Ruleset – This campaign will use the Pathfinder rule set. If you’ve played D&D 3.0/3.5, and/or other d20 games, then you’re familiar enough with the mechanics. You can find the ruleset here: PRD
CRB or Core – This stands for “Core Rule Book”. This is akin to the Players Handbook and the DMG in one. The link above has all the information you need from the book, if you don’t have your own. The campaign will start with the players just having access to the CRB to avoid complications at start, as I assume most players haven’t played Pathfinder before. There are *LOTS* of options even in just the CRB.
Ultimate Equipment – Book with lots of equipment. Found at link above. This is allowed from the start to allow access to additional items.
Paizo Source – Paizo is the publisher/creator of Pathfinder. If it’s found in the link above, it’s definitely a Paizo Source. There are some items that are NOT found in the link above, with can be found at the following links: Here and Here
These links have more Paizo stuff, but also have non-Paizo 3rd party stuff for Pathfinder. Keep an eye on the “source”.
Campaign Setting (World) – Golarion, which is the default Pathfinder setting. The deities available to worship are listed here . No Evil God worshiping allowed.
Classes - All allowed from Core. Others unlocked as campaign progresses. A lot of the campaign will be underground.
Races - All allowed from Core. Others unlocked as campaign progresses. A lot of the campaign will be underground.
Feats, Spells, Archetypes – All allowed from Core, others allowed on a case-by-case basis. Players are encouraged to avoid the crafting feats. Also, the Leadership feat is not allowed.
Stats – 25 point buy, no stats below 7 after racial modifiers. Max hit points per level.
Starting Level – 1st
Starting Gold – Max of starting wealth.
Available equipment – No single item greater than 15% of your total gold limit. All available from CRB and Ultimate Equipment. Other sources allowed on an item-by-item basis.
Traits – All allowed from a Paizo Source, except Regional and Campaign Traits. Go to here for a good database/listing.
Alignments – No Evil, CN, or Lawful Stupid. No worshiping Evil deities or causes. All others allowed.
Experience – GM will keep tally of party experience. No additional experience for doing things alone. Solving/resolving situations without violence will result in the same (or more) experience and equivalent (or better) rewards where possible.
Character Building – Link to a free program called “PCGen” here . PCs encouraged to use PCGen or HeroLab, save to PDF, then sent to the GM for printing. Handwritten sheets are allowed.
Use of Critical Fumble cards – All combatants. A confirmed fumble brings two cards.
Use of Critical Hit cards – Players always have option to use them, important enemies get to use them. A confirmed critical brings out the multiplier in cards. If it’s a PC, the player chooses.
Rolls – All players rolls in open, on the table or in a dice container. Any dice on floor is rerolled.
Combat and Spell Rules – Trust the GM about the combat rules to expedite combat. In generally, if GM is really unsure, GM will side with what is advantageous to the Players and look into it after the session. GM reserves the right to change a rule after research, and will let everyone know at the start of the next session but won’t reverse an occurrence that benefited the party. It will just have been a one-time effect.
No PvP - Willingly attacking a fellow PC, stealing from them, or just being a jerk will put you into the Evil category and will become an NPC. If you want to change characters, there are ways to retire them without being a jerk.
Campaign Setting (Local) - The campaign is set on the island of Arazan, and starts in a trading port. The trading port will grow and develop resources as the campaign continues. There are some minor islands off Arazan, as shown on the player map. Characters that travel abroad the trading boats to leave the islands (i.e. the map) or chooses to stay in town to be a merchant becomes retired and a NPC and the player will be asked to create a new Character.
Avoiding the Loot Cycle - To avoid abuse, this campaign will use special scavenging rules when it comes to dead PCs.
PC dies, but is reincarnated/raised – Provided the other PCs have their stuff, then the revived PC gets all their stuff back.
PC dies, new PC is made – Provided the other PCs have his stuff, then the other PCs get the consumables (arrows, potions…etc). The other items are assumed to be in unusable condition. Note – if this gets abused (i.e. make a character that just uses their wealth to buy consumables and then dies purposely) then this will get revoked.
TPK, new PCs are made – If it’s in a location where intelligent creatures would reasonably be, then the creatures would find the items and use them, and possibly be available as loot.
Exception to the Above – Anything found adventuring (not bought) during the campaign can be passed from character to character, and in the event of a TPK used by creatures as appropriate (and is re-findable).
Background
Recently a priestess of Desna has been getting visions of a great evil coming from below the remote island of Arazan. The PCs have been tasked (volun-told) with finding – and cleansing – this evil. Players are welcome to provide additional backstory if desired.
The campaign opens with the PC’s being dropped off from a river boat in the trading fort.