Underwater Campaign
Warning
Beneath the Southseas is a Pathfinder Play-by-Post Campaign designed to take player characters from 5th level to 20th level. Keeping in mind the tendency for Play-by-Post games to take a long time, die unexpectedly, suffer from lag and suffer from other obstacles, I want every applicant to be aware that: This game may take some time to finish, the game may lag at times as we are all human and all live lives (hopefully, and no offense to all you undead players) and that unexpected things may occur.
Description
For those of you still reading, I welcome you to apply to this campaign, in the hopes that some action beneath the waters is of interest to you.
Beneath the Southseas takes place mainly under the waves of the Southseas (as the title so evidently suggests) with some trips above. The action takes place far from mainland, cities or anything urban mind you. We're going to be deep in the... well, deeps.
As well, I'd like to try a bit more of a light-hearted adventure. Still serious, but less of "oh dark and evil lord" and more "oh look, that grindylow is being eaten by that sea anemone, how sweet."
The adventure still has a storyline and plenty of Roleplay and Combat opportunities.
Character Creation
- 5th level character
- 10,500 starting GP
- 2 Traits
- Skills: Highly recommend Swim... I don't know why...
- Clerics choose any 2 domains to represent their devotion.
Allowed Materials: Nothing 3rd Party without prior notification and link to said material. If no link exists, please write out the entire thing in a spoiler bar for me. I prefer things with links though, like a d20pfsrd link.
The Campaign itself becomes above the waves, and the campaign expects characters to learn to adapt so I'd enjoy no characters with the aquatic subtype.
Further questions can be directed to this post.
All applicants must submit a completed 5th level character before being accepted. I don't know how many players I'm accepting yet.
Further Reading
Underwater Combat:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/environment/wilderness/terrain/aquati c-terrain#TOC-Underwater-Combat
Dotting for interest. Thinking of a mermaid bard with performance singing.
Are merfolk acceptable to play?
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In the interest of being less restrictive to what types of classes would be effective in this campaign, would you be willing to consider allowing a homebrewed armor type to allow paladins and fighters to still be effective in this group without changing their styles too much?
Nothing drastic, just something similar to the Agile Breastplate armor. For example:
Buoyant-
A character who is proficient with the type of buoyant armor he is wearing only takes a -1 Armor Check Penalty on Swim checks (this can be further reduced by the masterwork quality).
Buoyant armor adds +50 gp to the cost of light armor, +200 gp to the cost of medium armor and +300 gp to the cost of heavy armor.
Adjusted for how you see fit, of course.
Regardless of your answer, I'm interested in this game. Would you mind giving a bit more information about the setting? So far all I know is the game is going to be serious without being too dark and that it will mostly take place at sea, but is this Golarion? Is there a town somewhere that the adventure starts in? Will the characters use a ship as their home base or a port city? (Anything you feel like answering, of course, if you want to keep stuff a surprise more power to you).
@Joy: Unfortunately, I mentioned down near the end in allowed materials that, at least for the start of the Campaign, no races with the aquatic subtype would be allowed as that would ruin the purpose of the early challenges. However, and without revealing too much spoilers I hope, the chance to, how should we put it, change will most definitely be available later on.
@NeoSeraphi: As for the crunch part, yes I will allow the Buoyant rules you have written as is.
Buoyant
A character who is proficient with the type of buoyant armor he is wearing only takes a -1 Armor Check Penalty on Swim checks (this can be further reduced by the masterwork quality).
Buoyant armor adds +50 gp to the cost of light armor, +200 gp to the cost of medium armor and +300 gp to the cost of heavy armor.
As for the fluff, in order of your questions:
1) Is the campaign in Golarion: The campaign is NOT set in Golarion, but rather in the oceans of an unnamed world. I prefer to stay away from canon campaigns unless I am running official AP as I prefer total freedom in setting design.
2) Do we start in a town?: Nay, you start in a small jungle campsite on the edge of Lacroix Isle. Hired on to delve into a newly discovered room in some ruins, you and your fellow adventurers begin their adventure there and plan to return home to the Mainland once your mission is over.
3) Home Base?: Expedition campsite for now, the rest you will see in due time.
As I mentioned, this is NOT an urban campaign.
I am making up a wizard now. What is the point buy? How do I prevent having to replace my spell book every time I go swimming? Also, I have never played pbp before so I understand if you don't accept me.
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How do I prevent having to replace my spell book every time I go swimming?
The simplest solution is to play a witch instead of a wizard. Then your spellbook gets to swim along with you. Lol.
But yes, if you could tell us the rules for ability score generation and hit point generation, please.
I'm considering playing a human fighter at the moment, or perhaps a human barbarian. Will update soon.
Facepalm indeed mateys!
25 point buy!
As for Wizard, we can arrange for suitable spellbook discussion once you arrive underwater.
To keep characters fair, all characters should please take average hp.
Thanks for reminding me about these things NeoSeraphi.
EDIT: And remember, I allow any material from official Paizo sources and 3PP can be run by me. As well, I will allow Traits to be taken regardless of regional background as this campaign does not take place on Golarion.
As for said character background, you are free to invent places on the Mainland. You will not be going back there anyways.
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Thanks for reminding me about these things NeoSeraphi.
You are most welcome. Aquatic campaigns are rare, and I wish you nothing but success in yours. Any way I can help, I will, though I fear it's only small things like this.
Incidentally, would you prefer the group to be of a specific alignment? Do you see the party as a group of ravaging buccaneers (neutral-evil) or perhaps a group of privateers trying to keep the sea safe for merchants (good)? Or is that just up to us as a group?
Alignment, as in all my campaigns, is fair game.
I remind you that taking an evil alignment is not for PvP. It is to correctly roleplay a character.
I've yet to have problems with evil characters and so I still grant that choice.
The group's alignment can widely be different as you've all been hired on individually and not as a group. Therefore, you are all new to one another. This is as much my campaign's story as it is your chance to forge a story together.
Here is Drake, the plain old human fighter. (NeoSeraphi's submission).
I will update his backstory at a time that is not 2 AM...soon as I wake up tomorrow morning. Have a good night.
EDIT: Drake has been looked over and almost completely checked. Looking very good so far, especially on the Attack Bonuses and Swim checks. You'll last long down in the deeps, just be mindful for your Will Saves.
EDIT: Drake has been looked over and almost completely checked. Looking very good so far, especially on the Attack Bonuses and Swim checks. You'll last long down in the deeps, just be mindful for your Will Saves.
A character with no weaknesses is no fun to play. Anyway, looking forward to this game. Hope I get picked.
Will be submitting Tuillen Aelethsyl, a half-elven sorcerer with paladin/oracle dips. Are you allowing the Pathfinder Savant PRC?
Will submit a full write-up of his backstory later, but the brief is that he was raised in an elven community by his elven father and human mother. Whilst he and his mother were accepted by virtue of his father's noble status (no mechanical benefit), Tuillen often felt side-lined and belittled on account of his human blood. This exacerbated dramatically when his mother was found to be a necromancer who had used Tuillen's father to access arcane reagents and resources for her hidden experiments. Not wanting to be a disruptive force in his community (being a paladin of Erastil) and to avoid causing trouble for his father, he sets out beyond the elven lands to prove himself and hopes to return welcomed as a hero, or to find a new home.
Whilst he only has a few levels in paladin and oracle, he will be played as a full paladin, who values honour but also camaradrie and the integrity of the community he is in (in this case, the party). Whilst he is a little world-weary and jaded, his faith in Erastil continues to give him hope and purpose. He believes in respecting the wishes of the group, though he will still abstain from participating in actions he believes to be outright and clearly evil.
Will be submitting Tuillen Aelethsyl, a half-elven sorcerer with paladin/oracle dips. Are you allowing the Pathfinder Savant PRC?
Will submit a full write-up of his backstory later, but the brief is that he was raised in an elven community by his elven father and human mother. Whilst he and his mother were accepted by virtue of his father's noble status (no mechanical benefit), Tuillen often felt side-lined and belittled on account of his human blood. This exacerbated dramatically when his mother was found to be a necromancer who had used Tuillen's father to access arcane reagents and resources for her hidden experiments. Not wanting to be a disruptive force in his community (being a paladin of Erastil) and to avoid causing trouble for his father, he sets out beyond the elven lands to prove himself and hopes to return welcomed as a hero, or to find a new home.
Whilst he only has a few levels in paladin and oracle, he will be played as a full paladin, who values honour but also camaradrie and the integrity of the community he is in (in this case, the party). Whilst he is a little world-weary and jaded, his faith in Erastil continues to give him hope and purpose. He believes in respecting the wishes of the group, though he will still abstain from participating in actions he believes to be outright and clearly evil.
Sounds great, and yes, Pathfinder Savant is an official PRC so it is allowed. However, just remember this plays out in a homebrew setting, not in golarion.
Definitely interested. So it seems while much of the campaign will take place underwater we shouldn't concern ourselves during character creation with how that will work?
Sounds great, and yes, Pathfinder Savant is an official PRC so it is allowed. However, just remember this plays out in a homebrew setting, not in golarion.Will be submitting Tuillen Aelethsyl, a half-elven sorcerer with paladin/oracle dips. Are you allowing the Pathfinder Savant PRC?
Will submit a full write-up of his backstory later, but the brief is that he was raised in an elven community by his elven father and human mother. Whilst he and his mother were accepted by virtue of his father's noble status (no mechanical benefit), Tuillen often felt side-lined and belittled on account of his human blood. This exacerbated dramatically when his mother was found to be a necromancer who had used Tuillen's father to access arcane reagents and resources for her hidden experiments. Not wanting to be a disruptive force in his community (being a paladin of Erastil) and to avoid causing trouble for his father, he sets out beyond the elven lands to prove himself and hopes to return welcomed as a hero, or to find a new home.
Whilst he only has a few levels in paladin and oracle, he will be played as a full paladin, who values honour but also camaradrie and the integrity of the community he is in (in this case, the party). Whilst he is a little world-weary and jaded, his faith in Erastil continues to give him hope and purpose. He believes in respecting the wishes of the group, though he will still abstain from participating in actions he believes to be outright and clearly evil.
Noted. He would just be a paladin who values the integrity of his community then. XD
I edited the alias, it was my first time so tell me if anything is amiss. I am tired, so I will type up a back story tomorrow.
I'm interested, and will have my completed character up sometime tomorrow -- I'm not going to bother with things like gear for the moment, as it is too early to do mad GP spending. ;)
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"I suppose I was always meant for a life on the road.
From my youth, I had always been different, and I had been called ‘half-blood’ long before I even knew what it meant. I had a few friends, but I quickly outgrew them. Not by choice, but simply because I grew up quicker than them, and whilst I was initially just considered the ‘big kid’, they soon started asking their parents the awkward questions, and one by one, the parents started to keep them away from me. I cherish my memories of them, though. Jedadiah, Elissa, Kaydee and Raquil were my closest friends, and as I matured into adolescence, my love for them instilled in me a passion for caring for little children.
Although my father was a member of Alfheim’s ruling caste, he had fallen into disfavour for having taken a human for a wife. Furthermore, there was no way for him to induct a half-blood into the elven courts. Thus he began to teach me swordplay in the hopes that I could join the warrior caste, and to leave me in the care of Father Rothlan to test my suitability for the priest caste. Father Rothlan instructed me in the ways of the gods, and I came to find solace in the temple, for the priests and children at the temple were always the most supportive and forgiving of my ‘other-ness”. In time, the teachings and my service at the temple came to define me, and I thought I had found my place.
Then came the discovery. My mother had always been somewhat distant and secretive, but no one would have suspected that her of necromancy, or that when she was not entertaining my father she spent her time performing secret experiments that no one would speak of. She was exiled soon after, and my father started to withdraw from me, as if I was a reminder of a mistake he wished he had never made. There was still some solace to be found at the temple, but I had inherited enough elven blood for my senses to perceive the hidden looks and whispers that surrounded me when I walked the streets. Or perhaps it was intended that I perceive them. And when I started to hear those whispers in the temple, I began to feel that I had lost my refuge.
My love for Father Rothlan and my friends kept me from bitterness, but I began to fear that by being associated with me they too would come to suffer. There were many tears shed between when I made the decision to leave Alfheim, but I believed it for the best. The people of Alfheim see me as an ‘other’, and a child of a necromancer, and until I do something to change that, I would never find acceptance there. And so I left, hoping to find opportunities to distinguish myself and prove my worth as an individual – opportunities I would never find in Alfheim.
Perhaps someday I will return, when I have proven my worth as more than the son of a necromancer, as more than the half-blooded son of a disgraced nobleman. Or perhaps I will find a place on the road, and find a new family amongst the people I travel with. For now, I have no home, and my fortunes lie before me. May the gods guide my path.”
“My wanderings have led me to the coast of the South Seas. Whilst resting at a tavern, I heard stories of a group being gathered for an expedition to some ruins on the Lacroix Isles. Whilst I have little sea-faring experience, my purse has lightened considerably. Besides, the ruins sound interesting, and it will be a welcome change from travelling alone. Now where did that man say they were recruiting…”
Under water is too interesting to pass up the chance.
Human Ranger w/Beast Master - Infiltrator - Skirmisher archetypes.
It's not from race, but Infiltrator can gain 'amphibious', which grants he aquatic type (level 3 or later). It's in 10 min increments, will not be taking it. Move Swim 15, instead.
Thinking Aquaman, Man from Atlantis, Namor type.
Definitely interested. So it seems while much of the campaign will take place underwater we shouldn't concern ourselves during character creation with how that will work?
Exactly, you may of course plan slightly for the eventuality, as the adventure assumes all characters have a modicum of talent for such adventures. It is up to you to decide just how proficient your character would be without knowing in advance you'd be going underwater.
Character sheet sent.
And received. Everything looks fine so far, but I'll have to crunch it down later when I get more time.
Character stats and equipment fleshed out in my profile now.
Great background and your character seems great as well.
I edited the alias, it was my first time so tell me if anything is amiss. I am tired, so I will type up a back story tomorrow.
Your character seems great and I enjoy the handy links though I personally will be using a program I have that will hold all the party's spell lists for quick reference.
Under water is too interesting to pass up the chance.
Human Ranger w/Beast Master - Infiltrator - Skirmisher archetypes.
It's not from race, but Infiltrator can gain 'amphibious', which grants he aquatic type (level 3 or later). It's in 10 min increments, will not be taking it. Move Swim 15, instead.
Thinking Aquaman, Man from Atlantis, Namor type.
Sounds like a superb character idea. You're free to get the ability if it's of limited uses/increments. The only hard rule I'm imposing is no aquatic subtype as this completely removes the challenge of low-level underwater campaigns.
EDIT: Breathing and surviving underwater will be easier to obtain than methods of movement.
Important
For those of you wondering how everything will work underwater, know that I plan on focusing more on the STORY and less on "I have to roll 500 Swim checks a day." Any character able to reach 10 on a Swim check without fail (+9 to your rolls for example) will always be able to move around. As for breathing, do not go putting high CON scores just for that. The campaign will accommodate your characters.
Important
For those of you wondering how everything will work underwater, know that I plan on focusing more on the STORY and less on "I have to roll 500 Swim checks a day." Any character able to reach 10 on a Swim check without fail (+9 to your rolls for example) will always be able to move around. As for breathing, do not go putting high CON scores just for that. The campaign will accommodate your characters.
What? I wish you had mentioned that before I spent a feat on Skill Focus (Swim)! Ah well. I might need the high check to do something extraordinary, so I'll just leave it as is.
Updating Drake's backstory now.
And finished. Let me know what you think.
And finished. Let me know what you think.
You may still modify your character but Swim is still HIGHLY important for more than just Swimming. Avoiding obstacles, maneuvering deep underwater grottoes, escaping collapsing shipwrecks, getting past strong currents, getting extra breath and diving deep, etc.
But with your bonuses, I doubt the Skill Focus will be as necessary.
EDIT:
Current Applicants
Drake Rainser [Fighter]
Tuillen Aelethsyl [Paladin /Oracle /Tattooed Sorcerer (undead bloodline) ]
Nathaniel [Summoner (Synthesist)]
Radic [Wizard (Diviner (Scryer))]
Hassan Ahmed [Ranger (Beast Master, Infiltrator, Skirmisher)]
Falashir the Corsair [Alchemist (Internal Master)/Monk (Master of Many Styles)]
MyTThor [Undecided Character]
Joy [Undecided Character/Bard?]
You may still modify your character but Swim is still HIGHLY important for more than just Swimming. Avoiding obstacles, maneuvering deep underwater grottoes, escaping collapsing shipwrecks, getting past strong currents, getting extra breath and diving deep, etc.
But with your bonuses, I doubt the Skill Focus will be as necessary.
Oh hell no. If I'm going to be escaping collapsing shipwrecks, I want that +3-+6 bonus!
Oh hell no. If I'm going to be escaping collapsing shipwrecks, I want that +3-+6 bonus!
Seems like a reasonable statement.
I'm currently going through gaming products detailing variant rules for underwater adventures to see what would work best for this campaign. If anyone knows any good variants/rules let me know.
Shotgun!
@DM - It's not spelled out, but what would the effect of a "Seeking" ranged weapon be underwater?
Proposing alleviate 2 x 5ft squares of distance penalty (so no penalty within 10 feet)?
Seems it should do something.
Shotgun!
@DM - It's not spelled out, but what would the effect of a "Seeking" ranged weapon be underwater?
Proposing alleviate 2 x 5ft squares of distance penalty (so no penalty within 10 feet)?
Seems it should do something.
Well, Seeking already does something. It removes concealment. Which happens often underwater (kelp forests anyone?). I'd rather not have it also negate water penalties for ranged weapons when such weapons already exist.
Underwater Crossbow: An underwater crossbow
functions like its normal counterpart above water, and can
be used underwater. When fired underwater, the crossbow
has a range increment of 20 feet. Anyone proficient with a
normal crossbow can use an underwater crossbow.
Cost Weight
Underwater crossbow, heavy 100 gp 8 lbs.
Underwater crossbow, light 70 gp 4 lbs.
In any case, remember, this will be an underwater campaign. You will be able to acquire and create equipment usable in such an environment.
EDIT: I may also consider allowing the use of the Psionic material available in Psionics Unleashed by Dreamscarred Press. The material is also available on d20pfsrd. If any applicants wish to do so, please let me know in advance.
Fair enough... But, where does it say there's no penalty? It just says "can be used underwater".
Does that mean a regular crossbow cannot be used underwater? Just seeking (no pun) clarification.
I'll chill about the weapons.
Fair enough... But, where does it say there's no penalty? It just says "can be used underwater".
Does that mean a regular crossbow cannot be used underwater? Just seeking (no pun) clarification.
I'll chill about the weapons.
No pun, but funny nonetheless.
A regular crossbow can be used underwater but follows the same penalties. Underwater crossbows are cheaper than the Seeking property and negate these penalties within 20 ft, which is still a reasonable range.
The crossbows themselves come from the Advanced Race Guide if anyone is interested.
As well, there ARE going to be weapons and armor that work well underwater, but are only available once the players find themselves beneath the waves.
One of my friends has Cerulean Seas and has promised to let me read it soon so I'll be using some material from there.
EDIT: I will also consolidate all the rules/variants/information detailed into the Campaign Description once finalized.
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No pun, but funny nonetheless.A regular crossbow can be used underwater but follows the same penalties. Underwater crossbows are cheaper than the Seeking property and negate these penalties within 20 ft, which is still a reasonable range.
The crossbows themselves come from the Advanced Race Guide if anyone is interested.
As well, there ARE going to be weapons and armor that work well underwater, but are only available once the players find themselves beneath the waves.
One of my friends has Cerulean Seas and has promised to let me read it soon so I'll be using some material from there.
EDIT: I will also consolidate all the rules/variants/information detailed into the Campaign Description once finalized.
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but based on the underwater combat stuff you linked in your first post, I was under the impression that melee piercing weapons functioned as well underwater as they do on land as long as you could make your Swim checks.
You are correct. Only slashing and bludgeoning weapons suffer penalties. This is all written in that fun table in the middle of the article. But some weapons that can be found are designed to function underwater with no penalties.
From the srd:
Ranged Attacks Underwater: Thrown weapons are ineffective underwater, even when launched from land. Attacks with other ranged weapons take a –2 penalty on attack rolls for every 5 feet of water they pass through, in addition to the normal penalties for range.
So thrown weapons don't work under water, and missile weapons (like crossbows) suffer a -2 penalty for each 5ft that the missile has to pass through. In contrast, an underwater crossbow seems to imply that it does not suffer from this penalty. Instead, it functions as a normal crossbow would above water, except that it has a reduced range. Effectively, it suffers a -2 penalty for every 20ft that the missile travels, instead of every 5 ft.
@FiddlersGreen
Thanks for putting it clearly on the page for me. Very much appreciated.
@ OJR: Afternoon! This looks like a very exciting campaign and of a type that is rarely seen. Would you allow the Wave Warden (Ranger) archetype to apply to non-merfolk for this campaign?
I would normally, but the problem is that the adventure is very much "People on land learning to adapt to a new environment". While I don't mind cross-racial archetypes (I dislike limitations) the Wave Warden gives obvious bonuses that will be of immense utility.
What I have mentioned before is that characters will change as they adapt. Changes could potentially include "earning" the powers of the Wave Warden for example later on.
The campaign hinges on low level challenges coming from the environment. As soon as freedom of movement/water breathing apparatus and spells become available, the challenges move to the creatures and dungeons themselves.
I'll say yes. I want to see the surprise but I retain the right to veto.
A campaign mostly underwater? Wow. Got to say, the worse possible race to choose for this would probably have to be ifrit.
...And now I want to make up an ifrit character for this. Dammit. Any ARG restrictions?