Since we had already filled up the roster, I figured we should get the discussion thread going and figure out what you guys are playing.
Once the PCs are created, I'm good to start the adventure any time after this weekend.
Character Creation
- 7th level characters
- 19 000 gold, only 50% max can be spent on a single item
- 32 point buy
- Dieties from the Pathfinder Player's Guide only
- Every character gets a bonus background feat. This has to be either from the list in the Pathfinder Player's Guide, or from the +2/+2 skill feats in the PHB (ie. Stealthy, Alertness, etc)
- Only Classes & Races from the PHB
- Alternate Class features are allowed from the list of Allowed Books*
- Any feats from the list of Allowed Books is ok.
- Skill Tricks from Complete Scoundrel are in.
- Spells from the Spell Compendium are generally ok, but run them by me first.
*List of Allowed Books:
PHB + DMG + MM (or just use the SRD)
PHB II
Dungeonscape (because its cool and I haven't really gotten to use it)
Complete Series (Warrior, Adventurer, Arcane, Divine, Scoundrel, Champion and Mage)
Spell Compendium
hmm... I was intending to stick to core races/classes (albeit with alternative class features), but I do like the ToB.
Let me think about it, and I'll let you know later on tonight.
Thanks for the consideration, and like I said it's no problem either way! I've got the Rogue/Fighter mechanics mostly done, still thinking on backstory. I've got a Swordsage 5 mechanically done that could be be upgraded readily.
Sweet. I can't believe with all the other PbP games on the boards that no one has taken "DM" as an alias.
Plus the new avatar pics rock!
Thanks for the consideration, and like I said it's no problem either way! I've got the Rogue/Fighter mechanics mostly done, still thinking on backstory. I've got a Swordsage 5 mechanically done that could be be upgraded readily.hmm... I was intending to stick to core races/classes (albeit with alternative class features), but I do like the ToB.
Let me think about it, and I'll let you know later on tonight.
Give me an hour or two to ponder... I'm inclined to say no, because I was trying to keep the game relatively simple.
But on the other hand, swordsages are pretty damm cool. (We played with ToB characters for ~6 months in a previous campaign, and while I did find them upping the power curve for 3.5, they weren't broken when compared to a Frenzied Berserker or a Human Fighter tweaked with feats from PHB 2 and the Complete Series. And they were fun to play.)
Anyone else have a preference one way or another for Tome of Battle characters? If someone is vehemently opposed, or even wants to play one themselves, that would affect my decision.
Sure thing. If you decide Core only is based, I'd go with Rauno then. Might tweak some of the feats and still need some equipment, but mechanically he's pretty much done.
In regards to the adventure being a big PC Killer, today's blog post dispels that reputation somewhat, thematically the encounters are the same, but they've been toned down a bit from the delve at GenCon.
Aw. Killer campaigns can be fun.
Thanks for the link Erian 7.
I'm thinking a human Scout/Ranger/Order of the Bow Initiate combo (still unsure about the levels in each). Is the stuff from Unearthed Arcana allowed? I have no problem with the ToB being used. I'll try to have a prelimnary character done by tomarrow afternoon.
Thanks for letting me in.
No problem Arc. If you go with an OotBI guy, we'd have a lot of ranged firepower and skills to go around if I use Rauno!
erian_7, I've decided that I'm going to stick with my original plan, and go with only core classes. So swordsage is out. But a ranged/skill Fighter/Rogue build you mentioned sounds good.
* When I click on the link for Ruano you provided, I get an error message saying "Sorry, the requested character can not be shown. Either you don't have permission to edit it, the sheet isn't publicly viewable, or the character does not exist." I'm guessing the sheet isn't publicly viewable on the site?
ArctarisOrder of the Bow Initiate sounds good, but like the swordsage, scout is out because I'm restricting it to the core classes only. (Sorry if the confusion arose from my earlier character creation post, I'll edit it to be more clear)
In regards to Unearthed Arcana , what kind of ideas were you looking for? I didn't really include it in the Character Creation list, because it would be such a case by case basis with all the optional rules. But I'm open to ideas if there was a particular variant you wanted to use.
Clarification for Character Creation
For simplicity, I'm restricting it to Classes found in the PHB only. (Barbarian, Bard, Fighter, Rogue, etc) Likewise for Races.
I did include a list of allowed books only, but I meant to note that they were allowed for Feats & Alternate Class Features only. (ie. You could take a Feat or Alternate Class Feature from PHB II, but you couldn't be a Duskblade) *Sorry if this wasn't clear in the original post.
The Pathfinder Player's Guide is a free download for anyone that hasn't downloaded it yet.
The adventure takes place primarily in Kaer Maga, right where the Yondabakari River meets the edge of the plateau below the map label for the Cinderlands
Also the Player's Guide include those bonus feats I mentioned in Character Creation.
Character Background
I'd like a brief write-up of your character's background, personality, history, how he got his hands on the 19000 GP worth of gear, etc
I'm not expecting a story or anything, but a paragraph or two to go with the collection of stats would be nice ;-)
I'll leave it up to you guys if you want your characters to have known each other beforehand.
*Just make sure you don't make your character as being from Kaer Maga.
I don't really mind what I play, although it is looking like we could use some melee firepower, so I am leaning towards making a standard half Orc Barbarian / Fighter. Although i wouldn't mind playing a Kobold Sorcerer we will be in Kaer Maga afterall), or a (probabaly gnome) Bard.
Ahh... so many choices.
I'll just let the rest of the party decide what they are playing, and then pick something that fits well.
Ah, you're right DM--hadn't made it public. Should be good now. I'm working on his story now, but he's basically a Varisian (possibly Sczarni) mercenary. Should have feats and equipment finalized along with the story by tomorrow night.
I don't really mind what I play, although it is looking like we could use some melee firepower, so I am leaning towards making a standard half Orc Barbarian / Fighter. Although i wouldn't mind playing a Kobold Sorcerer we will be in Kaer Maga afterall), or a (probabaly gnome) Bard.
Ahh... so many choices.
I'll just let the rest of the party decide what they are playing, and then pick something that fits well.
Gnome Bard wouldn't be bad in a 6 man party. Kobold Sorcerer is out though because we are sticking to the PHB races/classes. And if you want to play the half-orc, we definitely could use some melee types, as so far it looks like a cleric, Order of the Bow Initiate, and a fighter/rogue who focuses on ranged combat.
Oh, okay. I'll play a Human Ranger 2/Rogue/Fighter 2/Order of the Bow Initiate 2.
Are the flaws from UA allowed?
I had a problem with the guide to Varisia. There ere a bunch of pictures that seemed to be overlayed on some of the text, making it very hard to read. Are there any nations who retain a large army? My basic idea is for my character to be an ex-military scout kind of person.
I had a problem with the guide to Varisia. There ere a bunch of pictures that seemed to be overlayed on some of the text, making it very hard to read.
May need to upgrade your PDF browser, or download again. My copy definitely doesn't do that...
Oh, and Rauno is done as far as mechanics, just need to work out his story. I took Greater Manyshot from the SRD, but got to thinking that's technically from the Expanded Psionics Handbook. Is that one okay as it's SRD? Everything else is pretty much from the Core books and the Varisia PG.
And here's the character avatar...
Are Paragons (Unearthed Arcana) allowed?Screw it, I'm going for it...
Sorry for the delay. I'm actually working today (not on D&D, "real" work, lol)
Yeah, Racial Paragon classes from Unearthed Arcana are allowed. I'm assuming that is what you meant, as I don't have the UA here with me... and they are essentially just a racial PRC anyways.
Oh, okay. I'll play a Human Ranger 2/Rogue/Fighter 2/Order of the Bow Initiate 2.
Are the flaws from UA allowed?
I had a problem with the guide to Varisia. There ere a bunch of pictures that seemed to be overlayed on some of the text, making it very hard to read. Are there any nations who retain a large army? My basic idea is for my character to be an ex-military scout kind of person.
I'm fairly sure the Korvosa and Magnimar maintain standing armies. Well actually I'm sure Korvosa does, since they provide the military in W1.
In regards to Flaws from UA, I'd say no. They can work sometimes, but most of the time I find they end up being cheesy.
...I took Greater Manyshot from the SRD, but got to thinking that's technically from the Expanded Psionics Handbook. Is that one okay as it's SRD? Everything else is pretty much from the Core books and the Varisia PG.I'll take a look at Greater Manyshot when I get home, but I'm fairly sure it was reprinted in another book as well... but wouldn't it have fairly high pre-reqs, since you can't get Manyshot until 5th or 6th?
|
Are Paragons (Unearthed Arcana) allowed?Screw it, I'm going for it...Sorry for the delay. I'm actually working today (not on D&D, "real" work, lol)
Yeah, Racial Paragon classes from Unearthed Arcana are allowed. I'm assuming that is what you meant, as I don't have the UA here with me... and they are essentially just a racial PRC anyways.
Yes, that's what I meant. They're a base class, by the way.
Thanks.
I'll take a look at Greater Manyshot when I get home, but I'm fairly sure it was reprinted in another book as well... but wouldn't it have fairly high pre-reqs, since you can't get Manyshot until 5th or 6th?
Ah, true, true. I wasn't paying close enough attention there...Just went with Ranged Disarm instead.
Oh, and I've updated my avatar profile with his info and a link to the CS.
So, we're looking heavy on ranged combat, and sparse on the arcane.
And, my inspirational pic for Rauno's background...
So, we're looking heavy on ranged combat, and sparse on the arcane.
And, my inspirational pic for Rauno's background...
And his background:
Rauno grew up among the Sczarni, his parents both working various schemes to part foreigners from their money. Rauno found that simple con jobs and such held little interest for him--they were both underwhelming in reward and lacking in risk. In truth, he also hated the interaction with strangers due to a natural shyness. In his travels, however, he found one thing that could provide both the thrill of danger he sought and the considerable wealth due one willing to take such risks, with no need for much talk at all. The ruins that dot Varisia are renowned among his people as places of bad luck, evil, and haunted by demons of the past. Rauno cares nothing for such taboos; so long as someone is willing to pay him the money he'll go anywhere, recover anything, and return it with no questions asked.
As he grew in his career as an explorer for hire, Rauno found that the bow was a much more favorable weapon than blade or spear, for the distance between himself and his prey was greatly increased. Rauno thrills in battle as much as in delving the ancient dungeons of his land, but he also knows standing too close to a giant is just plain stupid, and a horde of goblins can take down the hardiest of Shoanti barbarians. As such, he has refined his skill with the bow to the point where he can kill many opponents before they even have time to raise a shield in defense. And that, of course, leaves him more time to crawl about the hidden lairs of long-forgotten peoples, rooting out their devious traps and thwarting them to get at riches thought lost to time.
Character:
Shariv the Skewer
N male human (Varisian) paragon 3 / fighter 3 / master thrower 1
Where are throwing spikes and straight razor from? Arms and Equipment Guide?
*Looking at your combat stats, do you have two +1 Keen Throwing Spikes & a single +1 Straight Razor? At a quick glance, wouldn't those be ~8300 GP each?
Perhaps Talion09, you should think about how much money we can spend on disposable magic items, i.e. potions, scrolls and wands.
This is one area of equipment at higher levels that can be abused. The recent spate of arena games showed how this can happen.
I am mainly aiming for an srd character to match the paizo criteria however I have succumbed to a couple of Complete Divine feats. My PC is on heroforge and I'll transfer her over to the alias with equipment over the next twenty four hours.
Cheers
Perhaps Talion09, you should think about how much money we can spend on disposable magic items, i.e. potions, scrolls and wands.
...
Cheers
Good point. I believe the DMG had some guidelines for disposable magic items in a one-shot adventure like this. I think it to multiply the cost of disposable items because their utility was out of proportion to their standard cost in a single adventure like this.
EDIT:
If you're playing in a one-shot random dungeon, one-use items cost 5 times their normal price and charged items have 1/5 as many charges. In a one-shot adventure, in which it doesn't matter if you use up your items, one-use and charged items area lot better than they are in a regular campaign.
In a one-shot dungeon, a one-use item is as good as a 1/day item, because you'll only be able to use each item once. This "5 times" rule balances the one-use and charged items so they don't dominate the random dungeon.
We will use this rule for equipping our characters, since this is a single adventure, and not an adventure path or full campaign
Good point. I believe the DMG had some guidelines for disposable magic items in a one-shot adventure like this. I think it to multiply the cost of disposable items because their utility was out of proportion to their standard cost in a single adventure like this.
Will this cover PHB items as well, or just magic items? Rauno has some alchemical stuff that I'd need to adjust if necessary.
Good point. I believe the DMG had some guidelines for disposable magic items in a one-shot adventure like this. I think it to multiply the cost of disposable items because their utility was out of proportion to their standard cost in a single adventure like this.Will this cover PHB items as well, or just magic items? Rauno has some alchemical stuff that I'd need to adjust if necessary.
I'd just say magic item/
|
|
Character:
Shariv the Skewer
N male human (Varisian) paragon 3 / fighter 3 / master thrower 1Where are throwing spikes and straight razor from? Arms and Equipment Guide?
*Looking at your combat stats, do you have two +1 Keen Throwing Spikes & a single +1 Straight Razor? At a quick glance, wouldn't those be ~8300 GP each?
Throwing spikes are from...
Dammit...
Can't find...
ANyway, the straight razor is from the Pathfinder Player's guide to Varisia.
And yes, my mind can't think maths. I'm gonna fix it now...
|
|
Well, I can't f&#%ing find the splatbook in which I found the spikes, but they do exist in the real world, and look like this.
Well, I can't f@~%ing find the splatbook in which I found the spikes, but they do exist in the real world, and look like this.
Thanks for the link. I was pretty sure that was what you were going for, but I can't recall seeing DnD stats for them.
Looking at your character write-up, I'm guessing ranged weapon, 1d6, crits on a 20 for a x3 critical modifier?
What is the range increment?
Is it a martial or exotic weapon?
To recap, so far we have:
Rauno played by . A Human (Varisian) Rogue3/Fighter4. Neutral. Occupation: Mercenary
Shariv The Skewer played by . A Human (Varisian) Human Paragon3/Fighter3/Master Thrower 1. Neutral. Occupation: Hit man, relic hunter, mercenery
Melani Starsmite played by . A Dwarven Necromancer 7. Lawful Neutral. Occupation: Grave robber/experimenter in anatomy
Arctaris mentioned a Human Ranger 2/Rogue/Fighter 2/Order of the Bow Initiate 2.
Mevers & Eadaro were both waiting to see what the rest of the party composition was before deciding.
IMHO, it looks like you guys could use a melee character and/or a divine caster.
Once everyone has decided their characters (at least in concept) I'll start giving out some background info and we can kick off the adventure.
Rauno grew up among the Sczarni, his parents both working various schemes to part foreigners from their money. Rauno found that simple con jobs and such held little interest for him--they were both underwhelming in reward and lacking in risk. In truth, he also hated the interaction with strangers due to a natural shyness. In his travels, however, he found one thing that could provide both the thrill of danger he sought and the considerable wealth due one willing to take such risks, with no need for much talk at all. The ruins that dot Varisia are renowned among his people as places of bad luck, evil, and haunted by demons of the past. Rauno cares nothing for such taboos; so long as someone is willing to pay him the money he'll go anywhere, recover anything, and return it with no questions asked.As he grew in his career as an explorer for hire, Rauno found that the bow was a much more favorable weapon than blade or spear, for the distance between himself and his prey was greatly increased. Rauno thrills in battle as much as in delving the ancient dungeons of his land, but he also knows standing too close to a giant is just plain stupid, and a horde of goblins can take down the hardiest of Shoanti barbarians. As such, he has refined his skill with the bow to the point where he can kill many opponents before they even have time to raise a shield in defense. And that, of course, leaves him more time to crawl about the hidden lairs of long-forgotten peoples, rooting out their devious traps and thwarting them to get at riches thought lost to time.
Nice background.
Apologies for mucking you guys about. Ignore what's written on the Melani alias at present. That was a PC I created for an arena game that never happened.
Melani will be a 7th level cleric of Sarenrae. A lover and a healer not a fighter. If there is undead then she is your girl.
Apologies for the confusion Talion 09. I have drafted all her spells and equipment and will overwrite the alias today sometime.
Cheers
To recap, so far we have:
Rauno played by . A Human (Varisian) Rogue3/Fighter4. Neutral. Occupation: Mercenary
Shariv The Skewer played by . A Human (Varisian) Human Paragon3/Fighter3/Master Thrower 1. Neutral. Occupation: Hit man, relic hunter, mercenery
Melani Starsmite played by . A Dwarven Necromancer 7. Lawful Neutral. Occupation: Grave robber/experimenter in anatomy
Arctaris mentioned a Human Ranger 2/Rogue/Fighter 2/Order of the Bow Initiate 2.
Mevers & Eadaro were both waiting to see what the rest of the party composition was before deciding.
IMHO, it looks like you guys could use a melee character and/or a divine caster.
Once everyone has decided their characters (at least in concept) I'll start giving out some background info and we can kick off the adventure.
Given Melani's post below, (she is actually a cleric), we could do with both a mage and a melee tank. To be honest, I don't really feel like playing a mage, so I will go with the Tank.
Now, just need to decide between a Dwarf Barb1/Fighter6 Spiked Chain weilder, and a half-orc Barb1/Half Orc Paragon 3 / Orc Paragon 3 Keen Falchion user.
At this stage, I think the increased AC and battlefield control (got to protect the "spuishies" of the Dwarf win out. I should have him statted up in the next couple of days.
|
|
Well, I can't f@~%ing find the splatbook in which I found the spikes, but they do exist in the real world, and look like this.Thanks for the link. I was pretty sure that was what you were going for, but I can't recall seeing DnD stats for them.
Looking at your character write-up, I'm guessing ranged weapon, 1d6, crits on a 20 for a x3 critical modifier?
What is the range increment?
Is it a martial or exotic weapon?
Ranged, 1d6, crit x3, range 20 feet, martial. I also have given up the search for the stats. I believe it was originally from one of the Dark Sun books, and I converted it on my own.
EDIT:
Found stats about 5 minutes after last post. Spikes can also be used as melee weapons that do 1d6 damage at crit x2.
Ranged, 1d6, crit x3, range 20 feet, martial. I also have given up the search for the stats. I believe it was originally from one of the Dark Sun books, and I converted it on my own.EDIT:
Found stats about 5 minutes after last post. Spikes can also be used as melee weapons that do 1d6 damage at crit x2.
Cool. The one thing that neither of us mentioned is the damage type, but I think its fairly obvious that they are piercing.
|
|
Cool. The one thing that neither of us mentioned is the damage type, but I think its fairly obvious that they are piercing.
Ranged, 1d6, crit x3, range 20 feet, martial. I also have given up the search for the stats. I believe it was originally from one of the Dark Sun books, and I converted it on my own.EDIT:
Found stats about 5 minutes after last post. Spikes can also be used as melee weapons that do 1d6 damage at crit x2.
Well, yeah.
I'll have the character history done as soon as possible.
Just starting the stat up my character now.
Is there any chance of using the Magic Item Compendium for magic gear?
Also, I get the increase in costs for consumable magic item, but can we at least get a full wand of CLW for the normal price (750gp)? Whenever i play, we burn through these things pretty quickly anyway, so i don't think it would be any different just cause we are playing a one off.
Just starting the stat up my character now.
Is there any chance of using the Magic Item Compendium for magic gear?
Also, I get the increase in costs for consumable magic item, but can we at least get a full wand of CLW for the normal price (750gp)? Whenever i play, we burn through these things pretty quickly anyway, so i don't think it would be any different just cause we are playing a one off.
About the Magic Item Compendium, just let me know the items, and I'll let you know on a case by case basis. (Just the title is fine, I have the book myself to look it up)
For the expendable magic items, I think we'll still stick with the 5x (or proportionally less charges for wands) rule from the DMG.
While you guys might burn through them quickly, there are plenty of spots in the adventure were you can pick up cure potions and wands.
1 early encounter as written gives you the option of picking up a pair of Cure Moderate Wands with 20 charges each, minus whatever charges are used by the baddies in the fight itself. So as long as you have some healing ability off the start, you should be able to restock as the adventure progresses
OK, cool. Thanks.
I was primarily thinking about a Belt of Healing (or 2, or 3), and Weapon and / or Armor Augment Crystals.
Here I am. Let me know if there's anything I need to change. I hope I can find an avatar that actually fits. I'll have personal history ASAP.
Hey Arc, I noticed you had bracers of armor +1--do note that the armor bonus from those won't stack with the mithral shirt. Also, not sure if you've played the OotBI before, but some folks are surprised when they find their Ranged Precision ability can't be used with things like Rapid Shot and Manyshot since using it requires a Standard Action. I'm a big fan of the class since I like archers, but didn't want that to sneak up on you.
DM, are traits okay for use? If so, Aggressive and Quick suit Rauno pretty well...
Well I guess i'm the mage, I'll post him up tomorrow night.
DM, are traits okay for use? If so, Aggressive and Quick suit Rauno pretty well...
Well, I wasn't going to bring up Traits from Unearthed Arcana, but since they are basically just balanced Roleplaying characteristics... sure, you guys can use them if you want.
They can be found here if anyone wants to use them and doesn't have access to Unearthed Arcana.