Lythirra is now 100% ready, description and all. After thinking about what DMD pointed out, about being forgotten in Longacre for a good 30 years, I've changed her background slightly, attributing her Kuthite zealousness to something that has been built over the years.
Speaking of Longacre: DMD, I'm thinking about where Lythirra works between the Arch and Lark and the other tavern. Opinions? :P
Aelden - that's fine. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.
F.Castor - looks good! One question: has Erevan been active at all in/around Longacre? Or has he been the tailor for the entirety of this time?
Speaking of Longacre: DMD, I'm thinking about where Lythirra works between the Arch and Lark and the other tavern. Opinions? :P
Really, darling, for a woman of your unquestionable taste and breeding, it's no choice at all!
He has been the tailor. The arrangement with House Thrune has been a good enough thing so far and he has been laying low. But he has started to consider that perhaps he has done so long enough. Perhaps he should once again use his main skillset, if for no other reason than he could certainly use the practice. And if things go sour he can always leave and find another town or city to call home; even Longacre was supposed to be temporary, despite his having stayed for two years now. However, nothing much has happened to warrant Erevan coming out to play. Not yet anyway.
I am of course open to suggestions and thoughts though.
Speaking of Longacre: DMD, I'm thinking about where Lythirra works between the Arch and Lark and the other tavern. Opinions? :PReally, darling, for a woman of your unquestionable taste and breeding, it's no choice at all!
Arch and Lark it is (I had switched them in my previous post <.<).
Let's hope she actually has an audience when she sings, place sounds a bitBy the way, when are we aiming to start?
By the way, when are we aiming to start?
Just waiting for confirmation that everyone's ready, I think.
A question:
How would you feel if I quickly made a few changes and turned Erevan into a human-looking half-elf instead of a human?
Basically a guy with elven blood in him, though somewhat diluted. I.e. Adaptability, Elven Immunities, Keen Senses and Multitalented would be replaced by Integrated, Sophisticate (+2 to Knowledge (History) and Knowledge (Local) and can attempt these two untrained for DCs greater than 10), Wary and Blended View (gain darkvision, thus freeing up a vigilante talent, as I was going for Shadow's Sight at 2nd level) respectively, giving him skill bonuses relating to deception and blending in (and improving his Bluff and Disguise among other skills) instead of decidedly elven resistances to sleep and enchantment effects.
Fast Learner would be removed from his feats at 1st level (keeping Deceitful, as it is fitting) and he would have one less skill point and one less hit point.
His story would remain essentially the same (e.g. his eye color would change from golden to pale blue -like the pictured guy's by the way- and his ears would be ever so slightly tapered courtesy of whatever kind of elf blood flows through his veins, but he would keep the Varisian accent in his social identity, hinting at growing up in Varisia instead of Cheliax's Westcrown). It would also make him slightly older (32 years old instead of 27). But mostly nothing that actually changes his life so far and his outlook.
With almost everyone being human, I thought of adding a bit of variety. Also, a bit of mystery to the guy, since his parents and their parentage is unknown to him (though he is probably the product of a half-elf, possibly drow-blooded, and a human).
This would be the last thing I ask. After you answer I will post the final form so to speak, be it half-elf or human, and I will be good to go.
Drathi: have you taken any casting traditions? Verbal casting, somatic casting, that sort of thing?
It's not required, I just thought I'd check that you hadn't missed anything out since this is your first time using SoP.
EDIT: F.Castor - we've not started yet, so I've no problem with making changes.
I'm not though inclined to give the Blended View trait a thumbs-up, because it's an extra 2 RP and I don't want to have to hand out extra RP to others to make up the difference. There's a half-elf racial variant that gets darkvision already (although it gives you daylight issues, but hey ho) and so I don't see a need to allow this one.
The number of RP next to some of the alternate racial traits is not an additional cost. It is just the cost of the trait. Because some alternate racial traits came out after the Adcanced Race Guide book and the race creation rules within it, they mention how much these cost in case someone wants to use one of these later-published racial traits while creating a new race (which is also why it has low-light vision as a prerequisite).
So, it is not actually an extra 2 RP, it justs costs 2 RP, the same as Multitalented which it replaces (so basically you trade a 2-RP racial trait for another 2-RP racial trait). And it is indeed a half-elf alternate racial trait from Blood of Shadows (though it can also be taken by elves and gnomes, in which case it replaces Keen Senses for these two races).
Half-Elf Alternate Racial Traits
As for Drow-Blooded (the one you mention) it actually replaces Low-Light Vision (it grants darkvision and light blindness and takes away low-light vision), leaving Multitalented intact, which for a single-class character is useless (unless you can choose the same class both times and get two different FCBs, which I am fairly certain you cannot... :-P).
Other possible replacements for Multitalented are Arcane Training (not much sense), Fey Thoughts (somewhat supernatural and useless for a rogue-like class), Jungle Affinity (no sense), Multidisciplined (useful to multi-classed casters only) and Flexible Half-Breed (grants alter self with limitations as spell-like abilty, so I am thinking a bit overpowered when compared to Multitalented, plus supernatural).
F.Castor - OK, that's not the way I was reading it; some of the options don't have RP listed, so I assumed that the ones which did list RP meant that they cost extra. If I'm wrong, then I have no problem with you taking that trait variant.
Drathi - the casting traditions/casting drawbacks are ENTIRELY optional; they just give you a bit more power (extra spell points). Let me know if you decide to take any.
On the topic of magic, this is how magic items are going to work. In particular, you do NOT need to be a Spherecaster in order to make magic items; it is assumed that the Item Creation feat represents your attunement to the magical world, enough that you can channel magic into your crafting.
If you have any questions/comments, let me know.
POTIONS
These will NOT be based on Spherecasting, but will replicate specific, usually minor, magical effects (i.e. spells from levels 1 to 4).
Take Brew Potion, Craft (alchemy) and Spellcraft - cost and DCs are as per normal Pathfinder.
WONDROUS ITEMS
Many of these are gone, replaced by the Automatic Bonus Progression; the rest are unchanged.
Take Craft Wondrous Item, Craft (relevant skill) and Spellcraft - cost and DCs are as per normal Pathfinder.
RINGS
These are unchanged, apart from the fact you don't need access to spells in order to forge them; although this will make the spellcraft DC a bit higher, reflecting the rarity of such things.
Take Forge Ring, Craft (jewellery) and Spellcraft - cost and DCs are as per normal Pathfinder.
MAGIC ARMS & ARMOUR
The basic bonuses are factored into Automatic Bonus Progression, so these are only required if you want e.g. to make your sword Flaming, or your armour Dastard.
Take Craft Magic Arms & Armour, Craft (relevant skill) and Spellcraft - cost and DCs are as per normal Pathfinder.
RODS/STAVES/WANDS
These are unchanged - take the relevant feat, a relevant Crafting skill and Spellcraft - cost and DCs are as per normal Pathfinder.
SCROLLS
These are GONE, as is the Scribe Scroll feat. Instead, we will be using scrolls as the way in which Incantations are transcribed.
Incantations are going to form a big part of this AP, BTW; they're a way in which most significant magical effects are performed, including the Advanced Talents.
Want to Resurrect the dead? There's an Incantation for that.
Want to Summon and Bind devils into your service? There's an Incantation for that.
Want to Journey to other planes? There's an incantation for that.
Actually, there are several incantations: the churches do things differently, and a wizard trained in Qadira will do things differently from one trained in Egorian. It's also possible to research your own.
Any you find, though, will be on scrolls.
Note that Incantations allow you to do almost anything (provided you hit the DC). For example, every established church has a ritual during its consecration which bars Outsiders of opposed alignments from entering, whether by teleportation or otherwise. As you can probably imagine, the Asmodean rite to achieve this looks rather different from the Iomedaean one!
Incantations look pretty cool. In fact the whole Spheres of Power ruleset looks pretty awesome. Certainly flexible enough to make pretty much anything. I am looking forward to seeing it in action.
As for me, I am finally 100% finished. Feel free to check out Erevan's profile, who is a better liar now that he is a half-elf. He is mostly a skill monkey at the moment, but will start becoming better at fighting as the feats and vigilante talents accumulate.
<tapping foot on the ground, checking watch>
"You ladies have your purses ready yet?"
j/k, I am ready.
To DMD:
Good lord man! The Campaign Tab is most preciously wondrous (and appreciated!), but don't burn yourself out before we even start! That's an epic tome you wrote over there! :)
I'm 100% ready, too! Just wanted to ask a couple of clarifications on magic items:
1) So only potions would be based on spells, and the rest is on talents, right? I.e. we need to buy a Wand of Cure, and not a Wand of Cure Light Wounds*?
2) Staves work as normal, and aren't the DC/CL boosting staves of Spheres of Power?
3) Ooooh, so Advanced talents will be on scrolls? Neat! I'm guessing the prices to buy one will vary from talent to talent: do we need to reach normal prerequisites connected to the advanced talent, like other talents or high enough CL?
*Speaking of healing, Bryn, are you sure that you want to take on healing with Draining Casting? It sounds super rough: having you to hurt yourself to keep everyone up sounds awful :(
Nice to be appreciated! But in honesty I just copied and pasted most of it from the AP. There are more NPCs in this module than in most, because a certain amount of "attrition" is anticipated ^_^
Lythirra
1) Wands are based on spells, too, unchanged from Pathfinder. It helps if you don't think of them as "spells" or Wands of "Cure Light Wounds" - the crafting of magic items is an art in itself, rather than the simple replication of spellcasting magic.
2) I wrote that because nobody USES staves.
3) No. Advanced talents will not be on scrolls. Scrolls as you know them simply don't exist. What you might find are parchments detailing incantations that can be used to achieve powerful effects.
And we're live!
It's pretty much just scene-setting/ role-play at this point, so if you haven't quite finished off the details you can do that as we go along.
Good stuff, DMD!
*Speaking of healing, Bryn, are you sure that you want to take on healing with Draining Casting? It sounds super rough: having you to hurt yourself to keep everyone up sounds awful :(
It isn't optimal, but Drathi's channeling should help with resource management. I can only spend 6 spell points a day, so I've still got a 9 hp buffer, which isn't horrible for a striker. And I'll be picking up 9+ hp/level, so I'll be able to grow that buffer over time.
I suspect that with a midling AC, Bryn may be going under more than you're average PC though :)
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Reading the drawbacks, it answered some questions I had. I was wondering about the lack of any mention of verbal or somatic requirements, or armor restrictions, or any of the other normal casting restriction. While I like the idea of putting Drathi in full plate and making her more or less impervious to attacks, I think that having some of the normal casting restrictions sounds realistic.
I think I will go with some of the normal casting limitations.
Somatic Casting (x2) <-- no armor like usual for PF casters
Verbal Casting
Focus Casting <-- going with an old Iomedaen ring that she modified/defaced
Add in Painful Magic <-- she has learned on her own and twisted the good Iomedaen magic, has to be some side effect
Also taking Neutrality(fate) drawback. She has some less then good, and pretty self centered ways about her, but is not quite pure evil yet. But don't worry, I am sure you all can direct her that way.
--> picked up Powerful Charm as the bonus talent
Drathi - sounds good. The 5 drawbacks mean you get 1 extra spell point per caster level.
Or you could consider grabbing a Boon or two. Each Boon costs two Drawbacks, but then they no longer count towards the extra spell points you could gain while leveling up.
Good stuff everyone! Just waiting on Aelden.
I'll have replies up some point soon.
Sorry guys, busy last two days, getting caught up.
*nobody uses staves because they are so damn expensive, and/or nearly never drop in an AP. When they do, it's rare that they are useful to a PC in the campaign. I've taken to making adjustments to adjudicate that so when you do get one, it's really a great event.
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Oops. Didn't notice that - too busy concentrating on not writing "Lieutenant" ;)
Bryn: you'll all be getting slightly different versions of the story. Drathi gets most as she's known Cimri longest.
Stupid phone keeps trying to autocorrect "Drathi" to "Death"
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Oops. Didn't notice that - too busy concentrating on not writing "Lieutenant" ;)
And you know that's a mistake you don't want to make.
Heh.
It occurs to me that pre-Rebellion Kara (minus blasters) would have fit right into Cheliax.
That's the truth. An evil empire is an evil empire, after all.
Bryn - love the idea, just want to check a couple of points, to make sure I haven't missed anything.
Think you forgot your Drawbacks: Painful Casting, Draining Casting and Rigourous Casting. At least one of those needs a dice roll.
Also, I get the Animalistic transformation, but the Size Change talent is a trait; and you only get 1 trait at Caster Level 1, so you can't have that and Darkvision, I think.
In addition, you can only change 1 size category per 5 caster levels, so you can take Bryn from Medium to Small, but not to Tiny; or Medium to Large, but not to Huge.
If you disagree and think I've misread the rules, let me know.
Whoa, you're right on all accounts, sorry. I thought Draining/Painful Casting only kicked in when spending a spell point, but it doesn't seem to be that. And I didn't read the fine print enough on the size change.
Taking all that into account, I'll go with being a medium wolf. Stealth will be 16. Adding darkvision as a trait.
If Bryn fails his fort save, he'd just wait a round and continue.
Apologies!
No problem, we're all getting used to this system! I'll get it wrong at some point too.
Wolf is more... iconic for a shifter anyway :-)
Anyone catch on that Aelden's a bit gruff? ;)
Just his warm and fuzzy personality - quite the conversationalist, and charming too!
At least he's not trying to play his Cha 8 character as a Rake with an eye for "the laydeez" (just kidding, Bryn - I look forward to seeing you in action, so to speak!)...
Really enjoying the interactions so far. And don't worry about Cimri taking over: she's not a DMPC, she's a plot device and I'll phase her into the background as the AP progresses.
I'll get a map up tonight if at all possible.
Anyone catch on that Aelden's a bit gruff? ;)
Just his warm and fuzzy personality - quite the conversationalist, and charming too!
Very charming. Hopefully he gets to meet the queen!
At least he's not trying to play his Cha 8 character as a Rake with an eye for "the laydeez" (just kidding, Bryn - I look forward to seeing you in action, so to speak!)...
Yeah, that should be interesting...
Not sure exactly how it is going to work yet.
OK, so no map, for now - computer is glitching up.
EDIT: the dog has AC 15 [T 12 FF 13]
Question: I have both Painful Casting and Skilled Casting as a drawback, but in what order should I roll them? I think that if I use forbidden lore it comes before those two, and concentration is even before that, but I'm not sure if Skilled Casting or Painful Casting comes first. :/
Any order you like. I know that this is a Lawful campaign but I'm not actually Asmodeus :-)
Bryn does, but let's leave that for emergencies: he hurts himself with draining casting every time he uses that. :/
I think we should pool some money together to buy a wand of CLW as soon as we can.
I'll get a cure on Aelden once we know the outcome of the ruse.
Happy holidays, everyone! I'll be back online the 26th or so.
Merry Christmas and may Krampus pass you all by!
Hope everyone is having a good Holiday season!
I'm so sorry for the radio silence: I went away for Christmas thinking "oh, no problem, I'll have phone access and even my relatives have now installed wifi" - but what I overlooked (and I'm embarrassed to confess this) is that yes, the rules are all online, but the AP module isn't - and it's kind of hard to run an AP without the frikkin book.
Amateur hour. Is my face red.
No worries...happy new year all! Am back and ready to go!
Happy New Year!
His plan failed, Bryn tries a new approach.
Can Bryn get to Louslik in a charge, DMD?
He's about 50 feet away, so if you can move 50 feet on a charge then yes.
BTW, remind me: what happens to your AC when you're shifted? Does the armour automatically meld into your new form?