Caravan to Minkai - Jade Regent AP (Inactive)

Game Master Azure_Zero

Ok so next to my name now it says (Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber) and I figured since I was going to run Skull & Shackles why not get the subscriptions and all the great discounts. Thanks paizo.

Well what also happen was this started with Jade Regent #3, and after a look at the pdf I think a little trip across the north pole fighting Frost Giants and White Dragons an excellent adventure (from behind the screen <insert wicked grin>).

So "Special Recruitment" for a couple reasons.

A) I wish to start an AP in the middle.

B) I wish for the players to play one of the four NPCs from the Player's Guide.

C) And will not be allowing for PCs to buy starting gear. Because I don't want everyone running around with boots of the winterlands (unless the game calls for it - haven't read it all yet)

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Before applying one major thing. I wish for you to be able to post at least twice a week. Looking for the game to be a little on the faster side (that white dragon is a waiting), and wish for a small commitment from those who take the offer to join the game.

Other applying guidelines below.

So before asking about build guidelines I need to know what your thoughts on the four NPCs (soon to be PCs) are.

Group:
Ameiko Kaijitsu (owner of a popular local tavern and one of the town’s aristocrats), A female human bard, Ameiko is likely chaotic good, perhaps taking levels in rogue later on.

Shalelu Andosana (a warden of the wilderness around town and a talented hunter), A female elf ranger, Shalelu is steadfast in her morals and most likely chaotic good.

Koya Mvashti (a mysterious fortune-teller), A female human cleric of Desna, Koya is of old age, and incurs the bonuses and penalties for being such.

Sandru Vhiski (owner of a caravan and younger brother of one of the town’s more notorious scoundrels), A male human rogue, Sandru is stalwart and honorable, and might take levels in fighter later on.

The above of course is mostly guidelines the only thing I wish to add game wise is that each listed class is that characters favored (you may add archtypes to a class if you wish). But you need not add the classes they say each might dip into. Sandru could take a few levels of sorcerer or wizard if you wish. Koya might become a Harrower or she might not.

I wish for you to expand a little on their backgrounds - maybe a little from the two previous adventures in the path - and add a couple lines to those characters you might wish to play. Anything is ok as this is an RPG and most anything can be explained with enough fluff.

Please list each character in order of preference. Along with any details you would add/subtract from the character. Roles in and out of combat and personality quirks. And the added background.

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Equipment

If anyone reading this has a list of all the magical items that can be found in both the first two adventure path modules I could greatly use the help. I will be getting them both but probably later rather than sooner and wish to have a look so as to decide what to hand out to each PC.

Will be giving out magical and masterwork items to start and then a few extra gp for you to spend on whatever you wish. Hopefully this will get each character close to their WBL.

Just to make sure I understand correctly we have to take whatever levels the books give the NPC's and play them, but as PC's instead of NPC's?

Ameiko Kaijitsu is the person trying to get her heritage, for lack of a better word, back IIRC. What if she dies or will you be making sure that nobody dies?

I don't like the idea of starting an AP in the middle. Imagine if LoTR would start right after the events of Helm's Deep :)

However if we could start at the beginning, I'd be happy to play as Sandru. (Shalelu and Ameiko are nice too but I don't think I could play a woman well).

Another concern is that AP could be balanced against a party PLUS the NPC's, so NPCs alone would have a hard time.

I don't like the idea of starting an AP in the middle. Imagine if LoTR would start right after the events of Helm's Deep :)

However if we could start at the beginning, I'd be happy to play as Sandru. (Shalelu and Ameiko are nice too but I don't think I could play a woman well).

Another concern is that AP could be balanced against a party PLUS the NPC's, so NPCs alone would have a hard time.

I would rather deal with starting in the middle than having character decisions made for me. The story can be adjusted to account for why we just showed up. Maybe Ameiko's first escorts were really kidnappers and we killed them. We are also taking her to (end destination), but instead of turning her over we could be making sure she is never bothered again.

Let's see...

There could be a TPK as normal I wouldn't go fudging dice rolls for that or nothing. And by mid-adventure you would have access to raise dead so as long as people didn't go around jumping off cliffs for fun then I think their will be ways to bring a PC back.

If Ameiko dies then the groups new goal might be to return her body to homeland for an empress's burial.

Good example with Helm's Deep - Let's say you are playing Gimili and the game starts with you standing on the battlements of Helm's Deep. Then your background would have in it that you ventured to Rivendell and joined the Fellowship of the Ring, because you didn't trust all the pointy eared bas---- about to get the job done right. Following Gandalf you ventured into the Mines of Moria, etc.

I'm not sure what the two previous adventures entailed (yet). But you could talk about the goblins and fireworks. The discovery of Ameiko's hertiage and your wishing to join her on the trek to Tian. Second module has you stop over in Kalsgard where you battle ninjas so a little bit about your ninja bashing skills could be said.

Not sure what you mean by character decisions being made for you Mr. Swagger. All I wish is for the players to use the info in the player's guide to help in character creation. After that they are yours and yours alone to play.

Let's see...

There could be a TPK as normal I wouldn't go fudging dice rolls for that or nothing. And by mid-adventure you would have access to raise dead so as long as people didn't go around jumping off cliffs for fun then I think their will be ways to bring a PC back.

If Ameiko dies then the groups new goal might be to return her body to homeland for an empress's burial.

Good example with Helm's Deep - Let's say you are playing Gimili and the game starts with you standing on the battlements of Helm's Deep. Then your background would have in it that you ventured to Rivendell and joined the Fellowship of the Ring, because you didn't trust all the pointy eared bas---- about to get the job done right. Following Gandalf you ventured into the Mines of Moria, etc.

I'm not sure what the two previous adventures entailed (yet). But you could talk about the goblins and fireworks. The discovery of Ameiko's hertiage and your wishing to join her on the trek to Tian. Second module has you stop over in Kalsgard where you battle ninjas so a little bit about your ninja bashing skills could be said.

Not sure what you mean by character decisions being made for you Mr. Swagger. All I wish is for the players to use the info in the player's guide to help in character creation. After that they are yours and yours alone to play.

Thanks I think I understand. If NPC X is a stealthy type then my mechanics need to have them being a stealthy type. If they are a melee based heavy hitting type then I should make one of those. Is that correct?

FYI; from the first module before leaving Sandpoint:

[spoiler] *Ameiko Kaijisu: female human aristocrat 1/Bard 3/ rogue (rake)1; cg note: true family name Amatatsu

Koya Mvashti; female human (old) cleric of Desna 4; cg

Sandru Vhiski; male human rogue (swashbuckler) 4; ng

Shalelu Andosana; female elf fighter 2/ranger 4; cg *[spoiler]

I hope I set the spoiler tags right.

FYI; from the first module before leaving Sandpoint:

[spoiler] *Ameiko Kaijisu: female human aristocrat 1/Bard 3/ rogue (rake)1; cg note: true family name Amatatsu

Koya Mvashti; female human (old) cleric of Desna 4; cg

Sandru Vhiski; male human rogue (swashbuckler) 4; ng

Shalelu Andosana; female elf fighter 2/ranger 4; cg *[spoiler]

I hope I set the spoiler tags right.

The 2nd spoiler tag needs a "/" in front of the word spoiler.

Hm.

OK, thanks.

Interesting concept.

Do you mean you want people who can post twice a day? Twice a week seems the opposite of fast.

As for classes, I might suggest giving players a little more leeway as long as they stay with the basic archetype (i.e. Koya is a mysterious fortune teller, but no reason that couldn't be an oracle or witch instead of a cleric).

I'm intrigued, though. What level would we be starting at?

Thanks Spiral_Ninja if you have a treasure list I would be overly in your debt. :)

I could see Koya as an Oracle(Seer) or something other than a full cleric. And Sandru need not be a rogue he could be a fighter who specializes in quick tactics and lightly armored style fighting. He could be an improved disarm/dazzling display type.

So I will take back the rules for having them start as a bard, rogue, cleric, and ranger. I will allow you to take any class or combos you see that fit the background/picture that is in the PG.

So the only thing set is their gender, age(mostly for Koya), and race.

And I didn't want to get into builds and such but will post character gene rules below *sigh*

BTW: Are you saying twice a week is slow? I have seen slower -UGH! If it is faster than I am ok with that it is just a minimum.

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Character Gene:

- Ability Scores: point buy using 20pts.
- Races: already chosen by character
- Classes: Any from available sources.
- Starting Level: 7th
- Skills and Feats: Any available from sources.
- Traits: Standard (pick two)
- Hero Points: No, we will not be using these.
- Equipment: TBD by the GM
- Hit Points: Standard (Max at 1st lvl and roll for every level after that)

Sources

- Pathfinder CORE
- Pathfinder Chronicles - Campaign Setting
- Advance Player's Guide
- Ultimate Magic
- Ultimate Combat
- Adventure's Armory
- Pathfinder SRD third party material only by GM approval

The SRD has mostly everything out there so will be your best source for things you (or I) may not have.

Happy character building.

I am going for Sandru Vhiski or Shalelu Andosana;

I am going for a ranger with the guide and trapper archetypes. They don't replace the same abilities so it is rules legal. This will make me a good with finding traps, and fighting. I intend to go TWF, but I do need to know what weapon I will have if its possible. That would affect feat selection. As an example if I have a double weapon I may pick power attack, but if I am using two separate weapons then I would not.

True - but there will be a little GP for you to spend if you need something so specific. But if you build the character and take Weapon Focus(rapier) you can be sure I won't give him a +1 scimitar. :P

True - but there will be a little GP for you to spend if you need something so specific. But if you build the character and take Weapon Focus(rapier) you can be sure I won't give him a +1 scimitar. :P

I just got picked up in another game so I have to officially withdraw.

Well thanks for stopping in and have fun in your game.

This didn't get the responds I was hoping for wonder if I'm just not explaining it right? You still get to make your own character they just will have the interlocking background that comes from being in the Player's Guide.

Or could it be that 3 out of the 4 PCs are women?

Well thanks for stopping in and have fun in your game.

This didn't get the responds I was hoping for wonder if I'm just not explaining it right? You still get to make your own character they just will have the interlocking background that comes from being in the Player's Guide.

Or could it be that 3 out of the 4 PCs are women?

That's not an issue in my case (I'm a female who will turn 60 this month).

*However*, I want to play the whole thing through, from the first. I'll probably be running it for my group, we just got a new person who has slightly diferent availability, so starting a new game will be the most practical solution.

So, I'm more looking for someone who want to run the whole thing.

Run the game all the way through, huh? I could do that if it is what people want. Might be the best way to learn about these caravan rules - seem to play a good part in the third installment.

I would still like to use the NPCs as PCs option and get a group of 4 together.

Oh, and Happy (early? belated?) Birthday. :)

I would play if it was from beginning to finish.
And more so if you had the option of playing as one of the NPCs or a PC of your design and make.

Run the game all the way through, huh? I could do that if it is what people want. Might be the best way to learn about these caravan rules - seem to play a good part in the third installment.

I would still like to use the NPCs as PCs option and get a group of 4 together.

Oh, and Happy (early? belated?) Birthday. :)

Early, it's the 26th. Thanks, though.

Hm. I've worked out a character background for who I wanted to play...a cousin of Ameiko's by a younger brother (now deceased) of Amiko's father. She's just learned of her father's identity and has come to Sandpoint to learn more of the family.

But I'd be cool with Ameiko or Koya (mothering the group).

A PC playing Ameiko might just solve the whole -loose the damsel in distress and claim the throne ourselves- issues I've seen but does have a minor problem given an incident in brinewall.

Well since going with making your own PCs would give you a character you wish to play and make Azure_Zero happy as well I will try it.

So as of right now use the character gene below and make characters -

- Ability Scores: point buy using 20pts.
- Races: Core only
- Classes: Any from available sources.
- Starting Level: 1st
- Skills and Feats: Any available from sources.
- Traits: Standard (pick two)
- Hero Points: No, we will not be using these.
- Equipment: Max starting gold
- Hit Points: Standard (Max at 1st lvl and roll for every level after that)

Sources
- Pathfinder CORE
- Pathfinder Chronicles - Campaign Setting
- Advance Player's Guide
- Ultimate Magic
- Ultimate Combat
- Adventure's Armory
- Pathfinder SRD third party material only by GM approval

I will take the next two people who wish to play and make sure they wish to post at the twice a week (minimum).

I need to go buy the first pdf and get reading. Might have to give me the next couple of days for that. Maybe we could start after this weekend.

I'll check over Mai Sagara
(a Jade regent Character that never got picked)
and give her any tweaks that may be needed.

I have a character penned for this AP on another forum, but the recruitment there got drawn out and he now faces some fierce competition.
I'd like to apply tentatively, will join whichever game starts faster (or accepts me at all).

The character sheet is here:

Well since going with making your own PCs would give you a character you wish to play and make Azure_Zero happy as well I will try it.

So as of right now use the character gene below and make characters -

- Ability Scores: point buy using 20pts.
- Races: Core only
- Classes: Any from available sources.
- Starting Level: 1st
- Skills and Feats: Any available from sources.
- Traits: Standard (pick two)
- Hero Points: No, we will not be using these.
- Equipment: Max starting gold
- Hit Points: Standard (Max at 1st lvl and roll for every level after that)

Sources
- Pathfinder CORE
- Pathfinder Chronicles - Campaign Setting
- Advance Player's Guide
- Ultimate Magic
- Ultimate Combat
- Adventure's Armory
- Pathfinder SRD third party material only by GM approval

I will take the next two people who wish to play and make sure they wish to post at the twice a week (minimum).

I need to go buy the first pdf and get reading. Might have to give me the next couple of days for that. Maybe we could start after this weekend.

Did that mean 2 players in addition to me or did I miss out?

If not, I want to play either Ameiko or my ninja, Natara.

If I play Ameiko, I'm giving her a younger sister she's responsible for, who can fill the 'possessed' and 'abducted' rolls Ameiko fills in the first two modules. Her name is Achika and she's 11. [DM-run NPC, of course]

No I have you as in.

Let's see so far we have

-

Spiral_Ninja - Ninja
Azure_Zero - Ninja
flykiller - Inquisitor

And maybe motteditor but I think he wanted to play the 7th level game. Will leave a spot for him just in case though. So could be a party of five.

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Two ninja's maybe. Think they could be on the same mission? From what I can learn off other games and picking up blogs here and there - the reason Ameiko is needed back in the Dragon Empire is to stop an evil oni from becoming emperor.

The two ninjas could have been sent out to track down the true heir (maybe part of a larger group - but they are all that is left).

Not to worried about party composition as the NPCs could fill in gaps. I just didn't want to have to play all of them at once so will try not to so much.

So to anyone out there still looking for one more player.

Backgrounds:

Ameiko

Natara

Just to throw in a wild idea - maybe while in combat, each player could pick up 1 NPC to team up with? Ideally the one they have background trait with. Then those who are willing to do so can play for the NPC's, and you as the DM will be left with enemies (and maybe the odd NPC no-one likes :D)

Not a bad idea. I'm not sure how much the NPCs team up with the PCs as yet, but when they do maybe allowing you to help dictate their actions will help me in combat.

So Spiral_Ninja it would almost be like getting both the characters you want :)

Either has a great background and playability I like the add-on with the 11 yr. old also - Just let me know what you wish to do.

Will be checking in again tonight.

From the party composition point of view, ideally we'd need one frontline melee warrior, and one full arcane caster. divine/ranged/support should be mostly covered by now, counting NPCs in.

Thanks for the offer, but I think I've got my maximum load running three games and playing in one (plus a real-life game). I was very interested in the seventh-level one (and honestly very tempted even without, as I've deleted and then retyped this a couple times), but I think the fact that I haven't been able to find time to look through the players guide and reskin Koya, which is what I was thinking, tells me I just don't have the time to really contribute fairly.

Not a bad idea. I'm not sure how much the NPCs team up with the PCs as yet, but when they do maybe allowing you to help dictate their actions will help me in combat.

So Spiral_Ninja it would almost be like getting both the characters you want :)

Either has a great background and playability I like the add-on with the 11 yr. old also - Just let me know what you wish to do.

Will be checking in again tonight.

Ok, I'll go with Natara and cover Ameiko for you in combat situations. I'd like to keep the little sister idea as it keeps Ameiko from having constant 'rescue me' syndrome.

Here are a few ideas for the missing types if we don't get other players...

After RotRL/Burnt offerings Ameiko (and the little sister I added) are the only Kaijitsu surviors.

However:

Well then maybe we are about ready and don't need a forth. But I have been looking up things and at one site I found that maybe with less people we could use the gestalt rules.

I found this: Mowgli's Pathfinder Repository: Building a Gestalt Character when I goggled about it.

These rules seem very simple and they could add to the characters, thus making them truly heroic and giving the group the extra casters for things like detect magic and healing and such.

So Spiral_Ninja could make her ninja/sorcerer right off the bat and have them level at the same time.

The NPCs would not get this benefits but that is why the PCs would be almost center stage all the time. With maybe one or two NPCs joining up with them.

Let me know what you think and after we get characters done we have to build a caravan??

Thanks for the heads up motteditor - and have fun in all your games.

Maybe when we reach the 3rd installment you will have a little time to join in. :)

Gestalt adds difficulty in judging CR,
It's about character level Times 1.5.
But for 3 players in a 4 player game it could work, but you may need to add a monster every now and then to correct the CR.

Brain pondering Gestalt possibilities.

*Note on Female Ninjas, Historically they were also trained as priestess to get the "You can go Anywhere, no border checks" OK in Japanese society.
Kuniochi were also trained more on psychological warfare and information gathering, than fighting.

I think having three gestalt players and then having two to three NPC with them at times make for a good group.

And maybe for a little faster play as you know I am excited to get to white dragon fighting. >:)

I think i will forgo XP and have level ups come as you progress. The module I have has a page that gives levels you should be at certain times during the game. If I use this route than the group will spend less time trying to find a monster to fight and more in getting through the chapter and on to the next, (not my idea really - again something I found searching other pbps).

Leveling up by point in the AP does sound better
But you may still need to add a monster or two
once in a while if we go through them like a
hot knife through butter.

Three gestalt players should be enough,
but it won't hurt to have an NPC or two for RP reasons.

gestalt ideas
Base:
->Ninja
Add:
->Barbarian
->Bard
->Cleric
->Fighter
->Monk
->Ranger
->Paladin
->Sorcerer
->Wizard

I support the fixed point level-ups. I also don't mind easier challenge, especially in the beginning :)

Need to research the gestalt rules though, never seen them before. I will maybe try to combine my inquisitor with a warrior type.

I support the fixed point level-ups. I also don't mind easier challenge, especially in the beginning :)

Need to research the gestalt rules though, never seen them before. I will maybe try to combine my inquisitor with a warrior type.

gestalt rules are simple:

flykiller I think any class with a good BAB will be a good fit for an Inquisitor (except maybe cavalier :P)

Barbarian to add to the Heretic's personality (raging when in the presence of a heretic). He also could be more a survivalist or work for a more natural deity like Erastil or Gozreh.

Fighter for faster feat progression, and you can use your non fighter feats at the odd levels for things like teamwork and focuses.

Paladin for extra healing for the group later. A noble mount for when we cross the Crown of the World.

Ranger to give extra's like favored enemy and animal companion, or better take the bond that helps the group, forget what it is called at the moment. Ranger(trapper) sounds appealing to me as we would have a PC with trapfinding and you could be the kind of inquisitor who later lays traps to catch heretics.

A Samurai might be tough but would fit in and you could be a ronin if you wish. Perhaps the son of an old retainer or something from Brinewall.

Lots to decide but we have time as I have to wait till this weekend to get the first module.

If I start it may be SUN or MON and just a little RP at the Rusty Dragon.

Azure_Zero why not Oracle or Summoner. I don't think their is a class that won't fit.

Looking at the ninja they would also benefit from a good BAB class. They have skills and a descent HD. Maybe ranger - go skirmisher for even more tricks - the extra fighting style, large HD, favored enemy, and tracking might add to the character a bit.

Wizard or a call it a Wu Jen?? Could help as we are lacking in the arcane department with things outside of combat. I would hate to relies on the NPCs for detect magic, identify, comprehend languages, and other utility spells all the time. But their may be no help for it.

Really hate to be in you all's shoes. Sorry for making this tougher. But I think it will be more fun.

I forgot, to add witch and oracle to the list,
But I'll not add summoner (broken and too much management)

Was thinking
Fighter (to boost the damage output)
Cleric (to fit with the more historical version of them trained as priestess)
Sor, Witch, or Wiz (stereotype the mystic ability of ninjas)
or monk (know the martial arts)

I'll roll a some lucky dice as soon as I come up with a table.

Would you mind me testing this ARG playtest sample race?
Using the Half-elf Base

I think having three gestalt players and then having two to three NPC with them at times make for a good group.

And maybe for a little faster play as you know I am excited to get to white dragon fighting. >:)

I think i will forgo XP and have level ups come as you progress. The module I have has a page that gives levels you should be at certain times during the game. If I use this route than the group will spend less time trying to find a monster to fight and more in getting through the chapter and on to the next, (not my idea really - again something I found searching other pbps).

Works for me. I like gestalt but don't often get to use it.

Well,
If it's 3 gestalt PCs.
We should coordinate the PCs somewhat.

I believe it'll help

Base Class Groupings;
Arcane
Assault
Divine
Skill <-We have 2 Ninjas here (Me and Spiral)

Base Hybrids Groupings;
Arcane/Assault
Arcane/Divine
Arcane/Skill
Assault/Divine
Assault/Skill
Divine/Skill <-An Inquisitor here (FlyKiller)

We have a ton in the skill department here
and a small piece of Divine

We are missing Arcane and Assault

Spiral you are going for gestalt of Ninja/Sorcerer, yes?

I am planning a gestalt of Ninja/(Assault Class, likely Fighter)

If FlyKiller goes (Cleric or Oracle) and something else it would covering the base class groups.

Well,

If it's 3 gestalt PCs.
We should coordinate the PCs somewhat.

I believe it'll help

Base Class Groupings;
Arcane
Assault
Divine
Skill <-We have 2 Ninjas here (Me and Spiral)

Base Hybrids Groupings;
Arcane/Assault
Arcane/Divine
Arcane/Skill
Assault/Divine
Assault/Skill
Divine/Skill <-An Inquisitor here (FlyKiller)

We have a ton in the skill department here
and a small piece of Divine

We are missing Arcane and Assault

Spiral you are going for gestalt of Ninja/Sorcerer, yes?

I am planning a gestalt of Ninja/(Assault Class, likely Fighter)

If FlyKiller goes (Cleric or Oracle) and something else it would covering the base class groups.

Yes, I'll be Ninja/Sorc.

Sorry Azure_Zero don't think I am ready to open that can of worms just yet. My PF experience is about 10 months right now (glad it is close to 3.5).

So we have one class down.

Ninja/Sorcerer - Might need an overall class name so as not to get confused with multiclassing. Like Shinobi, Konran, or use the rankings in the Dan system.
.

Ninja-Shodan 1st lvl
Ninja-Nidan 2nd lvl
Ninja-Sandan 3rd lvl
Ninja-Yondan 4th lvl
Ninja-Godan 5th lvl
Ninja-Rokudan 6th lvl
Ninja-Nanadan 7th lvl
Ninja-Hachidan 8th lvl
Ninja-Kyudan 9th lvl
Ninja-Jūdan 10th lvl

Something to think on. But I think I like listing one class for the gestalt and if you multiclass then you have no problems telling your level.

Example: Sprial_Ninja's gestalt class is ninja/sorcerer and we call it a Shinobi. At level 4 she takes a level in monk. Her character is then a...

shinobi3/monk1

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Classes for the NPCs will be the same as in the books. I was looking at making Koya an oracle but thought better of it.

In the interest of cordination, I worked out this list of skills and abilities recommended for carvan jobs:

Suggested Skills: at least one character with at least one rank in:
Profession (baker, brewer, cook, fisherman, gardener, innkeeper, or tavern keeper)
Handle Animal or Profession (driver)
Perform [any]
Knowledge (geography)
Heal
Survival
Bluff, Diplomacy, or Profession (merchant)
Craft (carpentry) or Profession (engineer or wainwright)

Suggested Abilities: at least one character with the ability to:
cast spells of any type
cast divination spells

And at least one character with a base attack bonus of +1

Got room for a ranger or cavalier?