Hello everyone, I had an idea. This is an interest/official recruitment thread.
There is a slightly crazy, albeit powerful wizard. Throughout his life of adventuring he had accumulated vast wealth and power. He bought an island with his wealth. He doesn't quibble over the details like he nuked everything on the island that didn't cooperate.
Every couple years he takes normal, average folks and tosses them on his island, and sees if they can survive his island. He like to test Darwinism at its greatest. Your group, is the latest chosen for his mad-game.
Class: NPC only. I am only taking one of each NPC class (adept, aristocrat, expert, commoner, warrior)
PrC: paizo published, if you can make it work with your NPC class, go for it.
Race: Human, no exceptions.
Level: level 1
Stats: 10 point buy. yes, 10 point buy, you are not heroic adventurers. However, every odd level, you will get 1 permanent point to put in a stat of your choice. You will therefore have the potential to be a 20 point buy. No stat bumps every 4th level however.
Feats/Traits: paizo published
XP track: 75% fast. So to reach level 2, you will need 975xp. to reach level 3, you will need 2475, etc, etc. Also, each day your NPC survives on the island, you receive [level] x [100] in xp, to put towards next level.
Wealth: max gold as per NPC class. (NOTE: you can only begin the game with NO MORE than a light load. IF you own a masterwork backpack, use the altered STR for the light load. all monies not spent will be lost
I will include a link to a "map", it will take 1 adventuring day to explore a hex. Death happens, if the dice deem it so, I will not intervene. I don't expect you to travel if someone is afflicted with poison, but will not allow you to simply 'sit and wait' and gain mass amounts of xp.
Any question please ask. Recruitment will be open until I say otherwise,and I will give ample notice before I actually close it.
These kind of games can be fun, how long do you think it would last? Would there be a long term plot beyond mere survival, such as discovering the ruins of lost civilizations on the island, making our way to the wizard's home in an effort to confront him and make it back home, or discovering a threat he has brewing on the island that threatens to consume the world? You know, the usual dramatic fantasy tropes...
Mechanically, if we live long enough to advance, would it be in our NPC classes, or would we get the chance to move in to player classes?
These kind of games can be fun, how long do you think it would last? Would there be a long term plot beyond mere survival, such as discovering the ruins of lost civilizations on the island, making our way to the wizard's home in an effort to confront him and make it back home, or discovering a threat he has brewing on the island that threatens to consume the world? You know, the usual dramatic fantasy tropes...
Mechanically, if we live long enough to advance, would it be in our NPC classes, or would we get the chance to move in to player classes?
Yes, there would be an overarching plot. Find the mad wizard, battle his crazy world-threatening minion, etc.
As far as leveling goes. I would like to stick to NPC classes, no mutli-classing allowed in the beginning. I may allow the group to pick PC classes after a suitable amount of time as an NPC class (ballpark 3-5 levels NPC then whatever you want afterwards.)
I think it would be interesting to keep everyone an NPC from level 1-20, then battling the crazy wizard at the end?
It's a pretty interesting idea. I am concerned that not having any other classes (and therefore, class abilities) would be a bit limiting, though.
Like, sure if you're the Adept you're obviously the spell guy and if you're the Expert you're the knowledge guy, and that's fine, but if you're the Commoner or Artistocrat, you're kind of not really good at anything in particular.
Different classes with different abilities serve to give characters some degree of focus - which is why you don't typically see "Hey let's have an all-barbarian party". Then again, there is something to be said for that as well, as it encourages creativity and outside-the-box thinking. And as a survival game (and hopefully one that wouldn't be too dungeon-crawly) it definitely sounds super interesting. I'm inagining Pathfinder meets LOST.
I'm curious why you chose to allow Prestige Classes, though, since they would kind of circumvent the idea of no one having class abilities, and making them achievable for some but not others. (Eg you couldn't get Arcane Trickster because you can't get Sneak Attack. You couldn't get Dragon Disciple because no one has spontaneous casting. But it would be fairly easy to get Shadowdancer.)
It's a pretty interesting idea. I am concerned that not having any other classes (and therefore, class abilities) would be a bit limiting, though.
Like, sure if you're the Adept you're obviously the spell guy and if you're the Expert you're the knowledge guy, and that's fine, but if you're the Commoner or Artistocrat, you're kind of not really good at anything in particular.
Different classes with different abilities serve to give characters some degree of focus - which is why you don't typically see "Hey let's have an all-barbarian party". Then again, there is something to be said for that as well, as it encourages creativity and outside-the-box thinking. And as a survival game (and hopefully one that wouldn't be too dungeon-crawly) it definitely sounds super interesting. I'm inagining Pathfinder meets LOST.
I'm curious why you chose to allow Prestige Classes, though, since they would kind of circumvent the idea of no one having class abilities, and making them achievable for some but not others. (Eg you couldn't get Arcane Trickster because you can't get Sneak Attack. You couldn't get Dragon Disciple because no one has spontaneous casting. But it would be fairly easy to get Shadowdancer.)
I see your point. I would at least like to start out as NPC, that way there is a sense if danger and suspense. Overcoming the odds and all that "stereotypical" stuff. I will probably alter or adjust the prerequisites for the PrC, or eliminate them altogether.
On your mention of no "diversity", it is a dual-edged sword. Balance is good and so is unbalanced with the all barbarian group. I figured with a NPC of each class, will give some diversity. I understand that a commoner/aristocrat may not have the focus of say the adept or warrior.
Perhaps instead of luring to one of each i go with this:
No more than 2 of an NPC class will be accepted. So there could be a group of 2 warrior + 1 adept + 2 expert. This allows some more focused builds and a tad bit more survivability for the group as a whole. Commoner/aristocrats are still welcome to apply.
I'm happy to make a commoner for this. I enjoy that kind of challenge. Not sure if I wouldn't play it 1-20 as a commoner, just to see if I can survive. The point is that it's difficult after all.
|
I would say if you're going to ban multiclassing and PC levels until at least 4th level, a commoner might deserve a bonus feat. Things like toughness, weapon proficiency, or even skill focus could help the commoner avoid being almost useless.
Just a thought.
As for me, I love a good low-powered survival game. However, I admittedly would prefer playing PC classes. That said, I have an inkling to make an aristocrat for this. Why an aristocrat? Because flavor, that's why.
Is starting gold then 260gp for all characters? That seems a bit odd. I'd halve that for the commoner and double it for the 'crat, but that's just me.
I would say if you're going to ban multiclassing and PC levels until at least 4th level, a commoner might deserve a bonus feat. Things like toughness, weapon proficiency, or even skill focus could help the commoner avoid being almost useless.
Just a thought.As for me, I love a good low-powered survival game. However, I admittedly would prefer playing PC classes. That said, I have an inkling to make an aristocrat for this. Why an aristocrat? Because flavor, that's why.
Is starting gold then 260gp for all characters? That seems a bit odd. I'd halve that for the commoner and double it for the 'crat, but that's just me.
Gold is max according to NPC class. Why are they all 260?
I think he's looking here:
Paizo PRD Or similar, in that 260gp is the expectation for a L1 NPC made from the GM screen side of things. I spent a couple min looking for starting gold entries for the NPC classes on a couple places, and didn't see an entry yet. I haven't gone hunting for my 3.5 GMG yet to see what that said, but a cursory search online had limited results.
Well how about this for starting gold:
Adept: as per cleric
Aristocrat: as per rogue
Commoner: as per monk
Expert: as per bard
Warrior: as per fighter
I'm semi-interested in applying as either a warrior or Aristo.
When you get right down to it, Commoner is really the only option that has almost nothing going for it. I actually remember an Eberron character from a tabletop game a decade ago that was aristo 2, fighter?? 1 hired as a bodyguard for L1 wizardling, it's ... not a bad class. (It's just not a Hero's class)
I am interested in an Adept, though I would like to eventually be able to take a PC class.
Edit: how many traits do we get?
Wouldn't the aristocrat just get half of everyone elsewhere gold?
Life expectancy is low, but I'd like to see how she holds up.
Human commoner 1
N Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +5
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex)
hp 7 (1d6+1)
Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +1
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Ranged light crossbow +2 (1d8/19-20)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 10, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 12
Feats Point-blank Shot, Precise Shot, Simple Weapon Proficiency - One
Traits highlander (hills or mountains), poverty-stricken
Skills Climb +4, Craft (traps) +3, Perception +5, Stealth +7 (+9 in hilly or rocky areas), Survival +6; Racial Modifiers highlander (hills or mountains)
Languages Common, Literacy
Other Gear crossbow bolts (50), light crossbow, artisan's tools, backpack, grappling bolt, hammer, hemp rope (50 ft.), piton (2), 9 gp, 14 sp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Highlander (hills or mountains) +1 to Stealth checks, Stealth is always a class skill for you. Double this in hilly or rocky areas.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Precise Shot You don't get -4 to hit when shooting or throwing into melee.
I basically have a adept done.
Commoner 60
Adept 120
Expert 180
Warrior 240
Aristocrat 300
Gold for starting
Commoners can choose 1 of the following.
Prof in a simple weapon
Skill focus
Buckler prof
Beginning at 4th level you can take pc classes
Adepts must stay with magic classes, no going martial for cheese factor ;)
Magic classes: wiz/sorc/magus/druid/cleric/bard/oracle
Martial: barb/fighter/monk/paladin/ranger/
Skill: rogue/bard/ninja/monk/
Commoner: any class you choose
NO SAMURAI OR GUNSLINGER
The list was just off the top of my head CI may have missed some, questions please ask.
GM Stylz
How will you handle retraining? Particularly feats? I was thinking of taking light armour training with one of my feats but several of my PC class choices get it automatically.
Thanks
GM Stylz
How will you handle retraining? Particularly feats? I was thinking of taking light armour training with one of my feats but several of my PC class choices get it automatically.
Thanks
Feat retraining:
Usually gold, but there won't me gold spewing forth. So how about 8 days of training for at least 8 hours a day. So if you decide to retrain, I will rule it takes 2 days to fully explore a hex on the island.
GM Stylz
How will you handle retraining? Particularly feats? I was thinking of taking light armour training with one of my feats but several of my PC class choices get it automatically.
Thanks
Feat retraining:
Usually gold, but there won't me gold spewing forth. So how about 8 days of training for at least 8 hours a day. So if you decide to retrain, I will rule it takes 2 days to fully explore a hex on the island.
That works for me.
Will mounts or pets be purchasable with starting gold?
I think I will try a warrior. Will try to focus on missile weapons and outdoorsy skill with eventual ranger stuff.
Will mounts or pets be purchasable with starting gold?
I think I will try a warrior. Will try to focus on missile weapons and outdoorsy skill with eventual ranger stuff.
Sure, if you can afford a horse then I am okay with it. No crazy mounts of course but a horse is acceptable. More things for me to kill, I mean play with XD
Well I couldn't afford a horse after deciding to buy a strength composite bow, so no worries there ;)
Almost went with trying to play a venerable aged commoner but i figured he wouldn't live more than 1-2 posts.
Guess I'll be putting together an Expert; I'm just putting some thought into what it's going to look like. Heading towards a rogue type would I suppose make the most sense...
Maybe I'll make him a street urchin!
A tall, well built man with sandy hair and blue eyes, dressed in a well fitting, tailored uniform of blue and gold ambles around a quiet village late into the dark of night, swinging a lit lantern in on hand, and a halberd in the other peering into darkened corners, and out into the night beyond the villages edge.
The life of a village constable, especially one on night duty, is usually not a bad lot, not when the village out in the back beyond of nowhere, anyway. A small beacon of civilization in the middle of wilderness.
The night, like all the others had been quiet, other than a run in with Widow Salas's boys. For the report: 2 Smokesticks and ... confiscated. Not bad boys per se, just idlers, and they know if they don't show up to the office tomorrow bright and early it will go hard on them.
While it is hard to tell if tonight the guard is more diligent than normal, but he definitely seems to be giving his work his full attention, and seems to be expecting trouble at any moment.
Perhaps it was the goblin sighting on one of the outlying farms 3 nights back, or perhaps it is because he is the only one awake in the entire village, and they are counting on his eyes to keep them all safe. Or, perhaps, just perhaps, it is because he knows, that it's that time of year, to be afraid. That at this time of year, a few, no more than a handful, of villagers in the region, just up and disappear. And out of those who vanish, but one has lived to tell the tale of what happened, and why, and of a Mage mad with power, playing games with the lives of those around him.
Perhaps it is all reasons, or none. Regardless, he cautiously strolls through the village, yes, taking his time, to peer into the darkness. Unaware that his night might not end quietly for him, that tonight, he might be selected to participate.
Are we able to class into ACG PC classes? Considering slayer.
Sure, ACG is fine
I present Thoros, a young adept with some survival skills and the ability to heal. As well as hopefully keep the group from getting sick due to bad food.
I will keep recruitment open until next Thursday at midnight (essentially when clock turns to Friday)
Xipe the warrior is prepared.
(alias of CaveToad)
Thoros, your crunch has some stuff copied in from another character ;)
CG Human Barbarian lvl 2
Init +1; Perception +5
Stylz, you said we get a stat bump every odd level. Does this mean our first one comes at 3rd?
Stylz, you said we get a stat bump every odd level. Does this mean our first one comes at 3rd?
Correct
Thoros, your crunch has some stuff copied in from another character ;)
CG Human Barbarian lvl 2
Init +1; Perception +5
Thanks for noticing. I fixed that.
I would like to submit Vladimir to the pot.
I may add some gear if selected.
So have you thought anymore about when this adventure may start? It really does sound unique and interesting.
Vladimir the expert at your service.
I will keep recruitment open until next Thursday at midnight (essentially when clock turns to Friday)
Recruitment open til Thursday midnight. Game starts Friday/Saturday-ish.
Here's Yurian, a street-urchin Expert submission from Rigor Rictus. Still working on a few background details, but the crunch is essentially done.
Updated Vladimir to a Commoner... seems more exciting and in line with his upbringing
Avarus---Vladimir---Commoner
Rigor---Yurian---Expert
CaveToad---Xipe---Warrior
Browman---Thoros---Adept
Roonfizzle---Even---Warrior
Snake Charmer---Therese---Commoner
Little under 1 day left for submissions.
Please note: my computer just started to go on the fritz, game may be delayed until I get it fixed or diagnosed. Sorry for any delay or issue.
2.5 hours until closure.
Closed :)
Avarus---Vladimir---Commoner
Rigor---Yurian---Expert
CaveToad---Xipe---Warrior
Browman---Thoros---Adept
Roonfizzle---Even---Warrior
Snake Charmer---Therese---Commoner
Those of you, who are still interested please report to the gameplay thread. I still have no comp but will try to get the ball rolling via my phone.