Welcome to my telling of the Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition, set in Keith Baker'sEberron. This is a highly cinematic, character driven, pulpy post-war story in an Eldritch-powered world with complex motivations and morals. Our Facebook page is HERE, come check us out!
I do have a Patreon page I am setting up. If for some reason you feel inspired to support me in my time I put in to telling this story, I greatly appreciate it.
Critical attacks and fumbles
- When you score a critical, you roll damage a number of times equal to the critical multiplier (roll twice for x2, etc.) to HP's. Used feats such as Power attack apply and can adjust this value. If you critical and confirm with a natural twenty, you do max damage on the attack to regular HP's. Roll for a catastrophic critical. If you roll a third natural twenty, they take the previously stated damage and are knocked unconscious. (Treat as MD).
- When you roll a natural 1, you provoke an AoO, and must roll again. If you miss, you roll on the fumble chart.
- If you fumble while casting a spell, you may also drop the spell component.
Reactions
* Actions you take when attacked.This replaces rolling your Defense (your AC).
* Limited to your number of AoO per round.
* If you are FF, you do not get a reaction; roll vs FF Defense.
* When you get an AoO, you get to do a dirty trick, unless you have sneak attack damage...then you get sneak attacks. This should make the realm of AoO the Sneak attackers domain, not everyone's. :)
- Re-position
- Disarm
- Sunder
- Trip
- Drop prone (roll on a successful check +5)
- Bull rush (overrun on a successful check +5)
- Shield bash
- Bring shield to bear (Gain shield bonus to DR on this Defense)
- Drag (If they are Prone)
- Grapple
- Steal
* I am looking for things that spell-casters could do. The issue, of course, is that these Maneuvers don't do damage...they change the playing field. Trip makes you prone, disarm...well, it disarms you. Bull rush moves you, as does re-position. But spells can cause damage, which wasn't what I wanted Reactions to be about. So...we have several spell-casters: Daxur, Garrick, Wathces-Shadow-Behind-You, Satinder, Engineer #3 and Khravos...hmm, that's all of you. Alright! All of you! Help me come up with "magical" reactions! :)
Segue's
In between scenes, I will announce it is a segue, and the characters will have a discussion about subjects not automatically adventure related. Such as:
- Discussing any of your memories, or other things from your background.
- Discussing Daxur's master.
- Discussing cooking a favorite meal, and comparing notes.
- Discussing towns you both have visited.
- Discussing the war.
- Expounding about the Cauldron region, and the adventures there.
- Talking about anything else, really. These are great places to insert character interaction, personality, and character background, because the other characters don't know your background. The players do. :) Worth 50 XP, and 75 for the one who starts the conversation topic.
Party XP:
When you act on your motivations, goals, prejudices, traits, drawbacks, feats and some flaws, I'll give you a little extra XP for RP.
- For instance, if your character has a hatred of hobgoblins, and you fight one despite the fact the party needs you, this is a conflict; your hatred vs. your need to assist your friends. You could also let the hobgoblin go, and assist your friends. But RPing that conflict (not through internal dialogue and thought, but through words and actions) is good character development.
Journal entries gain XP, 5% of the level.
Posting gains 10 XP per post (I tally every 50), and 2 XP per discussion post.
Answering a question within four days of posting, and putting it on your character page gets you 75 XP, 25 XP within the two weeks, and 10 XP after that.
Creating something for the party to utilize gets you 100 XP. (maps, drawings, charts, whatever).
Segue's are worth 50 XP, and 75 for the one who starts the topic of conversation.
1/17/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - Write a memory (details in the post for individuals) (All characters done.)
1/24/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - Link a picture of your character on your sheet. (All characters done.)
1/31/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - What is your characters personal plans for the next week? (Garrick, Satinder, Daxur, Khravos, Engineer #3)
2/7/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - What is your characters personal plans for the next month? (Garrick, Satinder, Daxur, Khravos, Engineer #3)
2/16/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - Tell me about the first time your character feels they fell in love. Valentines Day. Serendipitous. (Daxur, Engineer #3, Satinder)
2/21/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - Write a memory of something that made you feel disgust. You can tie it in to your sin (I asked about in the recruitment), into your first memory, into one of your NPC's...whatever you would like. (Satinder, Garrick)
2/28/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - Tell me a memory of an experience that caused you to feel fear.
3/6/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - Write a memory of the home you grew up in. For instance, I still remember the tree in my backyard where I found a bat one year. (Khravos, Garrick)
3/13/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - Write a strong memory you have from the war. Your greatest impression of the war.
3/20/2016 (Currently worth 10 XP) - Write a memory of your family, who you grew up with.
3/27/2016 (Currently worth 25 XP) - Describe your characters most memorable birthday.
4/3/2016 (Currently worth 75 XP) - Write a memory about one of your NPC's.
4/10/2016 (Currently not available) - Write a memory of, or with your mother.
4/17/2016 (Currently not available) - Write your favorite legend or children's story you heard growing up.
4/24/2016 (Currently not available) - Write a story of a scar you have, and how you got it.
Garrick:
- Height, weight, eyes, hair, age, homeland, all in the first section.
- you bleed out 0 to -3 disabled; -4 to -26 unconscious
- Stabilize: 26%
That's it, I think. Thanks!
"You mortals shall perish if you interfere with our plans."
- Celestial (Khmer) - អ្នកមនុស្សនឹងត្រូវវិនាសប្រសិនបើអ្នកជ្រៀតជ្រែកជាមួយនឹងផែនការរបស់យើង។.
- Abyssal (Telugu) - మీరు మా ప్రణాళికలు జోక్యం ఉంటే మీరు మానవులు నశింతురు.
- Infernal (Thai) - ปุถุชนคุณจะพินาศถ้าคุณยุ่งเกี่ยวกับแผนการของเรา.
"My people were the victims in the Great War. We did not want this fight; this fight sought us out, and murdered out children."
- Goblin (Icelandic) - Mitt fólk voru fórnarlömb í Great War. Við vildum ekki þessari baráttu; þessi bardagi leitað okkur út, og myrt sonu."
- Hobgoblin (Dutch) - "Mijn mensen waren het slachtoffer in de Grote Oorlog. We wilden niet deze strijd; deze strijd zocht ons uit, en vermoord uit kinderen."
- Valaes (Swahili) - "Watu wangu walikuwa waathirika katika Vita Kuu. Hatukutaka vita hii; vita hii walitaka sisi nje, na aliuawa nje watoto."
- Aereni (Zulu) - "Abantu bami babe izisulu eMpini Enkulu. We wayengafuni le mpi; Kule mpi wafuna us out, futhi wabulala abantwana."
- Zilargo (Malay) - "Rakyatku telah terlibat dalam mangsa dalam Perang Besar. Kami tidak mahu perjuangan ini; perjuangan ini dicari kami keluar, dan dibunuh daripada kanak-kanak."
- Aundair (French) - "Mes gens étaient les victimes de la Grande Guerre. Nous ne voulons pas que cette lutte; ce combat nous a cherché, et assassiné des enfants."
- Cyre (Spanish) - "Mi pueblo fueron las víctimas en la Gran Guerra. No queríamos que esta lucha; esta lucha nos buscó, y asesinó a cabo los niños."
- Breland (English) - That stuff we mutter.
- Dwarven (Basque) - "Nire pertsona Gerra Handiaren ere biktima izan ziren. Guk ez dugu borroka honetan nahi; Borroka honetan bilatzen gurekin, eta hil haur.."
- Q'barra - (Vietnamese) - "Dân ta là nạn nhân trong các cuộc chiến tranh lớn. Chúng tôi không muốn cuộc chiến này; cuộc chiến này đã tìm ra chúng, và giết hại trẻ em ra.."
- Kaarnath (Russian) - "Мои люди были жертвами в Великой войне. Мы не хотим, чтобы эта борьба; эта борьба стремились нас, и убил из детей."
- Thrane (Italian) - "La mia gente sono state le vittime nella Grande Guerra. Non abbiamo voluto questa lotta; questa lotta noi cercato, e ucciso fuori bambini."
- Lhaazar principalities (Traditional chinese) - "我人在第一次世界大戰的受害者。我們不希望這場戰鬥;這場鬥爭中尋求我們出去，並殺害了孩子."
- Shadow marches, humans (Irish) - "Bhí mo mhuintir na n-íospartach sa Chogadh Mór. Ní raibh muid ag iarraidh an troid; iarr an troid dúinn amach, agus dúnmharaíodh amach do leanaí
- Shadow marches, orc (Welsh) - "Fy mhobl oedd y dioddefwyr yn y Rhyfel Mawr. Doedden ni ddim am i frwydr hon; frwydr hon Ceisiodd ni allan, ac llofruddio allan plant."
- Eldeen Reaches (Gaelician) - "Meu pobo foron vítimas na Gran Guerra. Non queremos esta loita; esta loita nos buscou, e asasinado a nenos."
- Demon wastes (Sinhala) - "මාගේ සෙනඟ මහා යුද්ධයේ දී විපතට පත් වූහ. අපි මේ සටන අවශ්ය නැහැ; මෙම අරගලය අප පිටතට උත්සාහ, හා දරුවන් එළියට ඝාතනය."
- Xen'drik (Japanese) - "わたしの民は、第一次世界大戦での犠牲者でした。私たちは、この戦いを望んでいませんでした。この戦いは、私たちを求めて、子供を殺害しました。."
- Halfling (Yucatec Maya) - "In kaajal j-máaxo'ob le nuxi' k'atun. Ma' Táak k le ba'atelo'; le ba'ate'lo' k kaxantaj ka asesinó le paalalo'obo'."
-Businesses-
Red Dog Smithy – Local foul tempered blacksmith of considerable skill.
Savahs Armoury – Stocks all manner of weapons and armour, including some exotic items.
The Feathered Serpent – The owner of this shop stocks many relics and tools of the adventuring trade.
The Pillbugs Pantry – Medicine and potions.
Bottled Solutions – Alchemist who’s item’s sometimes have unpredictable effects.
The Way North – Well stocked proprietor of maps and sea charts of the local area.
The Curious Goblin – A surprisingly complete bookshop.
General Store – Sandpoint’s oldest and best stocked general store that sells a little bit of everything.
Goblin Squash Stables -Stables run by a retired hunter who has a legendary hatred of goblins.
Vernah’s Fine Clothing – A clothing shop owned by a beautiful half-elf.
Sandpoint Boutique – Large Boutique store that sells clothing, artwork, toys, books and tools.
Jeweler – Sandpoint’s Jeweler
Locksmiths – Renowned in town for it’s dwarven smiths craftsmanship.
Sandpoint Savouries – Local bakery.
Grocers Hall – Guild that sells produce from nearby farms.
Sandpoint Market – Mostly empty save twice a week when vendors come from Sharn and beyond.
-Entertainment-
The White Deer Inn – Spacious and comfortable inn with an and impressive view of the Varisian Gulf.
The Rusty Dragon – Tavern and inn that’s popular with adventurers.
Risa’s Place – Out of the way tavern run by an ancient Varisian sorceress.
Cracktooth’s Tavern – Bar that also has a large stage for frequent acting and singing performances.
The Hagfish – One of Sandpoint’s most popular taverns, especially with fisherman and gamblers.
Fatman’s Feedbag – A notorious taproom known for its frequent brawls.
Sandpoint Theatre – A massive playhouse that competes with many in Magnimar in terms of quality.
The Pixie’s Kitten – The town brothel.
-Industry-
Rovansky Tannery – Maker of fine finished leather goods.
Sandpoint Glassworks – One of Sandpoint’s oldest and most profitable industries. Owned by Kaijitsu’s.
Scarnetti Mill – Produces flour and grain for local farmers. Owned by the Scarnetti.
Sandpoint Lumber Mill – Busy lumber mill.
Two Knight Brewery – Responsible for producing Sandpoint’s mead, ale and rum.
Carpenters Guild – Almost every building in Sandpoint has been built by this powerful guild.
Wheren’s Wagons – Workshop that makes various types of wagons and carts.
Sandpoint Mercantile League – Performs various administrative functions. Owned by the noble houses.
Sandpoint Shipyard – Shipwrights, ropemakers and sailmakers toil away in the three dry docks here.
Valdermar Fishmarket – Locals can shop amongst the day’s catch here.
Sandpoint Meat Market – Slaughterhouse and market that sells a multitude of meats.
-Community-
Sandpoint Cathedral – Recently rebuild Cathedral that venerates a pantheon of good gods.
Sandpoint Boneyard – Quiet Cemetery
Sandpoint Garrison – Home to Sandpoint’s guard and militia.
Sandpoint Town Hall – Bureaucratic office and town meeting place.
Turandorok Academy – School run by a retired adventurer and wizard.
Junkers Edge – Garbage is dumped and piled over this remote cliffside.
-Notable resideneces-
Gorvi’s Shack – Sandpoint’s troublesome dungsweeper.
Brodert Quink – Expert on ancient Thassilionian lore.
House of Blue Stones – Monks holy house that is said to have a very complete library.
Madame Mvashti’s House – Residence of an aged Varisian historian and seer.
Hanna’s – Towns healer.
Valdermar Manor – Noble family that are well connected to Sandpoint’s shipbuilding and fishing industry.
Scarnetti Manor – Sandpoint’s most infamous noble family, they control the mills and lumber industry.
Kaijitsu Manor – A family that originally came from distant Tian Xia, they own Sandpoint glassworks.
Deverin Manor – Sandpoint’s Mayor comes from this noble house.
Character creation:
Point Buy
- 25 point buy
Destiny Points
- Use these whenever you need to succeed...period. You will auto-confirm critical threats, max damage rolls, succeed skill checks and saving throws, break down a wall or door, jump a pit, pull down a star destroyer...you get the idea.
- You get one per level.
- Keep in mind these are less effective on lieutenants and bosses. I will adjudicate all uses.
Hero Points
- As per Pathfinder rules. You will each start with 5+1d6. Each level you will gain 1d6+ your level. You can also gain them for story elements (assigned by me), or for every 5 natural 20's you roll. I will attempt to keep track, but if every time you roll a Natural 20, you mark it on your page, that would help tremendously.
- For every 5 Natural 1's you guys roll, I add up Hero Points for me to use. Mwahaha.
Defense and DR
- I use Active Defense and Armor as DR rules.
- A Helpless Defender does not benefit from Armor DR, and a prone defender is reduced to 1/2 their normal values for Armor DR.
- Active Defense means you don't calculate your AC as 10+bonuses, you roll a d20 and add the bonuses.
HP and RHP
- At 1st level, HP are calculated by Constitution score + Max Class HP + 10.
- For every HP you have, you have an equal amount of Reserve Hit points.
Saving throws
- As per 4th Edition, take the greater for your ability scores between Strength and Constitution, Dexterity and Intelligence, and Wisdom and Charisma.
Feats, Flaws, Traits and Drawbacks
- You may take up to two Flaws, gaining up to two bonus feats. If you link your page for me, you gain a bonus feat.
- You may take up to two Drawbacks, gaining up to two bonus Traits. If you format your page for me, and put spoilers for description and such, you gain a bonus Trait.
- Power attack is a combat option, available to everyone.
- Weapon Finesse is a style of weapons, anything usable with Dexterity bonuses (rapier, etc.).
- Teamwork feats will be given for free. I'll let you know when.
NPC's
- ChaMod+1 (min 1) & 1 replacement PC
1. Did you make me smile?
I love a truly visceral response. I wanted to see if reading your description made me respond.
2. Did you compel me?
At the end of the description, did I immediately want to know more?
3. Was I reading about Rey or was I reading about Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master in hiding?
Was I reading about someone who was a hero already, or a person ready to have their life interrupted, and caught up in extraordinary circumstances?
I want the characters in this story to feel like Peter Parker before the spider, like Frodo before Bilbo's birthday, like Tony Stark before captivity. They are high school students, and hobbits, and yes billionaires...but not heroes. Vulnerable. But once destiny grabs them by the scruffs of their necks and shakes them like a chew toy, they become something more.
4. The quality of the writing.
I want someone who can use their words in a compelling fashion, who knows how to use a comma, and is not afraid of doing it. Someone who can craft a beautiful description, but can also allow brevity to carry a moment.
5. Did you give me a monster to slay?
This will take a little explaining. I was looking for stories that were compelling, but that also gave me...hints. Moments that I could play with, tug, and scratch at. Something that I could draw a vivid, colorful tattoo on their lives, and have it fit both their character concept, and my story. Something I could use to push their character into places they fear, or scenarios they might be uncomfortable confronting. Driving emotions of guilt, greed, desire, anger. Secrets, misunderstandings and prejudices. I want the greatest monster that you fight in the game to be yourself, and your past.
6. Was your character breathing?
Did the character feel alive? Real. Vulnerable? Could I sense memories hanging un-typed from your character, ready to fill out the corners of their life? This is a hard one to explain, but if you've ever read a story with a lead character you just can't identify with, who is forgettable, it's likely because they weren't breathing, living. They were archetypes, with names and looks and explosions...but not great characters.
7. Did I feel you would work well, and fight well, with others?
I looked at many combinations of characters (and can't tell you how many campaigns I want to run with just two of you, just to have your characters Foil each other, lol). I needed to see where they would work together with common goals, but different motivations, and see where they would conflict, but still cooperate.
Average per week: 40 posts
Jan 29th - Jan 30th: 5
Jan 31st - Feb 6th: 53
Feb 7th - Feb 13th: 42
Feb 14th - Feb 20th: 81
Feb 21st - Feb 27th: 65
Feb 28th - March 5th: 37
March 6th - March 12th: 24
March 13th - March 19th: 32
March 20th - March 26th: 22
March 27th - April 2nd: 40
