Hello to all of you out there on the Paizo boards! I'm a long time patron, short time lurker and first time poster, so please go easy on me. ^_^
I'm currently recruiting for a game that I will be running off-site (still wrangling with exactly where the game will end up being run, but so far it looks like Obsidian Portal will be the prime candidate) and I'm in need of a few good men and women to fill the virtual seats at my virtual table (I recently lost 7 or 8 prospective players, so my plans have taken a serious blow).
But let me get down to the brass tacks about The Color of Shadestone:
- The game takes place in a sand box environment of my own creation. There will be an overarching goal introduced at the beginning of the game, but it'll be up to the players to decide when and if they progress towards it (the McGuffin is not time sensitive and will not be going anywhere).
- The books in the parenthesis (Core book/APG/UC/UM/ARG/B1-3) are automatically allowed without any particular permission (unless it's questionable/cheesy/etc. stuff; just use common sense). Pathfinder books not mentioned above, anything from the Pathfinder SRD (not the one here, the other one), and any Homebrew from Giant in the Playground's forums is allowed as long as it's run by the me first. Anything else (i.e. material from DnD 3.5) will most likely not be allowed and will need specific consideration and permission before allowance.
- The game is going to be pretty laid back. There will be no exact gaming schedule that has to be stuck to, just a minimum weekly posting amount that'll be decided upon before we start the first "session".
- Most of the current players (which is 3-5, but I'm not holding out for more than the 3) are on U.S. Eastern Standard Time (UTC-4 now I believe). But we're more than happy to game with folks from all over.
- There are house rules for this game and the setting as a whole is low magic but is progressing towards Wild West era tech.
- The characters will be starting out at 6th level.
If you have any questions (outside of in-depth specifics about the campaign and setting) or you're interested, either post so here or send me a private message. I've hosted the house rules on Google Drive currently, so I can just give you the link over PMs.
So this will be a PbP I'm assuming and not done over skype or roll20? If it's PbP I'm interested though I would like to see the houserules before I commit to any ideas.
So this will be a PbP I'm assuming and not done over skype or roll20? If it's PbP I'm interested though I would like to see the houserules before I commit to any ideas.
Yup, it's a play by post game.
And sure, just shoot me an email and I'll send you a copy.
How would you feel about a samurai? I've got one I rolled up for another campaign that I didn't get picked for; or if you'd rather not have him, I was thinking about trying a spellbreaker inquisitor. Also, I'll send you an email about the house rules.
How would you feel about a samurai? I've got one I rolled up for another campaign that I didn't get picked for; or if you'd rather not have him, I was thinking about trying a spellbreaker inquisitor. Also, I'll send you an email about the house rules.
And I'll reply directly to your question in said e-mail, since it pertains to some setting specific things. What I will say here though is that both concepts are very do-able, the first just makes things very....interesting.
Removed text was here since there is apparently no code for striking out text. And if not, how to get in contact with a Moderator who can?
Because I got my email compromised because of this thread. *sigh*
Edit:
Figured out how to edit. But getting in contact with a Mod would still be appreciated.
Alright, I think I got my email back, but I'm in the middle of running my anti-spyware and Malware stuff to make sure it's a case of someone using a backdoor program to break into Yahoo and not something malicious on my computer.
In the mean time though, I'll be sending a copy of the house rules through skype or similar program. So just PM me for the time being and we can swap that info privately.
Awwwww, that is an unfortunate turn of events. :(
I am interested but since I'd be posting mainly from work I don't have much choice of where I can play. Obsidian Portal and Roll20 are blocked. :/ and I don't want to bypass the server because I could get in a lot of trouble for that.
Best of luck to you. hopefully everything works out for you with the email stuff.
Awwwww, that is an unfortunate turn of events. :(
Yeah...but them's the breaks sometimes. Hopefully those Bosnian hackers didn't due anything in the short time they had access.
I am interested but since I'd be posting mainly from work I don't have much choice of where I can play. Obsidian Portal and Roll20 are blocked. :/ and I don't want to bypass the server because I could get in a lot of trouble for that.
Best of luck to you. hopefully everything works out for you with the email stuff.
Well, Obsidian Portal is just where I'm building the wiki and it's not set in stone that it will be where the game will be played. I was also looking at places like Forumotion, but its ultimately up to the group which free to post forum is best for their needs.
Made an important update to the first post. Now you don't need email or skype or whatever to see if you're interested in joining our merry little band of dice tossing misfits. =D
Could I get some info on the Kui Lai Empire for my backstory? Things like culture, major figures, cities, etc. would be helpful. Thanks.
What is the status of firearms? Very rare, emerging, commonplace or everywhere, and the availability of advanced firearms?
Quick update to answer questions and such:
@Szeth: I'm in the middle of writing down all the particulars concerning Kui Lai. As soon as that's all done and kosher, I'll fill you in.
@Cjgrimm: They're on the cusp of replacing the bow and crossbow as the ranged weapon of choice, but haven't just gotten there yet everywhere. They haven't really seen a large scale military use so its still something of an unknown just how effective they are.
They've already reached the stage of advanced firearms being out there; just like the bow has yet to completely be replaced, you'll still see early firearms.
@Everyone: My email is locked out for 12 hours, so I don't know what happened now. I'm probably going to have to end up abandoning that email, which is very annoying for me. I've uploaded the house rules to a Google Drive doc, so I'll be handing out that link when I get a chance over PMs to those interested.
I could very easily be interested in this, but I must let you know ahead of time that my characters, though rich in character development, are wildly known for having major personality flaws.
Namely Sadism and Masochism.
I could very easily play a good, or friendly character, however. That isn't a problem. However I do prefer my slightly more evil characters.
I'm very keen on fighters.
How are we determining stats? Dice rolls, public or private, or point buy?
EDIT: In addition, what is starting money (in gp, I'll convert it to regional currency)?
@Tanuki Ah right, I've sent off a PM then with some of the e-mails I sent yesterday.
@Duboris: Major personality flaws are alright as long as you understand that too much intra-party conflict can be toxic to a game and that there can and will be repercussions from the environment from the excessive exercising of said flaws.
@Szeth: I'll send you a PM about that shortly.
@Davachido: Replied. ^^
@Everyone else: Alright, I've just straight abandoned my old e-mail. It makes me kind of sad that such people lurk on these forums or worse are members, but that's just how the dice fall sometimes. I have a new one, which I will share privately if need be. What this means though is that I'll need to re-host the house rules, so as soon as that's finished, I'll be sending links via PM.
Anyone else interested? There are plenty of spots still open for players.
I'm aiming to start this by the 31st at the latest (I have two tests this coming week, so I'm not going to count that towards getting started) and it looks like we'll be doing this on Forumotion (since that is accessible to everyone so far) with the wiki hosted on Obsidian Portal (I'll share the info on there to the few folks who can't access the site).
When you say "light magic," does that imply any restrictions on magic using classes? Have a concept for an eccentric gnome alchemist (chirugeon) that dips a level or 2 into gunsmith (experimental gunsmith), but focuses on alchemist. Thinking of having him be an apprentice to an alchemist who runs an apothecary that gets the boot for a damaging his boss's lab with his black powder experiments.
Well, you've piqued my interest. I'll need to look over a few sources, but I'm mulling a couple ideas right now. I'll post again when I've got a better idea of what I'd like to pursue.
When you say "light magic," does that imply any restrictions on magic using classes?
I'm interested to hear about your response to this as well. If you're curbing access to full casters it'll change a lot.
@Cj and Sean:
By "Low Magic", I mean that the prevalence of magic in the setting is much smaller than in the standard settings for these kind of fantasy games. You aren't really going to find shops for magic items, there aren't actual schools for magic and every little Thorpe doesn't have a bonafide cleric tending to them. Most spellcasters you'd run into are either lower level (peaking out at 6th to 8th level unless they're someone of importance setting wise), reclusive or under the thumb of someone politically or literally more powerful.
This in no way precludes the access to full caster classes to PCs. Players have always been the odd ducks out and the higher end of the bell curve and this hasn't changed.
But, the house rules do re-write how magic works for the most part. It's too much to really write here, but what I can summarize is the following:
- Full casters eventually have access to the same level of power as normal, it's just staggered and requires more work to get a hold of.
- Magic is a calculated risk once again and requires more the gentle touch of a safe cracker in its use rather than the shed of sledgehammers that are the hallmarks of Tier 1 and 2.
@Tanuki Tales: Oh, that sounds awesome! I love the idea of struggling to gain higher powers of magic. It makes it feel more... oomph-y.
I'm currently looking over the GitPG forums now. That place is really unorganized.
Right now I'm thinking about playing a Chameleon. I haven't decided which version I prefer more, but I don't have any interest in the martial maneuvers or vestiges. I'll hit you up with more details when I have them.
Decided against using anything from GitPG. It was mostly 3.5 stuff anyway.
Had a few questions though- I was hoping to build a druid/bard hybrid, but the only way to really do that is to build a cleric (evangelist) who worships a nature god, which is fine. I was curious if you're using the golarion gods, or if you've got your own pantheon?
Decided against using anything from GitPG. It was mostly 3.5 stuff anyway.
Had a few questions though- I was hoping to build a druid/bard hybrid, but the only way to really do that is to build a cleric (evangelist) who worships a nature god, which is fine. I was curious if you're using the golarion gods, or if you've got your own pantheon?
The homebrew stuff over on GitP is pretty nice (most of it can be updated to Pathfinder), but straight Pathfinder material is only just starting to become a common thing for people to do (I actually run a Pathfinder homebrew contest over there).
My setting has its own pantheons and such (which, outside one specific goddess and one patron figure, aren't written up or decided at all), but it takes the same path that Eberron did. There is divine power and there are god-like creatures/creatures that are held akin to gods/creatures that claim to be gods, but whether the gods empirically exist is not really known by anyone. And those who would know aren't inclined to talk about it and/or shouldn't exactly be trusted in the first place.
My setting has its own pantheons and such (which, outside one specific goddess and one patron figure, aren't written up or decided at all), but it takes the same path that Eberron did. There is divine power and there are god-like creatures/creatures that are held akin to gods/creatures that claim to be gods, but whether the gods empirically exist is not really known by anyone. And those who would know aren't inclined to talk about it and/or shouldn't exactly be trusted in the first place.
So where does that leave divine classes, like the Cleric (Evangelist)?
Also, would you be opposed to me coming up with some type of Druid archetype along the lines of the Fochlucan Lyrist of 3.5? That's really what I'm aiming for. Bardic ability (to some degree) and druid spells.
So where does that leave divine classes, like the Cleric (Evangelist)?
Same as usual. The power flows from the tap, the mortals just don't know what the tap is exactly attached to.
Also, would you be opposed to me coming up with some type of Druid archetype along the lines of the Fochlucan Lyrist of 3.5? That's really what I'm aiming for. Bardic ability (to some degree) and druid spells.
Which book was Lyrist in again? Complete Scoundrel?
Which book was Lyrist in again? Complete Scoundrel?
It's from Complete Adventurer, if I recall. But it's also available online. I always thought it was a really great idea for a class, but pretty poorly implemented. You needed 3 classes and couldn't gain access until 11th level, which is FAR too late. I feel that the prestige class could be recreated by creating an archetype for a druid. If you stripped out most of the druid features (keep nature bond) you could build in bardic music (limited to what the Evangelist gets), evasion, and bardic knowledge. Instant success without the awkwardness of a dual-caster or messed up BAB.
Which book was Lyrist in again? Complete Scoundrel?It's from Complete Adventurer, if I recall. But it's also available online. I always thought it was a really great idea for a class, but pretty poorly implemented. You needed 3 classes and couldn't gain access until 11th level, which is FAR too late. I feel that the prestige class could be recreated by creating an archetype for a druid. If you stripped out most of the druid features (keep nature bond) you could build in bardic music (limited to what the Evangelist gets), evasion, and bardic knowledge. Instant success without the awkwardness of a dual-caster or messed up BAB.
The issue with it wasn't its weird entry requirements but because of how hard you could break the game with it.
Anyways, let's take the rest of the discussion about this Archetype idea to PMs, alright?
Anyways, let's take the rest of the discussion about this Archetype idea to PMs, alright?
Sorry about that. I've sent you a PM.
Everyone, I've updated the house rules, so send me a PM for a copy if you're still interested.
I've also typed up a good amount of the setting fluff for the direct area around where the game will be starting, so feel free to ask questions concerning that.
Hello....I have been browsing these Pbp sites here on the Paizo forums and have become interested in perhaps trying it out. I have no experience gaming online, but I have plenty of table-top experience. I have been playing PF for over a year so I am familiar with the rules. I just am not a computer guy but I am willing to learn. Do u have any more openings for a first-timer? I too go to college but have some free time scattered about to post here and there. Thank you.
Hello....I have been browsing these Pbp sites here on the Paizo forums and have become interested in perhaps trying it out. I have no experience gaming online, but I have plenty of table-top experience. I have been playing PF for over a year so I am familiar with the rules. I just am not a computer guy but I am willing to learn. Do u have any more openings for a first-timer? I too go to college but have some free time scattered about to post here and there. Thank you.
I've got plenty of openings! Just shoot me a PM and I can give you the copy of the house rules so we can get the ball rolling.
Is anyone else having trouble accessing the house rules? I've had two people already voice this, but I'm beginning to think the issue may be something attached to Paizo and not the document (since the people I gave the link to off-site had no issue seeing it).
Is anyone else having trouble accessing the house rules? I've had two people already voice this, but I'm beginning to think the issue may be something attached to Paizo and not the document (since the people I gave the link to off-site had no issue seeing it).
I found that there was a random space in the web address which, when copied, showed up as %20. Delete that and it works like a charm.
Is this going to be PF based? A silly question I'm sure, but there are a lot of topics being thrown around I've never really gandered at. I prefer to keep it simple with my characters, preferably highly-efficient fighters.
Whom are usually NE.
They're not disruptive, however. They don't simply go around killing things to be evil, they just simply "Are." They have Fetishes, such as Sadism, Masochism, Etc, Etc. When made to play Neutral, they combat these urges as much as possible, but indulge when the party isn't nearby, and then, only in a private setting.
When evil, they display these during combat, and sometimes abuse their effectiveness when getting information.
Other than that, they make great face characters, although, secondary faces, as rumors of their habits often spread and make them unsavory characters.
Is this going to be PF based? A silly question I'm sure, but there are a lot of topics being thrown around I've never really gandered at. I prefer to keep it simple with my characters, preferably highly-efficient fighters.
Whom are usually NE.
They're not disruptive, however. They don't simply go around killing things to be evil, they just simply "Are." They have Fetishes, such as Sadism, Masochism, Etc, Etc. When made to play Neutral, they combat these urges as much as possible, but indulge when the party isn't nearby, and then, only in a private setting.When evil, they display these during combat, and sometimes abuse their effectiveness when getting information.
Other than that, they make great face characters, although, secondary faces, as rumors of their habits often spread and make them unsavory characters.
It's Pathfinder as the base chassis, but there are a good amount of house rules (most of them centered around making mundanes more fun to play actually). So far I've heard no complaints about them. ^^
And alignment is one thing that's completely been thrown out the window. I hate it with an ever burning passion. Make your character's personality however you want and don't go around worry about the metaphysical ramifications of actions that would spin the alignment wheel like a dervish depending on who you are and how you do it.
It's Pathfinder as the base chassis, but there are a good amount of house rules (most of them centered around making mundanes more fun to play actually). So far I've heard no complaints about them. ^^And alignment is one thing that's completely been thrown out the window. I hate it with an ever burning passion. Make your character's personality however you want and don't go around worry about the metaphysical ramifications of actions that would spin the alignment wheel like a dervish depending on who you are and how you do it.
Can I get a look at those house rules via PM?
I just remembered an important caveat to the first post that I left out (sorry!):
Only one specific nation in the setting has approached Wild West era tech to a noticeable degree. The others have varying reasons to not exactly be on the same tech level.
Got some bad news folks.
One of my players may have torn out her ACL, so I'm going to need to push back starting the game for a bit. I'll be moving some of the people who have been contacting me over onto actually building up their characters, but I can't give a hard day on when we'll start.
The good news is that any lurkers or folks who haven't fully thrown in yet still have plenty of time to decide on that and contact me about their character concepts.
Got some bad news folks.
One of my players may have torn out her ACL, so I'm going to need to push back starting the game for a bit. I'll be moving some of the people who have been contacting me over onto actually building up their characters, but I can't give a hard day on when we'll start.
The good news is that any lurkers or folks who haven't fully thrown in yet still have plenty of time to decide on that and contact me about their character concepts.
Oh jeez, I hope she's okay. I know that sort of thing is really painful.
I don't mind waiting for things to get going. Life happens. Just keep me updated and we'll be square. :)
If anyone already has an Obsidian Portal account, please let me know so I can invite you to the campaign for this so you can look at the wiki.
If you can't access Obsidian Portal, please also let me know, so I can send you the information on the wiki as needed.
Alright guys, got some good news and bad news:
The good news is, I've heard back from the one player and she's doing relatively alright. She extends her thanks to everyone who had her in their thoughts and shared kind words about her predicament.
The bad news is, she had a full ACL tear and possibly some further tearing as well. She won't be off her pain meds for at least a month, so I'm going to have to push back the starting date till the beginning to middle of May.
Now, if that's too long a wait, I understand if you drop playing. No grudge even thought about it and you're always welcome back if you change your mind before we start. I just have a deep loyalty towards anyone who plays at my "table" and would extend this courtesy to any of my players. I know that nothing sucks more than looking forward to a game and finding yourself suddenly cut from the fun because of things outside your control. I don't penalize players because of real life getting in the way and I abhor the "game must go on" mindset where the needs of players are ignored and trampled on just because the rest of the group can't be bothered to go on hiatus (if you read Knights of the Dinner Table you get the gist of what I mean here). This is just a game we're playing and while it's a beautiful escape into the Land of Kick-Butt Imagination, we need to be mindful of the more important things in life.
I'm willing to wait. I hope your player gets well with no further complications!
I'm also willing to wait. I hope your player recovers swiftly.
Good to hear you two and I'll pass your words along!
Also, I've updated the house rules per player input. If you would like a copy, please shoot me a private message!
Sorry for not being around the last few days guys. The flu has been spreading like wild fire around here and it hit me hard.
Well, it's been 21 days since my last announcement and wow does time fly!
Let me start by saying that so far our time table remains the same and we'll be starting some time around the middle of May (knock on wood). We're still recruiting though, so if you've been lurking or just popped in the first time and wondered about that, there's your answer.
If you have already given me a backstory or have one but haven't given it to me, please check to see if you've included a basic reason for being in the starting town. Once you've done that, please send me a copy of the story that I can give it a final once over and put it in my files for this game.
Once that's been done, I'll start moving folks on to actually filling out character sheets!
There's been an update to the House Rules everyone. Please send me a message if you would like to be linked to them.