The first edition of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game serves as the core rules system for this campaign. The house rules which follow serve to amend the core rules, overriding them where applicable.
HR-1. Allowed Sources. Except as otherwise stated in these rules, content published by Paizo is generally allowed for character creation and play, while third-party content is not allowed. Minimally, you will need the Core Rulebook and the Carrion Crown Player's Guide in order to properly create your character and play in this game.
HR-2. Background Skills. These variant skill rules are in effect as written (Pathfinder Unchained, 46-53; PRD).
HR-3. Block Initiative. These custom combat rules are in effect as follows. Each player rolls initiative for their own PC on the first combat turn; the GM rolls initiative for all non-PC combatants. Each PC whose roll equals or beats the GM's target number may act on the first combat round by posting their actions along with their initiative roll. You post as a block, meaning you simply post your actions when it’s your block’s turn to act; the order you happen to post in becomes your turn order for that round. The GM then posts actions for the non-PC combatants as another block. On each combat round after the first, all combatants continue to act in block initiative order, counting down from the highest to the lowest. Every PC posts their actions as a block for rounds two and henceforth, until combat is over.
Special circumstances may warrant a more complex block initiative arrangement, such as when two independent groups of non-PC combatants engage the PCs in combat. The GM will provide guidance on your block assignments and when you can post when this occurs.
HR-4. Character Creation. These rules apply as follows.
Ability Scores. Use the Purchase method of ability score generation, 25 points for Epic Fantasy campaign types (Core Rulebook, 15-16; PRD). You're heroes, you're supposed to be epic.
Race. The core races are allowed, plus changelings, dhampirs, and orcs. Alternate race traits are allowed. Additional races might be allowed on a case-by-case basis; in general, nothing built with more than 15 race points (RP) will be accepted (d20PFSRD shows the RP cost for many races), and your back story should account for the fact that your race is generally not found in Ustalav.
Class. All classes, archetypes, and prestige classes from the allowed sources are allowed, except for the ninja and samurai since they don’t reflect the flavor of Carrion Crown.
Hit Points. Take the maximum hit points at 1st-level, and the average (rounded-up) on later levels.
Traits. You may choose two traits, or three traits and a drawback. One trait was originally required to be a campaign trait from the Carrion Crown Player’s Guide, but this is now optional. No two traits may be of the same type, and you may not choose a campaign trait from another source (Ultimate Campaign, 51-65; PRD).
Alignment. Any non-evil alignment is allowed. Special exceptions are possible, provided an extraordinary back story and GM-imposed limitations to be made on a case-by-case basis.
Wealth. At 1st-level, use the maximum starting gold for your class. At later levels, use the Character Wealth by Level table (Core Rulebook, 399; PRD).
Back Story. A nice, fully-done background story will go a long way towards getting you into this game. We don't need pages, but we need vividness. Make me feel your character. They should feel like, if not Ustalav natives, that they have a very, very good reason to be there.
HR-5. Harrow Points. These optional rules are in effect as written (Carrion Crown Player’s Guide, 13-14). In addition, the GM reserves the right to award an extra harrow point on rare occasions, based on an extraordinarily heroic deed or an exceptional roleplaying experience.
HR-6. Piecemeal Armor. These variant rules are in effect as written (Ultimate Combat, 198-205; PRD). Both standard armor and piecemeal armor parts are allowed.
HR-7. Posting Requirements. These are the general posting expectations for all players and the GM alike.
Post Organization. Post out-of-character (OOC) discussions in the Discussion thread. Post in-character narration, dialogue, and dice rolls in the Gameplay thread. Brief OOC text is encouraged to describe combat actions in the Gameplay thread, but please keep it properly tagged (i.e. in either OOC or spoiler tags).
Posting Rate. Please try to submit one or two in-game posts per week in the Gameplay thread. Try not to post either less or more than this: we want to progress the game along, but we also don’t want to leave those of us with busy real lives in the dust.
Absence. You should provide advance notice when you intend to be absent for any length of time that would prevent you from keeping to this posting rate. This is not only a courtesy to others, but ensures that the GM will endeavor to hold your place in this game. During combat, an absence of three days without notice may result in losing your turn. An extended absence of four weeks without notice may result in your expulsion from the campaign and your replacement. In the case of an emergency, rest assured the GM will be sympathetic; we’ll try to work you back into the game somehow, if and when you request to return.
HR-8. Simplified Advancement. This custom rule is in effect as follows. XP is neither tracked nor awarded. In lieu of this, the GM will simply inform you when to level up. This will generally be based on story milestones achieved.
HR-9. Stat Block. You are required to include a stat block in your character profile’s Race or Class field so it shows up in your Gameplay posts under your character’s name. Stats that should be included are: your race, class, and level, followed by your current HP, AC (including flat-footed and touch AC), CMD (including flat-footed CMD), saving throws, initiative modifier, and frequently used skill modifiers such as Perception. Please indicate conditional modifiers by appending an asterisk to any affected stats, such as “Will: +3*” to remind the GM that your elf character has +2 vs enchantments and immunity to sleep effects. Please also indicate sensory qualities like darkvision or low-light vision by appending a “D” or “L” to your Perception modifier, such as “Perc: +5L”. You are free to add other useful stats as you wish, such as to help you track your current spells per day, your class abilities’ usage, attack information, abilities you want to remind the GM that you have (i.e. the rogue’s trap spotter talent), or whatever else you would like.
