I just put together my rough application for Dane, a paladin of Iomadae who will likely progress into the Sentinel prestige class as time goes on. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
LG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +1; Senses; Perception +2
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Defense
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AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15
HP 12/12
Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +4(+1 vs evil outsiders)
CMD 15
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Offense
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Speed 20 ft.
Melee
Longsword +5 (1d8+5/19-20)
Warhammer +4 (1d8+5/X3)
Range
Javelins +2 (1d6+3/X2) 50 ft. range
BAB +1
CMB +4
Smite Evil 1/1
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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 11, Wis 12, Cha 14
Skills(ACP-4): Diplomacy +6, Knowledge(Religion) +4, Linguistics +1, Perception +2, Profession(Soldier) +5
Feats: Weapon Focus(Longsword)
Languages: Common, Celestial
Traits: Purity of Faith, Riverlander
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Statistics
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32 Gold
Scale Mail
Longsword
Warhammer
Javelins w/ammentum(10)
Paladin’s Kit(Backpack, bedroll, pouch, holy text, flint/steel, iron pot, mess kit, rope, soap, torches, r trail rations, waterskin and a holy symbol).
Puzzle box(as challenging as possible for 15 gold, engraved with images of deities for another 5 gold)
Every day, Dane would make small talk with this man, always trying and failing to solve various beautiful boxes, but never buying any for his small allowance from the church wouldn’t allow such extravagance.
It was a long summer’s afternoon when a man in a finely-tailored coat came to the temple asking to speak to the high priest. After nearly an hour of discussion, the two men fetched Dane and explained to him that he was to accompany a group of explorers to the Stolen Lands. In addition to protecting them, he was to help settle the unclaimed land, and ensure that Iomadae looked favorably upon their venture. He packed up his things in just under an hour, and collected the small pouch of gold that the fathers had collected to help him equip himself, before begging leave to visit the statue of Iomadae one last time.
When he reached the statue, despite the fact that nearly all the merchants had packed up the market for the day, he found the puzzle-maker waiting for him. “I heard about the expedition, and I came to wish you luck. I had this one made special for you, and bring with it my good faith on your journey. Praise the Inheritor.” With that, the man walked away, leaving in Dane’s hand a small but ornately-carved puzzle box with a deity carved onto each of the six wooden panels. When he returned to the temple to meet those who would join him, the puzzle box was already packed safely into his knapsack, but in his mind he was thinking of the words the man had spoken to him, and how he had known so quickly of his mission.
Hi! Here's that healer witch I was talking about earlier. I'd go through and review it and make it all appropriate for the campaign, but it'll give you the idea of what I have in mind.
Reasonable alternative support/healer build. Nice built-in story twist.
Dotting for interest! I have a human arcanist (white mage archetype) that was in a Kingmaker game for awhile on the forums that didn't go very far. It'll probably be later tonight or tomorrow before I'll have a chance to review her sheet/backstory and see if adjustments need to be made, but I wanted to throw it out there.
Although I did dot for interest on the other ongoing Kingmaker recruitment some time ago, I ultimately couldn't come up with any adjustments to Korinne (my arcanist) that I liked or a brand new concept to fit the creation guidelines. I think your guidelines will suit what I have in mind a little better :)
*edit* I know you said you were interested in frequent posters, but how much so? I can definitely commit to at least 1/day, but with my work schedule it's sometimes difficult to do more than that on work days. My days off are usually more relaxed and I can generally post more as the game/story requires.
I played a white mage arcanist in Iron Gods. Worked as a solid support character.
1/day is probably fine. I mostly just don't want players to vanish for three-four days without advance notice, as that sometimes causes the game to drag -- one of the big hazards of forum PbP is getting into the situation of "I was waiting for so-and-so to post" and then everyone winding up playing the waiting game. :)
DM Jessie-
This is Raxus. He's been accepted into four Kingmaker games on these boards, all of which have died out before they got far. I've gotten into the habit of working the previous games into his backstory, using them as "failed attempts" at the taming of the stolen lands.
He now lives at Oleg's Trade Post full time, acting as a sort of local liaison and guide for new groups who show up to try to pick up where old groups failed. At this point he's rather disillusioned with the whole thing, and all his new friends keep dying, so he's a bit sad and standoffish.
He is a fantastic character with a rich history. I'd love to reprise him.
He's a Half-Ogre, using a 3rd party race from before Paizo had published their own version. I'd be happy to update him to Paizo's version, but it is a +1 CR template.
I have a couple proposals for how to make this work-
1) Rebuild Raxus with the Paizo template, and not give him a class level. He'd be a 1 Hit Dice humanoid with the Ogrekin template. His first class level would come when everyone else hit level 2 (he'd be a barbarian).
2) Keep him as the third-party race (which is actually quite weak according to the race building rules. roughly 6 race points).
3) Come up with a custom race with the race building rules that would be something of a middle ground between the two.
With your approval of one of these, I'll rework him at first level.
I'm not immediately opposed to ogrekin; mostly they face the same problems as other "monstrous" characters, which is that humans generally won't trust them to be leaders. This kind of character would probably find himself sidelined in the actual kingdom-building phases in favor of other more human leaders.
I would be inclined to use the existing Paizo ogrekin template, but I would make it level-amortized. There was a similar push late in 3.5e through a series of web articles, by Sean K. Reynolds -- you can see the article here. The gist of my variant is that you would start with some of the ogrekin benefits, and you would "unlock" the rest of the benefits at a certain point (I would probably just give them to you at level 4, rather than charging you a class level for them). From a design perspective, this lets the starting version of the character not be too potent, gets rid of level adjustment, and when you reach your "final form" it's when the party has gained a few levels and the power difference is not as egregious.
This will take me a little time to write up, but if I picked Raxus, I would provide you with an amortized template and you could finish him with that.
Also note that if I picked Raxus, I probably wouldn't choose any other melee fighters for the group, as they would be redundant.
Did I not get seen?
I just want to have the cloak to not make people get weary immediately when they meet her. That is more of the reason. Its like... At the beginning, she stands back, looking human, letting other people speak. And then later on, she would most likely get a hat of disguise or something similar for the purpose of fitting in.
For the roles, I can see five different choices for her. There is Magister, Marshal, Royal Enforcer, Spymaster, and Treasurer. Looks like Spymaster would be the one for her due to the disguise. But I can see the Marshal and the Royal Enforcer working for her due to dex, and could play up appearing as a Erinyes to punish who would want to hurt the kingdom. But I personally don't see that really happening.
And I noticed about the posts by day, or weekly. I know I can post every day, and more. I have alot of free time right now, so I see myself being able to post at least once a day.
So thoughts on the class/race?
Curious why the race is called "orphidians" instead of "ophidians," but that's really trivial.
What do you see this character doing in terms of kingdom building? Like other serpent-types, this character would be seen by humans as a monster, or at the very least a dangerously strange outsider, and probably people would fall into the usual stereotype of thinking "this creature is gonna try to start up some kind of poisonous snake cult." That would limit leadership roles a bit. While the character has gone out of her way to cultivate a good reputation in her home locality, Kingmaker does start with a lot of traveling to other settlements so you'd be doing that same trust-building over and over again.
Mechanically the orphidian is not super bad news, though the tail slap is a pretty heavy-duty natural attack. The extremely high dexterity also means that ranged combat seems obvious, so this creates a character that has the same sort of benefit as a monk who's proficient with a bow, namely that you can do really good ranged fighting but if someone gets in close you are not without attacks. The venom isn't horribly powerful. Cold resistance is a little surprising!
The Herbalist seems to be a slightly comedic support class (carrying a giant carnivorous plant on your back is, let's face it, a little comedic).
Overall it's not some horrible mechanical mess; the big hurdles are really more story-oriented.
Did I not get seen?
DON'T PANIC
I am definitely interesting in participating in this. Not certain what I will play, but I am thinking a Human Rogue or Investigator. He would possible be a member of House Lebeda, a merchant looking to use the charter as a way to lay the groundwork to expand his family's network.
Either would certainly have dividends; investigator is more of a long-tail character that pays off a lot more in the political arena later in the Adventure Path.
DM, what are your thoughts on a divine hunter paladin of Erastil? And, in a more general sense, what do you think about paladins in this campaign? I had the chance to play KM in person last year (we only went through the first book, though), and I was playing a paladin. There were no problem at all with party members, since we felt like Erastil tenets were very easy to share in the Stolen Lands, but I'm asking your opinion nonetheless. I've got other ideas in case this wouldn't work or isn't reccomended.
Totally a fine idea, though of course it limits the combinations that I could choose for the ultimate party make-up (I would not stick you with an evil character in the group).
Kingmaker has a fairly heavy focus on Erastil, as that god's portfolio oversees rural areas and the borders of civilization. Eventually that gets eclipsed a bit as the game shifts into settled kingdoms and large towns and cities but there is no reason not to use that as a starting hook; the AP features several pieces designed to include Erastil's faith in the story.
Note that Erastil is not what I'd call a "progressive" deity and a strict interpretation of his teachings as published could cause some friction with, say, female party members.
In general I have no problem with paladins. Kingmaker does ask if players are going to make certain choices, but unlike Skull & Shackles it doesn't assume that there are places where you will fail if you are not ruthless enough. Instead, your moral choices are more a barometer of how you will shape the society that you help to build as a culture hero. For a paladin, this could cause interesting developments because Brevoy is a very loosely structured society that doesn't have a strong set of moral values, and forging a new kingdom around the principles of order and moral certitude would challenge many Brevic notions of politics.
That's an option not a certainty. I don't recall the race having cold resistance so are you looking at the character? As to role I actually lean towards high priestess getting the people to live in tune with nature. I picture the religious nature of the country would end up looking semi-druidic.
As I recall the character has cold resistance through a trait because that was appropriate to tbe mash up setting.
I just put together my rough application for Dane, a paladin of Iomadae who will likely progress into the Sentinel prestige class as time goes on. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
Perfectly fine for starters. I need to go over the stats with a slightly more fine-toothed comb but the concept is not a problem.
Lotta paladin-types cropping up. Also lotta weirdos. :)
GM, I am looking at submitting a cleric of Abadar with the Nobility domain. If selected, would you be comfortable with him getting Leadership as a bonus feat later (8th level)? I ask because I've had a lot of GMs disallow the Leadership feat because of the complexity it can add. If you'd rather not have that, I'll submit the character with the Martyr subdomain to eliminate that from coming up later.
That's an option not a certainty. I don't recall the race having cold resistance so are you looking at the character? As to role I actually lean towards high priestess getting the people to live in tune with nature. I picture the religious nature of the country would end up looking semi-druidic.
As I recall the character has cold resistance through a trait because that was appropriate to tbe mash up setting.
Ah, I thought the cold resistance was part of the race package, my bad.
GM, I am looking at submitting a cleric of Abadar with the Nobility domain. If selected, would you be comfortable with him getting Leadership as a bonus feat later (8th level)? I ask because I've had a lot of GMs disallow the Leadership feat because of the complexity it can add. If you'd rather not have that, I'll submit the character with the Martyr subdomain to eliminate that from coming up later.
Yes, and in fact I highly recommend Leadership as a feat for this AP.
Hey DM!
I know you've got a lot of interest checks, but I was curious what your verdict of my app was (the "Kobold of Monte Cristo" one). If no, I'll conjure up something else, but I was hoping you might have an idea if it'd be okay or not. (I know most folks have a mental image of kobolds being scaly goblins, so I get that, but I prefer my kobolds have a bit more class to them... after all, that class is what distinguishes them from goblin pests.)
Hey DM!
I know you've got a lot of interest checks, but I was curious what your verdict of my app was (the "Kobold of Monte Cristo" one). If no, I'll conjure up something else, but I was hoping you might have an idea if it'd be okay or not. (I know most folks have a mental image of kobolds being scaly goblins, so I get that, but I prefer my kobolds have a bit more class to them... after all, that class is what distinguishes them from goblin pests.)
I'm thinkin'. There's a specific way that I could envision this character working in context, but it would require me to build the group with a particular dynamic that would influence who else is picked. So, it is not impossible but it does create additional complexity problems if I decided that I wanted to do that group dynamic.
I'm thinkin'. There's a specific way that I could envision this character working in context, but it would require me to build the group with a particular dynamic that would influence who else is picked. So, it is not impossible but it does create additional complexity problems if I decided that I wanted to do that group dynamic.Hey DM!
I know you've got a lot of interest checks, but I was curious what your verdict of my app was (the "Kobold of Monte Cristo" one). If no, I'll conjure up something else, but I was hoping you might have an idea if it'd be okay or not. (I know most folks have a mental image of kobolds being scaly goblins, so I get that, but I prefer my kobolds have a bit more class to them... after all, that class is what distinguishes them from goblin pests.)
I understand, and appreciate the consideration. A kobold fighter is not the easiest thing to play or work around. If I took something like a kobold with the racial bloodline, I could at least double as the group's magic user and infiltration/trap-finder, but as a fighter, who's entire point is doing damage in melee... yeah, it gets hard.
My chief reason for going the fighter route was I thought it would work better in story. A kobold sorcerer might be a bit harder to work in (he'd certainly have a reason - make a kingdom for kobolds to call home, instead of a stinky bunch of holes in the ground), but actually getting him in... erm...
I suppose I could just go with the story and say the old man appreciated his company and magic tricks. Still getting revenge on the noble Brevoy family, just... with magic instead of swords. I dunno.
Interested in joining in. Zak is a human arcane bloodline Bloodrager. Looking to pick up the Imperious bloodline with eldritch heritage to flesh out the character.
Alright then so I just need the necessary rebuild to make Sahi appropriate for this campaign.
Hi! Here's that healer witch I was talking about earlier. I'd go through and review it and make it all appropriate for the campaign, but it'll give you the idea of what I have in mind.Reasonable alternative support/healer build. Nice built-in story twist.
Thank you! Updated skills and traits. I'm trying something a little different by taking Water Child; but if the rest of the party would prefer me with straight basic stuff, I can change that back out.
I still need to buy equipment. The +100gp from the Brigand trait (traveling with a Varisian carnival caravan, bound to happen) will go to my Harrow deck.
Totally a fine idea, though of course it limits the combinations that I could choose for the ultimate party make-up (I would not stick you with an evil character in the group).Kingmaker has a fairly heavy focus on Erastil, as that god's portfolio oversees rural areas and the borders of civilization. Eventually that gets eclipsed a bit as the game shifts into settled kingdoms and large towns and cities but there is no reason not to use that as a starting hook; the AP features several pieces designed to include Erastil's faith in the story.
Note that Erastil is not what I'd call a "progressive" deity and a strict interpretation of his teachings as published could cause some friction with, say, female party members.
In general I have no problem with paladins. Kingmaker does ask if players are going to make certain choices, but unlike Skull & Shackles it doesn't assume that there are places where you will fail if you are not ruthless enough. Instead, your moral choices are more a barometer of how you will shape the society that you help to build as a culture hero. For a paladin, this could cause interesting developments because Brevoy is a very loosely structured society that doesn't have a strong set of moral values, and forging a new kingdom around the principles of order and moral certitude would challenge many Brevic notions of politics.
Wow, thank you for that answer. I'll try to build the best character possible for this campaign!
Great answer on Raxus, GM.
I'll bring him back down to first lever today and give an official submission.
A few clarifications just so people know where I'm coming from!
1. I am generally less worried about your race and class choice than I am about how your character will fit in the overall story of the AP. Like, if nobody makes a character that can interface with the politics of the game, that just kills the whole kingdom-building portion and really undercuts a big chunk of the game. So I will be looking at things like, what will this character do in the kingdom? Would human people follow and look up to this character as a leader, perhaps a king or queen or religious authority? How will this character work with a group dynamic? The latter also means that I will be selecting a party on the basis not just of what your character does, but how that character fits with other characters. The harder it is for a character to fit in with others, the harder it is for me to justify selecting it for the party.
2. I tend to reply in batches, as you have seen, but if I haven't given you a lengthy response, don't fret. If I didn't reply it usually means that I just have no feedback, or I didn't have time. I am keeping a spreadsheet to track all submissions.
3. Just because I am willing to consider a character doesn't mean it'll make the final cut. Yes, I am willing to consider a lot of the unusual characters here, but that doesn't guarantee that they will all make it to the final 5! Do your best to make a character that has an interesting story to tell and a way to work well in the party. :)
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Hi DM. Can you help me? Need to know if you see any problem with my concept.
I intend to run a swordlord, but using the swashbuckler class instead of the fighter archetype. My intention is not to make an usual musketeer like swashbuckler, he will be really a swordlord, a noble.
The big problem is that the Aldori Dueling Sword has slashing damage, thus not working with the panache ability.
From here, I have some options:
1) You, with your kind heart, tells me that their is no problem at all and I go on!
2) Taking the Slashing Grace feat. The problem would be the number of feats (EWP, Weapon Focus and Slashing Grace), so wound no be able to use it in the first level.
3) Ruling that the "Sword Scion" campaign trait provides EWP...
I give you a young human noble, he is the youngest of the Orlosky nobles from Brevoy and is expected to make his own future, as he will not inherit the title of wealth from his family. Although he has been brought up in the way of nobles to fight and with honor, and not take a life unless he really has to. He would much rather look to provide peaceful solution. He is a swashbuckler type of cavalier.
Demitri Orlovsky
Human cavalier (daring champion) 1 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 90, Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide 32)
NG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +4; Senses Perception +0
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +4 Dex)
hp 13 (1d10+3)
Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +0
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +5 (1d4/19-20) or
. . dagger +5 (1d4/19-20) or
. . dagger +5 (1d4/19-20) or
. . longsword +6 (1d8+4/19-20)
Special Attacks challenge 1/day (+1 damage, +1 to hit target who refuses to surrender), tactician 1/day (Precise Strike, 3 rds)
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +1; CMD 16
Feats Precise Strike[APG], Slashing Grace[ACG], Weapon Focus (longsword)
Traits noble born - orlovsky, sacred touch
Skills Diplomacy +7, Handle Animal +6, Knowledge (nobility) +4, Ride +7, Swim +3
Languages Common
SQ blue rose's skills, champion's finesse, order of the blue rose[UC]
Other Gear studded leather, dagger, dagger, dagger, longsword, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, bit and bridle, blanket[APG], feed (per day) (2), flint and steel, hemp rope (50 ft.), pot, riding saddle, saddlebags, soap, torch (10), trail rations (5), waterskin, 79 gp
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Tracked Resources
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Blue Rose's Challenge +1 (1/day) (Ex) - 0/1
Dagger - 0/1
Dagger - 0/1
Dagger - 0/1
Feed (per day) - 0/2
Panache Pool (2/day) - 0/2
Tactician (Precise Strike, 3 rds, 1/day) (Ex) - 0/1
Torch - 0/10
Trail rations - 0/5
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Special Abilities
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Blue Rose's Challenge +1 (1/day) (Ex) +1 to damage target, -2 AC vs. others when used, +1 morale bonus on attack rolls made against the target of his challenge, if the target is an intelligent creature to whom the cavalier offered the chance to surrender (by taking a standard action to o
Blue Rose's Skills +1 +1 Diplomacy checks to mediate a dispute between two other parties.
Champion's Finesse At 1st level, a daring champion gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat with light or one-handed piercing melee weapons, and he can use Charisma in place of Intelligence for the purpose of combat feats prerequisites. A daring champion also coun
Order of the Blue Rose The cavaliers of the order of the blue rose dedicate themselves to promoting peace in the lands they roam.
Skilled warriors and adept diplomats, these cavaliers counsel wisdom, patience, and understanding, but are ever mindful of the need to take
Precise Strike +1d6 precision damage for melee attacks if you and an ally with this feat flank the same target.
Sacred Touch You were exposed to a potent source of positive energy as a child, perhaps by being born under the right cosmic sign, or maybe because one of your parents was a gifted healer. As a standard action, you may automatically stabilize a dying creature mer
Slashing Grace (Longsword) Treat chosen weapon as 1-handed piercing weapon and can had Dex instead of Str to dmg.
Tactician (Precise Strike, 3 rds, 1/day) (Ex) Grant the use of your teamwork feats to all allies in 30 ft.
Hi DM. Can you help me? Need to know if you see any problem with my concept.
I intend to run a swordlord, but using the swashbuckler class instead of the fighter archetype. My intention is not to make an usual musketeer like swashbuckler, he will be really a swordlord, a noble.
The big problem is that the Aldori Dueling Sword has slashing damage, thus not working with the panache ability.
From here, I have some options:
1) You, with your kind heart, tells me that their is no problem at all and I go on!
2) Taking the Slashing Grace feat. The problem would be the number of feats (EWP, Weapon Focus and Slashing Grace), so wound no be able to use it in the first level.
3) Ruling that the "Sword Scion" campaign trait provides EWP...
If you take the heirloom weapon trait, you can take proficiency with the weapon automatically. This frees you from having to spend a feat on exotic weapon proficiency, so you can just take the Weapon Focus feat and then Slashing Grace. This also gives you backstory that supports that your character was gifted this sword by a family member!
Nice!
Just one thing... the Heirloom Weapon just gives proficiency with a simple or martial weapon.
But it is fine for me, since I would be 'giving up' two traits to have EWP in the aldori sword.
Thanks!
The Aldori sword is a weird case because it can be used as a martial weapon but you can ALSO get exotic proficiency in it for extra bonuses. In that sense it is sorta similar to a bastard sword or dwarven waraxe. I consider the opportunity cost of blocking out your traits to be sufficient to say "meh" in this case. ;)
Dotting for interest.
What is your policy on crafting magic with appropriate feats. There is lots of downtime within kingmaker.
Dotting for interest.
What is your policy on crafting magic with appropriate feats. There is lots of downtime within kingmaker.
Yes, very curious! With the Cauldron Hex and my support spell choices, I plan to brew a bunch of potions for everyone as possible.
Also, my equipment is done, so I think I have everything put together to fit the campaign requirements. Thanks for the extra background skill points; it freed up the space necessary for me to take Diplomacy (I'm not great at it. I'm kind of shy. But it'll get better over the levels.)
DM, please have a look at the background for the character I proposed above. There is much of relationship detail to add, but I believe the general motives for a character submission should suffice here.
Let me know if you feel something is lacking; criticism is welcome from applicants as well!
********
”Mother!”
Her blood flowed down the platform, dripping off the edges to nourish the grass. While his mother’s head rolled to a stop, her son fell to his knees, life taken from the one who gave it to him. Sobbing, he couldn’t not resist the hands that tore his palms from his eyes, shackling them before he was hoisted and carried away.
The vision came to him like it was yesterday as Ivan looked at the paper in front of him. A sheet unfulfilled. A promise unrequited. The charter was a fresh start, a new beginning. An initiation to their ends. Brushing his medium-length maize hair out of the way of the small script, the half-breed’s piercing emerald eyes pored-over the details, more as formality than necessity. It’s ready. The time is now.
Dabbing the quill in the inkwell, his nimble wrist paused, deciding which style of writing to make his first of many formalities in this region. Stately, but elegant. A hint of history in the serifs. Carefully, the half-elf crafted his name onto the space. Reverently, he looked inward at the emptiness in his heart. If only completing such a gap were as easy…
”Forty-four past a hundred, boy! Desna’s stars you’re slow with products!” Cynthia had little patience for mistakes, but she kept the young adult on his toes. He and the other “mutts” were enduring another one of the well-educated naturalist’s gauntlets through arithmetic. Apparently, not knowing the total of a dozen dozens off the top of his head would be the “death” of him. He rolled his eyes as the boy next to him snickered at the antics. Arlem. The teen had arrived about when he did, and the two had gotten along in most cases, becoming fast friends in their remote setting. The human was a natural to learning of all sorts, though he preferred alchemical and magical pursuits. Apparently, multiplication was also near the top of the list.
”Lis, what if I wanted one of that amount’s three pieces?” Their teacher was speaking to Listhala, the oldest of the three students, who seemed not too keenly interested in the inquiry. ”Then you’d have to find-out how much that was.” Her wrinkles increasing in anger, the students smiled at the rebuff, knowing the lesson was over. Ivan leaned back on the grass under the oak tree, looking up at its branches. He thought back to his recently-departed friend, Tancred, who’d left to join the faithful of Shelyn. He would’ve made it more interesting. In all actuality, Ivan would have been looking at Tancred the entire time, but interest would have abounded…
The quad wandered back to the lodge, the “Huntsmaster’s Haven”. In reality, the structure served as an underground terminus for highborn affairs with commoners. The students – products of these trysts – were sent there to be cared-for and prepared for a middling life far away from causing political disaster. Shipments of coin and manufactured supplies came every so often by one of two deliverymen, meat and pelts were provided by Huntsmaster Korus, and his wife, Cynthia, provided much vegetation and tailoring. While she tutored the young adults in matters of nature and academia, Korus taught the group swordplay, bargaining, and some of life’s hard lessons. Though the residents may have resented how strict their overseers could be at times, the pair became like parents to them after a while.
In the spring, a different set of deliverymen came – remarkable in their own right for more than one came at the same time. With them, the bore a package for Ivan – and, evidently, planned to give him one of the horses. In the package were some supplies for surviving in the wild, some money for surviving in the city, and a ring and letter that may have been the boy’s ultimate downfall.
My beloved son,
Soon, my time with you will end, and this letter is meant to find you after you have become ready to set out on your own. I want a good life for you, a life of your choosing. But to properly choose one’s path, you must know the truth about your life in as much as I can say here.
Though many do not respect of Priestesses of Calistria, it provided for us, keeping our bellies full and our feet warm. Over the years, you may know I served different men. Powerful men. One of these was your father. I did not tell you this when you were a child, for you would not have understood. I regret not telling you face to face before our time was robbed. Please forgive me.
Not all of these men were evil, and not all of them were kind. Some of the latter group recently created a scandal they did not want to come to light. Having witnessed pieces at work in this scandal, they could not leave me be. Being well-known as I was, they needed to frame me for the noble boy’s death. I imagine mine will come soon. Though our time together on Golarion will be taken from us, I know we will meet again. I look forward to that day.
You have the rest of your life to live though. I have secured what I could for you, tried to give you the choice of what to do in your days. In doing so, I struggled over the past many hours of whether to include the ring in your package. It belonged to your true father, and you are his son. You are headstrong, and I know you would have found your way back to the truth anyway, so I saved you the nights of doubt, but know this: They are dangerous men, my son. They are my end in this cell, and they may well be yours if you pursue the darker of Calistria’s paths. The choice is yours. As a mother, I urge you to take the lighter of the goddess’s roads.
I wish I could see you one last time. May all the gods smile on you.
All my love,
Gretchen
He shuddered as the emotions from that day ran through him. Ivan felt the ring in his pocket, the ring from the box.
The noble markings were unmistakable: It was a signet ring. My traitorous father resides in a manor somewhere while my mother dies to cover his sins? Though he was beside himself, screaming, crying, and pacing, the deliverymen were silent. The lodge’s couple watched him from a distance. When he finally packed his things and took one horse with confidence, Korus shook his head. ”The fool. It will be his death.” His wife remained silent, but cheered inside. End their filth. While the others were supposed to be out gathering herbs, they had gotten sidetracked. The screams drew their attention, and they watched unobserved from a bush near the edge of the denser woods. Listhala and Arlem exchanged glances. We have to follow him.
Ivan realized he was squeezing the ring with immense force, so hard it was hurting his hand. They will pay for what they did to my mother. Everything they held dear would be stripped from them, just as they took his life with his mother away. He chose Calistria’s path of revenge. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you, mother. I can’t just let them defile your memory like that. Ivan didn’t seek to commit wonton acts of slaughter though. No, instead, they will live through the suffering like I have.
He felt nothing but dark confidence when holding the ring, but the moment when his eyes set to the hilt of his rapier, the minutest of doubts arose. I will finish this and return to you, Tancred. I must. The rapier his confidant gave him during his journey to the River Kingdoms from Druma reminded him of the lighter path of love he postponed walking.
With that wistful though, the silver-tongued scion donned his initiative and stowed his emotions. Let us begin…
Dotting for interest.
What is your policy on crafting magic with appropriate feats. There is lots of downtime within kingmaker.
Item crafting is totally legit. I may make you go adventuring to get components or figure out how to make specific items, though, rather than just making everything an a-la-carte "I have +11 Spellcraft so I can make anything!" :D
Going dark for tonight and I will be on the road for several hours tomorrow, so I will probably not make new responses until tomorrow night. I'm going to a wedding Saturday so I might even be quiet until Sunday. Fear not, I shall return! :D
Added the full backstory, appearance, and a bunch of other important things to the profile finally. still need to add spells and equipment but i am pretty sure that' s about it.
Dotting for interest. Will work on a character this weekend.
Dotting on interest. May make a dwarven barbarian.
EDIT: Is there any way I can have my dwarf have the Sky Sentinel and Lorekeeper alternate racial traits? It's okay if I can't have them, just asking.
EDIT #2: Here's the statistics for my dwarf barbarian, Goyarg
Don't you hate it when you can't decide which character would be more fun to play? Now I am torn between a Tactician Fighter and a Mastermind Investigator.
Ima dot this and see if a good idea comes up by Monday. Also, if some sainted soul wants to gather the applications into a list I'm sure all of us would appreciate it! I will if I get time but no guarantees.
Two ideas occur right off... one a wily, ambitious young lady, perhaps a sorceress or a Swashbuckler, bent on becoming the queen (Though I know enough to realize that other PC's may not like a purpose built monarch).
The next is a good possibility if the applicants seem to lean Chaotic or non good. A paladin or LG gunslinger with an unwavering (and Jim Gordon-esque) sense of morality in the most badapples way possible.
just sayin. We shall see what takes shape over the course of the applications.
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Sir Longears here!
Would like to submit Carinna Del'annerie for consideration.
My idea for her is based on the old 3.5 book Weapons of Legacy (do not know if you know it...).
My intention is to 'awaken' the legend of Carinna's sword (if it is indeed Sirin's sword, or just a normal sword that she would imprint with her soul is up to you). She will never take another sword.
According to my plan, she will ask someone to use masterwork transformation on it and then would, gradually, enhance it, becoming a true powerful sword of the legends.
I would really appreciate to receive a feedback about her. Any critics are welcome.
P.S.: English is not my first language.
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As Ace asked, here is the list so far:
Arcane
Illya-Nym - TN Female dhampir sorcerer (draconic/ silver dragon)
Valeska - NG Female half-elf witch
Divine
None
Skills
None
Melee
Carinna Del'annerie - NG Female human swashbuckler
Dane - LG Male human paladin of Iomedae (oath of vengeance/against fiends)
Deevor - NG Male human cavalier (daring champion)
Jinhong Yeou, the Crimson Fox - CG Female kitsune swashbuckler (whirling dervish)
Raxus Half-Blood - CN Male half-ogre barbarian (totem warrior/invulnerable rager)
Telmarni - CN Female strix magus (bladebound)
Dotting.
Working on a Human Cleric (Varisian Pilgrim) of Desna for submission.
@Carinna - Thanks for the list. Awesome character sheet by the way.
Seems, we are missing a few crucial components for submissions.
Considering submitting an inquisitor, however I would love to play an investigator but, I can't understand it in this AP
(I had written up a Rogue entry based on this profile, and then deleted it this morning, for the below. Slightly disappointed based on the chart above, but it had seemed when I started rewriting Carrack, that all our melee offerings had unusual races, and normal classes, so I am submitting a basic Human, with a slightly offbeat martial class, and 8+ skill points a level, to offer a skilled martial!)
Dotting with interest & several Spoilers for Wall o' Texts. Did some fair attempts at formatting it to readable.
I have played several(ok, Most) of the games you referenced being involved with to one extent or another, and have several very fond memories with them. I was able to give your documentation a brief look over while at work, along with several of the early recruitment posts. I also appreciate the work you've put into prepping for this game within the first 18 hours or so of the recruitment, and it gives me hope, that perhaps THIS KM game, won't die.
Much of the crunch needs to be stripped down to L1, and the behemoth of a profile will need to be built, and a few things may need discussion, and a ruling. I'd rather not post as an Alias until post selection. Nothing ... odd, is something critical. {Specifics can be found in the crunch below, but off the top of my head most likely to be questioned: Feat (Student of the Astral Suit) from Ultimate Psionics or Psionics Augmented, but not on the d20PFSRD, and my offering includes a Possible Leadership/Cohort hook, I saw your post above stating it was a valid, and highly suggested option.
Prestige class requirements: Skills: Knowledge (nobility) 2 ranks, Perception 5 ranks, Sense Motive 3 ranks, BAB 5, Ulfen(Northern Human) Descent. Ulfen Guard AKA Furious Guardian.
Carrack provides either a frontline OR a midline melee, using a reach weapon to eventually trip foes, and not suffer penalties for trying to trip very large creatures, by becoming a very large creature in return. Can hold the line and seal choke points. Can eventually handle several social skills. Can fill ... ALMOST, any Kingdom role, barring Wis/Cha only positions. Semi interested in Grand Diplomat, simply to play up the perspective of the 'civilized' barbarian filling that archetype, as it entertains me. This is supported by one of the Prestige class abilities of a fairly decent bonus to Diplomacy.
If any of this appears to be at least entertaining, or something you’d be at least partially inclined to consider, please let me know your feelings on Aegis to confirm, and I will strip him down to Level One and match your character creation guidelines.
Discription: Tall, blond human male, with a multitude of braids, fair skin, gently muscular, and occasionally, a little wild around the eyes.
NPC: (Friendly): Master at Arms, Huscarl HRAFN RAGNBJÖRG, a Senior Ulfen Guard who oversee's some of the day to day assignments for the Guard who's been serving for 10 years.
NPC: (Friendly): Prisca Sergius, shop owner of the Gilded Whisker in Oppara, contact where I've bought hundreds of psionic Power Stones. I may not be their best customer, but I've certainly bought the most items over the last couple years. Several have had to be special ordered in bulk. "I'd like this one, and 19 like it." "That'll take 2 weeks." "Done, here's half the gold up front."
NPC: (Friendly): Captain Lucius Gnaeus, Westport Militia. One of several individuals attempting to quietly recruit Carrack for a secret Society or other Task Unknown. Carrack and he met late one night in Westport early in Carrack's tenure within Opparra when the Militia was engaged in destroying a small group of thieves. Carrack had on occasion since, joined the good captain on his rounds to discuss the philosophical differences between the various military groups of the city.
NPC: (Enemy, would be Nemesis, but setting is The Stolen Lands, far from home) The White Rider, Baba Yaga or the Blodeuwedd Queen. See Repressed Memory.
Memory:
Repressed Memory: Boyhood Friend: ÁSBJÖRN Guðleifr, deceased. Two boys, Aged 8, were out 'adventuring' in the wilderness with sticks for swords. They spent hours sparring, but were interupted in their game by an appearance of the Fey. He can not recall who, or what, but the two boys were affected by a charm, suggestion, or Geas to continue their sparring and not hold back, the other boy could take it. During the discourse on the matter his friend died, and Carrack ended up wandering home, alone, spattered in blood. It is said that under periods of great stress, untapped limits are shattered, and for Carrack, he summoned his armor for the first time that day, when weary and near death himself, and that it saved his life.
Possibilities: The Fey in question was Baba Yaga's White Rider. His friend did not die, and IS the current White Rider. His memory was modified by the Blodeuwedd Queen.
Current Ulfen Guard Status: Re-enlisted. After 3 years, Carrack retired, took the traditional retirement package, and spent time with his new Bride. Three months later, he asked to re-enlist, making clear before it was brought up, that he didn't want another retirement package.
Rough Timeline: BCD (Before Current Day)
25 years BCD: Born in Trollheim, Land of the Linnorn Kings near the Irrisen border.
19 years BCD: Became best friends with AsbjÖrn Guðleifr.
17 years BCD: Best Friend Dies tragicly, First Aegis manifestation.
15 years BCD: Moved to Halgrim, Land of the Linnorn Kings. Began martial training.
14 years BCD: Started training under Boiltongue (Estrid's Pet) for mental focus.
8yrs, 8 Mo BCD: Carrack Arrives in Opparra with the intent to join the Guard
8yrs, 7 mo BCD: Carrack is introduced to the Westport Militia.
8yrs, 6 mo BCD: Carrack Enlists in the Ulfen Guard.
7yrs, 5 mo BCD: Assassination Attempt, Carrack is injured.
6yrs, 3 mo BCD: Battle of the Blocked Pass
6yrs, 1 mo BCD: Tour ends in the Worlds End Mountains.
6 years BCD : Elsa follows Carrack to Opparra
5 years BCD : Carrack Retires and gets married.
4yr, 9 mo BCD: Carrack Re-enlists quietly, and is assigned to ingrate himself into the household of a visiting Brevoy Noble. Has done well enough since this posting to be considered for a "reward" of joining an expedition into the Stolen Lands.
Rage Powers:
None Yet: Intended picks: Linnorn Death Curse: One of Ice/Tarn/Tor, Quick Reflexes (+1 AoO).
________
10 min background
2: Description: Tall, blond with a multitude of braids, fair skin, gently muscular,
1: concept: When faced with a between a rock and a hard place scenario, the rock should break, and the hard place be dented.
3: Quirk: Enjoys being underestimated, frequently travels unarmored and exposed. Thus far, strangely, no one's taken a shot at his back. This is likely to change during play.
4: During his term as an open Ulfen Guard, between long term assignments, could frequently be found at the Staggering Skald along with many of the Guard, or on duty within the Palace. While more savy to the dark undertones, thus far he has completely avoided playing politics with the locals.
5: For his first year or two serving as an Ulfen Guard he seemed completely convinced of his own immortality, though over the last three years he's slowly started to actually try and preserve his life, and not place himself in completely impossible situtations. This is a slow change over a deep seated, and much repressed, trauma surrounding a failed will save against a compulsion effect when he was very young, which led to the death of a boyhood friend at the hands of some of the fey that haunt the Land of the Linnorn Kings.
Goals
1: He hopes to kill a Linnorn, or die trying, in the Ulfen way of the Linnorn Kings.
2: I'd like to see a KM game last more than a month!
1: (Known) Several secret societies have been trying to quietly recruit Carrack Athelstan over a period of several months. Thus far he has not made a decision one way or another, but nor has he betrayed the trust of the offers made.
2: (Unknown) At least one of the offers is with an ulterior motive of trying to get him killed, ruined, and/or destitute.
1: (Cohort to be): Elsa, has been exposed to the intrigues of court life only for a few years since her introduction by Carrack six years ago after following him there after their introduction up in the Wold's End Mountains two months prior. Elsa is a gifted healer and telepath, and previously worked part time in an infirmary dedicated to the Ulfen Guard before following Carrack into the untamed North East, and then into Brevoy.
2: (Friendly): Master at Arms, Huscarl (Name), a Senior Ulfen Guard who oversees some of the day to day assignments for the Guard who's been serving for 10 years.
3: (Unfriendly) Undersecretary of the Treasurer Count Darius Cheliff, had been looking forward to not losing an arm and a leg in the traditional retirement of an Ulfen Guard due to the relatively weak arms of the man in front of him. That is of course, until he walked into the great Vault, and doubled in size. Darius has suggested, several times, that perhaps allowing members of the Ulfen Guard to walk off with whatever they can carry after a mere year's service is a bit excessive to no avail. These days he's started to take a more ... active... hand in ensuring that few Ulfen Guardsmen either retire, or live to enjoy it. Thus far he's managed to cause the death of 4 active members of the Ulfen Guard, and 2 recent retiree's, and has quietly acquired their severance packages.
1: Battle of the Blocked Pass - see background Story. (~6 years ago)
2: Outside of the last few years, he cannot remember being happy.
3: During his first year on duty as a Guard while serving with a more experienced Guard, there was an assassination attempt, that only failed because there were two Guards instead of one. Carrack was caught unawares and suffered several near lethal strikes to the kidneys, knees, and skull. He remembers vividly a scent of a strange perfume just before being struck from behind with a poisoned crossbow bolt. The would be assassins did not survive to be questioned.
Str: 14+2 Armor
Dex: 13
Con: 14+2 Armor
Int: 14+2 Race
Wis: 10
Cha: 12
.
.
AC / T / FF
Base 11/11/10
Armor 19/11/18 (Most likely Armor)
Optional Mods:
Precog: Def: +1-3 / +1-3 / +0
Force Screen: +4-6 / +4-6 / +4-6
Size+1 -2 / -2 / -1
Size+2 -4 / -4 / -2
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Fort: 4/5 = 2 (Base) + 2 (3 Con in Armor)
Ref: 1 = 0 (Base) + 1 (Dex while Medium)
Will: 2 = 2 (Base) + 0 (Wis)
Optional Mods
+1~3 for Precognition: Defensive
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HP: 13, in Armor, 12 w/ out.
Rage rds: 0
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Offense:
Fauchard?:
Base: +4 1d10+4 (3x 1.5)
PA : +3 1d10+7 (3x 1.5 str, +3 PA)
Enlarged +3 1d10+6 (4x 1.5)
E/P +3 1d10+9 (4x1.5 str, 3 PA)
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Trip:
Base: +4 (1 BAB, 0 Imp Trip, 0 Ioun, 3 Str, 0 Wpn)
Rage: +0 (1 BAB, 0 Imp Trip, 0 Ioun, 5 Str, 0 Wpn)
E : +6 (1 BAB, 0 Imp Trip, 0 Ioun, 4 Str, 0 Wpn + 1 Size) + Size Mods to Target
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Armor Customizations:
Heavy
Cost - Customization - Basic Loadout. (3 points, 3 base, 0 feats, 1 x 1/4 race FCB, 0 gear = 3
0 - Fortification
0 - Stalwart
0 - Hardy x1 (1 free)
0 - Harnes Power Stonex0 (ML 0, 0 active slots)
0 - Harness Shard
1 - Powerstone Repository
0 - Improved Armor x0
0 - Improved Damage Reduction x0
0 - Powerful Build
2 - Brawn x1 (1 free if Medium Armor, can not have 2 till 5)
Not active, but typical, 0 points for Augment Suit for 0 rds as a SA and 0 pp.
1 - Darkvision
1 - Evasion
4 - Improved Evasion
2 - Flight
1 - Hardened Strikes
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2 PP (1 base, 1 from Int)
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Combat Gear
Cold Iron,( Fauchard, Bardiche or Guisarme.)
Other Gear
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Shards:
Perception +10x0 (0 is currently Slotted)
Sense Motive +10x0
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Power Stones I'd like to find. All are ML1, 25 gp stones.
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Precognition:
Defensive: x0 (0 slotted, active)
+1 insight to AC/SV +1/3pp (1,4,7 - 1,2,3 AC/SV min/L)
Tactical: x0 (0 slotted, 1 active)
+2 enhance to CMB to trip, +1/2 PP (1,3,5,7,9 - +2,3,4,5,6, rds/L)
Offensive: x0 (0 slotted)
+1 insight to att, +1/3pp (1,4,7 - 1,2,3 att min/L)
Prescience: Offensive x0 (0 slotted)
+2 damage, +1/3pp (1,4,7 - 2,3,4 damage, min/L)
Natural Healing x0 (0 slotted, 0 active)
healed 3 hp/pp.
Metamorphosis, Minor x0 (0 slotted)
1 + per 2pp - see text. Enhancement OR Ability / + 1/2 for both. min/L
Corrosive Aura x0 (0 slotted)
1d6 acid aura + 1d6/2pp. rds/L. 1,3,5,7,9 - d6's 1,2,3,4,5
Force Screen x0 (0 slotted, 0 active)
+4 + 1/4 shield bonus, min/L, force effect (1,5,9 - 4,5,6 AC)
Know Direction and Location x0 (0 slotted)
0/1 pp. See text.
Inevitable Strike x0 (0 slotted)
1 PP, swift for +5 insight, standard for +20, +2/1pp, can not spend more than 4pp.
Chameleon (0 slotted)
+10 enhancement to stealth, +1/2pp, 10 min/L
Conceal Thoughts (0 slotted)
+10 bluff (some), and +4 SV vs mind reading hours/L, circumstance
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Feat Plans: 1 Combat Reflexes, Hu Power Attack, 3 Combat Expertise, 5/9 Improved Trip, 5 Craft Crystalline Focus? Student of the Astral Suit? (NOT on the d20SRD, Ultimate Psionics or Psionics Augmented book only), Craft ???, 7 Leadership, 9/11 Felling Smash, 11/13 Extra Customization
.
Expected Skills. All will be class skills, if they aren't already.
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Autohypnosis
Bluff (not Class Skill yet)
Craft (?? Weapon?) (gains a class bonus at Aegis 2+)
Diplomacy (not Class Skill yet)
Knowledge Nobility (not Class Skill yet)
Knowledge Psionics
Perception (not Class Skill yet,)
Sense Motive (not Class Skill yet)
Spellcraft
UMD
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Trait ideas:
Campaign: Tough Minded: You gain a +1 trait bonus on all Will saves made to resist mind-affecting effects. (Most likely)
or
Campaign: Pioneer: Unspecified Horse +1 to a skill, probably Perception. Does not make it a class skill.
AND
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Combat: Berserker of the Society: You may use your rage ability for 3 additional rounds per day.
OR
Regional: Thoughtful Wishcrafter: You gain a +2 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks. Furthermore, if you succeed at a DC 25 Sense Motive check prior to making any wish granted by an outsider, you become aware of your wish's potential pitfalls. If you succeed at this check by 5 or more, you figure out how to word your wish in such a way that your words are not twisted. --- Region is Plane of Fire.
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story Snippet: 5 years ago a delegation to the City of Brass briefly included the Grand Prince's 3rd niece, twice removed. Carrack was part of a team of 4 Ulfen Guards sent through to try and keep her safe. Their explicit instructions were to ensure the girl survived, no matter what. While there, the retinue spent many hours watching for trouble at various functions, and quickly learned that a favorite game for the locals, was to offer wishes to supplicants, and then twist them horribly. Few survived long enough to know the correct answer is to not play unless you are very, very good, and few, oh so few, were good enough. (Carrack is not good enough, and he knows it)
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Cohort Idea: Elsa, Human Female
Vitalist (Most likely Mender method)
Many Details pending L7 & details for Cohorts.
Wis > Int > Cha > Con > Dex > Str
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Feats:
1: Expanded Collective (10/2+2 = 7 members)
Hu: Psionic Talent
3: Network Power
5: Craft Wonder
7: Craft Arms and Armor
9: Enlarged Network (NOT on the SRD, Ultimate Psionics or Psionics Augmented only, have not gotten a confirmation this is ok)
9B: Expanded Knowledge: Slip the Bonds
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A mid-level basic power load out (picked after rest like a cleric. Can be any level though (Listed after the power))
1 Animal Affinity 2
2 Psionic Revivify 5
3 Physical Acceleration 4
4 Battle Sense 3
5 Detect Compulsion 1
6 Hustle 3
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There is a tale that is never told, except in a few small villages up in the Wold's End Mountains a week’s hard travel east from Maheto. The tale is of Carrack Athelstan at the Pass. The little mountain villages, Carrack himself, and only a few others know the tale, and even then, few know the tale in full.
Twas a day not that long ago, a few years, if that, when young Aran was watching his families goats, and watching the rising sun out over the Whistling Plains and what he saw scared the poor boy near mindless, and off he hopped as fast as his little legs would carry him, over the goat trails only he and his knew, leaving his flock unattended to scatter the mountain side.
As he came over the crest of the little hamlet he called home, he started screaming and yelling and carrying on mostly incoherently, crying "They are coming! They are Coming! We're all going to DIE!" This much each time told, the tales agree on, much of the rest varies time to time, teller to re-teller, but, if one could pull the core of the tale, for the record, it might be something like this.
The elder, one Conrad, slowly came forth and questioned the half mad, delirious child, and the tiny hamlet's population came quickly to realize that marching west towards them through one of the mountain passes was an army, marching, far more than the population of a dozen of the tiny mountain towns. In later days, they would line up those that could not go home, and lose count at over a hundred dead, time and time again.
In the end, Elder Conrad had one more question for the boy. "Did the Sentinel See them?" Knowing that it was the custom of the lowland Princes to send one or more soldiers to keep watch on the Whistling Plains to the East, for just such an occurrence. One of the other youths was dispatched at a run, and he soon came hustling back from the direction of the Sentinel's rough cabin.
"Elder, the cabin is empty!" proclaimed the boy in minor panic."Then it may be up to us. Gather rocks, slings and runners to the other settlements. We go to the cliffs above this pass, to slow them down as we can."
They gathered what they could, and moved to intercept, hoping against hope. They knew in their hearts, that unless a miracle occurred, or they got a good landslide going, they would be out matched, and out fought quickly, especially if the marching force had any magic users, or ranged weapons.
Some ten to twenty gathered on one cliff and looked down at the encroaching force, like ants below. "They went on forever!" is the ringing refrain told by all, though, when looking down into a narrow mountain ravine, that winds and wends, it's easy to lose "forever" after a mere few hundred yards.
What they found, brought despair, and at the same time, hope. There, below, swarmed the foe, such distant that they could not see who or what, or why. Yet, there, before them, they could see the Blond head of one they knew. The Sentinel they called him. The Sentinel's never stayed long, but they knew his carefully braided brow anywhere. When they crested the ridges, and looked down, they all swear their Sentinel was without armor, holding his polearm casually.
While much of what occurred below is lost to the mists of time, but the tales do recall the following portions from the thunderous challenge from the Sentinel.
"Halt. This way is barred to armed forces. State your business clear."
"I am Carrack Athelstan, of the Ulfen Guard and I bar this Pass."
"It matters not, you are clearly insufficient to proceed."
"As I said. None. Shall. Pass."
They say, their Sentinel glowed like the sun, or the moon, or like a cloud of smoke as he bellowed defiance at the approaching army. Regardless of the color, they all agree, by the time he finished thundering that none could pass, he was enveloped in a glowing armor, and 40' tall, and 30' wide, and that his up raised arm, holding his poleaxe high, almost reached the ridge upon which they stood, some 100' feet up.
When some of the younger listeners ask disbelievingly, "How tall?" or "That's impossible!" one of the older listeners always affirms. "I was there, that sounds about right, though, he only grew in size when the army started marching forward again."
The first few ranks that approached were sent flying with a flick of the gigantic blade, but on they came. The townsfolk admit that they just stared for several long minutes, before one dropped the rock he was holding, and this led to an onslaught from above. Later they all claim that the first rock was aimed for an enemy spell caster in the back, instead of just accidentally being dropped on a toe, but with the support above, and the gigantic bade held by the huge figure in front of them, none, indeed, could pass.
When the evening finally fell, and the sound of steel of stone, and stone on steel finished, "We gathered ourselves up, and most of us went home. We sent foolish Aran to gather his goats, and a few down to congratulate and thank the Sentinel."
"What happened next?!" is normally the cry of the listener, "Well, over the next few days, we made efforts to drag the Sentinel down to each of the hamlets he saved. He tried rebuffing our attempts, but at last relented. We think Elsa finally convinced him. And we learned much from him over the week or so that he relented. Why, one of the stories he told, of how his people's leaders are chosen, is my next tale, 'How the Linnorn Kings are Chosen'. Though alas, that Sentinel, Carrack Athelstan, of the Ulfen Guard was soon replaced with another from the lowlands to the West, and so the cycle has continued, one after another."
Were you to ask Carrack himself about his time up in those mountains, and press him hard enough to actually get him to talk about it, he might say, "It was a quiet tour."
Those who know him well, have on occasion, gotten him to tell more of the story, but even to them, he describes it as a "mild scuffle, only a few hundred poorly trained infantry, with no real support. Rabble really." and "If there had been an iota of talent in that group, it might have required some effort. What injuries I took were more luck than skill, though, there were a few magic spells, for a few minutes anyway. Barely better than Apprentice work though."
I understand, and appreciate the consideration. A kobold fighter is not the easiest thing to play or work around. If I took something like a kobold with the racial bloodline, I could at least double as the group's magic user and infiltration/trap-finder, but as a fighter, who's entire point is doing damage in melee... yeah, it gets hard.
My chief reason for going the fighter route was I thought it would work better in story. A kobold sorcerer might be a bit harder to work in (he'd certainly have a reason - make a kingdom for kobolds to call home, instead of a stinky bunch of holes in the ground), but actually getting him in... erm...
I suppose I could just go with the story and say the old man appreciated his company and magic tricks. Still getting revenge on the noble Brevoy family, just... with magic instead of swords. I dunno.
Basically the issue is less "class" and more "kobold." There are two ways that you can work a kobold into KM right off the top of my head, one of which requires a specific group dynamic that changes the nature of the story at the start, and one of which requires you to wait to join the party. So I'm just sorta chewing on that. :)
Sir Longears here!
Would like to submit Carinna Del'annerie for consideration.
** spoiler omitted **
Considering submitting an inquisitor, however I would love to play an investigator but, I can't understand it in this AP
In early KM, an investigator's role would be figuring out bandit movements, deducing the locations of their bases, and finding clues on how to ferret out their leaders. In late game KM an investigator would probably become High Justice for the new state (attorney general).
Ima dot this and see if a good idea comes up by Monday. Also, if some sainted soul wants to gather the applications into a list I'm sure all of us would appreciate it! I will if I get time but no guarantees.
Two ideas occur right off... one a wily, ambitious young lady, perhaps a sorceress or a Swashbuckler, bent on becoming the queen (Though I know enough to realize that other PC's may not like a purpose built monarch).
The next is a good possibility if the applicants seem to lean Chaotic or non good. A paladin or LG gunslinger with an unwavering (and Jim Gordon-esque) sense of morality in the most badapples way possible.just sayin. We shall see what takes shape over the course of the applications.
If multiple PCs want to all become rulers it may be possible to actually found multiple nation-states that all have treaties of allegiance. Of course then you are on the hook to find enough NPCs to fill all of your state positions.