[AP] Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master Jason Lillis

Alright Guys, welcome to the campaign. Before we begin feel free to chat and work out any final details on your characters.

"This is Galford Dao reporting in."

With a flourish with his blade and his other talon, he bows to all assembled.

Galford is well going to be mostly rogue like and will be using his expertise with languges and blades with equal aplomb. Or at least the player is going to attempt this. Galford laughs at his player.

Sybil dotting and reporting in.

So, I was thinking, since some of the characters are bound to know each other (at least throught the main NPCs) we should state our linked NPCs and try to iron out some basic relationships/impressions.

Also, this would be most beneficial for players (like me) who do not like reading others background stories and prefer to learn about them in play.

What do you say?

Edit:
For Sybil:

Lived in Sandpoint from when it was founded to around 5 years ago (with a decade of break in between). She ran a jewelry/ore/precious stone business for most of this time and lost it all before leaving town (rumors go that she had debts to pay to other dwarves).

Linked to Koya as a friend of the family. She was often seen going to the house of the family and helping Niska (Koya's mother) with chores and other manual labors (but not in the last 5 years).

Apex dotting and taking a corner booth at the back of the inn. She pretends to be reading a book, but she's actually watching all of you intently. A small wisp of blue hair is poking out from under her hood, and her staff is within easy reach, along with her pack. Though she's trying to hide it, her body posture says she's ready to bolt out at the slightest sign.

Little is known about her around town, other than she used to work for Sandru as a caravan guard, but quit recently. She's quiet, and keeps to herself mostly.

Apex is a universalist wizard who will focus on knowledge checks and magical assault. I want her to help control the battlefield as well as have major offensive power. Roleplay, she's a shy sylph who trusts no one because of reasons. Looking forward to playing this adventure!

Tharjuk stepping in (I changed the named during the application process, saw the old one mentioned here and there).

A shared background between characters sounds like a cool idea, although Tharjuk has only recently joined Sandpoint's community. I can see potential for some contact with Sandru and associated characters since Sandru and Koya are close.

I plan to build Tharjuk primary as a healer, and secondary ranged controller (when such spells come online on the Cleric list), but I won't step on anyone's toes in that regard. Thajruk is pretty good in Diplomacy though, so I'd be happy to invest in social competences.

You don't necessarily need a shared background, there is a reason for outsiders to be in town as well.

A bounty on goblins.

Irnk we will work out a reason why nobody is currently killing you.

Thank you for picking me Meninite. I hope this will be a fun experience for everyone involved.

In regards to shared backgrounds, anyone who frequents the Rusty Dragon will have at least seen Avan; as he does work as a bouncer there.

I know I am just stating the obvious here but Avan is built as a front line combatant, in time he'll have various combat maneuvers to pick from; increasing his utility greatly, also access to fighter only feats like the Weapon Specialization feats will buff his damage greatly so he'll hopefully pull off his role as a martial character without any problems. Avan's AC should see some improvement as he levels up, the rest of the Snapping Turtle Style feats should help too.

Avan will not likely deviate a lot from the skills he's got now, I may get him some ranks in Heal though, I'll need to find a story reason for that, I am also considering Escape Artist.

Regarding group role, Sybil was suppose to aim at three roles:
1) Make extracts for the group so that characters have access to self spells that are not usually accessible to them (using the infusion discovery).

2) Throw bombs at ennemies (using either controlling bombs or different elemental bombs).

3) Disarm trap and scout in dark areas where not having darkvision is just plain dangerous.

However, I noticed that Galford Dao is quite excelling at spotting traps and Irnk has impossible stealth level on top of darkvision.

Sooo..... that makes some of Sybil's class abilities (Trapfinding) quite redundant and her stealth not really useful. I believe her skills are well chosen for her background (so will keep stealth and disable device).

However, I would like to suggest, to our GM and everyone, a change that would make her less of a third wheel (or sixth...): swapping crypt breaker for mindchemist. It would still fit her background (since the mutagen idea was to enhance her senses, which is true for both archetypes) and make her a better battle support.

*

On an unrelated note: poor Irnk.... being chased around like that!

You can never have too many stealthy characters, that's what I believe anyway.

Regarding group role, Sybil was suppose to aim at three roles:

1) Make extracts for the group so that characters have access to self spells that are not usually accessible to them (using the infusion discovery).

2) Throw bombs at ennemies (using either controlling bombs or different elemental bombs).

3) Disarm trap and scout in dark areas where not having darkvision is just plain dangerous.

However, I noticed that Galford Dao is quite excelling at spotting traps and Irnk has impossible stealth level on top of darkvision.

Sooo..... that makes some of Sybil's class abilities (Trapfinding) quite redundant and her stealth not really useful. I believe her skills are well chosen for her background (so will keep stealth and disable device).

However, I would like to suggest, to our GM and everyone, a change that would make her less of a third wheel (or sixth...): swapping crypt breaker for mindchemist. It would still fit her background (since the mutagen idea was to enhance her senses, which is true for both archetypes) and make her a better battle support.

*

On an unrelated note: poor Irnk.... being chased around like that!

It's up to you, feel free to change your archetype, it's hard not to overlap when there are six players. But you may not always be together in a group either.

Apex can sneak, if she prepares the right spells.

You don't necessarily need a shared background, there is a reason for outsiders to be in town as well.

A bounty on goblins.

Irnk we will work out a reason why nobody is currently killing you.

In the original game I played this character, he actually stayed out in the wilds somewhat. Shalelu used him as kind of a 'native watcher'/informant. Consequently, she was pissed when I failed to warn her ahead of time about the Licktoad's & basically told me my only shot at redemption in her eyes was helping the other PC's in investigating the Licktoad's village.

Might want to put that in a spoiler! I somewhat knew because I ran:

On a side note, Sybil had an illegal trait (my bad). I replaced it with Highlander.

I got to the beginning of the second book of the anniversary edition when the DM crapped out on me. I haven't read ahead of that, even though I own the book. I can play dumb though. I'm really good at keeping player knowledge and character knowledge separate. :)

Might want to put that in a spoiler! I somewhat knew because I ran:

** spoiler omitted **

On a side note, Sybil had an illegal trait (my bad). I replaced it with Highlander.

In retrospect, you're right, I should have. Actually, what I really should have done was hold off on posting until I got home & wasn't trying to post using my phone again...

As far as Irnk's Stealth mod goes, yes it is ridiculously high, for a starting character with no ranks in Stealth. The thing is it is unlikely to ever really go up from that. Irnk's a Paladin, while he doesn't devalue the utility of it, being sneaky really isn't his thing.

As to the Spoiler, that, combined with Goblins of Golarion was really the germinating factor in this character idea. That plus the idea of Shalelu discovering she has feelings for a member of a Species she abhors was just too tempting.

Assuming MO hasn't already read the posts/thread of the Campaign I originally got to play in, Irnk is a rather...
acerbic/'This is your big plan?!' kind of character. He tends to come across as quite argumentative, so everybody please let me know if I start stepping on toes/pushing boundaries.

I got to the beginning of the second book of the anniversary edition when the DM crapped out on me. I haven't read ahead of that, even though I own the book. I can play dumb though. I'm really good at keeping player knowledge and character knowledge separate. :)

Ah crapnuggets, I mixed up Jade Regent and RotR again. I do that all the time. As far as this adventure goes, I've only read the player companion. It's RotR I got that far in. I'm really looking forward to this one since I've never played it. :)

I think we have a nice, balanced party of interesting characters here. I'll fill any spots I can with my spells if we end up missing something, but I doubt we will.

Well considering that I have run this before, I'll be keeping player knowledge seperate from character knowledge.

Galford can be you go to being the overly friendly type if you're looking for links.

Being a foster child of Koya, foster brother to Sandru and being all about town as the local mischief maker makes him just about good to go for everyone else.

For example;
Sybil as a baby sitter for a rather rambutious tengu?

Apex, being a former guard with Sandru and thus has seen the Tengu around trying to make sense of arcane writings whenever he thinks Apex isn't looking.

Tharjuk, seeing this Tengu quote often being that getting hurt seems to be a favourite past time.

Irnk, This Tengu always trys to claim so called bounty but never succeeded and it soon devolved into a training excercise with said Tengu always going for the biggest bruises.

Also no worries about Sneaking about, Galford has no dark vision unfortunately.....He's better as trap disabler and sometime melee assistant.

I have found that no two campaigns run the same so their should be new experiences for all, hopefully.

I will get the actual campaign thread up soonish, I want to take a closer look at the characters and get some things prepared.

I have found that no two campaigns run the same so their should be new experiences for all, hopefully.

I will get the actual campaign thread up soonish, I want to take a closer look at the characters and get some things prepared.

Yay!

Question: Are we intending to use either the Relationship or the Caravan mechanics, or simply treat them as 'guidelines'.

@Galford or Dao? How should people call him?

Also, the baby siting sounds perfect (and quite funny). Sybil would not have being a good babysitter though, she is the kind of woman that is not comfortable around little kids. I can imagine her being extremely boring but as a babysitter and quite strict (style that tells the kid to go to bed earlier than their mothers). Even more, she must really have had her hands full with a pranckster (but she never lost her cool).

As for the others,
Tharjuk might have met her while traveling through Varisia (as a traveling merchant) during the last 5 years.

For the others, it seems they haven't been in Sandpoint for long, so I will suppose that she does not know them.

Finally, I decided to change the archetype (to Mindchemist). I will keep her perception, stealth and disable device high but she won't be able to disable magical traps (shall leave that to Gao).

Edit: changes over.

Gao?
I suppose that's my nick from you I guess.
Galford or Dao is fine. The name is as close yo literal translation of the name in mandarin.

Galford Dao as in Flying Saber.

@Galford: well, works for me. After healing up from the ambush and getting past his depression, Tharjauk might have patched up Galford once or twice.

@Sybil: if you traveled to the upper north-west of Varisia, maybe? It is a far cry from the popular cities :)

As for mixing up AP's, happened to me as well. Which is why I wholeheartedly support the motion of new AP's not to start in Sandpoint.

Well if it helps the new AP is based in Osirion and Reign of Winter is based in somewhere up north.
Wrath of the Righteous is well near the world wound.

Technically, Reign of Winter starts in Taldor...
But it was specifically written so you could plop the start-point anywhere in Golarion, given that you only spend half the first adventure there, at most. It is fairly specific that it does not start in Sandpoint however, since...

Question: Are we intending to use either the Relationship or the Caravan mechanics, or simply treat them as 'guidelines'.

Relationships won't be changed too much, the caravan rules will probably as it seems to be a sore point in this AP

And here I was hoping to initiate a hot romance with Ameiko... damn.

Just kidding.

@Meninite: I don't know how well they translate to PbP, but I have seen a rather highly rated homebrew for caravan rules somewhere (didn't read it though), maybe even on this messageboard. I announce at least a mild interest in fiddling with the caravan, without knowing the first thing about the mechanics.

I have created the Gameplay thread, I expect to have a post up tomorrow,(Today is my real life Pathfinder day, and I originally was planing on starting on Sat, but it shouldn't be a problem to start tomorrow)

I am also fairly relaxed when it comes to changing things about your characters in the first couple levels just let me know.

Thank you everyone for your patience.

And here I was hoping to initiate a hot romance with Ameiko... damn.

Just kidding.

@Meninite: I don't know how well they translate to PbP, but I have seen a rather highly rated homebrew for caravan rules somewhere (didn't read it though), maybe even on this messageboard. I announce at least a mild interest in fiddling with the caravan, without knowing the first thing about the mechanics.

I agree with changing the caravan rules. I think I saw a link to it as well but if you find one post and let me know,

That's exciting, can't wait to start!

@Tharjuk: She never went that far from Janderhoff or Sandpoint, so I am guessing they never really met. What a shame! (we shall remedy to that soon!). :D

@GM: There should be no more changes.

Changed the ability scores, I think someone with terrible social skills should have below average Charisma so I brought it down to an eight. Made the necessary changes to the crunch, hopefully there aren't any mistakes.

I didn't choose any archetypes, I don't think I will. I think she's good like she is. I'll let you know if I do wish to change something though

@Irnk: I was looking at Irnk's ability scores (curious on how he was built) and noticed that he seems to be built using 15 points rather than 20. I am guessing you thought goblins got +2 to dex, but they actualy get +4.

Wizards have few archetypes to choose from, I guess they mostly depend on their arcane schools and discoveries for variety, which makes sense, still wouldn't hurt to see more wizard archetypes in the future.

I will go double check, but now that I think about it, you might be right Sybil. I know I applied for another Jade Regent campaign a little while ago & I think it might have been 15 point buy instead of 20.

M.O. The simplest way to being Irnk in might be to have him only just returning from the North & Riddleport.

I just looked over everyone & it looks as though we have no Characters with a specific close tie to Ameiko, usually she is the one who winds up getting multiples, this time it looks like Koya leads with three, followed by Shalelu with two (both of us rescued by her no less) and Sandru has one.

M.O. The simplest way to being Irnk in might be to have him only just returning from the North & Riddleport.

I just looked over everyone & it looks as though we have no Characters with a specific close tie to Ameiko, usually she is the one who winds up getting multiples, this time it looks like Koya leads with three, followed by Shalelu with two (both of us rescued by her no less) and Sandru has one.

That's ok, Ameiko still runs the Rusty Dragon, and she has a reputation from her past actions, so she is known.

As for introducing your character check the Game play thread.

Apex is a newcomer to Sandpoint, she only hired on with Sandru long enough to get here. Her plans were to leave as soon as she got enough coin doing small jobs to get to Magnimar. She's been in town for a few months tops, long enough to know all the important people, like Shalelu and Ameiko. The pc's she probably only barely knows, or has seen them occasionally. If anyone wants to have a connection with her, or be her friend prior to the adventure starting, that's cool. We can hammer out the details here.

If she frequents taverns then she most likely have been to the Rusty Dragon which means she most likely saw Avan a couple of times, but given their social skills the only way for them to have met would be through Ameiko inteoducing them for one reason or another.

lol at Irnk's introduction.
"everything looks the same including the arrow just fired at you cracks me up."

Tharjuk didn't spend every minute in Sandpoint at Koya's, so I think he'd have been to the Rusty Dragon at least once or twice. Having met most of you by now seems reasonable (except Galford whom he knows better by now because bruises). A shared background doesn't really make sense since he is really a far cry from his tribe's territory in the north.

Well we don't exactly need a mandatory shared background but at least where we aren't total strangers, it's unavoidable to sometimes adventure with complete strangers or with friends all the time. A mix is always nice.

I agree, the introductin was hilarious, good way to start!

By the way, I won't have access to a computer tomorow (taking the plane to Mexico). So I won't be posting. Should be back on saturday.

The first time I played him, I wound up choosing Haitian Creole for Goblin because they both kind of have a lyricism to them. Now it's just looking marvelously sinister.

Have fun in Mexico Sybil!

I was about to ask what kind of language that is, cool idea.

It's probably not entirely grammatically correct Haitian Creole, I'm just running my lines through Google translate & then posting the results, but it is fun, yes.

I have a real soft spot fo Sumerian myself, but I haven't found an online translator yet and running through PDFs and books for real dialogue is kinda tedious... :)

Irnk is going to be awesome to adventure with. I love his attitude.

Oh good. I worry sometimes. As I stated before, please let me know if I start rubbing you guys the wrong way, please let me know.

I would not worry too much (hopefully their won't be character/people mixups) and I agree with Apex, its quite lively and fun to read!

@Irnk: thanks.