DM Jam's Reign of Winter

Game Master Jam412

Hi folks, this is the character generation and out of character discussion thread for our Reign of Winter game.

Rules for character creation are;

• Twenty point buy
• Two traits (one must be a campaign trait from the players guide)
• Classes and archetypes from official Paizo Pathfinder products are cool with the exception of the gunslinger and the summoner
• Add 5 to your starting HP at first level
• All core races are cool, if you want to be a weird race, let me know and we can discuss.

I don't actually have the book yet so my ability to answer specific questions is sorta limited. Hopefully Wednesday..

That's it for now, but I'm sure I'll realize I missed something at some point..

Oh, Player's Guide is here.

Hi, all! My plan is to repurpose Rolly here for this AP, if that's OK. He's from a game from several years back that folded, and I kind of liked the concept. I was thinking the invulnerable rager archetype for him (starting as a barbarian, and maybe adding a few fighter levels later on).

Two questions:
1. Are the alternate racial traits from the Advanced Race Guide allowed?
2. What's the starting gold?

Rolly the dwarven barbarian is just fine by me. Looking forward to hearing more about him.

Questions:
1. Yep!
2. Everyone can just take max for their class.

Sweet, I'll take a good look at the player's guide and come up with a PC. I'm thinking maybe a Rogue with the scout archetype or something like that- or a cleric if that's what's needed.

I'm planning on a Winter Witch. I imagine I'll have a bit of healing ability.

Quick update: I sent Shifty and Randall each a PM last night. Shifty got back to me and said that he already applied for a different RoW game. I told him that if it didn't work out for that game, that he was welcome to join back up with us. Haven't heard back from Randall yet.

OK, Rolly's pretty set. Guess I'm a little a head of the rest! :-)

I'll have something together soon. Was sort of thinking I'd hold off until I saw what everyone else was keen on playing, but I may just go ahead and make a scout and be open to changing to a cleric of Erastil if we're lacking in magic or healing.

Not a problem, take your time. I just got the PDF this morning, so I'll need a bit to read and plan anyway.

Also, if anyone is interested, I made a spreadsheet in google docs for Kua's skills to help me keep things organized. Feel free to copy it if it'll help you out. Skills

Oh and don't hesitate if you've got any questions about setting or the adventure or whatever!

Hey all, pretty sure we lost shifty and Randall. Anybody have a friend that may want to play, should we recruit someone new or would you like to go along with only three PCs?

I can ask around, if you'd like. I know some cool folks from other games.

Sounds good! I figure one or two more people should do it.

I asked Dreaming Warforged to check in and he's interested- I'm playing in one of his games and playing alongside him in another and he's been in my tpk'd Carrion Crown game.

Checking in and willing to play an outdoorsy type. Could be ranger, druid, oracle.

I can adapt.

Would we start in Taldor, as suggested in the Player's Guide?

Welcome aboard! Yep, you'll be starting in the small Taldan hamlet of Heldren. (Which I just noticed looks remarkably like a tiny version of Solitude if you're familiar with Skyrim.)

I think I'm going to go with the scout and cover our skill point usage. Trying to decide between Northern Ancestry or Warded Against Witchery. Maybe he was a street urchin in Kaer Maga that ran afoul of black magic in his youth until a troll augur presented him with a ghastly charm to ward it away but with the premonition that his fate lay entombed in ice in the north. So he went south as far as he could to avoid it.

I'm going to go for a divine caster, though I have a hard time figuring fluff. I'm stuck debating some ideas. Suggestions are welcome!

The Player's Guide mentions some archetypes, like the arctic druid. I wonder if this is too much, or if there can be a mystical reason why the character is better suited to face the perils ahead.

I'm mostly not around until Tuesday. I hope it doesn't create an issue. If you need to start the game early, I can come up with an avatar, fluff and very very basic crunch.

Let me know what you'd prefer.

I've only had time to do a quick skim of the adventure so Tuesday isn't a problem at all. As far as the Arctic Druid goes, you don't start getting all arctic-y until 2nd level. You should be adventuring in the snow by then, so it should be a pretty natural progression.

I don't know if you've got access to the People of the North companion, but the Winter Oracle is pretty nice too.

Edit: Actually, here it is. Winter Mystery

Ok. I will go with Arctic Druid. What do you think of Oread for race? Not that my mind is set, but it's a great race for druid, so I'd better ask.

Ok. I will go with Arctic Druid. What do you think of Oread for race? Not that my mind is set, but it's a great race for druid, so I'd better ask.

Oreads are really cool. Go for it.

I think I'm going to go with the scout and cover our skill point usage. Trying to decide between Northern Ancestry or Warded Against Witchery. Maybe he was a street urchin in Kaer Maga that ran afoul of black magic in his youth until a troll augur presented him with a ghastly charm to ward it away but with the premonition that his fate lay entombed in ice in the north. So he went south as far as he could to avoid it.

Sounds like warded against witchery would be a really fitting choice given that charm. How old would you say that you were when you met with the troll augur?

Probably around 16 or so- several years before the start of the adventure, so he had enough time to travel, possibly meet the other PCs and gain his class level.

Here is an idea for a part of your back story. Let me know if it works for you.

Here is an idea for a part of your back story. Let me know if it works for you.

** spoiler omitted **

Sounds great... and gross! I think he'll call it his "lucky sausage".

I've almost got my winter witch together. I hope you don't mind, but I read the section on Heldren to be able to tie her history to some of the people there (particularly Old Mother Theodora and Tengezil Frimbocket).

Question about leveling: Do you prefer to calculate XP or just level when the story dictates?

I prefer to level when the story dictates - that seems easier all around.

I prefer to level when the story dictates - that seems easier all around.

Seconded. That way if you feel like you want to cut encounters that are only their for XP purposes, you can do so.

Also, Jam- you have People of the North, right? Does it have a lot of info on the Kellids? They have an Ustalav connection that I'm interested in and I'm wondering if it's something I want to invest in for that.

I've almost got my winter witch together. I hope you don't mind, but I read the section on Heldren to be able to tie her history to some of the people there (particularly Old Mother Theodora and Tengezil Frimbocket).

Not a problem, I was originally going to copy paste a bunch of stuff from the gazetteer so that you could all make your backgrounds from it. However, upon reading the adventure, I realized that Heldren only really plays a very very small part inn this adventure and I wasn't sure if I wanted to risk you all digging yourselves to deeply into it.

So long story short, that's fine but don't get too attached to the place.

Sister Mara wrote:

I prefer to level when the story dictates - that seems easier all around.

Seconded. That way if you feel like you want to cut encounters that are only their for XP purposes, you can do so.

Also, Jam- you have People of the North, right? Does it have a lot of info on the Kellids? They have an Ustalav connection that I'm interested in and I'm wondering if it's something I want to invest in for that.

Yep, I've got it and it has some. I can't remember how much though. I'll check when I get home and let you know. I thought I remember it being a bit sparse..

One last question- in the Varisia book, the Kaer Maga section as the Emissary trait (+2 diplomacy checks with monstrous humanoids, undead, giants and aberrations I believe): would you estimate that it would be worthwhile to have beyond flavor reasons?

In the first book, no, not really. After that, I can see where it might be useful, but since I don't actually have those books yet, it's hard to say.

Okay, Kellids get a two page spread. There is a two paragraph section with general info about their lifestyle and society, a paragraph about names with an accompanying list, two traits, two roles (not archetypes) and a list of Kellid sayings. If you got specific questions about any of those parts, let me know.

Sister Mara wrote:

I prefer to level when the story dictates - that seems easier all around.

Seconded. That way if you feel like you want to cut encounters that are only their for XP purposes, you can do so.

Also, Jam- you have People of the North, right? Does it have a lot of info on the Kellids? They have an Ustalav connection that I'm interested in and I'm wondering if it's something I want to invest in for that.

Thirded.

Not sure if you've had a chance to read Rolly's stuff, but his background is pretty simple - traveling mercenary / caravan guard. It doesn't say it, but I always envisioned him from the Five Kings Mountains.

Fourthed!

Okay, Kellids get a two page spread. There is a two paragraph section with general info about their lifestyle and society, a paragraph about names with an accompanying list, two traits, two roles (not archetypes) and a list of Kellid sayings. If you got specific questions about any of those parts, let me know.

Ah, I see. So it's pretty spare, like the Varisia book.

I will try to have my PC statted up for review tonight or tomorrow.

James Keegan wrote:

Sister Mara wrote:

I prefer to level when the story dictates - that seems easier all around.

Seconded. That way if you feel like you want to cut encounters that are only their for XP purposes, you can do so.

Also, Jam- you have People of the North, right? Does it have a lot of info on the Kellids? They have an Ustalav connection that I'm interested in and I'm wondering if it's something I want to invest in for that.

Thirded.

Not sure if you've had a chance to read Rolly's stuff, but his background is pretty simple - traveling mercenary / caravan guard. It doesn't say it, but I always envisioned him from the Five Kings Mountains.

Yep, Rolly is looking good!

Dreaming Warforged here.

Gylwinth is almost ready. I have to review numbers and equipment, but she's close to being done.

I'm having doubts though. In a game I run, a druid character finally changed to cleric, as he realized he was always keeping spell slots for healing, which meant limited fun for him. I like cleric of Erastil, and they would fit well. Would it be better if I chose that route? I'd like to know what others think. Keep in mind I wouldn't mind playing a cleric.

Dreaming Warforged here.

Gylwinth is almost ready. I have to review numbers and equipment, but she's close to being done.

I'm having doubts though. In a game I run, a druid character finally changed to cleric, as he realized he was always keeping spell slots for healing, which meant limited fun for him. I like cleric of Erastil, and they would fit well. Would it be better if I chose that route? I'd like to know what others think. Keep in mind I wouldn't mind playing a cleric.

Not sure if you're looking for insight from the GM, but I'll give my two cents, if you'd like.

I think that Gylwinth will get some good use out of her nature skills. However, she will also be the second character out of two to have an eight in charisma. You all will be traveling quite a bit and I expect that diplomacy may play a role in future adventures.

I've actually never played a druid in the third edition era though, so it's tough for me to give you much mechanical advise.

DM Jam wrote:

Okay, Kellids get a two page spread. There is a two paragraph section with general info about their lifestyle and society, a paragraph about names with an accompanying list, two traits, two roles (not archetypes) and a list of Kellid sayings. If you got specific questions about any of those parts, let me know.

Ah, I see. So it's pretty spare, like the Varisia book.

Yeah, it's pretty much the exact same formula. Seems like a perfect layout to get the casual player to read up on background info, but not really meaty enough for people who are already well read in the setting.

Gylwinth of the Crimson Moon wrote:

Dreaming Warforged here.

Gylwinth is almost ready. I have to review numbers and equipment, but she's close to being done.

I'm having doubts though. In a game I run, a druid character finally changed to cleric, as he realized he was always keeping spell slots for healing, which meant limited fun for him. I like cleric of Erastil, and they would fit well. Would it be better if I chose that route? I'd like to know what others think. Keep in mind I wouldn't mind playing a cleric.

Not sure if you're looking for insight from the GM, but I'll give my two cents, if you'd like.

I think that Gylwinth will get some good use out of her nature skills. However, she will also be the second character out of two to have an eight in charisma. You all will be traveling quite a bit and I expect that diplomacy may play a role in future adventures.

I've actually never played a druid in the third edition era though, so it's tough for me to give you much mechanical advise.

Hmmm... Good points overall. Let me think on it. Do you have a date at which you'd wish to start?

I'm going to have my PC ready soon- I can say that he'll have bluff and diplomacy skills as well as a decent charisma.

No real solid start date just yet. I've had a busier week than expected, so I haven't been able to digest the adventure as well as I would like to. I'm hoping early next week though.

Ok, so I'll work on an alternate over the weekend. Oracle or cleric.

Well, it's that time again. I'm going to be traveling to Italy on business on Saturday and I'll be back the following Saturday. I actually may have some internet access this time, so I will try and keep up-to-date. If I go too slow, though, please feel free to DMPC me as needed.

Little behind on the character due to my deadlines but now that I'm back at work and I can relax I should have him put together shortly.

No sweat, this last week and weekend have been unexpectedly hectic for me, so I'm behind too.

How is everyone else faring with their characters?

Dreaming Warforged, are you leaning one way or the other between Druid, Cleric or Oracle?

How is the winter witch version of Sister Mara coming along?

Ahah! I've been torturing myself for days on the oracle...

Not sure yet where I stand. For sure, I'm working on divine, and I'll avoid dumping charisma if I stick with druid. I hope to have an answer soon!