A storm over Tethyr
Game Master JohnLocke

Hello everyone!

I'd like to invite you to a PbP game set in the Forgotten Realms - the classic realms of the gray box (with a few pathfinder-y additions, of course). The Realms are a great setting for adventure, similar enough to Golarion to be familiar, but different enough to be interesting. I've played in the Realms for almost 20 years, but I don't expect players to have that level of familiarity. Players new to the setting are certainly welcome, as are experienced Realms veterans.

So, we're looking at a game set in the strife-torn nation of Tethyr, circa 1357 DR. With the royal family dead, the nation has fragmented, and multiple factions vie for power. Security and order have broken down and brigands and monsters roam freely. It's a land that is crying out for heroes! While I do plan to add structure to the adventure, and there will eventually be a meta plot, largely this will be a sandbox campaign which will feature a fair bit of dungeon delving, as well as social interaction with varying factions.

There have been a lot of stories and adventures set in the Realms over the years - forget them. There's no spellplague here. No fall of the Gods. Those events may never even happen - this is our game, just as Ed Greenwood would have it be. The Realms have been knocked by some for having a lot of powerful characters who seem to get involved in everyone elses' business and offer a Deus Ex Machina option for stories. Not going to happen here - this is your story, and while powerful Realms characters may make an appearance, they won't be bailing your party out or be getting overly involved in your story.

So, here's what we're looking at in terms of what's in the game, and what's out:
- all races, classes, skills, feats and spells for the core rulebook are allowed;
- all material from the advanced player's guide is permitted;
- racial options for the core races from the advanced races guide are permitted; mechanically, I don't differentiate between a moon elf and a sun elf, but these options can help you fine tune your character, should you choose to employ them. Additionally, the following races will be allowed: Aasimar, Ifrits, Oreads, Sylphs, Tieflings and Undines
- classes and options from both Ultimate Magic and Ultimate Combat are both fine; Gunslingers, however, are exceedingly rare in the Realms at this time and must be Gond-worshipping Lantanites
- some optional material from the 3.5 spell compendium and Forgotten Realms players guide will work their way in, but will not be player options from the get-go

Characters should be generated via a 25 point buy, with two traits and max starting gold. Hit points at first level are max plus any bonuses. At this point, I'm looking primarily for builds and concepts; we can flesh out your backstories after selection has taken place, especially if you're not familiar with the setting. Levelling up is technically going to be via tracked xp on the medium track, but I reserve the right to level you up at certain story points.

I am looking for players who will commit to posting at least once a day on weekdays, and hopefully on weekends as well. I like to run combat on maps shared via google docs; I do also roll initiative for your characters and the baddies. I run combats fairly quickly, so if you haven't posted in what I'd consider a reasonable timeframe (and I'm really rather reasonable) then I will smartly DMPC your character. Mature themes may pop up in the game so please be prepared; I do promise to handle things in a sensitive manner, however. Roleplaying is encouraged, and I really favour interesting interparty dynamics, even including a bit of disagreement and conflict. But at heart, I'd like to see your party grow and become a team, and perhaps a family, as things go on.

One last note: I tried to run a campaign in the Realms last year that ended due to a very painful situation in real life. I've learned a lot from what happened to me, and one thing that I want to encourage in this game is communication between players and myself. If I haven't seen a player post for 48 hours I'll attempt to reach out to them; as well, I'm going to share my real-life contact info with each selected player, in order to keep lines of communication open. I really want this game to go well and be something each of us can look back on as a great experience!

Oh, and a last note, I'm looking for six or so players total; recruitment will be open until sunday, november 11th. Thanks to all who apply!

Any restrictions to Alignment?

OO OO me me I wanna do this too any room for a dwarven stonelord paladin?

@ Ross Hearne: I don't want to put a hard limit on alignments, though I have found evil characters can sometimes be disruptive to long term harmony. Still, no solid restrictions on alignment at this point.

@ Critzible: By all means, roll him or her up!

Dotting for a dwarven gun fighter worshiper of Gond.

Gotta do a bit of research though. I have gamed in FG for 15+ years and I am unfamilliar with Lantinites. Dwarves may not work, idk.

Gond however is very familliar. I allowed Gond worshipers in the city when my high level group took over Westgate. Though we were the vampires, well one of us.

Absolutely interested!! I love the Realms, and am involved in a 20th level player driven one currently, though our DM is currently MIA.

Thinking of an Elf most likely, not sure what class just yet.

I am very interested in playing this. I have, however, only a paltry understanding of the setting. I've read a few of the Drizzt (probably spelled wrong) but that's about it.

That said, I do have an idea for a Synthesist summoner character I've always wanted to play. An Aasimar who isn't so much fusing with a pre-existing creature as calling on the their inheritance using arcane magic to do so. Fused, the Aasimar would go from being a somewhat cheery human to an indomitable warrior with flowing white robes. As they get stronger in power they're able to become more and more angelic.

The idea could also work for a tiefling, which I wouldn't be against using if it would work better with the group you have.

I'd need a level for when they start but I could work something out right now for a level 1 concept.

Id love to write up a dwarf. I've been a huge fan of FR for 10 or so. I've got most of the 3.x stuff and some 2e resources. I'll look at some stuff tomorrow when I get home to narrow my choice down.

I have a fun character I haven't played in years but unfortunately there are no pathfinder rules for half ogre. I could use half orc but the concept just does not work as well.

will continue to brainstorm a bit.

I managed to find my old creation for it and altered it to the requirements above. (Didn't really need much changing to be honest.) And when I said I had an idea I meant that it was an idea for a character I never got to play. (DM stopped posting on the forums and unfortunately that was that.)

Here is the basic build at level 1. The word fused is a seperate link to what he looks and his mechanics when fused. Anon (Fused)

Mechanically he'll focus on being a heavy hitter on the front lines. Later on, depending on what the group needs or how roleplay with Anon goes, he'll probably take levels of cleric or paladin. The general concept is an Aasimar adventurer who somehow (uncertain how just yet) discovers how to become more angelic and wants to use his powers for good. (rather basic, but I am leaving it purposefully vague so that I can change it too fit the background I'll need help creating.)

I'm open to suggestions and ideas or anything from both players and the DM.

Lantan is the island Gond stayed at during the time of troubles, and gave them advanced machanics and engineering. the extent of these is unknown.

How about a Mulhorandi Ifrit cleric of Thoth, with the Rune and Knowledge domains?

I have a fun character I haven't played in years but unfortunately there are no pathfinder rules for half ogre. I could use half orc but the concept just does not work as well.

will continue to brainstorm a bit.

Yes there is. Bestiary 2 I believe.

Dotting with interest to be a Calishite Pashazada (Pasha's son) with eventual designs on the Noble Scion PrC. Just nutting out if I want to go caster or martial.

Dotting and shuffling through teh thread with idea of Pirate (Rogue archetype) chased out from Luskon, who had to escape his execution.

Big fan of the realms. I'll be submitting a wizard from Waterdeep.

@ everyone: Thanks for the response so far. I should have noted that all characters will be starting off at 1st level. As well, consider how your character will fit into the situation in Tethyr; I'm hoping at least a few characters will be natives to the region. As well, I would like to see these characters get statted up, even if we aren't doing full backgrounds yet. No need for a full alias at this time, unless you choose to make one.

@Ross - a dwarven gunslinger is fine; it's hard to find resources on Lantan that aren't coloured by later events (such as its being wiped out by the spellplague). Consider it the neo-steampunk part of the setting, dwarves aren't uncommon, and neither are gnomes.

@Edward Sobel - I'd really rather we stuck to the core races, as well as the ARG ones that I noted were acceptable.

@Arazni - that's an interesting concept, but a potential flashpoint for conflict, being a foreigner, of a strange race, and of a foreign God who isn't technically allowed to represent his diety outside of his pantheon's sphere of influence. Perhaps a more mainstream God? Kossuth comes to mind.....

@ Mark - a calishite! The locals are gonna love you ;-)

As another note, I would like to see at least one cleric of a mainstream Tethyrian religion represented (Torm, Tyr, Helm, Ilmater, and Lathander would all be good choices).

Thanks all!

I am going to offer up a martial class will have to think about it a little. How friendly is this game to a Cavi? It has been a long time since I have seen this Box Set...very fun. Is it going to be pretty lethal?

@ Bilbo - As much as I like the cavalier, I always feel bad when you have to go into a dungeon (as you will have to do) and all of a sudden, you lose access to one of your primary class abilities. I won't say it's a bad choice, though, as you'll also have plenty of time topside....

The samurai might be a good compromise, as it seems less horse dependant while still giving you that knightly feel if you choose the right order. Paladin is also a good choice, and if you go that way, we'll have to consult together and see which order of paladins you belong to.

I won't be setting out to be lethal in this game, though I do let the dice rolls stand in fairness to all. I definitely want you to feel challenged, and depending on how early encounters go I may ramp up the difficulty somewhat. But everyone's fun is my primary concern.

DM locke. Any comments for the character I proposed or would you prefer I roll up a healer instead?

I have an idea for an Oracle (or cleric if you really want cleric) who would serve one of the main religions if you'd prefer it. I haven't played a straight up healer in a long time and I wouldn't mind trying one.

Here is Etwa Ilumatra:

Anyone know what kind of ranged weapons are used in Mulhorandi?
And do we get to choose a regional feat? If so, Etwa takes Arcane Schooling for the Summoner class.

Edit: Just saw the response. Will look at Kossoth.

@ everyone: Thanks for the response so far. I should have noted that all characters will be starting off at 1st level. As well, consider how your character will fit into the situation in Tethyr; I'm hoping at least a few characters will be natives to the region. As well, I would like to see these characters get statted up, even if we aren't doing full backgrounds yet. No need for a full alias at this time, unless you choose to make one.

@Arazni - that's an interesting concept, but a potential flashpoint for conflict, being a foreigner, of a strange race, and of a foreign God who isn't technically allowed to represent his diety outside of his pantheon's sphere of influence. Perhaps a more mainstream God? Kossuth comes to mind.....

As another note, I would like to see at least one cleric of a mainstream Tethyrian religion represented (Torm, Tyr, Helm, Ilmater, and Lathander would all be good choices).

Thanks all!

Sigh... Mainstream deities are so boring. :P

I changed out Etwa's quarterstaff for a scimitar, and I forgot to spend money on other equipment yet, but this is an interesting concept for a character and I'm feeling attached to her. Ah well. I suppose I can make a cleric of Lathander. I once had a paladin of Lathander.

Indeed, I will look at it a little deeper. Kara-Tur has always been a fun read. An envoy of some sort would probably work. Maybe and exchange of nobles for some sort of trade agreement or a tour of the west in the aftermath of the Golden Horde as means of re-establishing communications?

Hey Locke, nice to see you back.Pity i don't have time to join another PbP now, would have loved your Faerun campaign.
Just saying hello and good luck with everything.

Would an aasimar cleric of Siamorphe fill your main religion requirement. Or is that still too exotic?

Hey Gandal, thanks for the kind words. Sorry you don't have time to play, but I know how time-consuming even a single PbP can be. BTW, players from my old campaign get first consideration here.

@ Bilbo - remember, no golden horde situation has happened yet and may never happen. For a samurai, you could still do a Kara-Tur expat (there for any number of reasons) or we could re-flavour the class into something more regional.

@ Arzani - that fits into the setting; there's no reason you only have to submit one character either :-)

Hmmmm, forgot about that. Haha, it has been a long time.

Locke, any word on the character I submitted or my questions?

@ Marko - apologies for not responding earlier. Go ahead and put Anon forward, and feel free to submit other characters as well.

No problem. Sorry for asking so often. I've had threads go by so fast that DM's miss my submissions completely and I try to make a point of at least being noticed. XD

Anon will be my first submission then and I'll work on a second right now! I'll need some help with the settings, but I already have a few general ideas for the character's background. Would you like it if I wait and see if I get chosen before asking about the background?

And what is your opinion about an Oracle taking the Exalted of the Society trait if he has channeling?

Here is Davina Leantes, aasimar cleric of Siamorphe.

Like Etwa, I used alternate racial traits from the Advanced Race Guide (available on the online PRD)

If we're using the regional bonus feats, since Davina is from Tethyr, she'll take Luck of Heroes. Again, I'm not sure what ranged weapons are popular in Tethyr, but I think she will be melee/support focused anyway.

I gave her the trait Lover of the Law, normally associated with the worship of Abadar, and the Community domain to replace Planning, if that's permitted.

Another question: Can she be middle-aged? It seems fitting. I can see her meditating every day and casting lesser age resistance. :) I'm assuming since the adulthood age of aasimar is 60 years old, and middle age is a little over twice that for most races, she would be about 130 years old.

@ Mark - a calishite! The locals are gonna love you ;-)

Heh - they'll love me even more when they find out that the basis of the build will be a Sorcerer with the Imperious bloodline from ARG :P

I'm tinkering away and will throw up the details once I've hashed out most of the wrinkles.

The character I will be submitting is one of old. Started in the Realms ended in Ravenloft. Got the killing blow on the Flesh Golem lord. Of course he didn't stay dead, but we did escape his land.

Naturally I won't include all that into his backstory. We were not first level when we played that game. Who is to say that this isn't his backstory for that game.

@ Marko - technically, the traits and options from non-core materials and sources not listed really aren't something I want in the game. Having said that, I have no real problem with that trait adding a channeling use per day, so it's okay for you to use it (though, the name wouldn't make any sense in this setting)

@ Arazni - luck of heroes is a good feat, but remember it's not a bonus feat, it's one of your starting choices. Middle aged is fine as well.

Ah, okay. I thought I read somewhere in the Campaign Setting about extra feat at first level, but I see I was mistaken. :)

Sorry DM locke. XD I got the games mixed up with another I was applying for. No trait necessary, especially if it's something you'd prefer not to have.

Dotting for interest.

Arazni, you may be getting it confused with the Regional Feats. Though they were cool, they were not overly good, unless you were really specializing. Typically in a homebrew game creating a specialized character is a mistake. Simply because DMs don't write up player guides.

Barrelhouse is a recycled alias slot. Meaing I deleted the infromation on a character that was not excepted.

Backstory, appearance, and motivations to follow soon.

Here's the build of my submission. An oread monk tetori. The basic idea is that he's a bounty hunter, therefore his basic method of attack is grappling, pinning, and tying up his quarry. Though he's not opposed to doing damage. They're just usually worth more undamaged.

I need to do more background, but I'm new to the Forgotten Realms, so it'll take a bit longer.

Mark me down as interested!

Unfortunately, I know very little about Forgotten Realms, but would be happy to read up and learn if someone could point me to an online source for doing so (I have no access to the books, and am traveling at the moment will be unable to acquire any). Here is the basic crunch of my character concept, a Ninja Face that will emphasize Ki usage and try to deliver powerful blows with a katana.

I will update (add equipment, etc.) as I add on to the character, but first I wanted to ask (I didn't see anywhere in the thread), are we using traits for this character creation? If so, how many? Sorry if this has been answered and I simply missed it.

Hmm... I'm not that familiar with the Realms setting. Although I am interested.

About how well would a Oracle of Metal fit in? I've been wanting to play one.

Hi there garabbott,

It's hard to find good resources on the web for the classic realms - most will be full of info from the novels and subsequent editions, which will not be germane to our campaign. If you want to pm me with your email address, I can send you a pdf which will give you plenty of info about the realms.

And yes, two traits for everyone, though any from non-core sources (including Golarion specific traits from the companion line of books, for example) I would ask that you run them by me - chances are good they'll be fine.

@ everyone - Thanks for all submissions so far, please remember you can have more than one. At this point, we just need a name, concept and stats - backgrounds can be worked out later, unless you already have a solid idea of what you want, which we can work with. Remember, too, that a party can really do well with some good old stalwarts - a fighter, a cleric, the usual suspects. When looking at filling this party I'll be looking for people to fill the traditional roles first, and I'll definitely be considering combat-worthiness against a wide variety of opposition.

At this point, we just need a name, concept and stats - backgrounds can be worked out later.

Well, in that case, here's my first submission. I will have to think about it before I decide to submit a second.

This is an elf from another FR game that died.

I plan on making him a Magus, from The Wealdath, related in some way to the Treespeaker.

@ Harark - fit will really depend on the type of character you envision this oracle as being. I would put him or her forward, along with other characters you may be interested in playing.

@ Ariael - excellent - I look forward to seeing this Magus. Making him a Tethyr native is great, too - though keep his ties to any political bodies and/or leaders nebulous at this point, I've not yet decided on the status and leadership structure of Tethyr's elves, and the treespeaker is not canon at this time.

The Treespeaker is the Elven adviser to the crown of Tethyr.

However, since there is currently no ruling body, maybe it can just be the eldest Druid or something else tied just to the Elves.

Introducing Stigur Starhammer of Starhammer Hall in the Starspire

He is one of the traveling Hammers of Moradin out of Starhammer Hallwhich is in the Starspire mountains he travels often from his holdfast to Zassapur and is often an accomplished weaponsmith and oddly an orator for a dwarf. Currently he working to broker some rights for mining and smelting with the city, and hopes to expand the influence of his clan in this tulmutous kingdom of Tethyr. His Sigil is a brown field with a silvery star on it

Concept

Barrelhouse is pretty lousy worshiper of Gond. Unless you count being the life of the party apart of Gonds teachings. He is deeply devoted, but he considers his personal feelings on the matter private. Brave to a fault there is no task to great or to small for him to undertake.

@ Ariael - We'll work out something that fits your concept. It's not that I'm not familiar with the treespeaker, it's just that I'm not certain that's the leadership structure that the elves currently subscribe to in Tethyr, or that there is a unified power structure for them at all. Tethyr in the gray box is very much a blank slate, upon which much can be written.

@ Critzible - looking good! Not sure if you included "star" enough in your characters name and title though ... ;-)

I have an idea for two characters. One is a Halfling Cavalier, Order of the Paw. The other a Half-Elf Oracle of Metal.

Either work with the setting? I can post up stats for either tommorow, around 4:00pm EST.