Huh... I was the only fighter.
Smoke was an earthbreaker fighter for a while until I decided I wanted more than 2 skill points. I wanted to have a medium charisma and be personable and attractive, and it was getting out of hand on the fighter to balance the points for it. Barbarian is also much more fun! Rage powers! Fit the concept a lot better and it just fit like a glove on what I wanted to make.
As far as the lack of posts when threads start to get bigger people get intimidated because they dont want to read so much to catch up so a lot of people would just wait for the next game that pops up.
Well I made it to my mom's house and delivered that cake. Even mowed some grass. Catching up on posts before bed. Having to post from my phone, which means I really want to post. Greatly enjoyed the movie picks and was glad to see others liked The Fifth Element and Forest Gump. I have a movie or two to watch again for sure.
I have received no questions on my build, which I hope is a good thing. A "good job"
or "well done" would reassure me a little. :)
Varta, I am a Georgia Tech grad. Masters in CS and MBA from UA. Have never missed a Dragon Con. Eternal member since 1989. Only 225 back then. I bet we know some of the same people if we do not know each other.
'Night all.
My character is done. Rengar is an albino Human Fighter.
He focuses on throwing weapons but can switch hit as well.
He isnt very tanky, but I intend on getting him medium armour when I can.
He is purely mundane with a highly magical backstory.
It is all core :)
Favourite movie, XXX hands down. no its not a porno, its a spy movie with Vin Diesel (the guy in Fast and the Furious). I have a cousin that is quite similar to him, Big, stocky, bald, swagger out the wazzo... He was my favorite actor and the movie became a favorite even after this long.
Favorite TV SHOW, Doctor Who. Hands down.
Man now I want to create another one!
i want to create a rakshasa sorcerer (sadly not core) with high party face ability.
Or the Lucky Halfling Helper (Trademarked... JK)
Hmmm, wonder if I got time to make that halfling....
I'm a bit late with this now, but since I just had to withdraw from another recruitment thread, I'd like to nominate for your story Paewyn Temarei, half-elf summoner, misanthropist, and monster hunter; together with her constant companion Growler, insanely jealous and over-protective fuzzy eidolon.
While this build doesn't use a core class, it is using the wild caller archetype for summoner, and in play I believe she'd end up being a bit like a cross between a druid and a ranger in general style. The intention for level progression would be to multi-class summoner with either rogue or ranger for a few levels.
Ezran at your service. I would like the archetype Street Performer, but it isn't necessary. Otherwise, he is built using almost only CRB.
Favorite Movie is also The Princess Bride
Preference to the Justice Party, but registered Democrat
Farm boy from NC, restaurant manager now by trade.
Background is way short atm because I have to get to work. If I'm not cut before I get home, I'll develop it more then.
Is Ezran Oberis supposed to be middle aged? Half-elves dont live all that much longer than humans (like 150-160 at most)
Still lurking. The flu and uni have kept me from doing any more character work beyond what I already have, and it's looking like I'm going to have in on a Mothers Day/Sunday... I think I'll be going out with dear old Mum during the week sometime. (Somehow, I'm still the favourite.)
As for my favourite film, thats a question I've always had trouble with. I love a lot of movies, but I think the answer will always be, (regrettably?) the Lord of the Rings films, for their sheer scale, attention to detail and for Borimir, Gollum, and Theoden, who totally steal the show (well, the former only really shines in the extended cuts). My favourite of the three would probably be the Fellowship. Awesome as Gollum's introduction, soliloquy and character development are (and the introduction of Rohan), Helms Deep just goes on FOREVER.
I'd like to work on my character's equipment. Seldon's gold values are wrong wrong wrong and I'd like to customise it more to their individual characters. Also based on my lurking the competition is pretty fierce, so good luck to Doctor Evil!
Ok going to make some cuts. Have been evaluating and while all are good submissions, there are few i'd like to stick around in each category for further evaluation. I will post all in each category and give my reasoning behind keeping or sending out (sorry if you don't agree, or if I misunderstood something, I have to cut someone...). Let's do Divine first:
DIVINE
Zoleshi-Metal Oracle-OUT- really just my own aversion to non-core here; I like the backstory, but I'm a traditionalist I guess. If I was playing and not DMing it might be different.
Edmond Blackerly-half elf Cleric Evangelist-OUT-I was looking for a healer type for Divine, and while Evangelist can stil cast heal spells and channel, he can't spontaneous cast Cure's; a mix of cleric/bard so a little untraditional also
Vaahti C'than-tiefling Merciful Healer-OUT-race and class are non-core, back story and concept are really good, but I'm thinking tiefling doesn't fit my story well
Cadras-Shoanti Cleric of Gozreh-IN- more traditonal build and ties to Varisia that I can work with.
Seldan Swiftheel-elf Cleric of Desna-IN-I like the concept of an old wanderer; he ties in religion, geography, and race to backstory.
Thanks all so much for posting. I wish I could take you all, but unfortunately I can't. Will see you down Desna's wandering road.
Ok now Arcanists:
ARCANE
Tinuviel Surana-Elf Wizard-IN- the fate of her kin interests me and provides some hook later. Like the traditional build.
Aerin Starsong-Witch-OUT-While I like the Thassilonian ties, Witch just isn't working for me this time.
Thalrik Koren-half-elf Wizard conjurer-OUT a little min-maxed; not sure I want the headache of his low CHA
Aziza Plumbockett-gnome Sorceress-IN-only gnome submitted; new to PbP which means he won't know what a bad job i'm doing as DM on my first PbP.
Meggiki-Scarred witch doctor-OUT-Non-core class, stats aren't 20 pts + already higher than 1st level.
Rhanloi-half-elf Wizard-OUT-nothing wrong, but nothing grabbed me plus just fell behnid the other two I liked more.
Paewyn-summoner-OUT-this is probably my least favorite class to DM plus I'd already started eliminating when it came in.
Again, thanks to all who are leaving. I hope you find the right adventure soon.
Its not 100% clear whether the cuts are final or subject to player changes, although im guessing thats the intent. Either way wanna be sure.
The original recruitment post said "20 point buy with no stat above 18 or below 7 before racial adjustment", which made me think the aversion to low/high stats was less of a factor than it apparently is.
Melee types are next. Will stand across the room when I reject these guys, so I don't get punched in the face. More Melee than any other type submitted, so I will keep a few extra around for next round.
MELEE
Khelvor De'Mortis-halfling Paladin-OUT-can't see a halfling melee type especially well, so that's my issue, i guess
Torald Othric-paladin hospitalier-OUT-just not feeling this one for some reason it didn't speak to me as much as others.
Smoke-Shoanti Barbarian-IN-Again good Varisia ties. only Barbarian submitted. I like barbarians.
Crag-Dwarf Paladin Stonelord-OUT- if it makes you feel better he was my last cut. Not sure about the Stonelord part I guess. It was tough.
Barek Hisdren-fighter-IN-Good Varisian roots, nice take on core fighter; want to see him fist fight.
Magnus Ironfoot-dwarf fighter-IN-another low CHA but he's a dwarf, and proud of it.
Jonathan 'Steel' Harrington-fighter-OUT-got enought jackasses in real life to not need one in the game too.
Rengar Dragonborn-albino fighter-OUT-backstory seems complicated with dragons, not sure that's as relevant.
Will be a few before I get to skills as I have a bedtime story to read.
Thalrik: those out are out for good. Sorry. I still have another round of cuts to make.
I tried to put a lot of thought into it, but sometimes it just came down to feel or small details as all submissions were quality.
Thanks for the consideration -- I knew the risks when I chose Oracle.
Good luck to everyone who survived the first cut!
Just wanted to make clear that I'm gonna be taking a majority of my rage powers from APG and Ultimate Combat. A lot of the core ones are just bleh compared to the flavor and fun of stuff like elemental rage. Not sure if that disqualifies me a bit, but I was hoping to tap into Spirit Totem powers and my character's Shoanti heritage. Would be cool to flavor the totem powers as ancestral backup!
Thanks for choosing me to go on to the next round of cuts. If there's anything you'd like me to consuder, evaluate or change up, let me know. I'll be straight when I say I'd love to be tied to the giant stuff later on, perhaps Hook Mountain or beyond, wherever there's ogres to get greatsworded who might have been a part of the Two-Pines massacre.
Paewyn-summoner-OUT-this is probably my least favorite class to DM plus I'd already started eliminating when it came in.
Again, thanks to all who are leaving. I hope you find the right adventure soon.
Ah, well... I didn't like my chances in any case given that I applied at the last minute, and I wasn't using a core class. I'd never rolled a summoner before either... silly me. :p
Enjoy the game folks.
Thanks (doubly so!) for your consideration! I'll play whichever role suits the shape of the final party (I could also switch Magnus to a Cleric of Torag. I actually wrote his statblock to replace a rejected core cleric/5 and was really happy with the shape of him)
Or if, in fairness to the others, I have to choose but one character to pitch, I've gotten to play an elf for the first chunk of Second Darkness and I've yet to play a dwarf, so I must admit the hairier of my submissions being the favorite.
I'm really looking forward to the interplay between races. I don't often see this much variety! Shoanti, gnomes, elves, dwarves... In trying to play a dwarvish dwarf and an elf-ish elf that'll be a goldmine for roleplay. I'm used to being the odd one out in an army of white-bread humans.
Colour me very, very excited.
Ok finally to Skills, these are generally my favorite characters to play, and the choices were really good. Since this is a broad category with lots of submissions, I'll take an extra choice here also:
SKILL
Tunder Stonepeak-dwarf ranger-IN-headed to Sandpoint to kill goblins, I just like him can't explain why.
Seika of Running Water-ranger-OUT-no offense, I just liked the other rangers better.
Edwin Levitt-rogue-OUT-only 2 rogues submitted, and I like them both, but the others were just a little better.
Mirela-Varisian rogue acrobat-IN-tied to Varisia nailing the gypsy-like culture(as I see it). I liked her right away.
Robin the Jester-Halfling Bard-IN-probably my favorite character concept, even if bard is tough. He will be fun to RP.
Rogar-dwarf ranger-IN-I want to see him fight with shield only, and the hook of looking for that lost weapon is strong.
Ezran - bard half-elf-OUT- I knew I was taking the other Bard so you lost out, sorry pardner.
Thanks to those who did not make it in all categories. If this is the EASY part, DMnig is going to be a bear. Never had to cut players in my tabletop games (just had to kill 'em off). Like I said, no offense if I didn't pick you or if I failed to understand your concept, it's probably my fault.
Will see you around, it's a small fantasy world.
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Aziza Plumbockett-gnome Sorceress-IN-only gnome submitted; new to PbP which means he won't know what a bad job i'm doing as DM on my first PbP.
Yay! I made it through the FIRST round. Now for the second...
Good thing I was the only gnome to apply... what? <muffled noises as hand goes over microphone> No Igor, I said to dump the bodies, DUMP them, not... stop that, bad Igor, no biscuit!<feedback noises as Aziza beats incompetent minion>
Ah... now, where was I?
If I succeed my plan to take over the world can finally commence! MUAHAHA... wait, is this microphone still on!? D'OH!
For those of you still IN:
I will be reviewing your submissions in technical detail and comparing vs the others in your class -- specifically at build, FEAT's, abilities etc.
If you could, drop me a post (or note) about 1) your plans for progression and 2) how you'll fill the role selected for you in the group and interplay with others.
The list is down to 11 and I'll take 6 with (probably) this make up: 1 divine, 1 arcane, 2 melee, and 2 skills. I will also be looking for a diverse racial group (that's so not republican) so even if you're great, you may get dropped based on quotas.
I still haven't totally dropped the idea of duplicate games either. Will try to be back tomorrow for final cuts but may be Monday given I am beholden to the mother of my children in oh-so-special ways tomorrow.
Now is the time for back-stabbing, bribery, flattery or any other devious device to get ahead of your peers. Like Game of Thrones, you win or you die.
Let the games begin!
Now is the time for back-stabbing, bribery, flattery or any other devious device to get ahead of your peers. Like Game of Thrones, you win or you die.
Hmmm...
Hey Twigs... you have the other arcanist character up for consideration, don't you?
Say... what was your address in Sydney again? I have a package I'd like to send you.
<Hand goes back over microphone> Igor! Prepare a parcel of the mutant, radio-active, killer wasps for immediate dispatch... no you fool! Don't open the seal NOW! Arrrgh!<Loud buzzing and screaming sounds, followed by static...>
PROGRESSION
None of this is set in stone, this is just the concept.
Level 2 - Ranger, Combat Style Feat - Shield Slam
Level 3 - Ranger, Feat - Power Attack
Level 4 - Ranger, Hunters Bond - Depends, most likely with the party, but I might find a Badger I think's cool. +1 Dex
Level 5 - Ranger, Feat - Two Weapon Fighting (If I've Found the Hammer by then, if I'm still looking, Point Blank, because I loves my Javelins)
Level 6 - Ranger, Combat Style Feat - Shield Master
Level 7- Ranger, Feat - Point Blank or Two Weapon depending on if I have the Hammer, if I still don't, then Opening Volley
Level 8 - This depends on the You, I would love to go Sky Seeker, but that's from Paths of Prestige. It's all about Ancestral Arms and Weapons, and being a Dwarf of Old. I'd take that til we run out of adventure.
If you're not down with that, I'd probably just go ranger all the way.
ROLE
Secondary Caster
Secondary Melee
Bluff Caller (I'm going to max out Sense Motive), Know it all for things no related to Arcane or Planes
Smith.
I'm going to also max Perception, and put some heavy points into stealth and survival. Basically I want to get my knowledge and craft skills up to +10 and put everything else in Survival and Stealth.
Wise-Ass
ROLEPLAY
Rogar's a bit off, not in the sense of he's crazy, just he's been away from his people for so long, he's been on this quest for his hammer for so long, he's just rusty in his social graces, even for a dwarf.
The Hammer - Again, that's up to you. I see it as either a Mithral Warhammer or an Adamantine Warhammer at the minimum, and I'm willing to have my "share of gold" be reduced to accommodate him finding a nice warhammer at a higher level and not throw off his WBL.
Other than that, I've got nothing really else to add off the top of my head. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to PM
Here's my advancement:
1st - Raging Vitality, Weapon Focus (greatsword)
2nd - Rage Power (Lesser Spirit Totem), Uncanny Dodge
3rd - Power Attack, Elemental Kin (Elemental Fury) --
4th - Rage Power (Reckless Abandon) - +1 strength
5th - Lunge, Improved Uncanny Dodge
6th - Rage Power (Spirit Totem)
7th - ~~~~~?, Damage Reduction 1/-
8th - Rage Power (Unexpected Strike) -+1 dexterity
9th - Improved Critical (greatsword)
10th - Rage Power (Greater Spirit Totem), Damage Reduction 2/-
11th - ~~~~~?, Greater Rage
12th - Rage Power (Mighty Swing) - +1 strength
13th - Raging Brutality, Damage Reduction 3/-
There's my initial set-up for rage powers. Almost entirely core feats except for Raging Brutality and Raging Vitality. Vitality makes it so that if I hit -1, I can rage while unconscious so that I'm not like... 180 hp with 70 bonus hit points and 24 con, hit -1, go to 18 con and take 70 retroactive damage and die instantly. The goal is to actually have my AC be really low but my HP so high that it doesn't matter. That's what things like Reckless Abandon, Uncanny Dodge and Damage Reduction are for.
Spirit Totem gives me ranged concealment while raging, a bonus slam and a damage aura, which I think is awesome. It works with my charisma modifier. The rest is just being an angry, angry man.
As far as bullet points... Dungeoneering, Perception, Nature are all things I want to keep up. Way primary melee. The guy who's in the thick of it from start to finish. I also want to stay away from the 'Me barbarian, you troll' archetype and just play him kind of from the boondocks instead.
How Smoke would play with others... Very kind, very brotherly, gullible and easy to confuse. From the boonies and not used to things like open displays of magic. Easily awed. Protective. Always the guy who's ready to go with someone. First person to go after a character pulled into the dark or fallen off a ledge, no matter how crazy. Courage!
As far as characters and relationships, how I think he might act around people or his opinions of them...:
I can see him taking on a protectoral role around Aziza. They're interested in similar things-- ruins, history, adventuring. 'The muscle and the mouth' kind of relationship. A respectful arms-distance with Cadas since she's a holy woman. Magnus... I kept thinking that Smoke would be able to get a battle-brothers thing going on with Magnus, but it turns out that he looks like he would rather lecture me about the proper dwarven way to be friends than to just be pals. Barek is someone Smoke can get along with and try to help him get away from his crazy past-- he's someone Smoke can rely on and he could rely on him.
Mirela sounds like the kind of girl he'd be most interested in, and he'd definitely weather a lot of verbal abuse with a grin. It'd be fun to have him play her flunky and try to impress her. Seldon is a cleric of his father's goddess, and so Smoke would pay him a lot of respect-- try to learn as much as he could from him, kind of look up to him as a role model. Tinuviel is a girl he could get used to protecting. Tunder makes him think about who he might end up being if he spends the next thirty years as a giant killer. Robin is weird but there's nothing better than someone who can make you laugh-- Smoke is fine with self-deprecation and can take a joke. Rogar is like Magnus without the overt racism-- someone he can go back-to-back with in a fight and not worry about getting a snide remark from.
One thing I was glad to see is that there aren't any members of the party who fly in the face of what Smoke would call an ally. No cowards, no thieves, no man-killers, no crippling arrogance issues (though Magnus pushes it). Great to see that-- I can see interesting opportunities with everyone.
Hey Twigs... you have the other arcanist character up for consideration, don't you?
I'm divine and melee! I'm safe! I'm safe! (Say, do you think we can send those killer wasps by international mail?)
____
One thing I was glad to see is that there aren't any members of the party who fly in the face of what Smoke would call an ally. No cowards, no thieves, no man-killers, no crippling arrogance issues (though Magnus pushes it).
"Arrogant, is it? Bah. You humans and your ideas." the dwarf says with a dismissive snort, spitting out a mouthful of beard and taking a long pull from his ale horn, further muting his thick dwarven accent. "Shoanti, you're a craftless topsider, but I don't go calling you names."
___
Two proper posts is incoming late tonight, but we have guests for Mothers day and I have to make a showing and cough over all of them, the lucky things! I have a rough idea but want to take my time with the post. There's no future in half-arsing a character pitch, especially with such fierce competition. (Also g%@@++n I love Rogar so much I'm actually pretty scared for my chances. So simple but such a great idea. Kudos!)
It's just hard sometimes to justify bringing that person on an adventure. I also really dislike getting stolen from in-character by someone. Certain things tick off my alarm bell and it's not hard for me to justify trying to leave them behind.
Magnus's personality in the profile sounded very much "Anything you can do, dwarves can do better!" without any kind of end-- get to know him and he just learns what other things you're doing wrong. Reminded me a lot of some people I used to know!
I'm rooting for Aziza, because gnomes (and also because please don't send me wasps).
Barek will take a few more levels in fighter and probably a level in Monk to get him a few more fist powers. His Close Combatant ability and Dragon Style will probably be his bread and butter to make him a devastating brawler.
After that, he has two possible paths ahead of him:
Brawler: Continuation of his fighter line and make him a terrifying man with a fist.
Paladin: Barek has the hooks to eventually leave his life of organized crime behind and redeem himself. As awesome as he can be punching things, imagine if he's smiting evil with his fist too. Given his past and his penchant for violence, it may be a tougher, no-nonsense type of Paladin.
As far as his role, it's to dish out damage. He also can wear heavy armor, so he can be the traditional fighter role. RP-wise, Barek is someone who hates his road in life, even though everything has been with his best intentions. He's willing to help others out in a pinch and put himself in harm's way. That's what he's been doing all his life. Just so happens he's doing it for the 'wrong people' right now.
Awww :(
Looks like I didnt make first cut. Sniff
Well Ill back out gracefully altho I got to say, Ive been biten by the PbP bug! Ill keep him around incase the rare chance EVERYBODY else gets dropped/killed/abandoned/what have you and you need someone to fill in ^-^
Now! Off to find another PbP to terrorize!!
Good luck you gents :)
It's just hard sometimes to justify bringing that person on an adventure. I also really dislike getting stolen from in-character by someone.
As for thieves... My titular PC (Twigs) was a cockney rogue who just OOZED with untrustworthyness, but he worked within the specific circumstances of the party. We had an evoker who wasn't adverse to a bit of friendly fire and we had a rising body count because of it. Said rogue was afraid of the evoker, but more afraid of the rest of the world (which was more or less, to a man, out to get him). I strung together a fantastic backstory of him being a wanted man all across our homebrew setting and unwittingly signing off his soul to Mephistopheles who unfortunately caught up with him in the end.
Magnus's personality in the profile sounded very much "Anything you can do, dwarves can do better!" without any kind of end
That would be terribly one-note, wouldn't it? I'll be shooting for something much more three dimensional, and I don't really see him as the lecturing type. Think of Magnus as a foreigner before you think of him as a racial supremacist. He's got a thick accent, mostly keeps to himself and hasn't quite acculturated to human society. The dwarven way of doing things is the only way he's knows. It won't manifest itself in his talk as much as his actions. What he eats, how he acts, the language he speaks, who he prays to. I want to play up his dwarvishness as an ethnicity rather than a stylish choice of facial hair.
In short, you'll find plenty to like and plenty not to like about him, but there's more to him in either department. He's loud, boorish and greedy, but not a know it all (save perhaps when it comes to goblins, giants and the maiming thereof). Don't write off being battle-brothers just yet! Goblin-killing is pretty much the number one bonding ritual in dwarven society. :P
First, thank you for choosing Tunder for the next round.
Tunder came from a desire to play a simpler character than I've been playing. One with a simple motivation and only a few spells. I figure to have him grow organically with the game while keeping his character and motivation in mind. I haven't planned out his levels much. I figure to make him a switch-hitter with the Crossbow combat style. I'll use the combat style for his crossbow feats and his regular feats to improve his melee ability. I intend to choose his skills to emphasize his dwarven outlook on being a ranger (I will have ranks in knowledge: engineering). I'm no fan of animal companions, so will probably opt for the alternate hunter's bond.
Within the group I figure that Tunder will be rather versatile. He will be able to fight at range or close up. He'll be able to survive in the wilderness and be knowledgeable about the enemies he's designed to fight.
I intend to play Tunder pretty simply and single minded. "You're going to kill goblins? Count me in. You're going to kill giants? Count me in. You're going to kill enemies we made while fighting goblins and giants? Count me in."
Hope I make the final cut.
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I'm divine and melee! I'm safe! I'm safe! (Say, do you think we can send those killer wasps by international mail?).
I'm rooting for Aziza, because gnomes (and also because please don't send me wasps).
<Aziza appears strangely swollen and muffled in multiple layers of bandages covering all of her exposed skin> I regret to announce that the first batch of radioactive mutant killer wasps have been... err... retired, due to unanticipated problems arising from the premature field testing recently undertaken...
<A fitful buzzing noise in the background interrupts her, followed by a brief shriek and a desperate 'thump, thump, thump' sound> I repeat, the killer wasp project has been returned to the lab for further development, preferably in the far, far distant future.
On an unrelated note, I happen to have an opening for a new research assistant, no experience necessary. I can offer long hours slaving over a hot cauldron, all the newt eyes and bat wings you can eat, and a cold, draughty place by the dungeon door to sleep. Any applicants? <A weak groan from somewhere nearby ends with a sudden wet, cracking noise and a muttered 'Now stay dead!' in gnomish>.
Lotsa stuff!
And see? You hashed it out for me and now I understand it a lot more. Thanks for that, by the way. I was like 'ugh' but now I'm like 'oh, I see'!
I've actually had people run away from the adventure before, leaving the party behind to die. One time they did it with the MacGuffin. A la carte gameshop gaming, where I started my gaming career, where anyone who is within earshot can invite themselves to your game, is that way sometimes. You hear 'this person is a traitor and a coward' and just go 'OH NO' internally.
I've sent a PM to DMDoctorEvil regarding character progression and intended role-playing already, but it's probably a good idea to air my ideas publicly and to ask you folks for feedback and suggestions too. :)
Aziza really is your stereotypical, obsessive-compulsive gnome, with far too much energy and curiosity for her own good most of the time. She's fascinated with ancient civilizations, which is her entry point to the campaign, and is an enthusiastic amateur archaeologist. She has good Spellcraft, Use Magic Device and both Knowledge (Arcana) and (History) skill bonuses. She also has the Gift of Tongues alternative racial trait, giving her good Bluff, Diplomacy and Linguistics bonuses too, and speaks eight languages at first level.
Fortunately she's reasonably intelligent and has just enough Wisdom to avoid the 'I wonder what this button does?' situations. While curious, Aziza is also aware that sometimes the cat gets killed, so she won't be blundering off on her own, at least not without checking with someone else first. That's not to say that she won't ever put her foot wrong, but she will at least have thought it through first, however briefly.
Her elemental (air) bloodline means that she can change the energy descriptor of any spell she casts to electrical, and she gets the use of elemental ray (electricity) seven times per day at first level. I've chosen the old standby, magic missile, for her first level offense ranged spell, so together with her rays, her combat role will be to stand back and snipe enemy spell-casters, hopefully from behind the protection of the melee characters. When she runs out of spells she still has a light crossbow to fall back on; it's better than nothing, especially as her melee bonus is terrible compared with her ranged attacks.
As for progression, I was thinking as follows:
1st: Dodge (improve her AC) and Scribe Scroll (expand her magic capability and provide scrolls for others)
3rd: Elemental focus - electricity (Higher DC to resist her spells)
5th: Greater elemental focus -electricity (Even higher DC to resist her spells)
7th: Spell penetration (I hate spell resistance when it's not working in my favor)
Beyond that, I haven't really planned it out.
Spell selection is going to be heavily in favor of damage-dealing energy spells, ranged and area-affect, with a secondary emphasis on personal and group protective spells. Since Aziza is a sorceress she can't be the arcane Swiss-army knife a wizard could be, but what she should be able to do is deal out the 'ouchie' to our foes. Her other first level spell is Mage Armor by the way, to improve her AC, but she will be able to scribe both that and Magic Missile onto scrolls for additional backup.
PROGRESSION
L1 - Power Attack, Cleave
L2 - Toughness
L3 - Steel Soul (APG) or Iron Will
L4 - Trade out Cleave, Weapon Focus/Spec, +1 Con
...
Here is a rough idea. I want to focus on jacking up his HP and AC to able-to-take-a-hit-from-a-stone-giant levels. Power attack and a moderate strength are generally enough damage for me. I I plan to use a shield for most of my career, especially if I can keep it magic'd up. The enhancement bonus on both that and my armour should let me keep a competitive AC for the course of the campaign. might look at the shield-fighting tree, but Two-Weapon Fighting is well out. If the APG is open that would mean Covering Defense, Missile Shield and Saving Shield, most likely, which are pretty support-orientated. I could also adjust my ability scores to allow for Combat Reflexes to allow me to hold the line better.
ROLE
Magnus is a frontliner, through and through. In early level combat he'll likely utilize a tried and true dwarven tactic, readying attacks and letting the enemy ranks break on his shield. While fighters don't have a built in way to "peel" enemies, (untrained)bullrushes, good positioning, free-action-taunting and use of choke points should allow me to protect the squishies, and I should have the defences, BAB and strength score that I can attempt most combat manuevers without too much fear of reprisal.
For skills, Magnus will be spread VERY thin at two points a level. I'll dabble in more or less everything fighter gives me access to. Especially the knowledge skills, they strike me as particularly dwarfish.
ROLEPLAY
Magnus would likely be focused on the task of routing the goblins and will take some time to be pried out of his cast-iron shell, but I'm sure the party are up to the task. While gruff and standoffish at first, he'll open up and become loud and boorish and friendly. Hardly a class-A-wit, he'll likely answer the little-one's antics with grumbled curses and a surly glare. He's not well adjusted to the spotlight and would likely be very much out of his depth as the party gains some reknown. He'd likely be a source of wisdom when it comes to battle tactics, and have a choice few things to say to Barek and Rogar about using REAL weapons when there are goblins and ogres to kill and lives on the line.
If there are any other dwarves he'd likely prefer their company over the others and converse with them in dwarvish. He'd likely be like a moderately embarrassing relative that you constantly have to apologize for. He's also probably much more pious than your average adventuring dwarf, paying fealty to the entire pantheon.
Beyond that I'll see how he develops. Expect Seldon later tonight, but I feel like I'd already half written this upthread so decided to finish fleshing him out. Thanks for the feedback, Smoke! It really helped me articulate where I wanted to go.
Lotsa stuff!And see? You hashed it out for me and now I understand it a lot more. Thanks for that, by the way. I was like 'ugh' but now I'm like 'oh, I see'!
I've actually had people run away from the adventure before, leaving the party behind to die. One time they did it with the MacGuffin. A la carte gameshop gaming, where I started my gaming career, where anyone who is within earshot can invite themselves to your game, is that way sometimes. You hear 'this person is a traitor and a coward' and just go 'OH NO' internally.
As for convention gaming my only experience (thus far positive) with strangers has been over PbP. There are a few conventions in Australia, but not particularly accessible to a young bloke that cant afford a car. For years my games have been made up of the same four people, so that certainly frees us up a lot in terms of how far we're willing to go. I actually have a pretty vicious banter-war going on in a Reign of Winter PbP with one of my real-life group between my mad gnome and his suspicious, fey-fearing wizard. We actually got asked to tone it down, but the other half of the group loved it!
We've also had a game shop open up in our area and I'm getting a bit of PFS experience under my belt on the forums before checking it out (well, once some time frees up)
I plan to use a shield for most of my career, especially if I can keep it magic'd up.
Hmm... you make me think that maybe Aziza should think about adding Craft Magic Arms & Armor, Wondrous Item and Wands to her feat progression too. For her those kinds of feats would come under the heading of 'experimental archaeology'; she'd be enthusiastic about researching crafting techniques used by ancient arcanists.
I plan to use a shield for most of my career, especially if I can keep it magic'd up.Hmm... you make me think that maybe Aziza should think about adding Craft Magic Arms & Armor, Wondrous Item and Wands to her feat progression too. For her those kinds of feats would come under the heading of 'experimental archaeology'; she'd be enthusiastic about researching crafting techniques used by ancient arcanists.
I could also invest in the Master Craftsman feat for Arms and Armour in the later levels. I'm sure it'd be a huge boon to the group, and having Aziza's magic on hand will help him make the checks (as his craft skills might be a bit behind the curve). Wonderous Item is always worth it, though I'd steer clear of wands. Most wands would fall within the GP limit of Magnimar, if not Sandpoint, so should be freely avaliable if we've got a bit of dough. (Also Thanks! :D)
Edit: And I totally lied about getting anything done tonight, it seems. I'm going to spend far too much tme in this thread.
I could also invest in the Master Craftsman feat for Arms and Armour in the later levels. I'm sure it'd be a huge boon to the group, and having Aziza's magic on hand will help him make the checks (as his craft skills might be a bit behind the curve). Wonderous Item is always worth it, though I'd steer clear of wands. Most wands would fall within the GP limit of Magnimar, if not Sandpoint, so should be freely avaliable if we've got a bit of dough.
Okies, I'll add Craft Wondrous Item to my feat queue at least, and think about adding Craft Magic Arms and Armor too at some point. However when it comes to aiding Magnus with craft checks, you have to remember that Aziza isn't a Wizard, so any magical assistance she might be able to give with actual crafting rolls will likely be quite limited <sad face>.
Since others are actually posting a progrsssion, I'll give the first few levels for Barek.
L1: Imp Unarmed Strike, Power Attack, Weapon Focus Unarmed
L2: Cleave
L3: Monk of Many Styles: Dragon Style (normal), Dragon Ferocity (free)
L4: Brawler or Paladin
If there's a sorcerer in the mix (such as the lovely Aziza), he will coordinate.
Flattery will get you nothing! Nothing I tell you! And no, I am not blushing... that's just the swelling from the radioactive mutant killer wasp stings on my face...
Coordinating spell choices will be a good idea if both Robin and Aziza are in the party. As arcanists who both have limited spell choices, it makes sense to make sure that between them they could cover as much arcane territory for the group as possible.
PROGRESSION
I'm thinking of advancing Seldon as an archer cleric. He'll begin play lightly armoured with a starknife, but will likely end up sporting a longbow and longsword combination and a nice suit of elven chain. I feel like the spells and channeling hold up well enough on their own as a cleric levels, but their attacks need a bit of help along the way. I want to find a way to squeeze Scribe Scroll and Power Attack in there, but I'm fairly limited on feats as it is... Clearly I have some fine tuning to do, but here is the general gist, and I'm open to feedback.
L1 - Point Blank Shot
L3 - Precise Shot
L5 - Deadly Aim
ROLE
Seldon would focus on party-wide or long-duration buff spells (clerics get access to magic circle spell, as well as some of UC's communal spells that would be amazing to have access to.) He'd take potshots from the backline but be fairly capable swinging a sword, especially with his 14 Strength. He'd more or less go where he's needed, and have a good store of healing for when the battle is through. Biggest issue here is that the starknife only gives me one shot, so I'll probably be spending more time in the early melee than I should.
In the later levels he'd likely take some summoning spells, focusing on bolstering the frontline or summoning creatures with support SLA's, such as the lantern archon. I usually try to be pretty thematic with my summons, so he'd probably stick to creatures with a loose connection to Desna. I'll also likely gather up scrolls to maximise my utility, and also leave slots open to fill later in the adventuring day if we run into any obstacle particularly troublesome. Divine casters are sweet like that.
As for skills, Seldon will have ranks in Heal, Diplomacy and what few knowledge skills are avaliable to him, as well as a few points in perform for around the campfire, though I keep changing my mind as to what skill to take, there.
ROLEPLAY
Seldon is older than Sandpoint itself, and has the wisdom of half a human lifetime of constant travel. One of the most exciting things about elves is that they're old. [Really old. I want to play with it. Patient, wise and soft-spoken, with an unblinking stare and an unshakable calm, I want him to seem like he's from another planet. (Think Thurandil from the Hobbit. There's something very... off about him. I love it.)
With a penchant for wine, songs, and traveler's tales, Seldon is what experts call "a pretty chill guy". He'd offer counsel to some of the more conflicted party members (such as Barek, ferinstance), and probably act as a mediator. He'd probably find a lot to like in the party's dwarves. I think there's a mutual respect between the two races in Golarion (though I'm certainly keen to play it the other way, I dont think Seldon is the insulting type)
As for roleplay I want to really play up his choice of faith. I have a halfling cleric that regularly quotes the Acts of Iomedae and it's ridiculously fun to play. I'm hoping to find as much detail on Desna. I know there's a fantastic story in the Books of the Damned about Desna going on a mad romp through the lower planes. Seldon wouldn't be preachy, just deeply spiritual. As a follower of the goddess of stars, travellers and dreams he'd spend a lot of time taking starlit walks, praying and recounting parables.
As for his flaws, he'd be somewhat flighty and maybe lacking the commitment to fight that his other party members have. Unless his foes are worshippers of Lamashtu (most of them are), he'll always look for the peaceful way out. He's also beginning the game more or less unarmoured, and will probably remain so so long as he isnt dead weight. His fighting days are behind him.
As for roleplay I want to really play up his choice of faith. I have a halfling cleric that regularly quotes the Acts of Iomedae and it's ridiculously fun to play. I'm hoping to find as much detail on Desna.
So that got me to wondering what other faiths were represented among the first-round elimination survivors;
Desna - Aziza, Mirela, Robin, Seldon, Tinuviel
Gozreh - Cadras
Iomedae - Barek
Torag - Rogar
Pantheists - Magnus (Torag et al.), Smoke (Desna, Erastil and Pharasma)
Unknown - Tunder
Does that check out correctly?
As for roleplay I want to really play up his choice of faith. I have a halfling cleric that regularly quotes the Acts of Iomedae and it's ridiculously fun to play. I'm hoping to find as much detail on Desna.Of the folks to survive DM DoctorEvil's first round of eliminations, who (or is that whom?) among us doesn't worship Desna? So far I count Seldon, Robin and I as followers of Desna. So what other faiths do our fellow adventurers follow?
Desna (from my father's side), Pharasma (my mother is a skull clan/skoan-quah member) and Erastil (picked up on thanking him for the hunt, don't actively worship).
"By my's muther's beard, a halfling crusader" Rogar grunts toward Barek. "You're quite the wunderkind, no? What wunders will Torag reveal next? A Gnome Berserker, am I right? hahahahahahahahahahahahaha"
The grizzled dwarf slaps the Shoanti on the back as he roars at his own little joke, before he catches a glimpse of the Gnome Sorceress and coughs a bit trying to choke down his chuckles. "Er...ahem... I mean not that there's anything wrong with that, mind you."
Boo's future.
Magic 8 ball says: "Future cloudy, please try again."
I like to build my characters in response to the party's needs. Not knowing the party that makes predicting what she will be in five to ten levels difficult.
For example, while I'm not a keen crafter, if no one else is able or willing to take craft wondrous item, etc., I will step up and grab it when it becomes needed.
I'm planning to use two levels in favoured class bonus to add more to the acid dart thing. Then use the bonus for hit points from then on.
Boo's role for now will be glass cannon/crowd control. Low level wizards are not very powerful so she will do the best she can and cower behind the meat shields as much as possible. She is not a coward but she does not have many hit points.
Up to and including level 6, the following may happen:
Feats to be added: Quicken Spell, Greater Spell Penetration and Improved Intiative.
Spells to be added: Acid Arrow, Summon Monster 3, Prestidigitation, Colour Spray, Mage Armour, Mount, Flaming Sphere, Invisibility, Web, Pyrotechnics, Haste, Summon Monster 3 and Fly.
As for the rest, I'd dearly love to have a Faerie Dragon as a familiar. As she becomes more powerful, then I'd like for her to do more crowd control. However, if the party needs damage, then she will learn the big boom spells.
And while Aziza may count me as competition, having a sorcerer and a wizard in a party can be quite fun and effective. Boo is a devoted follower of Desna as well.
As for the other characters, I personally have a great love for barbarians so Smoke is awesome in my book. Boo would be intrigued by him. In some ways they are opposites (city vs wilderness), but in a way that would provoke her curiosity. Barek looks like a good meatshield and Magnus would make an excellent verbal sparring party for traditional elf vs dwarf party banter. Mirela and Rogar have truly awesome characters (shield only, amazing!). Seldon is an older elf and cleric of Desna to boot, so even though you want diversity we could have a lot of fun with wisdom vs inexperience and steadfastness vs enthusiasm. Cadras would be a lot of fun in a party of deranged Desnaites. I'm really curious to see how Robin will be played.
"By my's muther's beard, a halfling crusader" Rogar grunts toward Barek. "You're quite the wunderkind, no? What wunders will Torag reveal next? A Gnome Berserker, am I right? hahahahahahahahahahahahaha"
The grizzled dwarf slaps the Shoanti on the back as he roars at his own little joke, before he catches a glimpse of the Gnome Sorceress and coughs a bit trying to choke down his chuckles. "Er...ahem... I mean not that there's anything wrong with that, mind you."
Aziza just smiles sweetly and giggles. "Oh that's okay Rogar! A gnome beserker really is about as funny as a bigoted dwarf with no social graces... not that there's anything wrong with that, mind you. Want another tankard of ale? I'm buying."
And while Aziza may count me as competition, having a sorcerer and a wizard in a party can be quite fun and effective. Boo is a devoted follower of Desna as well.
Hey! I never even contemplated sending any radioactive mutant killer wasps to you... professional courtesy and all that. Also, elves make me nervous; what if you had been a Calistrian? You might have liked the wasps...