I'm looking at creating an afflicted lycanthrope alchemist. He (probably) would view the lycanthropy as a blessing in disguise, and be experimenting with alchemy to gain better control and, functionally, become a natural lycanthrope.
Obviously, the affliction itself, and more than that, the reaction to it, effectively isolated him from civilized or polite society, in the end driving him to the open arms of Dagor, who has the resources to handle such a minion, and more importantly, the willingness to put up with such a minion.
I'll work on crunch during the day (mostly evening, I suspect) and also work out a name and the details of that background. In the meantime, any preferences on the animal type? More importantly, any you would veto? I would assume the options are those I see listed on d20pfsrd (werebat, werebear, wereboar, wererat, weretiger, werewolf); but if any are unacceptable, I'd rather know before I happen to pick that one.
Filios is updated for 20 Point Buy, and I have replaced Warrior of Old with Fallen.
Aren't changelings only able to be female per Pathfinder rules?
Yup, Lillianna is a Changeling, while her fraternal twin is a human. may have taken a little license to have a hag bear twins, but the Green Widow trait was a little too perfect to pass up for her, if didn't have to.
Allester tho, is a human, all be it an odd duck...
When will ultimate decisions occur and a gamethread opened? I am really looking forward to this one!
Altan
Male afflicted werewolf hobgoblin alchemist (beastmorph, vivisectionist) 2 (augmented humanoid)
CE Medium humanoid (goblinoid, shapechanger)
Init +1; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +5
Defense
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +1 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 17 (2d8+4)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +2; +2 vs. poison; +1 vs. Transmutation & Necromancy
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +5 mwk spear (1d8+4/x3)
Ranged +3 mwk light crossbow (1d8/19-20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6, mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 natural armor, 20 minutes)
Alchemist Extracts Prepared (CL 2nd)
1st - enlarge person, shock shield, open
Statistics
Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 15
Feats Iron Will
Skills Craft (alchemy) +7 (+9 to create items); Disable Device +6, Knowledge (nature) +7, Perception +5, Spellcraft +7, Stealth +10, Use Magic Device +4
Languages Common, Giant, Goblin, Orc
SQ alchemy (alchemy crafting +2, identify potions), change shape, discovery (infusion), poison use
Traits Armor Expert, Lab Rat
Combat Gear masterwork chain shirt, masterwork light crossbow, masterwork spear, potion of cure light wounds, potion of disguise self, 10 bolts, 5 flasks of acid, bottled lightning
Other Gear formula book, alchemist's kit (alchemy crafting kit, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, flint & steel, ink, inkpen, iron pot, mess kit, soap, 10 torches, 5 days trail rations, waterskin), 2 bandoliers, masterwork thieves tools, formula alembic, traveler's anytool, smelling salts, 6 doses alchemist's kindness, 2 vials alchemical glue, vial alchemical glue accelerant, 2 tubes rusting powder, 1 vial universal solvent, 1 vial alchemical solvent
Wealth 45 gp
CE Medium humanoid (goblinoid, shapechanger)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
Defense
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+4 armor, +2 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 19 (2d8+6)
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +3; +2 vs. poison; +1 vs. Transmutation & Necromancy
Defensive Abilities DR 5/silver
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +6 mwk spear (1d8+6/x3), +0 bite (1d6+2 plus trip) or
+5 bite (1d6+4 plus trip)
Ranged +4 mwk light crossbow (1d8/19-20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6, mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 natural armor, 20 minutes)
Alchemist Extracts Prepared (CL 2nd)
1st - enlarge person, shock shield, open
Statistics
Str 18, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 17
Feats Iron Will
Skills Craft (alchemy) +7 (+9 to create items); Disable Device +7, Knowledge (nature) +7, Perception +6, Spellcraft +7, Stealth +11, Use Magic Device +4
Languages Common, Giant, Goblin, Orc
SQ alchemy (alchemy crafting +2, identify potions), change shape, discovery (infusion), lycanthropic empathy, poison use
(gear not replicated from above)
CE Medium animal (goblinoid, shapechanger)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
Defense
AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 19 (2d8+6)
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +3; +2 vs. poison; +1 vs. Transmutation & Necromancy
Defensive Abilities DR 5/silver
Offense
Speed 50 ft.
Melee bite (1d6+4 plus trip)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
Statistics
Str 18, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 17
Feats Iron Will
Skills Craft (alchemy) +7 (+9 to create items); Disable Device +7, Knowledge (nature) +7, Perception +6, Spellcraft +7, Stealth +11, Use Magic Device +4
Languages Common, Giant, Goblin, Orc; cannot speak
SQ alchemy (alchemy crafting +2, identify potions), change shape, discovery (infusion), lycanthropic empathy, poison use
(gear not replicated from above)
Altan was born in a hobgoblin settlement in Isger, and had a reasonably promising childhood, until he was mauled by a wolf one day. Unbeknownst to him, or his family, that wolf was actually a werewolf, and the adolescent hobgoblin was afflicted with lycanthropy. Being shrewd and reasonably observant, he had figured out that something was wrong with him by the end of the first full moon event. Waking up bloody and far from home was something of a hint. It took another couple of months to figure out precisely what was causing him to wake up coated in gore, in the woods, once a month, but the real breakthrough was the the month he remembered his time as a wolf. Remembered it, and wanted more.
Unfortunately for him, it was around this time that the rest of the tribe figured out that the young hobgoblin who disappeared every month right around the time a couple people were ravaged was probably the culprit. They tried to burn the beast out of him, for a couple of months. Of course, it didn't work. But it did leave his skin twisted and tough, and his eyes in a perpetual squint. Realizing that fire would not solve the problem, they planned instead to kill him, but he managed to flee into the woods and evade the search parties.
And following that, Altan focused his efforts on gaining control of his transformations. A few years yielded little; more likely to remember his time as a wolf, but no progress on taking wolf or hybrid form at will. So he sought other means of achieving the transformation; alchemy. His experiments had just begun to bear fruit when he came across Dagor Morthis and worked his way into the Dark Master's service, making himself useful with the tricks he'd picked up. After a year or so, the Dark Master placed his vicious, scarred minion in charge of the kennels, and even deigned to use him as a test subject for vile magics. Now, in between refining his craft and creating useful tools for the Dark Master, he breeds and trains crueler and crueler wolves, which he leads on patrols through Dagor Morthis' territory.
Altan loves to cause pain. He loves the power and speed afforded him by his animalistic forms. His ambition is to figure out how to transform at will, for as long as he wishes. And to hurt people when he does so. And his favorite people to hurt are hobgoblins, especially those of his former tribe in Isger, the ones who burned him, a trauma which left him with a pathological fear of fire.
Long-term see Altan investing in Feral Mutagen and the Master Chymist prestige class; that personality will probably be more animal-like; just as savage, but not taking any pleasure in causing pain.
I see him as a tinkerer (with magic, alchemy, and physical devices), more than anything else. If accepted, I'll put together an alias.
Edit to add: I'll want to make a couple small tweaks on the equipment, I think; switch the mwk crossbow to a regular one to free up some cash.
Beastmorph is there largely because hey, it's too appropriate not to have; the mechanical effect looks close to nil; probably weaker, in fact. I've put off Feral Mutagen for the moment (I would take it either next level via a feat or at Alchemist 4), and I'm not sure I want to keep it that way.
Edit re: alignment: I figured on CE largely to reflect the particular taste for cruelty, but I'm quite flexible on what alignment is needed to represent that behavior; I can see it under NE quite easily.
Hmm.. Dunno if CE is an alignment that can work here.
My alignment is CE. It's all up to interpretation, friend Butler. The Orcs of Sauron's rank and file are considered CE despite their obedience to the Dark Lord, for example.
ok, time for submissions is over, here's our candidates
- Ichabod - human oracle
- Leknep - goblin bard
- Victor Drisa - aasimar anti-paladin
- Filios - elf rogue
- Lilianna/Aleester - human or changeling cleric
- Bru - skeletal champion orc rogue
- Zexil - gnome necromancer
- Sagaxus - tiefling barbarian
- Altan - hobgoblin werewolf alchemist
- Squeevil - goblin alchemist
thank you for making this so hard to choose from! I'll have the party selected and the Gameplay thread open around tomorrow at this hour.
Thank you so much for all the fantastic submissions, it's going to be painful having to pick only half of you...
Oh man, looking at this character list...this is going to be fun. No matter who he picks.
No doubt...good luck to all!
If only we could all serve the master.
Ok, so... it's time. It's been as hard as I anticipated.
My (un)lucky minions will be:
Ichabod - oracle of butlery!
Lilianna - macabre femme fatale!
Leknep - who makes whistles out of your bones!
Zexil - gnome with a grudge!
Bru - finally someone non-violent!
Thanks so much to everybody for the applications. Your dedication almost made me reconsider my evil plans. Almost.
Since I'm a bit swamped today and I don't want to half-ass the first post, don't be worried if it takes a while until I set up Gameplay and Discussion threads - could be as soon as an hour from now, or as late tomorrow at this hour.
Muahahaha.. I knew the Msster would be unable to overlook my skills.. Bending his knee to Dagor Morhis Zexil speaks plain. "I pledge to serve you and the Lord of the Flies until death itself takes me.. May Baalzebul guide our paths!
I just realized we have 2 necromancers, a rogue, an oracle, and a bard.. Looks like Zombie/Skele's will be our tanks lol.. Oh and the oracle can get animate dead too.. 3 makers of undead.. I think this will be fun indeed..
Excellent choice my lord. I will get the special orange tea ready for the celebration.
You will learn to regret your decision... Mutters Victor as he stomps off.
"Bru is yours me Lord."
Hmph. Sagaxus shrugs and continues traveling east.
I'll get Lilly,. Profile made tonight when I get home!
"Cut them up and hang the rest, Leknep's music make the best! Gnome, orc, man and lady, too. It's the best to be serving you."
Woohoo!
"I do love those tunes of yours. But don't make an oboe out of this one's femur," points to the bleeding animated skeleton behind her, "till I'm DONE with it this time, if you please?"
"It is wonderful that lord Dagon can bring even gnome and goblin together. Our fetid lord bestows upon you his blessing little Blackheart."
"I am here because my Lord Baalzebul told me to come here and i'll not let some past troubles between goblins and gnomes come between and my Masters wishes.. But know this Leknep, if u try to taste this flesh you will not like the outcome.. As far as I'm concerned we are all chosen of Dagor Morthis and he is chosen of my Lord, so be cool and we can be one big happy family.." Zexil takes out a pipe and packs some sweet halfling leaf and takes a big pull, offering it amongst the group afterwards.. "Smoke anyone?"
Zexil takes particular interest in the bloody skeleton hanging out with Lilli.. "That your pet? Mind if I try something on it?" He comes closer and examines the skele better, obviously impressed..
"Not at all. Just don't break him. He's new. Still trying to decide how to dress him up..." She doesnt' mind at all. In fact, she very much enjoys displays of arcane necromancy, as hers is not quite the same.
Please keep the skeleton off the carpet. I have to cold wash it every time that thing comes into the house.
A little tobacco would be splended. Icabhod sniffs the leaf and has a pipe and a snifter of brandy.
"Awwww, now he likes me," she says, regarding the skeleton, as it effortlessly resists Zexil's will over it.
Then as he bolsters "ooooh, that's a neat trick. Next time the master asks us to run an errand i'll have to remember to ask you about that," she says as she examines the skeleton, feeling the negative energy it radiates flares up for a few moments. Frowning slightly as it fades, she considers possible applications.
Zexil looks across at Icabod.. "Never said that was tobacco there pop.. Halflings grow the best weeds.. Take it easy though or you'll be the one making a mess.."
"Sorry, Ichabod. I'll get him a nice pair of boots and wrap him up better, so he doesn't make such a mess. Promise." She says, looking away and not noticing that the bloody bones have fallen under Zexil's spell.
"Hey now!" she says when she sees what just happened, pouting dramatically!
Zexil giggles at his ability to take over the skele.. "Come to me u sexy beast!" He looks at Lilli "Well i guess that worked lol.. Feel Free to take him back.."
"Harrumph" she says giving a VERY annoyed glare to both Zexil and the Skeleton and tells Zexil, "I think I'll have t take some of this now to make up for it," with a smile, giggling as she's about to have a smoke.
"Yummm. that is nice." she says as she exhales "I'll have to remember to raise you a present in exchange for some of this. Maybe a nice clean skeleton though, so Ichabod doesn't have more to clean up." she suggests, winking at the gentlemen.
Icabhod eyes the pipe and then shrugs. Oh well, an occasional nip of the special blend can brighten up a dready afternoon.
Awwwh I had this idea for a "head scientist" alchemist who is a real boot licker and sycophant, kinda like Igor only far worse.
Gameplay thread is up!