It seems a fine day for piracy, my friends.
I am starting a new campaign - the Skull and Shackles Adventure Path!
I have DMed Kingmaker (now mid-way through Book 2) since January 2011. We have posted over 4000 in-game posts. Having lost three of our original players, we have replaced them and continued along. We've survived a handful of occasional hiatuses, but I am of the belief that it is amongst the best PBPs on this forum. Have a read of it. (Part I Link). (Part 1.5 Link). (Part 2 Link). Please take a look, because this is the quality of writing that I expect from my players.
I've had a few other games that let momentum and player loss snare them down - Kingmaker of Korvosa, one of my most ambitious games, fell prey to this along with my schedule. However, I've remained committed to my Kingmaker game, and I will remain committed to this game in the same fashion so long as the players do. I have one caveat, however - I am a police detective assigned to the Houston Police Department's Homicide Division. My schedule can be extremely variable. There are periods where I can be on a case non-stop for days, and other periods in which I have as much free time as I can handle.
Okay, if you're not scared off yet, let's talk about the game.
Here is what I envision: minimal plunder, looting, and pillaging. I am looking for a Chaotic Good motley crew of Firefly-types with an appreciation for the freedom of the water and the willingness to fight for it. Think smugglers and privateers rather than pirates. What I am not looking for is a bunch of rape-and-murder types looking to indulge dark fantasies. I am looking for characters with interesting backstories, who would mesh well together. Characters should be three-dimensional with personality, desires, and flaws. Disagreement between characters should be a natural occurrence based on strongly-held beliefs, although they shouldn't derail the game. Knowledge of the Golarion setting is assumed and should be worked into the character.
Mechanically, this will be point-buy with 20 points. I strongly disfavor stat dumps, especially Charisma, without appropriate story justification. I also disfavor gimmicky characters. Two traits are allowed, and neither is required to be from the S&S Player's Guide. Considerably more effort should be on the personality, and a character sheet is merely encouraged. Anything legal in Pathfinder Society is allowed. All races are allowed, but I have a bit of a bias towards humans and will likely pick only a few non-humans.
One question that must be answered is why your character would be on a trip from Absalom to Eledar in Sargava, or to/from any port along the way. (Unlike the Player's Guide, you will not start in Port Peril. You will also not start as a pirate, but merely crew or passenger in a passenger ship.)
I will be taking applications until Wednesday, 1/23/13. I haven't decided how many people I will take. It will be between 4 and 7, depending on the exact needs of the party.
If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. If you don't have a posting history, I'm still happy to consider you but may ask for a writing sample.
I've been in a great S&S game, but it seems to have died (Hope the DM is ok) so I need a piratel... make that privateer type fix. That's some high quality writing in your games. I think I could step up to the challenge.
I'm leaning towards an arcane caster of some sort
You had me at Firefly. <dot>
Dotting and trying desperately to come up with a character who isn't an expy of a member of Serenity's crew.
Ok. First question: What is the rule for starting wealth?
Flat 175 gold, regardless of your class.
Also, keep in mind the limitations of armor on a ship.
I think I can step up to this. Pretty new to online pbp but not pathfinder.
I shall update tonight (currently around midday for me). :)
Dotting for interest, present thoughts are running towards an Elven Ranger who is on the run from the Isle of Kepre Dua in the Shackles.
This sounds like great fun and I don't scared off easily! :)
This is however, my first PBP game here. Is there anything special I need to do, to get in?
DM Baracas, should I just send you a character sheet with background write-up? If so is there a preferred method?
I will be picking someone to be the strong personality who can step up to be the captain of this enterprise. It would have to be a strong writer with no problem taking charge.
TheGato: put it here in the thread. You can create an alias and submit in-character if you'd like. To get in, make a pitch of a good character.
Dotting for interest.
And I have the perfect song for inspiration. Bewitched by Sharon Knight.
I submitt Lilly and Eyeball who was made for a failed S&S game, and if fact has been in two failed S&S games. Hope she's not bad luck. Will adjust as necessary if accepted.
A quick question:
The Buccaneer archetype for Bards (from Pirates of the Inner Sea) does not have access to the cutlass by RAW.
Would you be open to swapping proficiency with a rapier for proficiency with the cutlass? There isn't any mechanical difference, but a cutlass is just more piratey.
Amaka Gry for your consideration. She's still pretty rough especially her equipment. Still lacking traits.
Hi, scranford. Hi, Mark! It would be great to play together again. Good luck to you both and all the applicants.
Dotting for interest
Mark - Sure. There is a slight mechanical difference in that rapiers have piercing damage and cutlasses have slashing, but that's all.
Everybody - if you've got a character to submit, tell me a bit about them. Write me a paragraph or two of narrative, if you will, to get their personality and/or history across.
I've been wanting to run Skulls and Shackles for a while, and made up a character for a game that never got started. She might fall into the gimmicky category, since I basically had read and rather fallen in love with the Golarion Rakshasa fluff, but I'm pretty enamoured with her background. I would normally submit a fresh character for something like this, but I really like Beshra's backstory and would particularly love it in a game like this where it sounds like there might be a possibility of encountering some of the plot hooks in it.
I believe she ought to fit the specifications as is, though I might need to jigger around with gold.
Beshra is a Rakasha spawn tiefling, which is more powerful than the standard races, I took the fiendish heritage feat to allow her to take the variant which I think puts it pretty much inline with the other races.
Going through her mother's possessions she found wanted posters, and mementos for the Pirate Captain, Cutthroat Catelyn. And another poster torn and crumpled depicting the notorious reaver Johnathan Bleak, known throughout the sea as Bloody Bleak, Captain of the Crimson Guillotine.
Seventeen years old Beshra sought out Captain Bleak, asking about for his wherabouts, leaving the tiny apartment she and her mother had shared with their scant few valuables. A day later she awoke, in a filthy bed in a cheap dockside Inn, to find a dagger at her throat and a fearsome white haired woman studying her intently. This was the Priestess Kerith Windblown, her mother's former first mate and servant of Besmara the Pirate Goddess.
Kerith told her how they had been captured by Bloody Bleak, and how after he stole all their plunder the Captains began a torried, on again, off again, love affair. Sweet had two demonic cat headed advisors, creatures called Rakshasas who worked fell sorceries on his behalf, but Captain Catelyn managed to slay one of the monsters in their initial clash.
When Cutthroat Catelyn discovered she was pregnant Sweet seemed please, and immediately set out to sea. His reaving became worse than ever seemingly more focused upon butchery than plunder, he began sending plague ships into smaller ports, and torturing victims for weeks before killing them. As news of his evil deeds got back to her even Captain Cutthroat was horrified, and she began to notice something terrible happening to the child in her womb, it seemed to have claws and she could feel a malevolent presence forming inside her.
Catelyn visited a Priestess of Iomedae who told her her unborn child was possessed, acting as a vessel for the return of a Rakshasa. Great evil done by the parents of a babe during pregnancy allowed the creature in the Priestess explained, and the only way to counter it was for her to atone for her sins and try to become good. So Cutthroat Catelyn gave up, her ship, her plundered riches, and her name, for her child and fled into obscurity, spending the next five years living in a temple of Iomedae as a servant. After five years she was asked to leave, having seduced a half dozen priests and acolytes.
Beshra was born wrong, her eyes were distinctly feline, and the tops of her ears extended catlike covered in soft black fur. Worst of all she had a panther's tail. Even so she was a beautiful babe, her oddities making her exotic as much as frightening.
She has always been aware of an alien presence dwelling within her, the impotent trapped soul of the Rakshasa Tharash. Over the years the two have reached an uneasy compromise, rather than engaging in an eternal struggle for control of Beshra's body they would make a series of deals, whenever Beshra needed access to the Rakshasa's knowledge or to be able to read the thoughts of those around her Tharash would exact a promise in exchange, usually for some minor evil deed, or for her to stop praying to Iomedae, which was pretty dull anyway.
Upon her thirteenth birthday the Rakshasa exacted a promise that she would drink a bottle of rum, from the tavern her mother now worked at. Curious anyway, she happily agreed, and once she was half way through the bottle the Tharash's offer to let her use his ability to detect thoughts once a day in exchange for letting him have control of her body until dawn seemed more than reasonable, especially when he said that she need only, "say the word," and he would return control sooner.
The Rakshasa killed a dozen people, laying about him with magical flames and snatching up a sword as he sought out the woman who had slain him, and then trapped him - her mother. But despite her years of exile from the seas Cutthroat Catelyn was no easy foe, she battled Tharash in the tavern even as his magics turned the tavern into a blazing inferno. Finally she mamanged to wrestle her daughter's slighter frame to the ground, apologize and force her hands into the flame. She held them there for long minutes until the Rakshasa's unholy resistance to flame was overcome and the skin began to blacken and char.
Beshra who had been wailing impotently in her own mind the entire time, her drunken stupor swiftly faded, finally had the chance - with the Rakasha reeling in agony - to rasp, "the word." And she was in control of herself once more, her arms blackened ruins as her mother dragged her from the burning wreckage.
After the fire her mother watched her with constant suspicion, and even though she understood it, and could feel Tharash watching with hate from her eyes, she began to avoid her mother as much as possible. Then she found her dead and could not believe how she had treated the woman who had done and given up so much for her. Then Tharash pounced upon her weakness once again and offered her the name of her mothers murderer if she would agree to become a Pirate. She agreed.
But knowing she was not ready, and that with her ruined hands she would never wield a cutlass like her mother she asked Kerith to teach her to become a Priestess of Besmara. Kerith's methods proved unsuitable, but Beshra seemed to find an instant conenction with the Pirate Queen goddess, as soon as she entered her shrine. She spent a few years learning with Kerith and then set out seeking a berth from which to begin her rise.
If Beshra is not appropriate please let me know and I'll happily knock something else up.
Narrative:
Beshra blinked sleepily at Aram as he rolled over in bed, so hard to trust, and yet I want to trust you so badly you beautiful boy..."
"If only you could read his mind Beshra sweetling. Let us make a bargain you and I,"
I need no more of your bargains monster!
"Please girl save your bravado for someone who does not dwell in your mind, you want to know, all that remains is to haggle over price!"
Fine, what is it you want monster?"
"Nothing much, perhaps you could trip a child in the street, or steal from a beggars cup? Something... incidental, inconsequential, of no real import."
And add another stone to my pockets? Enough pebbles and I'll sink into the darkness, is that it monster?
"We both know the game sweetling, let us not pretend otherwise, you believe you are strong enough to carry the burden of one more pebble, do you not? If you are so strong surely you have nothing to loose..."
They eventually settled on her giving the blind beggars near the docks fake coin, cruel, but ultimately no worsening of their plight. Beshra would not donate to them otherwise for three months, and could donate only what she no more than she had given to beggars in the past.
Then Tharash showed her her lover's mind. Aram thought of her as a conquest, a animal who he would take his pleasure from both in bed and in the tavern with his friends as they lauded him for making the kitty purr. The laughter, the closeness, had all been a lie, it was always a lie.
She left him there, gathered up her meager possessions, and moved on again. A little harder, a little heavier.
Definitely interested in a game like this. Current leaning towards a dwarf alchemist...but we'll see who I can play to do this campaign justice.
I would like to join please. I would bring to the table a certain young man, a budding shipwright, with a tie to nature. You see, all druids, except blighters, of course, love nature. And Nikolai is no exception. What makes Nikolai special, or rather, differentiates himself from other druids, is that he also loves ships. Because they talk to him. While others spend time healing animals and preaching against civilization, Nikolai tries to find a balance between civilization on the shore, and the natural disposition of the seas. And he loves ships. The salty breeze in the hair, the ocean spray, the dolphins and seagulls, all of it.
Apologies, I shall post a more worthy description when I get some sleep. And a proper pc and keyboard these two posts are by phone, while on the train home. Normally I use a computer either at work or home, to type.
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DM Barcas!
I was actually stationed in Houston from 2009-2011 with the Coast Guard doing Search and Rescue so I know where your coming from. I am prepared for hiatus's as they come about, but whats important to me is that even if its a break, the effort is made to get it back up and running once time permits. Before I get into the character I would like to tell you a little about myself. Like I stated before I am in the Coast Guard, and that does occasionally affect my post habits, but nothing that has precluded me from taking part in other games. I have played D&D for the past 15 years, and got into pbp's about 8 months ago. Since then I have reached a post-count of around 1300-ish posts scattered among my characters. I tend to build my characters with a emphasis on long term goals and I like to plan out the concepts prior to picking classes, feats and things of that nature. I am active in several pbp's at the moment and I can provide examples of my posting should you want to see them.
Now onto the character, and I hope you will forgive me if this is just a "rough sketch"
John Rawkins
Male Human (Taldan) Ranger (Freebooter) 1
CG Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +6
Aura freebooter's bane +1
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Defense
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AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +1 shield, +1 Dex)
hp 12 (1d10+2)
Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +4
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee Axe, boarding +5 (1d6+4/x3) and
. . Cutlass +5 (1d6+4/18-20/x2) and
. . Dagger +5 (1d4+4/19-20/x2)
Ranger (Freebooter) Spells Prepared (CL 0):
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Statistics
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Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 16
Feats Iron Will, Power Attack -1/+2
Traits Freedom Fighter, Peg Leg
Skills Acrobatics -2, Climb +5, Diplomacy +5, Escape Artist -2, Fly -2, Heal +6, Knowledge (nature) +4, Perception +6, Profession (sailor) +6, Ride -2, Stealth +2, Survival +2 (+3 to track), Swim +7
Languages Common
SQ track, wild empathy
Combat Gear Alchemist's kindness (3); Other Gear Lamellar (leather) armor, Buckler, Axe, boarding, Cutlass, Dagger (3), Grog (2)(per gallon), Healer's kit, Wooden Holy-symbol of Abadar, Ink, black, Inkpen, Journal, Marked cards, Pathfinder's kit, Seabag, 3 GP, 7 SP
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Special Abilities
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Freebooter's Bane +1 (Ex) +1 to hit & damage versus chosen target.
Freedom Fighter You've developed a reputation as a privateer who fights for freedom. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks. This bonus becomes a -2 penalty when dealing with slavers or those who support the slave trade. Diplomacy becomes a class skill for yo
Peg Leg +1 trait bonus to damage vs animals with the Aquatic subtype.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Track +1 Add the listed bonus to survival checks made to track.
Wild Empathy +0 (Ex) Improve the attitude of an animal, as if using Diplomacy.
Five background and concept elements important to John Rawkins.
1) John Rawkins is a sailor who was recently discharged from the Andoran Navy due to a terrible injury. Six months ago while his ship the Eagles Claw took part in a pitched battle with the Shackles privateer Storms Fury John fell overboard and was viciously attacked by a jigsaw shark. By the time he was recovered and his mates got him onto the surgeon’s table, there was nothing that could be done. In a haze of ether John felt the dull pain of the surgeon’s saw and the heat of the soldering iron. When he awoke two days later, his left leg was gone from just below the knee, and in its place was a crudely fitted cap.
2) John was outgoing and friendly, but since losing his leg and being discharged he has turned to heavy drinking. He rarely shaves and his once short hair has begun to grow out into a tangled mess. He is a man that is teetering on the edge of self-ruin.
3) Prior discharged, John had acquitted himself in several boarding and begun to earn a reputation is a solid and reliable leader.
4) Although he would never admit it, ever since the shark attack John is secretly afraid of the ocean. He’s a fine swimmer, but there’s something about not being able to see what is under the water that scares him.
5) Like most Andoran’s John hates slavery. He remembers how, as a private he took part in the boarding action of the Katapesh Slave Galley Taskmasters Pride. He will never forget seeing the whipped and chained slaves, emaciated and lashed to the oars and it sickened him beyond words. If given the opportunity to hurt a slaver he would likely do so.
Two goals that are important to John.
1) I would like to see John build upon his Andoran leanings. The navy may have forsaken John but he hasn’t forsaken the ideals they represented. I think that it would be cool to see John eventually become a "Steel Falcon" PrC. Long term I think it would be great to develop this “Arc” as John earns the attention of the Eagle Knight’s and then somehow is given a secret commission to continue to do the work of Andoran within the Shackles.
2) ”I’ll find the shark that took my leg!.
Two secrets about John, one that he knows, and one that he not yet aware of.
1) John is married and has a three year old daughter. In the weeks following the release of the slaves aboard Taskmasters Pride John fell in love with one of the released concubines. Though it is extremely frowned upon within Andoran for a liberator to become romantically involved with the liberated slave, he couldn’t help but love her. It was for this reason that he is currently traveling to Eledar. Though he hates Cheliax and their puppet states for their continuing support of slavery, he was recently offered a job to help build ships for the Sargava navy.It kills him inside to work against the ideals that he believes in, but he sees few options and he has a family to provide for.
2) Prior to his discharge John had done more than just earn a reputation is a solid and reliable leader. In fact his Captain was a member of the Eagle Knights and had taken notice of him for a possible candidacy into the order. However with the loss of his leg and subsequent drinking and discharge Captain Havershaw rescinded his decision. Yet despite his better judgment Lord Havershaw still keeps track of John from time to time.
Three people that are tied to John, two are friends and one is an enemy.
1) Alima Rawkins: Former pleasure slave aboard the Taskmasters Pride and wife of John Rawkins. Alima is Osirion in descent with dusky skin and black hair. She currently lives in the Andoran fishing village of Souston where she raises her and John’s daughter, Farah.
2) Lord Cornelius Havershaw: Ageing captain of the Eagles Claw . Cornelius is also an Eagle Knight from the order of the Steel Falcon and has taken note of John. Cornelius is quickly approaching retirement and knows that the Claw will be his last command. He is fond of playing the violin and drinking good brandy. It was under his tutelage that Petty Officer Rawkins first learned the principles of leadership.
3) Captain Typhus Scalp-Taker: Captain of the Storms Fury, slaver, pirate and reputed member of the Pirate Council. It was Scalp-Taker who was responsible John going overboard during the battle with the Eagles Claw. During the battle the pirate lord kicked John over a gunwale and into the sea, but not before John was able to land a lucky strike that sliced off the pirates left ear. Since that day Typhus has never forgotten the slight done to him by the Andorian sailor and would be quick to meet vengeance upon him should their paths meet again.
Three memories, mannerisms or quirks John possess.
1)John keeps a moleskin journal within his Sea bag. During free time he writes letters home to his wife and daughter. He misses them terribly and will never forget the day that he set sail to Eledar, and the last kiss he gave Alima. He uses a lock of her hair as a bookmark for his journal.
2) As a remnant of his service in the Andoran Navy, John managed to keep his duty issue cutlass and boarding axe. He carries at least one of the two weapons with him at all times. When distracted he tends to keep one hand on the pommel of the blade and will mindlessly run his thumb over the end cap in a clockwise motion.
3) John has a hard time sleeping on land. From his years at sea, the sailor has grown more accustomed to the cradle of the sea, then the stone of the shore. Even on land John prefers to sleep in a hammock, much to the displeasure of Alima.
Ok, well actually that was all a lie. This is my character concept, background and mechanics. After I wrote the top portion I started to work on the outline, and I had one of those moments where I wanted to get it all down on paper. So... two hours later, here is my character submission. I really hope you like him. He has a mix of flaws, potential and desires. Let me know what you think.
-John Rawkins
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Houston PD, eh? You're a hop, skip, and a jump from me here in Pasadena, then. Would be refreshing to do a more seaborne campaign, at least I assume it is. Never done S&S, definitely dotting for interest. Need to find some spark of inspiration for a character and I'll have something worthy posted up.
If I may ask, would this be a modified Skull and Shackles game, like your other ones, or will it adhere to the adventure path (with the exception of the beginning, which you have already talked about)?
And would already being in an S&S PbP preclude me from submitting (at least when I get around to deciding myself, that is... :-P)?
Also, by gimmicky characters, you mean...?
Sorry for all the questions, by the way. :-)
Castor,
A gimicky character is one who overly specializes, like a wizard who uber specs into fireball. But that's all he can do. They are one trick ponies.
I'd be really interested in such a game. I have two different character concepts right now in my head
Allerie is a Sargavan born witch coming back home after a journey to Absalom to study under the guidance of a powerful master. Things didn't go as she expected and now she doesn't feel like coming home but has nowhere else to go. She is frustrated and upset and lacking the social skills she can be blunt and annoying, at least until she finds something to take her mind away from her failure.
or
Awesome Vic, a gunslinger traveling to Sargava from Alkenstar after his arrogance got him in too many fights. He has a big heart and an even bigger ego, he calls himself Awesome Vic although his true name is Victor Kanshare. He is travelling to the Mwangi Expanse through Sargava looking for the adventures that will make him as famous as he deserves.
If any of them seem to fit the campaign please tell me so I can expando on him and work on the crunch.
Ok I have my character background probably complete. Except for the fact that it's written on my pc and I don't have internet for the time being/day. So I will just give a quick overview of the character here. (Posting from my mobile)
Rendol Perry, Cleric of Desna, luck and travel domains.
Grew up in a small village not too far from Absalom with dreams of the sea in his heart. Hearing stories from other sailors but having his father call them fabrications. Rendol wants to be a sailor and is usually down at the docks helping the fishermen.
When he turns 16 and finally gets a chance to go to sea everything goes splendidly for him. Unable to go to sea again for a few years Rendol wants to leave for Absalom and eventually his parents give in. Finding another voyage to join he becomes one of the crew. Always quick to make friends and usually good with people the venture is again a success. Getting the taste for trading and gold as well as exploring the world Rendols fortune is on the rise when he becomes captain of his first ship at 23. That's about the end of his good luck streak however when a pirate ship is waiting for him, taking his ship and crew and tossing him overboard to die.
He makes his first prayer to desna while bleeding out and is saved by a fisherman who happens to be from his village. Going back there to find he is back where he started he has a small revelation about his life before once again heading to Absalom, the sea always calling him.
Should be updating an alias with the full backstory and I've done the character sheet also. I love the number side of PF too. :)
I am very interested. Also, having had some flaky GM experiences in the past, that you are up front about an unpredictable schedule is actually reassuring, because it means you're aware of your time commitment and what you can and can't realistically give, which means you're more likely NOT to suddenly get overwhelmed and just disappear.
One issue: I own Skull and Shackles. I've skimmed through it. I can promise not to metagame (I don't remember a lot of details anyway) but I can understand if you do not want to include a player who owns the AP; let me know.
I am thinking either a "weather witch" type caster (not necessarily an actual witch) or a skirmishy fighter. I'll flesh out if it's okay for me to submit an application.
As for posting history, feel free to check my campaigns tab. I usually can post at least once a day, if not more often (weekends are a little more sparse than weekdays) and if I am forced to go on hiatus or feel I need to leave for any reason, I will always give warning and reason.
Adeptus - I have another PC in my Kingmaker game named Nikolai. Coincidental, eh? Do you have any other names for the PC?
Carpe - Is Beshra a cleric, or just a worshipper of Besmara?
F Castor - Not a problem. I would likely make a number of changes like I did to my Kingmaker game while keeping the basic outline.
Jeddah - pick one and run with it. Of the two, I personally like Victor better, but it's your choice to find a character you like and have a good feel for.
Everyone - John Rawlins and Beshra are the sorts of submission detail I like to see. If that is the sort of quality submission that each potential character would bring, we could get a really strong crew together.
Beshra is an oracle, sorry should have included that info, specifically a dual cursed oracle of the winds, with the blackened - burnt hands - and legalistic curses.
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I'm going to work on a more detailed submission and hopefully manage to post it before leaving work today. In the mean time, here is the skeleton of my concept. I do not have a sheet yet.
Something came back with Skaldi. He can't stand to be far from the sea for long. He's heard a voice on occasion. A fortnight ago, he finally learned what the voice belonged to. Somehow he's tied to an ancient linnorm that dwells (dwelt?) in the sea. He has the ability to call upon a reflection of this Linnorm when he focuses. He’s taken to doing this more and more in the passing days. It just feels right.
Skaldi has taken to the sea again. It’s on the ocean that he’s most comfortable. What will fate bring him next?
The PC won’t be optimal. Hopefully the Eidolon / Summoner synergy will help him out with that a bit. I’m on the fence between Human and Half-Elf.
@DM Barcas: How keen are you on reflavoring mechanics? Would it be acceptable to represent a "fey-touched human" as a half-elf mechanically? Meaning, I'd use the rulebooks as if he was a half-elf, but the RP of it is that he's touched by a creature of the Fey (namely, a linnorm)
I'll just leave this here.
Male Human (Azlanti) Monk (Martial Artist) 1
NG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +5; Senses Perception +6
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DEFENSE
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AC 16, touch 16, flat-footed 12. . (+3 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 Wis)
hp 12 (1d8+1+3)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +4
Defensive Abilities AC Bonus +2
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OFFENSE
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Spd 30 ft.
Melee Flurry of blows +2/+2 (1d6+1/20/x2) or
. . Unarmed strike +3 (1d6+1/20/x2) or
. . Dagger +3 (1d4+1/19-20/x2)
Ranged Flurry of blows +2/+2 (1d2+1/20/x2/10 ft.) or
. . Shuriken +3 (1d2+1/20/x2/10 ft.) or
. . Dagger +3 (1d4+1/19-20/x2/10 ft.)
Special Attacks Flurry of Blows -1/-1, Stunning Fist (1/day, DC 13, stunned), Unarmed Strike 1d6
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STATISTICS
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Str 13, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 10
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 17
Feats Dodge, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist, Toughness, Weapon Finesse
Traits Reactionary, World Traveler (Diplomacy)
Skills Acrobatics +7, Climb +5, Diplomacy +1, Escape Artist +7, Perception +6, Sense Motive +6, Stealth +7, Swim +5
Languages Azlanti, Common, Kelish
SQ Skilled
Combat Gear Dagger, shuriken (10); Other Gear Backpack (20.5 lbs: bedroll, flint and steel, shaving kit, silk rope (50 ft.), torch (2), trail rations (4 days), waterskin), belt pouch (2 lbs: caltrops), belt pouch (empty)
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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AC Bonus (Ex) Add WIS modifier to AC and CMD
Flurry of Blows (Ex) Make flurry of blows with unarmed strike or monk weapons as a full action with a base attack bonus equal to monk level, as if using Two-Weapon Fighting
Improved Unarmed Strike Unarmed strikes do not provoke attacks of opportunity, and can deal lethal damage
Reactionary +2 trait bonus on Initiative checks
Skilled +1 skill rank/level
Stunning Fist (Ex) Cause an opponent to become stunned with an unarmed attack
Unarmed Strike Deal more damage with unarmed strikes, treat unarmed strike as both a manufactured and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that improve such weapons
Almost always appearing calm and controlled, Sorin is a friendly enough fellow, quick to smile and slow to anger. Despite the fact his skills and talents are oriented towards combat, he neither seeks out violence nor is he the one to start a fight. However, he will not avoid a confrontation that seems inevitable and he will defend himself and others when the need arises. And, finally, he enjoys a challenge, seeing it as both a test to overcome and a way to improve his skills.
Sorin, now a young man in his teens, took it upon himself to find something to do while his parents and brother kept themselves busy with their research. And in a big city such as this one, there were places to learn how to swing a sword or sling a spell or two. Yet, what caught his interest was a man offering training in neither sword nor magic, but who was nevertheless able to perform incredible feats. The man had only a handful of students and seemed to have no problem having one more. And slowly but surely, Sorin went from clueless to mediocre to good. Still, whether one should blame his own, somewhat independent, nature or the stories that had filled his head for so many years, he was not quite disciplined enough to harness the more... supernatural side of his training, despite becoming quite adept at the physical part. So, he focused on the latter, turning any negative feelings that might have arisen into perseverance towards improving his form and techniques.
Which brings us to today. After several years of training his body and mind, Sorin believes himself ready for a real challenge, one outside the training grounds. He has heard of something called the Sargava Chalice, an annual event that tests its participants' abilites and endurance. Of course, that entails at the very least a trip from Absalom to Eleder. But Sorin is no stranger to traveling and, truth be told, he somewhat misses it. It has been, after all, quite a few years since the last time he and his family last moved about and he feels he is due for a change of scenery. Only this time, he will be traveling alone.
Isn't that name a combination of two planeswalkers from Magic: the Gathering?
Background
Ah. The beginnings of the background. I'm imagining Lilly growing up on an island somewhere...she's not sure where. She remembers parents, and brothers and sisters but little else. She did know that her mother used to be a privateer (Pirate), and took her fortune after she met Lilly's father, and retired to this island.
When Lilly was about 6, she woke up in the night to fire, smoke, noise and a rough hand about her mouth. After biting the hand she was knocked unconscious, and woke up in the hold of some ship. Grew up on the ship, but really had no friends except for the birds, and aquatic life she was able to form relationships with. Finally she became a trusted crew member...though still a slave...and served so waiting for her chance for freedom. It was provided by a ship wreck about three months ago.
Since that incident, she had spent her time with fellow castaway, and nature lover Asfer, and her trusty animal companion - Eyeball, in and around the city.
One night she had a dream. Her kidnapping came back to her, and she remembered something she never had before...her mother being dragged off into the jungle. Now she had a plan. She would save her money, and charter her own ship to go find her family home, and any trace of family or possessions.
Lilly is adventuring so that she can raise enough money to look for her background, and will let nothing, or nobody stand between her and her goals. She has booked passage aboard this ship looking for more opportunity.
NOTE: Stories of acquisition of "Eyeball", and how Lilly lost her eye to follow!!
Appearance and Personality
Lilly usually dresses in loose leather, and wears scarves and pouches of many colors. She wears a stained heavy cloth over one shoulder where her animal companion likes to perch. She also as a pair of thick gloves at her waist, and wears a bandanna tied around her head to keep her thick hair out of her eye...that's right eye. Lilly is missing her eye...long story that will be revealed if chosen. She has an amazing variety of patches, but tends to favor a blood red one with a yellow eye painted on it.
She is fun loving, and naive, and enjoys a practical joke from time to time. But if you threaten an animal, or a friend without reason, her heritage can make itself known in a hurry.
About Me
I live in Florida, and am a traveling Industrial Sales manager, so though I have long business trips sometimes, I can usually post at least to stay current most days. I'll let everyone know if I might be AFK a few days. When I'm home I work from my home, so posting is much easier. Been playing RPG's since white box D&D in 1977, and am in several games on this board now.
Isn't that name a combination of two planeswalkers from Magic: the Gathering?
It is indeed, though I think I found it in Wikipedia, rather than the game itself. It seems I have been running out of ideas for names. I could (and probably will) change it though, no worries.
How did Lilly lose her eye?
Skaldi - Why not just be a half-elf and say that he is in tune with his elven side to represent this fey-touched aspect? Also, is he Ulfen? Linnorms seem Ulfen to me.
John Rawkins, what role do you envision for him? I see him filling in the first mate sort of role, leading the ship-to-ship combat. Do you agree, or do you see him in a different role (captain, perhaps)?
How did Lilly lose her eye?
Skaldi - Why not just be a half-elf and say that he is in tune with his elven side to represent this fey-touched aspect? Also, is he Ulfen? Linnorms seem Ulfen to me.
Tis a sad...and careless story indeed. When Lilly found Eyeball, he was only a hatching fallen from the nest...possibly pushed out early by an overeager mother. At first she was unable to get him to eat anything. She tried mice, and berries, and small fish...even her favorite Blueberry tarts, but alas he would eat nothing.
Finally in desperation she visited a crone near the shore who was known to have a way with animals. Upon encountering this crone she was given a poem and a choice. The evil crone wasn't willing to just give her secrets away and replied...
"If you wish to keep your pet alive, a choice you'll make you're will be tried". "The secrets you must take from I, to me you must entrust your eye".
Not really sure what the old woman meant, and desperate to save the poor creature, Lilly quickly agreed. The crone then went outside, and cast her net upon the water, quickly pulling it in full of wriggling fish. Taking several of the larger fish she went back inside, and using a sharp blade plucked the eyes from their still gaping heads. She then presented the slimy eyes to Lilly. "Feed him these for a month, and he should recover and begin to eat as he should". "Now go".
Lilly left the hut laughing under her breath at the old crones strangeness. When she got home she held out the eyes to her companion, and to her amazement he gobbled them down. For the next month, she visited all the fishermen in the village, exchanging them chores for their fish eyes, and Eyeball, as she came to call the beast quickly grew and became healthy.
She had all but forgotten her deal with the crone, as the small Dimorphodon continued to grow. Finally she was ready for the big test. Walking to the edge of the water, Eyeball on her shoulder, she took a small herring, and slung it away from her over the water. With a lunge Eyeball chased it down and gulped it in one swallow. Just as quickly he banked and headed back towards Lilly. Imagine her surprise when instead of flying back to clumsily land on her shoulder as usual, he turned and quickly snatched her eye from it's socket, then flew off towards the old Crone's hut. Holding her now empty socket, blood streaming between her fingers she ran for home and her mother.
A week later she finally felt good enough to leave the house. As she walked along the shore a fish fell from the sky and landed at her feet. Looking up she saw Eyeball fluttering around. She took a stone and launched it at him in anger. This happened every day, and every time she ventured outdoors. Finally she broke down and told her grandmother about her visit to the Crone.
"You should not be angry at the beast Lilly". "You made this deal without wisdom, and have paid the price". "I would think this companion should be viewed as a reward".
Lilly took her grandmothers words to heart, and extended her hand in greeting to the little creature. He eagerly accepted her friendship, and to this very day they are the best of friends...In fact Lilly keeps an old crusty sling, and a bag full of Fishheads with her all the time. You can probably guess why...
I'm working up an application and have a quick question; pardon me if it's been answered already and I overlooked it. What should we do on the character sheets for hit points? Average? Max for 1st level? Something else?
I'm working up an application and have a quick question; pardon me if it's been answered already and I overlooked it. What should we do on the character sheets for hit points? Average? Max for 1st level? Something else?
Maximum for first level, as per the normal rules.
How do you feel about firearms? Specifically, I mean to make a cavalier (looking to buff and have leadership abilities), and the Musketeer archetype is the only way to not have a mount (the firearm would only be a "use once in a fight" kind of deal). Alternatively, what do you think about the Inspiring Commander 3rd party archetype?
Coincidental indeed. I truly only read enough of your kingmaker campaign, to get the Literary style you were looking for. Hello, my name Thoubert, but my friends just call me Teb.
I am fine with firearms, but I am not fine with any third party stuff. Sorry.
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John Rawkins, what role do you envision for him? I see him filling in the first mate sort of role, leading the ship-to-ship combat. Do you agree, or do you see him in a different role (captain, perhaps)?
Barcas, you hit it right on the head. With his roughened edges and experience at boardings I had envisioned John in the thick of combat, and calling out orders and striking at the heart of another ships command. The Archetype I selected, Freebooter was intended to follow up on that theme as well. In fact the Archetype allows me to select one enemy and give all of my allies within 30' a +1 to hit and damage against them.
That said, John as a strong set of values and in order to be a first mate, he would need to trust the captain implicitly. He would never tolerate slavery, inhumane conditions for the crew or the captain abusing his or her own authority. In many ways I see John as a strong counter to any captain, "the hard but fair XO" if you will.
I would love a chance to play S&S and also prefer to play in a good party. So this game is for me and I will try to impress you that I am for this game. :) And, like most people who will be applying, I too loved Firefly.
I think I just succeeded in a will save to not rant about why there was only one season...
All my details are in the alias but I'll pull the story up and add it her for easy access in a moment.
Born in docks district of the Chelaxian port of Eledar of old Chelaxian blood on her mother's side and Azlanti heritage from her father. Diana Seamyst was weaned on rum and pirate tales. Her father, an infamous Free Captain of the Shackles in his younger days had retired with Diana to Eledar where he was able to avoid the few overzealous do-gooders who still hunted him, and where he owned an upper middle class inn catering to ship captains, fancy ladies, and trade princes. Always a fast talker and knowing how to stay neutral, he managed to stay out of the way of the Hellknights and other officials there and thrived while attracting little attention. This made his inn popular and as safe as any in the city.
Diana loved the idea of life on the sea. Of course she would, since she had heard it glorified all her life. She was a quick study and picked up ship handling at a young age both fishing the waters all the way around to Port Freedom and sometimes serving as a pilot for larger ships when she could get the work. As she flowered into a young woman, the men of the city stated paying attention to her. She found she could often manipulate them and get them to do her favors. And her shifts serving at the inn became very popular with the young lads, always under the watchful eye of her father. But she quickly grew board with the attention and longed to see foreign places.
On her 18th name day strange things begin to happen around her. Minor mishaps and strange occurrences became so common that it became hard for her to wait tables or help in the kitchens. Concerned, her father called in some favors and sent for help. Before a fortnight had passed it was determined that Diana was manifesting the powers of an Oracle. Encouraged by the local priests of Gozreh Diana soon learned she had some powers over the waves. But as her mastery grew her contentment with staying at home diminished. At 20, feeling she was ready for her life of adventure, she wanted to sign on to a merchant vessel as a ships hand and surgeon, But her father had other ideas and sent her off to a finishing school on the grand island of Absolom.
Two years of that was more than any girl should have to put up with and now she was going home. She missed her Inn and her friends and even the Mwangi servants that helped raise her in absence of her mother. And this time her father would not decide her fate. She would find a fast ship to help crew come hells or high water.
Diana is a black haired beauty. She stands 5'10" tall and is well muscled. Her tan and wind blown skin is used to salt spray but somehow that has added to her appeal. The last two years in Absalom has softened her some, much to her displeasure, but has added to her beauty. Her piercing green eyes have an heir of command to them. She dresses in the shades of the sea; greens and blues and greys.
Diana has had a somewhat easy life but it is important to her to prove herself to her father. She tired of the attention of young men, who seem to act silly around her, long ago. She wants more out of life than a husband, no matter how well placed. She wants to feel a rolling deck under her feet and the salt wind in her hair again.
Will add equipment later this weekend.
Ridge here. Had to make some adjustments to an old alias.
I present to you, Ollivor... bronze dragon blood line sorcerer
The mechanics/crunch should be in the alias itself, but I'm posting the background/history here (in spoilers as it is a bit longer than I intended) plus personality and motivation.
Ollivor stared out of the water, fishing was nice, but also... boring. But at least he could put the town of Cyremium to his back, quite literally. It wasn't that he didn't love his country, hell, he'd love to see more of Andoran. But he'd lived in the same small town for thirteen years now, and he was as sick of it and critical of it as only a teenage boy could be.
Maybe he should follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jakib was training even now in the Andoran Navy. The sea called to Ollivor as well, especially lately. He'd had odd dreams of the sea, and cliffs over it, and then they got positively strange. In his dream he was powerful, strong, and sometimes flew. He hadn't dared tell anyone of it, not even mother or father. Folks thought he was 'odd' enough in this town, and the only thing worse than being bored was being bored and whispered about by smalltown mentalities with nothing better to do.
He sighed softly to himself, only to hear another sigh below. Putting his pole away, he peeked under to see Millie Wakewood with Gabon Kreel. He felt a flash of disillusionment. He'd fancied Millie, a slightly older girl who Shelyn had graced at an early age with womanly beauty that had most of the village lads pining for her. That she had apparently seen fit to take up with a thug like Gabon Kreel, well, that was another matter entirely.
They were kissing heavily, and he found himself wishing he could taste her lips instead of Kreel, but any heat to his blood was cut cold when he saw Millie pulling back and shaking her head.
"No, wait," she continued to back away, "It's too soon."
Gabon took this news with all the grace that those bullied by him in the past had come to expect, "What do you mean 'too soon' , you some sort of tease?"
Even at thirteen, Ollie didn't like where was going. He watched Gabon advance on the girl, trying to press her against a support, and a sense of moral outrage washed over him.
"Now," Gabon started to pull at the girl's blouse with one hand, while cupping his hand over her mouth with the other, "You're going to finish what you start or..."
"Leave her alone!" a voice threatened, and Ollivor realized HE was the one who had said it. Dropping own below into the soft beach under the very place he'd been fishing, he advanced on the much larger boy, "Let her go, Gabon."
Gabon laughed, and shoved his prize into the damp so he could turn his full attention on Ollie, "Or you'll what?" Kreel punched Ollie in the gut, causing the young lad to double over in pain. That was but the first of the punches.
"Stop it, Gabon, you'll kill him!" Milie tried to help her would be rescuer.
"Nah," Gabon laughed heartily, "Just teaching him to mind his own..."
At the fifth blow, Ollivor slashed forward with his hands, no, with his claws. The look of surprise on Gabon's face mirrored the look on Ollivor's own. Gabon Kreel, terror bully of the town, fell down bleeding from his chest with a whimper, even as Ollivor stared in shock at the odd talons that seemed to have sprung from his hand.
He should have been scared, but despite what had just happened to him, it felt so natural that he was instead just awed by it.
Of course, Millie was scared enough for three and screamed her head off!
In the time that followed, Ollivor was very nearly hunted as some sort of demon. While Andoran prided itself on its open mindedness, freedom, and acceptance, small towns were still full of those given to superstitions and a dread of the different. If it had not been for his parents support and a local cleric calming the mob down, he might have died that night. When they were let be, his mother confided in him that there were old stories about her grandfather, who had died in the revolution, being 'dragon touched'. She'd never really believed it. Now, she was not so sure.
In the coming months, more dragon dreams plagued him, and more magical mishaps occurred. He was 'encouraged' to leave the town. For the sake of his family, he did so. First he made his way to the university of Almas. At least here, he could find true knowledge or seeds of same. It was confirmed that there was once a Bronze Dragon that visited his home coasts centuries ago. It seemed said dragon had taken a fancy to a human woman, changed form to join with her and ..well, now and then the blood popped up again.
It explained much. Still, Ollivor had to make a living, and he spent his years in Almas by the dockside fishing, or in inns cooking to support his studies and research. The sea was a natural home to bronze dragons, and while he resented being a slave to his blood, Ollie couldn't deny the call. He was also curious about something else. While his great grandfather had died, somewhere there was a good chance his draconic ancestor was out there somewhere.
Hearing of a sage versed in dragons of the world living in the great city of Absalom, Ollie took a trip there, but if things were expensive in the big city of Almas, they seemed impossibly expensive in the grand city of Absalom. It took him another year there before he could get the sage to find out the name of his distant kin: Herkantar the Righteous. And then one day, he was able to pay for the last known location Herkantar had been seen at.
Ollie wasn't sure he'd LIKE his dragon kin. While goodly, he'd heard that bronzes could be judgmental and thinking they knew best for others. Given his past, and natural willfullness, Ollivor felt his heels kick in when treated that way. Still, he wanted to learn more about himself, and though he had finally mastered spells enough to take care of himself, and now as a man not a child, he decided to seek out Herkantar. He boarded a boat for Sargava where a bronze dragon had been spotted near the coasts.
Little did he realize fate had other plans...
He still hopes to find his ancestor one day, mostly just because he hates the idea of giving up on something, but also because he IS profoundly curious. Beyond that, he's not really sure what his true goals are. Mastering his magic appeals to him, as does gaining great wealth, but both feel shallow in and of themselves. It is not that he doesn't want greatness, but rather, he wants that greatness to be towards an end. Now if only he could figure out WHAT end, he'd be a happy man.
I would like to apply with Jericho here. His background, along with all other relevant details can be found in his profile.
Since we are talking "browncoats" language here, Jericho would be closest to Jayne Cobb - not really the same, but modelled after him in a way.
Question for GM - would Chaotic Neutral be acceptable as alignment? I swear no wanton killing and stuff, just adding even more randomness in his (re)actions ;-) If not, CG is fine with me, I just thought that this fits better to Jericho as a character. Cheers
Chaotic Neutral is an acceptable alignment, so long as it's not used as an excuse for selfish and/or antisocial behavior.
Idea is a leader, full Bab character.
Thinking of an order of the seal, strategist, musketeer cavalier. Did not plan to have a mount on a ship, but would like to play a solid military leader. Protecting the secret of the royal line, he is dedicated to serve the line of kings as a living protector and heraldry expert from a noble family. Having escaped brutal intrigue with the royal line and an assassination attempt, he is out to make his own impact on the world. His chest with the secret documents of the GM provided noble family is his last remnant of his previous life. With disable device as a class skill, he could handle some of the traps. As a race I planned an aasimar with the alternate trait that made him appear completely human. By the way, it should be obvious what firefly character he loosely resembles.
Paladin here has just leveled to four, so feel free to look through his posting history.