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Just seeing if anyone would like to play a game set in the Mwangi Expanse. I've been reading about Jungle races in Unearthed Arcana, and an idea struck. A game based on sub-saharan Africa. I couldn't get Nyambi, but I do have Pathfinder Chronicles: Heart of the Jungle. Not exactly the Songhai Empire but a place to start.
I almost picked up Mwangi Expanse for Lost Omens today, but decided to wait on that. So this is what I propose:
* A hypothetical T.V. Show type campaign based on Sub-Saharan Africa.
* Jungle elves, jungle orcs, jungle dwarves, jungle trolls (from WoW RPG), it's limitless.
* Serpent folk would figure in the campaign.
* Places to come from: a city based on Timbuktu, Gao (of the Songhai Empire), etc.
* Have your characters wear colorful clothes based on the cultures of Western Africa (Niger, Gana, etc.)
I hate to say this, but get a copy of the Mwangi Expanse or Heart of the Jungle. Look through them, feel inspired. Look at National Geographic shows on Africa (although that would mean getting on Disney Plus). Take a look at this Fall of Civilizations podcast for ideas.
Character Creation
25 points, 2 traits, average starting gold; 1st level. Any class allowed, except Samurai and Ninja. Unchained Summoner, Monk, Rogue, and Barbarian allowed.
Recruitment to end on March 31st.
I’m down, I’ll get a character whipped up for consideration and check out some of your suggestions for inspiration.
How does a taldan gunslinger in the vein of Alan Quartermain sound? An outsider to the area so I can totally see if thats not what you’re looking for but the idea struck me.
Might be alright. Not what I originally was thinking of, but I will take a look at your Alan Quartermain inspired character.
dotting for interest/curiosity
edit: out of curiousity, would you allow a skinwalker if their were-lineage was something that could be found in that region (like a boat or raptor)?
dotting for interest/curiosity
edit: out of curiousity, would you allow a skinwalker if their were-lineage was something that could be found in that region (like a boat or raptor)?
Sure, if that is what you want to go for. I want all my players to play the character they want.
Cool, thanks. I don’t have any concrete ideas yet, I’m just gathering some info for the mental cauldron of creation. I’m initially drawn to something animalistic, though, and it seemed like a skinwalker might be one way to include, or accentuate, that.
I might try to create a character soon. I have some ideas, but might want to check and see if they fit into your vision of the setting.
Alright, as I start to consider the mechanics that would go with some of my emerging concepts, I have another question or two. Are you going to use any of the elephant in the room/feat-tax rules at all? And, are you using background skills?
Alright, as I start to consider the mechanics that would go with some of my emerging concepts, I have another question or two. Are you going to use any of the elephant in the room/feat-tax rules at all? And, are you using background skills?
Background skills, yes. Elephant in the Room, no.
My initial character concept was a tiefling brawler who once served in Kibwe's military. Does this fit with how you envision the campaign, or should I choose a different character concept?
My initial character concept was a tiefling brawler who once served in Kibwe's military. Does this fit with how you envision the campaign, or should I choose a different character concept?
That's fine.
Alright, I have a handful of ideas coming together and I was wondering if you might provide some feedback on which one(s) might fit best with the game as you're envisioning it?
The first (and probably simplest) is a wereboar skinwalker barbarian. I say simplest because he's basically a typical tribal warrior except for his race. I'm picturing him part of a tribe whose chieftain (generations ago) was an actual wereboar and now there's a bunch of skinwalkers in the tribe, and they all hold boars (or warthogs if that's more geographically appropriate) as sacred to the tribe (probably have some around as animal companions and whatnot).
The second is a lizardman, which I thought you had listed as an option but I see now that it was actually serpentfolk, so maybe this is right out? One of the bestiaries had rules for using them as a playable race and they're on d20pfsrd, so I'll pitch it and see I guess? He'd be from a tribe that believed itself to be descendants of the legendary lost dragon-men of Bloodsalt. Their legend would be that in ancient times their dragongod had bestowed his sacred blood on the leaders of their people (giving rise to numerous half-dragons) and although it had been diluted by the centuries they all carried a trace of it still. The tribe (in my mind at least) would have an unusually high number of (draconic) sorcerers and bloodragers, but the PC would be a shifter with the dragonblood shifter archetype (which lets him take on draconic aspects).
The third idea, mechanically, would struggle a little until 3rd level, but I like the idea of leopard-inspired catfolk from an actual city, like maybe Nantambu, who's trained in a very agile style of combat (he'd actually be a swashbuckler, albeit a rather atypical one). I think he'd start out with a spear but (unfortunately) that's a terrible weapon for the class, so at 3rd level (when he can take slashing grace) he'd switch over to an appropriate sword (I was thinking an akrafena, which looks like it would use the cutlass/scimitar stats).
Those are the three most fully formed right now, although writing them down I see they're all melee characters (and all sort of animalistic races)... I have less well developed ideas for a sylph aerokineticist with some kind of connection to the ancient Shory empire, or an aasimar druid who prefers peace but has a lion and an eagle for friends who don't mind fighting; and, I have a couple of vague notions like maybe a dinosaur-riding halfing (because I think maybe those might have showed up in some module at some point) or possibly a vanara (or orang-pendak) that fled Usaro looking for a safer, more civilized home?
Any of these seem like good fits?
They all could fit. Although I have some thoughts to each.
A. The first (and probably simplest) is a wereboar skinwalker barbarian. I say simplest because he's basically a typical tribal warrior except for his race. I'm picturing him part of a tribe whose chieftain (generations ago) was an actual wereboar and now there's a bunch of skinwalkers in the tribe, and they all hold boars (or warthogs if that's more geographically appropriate) as sacred to the tribe (probably have some around as animal companions and whatnot).
Warthogs are more geographically appropriate. I think (the geography of Garund is based on Africa). Although dinosaurs could fit as well. See below on your lizardman. A barbarian is illiterate, so he could come from an illiterate tribe. Or it could mean that he hasn't been to "Timbuktu", which is a city of scholars (I don't know what to call it).
The second is a lizardman, which I thought you had listed as an option but I see now that it was actually serpentfolk, so maybe this is right out? One of the bestiaries had rules for using them as a playable race and they're on d20pfsrd, so I'll pitch it and see I guess? He'd be from a tribe that believed itself to be descendants of the legendary lost dragon-men of Bloodsalt. Their legend would be that in ancient times their dragongod had bestowed his sacred blood on the leaders of their people (giving rise to numerous half-dragons) and although it had been diluted by the centuries they all carried a trace of it still. The tribe (in my mind at least) would have an unusually high number of (draconic) sorcerers and bloodragers, but the PC would be a shifter with the dragonblood shifter archetype (which lets him take on draconic aspects).
I don't have Ultimate Wilderness, so I would have to say no on the shifter class. Although "lizardman" is vague. There are so many humanoid reptiles, that you can describe each one as "lizardman". From the dinosaurs to the komodo folk to the dragonborn, all can be "lizard folk". I wanted the serpent folk to be the villains in this tale, so their out. Based on your description, dragonborn fit best.
The third idea, mechanically, would struggle a little until 3rd level, but I like the idea of leopard-inspired catfolk from an actual city, like maybe Nantambu, who's trained in a very agile style of combat (he'd actually be a swashbuckler, albeit a rather atypical one). I think he'd start out with a spear but (unfortunately) that's a terrible weapon for the class, so at 3rd level (when he can take slashing grace) he'd switch over to an...
This one is good too. Ansasi, the spider god, dealt with a leopard. So the third option would work. Although you have him half-finished. There is room on Golarion for leopard-inspired catfolk, definitely.
Like I said, all three would work. The Lizard-man has to have more defining to do (there are more than one reptile race), and your third idea needs to be finished. But all three would work. And like so many ideas from our community, all three are good.
In Pathfinder they actually did away with barbarians being illiterate but if you want to reinstate that rule it’s totally fine with me; and, I was thinking for the skinwalker that his tribe would live out in the wilderness, so having rarely or never been to the city before would work with no problem.
Lizardman is the name of an actual monster/race, or at least it was in Pathfinder’s predecessors; they changed the name to “lizardfolk” in Pathfinder (because there are females too). The rules for using them as a race are on the d20pfsrd site; Archive of Nethys (I think) only has monster entry for them. I’m not sure I’d want to use one though without the shifter class, but a dragonborn bloodrage might be a possibility.
I’ll have to think on whether or not to finish developing the catfolk guy… I like the idea but at the speed most PbP games move waiting to 3rd level to be effective in combat means a loooong RL time playing a character that’s not very good at the thing they’re supposed to be good at.
So, it sounds like the barbarian is the leading contender right now. I’ll either post more about him or more ideas that are percolating soon.
Edit: The city Nantambu (which I included a link to above) is an actual city in the Mwangi Expanse that (I think) is supposed to be kind of like Timbuktu (it certainly has scholars and sages), so you could just use that if you don’t want to make up a new city from scratch.
Thinking about applying...
But, thought some might appreciate these two links regarding African folklore (for character concept ideas).
Enchanting Mythological Figures <<< Link
Anubis is Egyptian, and although in Africa might not fit the desired setting.
Here's Mokmurian's submission. I'll work on filling out the backstory and the like over the next few weeks, but the statistics and the basic information should be there.
Neat work. Can't wait to find out his extended backstory.
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@Eltonj: Do you have a particular region or location in the Mwangi Expanse in mind, at least for starting?
I'm thinking about a full caster because there are some neat options tied to the area. But, they wouldn't easily show up everywhere. For example, a Sylph Aeromancer Arcanist with ancestry going back to the Shory works well in the farther northeast. But on the western side near the Sodden Lands, a Bonuwat Human Cyclopean Seer Oracle might be a better fit. For the middle of it all maybe a Zenj Human Magaambyan Initiate Arcanist is best.
@Eltonj: Do you have a particular region or location in the Mwangi Expanse in mind, at least for starting?
I'm thinking about a full caster because there are some neat options tied to the area. But, they wouldn't easily show up everywhere. For example, a Sylph Aeromancer Arcanist with ancestry going back to the Shory works well in the farther northeast. But on the western side near the Sodden Lands, a Bonuwat Human Cyclopean Seer Oracle might be a better fit. For the middle of it all maybe a Zenj Human Magaambyan Initiate Arcanist is best.
No, but I'll think about a particular location. :)
Sorry for falling silent, my family’s been dealing with a nasty stomach virus. I’m still interested and will hopefully have something to post soon.
Bump.
Alright, this is Giant Halfling's skinwalker barbarian. I don't have any background up yet but all the crunch is there for review. Let me know what you think so far.
@Eltonj: Any decision on a specific start location yet?
Yes. Nambamtu! :)
Alright, this is Giant Halfling's skinwalker barbarian. I don't have any background up yet but all the crunch is there for review. Let me know what you think so far.
Looks okay.
Hmmm… I am thinking about submitting a Druid. I’ll throw out some ideas over the next couple of days.
Hmmm… I am thinking about submitting a Druid. I’ll throw out some ideas over the next couple of days.
Sounds neat.
Here is the Alias for smiles-a-lots eventual submission. Still bouncing around class ideas.