Red Hand of Doom [E6] (Inactive)

Game Master Aldizog

We're looking for two more people to join our game as replacements for a pair that dropped out. We've a pretty good group going, and I really appreciate that there's some rythm to our posts. In light of that, I'd prefer people who can post once per day or so.

The story: our adventurers are just beginning to learn that what seemed to be a series of hobgoblin raids might be something greater than it initially seemed. You'll join them in protecting the Elsir Vale from the growing hobgoblin threat. Practically speaking, your characters should have some sort of reason to be in or near the Witchwood, which is situated in the south-eastern part of the Elsir Vale. You might be travelers from Cheliax or Andoran, people native to the region, or simply passing through in either direction. I believe you will start out as having been captured by hobgoblin raiders - that'll probably be the easiest way for me to fit you into the story.

The Setting: It's set in Golarion, with the Elsir Vale plugging in for the country of Isger. It is in much the same political situation as Isger is, which is to say that it pays taxes to Cheliax, and the Hellknights keep an active hand in defending the trade route to the north, while the south-eastern part of the Vale is more or less allowed to fend for itself, having become a patchwork of Baronies and semi-sovereign towns and city councils. It also serves as a military buffer between Cheliax and Andoran.

The party: The current group consists of
Bran O'Dimm, human unholy martial multiclass, he's a former slave gladiator from Cheliax, upstanding guy, fond of grappling things.
Iris, "The blue fox", halfling rogue and trickster. She's fond of misdirecting her enemies, and was raised by foxes.
Tal'Ariel, disillusioned elven rogue/wizard, wields an elven curve blade. (Is a lot more of a front-liner than you'd think)
Zelligar the Mystic, halfling cleric of Nethys, and lover of magic. (Is a lot more of a wizard than you'd think)

Character Creation
House rules: We use the E6 variant. This means that, once you reach level six, you will no longer gain levels. Instead, you'll gain a feat for every 5000xp you attain.
Starting level: 5. You're fairly experienced adventurers, or otherwise skilled individuals, but you're not yet at your peak of ability.
Starting Wealth: WBL for 5th.
Ability Scores: Choose one of the following sets before applying bonuses and penalties.
17/16/14/13/10/8
16/16/15/14/13/8
Hp: Max at all HD. This goes for companions too, but not summoned creatures.
Traits: 2.
Variant Rules: "Extra options" presented as variant rules (i.e. variant multiclassing or Wordcasting) are allowed; changes to how the game functions (i.e. revised action economy) are not. No race builder.
Sources: Generally speaking, all paizo content is allowed. Keep it sane with the races please, though.

We're mainly looking for consistent posters to replace the two that flaked out - build concerns are secondary. That said, the party recently found out that they have trouble handle flying creatures, and that they might need some more crowd control. There's also been some few comments to the effect that I'm going hard at them with difficult encounters and such, which might be true.

I would love to join, and I'm putting in. I hear there is a thing called a brawler that could be awesome. Either way, I can post daily most of the time.

I figured I should drop a link to the gameplay thread, so you can have a look and see if it's for you.

Here you go.

What is your preferred form of character submission? Full character sheet? Simple stat block?

How much backstory do you expect?

WBL for 5th is 10,500g. Would you like to see that itemized out, or is it honor system?

E6! Interesting. What is your opinion on Spherecasting? Circle Wizardry

It's not as powerful as an ordinary wizard, but it has many neat abilities. That once picked are quite permanent.

well I applied with this character in the original recruitment so will present her again

What is your preferred form of character submission? Full character sheet? Simple stat block?

How much backstory do you expect?

WBL for 5th is 10,500g. Would you like to see that itemized out, or is it honor system?

Your sheet needs to have all the pertinent information on it. How it's formatted isn't a grave concern.

As for backstory, I expect a character with opinions on stuff, and maybe some exploitable ties to the world. I'm not hung up on it having to be a novel, but just shooting three lines of character concept comes off as a little half-arsed, to me.

I'll check everyone's math on the gear, regardless.

E6! Interesting. What is your opinion on Spherecasting? Circle Wizardry

It's not as powerful as an ordinary wizard, but it has many neat abilities. That once picked are quite permanent.

I'd rather not involve third party stuff in this one.

I see. Is the Cleric a wordcaster or a normal caster? Or I should rather ask if any of the spell-slinging peeps are wordcasters, as there is more than one.

I see. Is the Cleric a wordcaster or a normal caster?

The cleric is a normal caster. I honestly don't have much experience with wordcasting, I just wanted to make it available if someone wanted it.

Wordcasting is more generalized magic than normal magic, and thus, sub-par with the loss of niche spells. And about a fifth of the spell-list. But it's cheap! It's thematic! It's definitely different.

I think I'd like to make a wordcasting sorcerer. Actual flying comes in at 6th level though.

I've run this adventure before, hope that doesn't boot me out.

Dotting.

You've averaged about four and a half posts per day, including weekends. That's good enough, I think, although I don't have a lot to compare it to.

You, the DM, seem to know what you're doing at a glance with respect to the whole play by post thing.

I'll be checking out the gameplay thread, any idea how long recruitment will be open for?

I've never tried E6 before. Would be interested in seeing how it works out. I may build a Changeling Witch for this and see how well it will fit in with your group.

There we go. Also, I'll create an alias for Yuskal if I'm picked for the adventure.

I know I will make a mischivious rogue, with all the sneak attack an a few ranged stuff, and will have her stated and backstory comepleted if picked. will go ahead and role her up.

Here is the stats, for her, including her name. will give backstory if picked

Laia Silverwind
Elf unchained rogue 5 (Pathfinder Unchained 20)
N Medium humanoid (elf)
Init +8; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10
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Defense
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AC 20, touch 16, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +6 Dex)
hp 55 (5d8+15)
Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +2; +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities danger sense +1, evasion, uncanny dodge; Immune sleep
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 rapier +10 (1d6+7/18-20)
Ranged +1 composite longbow +10 (1d8+2/×3)
Special Attacks sneak attack (unchained) +3d6
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Statistics
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Str 13, Dex 22, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 20
Feats Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Skill Focus (Stealth), Weapon Finesse
Traits indomitable faith, reactionary
Skills Acrobatics +14, Diplomacy +10, Disable Device +14, Disguise +10, Perception +10, Sense Motive +8, Stealth +17, Use Magic Device +10; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception, +2 Spellcraft to identify magic item properties
Languages Common, Elven
SQ debilitating injury: bewildered, debilitating injury: disoriented, debilitating injury: hampered, elven magic, rogue talents (certainty, fast stealth), trapfinding +2
Other Gear mithral chain shirt, +1 composite longbow (+1 Str), +1 rapier, belt of incredible dexterity +2, 580 gp
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Special Abilities
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Certainty (Stealth, 1/day) (Ex) Reroll skill check with selected skill (take better).
Danger Sense +1 (Ex) +1 bonus on reflex saves and AC against traps.
Debilitating Injury: Bewildered -2/-4 (Ex) Foe who takes sneak attack damage takes AC pen (more vs. striker) for 1 rd.
Debilitating Injury: Disoriented -2/-4 (Ex) Foe who takes sneak attack damage takes attack pen (more vs. striker) for 1 rd.
Debilitating Injury: Hampered (Ex) Foe who takes sneak attack damage has speed halved (and can't 5 ft step) for 1 rd.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Elven Magic +2 to spellcraft checks to determine the properties of a magic item.
Evasion (Ex) If succeed on Reflex save for half dam, take none instead.
Fast Stealth (Ex) Move at full speed while using the Stealth skill at no penalty.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
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.
Sneak Attack (Unchained) +3d6 Attacks deal extra dam if flank foe or if foe is flat-footed.
Trapfinding +2 Gain a bonus to find or disable traps, including magical ones.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex) Retain DEX bonus to AC when flat-footed.

I've run this adventure before, hope that doesn't boot me out.

Dotting.

That's perfectly fine.

, any idea how long recruitment will be open for?

Maybe a week or two? It kind of depends on the quality of the submissions I get - if we find two perfect matches quickly, there's little sense keeping it open beyond that.

Because I'm a nerd, I went and looked up the ap, and I can say I'm excited. So much backstory could be made for this. Raids of hobbos is great, and provides so much I could do. Hell I could be tracking a group, having had them kill a village i was friendly/trading with, and now I may make a ranger now I look up where this is. (I previously was thinking it was a more city type place, not being familiar with Isgar)

At first E6 didn't sound all that appealing but the more I thought about it the more I wanted to at least give it a go. Sounds like the intent is to get the players to think outside the box for difficult situations. So I'll submit this character Deneb Flynvius. He was a cohort in a Kingmaker game so he'll need some work, especially backstory. He's a halfling (which seems to be a theme here) druid with a Roc companion. He rides his companion into battle, casting spells from the sky. Should help on multiple fronts.

Wanting to take Improved Familiar for a feat, are you ok with a small Invisible Stalker for her familiar? It is listed on the list with that feat. I kind of like the idea of having what others think is an imaginary friend for her familiar.

I like the second ability array but the 8 is awkward for a halfling. I am not a fan of below average stats. Can I reduce the 15 to 14 and raise the 8 to a 10?

Super interested, and actually have several concepts that would work rather well. Would you allow a Synthesist Summoner? I have a Green Lantern-ish idea for one (knowing Red Hand a little bit);

If that's a no-fly, that's okay, I have a couple of other ideas as well.

Also, are background skills being used? And would you allow crafting feats to reduce gear cost?

As one of the players: this is a tough AP. In a good way. But glass cannons are likely to die. We are not set up to have someone else take the hits for you, nor can we fully heal all the damage dealt in combat by tactically sound enemies (who know how to focus fire); you need HP, AC, and saves to survive. The AP is designed to challenge level 11 PCs and we will only ever get 6 HD. I strongly suggest investing in Con. The smaller your HD, the more it matters. There won't necessarily be a front line in any given battle. And I don't want to spend more of my turns doing in-combat healing than I have to.

At the other extreme, a level 4 synthesist summoner could have solo'ed the last battle that was a near-TPK. Max HP for both the summoner and the eidolon, so 80+ with self-healing, AC around 30 with Mage Armor and Shield (the enemy fighters attacked at +9)? With barbarian-level offense and spellcasting? It's a poorly balanced class that would render the rest of us superfluous. Perhaps other super-optimized builds could have done likewise (and I would encourage you all to not submit such), but it's basically baked into the synthesist. You don't even have to try.

It is definitely a powerful class, no arguments here. Hence why I asked! Although I didn't read the character creation rules as max HP for the Eidolon; it is not precisely a companion, and is a summoned creature. So I figured I'd be rolling for it, though that is only a *very* small mitigating factor.

I went ahead and made a Gunslinger (Musket Master). Pretty decent ranged damage and okay defenses/health. Crunch is done and (I think) correct; don't have time to work on backstory today, but I will when I get home tonight.
Here's Kaihlan.

Synthesist summoner! That beastly monstrosity. And a 11 level adventure with a level 6 maximum sounds dangerous indeed. Eidolons are definitely companions, unless you summon them with a spell, such as Summon Eidolon. That's when they count for the bonus of Augmented Summons, making them more beastly.

Though my sorcerer is a glass cannon, I do have more hitpoints than some of the party members and am a ranged combatant with some pretty nice controlling options in adjustable blast zones. The staggered condition is going to save someone's bacon when the adventure goes into the higher levels, as those monsters will have more attacks by then. By that point my save DCs won't be all that high unless money comes into play.

But it'll be fun while everyone lives. A challenging adventure is much more exciting than an adventure where you fight CR 2 beasties as a level 10 character. And AC! Oh, AC won't do a thing against higher level monsters. I learned that from Rise of the Runelords. Monsters running around, auto-hitting all party members except the monk, sometimes.

I would love to try and get into this game!! How would a monk (zen archer) fit? I will stat it out for you and see what you think.

Though I must ask, are the encounters' loots rolled for or is loot just what the adventure gives you? Are we going to scavenge off of dead level 6 PCs and sell things to buy better gear?

Here is the my zen archer character...hope he meets your approval.

Daniel Stewart

Wanting to take Improved Familiar for a feat, are you ok with a small Invisible Stalker for her familiar? It is listed on the list with that feat. I kind of like the idea of having what others think is an imaginary friend for her familiar.

Could you show me the rules for that? The only invisible stalker I can find is CR 7, so obviously it isn't appropriate as a familiar - and I can't find it on the Improved Familiar list either.

Though I must ask, are the encounters' loots rolled for or is loot just what the adventure gives you? Are we going to scavenge off of dead level 6 PCs and sell things to buy better gear?

I'm converting the adventure from 3.5e to pathfinder. This includes messing with the gear a bit. Don't worry overmuch.

I like the second ability array but the 8 is awkward for a halfling. I am not a fan of below average stats. Can I reduce the 15 to 14 and raise the 8 to a 10?

You can reduce the 14 to a 12, to move the 8 to 10, if you like.

Super interested, and actually have several concepts that would work rather well. Would you allow a Synthesist Summoner? I have a Green Lantern-ish idea for one (knowing Red Hand a little bit);

Synthesist is a little above the mark we're looking for here, sorry. You'd probably be overshadowing the rest of the party by a lot, they aren't super optimized.

Though my sorcerer is a glass cannon, I do have more hitpoints than some of the party members

Yeah, that's not a problem. Most arcane casters are relatively fragile, but you can mitigate it with Con and FCB (as you have), and/or Toughness.

I have heard in PFS "Well I'll stay in the back and not get hit" from players of 10-Con casters (the true glass cannons); for a variety of reasons that isn't going to work here.

We don't have a front line. The enemies are smart. Sometimes they use ranged or area attacks. You WILL get attacked.

At the same time (hoping I'm clear on this) saying it's tough does NOT mean I hope we get a new PC so overpowered that it becomes a cakewalk.

Also, are background skills being used? And would you allow crafting feats to reduce gear cost?

Background skills I generally like, but they're not in use in this game.

No on crafting feats to reduce the cost of gear.

Guessing Background Skills aren't in use considering the character sheets of the active players?

Edit: Ninja'd

Guessing Background Skills aren't in use considering the character sheets of the active players?

'

Yeah. Starting over I might've put them in there, but they're not, so they won't be.

I have heard in PFS "Well I'll stay in the back and not get hit" from players of 10-Con casters (the true glass cannons); for a variety of reasons that isn't going to work here.

Ha, this! I was a cleric with 10 Con in PFS. He was my first character for that type of game and he was mad as a bat. He did die, but only to an exploding monster, well after I had enough money for a rez.

Of course, PFS is filled with some interesting peeps. I myself made a witch wear full plate and carry a towershield, front lining with more AC than my other melee friends. Sure, I wasn't going to cast any spells in the armor, but I can still use hexes. I walked in front of the other spell casters and they were ever so grateful.

I think I have most things updated. The backstory is a little long but I decided not to change too much. I just added a bit at the end to explain why he is in Elsir Vale. Basically it was supposed to be a journey of self-discovery that ended with him getting captured thanks to bad luck.

I have heard in PFS "Well I'll stay in the back and not get hit" from players of 10-Con casters (the true glass cannons); for a variety of reasons that isn't going to work here.

What if I'm 150ft above the battle on a creature with a movement speed of 80 and a fly skill of 18?

Zelligar the Mystic wrote:

I have heard in PFS "Well I'll stay in the back and not get hit" from players of 10-Con casters (the true glass cannons); for a variety of reasons that isn't going to work here.

What if I'm 150ft above the battle on a creature with a movement speed of 80 and a fly skill of 18?

Lots and lots of archers, would be my go-to solution. But it works wonders on land-bound monsters.

Dungeons may also be a problem. But hey, it's your PC, go for it. At least as a druid you have d8 HD and can heal yourself and your bird.

Flying 150' up does mean that Zelligar will never have to worry about stabilizing you...

I mean, at that level, it wouldn't even matter if you exploded. Druids can just pop back to life at 5th level, endlessly.

Dungeons may also be a problem. But hey, it's your PC, go for it. At least as a druid you have d8 HD and can heal yourself and your bird.

Flying 150' up does mean that Zelligar will never have to worry about stabilizing you...

I assume dungeon's aren't too big of a thing in this campaign. Didn't sound like it by in the player's guide. And it may be a bit gimmicky but I took evolved companion to give his Roc the Skilled evolution. +8 racial to Fly. Wanted to be the best darn flyer around. That and hit most fly DC's without trying, like Hover, 180's, and not to loose altitude after an attack. That should make dungeons easier. Garuda will be the main damage so he won't be at 150ft often. Pop a spell or two then swoop in. Is an animal companion's level 7 advancement an option after we hit max level?

Zelligar the Mystic wrote:

Dungeons may also be a problem. But hey, it's your PC, go for it. At least as a druid you have d8 HD and can heal yourself and your bird.

Flying 150' up does mean that Zelligar will never have to worry about stabilizing you...

I assume dungeon's aren't too big of a thing in this campaign. Didn't sound like it by in the player's guide. And it may be a bit gimmicky but I took evolved companion to give his Roc the Skilled evolution. +8 racial to Fly. Wanted to be the best darn flyer around. That and hit most fly DC's without trying, like Hover, 180's, and not to loose altitude after an attack. That should make dungeons easier. Garuda will be the main damage so he won't be at 150ft often. Pop a spell or two then swoop in. Is an animal companion's level 7 advancement an option after we hit max level?

That'd be well within the scope of your capstone feat, yeah.

I noticed that some where mentioned we would come in with gold mroe than the current players, so do you want us to rework our equipment to match theirs? I know what i'm going to drop out of the character if so, because I am not wanting a superstar character

Just use WBL for level 5, it's fine.

When will you be making your choice?? Just curious :-)

I found it on this list. However, it doesn't give any stats for it on that one. So to make it easier, I think I will just use a Sprite instead.

They are listed on the Improved Familiar list for a level 5 caster.

Sprites sound great!

As for when I'll be making my choice, probably a week or so from now. Might be two.

I'm also one of the characters in this game. Looking forward to have some fresh players to join us!

Here is my attempt to begin collecting the created submissions. If I omitted your submission, just let us know.

Shishka, Female Gear Gnome Bard (Prankster) 2 Gunslinger (Experimental Gunsmith) 3
Yuskal, Male Nagaji Sorcerer (Naga-Blooded) 5 (wordcaster)
Deneb Flynvias, Male Halfling Druid 5
Kaihlan, Male Musket Master Gunslinger 5
Dai, Human Monk (Zen Archer) 5
Lavinia Batharoy, Female Changeling Witch 5

If I'd known summarizing the applications would shut down further activity, I wouldn't have done it!