I think the title says it all. I'm looking to eventually run the behemoth that is Slumbering Tsar after my first attempt imploded. Starting at 1st level this time, to give the group some time to fit themselves into their characters, so I need something to get them up to 7/8.
I was looking at Lost City of Barakus because I like running dungeons, and because it just sounds cool, but Stoneheart Valley is the actual adventures that Greg Vaughan used to get his own players ready.
I guess what I want from you Paizonians is an opinion: What would you use, of these two products, to get a party ready for Slumbering Tsar?
As the title says, I'm looking for how you wonderful forumites might go about turning a plain old great wyrm red dragon into a nasty campaign ending badass of a dragon god. I've already thought about removing his vunerability to cold. Any suggestions? You can assume a party of 6 PCs at lvl 20, with access to Core, APG, UM, and UC.
The days leading up to Lord Barric Azaryen's uncharacteristic 45th nameday celebrations have been harried to say the least. Greystone Keep itself has been a whirlwind of party planning, and only just now have the invitation responses been received. From the looks of things, it will be a gathering not only of old friends, but enemies as well.
In the hamlet of Headwater, just down the road from the keep itself, the townsfolk have been busy as well. Having announced a full tourney to take place, fields have been cleared for a jousting arena, as well as an archery range. The spirits of his people ride high at the moment, and it feels like a grand day is approaching.
Beatriz:
Your father has spent the morning of his nameday locked away inside his study, tending to you know not what. He advised you to be on your best behavior today, and the look he gave you was enough to suggest that he meant ladylike behavior. He has procured a new dress for you to wear this day, one more fitting to your current form. It shimmers in the sunlight, golden silks accented by violet sashes and ribbons. It must have cost quite a bit. Say what you might about the man, but he still dotes upon his daughter in his own way. His connections with that Braavosi merchant seem to have produced fruit this day.
You have been left free until the evening meal, when all the guests should have arrived. Your maid fusses continually over you, worrying that the 6 hours left won't be enough, but surely that will be time enough to do something more nerve-calming before you have to be trussed up for your father, right?
Korran:
Lord Azaryen's celebration preparations have been going well to plan. At least, as well as you can organize them. You have been playing the role of acting steward at the moment, as Donnell, the current steward, took ill with fever only yesterday. While you expect him to recover soon, the concoction you gave him to lower his fever has unfortunately knocked him clean out as well. Given your sweeping general knowledge of the Keep's day to day operations, Lord Azaryen appointed you to handle things. Best not to disappoint, hm?
For now at least, things are well in hand, and you seem to have a bit of free time until the evening. Perhaps you could find a game of dice in Headwater? Or maybe track down that Braavosi the Lord seems so fond of and have a game of cards with the slick fingered man?
Errin:
Your master has been in a grand mood since your return to Azaryen lands. That fancy dress he had bought in the house's colors tickled the fancy of Lord Azaryen enough to pay full price for it. That, and the invitation to dine in the castle tonight, have brought his spirits to a peak.
At the moment, Selyrio Brassa, master trader, is stuffing himself full of chicken and wine at the inn, and stuffing his pockets with pennies and stags from gambling while he eats. He is rather less than fit to pay his visit to the castle quartermaster as he usually does upon his return trips here. Perhaps it would be best if you went in his stead? Not that you have to rush. You have a few hours to yourself for once. Why spend them all doing his bidding?
Rhys:
For once in his lifetime, Aaron is up before you are. He doesn't say anything as you start checking the dogs, like usual. Even they seem to be more chipper. Perhaps they sense that they will actually get some real use during this celebration.
Once you finish with the hounds, Aaron simply waves you off. Apparently, he'll be handling the planning of the hunt for now. You're sure that he'll ask for your help tomorrow, when the hunt is actually scheduled. Of course, that also means that you spend the next few hours with the beaters and bowmen drilling them not only on hunting etiquette but on proper technique. When noon finally arrives, you're quite sure that at least they won't embarrass you or Aaron tomorrow. Whether they'll be useful is something else entirely.
Just when you think that you'll have some time to yourself, Aaron hands off a note to you with an apologetic look. A quick read reveals it to be from the castle kitchen master, requesting more boar meat for the meal tonight. And not just a bit, no, he wants a full 3 hog's worth!
You have plenty of time, but it might be nice to have help. Maybe this is a good chance to let some of the others be tested instead?
I've got three interested people already looking to play SIFRP, so I'm here looking for 1-3 more people to join in. What I really need from anybody looking to join is an opinion on what type of game you would like to play e.g., member's of the Night's Watch, a minor house, a group of traveling knights, etc. It will be set in the standard time period for the game, right before the books begin.
While you aren't required to be familiar with the game itself, I would prefer if you had some familiarity with the series.
As the title says, I'm looking for some advice as to what character might best fit to round out the 3 man group we're going to be slogging through our next campaign with. None of us are optimizers or min/max-ers, so no super builds are really necessary. Our campaign is homebrew, at the start of a civil war between rebels who want to free mages from their imprisonment and the entrenched church and royal power structure who view mages as dangerous criminals.
The first character is an Elven Shadow Sorcerer, who's going to have mainly Illusions and a couple direct damage spells. He's planning to play up his character as a practitioner of magical deception.
The second character is an inquisitor, who is going TWF because it pleases him. He's never played the class before, but is looking forward to it. He plans on being a rebel from the church who normally guides the Inquisition.
The Sun has charted its path across the Heavens this day. As it bids farewell to the Empire once more, you can see the outline of Shiro Ichiro finally enter your vision. It seems like ages since you began the hike up through the nearly impassable mountains. One wonders why the Badger need such secrecy.
Your superiors in this mission, Emerald Magistrate Mirumoto Isaka and Jade Magistrate Kuni Mugai, seem calm. Whatever mental fortitude they possess, it certainly doesn't apply to you. Something has been bothering each and every one of you since you passed into Badger Clan lands. Like a centipede creeping slowly up your spine, a feeling of apprehension has grown within you. Something isn't right, and the feeling is growing the closer you get to Shiro Ichiro.
This'll be our IC intro spots. You folks have been working together for about 2 months now, hunting bandits and supernatural oddities in Unicorn lands. The sudden strangeness at Shiro Ichiro prompted your current mission. Speak amongst yourselves for a bit, and then we'll launch into your arrival at the top of the peak.
Since my other game never got underway, I turn to another of my favorite themes: samurai.
Rules: L5R 4th ed. Core only.
Posting frequency: At least 3 per week. I'm busy, you're busy, we don't have to go at breakneck speed. More can be good, but I'm not demanding it.
What I want: read over the game ideas I've posted up below, and pick which pair you'd be more interested in. Leave mechanics and concept until we know which pair we're dealing with. Once we've seen where things will head, then I'll put up a deadline, house rules, etc. For now, show some interest.
A Requirement: I'd like to have someone else run one of the two games in the chosen pair, so that I have the opportunity to play as well as run a game. The GM for the second game will have a spot in the first game, so that they may also enjoy playing and GMing. They will have full control over the events within their game. All I provide is a setup. If they wish to make events between the games intertwined, then it can be so. Otherwise, no worries.
Enough blabber, on to game pitches:
Pair 1:
Word has come from the Great Northern Wall: the Badger clan has gone missing, and a strange light issues forth from their lands. The kami in the area speak only a single word: Ryoshun.
Group A: The Emperor has sent the Emerald and Jade Magistrates to Shiro Ichiro. You are the yoriki of the senior magistrates, newly promoted. As such, it falls to you to investigate the lands around the clan's home while your superiors search the aforementioned home itself. What reason will you discover for the strange phenomena that have made themselves manifest? (This game is going to be more combat and investigation oriented, and is best suited for bushi and shugenja).
Group B: Since the disappearance of the Badger clan, the shugenja community has been assaulted by unknown forces. Some who commune with the kami have been found drained dry, leaving only empty husks. Others, immolated from within. One Earth Tensai was found entombed within his own garden. The Phoenix Clan Champion has called all shugenja within Phoenix lands, regardless of clan affiliation, to court in order to decipher the mystery behind these strange afflictions. You are among those summoned. (This game is going to be more courtly oriented, and is best for shugenja, courtiers, and their yojimbo).
Pair 2:
Those who wander Rokugan with no master to call their own are treated with disdain at best. Their lives are one of hardship, but there are also virtues to such a life. You have the chance to live fully, to ride the waves of fortune. Though you might need to sell your sword to live, at least you have freedom. Riding upon the waves of life, you are a wave man: a ronin.
Group A: For some lucky few ronin wandering the roads of Rokugan, there are those whom you are honored to call brother. Though you are but a newly formed otokodate, your deeds until this point have spread your fame throughout Lion and Crane lands. For once, it seems your fortunes may change for the better. In fact, just today your group received a letter from a Crane vassal daimyo. It seems that he lacks sufficient manpower to protect his daughter as she makes her way to her new husband's home. He asks for your assistance. as she crosses territory held by his enemies. While you've never heard of any Crane stooping to hire ronin, his coin seems very generous. What could be the harm? (This game is meant for true ronin bushi, gathered from many different roads).
Group B: For some, the life of a ronin is not theirs by choice, but has been thrust upon them. You know this all too well. For your deeds, you have been denied seppuku, and banished from your clan. Having no choice, the only option left to you is to make your own fate. Here, you shall answer to no master. Here, you will make your name one to shake the foundations of Heaven. Here, you will build your legend. Here, in the City of Lies, is your future. Welcome. (This game is for Clan ronin of any stripe, Great or Minor, Bushi or Shugenja or Courtier. The odd monk may also fit in).
Here is your discussion thread! Plan out your characters, and once you're all set we'll begin.
One thing I'd like to know: what kind of zombie action you prefer. I myself envision this game as more 'guns blazing zombie death', but maybe the group would prefer a grittier take on things, or a more twisted and strange idea. Tell me what you want.
It all happened so fast. One day, everything was fine. The next, it was like Hell had risen up to the face of the earth.
Within a week, the dead had surrounded Dongun Hold and the city of Alkenstar itself. We haven't had word from Martel in over a month, and the last messages from Nex and Geb leave us to believe that they have suffered similar fates. That and...the wastes are spreading. It seems that the mighty magical powers have been swallowed by the same wastes that birthed our country. Without their magical might, how could they fight back successfully?
It doesn't matter right now. What does matter is this: we haven't had word from the Gunworks in nearly a month. We're far past late reports here. The Duchess is assuming that something catastrophic has happened, and she's sending you lot in to find out what's gone wrong. You'll be outfitted from the Duchess' own stockpile. Be grateful. Now get out there, and find out what's going on.
Facts:
So, combining some recent interests of mine, I'm proposing a PBP game here on Paizo for 4, count 'em 4, players. This won't be a high speed game. I work a full schedule, and some days I don't want to think about game things when I come home. To that end, I'll be setting a 3 post per week minimum. Make more if you care to, but realize that I'm going to be aiming at making 3 posts myself. Any more is icing on the cake. This adventure will last at least until the Gunworks mystery is solved. At that point, we'll see if I have the time,and you the inclination, to continue. If you're still interested, here's the details:
-3rd level
-Core races only
-Gunslinger, or gun archetypes only (The base class, its archetypes, and any class that has a gun archetype).
-Generally, you can expect magic to work about 50% of the time normally, 30% of the time in a warped fashion, and 20% not at all.
-Any player may begin with a single advanced firearm of their choice, and 25 rounds of standard ammunition. Early firearms may be purchased from starting gold at 10% of their value. This applies to alternate ammunition as well.
-What I want: A basic mockup of the character. Put it all in a post, don't tell me to read your profile, or you'll be disqualified immediately. Focus on concept, not on stats. Make things fun more than powerful.
-What I need to know, from you as a character: Where you were, and what you were doing when you first heard that the undead were swarming the wastes. Show me how you feel about surviving in a world where magic is untrustworthy, and the dead lurk around every corner.
-Have fun!
Been playing the Witcher 2, having a lot of fun, but wondering how I might make a witcher in Pathfinder. My particular choice is for the mix of swordfighting and alchemy that makes him more unique, rather than focusing on yet another gish variant.
First question: Should this be done with simple multiclassing, or perhaps with a specialty PrC as well (which might add the signs as special abilities?)
Second question: is being a witcher more about a race rather than the classes they choose, aka, race template that augments the standard human racial features?
Looking for anyone that's doing some, whether here or elsewhere. There was one getting started here back in September, but it doesn't seem to have gotten off the ground.
There is a good chance that I will soon be teaching four new people how to play Pathfinder soon. However, I have a rather large tendency to not only go off on tangents, but to attempt to explain everything at once. What I am looking for from the members of the Paizo community are condensed versions of aspects of the rules for teaching new people in a straightforward, simplified manner that I will be able to simply read off to them. This way, I can help them easily understand the rules, and hopefully avoid confusing them with my need to have them understand everything right away.
I've been looking over the PFRPG over the break, and have been thinking about creating an assassin for a game. The problem I'm having, though, is coming up with the lead-in to the PrC. Fighter, perhaps? Rogue? I know I'd like to make use of poison somewhat, as it appears to work in a way that I like now. I'd like to toss in a little Ezio from Assassin's Creed 2 as well, but not enough to just make Ezio as a DnD character. More his sneakiness than his combat prowess.
If this is too confusing, I apologize. I'll try to clarify if it appears meandering.
Just wondering what exactly it might detail. I figure plain dagger stats, possibly with some other element, such as an auto quick draw function. Exotic weapon proficiency for its oddness, perhaps?
Drew this up before, but forgot how I did it, so any help would be appreciated.
I placed these orders with the intent to have them ship essentially ASAP. However, due to sudden financial concerns, I won't be able to pay for them right now. Is there some way I can push these orders into September, perhaps with the second volume of Council of Thieves?
As much as it pains me, I've got to ask you to cancel my adventure path subscription. Leave me my companion subscription, I can afford that. Just...let the other one go, Cosmo!
Don't suppose anyone that has some things like Art of the Duel, Masters of War, and Masters of the Court give me a summary of what the Spider and Shadowlands schools contributions are?
So, if I decide to get a subscription to the Companion, when the Player's Guide for AP's come up, will I get a second one? Seeing as I have the AP sub, can I just not get the one from the Companion sub if I am going to get a second one?
For some reason I am compelled to post about an experiment in roleplaying that I had way back in high school. It involved Talsorian's Dragonball Z rpg system.
My brother and I were very into DBZ at that point, and still hold interest today, though nowhere near the level we had then. Looking at the parts we liked best about the series, and the animated movies, we realized that what we wanted was an interesting story, but really as a basis for massive fights, just like in the series. Thus, we decided to use a scripted story, written out like a play, with combat being a point where both of us were active. Essentially, one of us would write up the next section of the game, or a side trek into non-canon movie territory, and then the other would proof it, to make sure it fit what both of us wanted, and to correct characterization errors. Made for some fun times.
I guess what I'm asking is, has anyone else done something like this? Failing that, what are some experiments in the storytelling method you have used in your own games?
So we had a nice big nasty T-storm here in south central Kansas. Rain like sheets, hail the size of baseballs, and two back to back tornado warnings, one of which came from a touchdown, approximately ten seconds long, around my school, about three blocks away.
Now, this would all be well and good, except for that the warnings stopped me from enjoying my evening free time, and the hail took out my car's rear windshield. Lo and behold, I only have liability insurance on the policy, so I get to either a)hope the family will pay for it to be fixed sooner, or b) wait until July when I get paid to fix it.
Not even really concerned, just a bit perturbed at the disturbance of my free time, and the distinct lack of money I will have come July.
Ah well, I'm well, as are my friends. Plus, I still have all my stuff, and a couple beers. I will make do.
So, how would he use that bonus to a physical score? How would he make use of that 20th level ability? Would any of his tactics really change with the addition of those spell-like abilities?
Just looking for thoughts on doing Iaijutsu in the system.
I'm aware of the rules involved in Oriental Adventures, and also found an unofficial update on the Giant in the Playground forums. Also looked at simple flavor changes, but seeing as D&D likes mystical stuff, going more for actual mechanical benefit.
First off, love the idea. Using the ancient magic of Thassilon to stop Karzoug is great.
The problem I have is with the abilities. Specifically, they don't seem grand enough for what they supposedly are. I can see how the abilities are useful, and wouldn't mind having them, but feel that they don't hit the level that the rune magic of Thassilon seems to have.
I'd like some thoughts on the subject. I'm still not really sure where I would take it, but something just niggles at me, so I thought I'd throw up a post here.
I recently saw the Mortal Kombat movie after a long absence, and even though it is still as funny/awful as I remember, I wanted to make a little jab in the game to the players. Essentially, I just would like to hear some ideas about which character, or set of characters, each of the arena teams would represent.
My own thoughts:
Korush and buddies: Johhny Cage and fanboys
The Elven Girls: Tanya, Mileena, Serena, and Jade
That Barbarian Druid: Um...Nightwolf?
Pitch Blade: Noob Saibot and Smoke
Auric and Kellek: Shao-Khan and Shang Tsung
I'd like to include Sub-Zero and Scorpion, but hey. Heck, I want to do all of them, but there's only so many fighters!
Though it speaks for itself, I'll clarify. I was planning on using ToB in STAP, but decided against it for flavor reasons. Now, I'm planning to allow it, and I'm just thinking, 'How would it fit in? What could I use to put a nice little spot for it in the world?'
I'm trying to think of a way to put an organization like the Judge Magisters from Final Fantasy 12 into Eberron. Here's what I've got so far:
Thrane: A new group of specially ordained warriors who interpret the laws of Thrane with an iron fist. Though Jaela opposes this group, her slow loss of influence has been the cause of this group's appearance. General power level would be about 3rd to 12th, maybe with a 13th or 14th level leader.
or
Karrnath: A group of Karrnathi knights that are unofficially recognized by the most powerful warlords of the country. They generally interpret law in a style favoring martial law. Most of them are simply warmongers, supported by the warlords, but some truly believe they are helping Karrnath back to glory. General power level would be about 2nd to 10th, with a 13th level leader or two.
Any other ideas?
Note: I'm not trying to directly import the judges into Eberron, or any actual Final Fantasy power stuff. Just the idea of the judges.
