, is it possible in the profile to have a per-rolled init? That way I can start the encounter with out waiting for an init roll, that way you the players get to control the roll. And the game keeps rolling. Also if you do not post within 24 hours during an encounter and I need your action, I will just act for you. That way it keeps things moving.

I'm guessing it will take a good six months to get through Burnt Offerings. Has anybody actually finished an AP module pbp? How long did it take?

The pre-rolls in the profile could get a little tough to track, either they'd need to keep rolling them or have a list of pre-rolled ones that you can pull from. Actually, I think you'll find that a lot of PbP players are more lenient on things when they are used to speed up PbP play. It was a lot rougher when I started out, trying to play it like at the table. I find it has gotten a little easier when you do things like spoiler perception checks or saves. Initiative is one of those, you post once with the rolls and the order, and they can act sooner. Otherwise you ask for a roll, all but one rolls, after 24 hours you roll for him. The enemy goes first, then the late roller, 24 hours after his turn is announced you take it for him. It doesn't seem like much but it adds up.

Some tough choices there. As usual, they are all potentially interesting characters.

Valkur wrote:

Me too, I hope this goes well.

As for posting, I don't expect people to post a novel every post (or even the majority of posts). Just try to post something everyday (and once on the weekend). The post doesn't have to be long, it just lets me know you are still with us.

For initiative, is it possible in the profile to have a per-rolled init? That way I can start the encounter with out waiting for an init roll, that way you the players get to control the roll. And the game keeps rolling. Also if you do not post within 24 hours during an encounter and I need your action, I will just act for you. That way it keeps things moving.

I'm guessing it will take a good six months to get through Burnt Offerings. Has anybody actually finished an AP module pbp? How long did it take?

The pre-rolls in the profile could get a little tough to track, either they'd need to keep rolling them or have a list of pre-rolled ones that you can pull from. Actually, I think you'll find that a lot of PbP players are more lenient on things when they are used to speed up PbP play. It was a lot rougher when I started out, trying to play it like at the table. I find it has gotten a little easier when you do things like spoiler perception checks or saves. Initiative is one of those, you post once with the rolls and the order, and they can act sooner. Otherwise you ask for a roll, all but one rolls, after 24 hours you roll for him. The enemy goes first, then the late roller, 24 hours after his turn is announced you take it for him. It doesn't seem like much but it adds up.

As a DM, I've found for initiative that the easiest way to do it, and most people seem to like it, is for the DM to roll it in one post, and than post the order. It keeps things moving along, but still keeps the benefit of trying for a high initiative modifier that some other simplified systems remove.

Hi GM, I present to you Thordan the swashbuckling Bard.

Just finishing up the storyboard but you can check out my character page first.

Hi Gm,

Just completed my character sheet and detail for your consideration. Long Live All Furry Paws! Except those that eat people up...

If anybody is interested in the classes and races submitted.

Classes
2.5 Bard
2.5 Cleric

Just curious how you get 1/2 a bard and 1/2 a cleric...

I'm assuming either a bard/cleric multiclass, or just two characters with no depth.

Actually, I think it's because this submission could be either a cleric or a bard.

1.5 Cleric and Bard comes from Sunshadow's character who said Ensu could be either a Bard or Cleric depending on the needs of the campaign.

Nothing scientific, I was just organizing the characters and trying to get of an idea of what was available.

As for an initiative, I am going to roll init for everybody, then post the order. That way encounters don't have to stall out waiting for an init roll.

ah... well cool... was just curious - 1/2 a character sounded unusual lol

You ought to organize the characters submitted as "Roles" such as if you have looked at how 4.0 classifies.. classes.
ex. Stereotypical Ranger. Direct damage
Stereotypical Cleric. Support/Control
etc etc.
just an idea? maybe it will help narrowing down selection a bit for you.

Last minute entry for your consideration. Sun Wu Kong, Half-Orc Monk who strives to do good in this world, fighting injustice while at the same time keeping at bay the rage characteristic of his ancestors.

I'm very new to both Pathfinder and PbP (played D&D tabletop), but am motivated to learn. Even if I don't get in on this campaign, I would like to lurk on the board to follow it's progress and learn more about how this works. Thanks. : )

I am officially closing the window for submissions.

I have a lot of really great concepts and backgrounds to choose from, so I will be selecting 6 PCs.

I will post the selections sometime tomorrow (6th) afternoon central time.

Thanks again everybody.

Sounds good, looking forward to hearing the results.

Hey all,

I have the characters selected. Also to those who did not get selected please don't get discouraged, I could have easily made 2 or 3 more parties out of the submitted characters. So keep trying other games, I'm sure you get in a game sooner than later.

Here goes:

Bel'Tanis - Aasimar Fighter
Krondak Iron Forge - Human (Shoanti) Cleric of Gorum (Separatist)
Thaddeus Pruitt - Human Magus (Bladebound)
Notick Mostriare - Half-Elf Magus
Scoria the Stalwart - Oread Monk of the Sacred Mountain
Midori Masaki Human (Tian-Min) Bard (Songhealer)

Again thanks to all that submitted characters.

I will start up the game discussion thread.

Hi All,

Looking for a replacement character for Rise of the Rune Lords. Looking for a level 3, Full Arcane or Ranged Type of Fighter for the replacement.

We are currently just about to finish Burnt Offerings with the BBEG.

I will accept submissions until 01/26/14.

Guidelines:
Expectations:
1. Minimum of 1-2 posts during M-F, 1 post per weekend.
2. Creative and interesting backgrounds are a plus.
3. Play nice with others.
4. Character optimization is okay, but try not to go overboard.

Very interested. I'd like to submit a Alchemist with the Preservationist Archetype. He does ranged combat and casts so I hope that would semi fullfill you're criteria.

A few quick question:

1)What is the current party composition?
2)Wealth: Average starting Wealth would be like 115 gold? Wealth by level for 3rd level is more like 3000 gold. Which shall it be?

Very interested. I'd like to submit a Alchemist with the Preservationist Archetype. He does ranged combat and casts so I hope that would semi fullfill you're criteria.

A few quick question:

1)What is the current party composition?
2)Wealth: Average starting Wealth would be like 115 gold? Wealth by level for 3rd level is more like 3000 gold. Which shall it be?

You can certainly submit an Alchemist.

The party consists of all at 3rd level:
Monk 3
Fighter 3
Cleric 3
Bard 3
Magus 3

You can start with 3,000gp but with the restriction you can only have 1 permanent magical item worth no more than 1,500gp.

I am interested in submitting a character as a replacement. It'd actually fit both roles, as a ranged focused Eldritch Knight. Would that be ok with you?

Going to get to work on the fluff, crunch, but just as a quick question, do you follow the ruling on spell-like abilities counting as pre-req's for prestige classes? I'm fine with either ruling, just would affect the build slightly.