Important things to note before continuing:
- This game will be significantly faster than the 1 post/day that is the standard on these forums.
- This game will be played using 13th Age (SRD here)
- This game will not be set in Golarion, but set in The Dragon Empires of 13th Age.
Greetings! In an effort to play more 13th age and get another game in for the PFS Game day, I've decided to run part 1 of Reign of Winter in Campaign Mode. In this case having previously play the AP will not be problematic and I'll be using it as a loose guide to pull resources from.
The choices on where to go and what to do lies with you, the players.
Previous experience with 13th Age is not necessary, but a willingness to learn is.
We'll be having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously so stats will be done by the "Roll ’em" method.:
Roll 4d6 for each of the six ability scores (Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma). Drop the low die in each roll. Put the scores into any order to best fit the character you want to play.
I am also happy to create the basic mechanics behind the character you want allowing you to focus on all the awesome parts.
More info to come, hoping to start soon.
If you've got any questions ask away, I'm sure I've forgotten lots.
All right, here we go...
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Hot damn this is my jam.
-Matt
I'm into this! Got the 13th age book and looking to try it out! Love to join in if you'll take me!
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Yeesh
Hi Riyah, I see you're pretty new here to paizo.com so I thought I'd check and make sure you knew what you were getting into.
This game will be fast paced, with multiple posts per day from the players. Not seeing any posts from you other than a couple requests to join pbps makes me nervous. Do you have any experience playing pbps other places? More importantly, what makes you awesome?
Also, here is a great beginners guide to pbp on the Paizo forums.
No experience playing pBp, so if that's a problem I understand. Can't really sell you too hard on myself though, as I'm fairly new to pathfinder (although probably 15 years experience with tabletop RPG's as a whole).
I write for a living, and have no problem keeping up with the board. However if you're looking only for experienced players, I totally get it.
Possibly useful notes on the different classes.
From the simplest character class to the most complex, the
classes go like so:
• The barbarian is designed for the player who wants to roll
dice and slay without worrying too much about the rules.
• Like the barbarian, the ranger relies on base attacks
augmented by class talents instead of a power list.
• The paladin also relies on a short list of class talents instead
of powers. Like the ranger, it can be slightly more complex if
you choose its more involved talents.
• The fighter is simple to play but asks you to make interesting
choices between flexible attacks before and during combat.
• The cleric is probably the easiest of the spellcasters. It
requires a touch of patience.
• The sorcerer is probably more complex than the cleric
because of variant spells and the option to cast spells for
double the effect in two rounds. Not a decision that new
players may feel comfortable with.
• The rogue can be more complex than other classes because
you are tracking whether or not you have momentum,
constantly disengaging, and trying to use your Sneak Attack
damage effectively.
• The bard has a variety of options that include battle cries,
spells, and songs. Figuring out how to use these options in
combat and during roleplaying is probably best for a confident
player.
• The wizard is the most complex class if you choose all the
options that allow improvisation and ad-libbing; without
those free-form talents, it’s no more difficult than the sorcerer.
Oh, I'm familiar with the classes, and the game itself. Played in a few campaigns with friends, and a couple standard modules.
Fairly new wasn't the best description. Fairly new when compared to RPG's I've played enough to memorize the books backwards and forwards.
I don't think it's that he's only looking for experienced players, just that he doesn't want to end up with someone disappearing partway through the game. :)
Out of curiosity, what sort of writing do you do?
I write radio commercials. It's a slow spiritual death.
No experience playing pBp, so if that's a problem I understand. Can't really sell you too hard on myself though, as I'm fairly new to pathfinder (although probably 15 years experience with tabletop RPG's as a whole).
I write for a living, and have no problem keeping up with the board. However if you're looking only for experienced players, I totally get it.
Being new isn't a problem, just makes it harder for me to go look at your previous posting style and see if you'd be a good fit or have a tendency to stop posting after the first week etc.
I don't think Mattastrophic or Oladon have played 13th Age before so we'll all be learning different things.
I'm hoping to get characters mostly settled by the end of the weekend so we can get started on Monday. (I may be delusional in how little time that will take though)
I really do recommend reading the Doomed Hero post I linked, it's got great advice, including style guide for how to write dialog etc. that I'm a big fan of.
Reading the link now.
It's your call. if you're up for having me, great! If you're looking for someone with more posts/experience on the board, I won't be offended.
Sorry it wasn't clear from my last post, please come join us, I hope we can have a lot of fun.
Great!
Any other character creation I should know about? Will we be using traits from the Reign of Winter Player Guide (obviously re-skinned for the different setting)?
I'm pretty open to the various options from the 13th Age core book, and could be convinced pretty easily to use the playtest material from 13 True Ways.
I'm not too concerned with the traits from the Reign of Winter guide, I'll be creating hooks/links to the story based on people's backgrounds/Icon relationships etc.
Was thinking bowed Ranger, but I'm going to take a gander and the 13th age book and see if anything else leaps out at me.
You speak of madness.
Customization
Feel free to tinker toward what’s fun and what best suits your character. If you have a paladin whose concept requires an animal companion that fights for him, which is a class talent for the ranger, it’s no big deal to customize your paladin with the talent from another class.
Trying to mini-max talents from other classes isn’t cool, but simple swaps that feel right in the GM’s campaign don’t hurt anyone. Similarly, our players frequently rename their attacks and spells to suit their characters’ personalities and icon connections.
As a note I have a preference for finding a 4th player but am happy to run with 3.
Half-elf half-dwarf? :Þ
So you are going to try to finish a module from an AP with a system most people are not familiar with in about 2.5 months?
Good luck!
We have that long? I was thinking we only had 1.5 months and was aiming for about 4 weeks.
So you are going to try to finish a module from an AP with a system most people are not familiar with in about 2.5 months?
Good luck!
It's cool. I'm not really concerned with finishing on time. I'm looking at playing a Rogue (who'da thunk?), and it sounds like 13th Age streamlines combat a lot. If like to give it a try.
Right now, I'm looking at playing my original Reign of Winter concept... Dante d'Apcher, corsair, swashbuckler, dandy, and here to rescue his lady love from the clutches of the Snows of Summer.
I wasn't too keen on the flavor of the Bard as written, but reflavoring has me thinking.
You want in, Neb?
-Matt
I don't think people being unframilar with the system should be a problem. 13th age is similar to pathfinder, but a bit more simplified.
Is everyone doing the "One unique thing" from the 13th age char creation?
Right now, I'm looking at playing my original Reign of Winter concept... Dante d'Apcher, corsair, swashbuckler, dandy, and here to rescue his lady love from the clutches of the Snows of Summer.
-Matt
Sounds like the rogue will get you more of what you want, it's got some cool swashbuckling stuff.
I don't think people being unframilar with the system should be a problem. 13th age is similar to pathfinder, but a bit more simplified.
Is everyone doing the "One unique thing" from the 13th age char creation?
The "One Unique Thing" is super awesome and we'll be using it. What sort of things are people thinking?
Not entirely sure yet, bouncing some different ideas in my head. I'll be able to sit down and figure it out tomorrow morning.
Where will the campaign be taking place, near the frost ranges?
We'll probably get there eventually, I'm imagining us starting in/near a small town not located anywhere in particular.
Step 0 - Gamemaster input: The setting is designed to be customized, so ask your GM if there’s anything you need to know about it.
Well, there's some RoW stuff going on, but the GM hasn't given us much details so I'm gonna make soemthing awesome and then work together with the other players later to make it work.
Step 1 - Race: Races work like normal, except that you have an option as to which ability gets your racial bonus.
Well I'm going to make a Dwarf. Looks like I get +2 Con or +2 Wis and
That’s Your Best Shot? (Racial Power) Once per battle as a free action after you have been hit by an enemy attack, you can heal using a recovery. If the escalation die is less than 2, you only get half the usual healing from the recovery. Unlike other recoveries that might allow you to take an average result, you have to roll this one! Note that you can’t use this ability if the attack drops you to 0 hp or below. You’ve got to be on your feet to sneer at their attack and recover
Step 2 - Class: Class: Every class gets special powers it can use, but the classes play very differently from each other. Your class gives you a bonus to your primary or secondary ability (a different ability from your racial bonus). Choose your class talents, and then select your 1st level powers or spells, which might be at-will, recharge, or daily.
I'm here to kick ass and take names so I'm going to play a Paladin. As a paladin I get
Ability Bonus +2 Strength or Charisma (different from racial bonus)
I'm going to do things slightly out of order and figure out my abilities scores before I go any further.
8
11
18
12
12
12
This Becomes
Str 18
Dex 8
Con 12 + 2 = 14
Int 11
Wis 12
Cha 12 + 2 = 14
So I'm strong, reasonably tough and charismatic but am not too nimble.
As a first level paladin I get Smite Evil as a class feature
Smite Evil
You can use this talent once per battle, plus an additional number of times per day equal to your Charisma modifier. As a free action before you make a paladin melee attack roll, you can declare that you’re using a Smite Evil attack. Add +1d12 to the damage roll AND deal half damage with the attack if it misses.
and I get to choose 3 class talents.
I will take Implacable:
You can roll saves at the start of your turn instead of at the end of your turn. A successful save against ongoing damage, for example, means that you will not take the ongoing damage that turn.
Fearless:
You are immune to fear abilities and to any non-damage effects of attacks named or described as fear attacks. In addition, you gain a +1 melee attack bonus against enemies that are not engaged by any of your allies. The bonus increases to +2 against enemies with fear abilities (for example, the dretch, large and huge red dragons, and especially nasty minotaurs).
and
Way of Evil Bastards
Special: You can’t take this talent if you take the Path of Universal Righteous Endeavor talent. When one of your Smite Evil attacks drops a non-mook enemy to 0 hp, that use of Smite Evil is not expended.
This gives us a fearless Paladin who's hard to keep down with status effects and is a right evil bastard.
Step 3 - Generate Abilities I cheated and did this higher up.
Step 4 - Combat Stats
Melee Basic Attack:
At-Will
Target: One ememy
Attack +5 vs. AC <Str MOD + Level>
Hit: 1d8+4 Damage
Miss: 1 Damage
Initiative - +0 <Dex MOD + level>
AC: 18 <I've chosen to go with heavy armor and shield, giving me AC 17 + middle of Con/Dex/Wis>
Physical Defense: 12 <10+ Middle of Str/Con/Dex>
Mental Defense: 13 <12+ Middle of Int/Wis/Cha>
HP: 30 <(8+Con MOD)x3>
Recoveries: 8
Recovery Dice 1d10+2 <(1d10 xlevel) + Con MOD>
Step 5 - One Unique Thing
Has the best beard in the world!
Step 6 - Icon Relationships
I get 3 points here. Since I'm an ass-kicking Dwarven bastard I'm going to take 1 point of positive relationship with The Crusader (The Crusader is the armored fist of the Dark Gods. So long as followers of the gods of light stay the hell out of his way, the Crusader turns his wrath against the demons that would destroy the world his own gods want to rule. Follow the Crusader if you must win at any cost.)
and 2 points of conflicted relationship with The Dwarf King. I figure what I do is mostly helpful but the Dwarf king probably wishes I was a little nicer about it and anyway he's jealous of my beard.
Step 7 - Backgrounds
I've got 8 points to play with with a max of 5 in anyone background.
I'm going to put 4 points into "Commander of the Dwarven Hell Legion."
I probably had a life before all that military stuff, lets go ahead and put 3 points into "Seedy Merchant (aka smuggler)"
This leaves me with 1 background point which I will go ahead and put into "Apprentice Dwarven Smith."
I figure it was the family business, my work was never quite up to the impeccable Dwarven standards, but it's quite serviceable.
Step 8 - Feat
If you're not quite sure what you want here, feel free to put off the decision until later. I'm going to go ahead and take the Implacable Feat which will improve my Implacable ability by giving my +1 on saves.
Step 9 - Gear
Heirloom Dwarven Axe, chipped and scratched from many years of use.
Gleaming Full Plate, recently polished.
A strange experimental Dwarven Cog Bow (2 handed ranged weapon, does 1d8 for me)
Hopefully this sample is helpful.
Hey it's Riyah. I'll post this here. I'm going to properly format it when I have a chance. I was playing out of town this weekend, so I had to write some of this on the road/bar. I'll write out a proper background to go with it tomorrow as well.
Arayas
Half Elf Ranger
Str 13
Con 11
Dex 17 + 2 (Race) = 19
Int 11
Wis 9 +2 (Class) = 11
Cha 9 +2 (Race) = 11
Racial Ability: Surprising
Class Talents:
Archery
Double Ranged Attack
Tacker
Combat stats:
Melee Attack:
At-Will
Target: One Enemy
Attack: Str (+1) or Dex (+4) + level (1)
Hit Weapon (Spear 1d8) + Str (+1) = Damage
Miss: Damage equal to level
Ranged Attack:
At-Will
Target: One Enemy
Attack: Dex (+4) + Level (+1) vs AC
Hit: Weapon + Dex (+19) damage
Miss: Damage equal to level
Base AC = 14
HP 21
Base Physical Defense 11
Base Mental Defense 10
One Unique Thing:
Seen as a union to bring a faction of Elves and Human's together in cooperation. Detests elf faction, and works to see them fail at every opportunity.
Icons
Conflicted Relationship: Elf Queen – 2 points
Arayas is seen as a positive force in future relationships between Human and Elf. Although there has been some suspicion of where her loyalties lie.
Positive Relationship: High Druid – 1 Point
As a Oryias Sentry, despite the politics Arayas has always followed her duties in protecting the small area of the Frost Range human's and elves move through and inhabit.
Backgrounds:
Oryias Sentry 4pts– Oryias Sentries are a small faction working in the Frost Range. Helping the few amount of people who travel or live near the Frost Range. However their most important duty is acting as advanced scouts for settlements nearby such as Foothold, and Anvil.
Storyteller 2pts – Life as an Oryias Sentry is weeks of sheer boredom as they watch seemingly empty wastes, with random moments of sheer terror as Wurms, orcs and other terrors of the North show themselves. Because of this, most Oryias members have become excellent storytellers to both pass the time, and properly honor their companions who have fallen.
Spy 2pts – Recently Arayas has started to actively spy on the elf scouts near the Dragon Woods. Because of her birth, she's allowed to join low level patrols and visit smaller outposts and settlements as a sign of good will.
Feat: Precise Shot (Adventurer Tier)
Gear:
Spear of the North – A spear given to all Oryias Sentries upon their official induction into the organization. Created using a specific type of tree that only grows in the upper altitudes of the northern mountains, the spear doesn't warp or break due to the cold wet climate of the North.
Elvish Longbow – Sent to her by her father's elf house after Arayas became an Oryias Sentry. It's of a fine quality, with Elvish inscriptions along the shaft that Aryas hasn't bothered translating.
Four Throwing Daggers – Used both as a deperate last resort, and often as a tool while surviving in the North.
Leather Armor – Created from the hide of the White Bears. Uses a series of layers to add warmth for patrols in the north, but can be easily converted into lighter wear for when they are in more temperate locations.
That looks awesome, unless I'm missing something race stats is an "or" and is con/cha (not dex) for half elves.
Curses!
As I said I did this with a while running around with a copious amount of beer mixed in so I'm not surprised.
You are correct, I'll correct it tomorrow when I sober up, as well as expand a bit on the history of my character/org.
Huzzah.
Basically the idea is that the elves near Dragon Wood, and humans near Anvil each have a separate organization of scouts. Eventually while working together a romance bloomed which created my character. They tried to use this as a source to form a common bond, but the human faction has seen this as a chance to spy on their "allies".
I love it! Oladon promised me some character in the morning so hopefully we can get started sometime Monday, or at worst Tuesday.
Gameplay & Discussion threads have been created btw.
I'm making progress on Dante the Rogue, but it'll likely be tonight before I'm ready to go.
How's this for a One Unique Thing?
One Unique Thing
Dante is the fourth child of a heavily-indebted family, yet he somehow manages to be treated as if he were the scion of a prominent family. Bar tabs still get compensated, favors are still given, and women of a station greater than his own still swoon.
I'm not sure what 13th Age is looking for in One Unique Things.
-Matt
Here I am. DM, feel free to look over the sheet and make sure I did everything correctly.
Matt: I like your OUT.
Had some free time at lunch, and finished my background. Trying to do it as a quick story since that might be more interesting? I dunno.
Arayas smiled as she pulled the skin off the dead rabbit in one quick pull, the two elves across the fire clearly trying to hide their disgust. She loved teasing them with "barbaric human habbits". It always amazed her how elf wardens could spend weeks in the frost without ever hunting... just eating the same old bread and rations.
"...the same old food, day in and day out..." a burly man said next to her, seemingly echoing her thoughts. He smiled broadly as Arayas placed the skinned rabbit over the fire. Rith was a burly man, even by northern human standards. White leather's and furs covered his body only his fat bearded head was uncovered. Arayas and the other Oryias Sentry beside them wore similar outfits.
"Blasted elf food..." Kerane said swallowing a mouthful of the bread the two wardens had shared. Kerane, a new initiate for the Oryias Sentries had taken to emulating Rith, in mannerisms and speech. Pretty much every way he could. Except his build wasn't nearly that of Rith's.
"Maybe that's why all those tree elves are so damn thin! Eating nothing but this garbage." Rith said tossing his bread into the fire in disgust. "Probably why they got slaughtered at the Battle of Lakeshore Ridge by the king's finest".
The two men started to laugh.
Kerane slapped Rith on the back, "Yeah, I hear they ran like a bunch of rats... took 'em weeks to..."
"Enough!" Arayas said angrily.
The two men stopped laughing, staring at her.
Arayas scowled at them "That battle was years ago, we're working together now. No point bringing it up. And besides, I doubt either of you two were there." She reached for a piece of the elf bread, tearing off a chunk, trying to crack a smile at the two elf wardens who smiled weakly back at her. "And Rith, they don't just eat bread. You ever have an elvish feast?"
"Oh, I forgot your royal highness here's got a taste for the elf life. Enjoy dancing in the trees with you're little elf friends while we're all stuck out here." Rith shot back.
"I carry the same spear you do, and spend just as much time in the frost as you do. So don't even start. Or did you forget that orc pulled off you that time?"
Rith grunted. "Fine..."
The five of them sat around the fire in silence for what seemed like an eternity, watching the rabbit cook on the spit. Finally one of the elves started to talk.
"In the morning we should move northwest... there was an orc raid nearby..."
He was cut off by a loud rumbling in the distance. Kerane stood up, looking in the direction of the sound.
"What was that...?" Kerane asked squinting.
The rumble got closer and closer, the ground shaking. The ground ahead displaced as something moved under it.
"Frost Wurm!" Rith yelled out. Everyone moved towards their weapons, the two humans grabbing spears, and the elves each grabbing a pair of elvish short swords. Arayas spun around, picking up her bow and quiver. The wurm moving right to the fire, seemingly attracted by the heat. The scene remained quiet for a single heartbeat before the wurm shot through the ground, the force and debris knocking everyone back into the snow. Arays rolled back, snow soaking through the tiny gaps in the stitching of her armour. Looking up she could see the wurm towering over her, spinning slowly around sizing up it's dazed opponents. She watched it breathing deeply, as the large head of the wurm moved between each of the stunned humanoids. Finally it smashed down onto one of the Elf wardens. She could hear his screams as she used the chance to grab her bow. The panicked cries of the other warriors rang in her ears as they started shout frantic orders to one another.
"Kerane, Rith... attack on my command. We'll distract it. Arayas, attack it's head!" the remaining elf yelled loudly, taking control of the situation.
Arayas spun around notching an arrow. The scene in front of her was chaos. Their equipment lay scattered about the snow, blood staining the snow near where the first warden fell. The two sentries with their spears at the ready and the warden with his swords drawn frantically looked at her, then the wurm.
"Now!"
The two spearmen skillfully pushed their spears into the beast, while the warden closes the distance with his swords. The swords were a clear disadvantage in an engagement like this as he was forced to close the gap.
The beast roared in pain as the spears found their mark. Arayas aimed breathing deeply, letting the string slide off her fingers firing the bow as her elvish father had taught her. The arrow flew forward hitting the beast in one of it's eyes. Causing it the thrash, snow and dirt flying all around. The elf warden finally in range, moved quickly and gracefully, a series of slashes and cuts tearing through the wurm's tough skin. The wurm focused on him, smashing down again, his teeth finding their target impaling the elf. Arayas notched another bow, firing again in the beast's head, near where the elf fought for his life. The arrow hit, penetrating deep, causing the wurm to fall with a crash dead.
Arayas ran to the wounded elf, tossing her bow to the ground. She slid beside him, the wurm's foul stench stinging her nostrils.
"It'll be alright, it'll be alright..." she reassured the warden, almost completely out of breath. "Rith, my medicine bag..."
She moved her hands onto one of the warden's wounds, where a large tooth stuck through. Turning back she saw Rith slowly sauntering up, spear in one hand, medicine bag in the other.
"Hurry Rith!" She yelled keeping her hand pressed to the wound.
"Why?"
"He's dying!" She screamed at him.
"So?" Rith said finally reaching her, still gripping the bag. "He's not going to make it..." he knelt down beside her, "And besides, they're not our allies. You know they're working against us..."
"But still..." She said reaching for the bag, "They're... they're... they're still..."
Arayas pulled the bag from Rith's hands. Digging for a vial. She knew he was right... there was nothing she could do. Finding a small yellow vial she opened it placing it to the warden's lips.
"For the pain..." she said quietly. She stayed beside him, holding the wound, knowing she couldn't do anything for a few more minutes, until she finally felt him stop breathing.
"Come on, you did good... you're a damn good sentry." Rith said as helped her up, "Come on, let's go girl... Wurms tend to follow each other's trails..."
The two of them picked up what equipment they could find, slowly walking away from the scene. Arayas using her sleeve to wipe tears from her away. Kerane stood looking over the scene puzzled.
"Don't see what the big deal is... just a couple of dead elves."
Nicely done. I just posted Dernaras' background in her alias right before you posted this.
How old is Arayas? We could be from totally different parts of the world, or from fairly close to one another. It's kinda eerie how our two backstories worked out though. :P
Oh, also... would you mind bolding speech in your posts? It's a convention most people here use to make posts easier to read. (We also use italics for inner dialogue/thoughts, when applicable.)
Looks good Matt: I'd simplify it to:
Always treated well above his station. as the OUT. I love the extra detail though.