@Thron: I meant mechanically similar. Personality wise, I am playing my character as an explorer-adventurer-treasure hunter, so I don't think that we'll clash there.
I plan to be Neutral for simplicity's sake.
So really I've only had solid interest from Dien, Gyr, Thron and CDL. Crusty, are you still interested? Destrina?
OK, so many possibilities in this system!
I'm pretty confident I'll be going with the following though:
1 human: Ranger style (“Faithful (Sarenrae)”: improved initiative), hero: EWP (whip), base: favored enemy (human)
2 hero: weapon focus (whip)
3 base: whip mastery, hero: combat expertise
4 hero: BAB +1
5 base: improved trip, hero: BAB +1
... And eventually
6 hero:greater trip, (ranger: whirlwind attack)
7 base: greater whip mastery, hero: combat reflexes
...or at 7th I might retrain improved trip to unarmed strike and take monk feats instead of combat reflexes.
If you retrain a pre-requisite don't you lose access to any feats that require it until you regain the pre-req?
I would... But monk feats would give me Improved Trip, Combat Reflexes, and Dodge (or Mobility) so I don't really lose the feat.
It's really just trading 2 feats for 3.
@CDL: I think despite having very similar skill sets, our spell selections and character play styles will, in fact, make them mechanically very different characters. So I don't foresee any problems in that regard.
@Jelani: How will Domain spells be figured into spellcasting? As another spell known?
@Everyone: I'm torn between my choices for a thematic animal companion. I like Venemous Snake as far as theme, but Constrictor is likely more viable as a combat pet. Anyone got any suggestions/input?
Thron, I think we'll be quite powerful without much work, so if you want a sub-optimal companion for flavor reasons I wouldn't hesitate...that said, yeah, poison tends to suck and constrictors can be a lot of fun. If you'll be disappointed by most everyone beating the snake venom's DC, go for a constrictor.
For myself, Samir is solid enough to post. I'm sure I'll fiddle with his crunch a bit but I expect this is basically it (other than the gear).
I've also put in the background I made for him in the first game he was going to be a part of. I think it'll actually fit in with the Razor Coast without too much effort...but as the group starts to take shape I'm happy to modify it too, to better mesh with the overall group.
Please check him out and offer any feedback/suggestions.
Could also ditch the animal companion and take sneak attack or another feat...
@CDL: I think despite having very similar skill sets, our spell selections and character play styles will, in fact, make them mechanically very different characters. So I don't foresee any problems in that regard.
@Jelani: How will Domain spells be figured into spellcasting? As another spell known?
@Everyone: I'm torn between my choices for a thematic animal companion. I like Venemous Snake as far as theme, but Constrictor is likely more viable as a combat pet. Anyone got any suggestions/input?
Well, domain spells will get added to your spells known if you don't already know them. They are also extra spell slots, so would also add Faith according to their spell level. So a first level spell adds 1 faith to your pool. 2nd level, 2 faith, etc.
I'd also like you guys thinking about why you came to Port Shaw. I'd prefer that none of you be natives, as I think it will go easier.
We have four potential hooks to start things off with:
Hook #1: Press-ganged
A band of scurvy dogs drug and then press-gangs the PCs into service aboard the good ship Festering Wound, captained by a slaver named Sarlow Eats-Eyes. Th party overhears Sarlow plans to sell them as food to a brigand and drug dealer named Bonegnaw, but learn nothing of this villain’s location.
Hook #2: Stranded Sellswords
A silk merchant of minor repute named Selman Piter hires the party to protect him and his vessel, Minerva’s Joy, on a voyage to Port Shaw. Along the way a benthic serpent (giant sea monster) savages the ship, and it limps in to Port Shaw. Minerva’s Joy will not be leaving for the PCs’ homes anytime soon (repairs could take weeks), and the harbormaster marks no other vessel heading for the party’s corner of the world until next month. Thy may as well settle in for a little recreation in the Razor Coast’s most rambunctious (and only) port of call.
Hook #3: Secrets of the Necromancer King
Mystery and power abound on the Razor Coast, and more than a few brave souls have ventured to Port Shaw in search of storied artifacts. The lost stronghold of Tarath Vreen, the legendary necromancer overlord who once turned the coast into a dead zone of shambling corpses and wailing shades, remains undiscovered somewhere in the vicinity of Port Shaw.
Whispers Rumor the city’s sewers connect to his ancient catacomb complex. Perhaps the PCs search for Tarath-Vreen’s sinister knowledge of the undead or for some artifact rumored left behind in his hidden stronghold.
Hook #4: Breaking the Smuggling Ring
A magistrate in the PCs’ area of the world seethes when he learns a nefarious gnoll smuggler, wanted for numerous crimes (including the murder of said magistrate’s brother), has escaped justice. The magistrate’s sources report the gnoll captain and his abominable crew fled to the Razor Coast. Obsessed with vengeance for his murdered brother, the magistrate offrs the PCs a small fortune to bring the gnoll to justice – or bring back his head. He gives the PCs a letter of introduction to Acting Commander of Dragoons, Captain Jacob Razor.
Please let me know which one each of you would prefer. Thanks!
Could also ditch the animal companion and take sneak attack or another feat...
Pff. Animal Companion > Sneak Attack any day. Especially since sneak attack requires multiple feats. Get the big snake! Right now you have two casters, a acrobat and a whip dude. No beef.
#3 speaks to Shanga, but not for the necromancy but it's the closest to his style. Perhaps he just wants to try and find a secret artifact of power for himself?
Although, with option 1 he'd be quick to escape and kill their captors and claim the ship for himself. Hehehe.
Samir is easy on hooks. #1 I have a hard time believing (mostly just cuz we're L5).
#2 fits like a glove -- he's a sellsword/bounty hunter who gets bored and distracted easily.
#3 would catch his fancy -- the lure of easy money
#4 is fine too -- it's totally the sort of job he'd take if he was between other schemes, and fits his skills and background as a bounty hunter
Here is the animal companion so far.
Snake, Constrictor
Size: Large
Speed: 20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Special Qualities: low-light vision , scent
HP: (5 HD)
AC: 17 (3 dex + 5 natural armor - 1 size)
Fort: +8 Ref: +7 Will: +2
Attack: +10 bite (1d4 + 10 + grab, constrict)
Special Attacks: grab, constrict (1d4 + 10), evasion, link, share spells
BAB: +3, CMB: +11 (+4 grapple), CMD: 24
Skills: 5
Feats: 3
Tricks: 3+2
Str 24, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Feats I'm thinking about:
Improved Natural Armor
Power Attack (would this apply to constricts also)
Improved Natural Attack (would this apply to constrict also, since damage is based on the attack)
Dodge
Toughness
Weapon Focus (Bite)
Armor Proficiency (because what's more terrifying than a snake trying t suffocate you? A snake in armor trying to suffocate you!)
Was just educated by crusty that snakes can't wear armor...so forget that last one.
Still think it would be awesome though.
Yeah sorry, still here! Was busy with the kobold stuff. Kinda forgot o.o
Uh gimme a day or so and I'll make a char.
No to power attack, yes to improved NA.
Hey Jelani, whaddaya think about creating a gameplay thread to dot? It'll make it easier to know when someone has(n't) posted to this thread.
+1
Just focus your thread list....bah.
Damn campaign tab users -mutter mutter-
Dien -- I'm happy to see you made it into the top 32! Congrats and well deserved.
Jelani -- Ughhh, very sorry not to be saying the same to you. I really liked your item and was hoping to live vicariously through your RPG Superstar adventure. Alas, not this year.
Thank you, Gyr!
Sorry I've gone kind of silent in here. Haven't forgotten about it, just been busy, and, well, just got busier.
I thought of a really badass alternate version of my rod too. I'll link it when I get to a PC. It's way better than the fiery baton rod. Oh well.
That lash is pretty neat! Makes me think of the balrog vs Gandalf, but that's not a bad thing.
Yeah, I went ahead an made ones for the other three elements as well. Gonna submit them all to the Flaming Crab Games book.
Just posting here to say this is still in the works, and to keep everyone updated on what's going on. I am still planning on waiting until one of my other games ends before I start this up (the Linnorm King game). That game is in the second to last plot arc, I'm guessing two+ months until we are finished.
Posting has slowed down in a lot of my games lately, so I'm thinking of just starting this now.
Crusty has withdrawn his interest, leaving Cosmic Dream Lord, Dien, Thron and Gyrfalcon as players. Who still needs more time to finish your characters? How much time?
I won't have much time to work on it this week. Maybe we could start in March if that's alright.
Sure, we can. I will be getting more busy at the beginning of March (after Chinese New Year), but as long as we're not trying to go at a breakneck pace it should be fine.
Beginning of March works for me. Still planning to play Samir (more or less as built currently. Fluff will likely change a bit.)
I’m a teacher IRL, and I’ve just started a new semester of classes. My school needs me to teach more classes than I’ve had in previous terms. Further, I’m starting a second job which has eliminated one of my days off. I’m finding myself without enough time to keep up with all my PBP obligations. Unfortunately, I need to cut back on what I’m running a great deal. I’ve determined I have time to keep running two games, so I’m going to stick with my two games that have the most posts. That means my other three games (including this one) will need to go. I’m sorry to do this to you guys, but something has to give. Hopefully in the fall my schedule will clear up and I’ll be able to run another game or two. Thanks for trying things will me guys, may all your rolls be critical hits!
Can we make this inactive for now, then? Clean up the campaign pages a wee bit?