Hi all! I am looking for players for an urban adventure using 0one Games's Urban Adventures The Sinking series. It will be set in Azir, the capitol of Rahadoum in Golarion, but I've modified the city a bit and combined some aspects of 0one Game's setting of The Great City.
Characters will start at 1st level. This setting will be interesting because religion is banned in Azir, and no open practice of religious worship is allowed. For this reason I won't allow paladins, but someone could play a cleric. If they do so, they would have to keep it secret, possibly even from your fellow PCs. No open casting of healing spells, etc. Healing may have to be done via the purchase of healing wands. Of course someone would need to be able to cast healing spells in order to avoid making Use Magic Device skill checks every time. Like I said, it will be interesting.
In order to keep the game from turning into one big hunt for healing, I am allowing healing surges. Once a day a player can use his stored reserves to heal himself. You may rest for 10 minutes and regain half of your total hit points (rounded up). Or, if time is important, you may do a "quick surge" and use a full round to regain a quarter of your total hit points (rounded up). For example, a player with 15 hit points can take a 10 minute rest and regain 8 points, or a full round and regain 4 points. This can be done only once a day, regardless of which type is used.
Players will begin as new members of The Night Watchmen, a local vigilante group in Azir (see more in the Gazetteer below). As the name implies above, these adventures will be urban based. They will usually be more role-playing and investigation based instead of constant fighting, although there will be plenty of that also.
I have found that even a 30 page module can take over a year to complete when playing PbP, so these mini modules that I will be using are about half that size. I will also use the fast advancement track, so your PC should level pretty quickly. I don't really plan to go past 3rd or 4th level at the moment, we'll assess at that time and see about playing more.
Once part of ancient Osirion, the region known today as Rahadoum fell under the control of numerous isolated city-states after Osirion’s fall. When the faithful of Sarenrae came upon this region, they met sudden resistance from these independent city-states, who favored Nethys and Norgorber. The Oath Wars—more than 6 ruinous decades of religious war between rival followers of the three gods—followed, devastating the region.
In 2555 ar, the weary militia of Azir put all of the great city’s temples to the torch and exiled members of their clergies. Led by the philosopher Kalim Onaku, the militia stabilized the warring city and set down a list of new laws, the first of which was, “Let no man be beholden to a god.” Over the next 5 years, the laws of Azir spread across the region, ending the Oath Wars and expelling all forms of religion from the land and establishing The Kingdom of Man. No one in Rahadoum denies the existence or power of the gods, but the lack of religion has indeed brought the region the peace it so desperately desired.
Plague has ravaged the cities of Azir and Botosani three times in the past 500 years, and the prospect of famine hovers over the fragile land like a shroud. A century ago, Manaket was among the lushest ports of the Inner Sea. Today, it is choked by encroaching desert sands, and nervous whispers abound that the gods have finally decided to punish the people of Rahadoum for their insolence.
Azir, The Great City, is the capitol of Rahadoum and also its largest city. Located at the mouth of the Jodin River and the Gulf of Nuat, Azir is a free port which draws an enormous amount of merchants to the region. Many of whom preferr to drop off their shipments here instead of sailing further south and risk the dangers of the Eye of Abendego and the murderous pirates from the Shackles. Still, some superstitious sailors refuse to set foot on the land, calling The Great City “Port Godless”.
Today most Rahadoumi are a mixture of the various races whose ancestors flocked to Rahadoum during the Oath Wars. The original inhabitants and second most prevalent group of people, the Azirians, call these “newcomers” to their land the Kortesians. Most of the Azirians left now settle in Azir where they make up close to half of the population. The Azirians are more prone to hold on to the relegious idols of their ancestors, but the vast majority of both Azirians and Kortestians do not practice religion, even in private. The rest of the population is a mixture of all of the surrounding areas, from rich merchants and nobles to criminals seeking refuge to ex-pirates turned “legitimate”.
The Pure Legion is the national law enforcement agency of Rahadoum and follow the orders of the mayor of Azir known as The Keeper of the First Law. Their primary mission is to keep the Kingdom of Man free from religion in any form, from spoken and printed scriptures and sermons to holy symbols and other paraphernalia. Despite their existence, there are rumors of clerics living throughout the city who follow all sort of deities. The fact that some clerics and priests have even gotten comfortable, often operating without much fear of reprisal, is an open secret. Citizens caught carrying an idol or holy symbol by the Pure Legio will usually get harassed, the severity of which depending on the personal views of the militia men. Visitors to Rahadoum are left alone, however, as threatening those who are the main source of commerce in the nation is frowned upon without better cause.
The Night Watchmen is the Great City’s quasi-vigilante neighborhood protectorates. Instead of concerning themselves with political interests of The Keeper of the First Law’s rule, the Watchmen deal with the day to day crimes that happen in the streets of Azir. Mainly for dealing with the petty crimes that occur, they have been known to bring large conspiracies and organized crime to justice, sometimes receiving help from The Pure Legion but most of the time not.
Azir is a somber city in many respects, but recently, art and architecture have exploded with creativity. New buildings sport improbable angles, as builders strive to “break geometry,” while older buildings receive colorful new facades and unexpected gargoyles peering down from their eaves. Rahadoumi visiting Azir from the deserts in the west can be spotted wearing their thobes and egals, and sailors in port can be seen in their wide hats, shirtless with tattoos, but those who make The Great City of Azir their home wear modern fashions typical of the regions to the north. Currently, bright colors rule the streets, perhaps to cover their lack of religious accoutrements.
Pathfinder Wiki on Rahadoum:
http://pathfinder.wikia.com/wiki/Rahadoum
Rahadoumi Disbeliever
As a Rahadoumi who rejects covenants with gods, your belief is strong enough to repel divine spells.
Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on saving throws against divine spells, but you must make a saving throw even when that magic is beneficial to you.
Rahadoumi Cultist (Rahadoum)
You’re a secret member of a forbidden faith in Rahadoum. You have learned to hide your beliefs and how to identify others of your faith.
Benefit: You gain a +5 trait bonus on Bluff checks to receive secret messages, and a +5 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks to intercept secret messages from others of your faith.
- 15 point buy for ability scores*Free extra trait (2 total)
- Average hit points after 1st level
- Wizards get to cast 2 extra 1st level spells per day
For now, a character concept and background story are all that is required.
For those that want to fill out an entire character, I have created a template to use on your character page. Please use this, it will help me when searching for your PC's stats. Link to Template, please note that I've left a few items filled in for examples which will need to be taken out.
I will also allow features from The Great City Player's Guide from 0one Games. No Gur or Half-Giant races however.
Here are some additional traits:
Gregarious: You keep a sharp ear out for gossip, politics, and current events concerning your beloved City. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks made to gather information within the Great City.
Assessor: Your clan is the overseers of finance, and you have grown up with an innate sense of the value of items. You gain a +1 trait bonus on
Appraise checks.
Imperious: As a member of one of the three most powerful clans, you possess an intimidating presence which others immediately associate with the Blood Triperium. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Intimidate checks.
Military Schooling: Your education prepared you to serve in the military. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Knowledge (engineering) checks
made to construct or appraises military siege weapons or defenses.
Religious Schooling: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (nobility) and Knowledge (religion) checks.
Seafarer: You have followed in your clan’s tradition of ships and seafaring. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Survival and Knowledge (geography) checks made at sea.
Here are some additional Racial traits:
Good Citizen (Dwarf ): You come from, or have an affiliation with, a noted dwarven clan that has in some way serviced the Kortezian Empire. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks made to influence Kortezian officials and aristocracy.
Anomaly (Elf ): You knows how to unnerve humans with your strange and mysterious presence. Whenever you face a confrontation with humans in
the Great City, add your Charisma bonus on your Initiative check.
One Dozen Contacts (Half-Elf ): You know many individuals within the City. Choose twelve locations where you have contacts. Whenever you make a Diplomacy check to gather information in one of
Scavenge Materials (Gnome): Gnomes seem to have a knack for creating thing out of scavenged materials and recycled refuse. In a urban
environment, you can make a Perception check to forage for spare parts and other junk to reduce the amount of materials needed when crafting basic items. A DC 15 check uncovers enough materials to reduce the items overall cost by 5%. A DC 20 reduces the check by 10%, and a DC 25 reduces the overall cost by 15%. You can scavenge only once per item
and can never scavenge more than 15% off the item’s total cost.
Street Sense (Halfling): Halflings teach each other the ins and outs of the Great City, especially those places too small for humans to consider. They keep lists of hiding spots and practice disappearing into
crowds and onto passing carts and wagons. You can use Stealth skill to hide in a large crowd or to hop on a passing wagon. While sneaking in a crowd, you can remain hidden even while running. You can sneak onto a passing a wagon, stowing away and remaining hidden until you hops off the wagon. In either case, anyone successfully beating your Stealth check with an opposed Perception check spots you.
Well if it isn't Venmirl, and with an interesting pbp too! If I decide to throw my hat in the ring, I probably won't be submitting Naomi.
I will put in for Nathaniel, an urban ranger. I'll get his details up tonight for your consideration.
Cheers!
Well if it isn't Venmirl, and with an interesting pbp too! If I decide to throw my hat in the ring, I probably won't be submitting Naomi.
Hello Dragonborn! I would love to see a submittal from you.
Would some kind/version of an Inquisitor be acceptable here? Someone workin for both Pure Legion and/or The Night Watchmen, trying to stamp out crime in all it's forms, but focusing with zeal on the worst form of crime - dedication to forbidden gods!!! Oh, how I hate those misguided fools, praying to those idiots in heaven...those poor, misguided fools. Someone must turn them back, and set them in the Only Right way...or set them burn!
Would some kind/version of an Inquisitor be acceptable here? Someone workin for both Pure Legion and/or The Night Watchmen,
Mihajlo, an inquisitor is religion-based, so they would not be allowed to join the Pure Legion. Possibly The Night Watchmen, if he kept his beliefs secret.
How about a rogue(detective) working as a private eye? One time member of the Night watchmen...
That would be cool, but everyone will start off as new members of the Night Watchmen in this adventure.
How are bards, witches, and alchemists viewed in this game? All three of them can heal through music, magic, of mixtures.
I'm thinking about a halfling that knows his way around town...
How are bards, witches, and alchemists viewed in this game? All three of them can heal through music, magic, of mixtures.
I'm thinking about a halfling that knows his way around town...
I think those would be great alternatives to traditional healers! Of course, being part of the Night Watchmen the witch couldn't be evil.
Halfling Conman... Bard certainly works, but as an alchemist I could sell "cure alls" and such to silly tourists. Herbal remedies from the witch are also an option.
I'd need Diplomacy, Bluff, and Sense Motive of course. There are a few bard archetypes that let you gather crowds too. It's very easy to make a conman in Pathfinder, isn't it?
If you would allow it, the Charlatan could make for a good conman.
Halfling Conman...
Just remember that you're members of the Night Watchmen, so you're here to do righteous things! If you want to use a conman template of some sort in order to extract information out of people like a detective then that would be cool.
Does the Charlatan use psionics? I don't want to add psionics to the game, too much to keep up with.
Would some kind/version of an Inquisitor be acceptable here? Someone workin for both Pure Legion and/or The Night Watchmen,Mihajlo, an inquisitor is religion-based, so they would not be allowed to join the Pure Legion. Possibly The Night Watchmen, if he kept his beliefs secret.
I am more than aware that Inquisitor per se is a faith based class. What I had in mind is the character who is "inquisitor" but for the righteous cause (not church inquisitor, but rather secular movement inquisitor), hunting believers instead of non-believers. It is relatively easy to just simply replace word faith, with word philosophy or word teachings, in the description of the class, and imagine what - it works almost to well. As for the divine nature of his spells, just call them natural/spiritual/whatever instead of divine, modify Core philosophy ever so slightly to allow these "natural" spells and voila. Or even simpler - delete his spell list and give him bard spell list - arcane magic. Hopefully, this would not imbalance the class too much...
But, I can perfectly understand that this may sound like too much work/modifications for nothing. After all, this is your campagn, your world - you'll know best if something fits or not.
Aw, no tricking the silly tourists? ;) Reformed con artist then. But how to spin it? I'm gonna need to look over the bard archetypes a bit more for this.
The Charlatan is a prepared caster, though they can switch out prepared spells for illusions of the same level. The psionics reffered to are a series of feats in the pdf.
I'd love to submit a character for this. I'm currently running a very similar game involving the City Watch of Magnimar, and I'd live to see how another GM runs an investigative campaign.
I've had an idea for an enchanter (self-entitled offspring of a noble who uses magic to manipulate people so he gets what he wants). He was originally made for the next Way of the Wicked recruitment, so he's a bit evil at the moment, but I can keep the core of his psyche and make him a bit more virtuous.
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Praze Zennor Sanjust
Praze is the son of a Kortesian ex-pirate, Duruk Sanjust. His father hid that fact well as he rose through ranks of the Pure Legion to Captain often because of his ill-gotten wealth. This was all before his early retirement under a political cloud. A bitter man he never connected with his more scrupulous and smarter first son. Distant and jaded by this lack of attention, Praze ignored his father's wishes and joined the more mundane Nightwatchmen as a common Night guard. He has claimed a few scalps in the organised crime and made a name for himself as a dogged and determined sleuth. Recently appointed to that work full time, Praze sees the criminal world as a den of vice and iniquity, but nevertheless somewhere he feels at home.
Appearance
Praze is a stocky, verging on fat dwarf with a large appetite and slow smile. He keeps his beard trimmed and clean, and dislikes poor hygiene in others.
Concept
He is a rogue (detective), a team player and an investigator with high Int and Wis and average Dex. He isn't particularly a fighter but has trained with weapons and carries a rapier. His lower Charisma may be a problem for getting the most info but Praze regards his work as 90% perspiration - being methodical is vital. He will take the Gregarious trait since that maybe the only way anyone will talk to him (15pts!).
Long term within the right party, Praze could take levels of wizard and combine them against his enemies, but that depends on party cohesion. Otherwise he will stay a straight rogue.
Cheers
P.S. I am UK time Its midnight so I better get some sleep. I may add to this tomorrow if something crops up.
I have a character based on a Warhammer Rat Catcher I'll alter for submission. Urban sounds like a nice change.
Nice job French Wolf!
Let's see if I can copy how French Wolf wrote things out...
Garret Nihks
Garret is a halfling that just looks... well, common. Nothing about him really stands out as special or unusual. He makes up for this by telling amazing stories.
Concept
Information connoisseur. Garret has a knack for finding things out, though how he does it is a closely guarded secret. The only person who knew how he found things out is dead now, and Garret joined the Nightwatch hoping to bring justice upon those responsible.
Garret is a Bard(Street Performer) who usually hitches rides around town on wagons. Because of this, he has the Street Sense trait. He's no combatant, but he's a decent enough fighter if he can stay away.
I'm not a hundred percent sure of the naming conventions for characters from Rahadoum, but here is my backstory without names.
NAME was the second son of a middling-powered noble in Rahadoum, with money, servants, and everything he could want. His father and older brother were both hard-workers, accomplished wizards and merchants, and the family's star was on the rise, until they were ousted as Nethys worshipers. The Pure Legion even interrogated NAME for days, convinced that his carefree, carousing and womanizing lifestyle was evidence of his worship of Caedyn Cailean of all things, like a good, honest Rahadoumi citizen like NAME would ever be caught worshiping gods, let alone a god of drunkenness. He was eventually cleared, but not before his entire family was destroyed financially, socially, and politically. Given the hugest wake-up call ever, NAME came to realize that he needed to make something of himself now, as his family fortune was gone. Despising the Pure Legion for what they did to him and his family, NAME joined the Night Watchmen, hoping to earn enough popularity, connections, and social IOUs to get his family back in Aziz's good graces.
NAME is an enchanter (controller) wizard, with several social skills. He would excel at making connections and cultivating informants within the city, at charming suspects (literally) for information, and provide magical back-up to his group.
Avoiding posting using the alias until I can come up with a better name, so here's a link.
I'm not a hundred percent sure of the naming conventions for characters from Rahadoum, but here is my backstory without names.
Just go with one that you like. I don't see anything special about the region in regard to names.
I like the back story!
Malchius it is!
And thanks.
Justice(aka Raoul Calvisi)
Raoul was born to store owner in the poor part of the city. One day while he was young, him and his father were walking when they where stopped by three men. The men threatened Raoul's father, demanding money. When Raoul's father handed over the money one of the men punched him. Raoul reacted by trying to attack the man but was easily brushed aside. The men then preceded to beat up Raoul's father, claiming it was because of Raoul's actions.
After that day Raoul started training himself so that he could fight back, and also prevent other from experiencing what he and his father had. He even found some one to teach him how to fight, a half-orc neighbor who taught him a fighting style that he claimed he had learned when he lived with a tribe of orcs.
When Raoul was as ready as he thought he needed to be, he realised that if he fought back against criminals his family might be threatened like his father was when Raoul was young. So he decided to come up with a disguise to protect his family. He made a mask and costume and decided to call himself Justice. On one of his first nights out he helped a Night watchman protect some people from muggers. After the fight the Night watchman asked if Justice would like to join the nightwatchmen, an offer that Raoul accepted.
Concept
Justice is an unarmed combatant based off of comic book heroes. He will start with the unarmed fighter archetype at first level, then will take roof runner rouge for the rest.
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Azarael "The Raven" Sarvahi
Azarael hails from a small village on the edge of the Rahadoum desert. Raised by an old crone after the accidental death of his parents, he was taught the old woman's strange arts. While some of those arts were benign, including healing, others were strange and dark, such as reading the entrails of animals.
As the years progressed, the well that supplied the village went dry and people began to leave. By Azarael's eighth summer, he and the crone were the only ones remaining, and when his guardian perished of old age the following year, Azarael was left alone. His salvation came from a clever raven who urged the child away from the place of his birth and to the big city where he could try his fortunes.
For the past several years, Azarael got by with his wits on the crowded streets of Azir. Always, the mysterious raven was his guide. He saw the best and the worst of what the city had to offer, and partook of both sides in fair amounts himself. As the years progressed, however, he grew disgusted with the corruption and predation of the city, and sought to lend his talents to those who oppose it. He both loves and hates his adopted home.
Concept
Azarael is a human witch with the portents patron. He specializes in divinations, but is a versatile caster and brings a breadth of knowledge learned both from his childhood mentor and his years on the streets.
He is a gritty character, but firmly committed to the cause of justice and protecting innocent people. Many are uneasy with his morbid demeanor and his hushed conversations with his raven familiar.
Dotting for interest - considering a Blight Druid - not sure if this is too divine or not. No deities are involved, simply a devotion for the devastation caused by mankind. Let me know if this would work before I start drafting it up.
@BeePeeLol: Sounds good, haven't played with an oracle yet.
@Celestial Healer: looks good. That could be interesting.
@Tirion: Its not too divine, but I wonder how useful he'll be in an urban campaign.
Posting now as Nathaniel.
Nathaniel is a Taldan urban Ranger who has seen enough suffering to lose some of his arrogance but, until recently, none of his confidence.Then the certainty on which Nathaniel's life has been based since escaping the Narrows, relocating to Azir, and joining the Night Watchmen was shaken to its core. Unsure of what to do, Nathaniel has re-committed himself to the Night Watchmen, hoping he can somehow make right what he knows he has done wrong.
A more complete history is laid out on his stats page.
Bah, Tirion will just make the game too involoved.;) On a serious note, Tirion is a damned fine player that will likely surprise you with a way to make his concept work.
Don't believe a thing that Bilbo says, he does not know what he is talking about. Oh, wait, ignore that, he was actually saying positive things. I will say the same thing about him. A good regular poster and his characters are all colorful and quite diverse.
Still trying to figure out what to submit. This is always the most fun, but most difficult part of any campaign.
Still have not finalized anything yet, but I am thinking of an Aasimar Druid. He(or she haven't made up my mind yet) has been forced to live on the fringes of society. Whereas Aasimar blood is viewed fondly by those in most nations, in the Kingdom of Man, celestial blood results in being an outcast and being shunned as having connections to those divine powers which have been banned.
Will get a full background together tomorrow now that I have mostly figured what I am going with. Most likely:
Assimar Druid(Blight Druid)(Darkness Domain(Night subdomain)) - it will take some work to put this background together, but I think it will work well in the urban setting.
DM Sinvel - let me know if this very rough idea sounds workable. If so, I will try to have something by tomorrow night. I have less time over the weekend as my kids tend to get annoyed if I ignore them.
Yah! My wife is taking my kids away for the whole of this weekend.
Boo! I am knackered from trying to sort problems so that my plans can go ahead.
Yah! I am organising a mini-Con in a pub for two days. Two days!
Consequently I may be off the boards until Monday. I would be stoked to play in this but crikey there are some smashing concepts here.
Good luck everyone
P.S. DM Sinvel the attached avatar is from a failed kingmaker game so ignore the profile but he will be the face of Zennor Praze Sanjust.
Would there be room for someone who wants to try a PbP for the first time?
If I am welcome to submit a concept I have an Urban Barbarian build in mind.
Stats are as follows:
Str 16(4pts)Dex 12(2pts)Con 14(4pts)Int 10(0pts)Wis 12(2pts)Cha 10(0pts).
I have an alias set up now.
Email is the best way to get hold of me. ConstitutionalDefender@gmail.com
Xarina the Half-Orc Urban Barbarian. My calculations were off on my points. Str should be 5pts and Con should be 5pts as well.
I think you still have one point you didn't spend. I'm only seeing 14 points with your scores.
Argh! Wis should be 13(3pts). This is what I get for doing this in the middle of the night.
Looking good guys! I'll probably get a team of 4 by end of Monday. Anyone can submit until mid day Monday.
Would there be room for someone who wants to try a PbP for the first time?
Not at all. Work up a background for your character and explain how you ended up a Night Watchmen (or Watchlady).
Would there be room for someone who wants to try a PbP for the first time?Not at all. Work up a background for your character and explain how you ended up a Night Watchmen (or Watchlady).
I'm certain that DM Sinvel meant to say by all means submit a character.
I'm certain that DM Sinvel meant to say by all means submit a character.Would there be room for someone who wants to try a PbP for the first time?Not at all. Work up a background for your character and explain how you ended up a Night Watchmen (or Watchlady).
I figured as much. Still working on the concept. I will have something soon.
Ok. I have the background in place. I have also been filling out the template as well. I may tweak the background again but the gist of who she is is all done. DM Sinvel, what do you think of my background? I like to think I try to be creative in coming up with good reasons why she would be in Azir. Anyone else can comment too.
After considering it, I think that I need to withdraw my application. Although i really like the sound of this urban campaign, I should not be joining many more campaigns. I am currently trying to get into a Skull & Shackles and I think that starting two new campaigns at this point would be more than I should do.
I wish you all well living a religion free life.
I, too,will have to withdraw from this one. Thanks for the look though.