DM-All-Stars´ Darkmoon Vale Campaign

Game Master Tim Bürgers

Oh, and here are a few sentences about a character I like to play:

Bollon is a lawful good Varisian wizard who, as a child, fell into an old sub-terranean Thassilonian library. He hit his head hard during his fall, so he can´t remember, how he made it out again. He just knows, that he awakened on a bed with a couple of books around him. With these books, he learned the secrets of the ancient magic of "well-earned rest". To this day, he follows the teachings in his old tomes and upholds the virtue of rest. He never leaves home without a huge pillow and his lazy monkey familiar. Comfort and cozyness are paramount to him and he uses his magic to this end: An Unseen Servant prepares the camp, a mount carries the load, a mage armor is a lot more comfortable than ordinary armor of any kind.
Bollon sees the necessity to help people, but is confident, if someone else does it and earns the glory. If - on the other hand - his help is direly needed, he will of course lend a hand.

Typical quotes are:

"Can´t we just pay someone to do that?"
"You can´t possibly sleep on that! Do you know how important a healthy sleep is? Remember how bad this will be for your dorsal spine!"

Stats will follow.

Sounds interesting. I'm trying to come up with character ideas right now... If summoners will be possible, I'll make one of them; if people really prefer not to have that kind of complexity, though, it's fine, and I'll come up with something else. I'm thinking perhaps an "unkillable" barbarian-- the kind of guy who just won't go down, with Diehard, etc.

My vote:

Ability scores - PFS rules: 20 point buy, 7-18 range BEFORE racial mods.
I also prefer HD/2+1 hit point rule, instead of rolling.

Sources: Anything PFSRD. Usually I avoid games that allow 3pp. But I think this one game is okay to use 3pp because of its limited scope (up to 5th level). So I will abstain on this one - either way is fine to me. However, my personal 'phobia' is psionics. I'd want to avoid playing with one.

Races: Paizo material on PFSRD, within reason. There must be an extremely well-thought out reason how a 1st level drow character could appear in Falcon's Hollow and not be killed on sight.

Generally, I like what Tim said: use common sense and try to respect your fellow players and DM.

That said, my character concept:

Gounar Jadeknuckle, a male human Monk(Wanderer). Half-Tien and Half-Ulfen, he was destined for the childhood and life in exile. Picked up and trained by a reclusive old Master Zhen, he learned that the soul is what shapes a man and his destiny. As Master Zhen died, his last wish was for Gounar to set out in the world until he finds the true place to call home. Thus his wanderings brought him to pass the town of Falcon's Hollow.

Gounar is strong, disciplined, and kind, but naive. While he has already learned that some people are evil, he cannot refuse anyone the benefit of the doubt until their malintentions become all too apparent. He sometimes ends sentences midway, as if all the rest should be clear from what has been said.

I would love to play some sort of small character with a medium mount. Maybe a Cavalier, or druid, or even animal oracle. My thought is that if we are dealing with kobolds, at least some of the time, having someone small might come in handy. Halfling? Gnome? Are there other choices? I don't think I can realistically play a goblin. The problem is that all small characters take a minus to strength with the exception to the Wayang, and that seems too far out there, even though PFS is now awarding Con boons that allow you to play one.

What do people think about this idea? If I went with Oracle then I could at least help with healing. I would prefer not to be the only healer with that build. I don't mind healing, but If that is my job, I would take another class. Or I could forgo the mount and play a small bard. In all my years of playing this game, I have never played a bard.

Votes so far

Votes:
Stats (20 point buy): This will need voting
1) Nothing below 10 before racial mod
2) Nothing below 8 after racial mod
3) min 7 before racial mods, no max - as per the default rules
4) nothing below 7 after racial mods, only one stat at that 7; everything else needs to be 8 or higher after racial mods
5) scores below 7 or above 20 after racial mods
6) 7-18 range BEFORE racial mods.

Summoners:
Ban(1)
Ok(1)
Base only(1)
?(1)

Gunslingers:
Ban(1)
Ok(1)
?(2)

Website:
PRD(3)
D20pfsrd(0)
No preference(1)
?(1)

This sounds like fun and I'd love to get more experience DMing later down the line. I was thinking about starting a local group and running the Darkmoon Vale adventures plus some old dungeon magazine conversions.

Here are my votes:
Stats: 20pt buy (fine with me)
Default PF rules for stats (recently edited this response)

I'm not a big fan of pure min/max play, I'd rather play interesting well balanced characters. I've done the min/max thing and it felt very cookie cutter to me.

Summoners:
? meh - don't really have an opinion

Gunslingers:
Ban

Website:
PRD seems to include most of the base material.

As for my character, I'd like to play a Dwarf Cleric of Torag. I just started putting together this alias with the idea that Thorid traveled to Magnimar with his father, brother and uncle to check out the Golemworks. They set-up shop there creating custom sculptures of metal and stone for rich merchants to purchase and animate as well as repairing small magical constructs.

Wherever our adventure begins, I'll whip up a reason for Thorid to be travelling to that area, possibly visiting family, collecting materials or inspecting the crafts of another region for inspiration.

I'd like to get in on this, if it isn't too terribly late. I just read through the thread and it seems that my DM style and AZ's aren't too terribly different.

Here are my votes if you are interested:

stats: 20 pb, 7-20 range post modifiers

Summoners - base only (ban if this isn't feasible)

Gunslingers - bye bye

Website - I usually use d20pfsrd, but the prd is fine as well

As for characters, I would like AZ to randomize me from:

classes: Druid, monk, bard, ranger, cleric, inquisitor, magus, sorcerer
races: dhampir, dwarf, gnome, tiefling

Assault = Druid, Monk
Skilled = Bard, Ranger
Divine = Cleric, Inquisitor
Arcane = Sorcerer, Magus

Races: dhampir, dwarf, gnome, tiefling

Ass/Skill 4d100 ⇒ (55, 51, 8, 47) = 161 Druid*, Monk, Bard, Ranger
Div/Arc 4d100 ⇒ (71, 19, 55, 37) = 182 Cleric*, Inquisitor, Sorcerer, Magus

Final: 2d100 ⇒ (43, 50) = 93 Cleric

Race1:2d100 ⇒ (72, 88) = 160 dhampir, dwarf*
Race2:2d100 ⇒ (49, 46) = 95 tiefling*, gnome
Race: Final2d100 ⇒ (87, 40) = 127 tiefling

Result: Tiefling Cleric

Please select 4 Archetypes and 4 tiefling types. Regular counts as a type

Votes so far

Votes:
Stats (20 point buy): This will need separate voting
1) Nothing below 10 before racial mod
2) Nothing below 8 after racial mod
3) min 7 before racial mods, no max - as per the default rules
4) nothing below 7 after racial mods, only one stat at that 7; everything else needs to be 8 or higher after racial mods
5) scores below 7 or above 20 after racial mods
6) 7-18 range BEFORE racial mods.

Summoners:
Ban(1)
Ok(1)
Base only(1)
Base only or ban(1)
?(2)

Gunslingers:
Ban(3)
Ok(1)
?(2)

Website:
PRD(4)
D20pfsrd(2)
No preference(1)
?(1)

Sorry, forgot to vote for point-buy. I'm fine with 20-point. I definitely want at least that; 15-point is too low a lot of the time to get really good, fun characters.

If I can just put up a character idea, I'm going to go with an urban barbarian, not sure on race yet, but quite possibly elf or aasimar. The general concept will be that he's a bodyguard for one of the other PCs, because he owes a favor to the PC's family-- probably their father or even grandfather (or mother or grandmother). Also, I'd like to reflavor the controlled rage to be less a rage and more that he's trained in a special combat technique that allows him to enter a mindset which increases his prowess in fights.

If randomization is the way we're going, here are my choices:

Assault: Barbarian, Fighter
Skilled: Ninja, Ranger
Divine: Cleric, Paladin
Arcane: Magus, Sorcerer

Races: Aasimar, Elf, Half-elf, Ifrit

I guess that's all. Randomize me, AZ!

Just a question for those who dislike the Gunslinger what is your opinion on Alchemist? Both classes hit touch AC and (depending on the gun type) have about the same range. Just curious.

I'm more accepting of the alchemist since it meshes better with the setting, and has more limited times per day use in class features.

I think the general dislike is that while they both hit touch AC at a short range, the Alchemist's ability is limited. Bombs are usable several times a day, but even so, you'll often run out after one or two battles; whereas the Gunslinger is only limited by ammo, and he's got plenty of ways to make his hits become even deadlier on a regular basis using his own by-day power.

The Alchemist is also mitigated by a d8 hit die and 3/4 BAB. The Alchemist is certainly a class that can fare very well in open combat, even melee combat, but they're no fighter. On the other hand, the Gunslinger is a full BAB class with a d10 hit die. Not only is the Gunslinger hitting touch AC, he's also doing very nicely in melee combat and even at range with his guns, especially if he takes the Far Shot feat and uses the Deadeye deed.

I think there's also a big amount of flavor problems with the class. Personally, I don't find chemists who throw bombs that much more medieval or whatever than the use of early firearms, but a lot of people are accepting of it.

Also, any class that Stephen King wrote a book about is probably a little OP ;)

Edit: Ninja'd by AZ, who made very similar points.

..

Assault: Barbarian, Fighter
Skilled: Ninja, Ranger
Divine: Cleric, Paladin
Arcane: Magus, Sorcerer

Races: Aasimar, Elf, Half-elf, Ifrit

I guess that's all. Randomize me, AZ!

Assault: Barbarian, Fighter

Races: Aasimar, Elf, Half-elf, Ifrit

Ass/Skill 4d100 ⇒ (13, 96, 90, 43) = 242 Barbarian, Fighter*, Ninja, Ranger
Div/Arc 4d100 ⇒ (11, 33, 40, 100) = 184 Cleric, Paladin, Magus, Sorcerer*

Final: 2d100 ⇒ (61, 83) = 144 Sorcerer

Race1:2d100 ⇒ (39, 60) = 99 Half-elf, Elf
Race2:2d100 ⇒ (18, 22) = 40 Aasimar, Ifrit
Race: Final2d100 ⇒ (84, 60) = 144 Ifrit

Result: Ifrit Sorcerer

Please select 4 Archetypes.

Please select 4 Archetypes.

Normal Sorcerer, Crossblooded Sorcerer, Tattooed Sorcerer, Wildblooded Sorcerer.

Also note that I'm only using this character if the randomization is how we're all getting our characters. As fun as an ifrit sorcerer will most likely be, I'm getting a lot of good ideas for the urban barbarian... But I'm happy with either.

Azure_Zero wrote:

Please select 4 Archetypes.

Normal Sorcerer, Crossblooded Sorcerer, Tattooed Sorcerer, Wildblooded Sorcerer.

...

Do'h typo of cut'n'paste,

4d100 ⇒ (9, 71, 68, 22) = 170 Normal, Crossblooded, Tattooed, Wildblooded

Ifrit Sorcerer(CrossBlooded)

Please select 6 Bloodlines.

Who knows, you might find the results interesting enough that you play the random result instead.

Result: Tiefling Cleric

Please select 4 Archetypes and 4 tiefling types. Regular counts as a type

Archetypes: Regular, merciful healer, inquisitions, fiendish vessel (if FV is chosen, I will go for a Netral alignment, fighting constantly to avoid being pulled towards my fiendish heritage. It will be a good RP gig, but will require some thought.)

Tiefling Type: by type do you mean alternate racial traits, heritages, variant abilities, or something else?

Azure_Zero wrote:

Result: Tiefling Cleric

Please select 4 Archetypes and 4 tiefling types. Regular counts as a type

Archetypes: Regular, merciful healer, inquisitions, fiendish vessel (if FV is chosen, I will go for a Netral alignment, fighting constantly to avoid being pulled towards my fiendish heritage. It will be a good RP gig, but will require some thought.)

Tiefling Type: by type do you mean alternate racial traits, heritages, variant abilities, or something else?

Tiefling Type: Is referring to heritages,

And reading the rules for fiendish vessel, it's unselectable.
as you must match the patron's alignment and the patron has to be a fiend, and thus have an evil alignment.
Which is a not allowed for Player characters

Theologian is good replacement option for fiendish vessel,
but would prefer you selecting a replacement for it.

Bloodlines: Arcane, Efreeti, Elemental, Protean, Stormborn, Starsoul.

Indeed. I'm a little concerned due to the fact that another player posted wanting to play a wizard, but this sorcerer could be very fun to play indeed.

What is this randomization all about? Maybe it´s the language, but I don´t get the point what this is all about. Do you want to determine randomly which characters you will play? Interesting concept. We did something similar once. Everyone had to create a level zero child-character. After the first adventure, the other players held counsel, which class that character should be according to his roleplaying. But still I consider it most fun to just choose what you want.

Here are Bollon´s stats:

Bloodlines: Arcane, Efreeti, Elemental, Protean, Stormborn, Starsoul.

Indeed. I'm a little concerned due to the fact that another player posted wanting to play a wizard, but this sorcerer could be very fun to play indeed.

If their is multiple games, and the wizard is in another group the sorcerer could be very helpful.

2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11Arcane, Efreeti, Elemental, Protean, Stormborn*, Starsoul*.

Gender: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6 Female

End result: A female Ifrit Sorceress (Crossblooded: Stormborn and Starsoul)

Fair enough. Was wondering about that.

Archetypes: Regular, merciful healer, inquisitions, theologian

Type: regular, demodand spawn, devil spawn, qlippoth spawn

You roll for variant abilities, please.

...And I get the two bloodlines on that list that were my least favorite...

If at all possible, would it be acceptable for me to trade one of those bloodlines for a different one, or have you reroll them entirely? I'm not trying to diss on your process or anything, it's just that the first four bloodlines were the only ones that I really wanted.

What is this randomization all about? Maybe it´s the language, but I don´t get the point what this is all about. Do you want to determine randomly which characters you will play? Interesting concept. We did something similar once. Everyone had to create a level zero child-character. After the first adventure, the other players held counsel, which class that character should be according to his roleplaying. But still I consider it most fun to just choose what you want.

It's just a fun way to generate some really unique characters that don't fall into the same old-same old. I've never done it before, but it looks like fun and should provide tons of RP potential.

Fair enough. Was wondering about that.

Archetypes: Regular, merciful healer, inquisitions, theologian

Type: regular, demodand spawn, devil spawn, qlippoth spawn

You roll for variant abilities, please.

Surprised you did not select Oni-spawn

4d100 ⇒ (58, 81, 3, 19) = 161 Regular, merciful healer*, inquisitions, theologian

4d100 ⇒ (27, 59, 66, 81) = 233 qlippoth, devil, demodand, Regular

Variant: 4d100 ⇒ (45, 98, 71, 55) = 269 Take your pick

Gender: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

End result a female Tiefling(Reg) Cleric(merciful healer)

Now that's what I call a random character! Definitely not one I'd choose let to my own devices. Okay, time to kit up Vaashti C'tan and get this show on the road. Taking bids for healing, starting at 10g. Get your bids in now!

AZ, have you chosen a character yet?

Bigrin, you have to take 71 on that list. A merciful healer cleric... who eats corpses. I can see it now: "I'll do everything in my power to save you... and even if I can't, I'll feast on your flesh to feel better about losing you."

@Loup - No. Just...no.

@AZ - And I didn't choose Oni because I randomly chose my heritages from those with WIS bonuses.

...And I get the two bloodlines on that list that were my least favorite...

If at all possible, would it be acceptable for me to trade one of those bloodlines for a different one, or have you reroll them entirely? I'm not trying to diss on your process or anything, it's just that the first four bloodlines were the only ones that I really wanted.

We'll do ONE do over.

2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 Arcane*, Efreeti, Elemental, Protean, Stormborn*, Starsoul.

End result: A female Ifrit Sorceress (Crossblooded: Stormborn and Arcane)

Now that's what I call a random character! Definitely not one I'd choose let to my own devices. Okay, time to kit up Vaashti C'tan and get this show on the road. Taking bids for healing, starting at 10g. Get your bids in now!

AZ, have you chosen a character yet?

I'm debating on what to randomise with.

--------------------------------------------------

Regular tieflings don't have a WIS Bonus,
how did Regualer get in the random pool of heritages with WIS bonuses?

Hm. I'd really been hoping for Efreeti or Elemental. Ah well.

I'll work on figuring this character out. If nothing else, she may bring new meaning to the phrase "hot chick spellcaster."

...

I'll work on figuring this character out. If nothing else, she may bring new meaning to the phrase "hot chick spellcaster."

lol, agreed.

DM Bigrin wrote:

Now that's what I call a random character! Definitely not one I'd choose let to my own devices. Okay, time to kit up Vaashti C'tan and get this show on the road. Taking bids for healing, starting at 10g. Get your bids in now!

AZ, have you chosen a character yet?

I'm debating on what to randomise with.

--------------------------------------------------

Regular tieflings don't have a WIS Bonus,
how did Regualer get in the random pool of heritages with WIS bonuses?

Ah, that. I threw regular in both lists just because. No real reason.

Hm. I'd really been hoping for Efreeti or Elemental. Ah well.

..

If you dropped a hint that you wanted one of them, I would have made the randomisation process slightly split.

So far I've just generated a human rogue with stats between 9 and 17. If we do agree to have all abilities above 10 I'll change it slightly.

I kind of have a back story, but I just want to finish that up before I post it - right now I'm just trying to make sure I'm not messing up anything as I am kinda new to this.

If you dropped a hint that you wanted one of them, I would have made the randomisation process slightly split.

Well, darn.

But whatever. I'll create the female crossblood ifrit sorcerer, and an urban barbarian, and whichever seems like it has more RP and gameplay opportunities is what I'll go with.

Mental note to self for randomisation process.

Bollon wrote:

What is this randomization all about? Maybe it´s the language, but I don´t get the point what this is all about. Do you want to determine randomly which characters you will play? Interesting concept. We did something similar once. Everyone had to create a level zero child-character. After the first adventure, the other players held counsel, which class that character should be according to his roleplaying. But still I consider it most fun to just choose what you want.

It's just a fun way to generate some really unique characters that don't fall into the same old-same old. I've never done it before, but it looks like fun and should provide tons of RP potential.

It does make for some of the most unique characters I've played, or made as NPCs for homebrew setting games.

Though I'll admit that it does sometimes make the cliche race-class combination that's been used alot.

This randomisation process will sometimes take you out of what your used to playing and opens your mind to new options, play styles, and ideas.

Okay, here's a snippet from my tiefling cleric's background...

DM Bigrin wrote:

Bollon wrote:

What is this randomization all about? Maybe it´s the language, but I don´t get the point what this is all about. Do you want to determine randomly which characters you will play? Interesting concept. We did something similar once. Everyone had to create a level zero child-character. After the first adventure, the other players held counsel, which class that character should be according to his roleplaying. But still I consider it most fun to just choose what you want.

It's just a fun way to generate some really unique characters that don't fall into the same old-same old. I've never done it before, but it looks like fun and should provide tons of RP potential.

It does make for some of the most unique characters I've played, or made as NPCs for homebrew setting games.

Though I'll admit that it does sometimes make the cliche race-class combination that's been used alot.

This randomisation process will sometimes take you out of what your used to playing and opens your mind to new options, play styles, and ideas.

For example: a female ifrit crossblooded sorcerer with the arcane and stormborn bloodlines. This for a guy who often plays stealthy warrior-types, and wanted to try and break the mold a little bit with an urban barbarian.

Mhm. I've thought about playing a female, but I didn't want to try that amount of RPing too soon into PbP. By now I think I can pull it off, so I'll definitely play a female this campaign, even if I go with my urban barbarian idea.

I find the randomization idea interesting, but again, I too would only want to do it if everyone was. The characters that result are likely to be less than ideal combinations. If everyone did it, it could be a lot of fun.

Randomize me:

Class:
Assault = Ranger or Monk
Skilled = Inquisitor or Rogue
Divine = Paladin or Druid
Arcane = Magus or Witch

Race: Human, Elf, Tiefling, or Aasimar

Tried my own randomization, and I like what I got. But just for the hell of it, I'll try AZ's as well. Then pick tween the two.

Assault= Alchemist, Bard
Skilled= Ranger, Rogue
Divine= Oracle, Witch
Arcane= Magus, Sorc

Race= Elf, Gnome, Assimar, Human.

I find the randomization idea interesting, but again, I too would only want to do it if everyone was. The characters that result are likely to be less than ideal combinations. If everyone did it, it could be a lot of fun.

Randomize me:

Class:
Assault = Ranger or Monk
Skilled = Inquisitor or Rogue
Divine = Paladin or Druid
Arcane = Magus or Witch

Race: Human, Elf, Tiefling, or Aasimar

Ass/Skill 4d100 ⇒ (94, 43, 23, 69) = 229 Ranger* or Monk, Inquisitor or Rogue

Final: 2d100 ⇒ (53, 48) = 101 Ranger

Race1:2d100 ⇒ (39, 30) = 69 Human*, Elf,
Race2:2d100 ⇒ (27, 98) = 125 Tiefling, or Aasimar*
Race: Final2d100 ⇒ (21, 98) = 119 Aasimar

Result: Aasimar Ranger

Please select 4 Archetypes, and 4 heritages

Tried my own randomization, and I like what I got. But just for the hell of it, I'll try AZ's as well. Then pick tween the two.

Assault= Alchemist, Bard
Skilled= Ranger, Rogue
Divine= Oracle, Witch
Arcane= Magus, Sorc

Race= Elf, Gnome, Assimar, Human.

Ass/Skill 4d100 ⇒ (70, 19, 95, 17) = 201 Alchemist, Bard, Ranger*, Rogue

Final: 2d100 ⇒ (83, 4) = 87 Ranger

Race1:2d100 ⇒ (1, 26) = 27 Elf, Gnome*
Race2:2d100 ⇒ (82, 65) = 147 Assimar*, Human
Race: Final2d100 ⇒ (52, 36) = 88 Gnome

Result: Gnome Ranger

Please select 4 Archetypes.

Shapeshiter, Skirmisher, Falconer, Wild Stalker.

Shapeshiter, Skirmisher, Falconer, Wild Stalker.

4d100 ⇒ (93, 69, 96, 57) = 315 Shapeshiter, Skirmisher, Falconer, Wild Stalker

gender: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

End Result: Female Gnome Ranger(Falconer)

ill take some randomization

Assault: Monk/Ranger
Skilled: Rogue/Bard
Arcane: Wizard/Witch
Divine: Cleric/Druid
Races: Human, Half Elf, Aasimar, Tiefling

When I randomized before, I got a Male Half-Elf Bard. Though I did not roll for an archetype.

I've never played a Bard before, and I have a pair of Rangers already, so I think I'll go with the Half-Elf Bard.

AZ, care to pick my archetype for me?

Arcane Duelist, Sandman, Street Performer, Dervish Dancer.

ill take some randomization

Assault: Monk/Ranger
Skilled: Rogue/Bard
Arcane: Wizard/Witch
Divine: Cleric/Druid
Races: Human, Half Elf, Aasimar, Tiefling

Ass/Skill 4d100 ⇒ (52, 30, 59, 25) = 166 Ranger or Monk, Rogue* or Rogue

Final: 2d100 ⇒ (23, 3) = 26 Rogue

Race1:2d100 ⇒ (20, 40) = 60 Human, Half Elf*
Race2:2d100 ⇒ (79, 50) = 129 Aasimar*, Tiefling
Race: Final2d100 ⇒ (75, 44) = 119 Half-elf

Result: Half-elf Rogue

Please select 4 Archetypes.