So, I see:
...=? - Human or Elan Divine Mind - ChrisI know nothing about Divine Minds, so looking at the others:
Eight characters, including probably 3 melee fighters. Looks like two blasters. A cleric (who can do backup melee) and a beguiler. "Face" and trapsmith by collaboration.
Wow, I think we done good.
The working name for the character is "Benedetto".
The Divine Mind is sort of a psionic variant on the ranger mechanics. It's mostly a stand-up fighter in the first four levels, and develops more powers ("mantles") starting at level 5. Allies in very close proximity share in some "aura" benefits.
Given that we already have a fighter, monk, barbarian, and cleric, should I try for more of a "battlefield control" class, like Psion or Wilder?
Elans are an immortal, artificial race, made from human volunteers. In the EPH, Elans make themselves. Does anyone have an opinion on who could be making them in Eberron?
when I was assembling the character last night, a third option was a human with illithid heritage feats, who'd eventually start to grow tentacles out of his mouth.
Again: thoughts?
Do I recall correctly that we have someone with connections to one of the Dragonmarked houses? Does the party have a character with nobility connections yet?
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OK - an elan is basically impossible for this campaign. They really only exist in Sarlona and have a very different reason for existing than in the EPH. I suggest you go with kalashtar or human (Adaran).
I'm not bothered, as pointed out above, if not everyone has an explicit link to the Church - it simply isn't necessary. We need a few, but it is not necessary to do for all PCs. I think your suggested backstory for the emissary to the Church doesn't work on a number of levels - the kalashtar are actually very exclusive (not unfriendly, exactly, but they are not overly welcoming or open with outsiders) and are very unlikely to bother sending emmissaries to anyone - they don't feel the need to make alliances. The Riedrans might, but that is a different story entirely and they are not entirely altruistic (to say the least) and a Riedran human is effectively a mental slave of the Inspired. And you absolutely cannot play an Inspired.
If you want to go Divine Mind (and I'm perfectly happy with that) I would strongly recommend Path of Light, and not worry about the Church. I feel uncomfortable with psionics not connected to the Riedrans or kalashtar somehow for flavour reasons - I would expect psionics anywhere other than there to be so incredibly rare as to be effectively non-existant.
Here is my background and there is a connection to Thrane but probably not the one you are looking for.
During the War Mirra and her parents kept their neutral positions and managed to stay away from most of the direct battling.
About ten years ago after the hope of having a dragonmarked daughter became a distant dream Mirra’s father started to loose interest in her training. She soon started mentoring under a contact from the Phiarlan house that Medani secretly used. Corvin was the Phiarlan’s name and he started teaching Mirra his deceptive ways and she soon returned to work as an inquisitive with a different view.
Right after the end of the War Mirra started working some small scenes and jobs and one of the scenes she walked into was the start of a long killing spree. The first murder was pretty insignificant; a strangled prostitute in Firelight, the only clue was the garrote was a silver ribbon. For the next six months about every two weeks another girl would end up dead and the same silver ribbon was found. Soon through other line in the Medani House Mirra started to suspect that the murderer was a high ranking Thrane diplomat but she could not tie him to the murders. For the next six months and almost another dozen murders Mirra was the first one on the scene and using her skill at slight of hand she lifted something from every body, a necklace or some hair.
Finally when the time was right Mirra used a large gathering and picked a broach off the Thrane diplomat. Later that night she broke into the diplomats flat and place an polished wooden box filled with the ‘souvenirs’ deep in a chest. The next murder Mirra was the first to show up and she placed the stolen broach in the victim’s bloody hand.
The after math of several Medani agents and the Sharn watch finding the evidence in the diplomat’s quarters was that talk of Sharn but even the hip couldn’t silence all the protests from the diplomat. Soon Mirra’s superiors started looking closer at her actions and some started to suspect and know she is working the menial job the enclave receives to keep her out of the way.
I've decided to go with the 'ambivalent to the Silver Flame' approach. No orphanage, no horrendous family tragedy. He did spend some time working as a courier for the Karrnathi army, but he was never a full-blown soldier, doesn't exactly go around broadcasting this fact, and probably doesn't look exactly the same as he did back then. Effectively, I don't expect anyone to recognize him from his war days, so it's a moot point.
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Thanks for the perspective, Aubrey.
An incidental question regarding Reidrans: how old are they when they become possessed?
Adults. I don't know if you own the Secrets of Sarlona supplement (it isn't especially relevant to the campaign, so don't go and rush to buy it unless you want a lot of insight into the kalashtar and so on) but it points out that many (the vast majority) Inspired empty vessels never actually even get possessed at all, and only for brief periods. (It also gives the story of Eberron elans - an elan is a quori trapped in a humanoid body from which it cannot escape, which is considered the ultimate punishment for a quori. They generally go mad and die quite rapidly, and virtually non ever leave Sarlona - they aren't allowed.)
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Here is my background and there is a connection to Thrane but probably not the one you are looking for.
Spoiler:Mirra was born into House Medani from two dragonmarked parents. Her mother, Sorra, is a lesser dragonmarked heir that spends most of her time in Korth in the Twelve enclave as a House Medani diplomat. Mirra’s father, Raiden, put his greater dragonmark to use and is now one of the most well known inquisitives in Sharn. Mirra grew up in the upper towers of Sharn spending most of her time with her father as he trained her in his trade. Both her parents waited patiently for Mirra’s dragonmark to manifest but soon they realized that her mark wasn’t going to come.During the War Mirra and her parents kept their neutral positions and managed to stay away from most of the direct battling.
About ten years ago after the hope of having a dragonmarked daughter became a distant dream Mirra’s father started to loose interest in her training. She soon started mentoring under a contact from the Phiarlan house that Medani secretly used. Corvin was the Phiarlan’s name and he started teaching Mirra his deceptive ways and she soon returned to work as an inquisitive with a different view.
Right after the end of the War Mirra started working some small scenes and jobs and one of the scenes she walked into was the start of a long killing spree. The first murder was pretty insignificant; a strangled prostitute in Firelight, the only clue was the garrote was a silver ribbon. For the next six months about every two weeks another girl would end up dead and the same silver ribbon was found. Soon through other line in the Medani House Mirra started to suspect that the murderer was a high ranking Thrane diplomat but she could not tie him to the murders. For the next six months and almost another dozen murders Mirra was the first one on the scene and using her skill at slight of hand she lifted something from every body, a necklace or some hair.
Finally when the time was right Mirra used a large gathering and picked...
Yeah, not quite what I had in mind. I suggest you tone that down (mass murder and so on is a bit strong) and I would leave out the Thrane angle (any noble will do) but Mirra being seen as a bit flakey byt the Medani high command could work for us quite nicely.
Ok not as mass murder and no more Thrane.
During the War Mirra and her parents kept their neutral positions and managed to stay away from most of the direct battling.
About ten years ago after the hope of having a dragonmarked daughter became a distant dream Mirra’s father started to loose interest in her training. She soon started mentoring under a contact from the Phiarlan house that Medani secretly used. Corvin was the Phiarlan’s name and he started teaching Mirra his deceptive ways and she soon returned to work as an inquisitive with a different view.
Right after the end of the War Mirra started working some small scenes and jobs and one of the scenes she walked into was the start of a long killing spree. The first murder was pretty insignificant; a strangled prostitute in Firelight, the only clue was the garrote was a silver ribbon. For the next six months two more girls would end up dead and the same silver ribbon was found. Soon through other line in the Medani House Mirra started to suspect that the murderer was a high ranking noble but she could not tie him to the murders. As she showed up to another three murders Mirra was the first one on the scene and using her skill at slight of hand she lifted something from every body, a necklace or some hair.
Finally when the time was right Mirra used a large gathering and picked a broach off the nobleman. Later that night she broke into the his flat and place a polished wooden box filled with the ‘souvenirs’ deep in a chest. The next murder Mirra was the first to show up and she placed the stolen broach in the victim’s bloody hand.
The after math of several Medani agents and the Sharn watch finding the evidence in the nobleman's quarters was that talk of Sharn but even the hip couldn’t silence all the protests from the diplomat. Soon Mirra’s superiors started looking closer at her actions and some started to suspect and know she is working the menial job the enclave receives to keep her out of the way.
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Ok not as mass murder and no more Thrane.
Spoiler:Mirra was born into House Medani from two dragonmarked parents. Her mother, Sorra, is a lesser dragonmarked heir that spends most of her time in Korth in the Twelve enclave as a House Medani diplomat. Mirra’s father, Raiden, put his greater dragonmark to use and is now one of the most well known inquisitive in Sharn. Mirra grew up in the upper towers of Sharn spending most of her time with her father as he trained her in his trade. Both her parents waited patiently for Mirra’s dragonmark to manifest but soon they realized that her mark wasn’t going to come.During the War Mirra and her parents kept their neutral positions and managed to stay away from most of the direct battling.
About ten years ago after the hope of having a dragonmarked daughter became a distant dream Mirra’s father started to loose interest in her training. She soon started mentoring under a contact from the Phiarlan house that Medani secretly used. Corvin was the Phiarlan’s name and he started teaching Mirra his deceptive ways and she soon returned to work as an inquisitive with a different view.
Right after the end of the War Mirra started working some small scenes and jobs and one of the scenes she walked into was the start of a long killing spree. The first murder was pretty insignificant; a strangled prostitute in Firelight, the only clue was the garrote was a silver ribbon. For the next six months two more girls would end up dead and the same silver ribbon was found. Soon through other line in the Medani House Mirra started to suspect that the murderer was a high ranking noble but she could not tie him to the murders. As she showed up to another three murders Mirra was the first one on the scene and using her skill at slight of hand she lifted something from every body, a necklace or some hair.
Finally when the time was right Mirra used a large gathering and picked a broach off the nobleman. Later that night she broke into the his flat and place a polished wooden box...
Well, quite a lot of murder - I'm not sure what you consider "mass" in this context - but that's fine. Sets you up nicely....
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I'm considering multiclassing to rogue eventually, but haven't really decided one way or another yet. It would be good to have two trapfinders, but I also don't want to cut off my access to more powerful invocations.
I kinda like the idea of the character embracing his fiendish heritage and just becoming a crazy eldritch-power-wielding rake.
Speaking of fiendish heritage - Aubrey, in the PHB2 there are a list of feats called "Fiendish Heritage Feats." According to that book, they are intended for sorcerers (and they list 'Sorcerer level 1' as their prerequisite). Would it be possible for me to take some of those if I wanted to at a later time as a warlock instead of a sorcerer?
Also, I've got some juicy story tidbits if you want them:
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I'm considering multiclassing to rogue eventually, but haven't really decided one way or another yet. It would be good to have two trapfinders, but I also don't want to cut off my access to more powerful invocations.
I kinda like the idea of the character embracing his fiendish heritage and just becoming a crazy eldritch-power-wielding rake.
Speaking of fiendish heritage - Aubrey, in the PHB2 there are a list of feats called "Fiendish Heritage Feats." According to that book, they are intended for sorcerers (and they list 'Sorcerer level 1' as their prerequisite). Would it be possible for me to take some of those if I wanted to at a later time as a warlock instead of a sorcerer?
Also, I've got some juicy story tidbits if you want them:
** spoiler omitted **
Most certainly you can. There are some others in some other supplements - Hordes of the Abyss spring to mind. Not sure what our resident goody-goodies will make of it all, though...
We can run with your other points as a side-plot (but it could be a bit of deja vu). Might be tricky with our Aerenal elf too. Hmm, let's see...
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Most certainly you can. There are some others in some other supplements - Hordes of the Abyss spring to mind. Not sure what our resident goody-goodies will make of it all, though...
We can run with your other points as a side-plot (but it could be a bit of deja vu). Might be tricky with our Aerenal elf too. Hmm, let's see...
Awesome. I'll follow your lead on that. I don't want my character concept to demand more screen time than it needs to, but having a couple of plot hooks to haunt me with is always a good thing. (As a DM for over 12 years, nothing pisses me off more than a "perfect" character.) I'm not looking to start any party in-fighting. In fact, Rayne is pretty blasé about the whole ordeal. He can't change the past, y'know?
Most certainly you can. There are some others in some other supplements - Hordes of the Abyss spring to mind. Not sure what our resident goody-goodies will make of it all, though...
Just thought that should be here so I can copy/paste it later.... }:)
Abry, two Q's
1) Could you quickly clarify the Action points for me?
and
2)Would it be helpful for you to have the output from RPGXplorer for Colvare every now and then?
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I don't know if you own the Secrets of Sarlona supplement (it isn't especially relevant to the campaign, so don't go and rush to buy it unless you want a lot of insight into the kalashtar and so on) ...
No, I don't. I have only three or four Eberron books. That's actually one of the reasons I'm a little reluctant to run with Kalashtar; I'm afraid I'll be mucking up a lot of canon about them. I'm trying to find a background with less set-in-stone backstory.
...but it points out that many (the vast majority) Inspired empty vessels never actually even get possessed at all, and only for brief periods. (It also gives the story of Eberron elans - ... - they aren't allowed.)
The Complete Psionic has "host heritage feats" that suggest the character is bound to a spirit very similar to a quori. Are there quori-like things out there that could bind with a character? Or could something like that happen if a quori were to try to bind with something other than a human, say, a dwarf?
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Just thought that should be here so I can copy/paste it later.... }:)
Abry, two Q's
1) Could you quickly clarify the Action points for me?
and
2)Would it be helpful for you to have the output from RPGXplorer for Colvare every now and then?
1) Will do - just haven't done it yet.
2) Afraid I don't actually understand the question - what is RPGXplorer and what sort of output could I expect?
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Rayne's actually male... but only barely.Depends on his/her mood.
Exactly. And which gender would suit the situation best.
Need to distract a male guard while others sneak past? Time to amp up the bosom and work the feminine charms.
Trying to stare down a surly merchant? Get masculine and put those Intimidation ranks to work!
It's a case-by-case basis. His/her form is very mutable.
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Och! How did we end up with two female changelings named Jaen and Rayne? I haven't even started on background, so I'll change mine somehow to make the characters different.Rayne's actually male... but only barely.
So you're saying my male changeling named Svaen isn't going to work either. That's it! You guys are just too hard to work with! ;-)
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Another question relevant to changelings: Is their disguise self ability illusory like the spell or is it actually a physical alteration of their form? (i.e. If I assume a form that has little tiefling-like horns on my head, for example, do I actually have little horns that can poke things or does it just LOOK like I do?)
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No, I don't. I have only three or four Eberron books. That's actually one of the reasons I'm a little reluctant to run with Kalashtar; I'm afraid I'll be mucking up a lot of canon about them. I'm trying to find a background with less set-in-stone backstory.
Don't worry about that - I can give you pointers. Basically, the kalashtar fight the Inspired (and, when they have the time and motivation, other evil organisations) - but they don't tell anyone about it (basically out of racial arrogance). They live communally and are generally friendly but distant to other races. The naming conventions are a bit specific, but that is all you might really need to know to kick off.
...but it points out that many (the vast majority) Inspired empty vessels never actually even get possessed at all, and only for brief periods. (It also gives the story of Eberron elans - ... - they aren't allowed.)The Complete Psionic has "host heritage feats" that suggest the character is bound to a spirit very similar to a quori. Are there quori-like things out there that could bind with a character? Or could something like that happen if a quori were to try to bind with something other than a human, say, a dwarf?
Well, yes, there are quori. However, the ones that might merge with people now are the evil ones, the nice ones having merged with the kalashtar about 1500 years ago. A quori can merge with an ordinary humanoid (possess them, effectively) with that persons permission - they cannot forcibly possess someone - so the individuals who permit it are generally evil, or at the very least amoral. The host heritage feats are available to kalashtar.
If you really don't fancy playing a kalashtar, you can certainly be an Adaran human (i.e. living an Adar with the kalashtar and sharing their culture, but not being descended from one of the original humans with whom the nice quori merged with all those years ago). That would make things a bit easier to run mechanically, and you get a bit more freedom of action. There could be two main reasons for adventuring under those circumstances - to help the kalashtar fight evil, or to escape from a society which is ruled by benevolent but ultimately rather exclusive kalashtar and make your own way.
Don't worry abour canon - while I tend to play fairly close to the books I fill in lots of gaps with my own stuff. Frankly, in your attempts to escape canon (elan and all) you are actually violating it more than you would with a kalashtar. But it is up to you, at the end of the day.
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Probably changing to a goblin. I didn't see an LA for goblin in the online SRD (still at work unfortunately). Is that right? I'm also still debating if I'm working the rogue/monk angle, or the pure monk. I saw in the Dragonshard article that assassin is available once you;re 6th level monk in this order, but that's exclusively an evil thing, right? And isn't there something about murdering someone in cold blood to qualify for that PrC? If so, I'll probably steer clear of that route as well.
1) Will do - just haven't done it yet.
Cool.
2) Afraid I don't actually understand the question - what is RPGXplorer and what sort of output could I expect?
That answers that question! :)
It's a character generation/tracking app. Would output anything from XML to PDFs, but may as well just keep the profile on here updated if you don't use the app.
Probably changing to a goblin. I didn't see an LA for goblin in the online SRD (still at work unfortunately). Is that right?
Yes.
I'm also still debating if I'm working the rogue/monk angle, or the pure monk. I saw in the Dragonshard article that assassin is available once you;re 6th level monk in this order, but that's exclusively an evil thing, right? And isn't there something about murdering someone in cold blood to qualify for that PrC? If so, I'll probably steer clear of that route as well.
Alignment
Any evil.
SkillsDisguise 4 ranks, Hide 8 ranks, Move Silently 8 ranks.
SpecialThe character must kill someone for no other reason than to join the assassins.
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Probably changing to a goblin. I didn't see an LA for goblin in the online SRD (still at work unfortunately). Is that right? I'm also still debating if I'm working the rogue/monk angle, or the pure monk. I saw in the Dragonshard article that assassin is available once you;re 6th level monk in this order, but that's exclusively an evil thing, right? And isn't there something about murdering someone in cold blood to qualify for that PrC? If so, I'll probably steer clear of that route as well.
LA +0. Yes, you have to be evil to be an assassin and killing someone is the price of admission, so I don't think that is an acceptable PrC for a PC. A hobgoblin monk (LA +1) would kick serious butt, by the way.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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A hobgoblin monk (LA +1) would kick serious butt, by the way.
Oooooh. Yeah, it would. And they tend towards lawfulness to boot!
I'll admit, I was curious at your reasons for chosing changeling as the race for your monk. Besides the save bonuses (which are pretty limited compared to, say, an elf's), there's really nothing that changelings get that would help a monk in any way.
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Probably changing to a goblin. I didn't see an LA for goblin in the online SRD (still at work unfortunately). Is that right? I'm also still debating if I'm working the rogue/monk angle, or the pure monk. I saw in the Dragonshard article that assassin is available once you;re 6th level monk in this order, but that's exclusively an evil thing, right? And isn't there something about murdering someone in cold blood to qualify for that PrC? If so, I'll probably steer clear of that route as well.LA +0. Yes, you have to be evil to be an assassin and killing someone is the price of admission, so I don't think that is an acceptable PrC for a PC. A hobgoblin monk (LA +1) would kick serious butt, by the way.
Cool. The article I read seemed to imply that it was goblin or changeling only. I was a little bothered by the small size thing - never really liked playing gnomes or halflings either, so the hobgoblin option works for me. So essentially all my XP marks for leveling will be 1,000 higher. I can live with that. Svaen the hobgoblin it is!
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A hobgoblin monk (LA +1) would kick serious butt, by the way.Oooooh. Yeah, it would. And they tend towards lawfulness to boot!
I'll admit, I was curious at your reasons for chosing changeling as the race for your monk. Besides the save bonuses (which are pretty limited compared to, say, an elf's), there's really nothing that changelings get that would help a monk in any way.
The monastic order I'm targeting (Shaarat'khesh) is sort of a relic hunter/spy/assassin type of organization and changelings fit in for their natural tendency towards subterfuge I guess. I was pretty much trying to work within the confines of the article Aubrey pointed me to. It's really no big thing. There's plenty of new RP potential for me in being a monstrous race.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I never really thought that a hobgoblin deserved the +1 LA anyway, but i guess without it they would be the best base race.
+2 STR and +2 CON with no penalties, 60 ft. darkvision, and a +4 racial bonus on Move Silently checks. That sounds like a LA race to me. :)
Remember that, because STR is such an important stat (determines melee attack, damage, grapple checks, encumberance, influences several skills) it is generally regarded as doubly important. Look at the half-orc for example:
+2 STR, -2 INT, -2 CHA, darkvision 60 ft. and no skill bonuses.
As I recall, they weren't level-adjusted in 3.0.
+2 to two physical stats and no drawbacks is pretty good, but yes, not as good as a lot of +1 races.
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+2 STR and +2 CON with no penalties, 60 ft. darkvision, and a +4 racial bonus on Move Silently checks. That sounds like a LA race to me. :)All the positives and no negatives is what I think pushed it over.
Yeah, if they got a -2 INT and -2 CHA like half-orcs did, I'd call them balanced (because I think half-orcs are pretty weak).
Aubrey, can I get a place on your game?
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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The SRD has the ability adjustments for hobgoblin as +2 DEX, +2 con. Not +2 Str. It's here
D'oh. Don't know why I was thinking STR. Okay, so they're a little weak for a +1 LA, just like half-orcs are weak for +0 LA. :)
Changed my portrait. Working on my backstory, etc at the moment. I think I've purchased all the gear I need, but I'll double-check. I might go for Chainmail instead of a Chain Shirt, despite the movement penalty. I suppose as the meatshield (or one of them), that I should have a fairly high AC. It's only at 18 right now, but I can move my full speed.
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Aubrey, can I get a place on your game?
Sorry, Patricio - as I said on the other thread, we are full. However, I am ducking out of the games in which I am a player - those are Arctaris's Grimmbold Manor and Dragonmann's In the Eye of Stormreach - and so they would probably be looking for new players.
Shagrat is closer to being in the house. Need to figure starting gold and background yet.
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Guys, I will be heading off to Hong Kong for a three month (though punctuated) excursion on Saturday evening (my time). This should not affect the frequency of my posting (except possibly for the first few days and the coming weekend) but will affect the timing. Just to let you know.
Ack.
Without trying to push, or sound too eager <jiggs up and down for the millionth time> when are you planning to start the game propper?
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Guys, I will be heading off to Hong Kong for a three month (though punctuated) excursion on Saturday evening (my time). This should not affect the frequency of my posting (except possibly for the first few days and the coming weekend) but will affect the timing. Just to let you know.
Ack.
Without trying to push, or sound too eager <jiggs up and down for the millionth time> when are you planning to start the game propper?
Beginning of next week.
Foxy, where are you based?
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I'm based in Australia, on the east coast.
And today, my boss gave me my two weeks notice - I'm being made redundant!
:(
If the Paizo Gods are listening, this is your chance to give me a job!
EDIT: I think I've finished all my purchasing etc, I'm still fleshing out the background in my head though. I'm sort of going for the idea of the son who never quite lived up to his father's expectations - but what more can you expect out of a bastard?