Aubrey's Rise of the Runelords campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

OK, before anyone chips in - I'm afraid I have already got the players for this. I have:

Fakey
Heathy
Fatey
Vatters
Mothers (that's a soft "th" sound)
Draggers

and possibles...

Ithers
Stunty

So I'm well set for players, but thanks if you were interested. I'm sure someone else will run one of these too on the boards.

Same rules as before for character creation - 32 point buy, maximum starting money for the class. And anything funky please run by me before my highly likely acquiescence.

In case you haven't seen it yet, the Players Guide to the campaign is now out as a free PDF (I had mine sent to me as an email, but it is doubtless on the Paizo site somewhere). I suggest you read that first. And them post here - looking forward to it.

Bear in mind - my copy of the actual scenario is coming by international post, so I won't be up and running quite as fast as everyone else in the US.

Mothers?? That's new...

Well, it doesn't really look right written down, but it sounds right if said the right way.

It's cool, you had a theme, you went with it.

Dibs on a main arcane caster, probably specialist wizard.

Actually, with this many players, I could probably afford to be really specialized. I'm thinking an Evoker, with the Focused Specialist variant from the PHB2 (or is it CMage?) that basically allows me to give up a third school in exchange for even more spells per day.

If no one else feels like doing a main arcanist, then I won't super-specialize, but if we've got someone to handle the Enchantments, Illusions, and whatnot (like a Beguiler? I know Fakey likes those) then I will certainly look into playing an artillery piece. I might go Warmage too... but not having access to all the handy protection spells seems like it might bite me in the ass later on.

I could do a generalist (or non blaster specialist) arcane caster if no one else has dibs on the spot, but I'm thinking at this stage maybe a rogue, monk, ranger, or "light" fighter. I'll see what others are thinking.

So is the players guide now available as a PDF?

So is the players guide now available as a PDF?

Yeah, it is.

Yeah.

Human, Evoker, Spell Focus (Evocation), Varisian Tattoo (Evocation).

It'll be ugly.

On the other hand, maybe rather than rogue, I'll go a gish build ... anyone had much experience with Eldritch Knight? Good, bad, ugly? Better builds out there? (I don't have any of the "Complete" books, but can get my hands on PHB2, which i think has Duskblade).

On the other hand, a typical Gish spell selection would probably overlap a bit with your average blaster mage...

On the other hand, a typical Gish spell selection would probably overlap a bit with your average blaster mage...

This is true, unless you designed a tanker-gish (which could be interesting). Maybe a knight (PHB2) combined with sorcerer (since knight relies on CHA a bit anyway) and pick up some of the Abjurant Champion PrC (Complete Mage).

The Eldritch Knight PrC is a little weak compared to the Abjurant Champion, but Abj Champ is only 5 levels. However, you don't lose any spell progression with Abj Champ, and you get to keep the full BAB. Plus, the Abjurant Champion gives you nifty special abilities, like the fact that you add your Abj. Champ levels to the AC bonus you gain from spells like mage armor. It's good stuff. Worth taking a look at.

A duskblade, on the other hand, is pretty much a blaster in armor. Almost all of the duskblade's spells are combat-oriented and, while they get a lot of them per day, they never get any of the high-level stuff (I think they cap out at 6th level spells like bards).

What book is Abjurant champion from?

As for max spell levels etc, keep in mind that RotRL is (IIRC) a 15 level campaign, so we're not likely to see the high level spells anyway.

Hmmm, anyway, need to read the players guide and ponder some more...

Yes yes! Count me in please. I'm typically a bard or rogue type of guy, but I'll look at the Player's Guide before getting attached to anything.

I've really loved what I've seen of all the Paizo AP's but only had a chance to play in Shackled City. Very curious to see what they're up to in new territory- and with Aubrey at the helm how could I pass that up?

Also on a positive pbp note- I'm moving to Greece in about 3 more weeks so I won't be working crazy overnight hours anymore. I'll be in a wildly different timezone, but will likely have much more free time to keep up than I have had in ny.

(Aubrey may have to set every encounter on lethal mode to adjust for our uber-group.)

I think Fakey has already put his mark on playing the rouge.

Yes yes! Count me in please. I'm typically a bard or rogue type of guy, but I'll look at the Player's Guide before getting attached to anything.

I've really loved what I've seen of all the Paizo AP's but only had a chance to play in Shackled City. Very curious to see what they're up to in new territory- and with Aubrey at the helm how could I pass that up?

Also on a positive pbp note- I'm moving to Greece in about 3 more weeks so I won't be working crazy overnight hours anymore. I'll be in a wildly different timezone, but will likely have much more free time to keep up than I have had in ny.

(Aubrey may have to set every encounter on lethal mode to adjust for our uber-group.)

Sounds like you will be in a fairly sensible timezone to me. Is there going to be much gap after you move before you get internet access? Anyway, congratulations on the move - have you got work lined up?

And yes, the lethality will be racked up - I have to provide experience for a load more characters than the AP is probably designed for. So I expect ELs will be two higher than published on a fairly routine basis.

What book is Abjurant champion from?

Complete Mage, IIRC.

Net connection is fine. I'll be moving in with my girlfriend who is already there. I don't have a job lined up yet, but it will work itself out pretty quickly I'm sure. As far as I can tell all Greeks use this nepotistic type of networking to secure jobs. 'Yes- your degree is nice and all, but who do you know?' type of thing. So I'll be taking advantage of that network I suppose. However, I'm not Greek and I don't speak Greek- so... it'll be interesting to see how it works out.

And yeah, I should be in a fairly close timezone to you. GMT +2 as opposed to currently GMT -5.

Well, in the short term you should have plenty of time to play D&D.

haha. True true. I'll be checking in all day.

I am reading the Guide now... character concept to follow

Congrats on the upcoming move Ithurial - hope it goes well.

Ok, I think Ive narrowed down my character concept to either two weapon fighting dwarven ranger OR elven ranger/wizard.

Fighter. Human...from the great white north; I'll figure out where THAT is soon.

I do think I will go with a Marshal, human (Chelax)...

Heathy, you're in luck - most of the inhabitants of Varisia are big, bad barbarian types. Even better, they are from the north. You are now, officially, our token Shoanti tribesman.

All nice concepts coming through.

What's the timeframe on this thing? Just curious.

Oooo, marshall - nice. Maybe multiclass with knight a bit.

Timeframe, as in when is it happening? Well, when I get the adventure and have had time to read it a bit, I guess. They should be sending it out fairly soon, I suspect, so probably in about three or four weeks, depending on the postage. I will obviously be ripping the packaging off and devouring the book when I get it delivered to me at work. Then, when I have no job for neglecting my duties, I will have loads of time to DM.

Right on. Got time to choose an avatar, then.

Basic Concept:

Lo'j

Born Jhae Deverin, in Magnimar (a cousin of the mayor of Sandpoint), Lo'j followed in his fathers footsteps and walked into the military. However, his personal beliefs (the military is to protect the weak) were at odds with the his commanders' (the military is to enforce the law), and though family and innate ability had netted him a small command, he wasn't going any further up the promotion ladder.

He left the military at his first opportunity, though he clung to the commraderie of his unit by continuing to use his nomme de guerre (an amalgam of his rank and his first name). He wandered for a time, looking for something that was missing. He had managed to avoid the trap of the bottle bottom, unlike so many of his fellows.

Desna's own fortune set his feet upon the docks at sandpoint, where he found his cousin Kendra to be Mayor in the small town. He settled in a bit, volunteering as an aid to the sheriff, though never being fully deputized. He has occassionally found time to dine with his cousin, the sheriff, and even some of the other notables of the city, though perhaps not as much as he should.

Marshall Lo'j - I like it.

Thank You!!!!! I will start looking at PC options immediately.

FH

Heathy, you're in luck - most of the inhabitants of Varisia are big, bad barbarian types. Even better, they are from the north. You are now, officially, our token Shoanti tribesman.

So one of us probably shouldnt play a half orc then...

The Shoanti are shaved with tattoos, just so you know Heath

Thank You!!!!! I will start looking at PC options immediately.

FH

No probs, Fakey - a privilege to DM for the grand old man of D&D.

So one of us probably shouldnt play a half orc then...

The Shoanti are shaved with tattoos, just so you know Heath

Oh, I don't know. The banter might be quite good fun.

"Vile abomination! I should slay you!"
"Mogar thinks Shoanti smells."
(Together)"DIE!!"

OK, that might end the banter, but it was good while it lasted.

Hey Mothman, working late? Or actually gone out and bought a computer?

Here I am, in all my soon to be finished glory

Mothman wrote:

So one of us probably shouldnt play a half orc then...

The Shoanti are shaved with tattoos, just so you know Heath

Oh, I don't know. The banter might be quite good fun.

"Vile abomination! I should slay you!"
"Mogar thinks Shoanti smells."
(Together)"DIE!!"

OK, that might end the banter, but it was good while it lasted.

Hey Mothman, working late? Or actually gone out and bought a computer?

Nah, borrowed one.

Fortunately, my current job rarely requires me to work late. In my previous office it wouldnt be unusual to still be there at 11.30pm, but I'm not into that anymore...

I really don't know what I want to be.
Sounds like we have an arcanist in Fatespinner.
A possible bard/rogue in Ithuriel.
A fighter/mage in Mothman.
A Marshal for Dragonman.
A fighter for Heathy.
Don't know about Vatti or Stunty....

I will have to peruse the Players guide again to make a decision...

FH

Oh, are we doing point buy? 32 points?

Yes - see the top post.

I really don't know what I want to be.

Sounds like we have an arcanist in Fatespinner.
A possible bard/rogue in Ithuriel.
A fighter/mage in Mothman.
A Marshal for Dragonman.
A fighter for Heathy.
Don't know about Vatti or Stunty....

I will have to peruse the Players guide again to make a decision...

FH

With this party, trying to carve a niche no one else has will be tricky initially. So just go with what you fancy. Specialisation can wait until later levels.

Yes - see the top post.

Duh. Sorry. Missed everything after Mothers and Draggers...

I really don't know what I want to be.

Sounds like we have an arcanist in Fatespinner.
A possible bard/rogue in Ithuriel.
A fighter/mage in Mothman.
A Marshal for Dragonman.
A fighter for Heathy.
Don't know about Vatti or Stunty....

I will have to peruse the Players guide again to make a decision...

FH

***Cough Cough, MEDIC, Cough***

Thank You!!!!! I will start looking at PC options immediately.

FH

Awww, yeeeeeeeeeeah!

We GOTTA figure out how our characters can argue about stuff, like Dr. McCoy and Spock, or Ralph and Norton or something. One of us has to be lawful, the other one chaotic. It'll be sweet.

Fakey will just have to be a half-orc. And Heathy's character will need to have really bad grammar.

Yeh...pick what alignment you need to for your class, fakey, I'll be the opposite.

I just hope Fakey doesn't choose LG.

I know you said no cohorts... so this is a silly question, but would buying a guard dog be okay?

Yes - I was only really kidding about cohorts anyway.

At the moment, we have lots of martial types and lots of arcane types. We don't have any divine or roguey concepts coming through yet, at least not firmly.

Cool, i have this real Jimmy Buffet soul lost concept for this guy, and the loyal dog companion just seemed to fit