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This game will be set in Varisia region of Golarion. In time, it may shift to other parts of the world(s), but it will start in Korvosa.
The game assumes that the events of the Rise of the Runelords, Curse of the Crimson Throne, Second Darkness and Shattered Star have come to pass. The game also assumes that the new rulers of Korvosa played a hand in stopping Xin's return and that they control the Sihedron. After the events of Shattered Star, political climate in Varisia changed a lot and the population of Korvosa grew.
After the demise of Sable Company and Korvosan Guard during the events of the Curse of the Crimson Throne, new rulers have established new armed forces of the city, especially having in mind the fact that the city's population almost doubled after the defeat of Xin at the hands of Korvosa's new rulers. Those new armed forces are: The Crimson Company, Black Company, Shadow Company and Hellknight Order of Sihedron.
Crimson Company replaced Korvosan Guard as the principal armed force of the city of Korvosa, and it will be covered later.
Black Company is currently 300 strong and it is comprised of the remnants of Sable Company, Gray Maidens and various mercenary groups that operated in Korvosa and Magnimar. Black Company members serve in small squads as troubleshooters or as a means for the removal of serious threats away from the city when in full force.
Shadow Company members are recruited from the small ghetto of strange dark-skinned elves that have taken residence in Korvosa slightly before the Shattered Star event. Not much is known about them, except that small number of them, up to 20, serve the city rulers - sometimes working together with Black Company squads.
Order of Sihedron emerged soon after the events of Shattered Star transpired, when it became obvious that the ancient threats are not content to sleep beneath the waves or mountains. They were founded to protect the Sihedron and to be unflinching bodyguards of the new rulers of Korvosa. Order of the Nail still functions outside the city limits, since the Order of Sihedron is very small. In fact, the smallest of all Hellknight orders, since it consists of only 7 senior knights and 4 probates.
Character creation rules:
0) Rules: Pathfinder; feats and classes from other sources (3.5 or PF 3pp) allowed, subjected to my approval.
1) Races allowed: Any, subjected to my approval.
1a) After choosing a race, you must roll d20. On natural 1 you get to play a "noble" of that race. For instance, if you choose Human and roll 1 on d20, you will get +2 to all attributes and 2 Human bonus starting feats instead of 1.
2) 25 point buy; no attribute can be lower than 10 before racial modifiers are applied.
3) Traits: 3 traits from any legal source (see 0). No two traits can be from the same group.
4) Classes: Summoner and gunslinger are banned. Fighter is modified (see 4a). All other classes allowed, according to 0.
4a) Instead of regular PF Fighter, Talented Fighter by SGG will be used, with the addition of following house rules: Fighter gains Vital Strike feat tree at appropriate levels for free. Vital Strike feats can be used (only by Fighters) as Free Action. If you do not have the rules, I will provide them.
5) Archetypes: Up to two archetypes may be taken. Archetypes do not cause usual penalties. (For instance, Bladebound Magus has the normal amount of arcane pool points and he gets all of his arcana.)
6) House rules: Critical hits are automatically confirmed. On a roll of natural 1 you suffer a Critical Failure. I may ask you to roll for the effect, or assign it randomly. Other house rules may come into play.
7) Additional rules: Epic Feats and Epic Points for now. Epic Feats will be bonus feats that you will get for me as a reward for various stuff and Epic Points will be something between Fate Points I used in Midnight Game and Heroic Points by Paizo. Also, I will introduce additional rules such as those that will be presented in upcoming Ultimate Campaign.
Ok, that's it. Questions?
I have arrived.
I see you mentioned 4 companies. Do we all have to be part of a company, or individually of any company or of none?
Archtypes, could be class or racial or both types. Any limits besides max of two?
What alignments are allowed?
Seeing we a few selected players. Maybe we should sort out which roles in the party we going to take up.
I rather interested in the Shadow Company (seems like they the assassin type), stealthy magical user (sorcerer or druidic healer), or perhaps a ninja type character. I guessing the dark skin elves are like the drow. Any special cultural changes for these to the standard drow?
Level 1?
Are we supposed to be members of one of the military orders, or just random adventurers?
My first thought is something similar to Vikturiun since I never got to play him; a Teifling Magus perhaps.
Edit: Question on #5: Are you basically saying that when you select an Archetype, you get the benefits of each, so when an archetype says 'replace x with y' you get x and y instead?
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I have arrived.
I see you mentioned 4 companies. Do we all have to be part of a company, or individually of any company or of none?
Archtypes, could be class or racial or both types. Any limits besides max of two?
What alignments are allowed?
Seeing we a few selected players. Maybe we should sort out which roles in the party we going to take up.
I rather interested in the Shadow Company (seems like they the assassin type), stealthy magical user (sorcerer or druidic healer), or perhaps a ninja type character. I guessing the dark skin elves are like the drow. Any special cultural changes for these to the standard drow?
You have to be a part of either Black Company, Shadow Company or Order of Sihedron. In the case of the later two, I will allow only one character from Shadow Company and only one Hellknight (or signifer) of Sihedron. This is why I'd like for everyone to post their concepts, and then I'll choose who will get into Shadow Company and Order, if there are any who want to belong to them, of course.
I don't know what you mean by racial archetypes. The usual limits apply - you can not take two archetypes that change the same thing.
Neutral and lawful alignments are encouraged, but all are allowed. Make note that your character will be serving in a military organization.
That's why I think your idea of sorting out party roles is a good one.
Dark-skinned elves are in fact drow. There is a reason why they are in Korvosa and out in the open, but that reason is not known not even to all of them. Those in Shadow Company are mostly sorcerers, assassins, ranger-types and similar classes. Since I will allow only one drow in the game, I will allow everyone to present a character proposal before I choose a PC.
They are standard drow, except that they are mostly neutral in alignment.
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Level 1?
Are we supposed to be members of one of the military orders, or just random adventurers?
My first thought is something similar to Vikturiun since I never got to play him; a Teifling Magus perhaps.
Edit: Question on #5: Are you basically saying that when you select an Archetype, you get the benefits of each, so when an archetype says 'replace x with y' you get x and y instead?
Level 1, yes.
You are to be a member of either Black Company, Shadow Company or Order of Sihedron. The later two options are more difficult to get, since I'll allow only one character from both groups. That means that you can automatically be Black Company, but you have to submit a proposal for drow and hellknight options, and I'll then choose the proposals I like the most.
You need to select an archetypes that are compatible. That means that you can not have two archetypes that affect the same class ability. This is per standard rules. But, you do not suffer penalties of your archetypes. For instance, if you take Kensai Archetype, you do not suffer Diminished Spellcasting. If you take Bladebound you still gain arcana at 3rd level.
Dot
Hmmmm...
Maybe a drow nija. Or with a sorcerer feel..... decisions. Wonder what the others are thinking...
I guessing the number of years since they appeared in Korvosa is probably less than a typical age drow taking up adventure. So guessing they may have been born in a drow city, and moved to the surface. Somehow making a deal with the current Korvosa rulers to be left alive and to be in service for Korvosa rulers.
*dot...
Hmmm...I like the idea of being either a member of Black Company or Shadow Company. I was considering either a cleric or inquisitor, possibly even an oracle. I will give this further thought and post later this evening.
I might have an idea for the Hellknight slot. Let me play around with it a bit in Herolab, and see what I can come up with.
Summary of possible characters
DarkOne: Shadow - drow ninja or sorcerer - neutral (a kill is just a business transaction)
Vikturiun: any - teifling magus
Eric: Black or Shadow - cleric, inquisitor, even possible oracle
scranford: Hellknight - probably some fighter melee combatant
michealane: Black or Shadow - not magus, but something similar
Not working today so got plenty time to work on character.
Noble roll for drow:
I decided to start off with sorcerer, though with future levels of ninja may be included.
I don't know what you mean by racial archetypes. The usual limits apply - you can not take two archetypes that change the same thing.
Some are in the Advance Race Guide, see a fighter and cleric ones for the drow. I see other races have them too.
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I am waiting for High Duke, Llaelian and Mark to post in this thread, but I'm going to assume that they will play as well. It would be best to have all concepts out in the open, so that we could than plan the party. I have first adventure ready, so I can begin as soon as we finish with the character creation.
After looking for hours I think that Human Fighter might just be my best option. Feats are precious ;-)
Noble Roll
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After looking for hours I think that Human Fighter might just be my best option. Feats are precious ;-)
1d20 Noble Roll
Do you have Talented Fighter by Super Genius Games, since that will be the Fighter that I'll use for my games from now on? Also, check out point 4a in the first post in this thread.
Will you go for the Black Company or Hellknight?
@nightflier, would you say the entire Shadow Company could be a squad of a larger drow house (with a business contract), or the remnants of a drow house that was exiled, attacked (they escapees), disease devastation, or house leader died with no heir.
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All the drow in Shadow Company belong to the same house. The house is generally neutral in alignment, although there are a lot of evil members of the house. They have escaped from the Underdark for reasons that are not known to the junior members that serve in the Shadow Company. The name of the house is D'raz. When I choose the drow member of the party, that player will receive more info.
Oki, I will skip the background for now.
*crosses out the generated drow house name, replacing with D'raz*
yes I have that book. Will work on it tonight. Trying to create a lawful neutral Paladin type character.
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Let me talk for a moment about the needs of this game, at least concerning party disposition.
Assuming six party members from Black Company, I would suggest 2 melee characters, 1 arcane full caster, 1 divine full caster, 1 stealth/skill monkey and 1 supporting caster/melee character.
Right now it seems possible that the party will have more than six members, which is fine by me. Later I will talk about Hellknight and Shadow roles.
Now, suggested classes:
Martial:
Talented Fighter
- this character can fulfill the role of party commander, relying on Black Company authority rather than its own Charisma. Alternatively, this can be a Sergeant-type or bodyguard to the party leader. Talented Fighter allows many different builds, including a Fighter with greater number of skills than usual.
Spell-less Ranger
-this is "New Path" class by Open Design/Kobold Press. I would strongly suggest for those who want to play a Ranger to choose either this class or to choose an archetype that removes the spellcasting ability from the class. I have certain in-game reasons for this. This class can fulfill both Secondary Combatant and/or Scout/Skill Monkey roles.
Arcane:
Sorcerer and Witch would be the most appropriate arcane classes for this game,with various archetypes. I can not go into details for story reasons.
Divine:
Cleric
-especially with Crusader and Charismatic archetypes can fulfill Second in Command role and it can jump into roles of Secondary Combatant and Dedicated Healer (but it can also be a candidate for Hellknight slot).
Druid
-with Menhir Savant and some other archetype this would be an excellent class for this game, especially with Shoanti background.
Stealth
Spell-less Ranger
-a good choice for Stealth class; see above for reasons.
Shadowsworn
-this is a class presented in Player's Guide to Crossroads by Kobold Press. It combines skilled rogue-like character with arcane caster and it can fulfill both Scout and Supporting Caster roles (also good for drow option).
Supporting caster/melee:
Magus
-this is an obvious choice for this role. I would suggest Bladebound Magus, since it works rather well with the theme of the campaign, although starting at 3rd level. This is also a good choice for Hellknight option, if the player wants to play a Signifer.
Oracle
-Dark Tapestry and Outer Rifts mysteries are both excellent for this game. An oracle with these mysteries would be more supporting spellcaster than combatant.
These are just suggestions and jumping points for your own ideas.
As you can see, you can combine several of these with Hellknight and Drow slots. Some classes are good choices for those slots, such as Paladin for Hellknight.
Alchemist is a good choice for various roles, depending on archetypes chosen.
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*dot...
Hmmm...I like the idea of being either a member of Black Company or Shadow Company. I was considering either a cleric or inquisitor, possibly even an oracle. I will give this further thought and post later this evening.
I would suggest to both you and Dark One to create two character proposals - one for Black Company and second for Shadow Company.
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Oki, I will skip the background for now.
*crosses out the generated drow house name, replacing with D'raz*
Here are some stuff that you can use:
Your character is young and inexperienced. It is seconded from its house to the service of the city's rulers. The reason for this is that Korvosa gave the drow a safe haven from whatever made them leave the Underdark. The mistress of the new king of Korvosa is the matron of House D'razz.
I will go with a spell-less ranger, I've got the book by SSG. I need to see how I can make it work. I'm going to plan for a human with sword and shield or TWF. I'm also planning for stealth/perception/disable device.
I'll have a look about what race to use but it will probably be human or hobgoblin.
Roll for "nobility":.
I would suggest to both you and Dark One to create two character proposals - one for Black Company and second for Shadow Company.
Okay concept #1 for Black Company is Human male Cleric (Crusader and Charismatic archtypes)
Concept #2 is Drow Female Oracle (Dark Tapestry mystery).
I don't have the Player's Guide to Crossroads by Kobold Press, so going to keep to the drow sorceress.
Would you allow the Fetchling for a ninja second choice (Black company).
I going to first build the drow sorceress, then create fetchling ninja.
Oh, Llaelian, congrats on being a noble.
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I will go with a spell-less ranger, I've got the book by SSG. I need to see how I can make it work. I'm going to plan for a human with sword and shield or TWF. I'm also planning for stealth/perception/disable device.
I'll have a look about what race to use but it will probably be human or hobgoblin.
Roll for "nobility":1d20.
Well, you don't have to choose between those styles. Remember that you can take two archetypes without any penalties that usually follow archetypes. That means that you can take both archetypes presented in the book and suffer none of the disadvantages. In fact, since there are only two archetypes for that class, your choice is a bit restricted :) but that means that you will have more powerful animal companion(s) and you will get two weapon styles.
If you choose to go with Noble Human as a race, you will have almost undiluted Azlanti blood in your veins. This is your genetic heritage, not your cultural, so your character can hail from Ulfen, Shoanti or other nations, depending on your wishes. You will get +2 to all attributes and 2 human bonus feats, but your genetic makeup will be evident in the color of your hair and eyes. Your character must have deep red or crimson hair (thin Red Sonya) and green or purple eyes.
If you decide to go with Noble Hobgoblin, your character will look like Azog the Pale Orc from the Hobbit movie. In addition to normal Hobgoblin racial bonuses to attributes, you will get +4 bonus to Strength as well and you will get to choose 3 traits from the list of Alternate Racial Traits, but without any penalties (you do not have to replace standard traits; just add new ones).
2nd choice character (Black Company)
Noble roll for fetchling (aka human):
Noble Race? Human male Cleric no.
Noble Race? Drow Female Oracle no.
@nightflier, Archtypes for sorcerers.
Seeing you giving us the opportunity for taking 2 archtypes without the usual penalties. How would I applies these without penalties? Taking Crossblooded: Wildblooded Sanguine (Undead) - Shadow bloodline.
Decided to take a go at the Sanguine bloodline, which I always wanted to play. Seeing the type of kingdom we in, I see the opportunity to use this bloodline.
As for alignments, I looking at neutral, lawful evil, neutral evil, or neutral evil.
PS: congrats to Vikturiun for being our second noble.
Yep, it is so odd, having 1 being better than the usual great result of 20.
I'm considering either Oracle, Sorceror or Druid (Menhir Savant di catch my attention)
Human
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@nightflier, Archtypes for sorcerers.
Seeing you giving us the opportunity for taking 2 archtypes without the usual penalties. How would I applies these without penalties? Taking Crossblooded: Wildblooded Sanguine (Undead) - Shadow bloodline.
Decided to take a go at the Sanguine bloodline, which I always wanted to play. Seeing the type of kingdom we in, I see the opportunity to use this bloodline.
As for alignments, I looking at neutral, lawful evil, neutral evil, or neutral evil.
PS: congrats to Vikturiun for being our second noble.
Yep, it is so odd, having 1 being better than the usual great result of 20.
I've replied to your email. But just to repeat here, Wildblooded/Crossblooded combo is not legal.
I have created a Menhir Savant character, rather nice character at higher levels.
Thanx, got the email, will make the change. I put the 2nd archtype on hold if something comes up, and make the slight changes as needed.
I see the sorcerer bloodline gives darkvision ability, do I simple add the range to existing 120', or ignore it, keeping 120' for darkvision.
I also assume we handle equipment after characters have been selected.
So Black company Menhir Savant with Ward subdomain of the Rune domain. Basically a supernatural specialist. Gets the assignments that deal with things that go bump in the night.
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@Everyone
Please have in mind that I will need character write-ups and backstories before the characters are approved. In the cases where there are no conflicts between concepts, the concept will be approved immediately - such as Llaeilan's Spell-less Ranger. But in the case when two or more players want to play drow or Hellknight characters, I will have to see their backstories and crunch before I decide which one will enter the game. Please bear that in mind.
So Black company Menhir Savant with Ward subdomain of the Rune domain. Basically a supernatural specialist. Gets the assignments that deal with things that go bump in the night.Keep in mind that you may take two archetypes without any penalties to your base class.
Ok Menhir Savant/Urban Druid Rune Domain (Ward Subdomain) Can actually trace bloodline back to a Runelord.
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Ok Menhir Savant/Urban Druid Rune Domain (Ward Subdomain) Can actually trace bloodline back to a Runelord.So Black company Menhir Savant with Ward subdomain of the Rune domain. Basically a supernatural specialist. Gets the assignments that deal with things that go bump in the night.Keep in mind that you may take two archetypes without any penalties to your base class.
You can still keep your animal companion, if you want to.
You can still keep your animal companion, if you want to.Ok Menhir Savant/Urban Druid Rune Domain (Ward Subdomain) Can actually trace bloodline back to a Runelord.So Black company Menhir Savant with Ward subdomain of the Rune domain. Basically a supernatural specialist. Gets the assignments that deal with things that go bump in the night.Keep in mind that you may take two archetypes without any penalties to your base class.
Can I instead swap it for an additional Domain? Logic is that Urban requires the domain as a feature of the archetype, but if I'm keeping it, the class itself gives me the option of Companion or Domain.
I'd go with Ward Subdomain and Nobility domain. Play up the Runelord descent angle.
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Some new info for everyone:
All characters will begin the game with a Secret. This Secret will be individually tailored to each character and it will have impact on the character throughout the game.
All Secrets and Secret-related stuff will be posted in spoiler tags.
The game will have Achievements. Achievements are a kind of side-quests that PCs can attempt. Achievement rewards will come in the form of feats, traits, unique abilities and similar stuff rather than material objects. I will add the info on Achievements during the game. For now, there is only one Achievement available for striving for at 1st level:
Trismegistos
You gain the title of Trismegistos, which you can use as your last name.
Prereqs: You need to become a fellow of 3 greatest arcane schools of Varisia - Acadamae of Korvosa, Golemworks of Magnimar and Cypher Lodge of Riddleport.
Benefits: +3 Diplomacy bonus with all arcane casters in Varisia, +1 to spellcasting attribute, gain one spell characteristic for each school and cast it 1/day as a spell-like ability.
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You can still keep your animal companion, if you want to.Ok Menhir Savant/Urban Druid Rune Domain (Ward Subdomain) Can actually trace bloodline back to a Runelord.So Black company Menhir Savant with Ward subdomain of the Rune domain. Basically a supernatural specialist. Gets the assignments that deal with things that go bump in the night.Keep in mind that you may take two archetypes without any penalties to your base class.Can I instead swap it for an additional Domain? Logic is that Urban requires the domain as a feature of the archetype, but if I'm keeping it, the class itself gives me the option of Companion or Domain.
I'd go with Ward Subdomain and Nobility domain. Play up the Runelord descent angle.
I'm gonna go with tentative Yes, but I'm gonna have to give final decision once I see the full write-up.