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The town of Sandpoint needs you!
The coastal town of Sandpoint has faced few trials and dangers over the course of its forty-two year history, until recently ... Now, the sleepy fishing town's citizens are beset with strange nightmares and the hinterlands are in turmoil with a troubling uptick in goblin activity. What Sandpoint needs are – *ugk*
*stabs narrator in the throat* “Agh, shaddap you! Me never liked you anyway. Filthy longshanks try ruin bigbig plan….
HEY GOBBOS! LISSEN UP! BIG CHIEF HAVE ORDERS!!! Okay. All gobs here? Where Feeva? Better not be sleeping again…. Oh! Me see her now. Goodgood. Okay. Pay tenshuns you lot! Chief have inpurtant job. You all know longshank place name Sand-Point. Me no like. Too big. Soon make ‘ventures come kill Licktoads. That bigbad thing. So Chief make plan: KILL THEM FIRST!!! In the morning, we attack! Kill horse. Kill dog. Kill longshanks. This I decide. Now me say ‘Get Ready!’ Licktoads raid soon.
Whether this is genius or insane, I don’t know, but I’ve decided to attempt the “Rise of the Runelords” AP as the Goblins. Once you raze Sandpoint, the AP will continue as written (with Goblin twists, of course), so the overarching metaplot will stay the same. Thistletop, The Scribbler, Karzoug, etc. – all here. In other words, you’ll still be saving the world – but it’ll probably happen accidentally and despite your best efforts. ;-)
Allowed Races: Goblin (If selected, Peanuts can play his Kobold, but that’s the only exception)
Allowed Classes: Everything except Gunslingers, Vivisectionists, Master/Synthesist Summoners, and ACG playtests.
Witches are allowed, but Slumber Hex = BAD!!!
Archetypes are allowed. This includes 3rd-party (with GM approval).
No Psionics. I have no problem with the system but am too unfamiliar with the mechanics to be comfortable GMing with it at this point. Same reason I’m banning the ACG classes and Words of Power.
Any Paizo material + “New Paths Compendium” + Time Thief class
I own 1001 Spells and love it, but run everything by me first. I may veto some things.
3.5 material and/or additional 3rd-party sources allowed with GM approval
15point buy (Monks get 5 extra build points but will lose them if they attempt to exploit this)
Level 1
HP: max at first level, then your choice of rolling or taking the average.
2 traits (1 must be a Goblin trait), 1 drawback (includes 3rd-party “minor drawbacks”)
Starting gold: None. Aside from spellbooks, familiars/animal companions, and fluffy items (like a necklace of elf ears), you start with nothing. Don’t worry, that’ll change as soon as gameplay starts.
Alignment Restrictions: None. I fully expect crazy Goblin shenanigans, but it’s equally possible for a group of LG Goblin Paladins to shine. And if we end up with a party of extremely opposed alignments, so much the better!
PvP: While I’m not cool with randomly backstabbing party members and taking their loot, if it’s been discussed OOC in advance, I’m okay with taking out frustrations on each other or whatnot. Party conflict adds realism (especially among Goblins), but PvP can easily prematurely end a campaign if handled poorly, so just be careful. :-)
-I use the pre-errata Crane Style chain
-Leadership is banned.
-Antagonize is allowed – but only the Diplomacy function. The -Intimidate function is more than a little messed up.
-Crafting is allowed, but any custom gear requires GM approval.
I have a particular hatred for Critical Fumbles and don’t use them in my games. A nat1 is a missed attack/failed save – nothing more.
Perception/Sense Motive: I’ll roll when relevant. After all, if the dedicated trap-monkey pronounces the door safe, it makes no sense for the rest of the party to double/triple/quadruple check just because the PLAYER rolled a 3. Same goes for Sense Motive. If the mysterious stranger’s lying, I’ll roll for everyone and send PMs as appropriate. Feel free to roll in-thread anyway, but if I already rolled for you, you’re not getting any new information. Depending on the situation, I’ll occasionally roll saving throws for you as well – generally when there’s an illusion involved.
Scaling Feats: if you take Two-Weapon Fighting, Vital Strike, etc., you’ll automatically get the Improved/Greater versions upon meeting the prerequisites.
I’ve made quite a few modifications to the Rogue class. They’re listed below.
Level 5 – Shadow Strike bonus feat
Level 9 – Glib Lie DC 15 + 1/2 level, Mask Alignment (master spy PrC)
Level 11 – Improved Evasion
Level 13 – Elude Detection (master spy PrC)
Level 16 – Hidden Mind (master spy PrC)
• New Rogue Talents (skill tricks from “Complete Scoundrel”)
o Assume Quirk
o Clever Improviser
o Corner Perch
o Easy Escape
o Escape Attack
o Hidden Blade
o Listen to This
o Quick Escape
o Sudden Draw
o Timely Misdirection
• New Advanced Rogue Talents (skill tricks from “Complete Scoundrel”)
o Acrobatic Backstab
o Back on Your Feet
o Clarity of Vision
o Group Fake-Out
o Second Impression
o Shrouded Dance (opposed by opponent’s Perception)
o Spot the Weak Point
Combat: I’ll provide maps for everything via Google Docs, and you’ll be able to move yourselves as necessary. When combat starts, I’ll roll initiative for everyone and take the group average. Give me your actions, and I’ll resolve everything at the end of the round. If an earlier action would affect you, I’ll take creative liberties. For example, if you magic missile a baddie that the Rogue just eviscerated, I’ll redirect your spell to a still-living target. This isn’t how I run things in a live game, but in a PbP, block initiative saves time and speeds up combat significantly.
Along with your submission, I’d like a roleplaying sample, a Goblin song, and a brief overview of your planned progression (multiclassing, Prestige Classes, etc) so I can get a sense of your personality and see where you’ll fit in a party.
I’m looking to bring 5-7 characters with me on this wild ride – with one slot reserved for my wife because nepotism is fun. Recruitment will be open for one week or until I have enough stupendously-awesome submissions.
But enough about Pathfinder’s roleplay element; roll-play is equally important here. I’m EXTREMELY rules-knowledgeable and am one of the go-to-guys in my local gaming circle when there’s a dispute about minutiae. I’ll confess to being a slight rules-lawyer, but it’s not particularly bad. If you’re trying to break a window, I’ll calculate hardness and estimate HP based on thickness (yes, there’s a table for that in the Core Book). After all, your STR 5 character may not be physically capable of breaking the 6in-thick glass. That being said, my favorite part of the game is when PCs attempt crazy shenanigans, and I have no trouble improvising when necessary. Want to pull a Legolas and ride a Tower Shield down a flight of stairs while firing arrows? Let’s make some Acrobatics/Ride checks, check to see if you have the Shot on the Run feat, and figure out some appropriate bonuses/penalties. After all, RAW determines the physics of the game world, but the “rule of cool” also has its place. I guess what I’m saying is that Pathfinder’s supposed to be fun, and I’ll do my best to keep it that way.
I think that’s about it. If there’s something I missed, ask away!
lol
You have my 'tenshun, Chief.
Build parameters?
EDIT - DOH! Ninja'd. Nevermind...
Great intro and interesting twist. Dotting for interest and will think on a character.
EDIT: Thinking on a Goblin (obviously) Alchemist (Fire Bomber archetype)
EDIT2: Perhaps a combination of Fire Bomber and Mindchemist archetypes as they don't seem to have any conflicts.
Ouch, 15 point buy D:
Anyway, I already have both the concept and build in mind, just have to write a backstory and a cool song: Brother Tochack (name pending), CG Dawnflower Dervish of the 'Pretty Lady with hair on fire'.
It's a 15pt buy because everyone's starting out as unimportant Goblin mooks. :-) In other words, if you want to write an epic backstory involving saving the Chief's life, slaying hundreds of longshanks, etc, this isn't the right place. Don't worry: as my RoW players can attest, I'm fond of giving out random prizes as time goes on. You'll increase in power relatively quickly.
Dotting. Are monkey goblins okay too? Same number of RP as regular goblins, just a few things are really changed around-I believe it's really only the move speed and ability scores.
Ummm... I'm going to veto Monkey Goblins as I don't think there are any jungles near Sandpoint.
Important Note
PCs will be members of the Licktoad tribe of Goblins.
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I'll be building you something tonight!
I'll probably go Oracle focusing on buffs for spells and combat maneuvers. Probably oracle of Battle, possibly dual cursed, maybe going into Barbarian then Rage Prophet. Maybe.
As for character, His name is Sticky. His favorite color is shiney, and he wants your stuff. Unfortunately, he lives is a bleak world of jerks who carry around broken crap. He is completely unaware of his Wrecker curse and is an obsessive kleptomaniac. He sees things, steals them, then realizes that they're mostly useless, broken crap.
It's hard to live as a Goblin with Taste!
Question: it's 2 traits and a Drawback without the extra trait, yes?
This is DarkNetwerk. Just a near empty profile for my fire bomber/mind chemist. I'll work on it more tomorrow.
@Choon: that's a fantastically hilarious concept. :-)
@Adahn: That's correct. I could rephrase it as 1 trait + a Drawback for an extra trait.
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I'm not going to write much about his childhood and such, because he's a goblin, and what matters is burning down the smelly longshanks' cities and chopping up their horses. I hope that's alright.
Build-wise: probably fighter for one or two levels. After that, I'll have to see what the party needs. Possibly bard or cleric, possibly more fighter. Doesn't matter as much since I'll already have my torch build up.
@D-Kal: Pyromaniacs are always welcome here. :-) I'm guessing you'll be taking the "Fire Hand" feat?
Here be me, Boss! Me ailyas be here! No Infos yet, but here be! Worky on it to night!
Dot. I'm thinking big beefy(for a goblin) type. I'll call him 'The Molehill'
Burgop was waiting for this chance, chance to prove he is worth being part of the tribe, they always said: "You no use! You no strong, you no smart!! but they didn't know is Burgop is fast, very fast, and he will go to longshanks city and show them he can kill dogs, chew things and sing! He will sing:
Burgop fast!
Burgop bite!
Longshanks cry!
dogs must die!
Burgop smile!
Burgop likes eating and chewing, amazed by fire but too dumb to handle it. He has a collar of rabbits feet because he thinks it will make him fast.
Going for a monk, lots of little claws in the faces of longshanks. I'll work on it today.
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@D-Kal: Pyromaniacs are always welcome here. :-) I'm guessing you'll be taking the "Fire Hand" feat?
There's actually a Firebrand feat that I was going to take instead for the sake of TWF.
Introducing to you the very Good, very Chaotic, Brother Tochack, Dawnflower Dervish of Sarenrae aka "The Very Pretty Lady With Hair On Fire"
Me was a scrawny goblin baby. Very scrawny. Jumped around the cage to not get eaten. One day cage's bars got loose, Tochack rolled...”
…
“Yeah, rolled. Tochack never trips!” The goblin stood up and thumped his chest once. He lost balance and fell flat on his face.
“...Me was saying, rolled. Bars broke, but Tochack rolled too much, and went down, down, down the hill. Everyone was trying to eat me when in cage, so Tochack went away and not went back. Me was free!
Me learned that 'free' is 'hungry' most of the times. So me walked and walked and walked. Avoided evil horses and evil dogs and then found longsh... 'human' village. Me wanted food, so me sneaked at night to take some. Almost got some when...”
…
“TOCHACK NOT TRIPS. Ahem. Humans found me. Strange humans, didn't try to kill Tochack. Well, a pretty lady didn't, most wanted to give Tochack to dogs as snack. But lady brought Tochack in the 'temple', that's how they call it. There was there something incredible” the goblin gestured to underline his next sentece “there was a big statue of a very pretty lady. But the lady had her hair on fire!”
…
“Yes, yes, fire's good! Me stayed there, and humans taught Tochack that was Sarenrae. The sun” the goblin pointed up in the sky “is really the biggest ball of fire in existence, and Sarenrae is her guardian!”
…
“How big? So big that you could burn all of the world horses and dogs! All of them! Humans gave me food, taught me their language and a lots of songs on Sarenrae”
…
“No dirty ones, no. They got mad when Tochack did. But they taught me that when you be nice to people, they give you food and save you from horses and dogs!
Tochack didn't do much at the temple, but one day me tripped and...”
…
“OKAY, I DID. Happy now? Anyway, there was this Amid, strnage human. He see me and tells me 'How did you know the techniques of the Dervishes of the Dawnflower? This must be a sign of the heavens! Praised be Sarenrae!'. Me did nothing, only tripped and moved a little, spinned to get balance back. Amid said that strange thing and give me a 'scimitar'...”
…
“Like a Dogslicer, but thinner and with less holes. Anyway, me train and then one day scimitar lights on fire!” a wide grin appeared on the goblin face “Cool, yes! Amid said that The Lady With Hair On Fire smiled on me, and now me was Brother Tochack. Tochack very happy. Me was nice so everyone was nice. Only one time they tried to” Tochack will lower his voice “teach me to read. Me not wanted to get words stolen out of my head, so me refused. They didn't understand first, but then said it was okay. Sarenrae says that if you talk, things get better. One time, Tochack talked, but things got worse.
Amid was away and a big, fat longshank came to the temple. Aluren, the lady that said not to kill Tochack the night they found me, was being bullied by this 'Mayor', she called him. He said that Tochack was dangerous, and started to yell at Aluren. Me angry, so I sing to him”The goblin prepared for a second and then started
“You douchey big fatty
turn heels and go away
no one wants you to stay!
Take your face wrinkly and flappy
I'll give advice, if I may,
to get hit by a Color Spray!
Then a bandit will find you
rob you blindly, it's very true!
With a dagger make you bled
it won't matter, you'll be dead!”
“The fat lonshank turned red and went away, but then Aluren told Tochack that was human's chieftain! Me were in danger, so me had to go away. Tochack couldn't say bye to Amid or take scimitar, but could keep these.” Tochack pulled from his bag what seemed to be, at first glance, a book. After startling the goblin he was talkin to, Tochack showed him they were only drawings. If the goblin had knew something about the Sarenraean faith, he would have known that they were illustrations of Sarenrae's holy scriptures, The Birth of Light and Truth. Being dead scared of writing, Tochack had drawn instead all of the book's passages he heard from the priests, to be able to consult the holy text he had learned.
”Pretty, yes? Tochack came back here to tell tribe about The Lady With Hair On Fire. If you talk to people instead of stab them, they give you food and not let horses and dogs loose. Some people are like the 'Mayor' tough. Better to stab them.”
Male Goblin Bard (Dawnflower Dervish) 1
CG Small humanoid (goblinoid)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size)
hp 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +0
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Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Special Attacks bardic performance 7 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate, inspire courage +1), battle dance: inspire courage
Bard (Dawnflower Dervish) Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +3):
. . 1st (2/day)—grease, saving finale (DC 13)
. . 0 (at will)—detect magic, ghost sound (DC 12), light, prestidigitation
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Statistics
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Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 7, Cha 15
Base Atk +0; CMB -2; CMD 11
Feats Arcane Strike, Dervish Dance
Traits flame of the dawnflower
Skills Acrobatics +6, Knowledge (local) +5, Knowledge (religion) +5, Perception +6, Perform (oratory) +6, Perform (sing) +8, Spellcraft +5
Languages Common, Goblin
SQ battle dance
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Special Abilities
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Arcane Strike As a swift action, add +1 damage, +1 per 5 caster levels and your weapons are treated as magic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Bardic Performance (standard action, 7 rounds/day) Your performances can create magical effects.
Battle Dance (move action) A Dawnflower dervish is trained in the use of the Perform skill, especially dance, to create magical effects on himself. This works like bardic performance, except that the Dawnflower dervish’s performances grant double their normal bonuses, but thes
Battle Dance: Inspire Courage +2 (Su) Morale bonus on some saving throws, attack and damage rolls.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Dervish Dance Use Dex modifier instead of Str modifier with scimitar
Flame of the Dawnflower +2 damage with a scimitar on a critical hit.
Rude Songs Providing an opponent can hear and understand you, the lyrics of your songs are so personally insulting that you gain a +2 trait bonus on all Perform(song) checks. Perform is always a class skill for you.
Klutzy You suffer a -1 penalty to Acrobatics and Stealth checks.
Hmmm, I think that in the next days I'll also write a goblin song about Sarenrae.
I have to translate the whole The Birth of Life and Truth in Goblinoid metrics!
The special object that Tochack has is a copy done by himself of The Birth of Life and Truth, fully drawn and without a single word.
Ooh ooh! Pick me, pick me! A little albino hand can just be spotted at the back bouncing up and down.
Thinking druid either blight druid or wild rider if that is ok.
@Brother Tochack: That's a fun backstory and a very interesting character concept. I'll look over your build more in-depth later, but everything looked fine at first glance.
I took a cue from the GM's intro, but here's my first backstory write up.
Stickymitts was not named so because of his fondness for shiney things or tendency for said shiney things to make their way into his pockets. No, Sticky was named that because he once got ahold of some candy from a human refuse pile. He greedily devoured the tasty treat, as is only appropriate, and this left his hands... Sticky. The whole rest of the day he was bothered by leaves, papers, a d anything else light perpetually clinging to his hands. The others noticed. The name was born.
He started stealing stuff later. Shiney stuff. It called his name! It did! What. You mean they don't talk to you?
*Shank*
I be tell story now. NONE 'O YER TASTY BEEZWAXY!
Fascinating pitch, my good sir. I'm quite impressed. I will consider my options...
Inter-party book burnings! Go!
Crunch and fluff for Molehill
Full Name : Molehill
Race: Goblin
Classes/Levels Fighter 1(hp favored)
Gender M
Size S
Age 18
Special Abilities :
Alignment: CN
Location
Languages Goblin
Occupation : Goon
Strength 12 (+1)
Dexterity 16 (+3)
Constitution 14 (+2)
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 14 (+2)
Charisma 11
Height: Weight: Hair: Eyes:
Favored Class: Fighter(HP)
EXP:
Hit Points: 13
Spd: 30
Init: +3
AC: ( armor shield Size)/Touch /FF )
BAB: +2
CMB: 1
CMD: 14
Saves: Fort +4 Ref +3 Will +2
Weapons:
Skills: Climb (1+1+3)5,Intimidate (1+3)4
Feats:weapon focus-Battle axe, weapon focus-Longspear
Traits: Strength of the Barghest(1/day +2 str check or str based skill check),Bloodthristy(+1 damage on a critical hit, multiplied by weapon multiplier)
Drawback:Anxious(-2 diplomacy, speak in whisper)
Special Abilities: +1 size bonus to AC/Attack rolls,-1 size penalty to CMB/CMD,+4 Stealth/Ride,Darkvision 60 feet,+4 Size bonus to stealth
Fluff:(Quiet) Molehill is quiet, stays quiet and waits for trouble Wasn't always quiet, liked to smack-talk people I beat, but beat chief at drinking game and smack-talked. Me no smack-talk any more, me quiet.
Me still like fighting, me like axes and spears. Spear is good for longshanks and boar, stay out of reach of tusks. Axe is good for chopping up close for dogs. Hope we go hunting soon.
Oh great DM, could the trait Goblin Foolhardiness apply to CMB, or is it strictly Attack rolls only?
Oh, if I only had the time and energy for this.
@Stickymitts: I'm going to rule that it'll only apply to CMB if you're conducting the maneuver with a weapon.
Ok. Thanks!
Still building. Making a Maneuver oracle is hard. It might be a first level dip just because the Barbarian is so much better at it.
Very true. I haven't seen a great Maneuver Oracle build yet, as Monk and/or Lore Warden are the go-to classes for that. Still, it's doable (Battle Oracle comes to mind).
The problem with Battle is it grants you the improved feats for the maneuver you want very, extremely late. Lvl 7 for improved and 11 for greater. That's just too long to wait. It does give you full BaB for that maneuver, but still.
Interested.I wasn't thinking of adding another campaign, but the moment I saw the pitch....
Fartuk, The Intelligent Articulate Goblin Wizard.
Fartuk puts a palm to his face as he hears the news from their chief. He speaks sarcastically, "Wow...that was so eloquent.. at least it was simple." He pauses for a moment and speaks to his fellow goblin next him. "Settle down Bigbsy, I love burning things down as much as any goblin in this tribe. If only you could understand what culture means to me. But, do you know that there are books that can teach us how to burn things down better? I mean... we don't have to burn the library too." Fartuk lets out a sigh.
Crunch in place, story coming tomorrow.
@AceOfSpades: I like the concept. I have been working up a way for Wizards/Magi/Alchemists to transcript spells/formulas from found books without having to deal with the evils of writing, but intelligent "fish out of water" Goblins are run, too.
@Croakers: You appear to be shorting yourself 1 trait and will need to ditch the Hero Point, but crunch looks fine at first glance.
Easy. "These scribbles aren't writing! They're pictures that show my hands what to do! *bluff*"
Here is the Nine's Entry A goblin Wizard! (yeah i know, much like stickymitts said the writing is a problem hopefully explained it well enough in the backstory under the link)
It was easy too easy Wompgurger, convincing that foolish if strong goblin Ugwump that those three were going to take his shinies and his bed after killing him dead dead dead. He cackled almost madly as he paced back and forth in his tiny little nest of a hut. His ears brushed against the roof as he plotted and planned with the only creature smart enough to understand him... His toad familiar. The toad in its brillance croaked.
"Yes! Exactly!" The plan for domaination of this tribe then all tribes proceeds as planned... well mostly." He harumphed more than a little annoyed that they had destroyed and burnt the books that dwarf traveler had carried on him when they found them on the body. From their description he didnt sound like a pratictioner of the arcane.. But such small narrow minds these goblins had.
The sounds of that Ugwump rutting with some female or another peirced through the thin walls of the ramshackle mud thatched hut he had made for himself and he pulled his ears down trying to hide the noise. It was hard to think with that ruckus going on. So he was a bit jealous all the female goblins looked at him well... with disdain would be putting it politely. He would show them one day.
He raised his fist to shake at the sky grunting as it struck the ceiling and some of the dried mud tumbled to the ground ceating a very small hole in his roof. He shrugged. Building an empirical kingdom always seemed easier in those historical books he had read... He sat down scowling at his toad.
One day... they will Rue this day." He finished grumpily at his toad.
@YBD: Oh, I forgot something in my submission: I considered for a moment to follow the Crane Style line of feats, but then said "Naaah".
I felt that
1)It was a little too cheap.
2)Monks have to be lawful and Tochack is definitely chaotic.
3)It's the Crane style. Those birds that stand on a single leg. Tochack trips over himself even while using both his legs!
I was considering that maybe I could take the Flagbearer feat later on, but I'm not sure.
EDIT: I'm not familiar with RotRL: up to what level will we go? I was planning my build but realized I didn't know that. <.<
I have an idea for a Gravewalker Witch. The character would be a priestess of Urgathoa and would mainly focus on her aspect as goddess of gluttony. Over time that would change though, moving more and more towards the undead.
The idea for her is to start out as Witch and eventually become an Evangelist.
EDIT: Do note I'd be going fully evil on the gall, Cook People and everything.
EDIT2: As far as personality goes: Think the fairy tale witch who appears friendly and kind but is actually rather devious. All Goblinized of course.
RotRl is actually the longest running AP (in that it gets you to a higher level than any of the others), I think it is meant to go to 17th level.
Anyway, it is me Makena, I think I'm going to rework her as a bard unless I can come up with a cool new idea for her eidolon. Will post something IC when I decide.
dotting for interest
looking into a feral gnasher, named Bricker, who was raised/terrorized by redcaps. He would multi-class, preferably into oracle, but I don't want to step on anyone's toes, especially sticky ones. Also, since biting would be his primary attack, what's your take on using two shields for defense? The image of that just makes me want to laugh.
It looks like I'm the only good-aligned goblin here :(
Ha good call. I will add an additional trait tonight. ALso, updated to include a brief background and personality.
... I have been working up a way for Wizards/Magi/Alchemists to transcript spells/formulas from found books without having to deal with the evils of writing, but intelligent "fish out of water" Goblins are run, too
What about pictograms/pictures rather than words? Maybe take craft (painting or calligraphy) to artfully jot things down hidden within a picture or design? And if one uses the ashes of some of these spellbooks and scrolls in the pigments, then it's only 'reclaiming the words'.
... I have been working up a way for Wizards/Magi/Alchemists to transcript spells/formulas from found books without having to deal with the evils of writing, but intelligent "fish out of water" Goblins are run, tooWhat about pictograms/pictures rather than words? Maybe take craft (painting or calligraphy) to artfully jot things down hidden within a picture or design? And if one uses the ashes of some of these spellbooks and scrolls in the pigments, then it's only 'reclaiming the words'.
I agree :and if I'm not mistaken, there was a paragraph of Goblins of Golarion with these same advices.
And for everyone that hasn't read Goblins of Golarion yet: do it. It's awesome. ;)