Damn, didn't even think about the whole prone thing. And I'm pretty sure you can't Acro while getting up... This could get 'interesting'. LOL. Sadly, after this post I've gotta get to bed!
The ronin knew fighting on her back against a creature this strong was a losing proposition. Better to die on your feet. She risks the creature's axe and springs to her feet while driving her katana at the bugbear's eyes, hoping it blinks instead of burying the axe in her skull.
Vigny is getting worried too. It seems like nothing has happened for too long. She slows down as the others begin to talk.
Thinking about it, she's no longer sure she understands how the plan was supposed to work. We follow the track, Reiko waits for whatever is following us then follows it, and.....?
"Are you sure we're not being followed anymore? If whatever is following us isn't anymore, and Reiko is following it, then where is she going now?
"Fey are very tricky. They also have the home advantage here. If even I can follow their trail, they meant for us to. We're being lured. But we don't have a choice. If we wait for better weather, I might not be able to pick out the tracks anymore after rain."
Vigny tries to figure out the distance they've traveled since splitting with Reiko, and/or whether her tracks are no longer among the ones she's following.
Soli wrestles quietly with the very same question that Jerukh voiced aloud. Shalelu...well, Shalelu held a special place in the half-elf's heart and there were so many things that Soli hoped to be able to one day share with the elven woman.
But.
Reiko had been with them since that first day they'd been approached to delve into the forest and take care of the goblins. Through their misadventures and close calls in the swamps and on the road to Brinewall. Even though Soli hadn't really talked to Reiko one-on-one very often, she still counted her as an ally - and a friend.
And without my faith *and* my friends, what good am I?
"I think...I think we need to either wait for Reiko or backtrack to find her. It sounds like we'll need all of us together to have the best chance of finding and rescuing Shalelu," she says aloud, hesitantly at first but then with more conviction.
The brute catches you in the side and opens a serious, though not mortal, wound. He sidesteps your counterattack and though his swing is clumsier, it still hits and opens another bleeding gash.
"Surrender an' I'll go easy on ya," the bugbear laughs.
You take 18 slashing damage
Jerukh, Vigny, and Soliana:
"If you say so," Iona says after a moment.
Ameiko on the other hand, looks like she wants to protest, but after a moment, her shoulders slump.
Hammered by the first blow, Reiko stumbles away from the second strike, reducing the damage... but it is still almost too much for the ronin. Blood blossoms from her shoulder and side, staining her robe crimson.
Reiko grits her teeth and clamps a hand over the wound in her side, hoping the pain will drive away the fog that threatens to overcome her senses. She staggers around the bugbear warily, wracking her mind for any knowledge she gleaned of the species in her travels while she probes for an opening to strike. She glances at the necklace of ears, hoping not to see a fresh and familiar one. She shakes her head at the monster's offer. She wouldn't make it that easy for him. She catches her breath, summoning the dregs of her fighting spirit. Never surrender. Never. "Before you die..." She wheezes, "...two questions: Is my elven ally still alive? And what is your name?" Before he can answer, Reiko's bloody hand slides from wound to hilt as she leaps and fires off a flurry of desperate sword strikes, trying to catch the monster unawares.
FREE: Knowledge Check
SWIFT: Samurai challenge
FULL: FOB Slash
FREE: Last Hero Point for 1 STAND action
STAND: Stab!
Knowledge: Local:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13I'd like to know AC, CMD, and Fort Save
Full Disclosure - Assuming I actually survive another round or two, I'm probaby going to try hitting this guy with a Stunning Fist. 'When' depends on how the battle goes. But I'll do it on my first strike in a round.
"I'm sorry Ameiko...I want to get Shalelu back too, I promise that I do! But Reiko really should've been back by now or at least flushed out who or what was following us. We don't even have to go all the way back, just a little ways, okay?"
Ameiko's obvious unhappiness and Iona's hesitation niggle at her, shaking the conviction she'd had just moments ago. Is going back the right choice? Should they really just keep moving and hope that Reiko catches up?
She looks at Jerukh and Vigny, who had so far been largely silent on the matter. "What...what do you two think? I don't want to leave Reiko if something's happened to her but...but I'll keep moving forward if that's what most of us think would be best. Would she want us to keep going?"
The bugbear staggers under the assault, but despite being bloodied, he grins as he attacks. The blow catches you in your uninjured shoulder and spins you around. Your arms go numb and the Whispering Shrike slips from your hands to fall to the mud. You vision narrows, and you feel oddly light, yet heavy and tired at the same time.
"Fadzmuthus is me name. The pointy-eared b*&&& is still breathing. Want her to see all o' you dead 'fore we take her ears," the bugbear answers as he steps up to you. Through blurring vision you can see his sneer as he raises a fist.
Then there are stars, and everything goes black.
Take 5 damage, you are now at -2. Don't worry about stabilizing rolls. GM Fiat says you're stable.
To answer your question:
AC: 17/11/16
CMD: 17/16
Fort: +4
Don't worry, You'll be back among the living soon enough.
Jerukh, Vigny, and Soliana:
"Vigny's right about fey. They can be tricksy, and if the rain washes away the trail, then we won't be able to find them unless they want us to," Ameiko argues. "besides, we don't know if Reiko even needs our help. We know that Shalelu does. If she's been taken, then we need to hurry. I can't imagine many things that would keep her alive for long if they had her at their mercy."
Iona merely looks at the trail that Vigny was busy studying.
"I hate to say this, but she's right. Reiko may be in trouble, but we know for certain Shalelu is. If we have to choose, Shalelu is the one that needs us more," the blind woman adds.
In the heavens above, thunder rolls through the clouds that grow ever heavier with rain.
Hold on there, chief. Reiko still has one last trick up her silk sleeve...
Reiko takes the blow and staggers sideways. It would be easy to let it overcome her, let it drive her into unconsciousness. That would be a balm for the pain of her wounds. But dishonorable as she is, Reiko is samurai... and her allies are depending on her.
The steel core that is at the heart of her years of training takes over... and it refuses the blessed gift of unconsciousness. Her failing hands grabs the Shrike afresh and she drives the blade at the monster's chest - hilting the katana in it's sternum.
IMMEDIATE Action: Use Samurai Resolve - Unstoppable
STAND: Slash
Unstoppable IMMEDIATE action, at 0 or fewer HPs, instantly stabilize, stay conscious and are staggered. Can act without taking additional DAM. Fall unconscious when taking any further damage.
Now, if he is still smiling after THAT, then he'll have me. And if he's dead... the legend of Reiko is born! If I do manage to win here, I have a fun/dramatic scene for Reiko catching up with the team
Status:
HP: -2 / 21 | AC:16/T16/FF12
Stunning Fist (1):
Challenge (1): x
Ronin's Ch (1):
Resolve (1): x
Inspired (1): x
Effects:
Staggered - only a MOVE or a STAND action
"Then...we move forward," Soli responds simply, before busying herself trying to keep track of the tracks they'd been following and brushing off any further attempts at conversation for the time being.
Soli doesn't seem to be angry about being overruled. If anything, it seems like she's withdrawing either out of self-doubt or embarrassment or both.
Did you know that you can nest spoilers within spoilers, as long as you don't try to give the nested spoiler a tag? I sure didn't until recently! At any rate, the unmarked spoiler is for a DC 21 Sense Motive check if anyone is curious.
"I'm sorry. I'm from Riddleport. I'm not a tracker. I've been following a trail that Reiko actually found, and I can only do it because I followed along and saw what she was looking for. Unless Reiko is directly back the way we came, I've no idea how to find her. I might never see where she left the trail, or what happened after."
"We need either Shalelu or Reiko with us to find them both, and at least we have a route to Shalelu. If we hurry."
Vigny practically stamps her foot in frustration. "No! That's exactly what started this whole thing. And so after you don't show up after some amount of time passes, the next one of us just simply must go looking for you. And on and on it goes until maybe one of us is left to actually find Shalelu."
"It was a bad idea for one of us to split off. Don't compound the mistake trying to correct it. And we don't have time to stand around bickering and scratching our asses over exactly who deserves what because of how we feel about them personally. The weather is going to break soon and then we're pretty much screwed. We keep moving and we do it right now."
I stand corrected. Retcon time!
Fadzmuthus' eyes grow wide with shock as your hands tighten around the hilt of the Whispering Shrike and drive it to the tsuba into his chest before he can strike you. His weight pulls you to your knees as he falls to the ground, dead.
Combat over. That was amazing! Congrats on soloing a CR 3 creature. Feel free to write your return to the group.
Man, that was one of the best fights I've had in quite some time. Well done, sir! Thank you!
The snap of branches can be heard over the lashing rain. From the dark forest, a hunched and stumbling figure emerges. It appears to lean heavily on a cane and carries a globe in its other hand. The figure lunges forward as lightning brightens the sky, illuminating the strange creature... making it barely recognizable as Reiko, using her katana to keep her upright as she struggles forward.
The once-proud ronin is covered - head to foot - in reddish mud. Her silk robe has been dyed deep crimson with her own blood, which still flows freely from two sizeable axe gouges. One splits her shoulder, leaving an arm to hang nearly useless. The other leaves a long gash with a rib shining through below her breast. Around her wrists are the coarse remains of ropes that bound her and abraded her bloody arms. Pain is etched across her blood-smeared and sickly face. She breathes deeply and a body-wide wince racks her as the wound in her side makes her pay for every movement.
Barely perceiving her allies through the failing limits of her vision and consciousness, she stumbles forward three more steps with a sob. She drops the 'globe' - the bulbous, wire-haired, long-eared, snarling head of a bugbear. Suddenly relieved of the burden, Reiko stumbles forward and pitches into Jerukh's arms, still clinging to her sword. Her legs give out and she sobs in silent relief against the half-orc's chest for a moment before speaking. Her voice is barely a whisper, but the message is urgent.
"Shalelu is alive. They were to lure and kill us in front of her - then kill her. May have time to rescue her."
Heal Check DC:5:
Reiko is at -2 HP. She shouldn't even be conscious, let alone walking.
Status:
HP: -2 / 21 | AC:16/T16/FF12
Stunning Fist (1):
Challenge (1): x
Ronin's Ch (1):
Resolve (1): x
Inspired (1): x
Effects:
Staggered - only a MOVE or a STAND action
"If they're waiting on us, then they shouldn't mind if we take the time to get Reiko back on her feet," Iona says as she places a hand over the wound in her side. There's a brief glow as divine energy knits Reiko's wounds, or rather tries to. Iona frowns and fishes out a potion to give to the injured swordswoman.
"It's okay...we're all together again," she whispers. "And we'll face the rest of these brutes together."
______
Can't remember exactly how we discussed Charitable Hands working but it basically heals 50% on a LoH on anyone else and 50% less if Soli uses it on herself. Not sure if it should be 50% of whatever a normal roll turns out to be or what...
Reiko wouldn't be able to resist their healing ministrations, even if she was wanted to. She drinks what is offered without a grimace at the taste. As her flesh knits and breathing doesn't hurt any longer, a wan smile crosses her mud and blood smeared face. The cessation of agony is almost ecstasy. She seems quite content to lay on the forest floor and get soaked by the rain. Eventually, with Jerukh's help, she sits up slowly. Even though her wounds are wondrously healed, it is clear the ronin is physically spent.
Vigny wrote:
She looks back and forth between Reiko and the bugbear head. "That is friggin' amazing!"
The ronin gives her the ghost of a smile. "That was Fadzmuthus. Sorry about the head, I had a promise to keep." She thinks through what to say, looking at the others with deadly earnest. "I don't know if he was the strongest of the bugbears, or if there is only one left with the Forlarren... but don't underestimate them. They are sneaky, fast, and deadly. He caught me by surprise and I won only at great cost."
To beat him I had to blow through my Hero Points, Samurai Challenge, Inspired re-roll, and Samurai Resolve. I'm down to a lowly Stunning Fist for the day. And I hit him with something like 40 damage to bring him down. Fadzmuthus was CR:3 - so we are definitely punching above our weight.
"I think he was following us possibly to provide a quick warning on our approach or as an assassin when the battle started. Either way, they planned on killing Shalelu last - maybe she killed their kinsmen in the past or they hate elves so much." She takes a breath, "Help me up. We can't delay any longer."
Status:
HP: 18 / 21 | AC:16/T16/FF12
Stunning Fist (1):
Challenge (1): x
Ronin's Ch (1):
Resolve (1): x
Inspired (1): x
Effects:
"No wonder they were able to overpower Shalelu," Soli says as she helps Reiko to her feet. "If just one hurt you that badly and she was jumped by at least two plus the forlarren..."
Her grip tightens on her glaive. "Well, we've probably got quite a task ahead of us. But I don't think any of us thought this would be easy, did we? Reiko is right, we'd better get moving again before they figure out that the odds have been evened a bit."
"Right. If we can use the rain that's coming, and the poor visibility it brings, to cover our arrival we might be able to get a look at what we're dealing with. Then when it breaks we can move in to get Shalelu back."
The ronin grunts, agreeing with their ideas. She offers Soli a sincere nod of thanks for the help and takes a moment to get her footing. When she feels steady on her feet, she cuts the remaining ropes from her wrists and slowly begins walking along the trail, looking for bugbear prints.
Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Right, let's be Big Damn Heroes and save the damsel in distress!
Another hour passes as you follow the trail. It curves back on itself in a wide arc which seems to have been deliberate. The rain holds off and only begins to fall as you find a cave lit by a fire in the side of a small hillock. You are about sixty feet away, but you can hear what sounds like arguing.
"Fadz is late," a rumbling voice says, "said he was only gonna tail 'em for a bit."
"It does not matter," another voice, this one clear and sweet with a sinister edge to it, says "he's probably just having a little fun is all."
"Yeah, fun, an' 'ere we are with the elf-b&%!@ and can't do a thing to her," a third voice growls.
Ameiko and Iona both look to you for guidance, though it's clear they want to rush in there now to help Shalelu.
Reiko agrees with Ameiko and Iona. She whispers, "The Forlarren is malicious. If we have them trapped in that cave, they will either use Shalelu to escape or kill her to spite us. Our best chance is to attack them now and secure Shalelu at the same time before they can put a knife to her."
I think we should sneak maybe 20' closer and then charge - so we can get well into the cave in case Shalelu is at the back. That's just my opinion but I'm happy to go with the team vote. We should probably task one or two of us to get to Shalelu. I'm happy taking either a combat or rescue role.
"I'm about as quiet as a goblin at a fireworks shop in my armor," Soli grimaces. "But, but I can try to be quiet until we get just a little closer! I'll do my very best! Whoever can move quickest should probably try to get to Shalelu while the rest of us keep the other three busy."
______
Soli's only got a 20 move speed or so in her armor so she should probably take a combat role to start with.
"Unfortunately I'm in the same boat as Soli with the whole being quiet thing. I can hit them from a distance with a bow, but if they use Shalelu as a shield, it might get ugly," Iona says, her expression mirroring Soliana's.
"I've had plenty of practice sneaking around. I could go with whoever leads the charge and help keep Shalelu safe," Ameiko adds.
Thunder rumbles in the distance and rain begins to fall again. So far, it's a drizzle, but the sky is dark and a cold north wind is blowing in.
Shall we just kick this off and let the other folk jump in when they can?
With a 20-30' forward creep and my 30' base move, a charge should get me up to 20' into the cave. So I'll try to move in as far as possible gambling that Shalelu is in the back. I'll stop and strike the baddie nearest Shalelu, and then try to defend her.
Reiko nods to Ameiko, "You're with me then. We push into the cave and get to Shalelu. Make sure you have her sword, she may need it."
When everyone is ready, Reiko and Ameiko set out at a stealthy creep under the cover of the storm, closing to within 40' of the cave entrance. At a blast of thunder, Reiko lopes forward. It quickly develops into a sprint toward the cave. She doesn't have to worry about Ameiko keeping pace. The ronin's body is weary from the earlier battle but she doggedly presses on and races into the cave on the heels of the other Tien, blade ready to slash some hairy or hoofed enemy in passing.
Ameiko nods before she and Reiko rush in to find a fire lighting the small chamber from the center. The forlarren seems too engrossed in watching a bloodied Shalelu breathing painfully to notice the rush, but the bugbears both turn, one just in time flinch as Iona's arrow strikes his armor and goes spinning off somewhere. That was the distraction that Ameiko and Reiko need. Lightning throws the scene into stark black and white as Ameiko threads her blade through the gap in the side of the brute's armor and Reiko almost rips the hairy monster open from shoulder to hip. As it begins to back away, the crack of thunder hits all of you.
Party's up. No surprise round, but the baddies are flatfooted.
As Reiko and Ameiko break from their stealth and make a charge for the cave, Soliana grips her glaive in both hands and also begins running for the entrance - hoping to gain plenty of ground before their foes can gather their wits and throw up defensive measures. Though she feels that the situation warrants some kind of battle cry, the best she can come up with is, "You'll hurt her no more!"
______
I'm not 100% sure on the distance but if the rest of the party is 40 feet back from the cave, Soli will double-move to close the distance.
Before the group starts forward, Vigny utters a quick prayer, and a white light begins to emanate from her sword. Vigny is slower, and decidedly not stealthy like Soli and Iona. She pounds through the mud as fast as she can alongside them.
Getting there at speed takes most all of her concentration, leaving her short on clever or inspiring things to call out. She contents herself with a whoop and a howl to follow up Soli's cry.
Activating Minor Holy Strike before combat. 20' movement just like Soli so a double move as well.
The bugbear blinks at the wrong moment and before his eyes had finished widening in surprise, Ameiko's rapier tears through his throat and sends him to the ground to choke on his own blood.
Vigny figures the most important single thing is to keep any hostiles away from Shalelu. She also isn't sure if the forlarren might have some warding against normal weapons like she's heard of in stories. If so, the enchantment on her sword may overcome it.
She doesn't slow down, making only the vaguest gesture at dodging the remaining bugbear as she blows past him. Bearing straight down on the forlarren, she strikes down on her with a two-handed chop.
Vigny's reckless charge is unexpected enough that the remaining Bugbear doesn't get as good of a chunk as he could have of her and Vigny mortally wounds the forlarren. The lone bugbear sees that he's alone and looks ready to run for his miserable life.
Reiko holds position for a moment as Ameiko expertly finishes off the bugbear. She catches her breath while Vigny ends the Forlarren's tale. With Shalelu safe, she moves past the blonde and challenges the remaining bugbear.
"You'll be pleased to know Fadzmuthus isn't drunk. We met in the woods, and it cost him his life."
"You B&&!&! You'll pay for that! I'll make sure of it," Thudzmuthus bellows after Reiko gashes him. Whether he intends to make her pay for his brother's death or the injury is unclear.
"No, I don't think you will," Soliana replies. "You should've known better than to listen to your little hooved friend!" she adds as she takes a mighty swing at the bugbear, trying and failing to ignore the sight of the unconscious Shalelu further inside the cave.
Not expecting the remaining bugbear's morale to break so quickly, Soli is unprepared as it attempts to flee and her reactionary strike passes harmlessly by his head.
"No, it's too late for regrets now!" she cries, undeterred by her poor aim.
______
The winds of destiny are blowing. They sing though the trees, and over the mountains. They come from a far away land, over the very farthest reaches of the world. They sing of only a few, though. They sing of heroes from a small, sleepy town that has seen the birth of heroes before. They sing of Sandpoint, and humble beginnings.
Welcome to the recruitment thread for DM Salsa Presents: The Jade Regent.
Before we get into character creation rules, I would like to let you guys know what you are getting into. I am very much a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants GM. I improvise things and change things to, hopefully be more fun. I also am lousy at keeping track of loot on both sides of the screen. I try to be generous with it, though, and you'll probably be a little over the Wealth by Level guidelines. That's fine with me, that jsut means I can through tougher beasties at you. :D
I also do not like making maps. It's a chore and it's the number one reason that I've dragged my feet in the past. I don't mind questions, and if in doubt, go ahead and post your actions. I can be a rules stickler, but Rule of Cool will trump rules if the result would be sufficiently awesome. I'm also going to be generous when determining who has flanking and not, so if you want to play a rogue or ninja, sneak attack is easier to get.
Short version: I'm here to have fun. My job is to make sure that you have fun.
Character creation rules are as follows: Materials Allowed
-Read the Player's Guide. it has plenty of tips and advice to get you started, and you'll need to pick a trait from the Campaign Traits section.
-All Paizo is allowed with exceptions listed below.
-Spheres of Power is allowed
-All other 3rd party is not allowed.
-Races: Core Races + Tiefling, Aasimar, Changling, Ifrit, Udine, Oread, Slyph, and Tengu
-Classes: No Gunslinger, or any archetype that uses guns
-Alignment: No evil
Character Build
-25 point buy, no stat can be higher than 18 or lower than 8 before racial modifiers.
-Max gold for your class
-Max HP at first, Roll half-HD + average, so d6 would roll 1d3+3, d8 would roll 1d4+4, and so on.
-Three Traits, one of which must be a campaign trait.
-We are using Background Skills From unchained
-We are using Artistry and Lore
-We are using Fractional bonuses, which isn't really going to matter unless you multi-class.
-We'll also be using Hero Points, your character starts with 1.
Character Flavor
-Background: Needs to be at least a few sentences.
-Personality
-Appearance: Can be sparse on details, but I would like to know how tall they are and what their build is (are they squat, slender, a curvaceous bombshell, a studly studmuffin, a studly lego, etc.) If you can find a picture, link to it.
-[Optional] Complete one or both lists of questions. This won't necessarily increase your chances, but if it helps paint an interesting picture of your character, it certainly won't hurt.
Twenty questions to help you create a backstory for your character.:
Found here
What is your character’s name?
How old is your character?
What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
Where was your character born?
Where were you raised?
By who?
Who are your parents?
Are they alive?
What do they do for a living?
Do you have any other family or friends?
What is your character’s marital status?
Kids?
What is your character’s alignment?
What is your character’s moral code?
Does your character have goals?
Is your character religious?
What are your character’s personal beliefs?
Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
Why does your character adventure?
How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
How does your character get along with others?
Is there anything that your character hates?
Is there anything that your character fears?
Concept
These are the fundamentals, the broadest strokes. Every character should have answers to these five, including NPCs. It’s the quickest way to give the sense of a full individual instead of a cardboard stereotype.
1. What emotion best describes your character? Find one primary emotion your character expresses. Try to use a colorful, specific word to describe it. For instance, instead of “angry” you might say “vengeful” or “raging,” or instead of happy you might say “cheerful” or “exalting.”
2. What emotion does your character evoke in others? How do others react to you? Do you impress, scare, calm, excite, or perhaps annoy? Again try to find the most specific term you can. Is this reaction different between friends and enemies?
3. What does your character need most? If your character had everything he or she needed, why go on an adventure? Most people’s needs are fairly universal, although they can change over time. Common needs are survival, security, companionship, esteem, romance, family, or wisdom. Consider what your character’s starting needs are, and where you want them to be by the end of the adventure or campaign. It helps to establish this need with the GM, to ensure it fits with the themes of the game.
4. What is your character’s goal in life? This should be the principle, underlying motivation for everything your character thinks, says, and does. If your character were lying on the brink of death, what makes him or her cling to life? What could your character lose that he or she would consider worse than death? This goal is often broad, and sometimes unachievable. Whatever the nature of the goal, it should be something your character can strive for his or her entire life. The best goals are ones that can be threatened, as they will help create more compelling adventures. Ideas include justice, revenge, protecting loved ones, redeeming one’s self, or gaining some kind of power. When you think of something, ask yourself “why?” to make sure it isn’t because of some larger, more important goal.
5. How does your character believe this goal can be accomplished? Because the goal can often be ideological, the method to achieving it is sometimes equally insubstantial. Your character’s methods should be strongly tied to beliefs (or lack of beliefs), and primarily be a decision of lifestyle. A character bent on revenge might consider perfecting a fighting discipline, while a character devoted to a cause might consider a religious or philosophical doctrine.
Background
For any campaign, a character should have come from somewhere. Spend any length of time with someone and their history is bound to come up. These questions give your character history, and therefore dramatic and emotional weight.
6. Where did your character come from? Consider your character’s initial roots, before he or she was a teenager. These times are what shape your character the most. Who were your parents? Where did you live? What was your family’s economic and social status? How were you educated? What were the three most important lessons you learned?
7. When did you grow up? Everyone begins taking responsability for their own lives at different times and in different ways. Describe the events related to when your character started taking care of him- or herself.
8. What values does your character hold? Name three things your character considers sacred, and three things he or she is idealogically opposed to. These things will usually stem from a combination of your goals and your personal history. Consider especially where the values came from. Was your character taught these values? Did they develop as a reaction to something your character considered noble or diabolical? Establish lines that your character will not cross in pursuit of his or her goal to add challenge to playing your character.
9. How does your character dress? Start generally with an overall statement of the quality of your character’s appearance, such as projected social status, trade, common activities, or how groomed or slovenly your character is. Begin to hone in on telling details, especially those things that most people take for granted. How exactly does your character style his or her hair? What decorative articles does your character wear, such as jewelry, decorated buttons or buckles, a belt, gloves, etc.?One especially telling detail is footwear. Describe in detail what your character wears on his or her feet, including cut, tightness or looseness, heel height, sole hardness or softness, lacing/buckling/tying or lack thereof, toe shape (square, round, pointed…?), color, material, shininess, cleanliness, repair or disrepair, and any other details you can think of.
10. What are your character’s means? Consider all the resources your character has. This should include material resources such as money and property, social resources such as friends and allies, and personal resources such as skill, courage, strength, wits, etc. It might help to make a list of all your character’s resources that he or she might use to overcome adversity. Consider challenges like fights, puzzles, traveling, persuading (and being persuaded), and any others.
Details
Now we’re picking nits. These five are all about texture and color. These answers take your character beyond an adventure serial persona and into reality. Answers to these make your characters memorable for years.
11. What are your character’s personal tastes? Name at least three things your character enjoys for no reason other than personal preference. A good place to start is with each of the five senses. Consider a sound, smell, taste, feeling, or sight that is uniquely pleasing to your character. Also consider activities such as hobbies or habits. Name three things your character dislikes, as well.
12. What are your character’s opinions? Decide upon at least three major aspects of local society and your character’s opinion on them. This could be generalizations such as rich or poor people, more specific areas like a particular political or religious group, or very specific things like a prominent individual or an aspect of the character’s job. Check with your GM for relevant things in the campaign to have opinions about.
13. What is your character’s comfort zone? What environment, activity, or mindset puts your character at ease? This can add a lot of color to your character during stressful moments, as he or she will have a place to go or a thing to do at these times. It helps to have a comfort zone broken up into the above parts so at least some of it is portable.
14. Who has had the biggest impact on your character’s life? Name and briefly describe at least one person who had a significant impact on how your character perceives the world today. You can name more than one, but they should each reflect different aspects of your character’s beliefs. Use this as a reference point when your character has to make difficult decisions (i.e., “What would so-and-so do?”).
15. What are some of your character’s unexpected quirks? Name three things that are unexpected about the way your character behaves, such as things that go against his or her normal social status, age, or trade. How about three unexpected talents or abilities like being able to sing, or knowing some trivial knowledge, or being good at math? Three things your character can’t do that most other people can such as whistling, swimming, or reading well? How about three things your character fears, such as heights, dogs, or insects?
Player
These five questions direct your play experience itself rather than your character. What do you want out of your game? If a group answers these together, they can expect dramatically rewarding game sessions, and the GM will know clearly what’s expected to give everyone a good time.
16. What kind of story does your character belong in? Who are the characters your character interacts with? What settings does he or she inhabit? What themes are important? What conflicts does your character face? These things are important to understand so your GM can create adventures that will engage your character, and so you will have a better chance at getting along with your fellow players’ characters.
17. What role does your character fill? Roleplaying is all about the ensemble cast. Make sure you fill a unique role in the party, and you aren’t stepping on anyone else’s toes. Consider your role in the interpersonal relations of the party, your role in combat, what skills your character is best at, and what thematic note your character hits.
18. What should the other players know about your character? These should be major thematic points, your character’s general emotion (if it isn’t secret), potential surprises or areas that might be difficult, and any other pertinent information. Also start sketching out potential interactions, such as another character you might go to for help (or who might go to you for help), or someone you’ll probably butt heads with. Getting these things out in the open is important to ensure there aren’t unpleasant surprises.
19. What is your play style? Do you like heavy character immersion, or attention to detail in the rules, or perhaps you’re especially goal-oriented? Maybe you’re a bit competitive. Do you prefer lots of colorful descriptions, or a quicker framework understanding of situations? Do you speak in your character’s voice? You may not even be aware of your own play style. Keep this in mind as you play so you can better communicate with your fellow players about the direction of the party as a whole, and the course of the adventure. This also helps your GM understand your personal needs at the gaming table.
20. How do you want your character to die? Your character won’t live forever, although you might not play him or her to the end. If you had your choice of deaths for your character, what would it be? Death of old age, having survived through all his or her trials? Perhaps a bloody, violent death? A noble sacrifice? Happenstance? It can also provide an unusual layer of texture to your roleplaying, as you have a better understanding of your character’s fate. It will also tell you if your character is a tragic or heroic one. Finally, it can help your GM in resolving conflicts in-game if he or she has an idea of your comfort zone with threats to your character’s life.
Miscellaneous Stuff regarding your submission
-Your submission won't be complete until you've posted the following in a single post or posted in your character's profile with a link to it. (in other words, Put all of it in one place so I can find it using both hands.)
-You'll need your character's stats, background, personality, appearance, and answers to the questions below.
Questions from your GM
-Who are you and how are you doing?
-How often do you tend to post?
-What kind of tone are you looking for in this game?
-What do you expect out of your fellow players?
-What do you expect out of me (the GM)?
-What is your comfort zone? Where's the line for you in RP terms?
-How do you see your character progressing as a character?
So, if I haven't scared you off yet, you should have something like this when you're done:
sample submission wrote:
HI, this is my character Gazebo the Magnificent!
Stats:
Something like the official stat-blocks from Paizo here. You can see what I'm looking for with the example below with one of my characters:
Josephina Annabella Whitehall
Female human (Chelaxian) paladin 5
LG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +1
Aura courage (10 ft.)
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 22, touch 12, flat-footed 21 (+7 armor, +1 deflection, +1 Dex, +3 shield)
hp 44 (5d10+10)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +8
Immune disease, fear
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee +1 longsword +11 (1d8+5/19-20) or
. . dagger +9 (1d4+4/19-20) or
. . heavy shield bash +9 (1d4+4) or
. . unarmed strike +9 (1d3+4 nonlethal)
Ranged light crossbow +6 (1d8/19-20)
Special Attacks channel positive energy 3/day (DC 14, 3d6), smite evil 2/day (+2 attack and AC, +5 damage)
Paladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 5th; concentration +7)
. . At will—detect evil
Paladin Spells Prepared (CL 2nd; concentration +4)
. . 1st—cure light wounds (2)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 18, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 14
Base Atk +5; CMB +9; CMD 21
Feats Extra Lay on Hands, Shield Focus, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Versatility
Traits alabaster outcast, mediator, sacred touch
Skills Acrobatics -5 (-9 to jump), Appraise +1, Diplomacy +11, Handle Animal +6, Heal +7, Knowledge (nobility) +5, Knowledge (religion) +5, Linguistics +3, Perform (sing) +7, Ride -1, Sense Motive +6
Languages Celestial, Common, Thassilonian, Varisian
SQ divine bond (mount), lay on hands 6/day (2d6), mercy (shaken), sheltered
Other Gear breastplate, heavy wooden shield, +1 longsword, dagger, light crossbow, ring of feather falling, bedroll, blanket[APG], cleric's vestments, explorer's outfit (2), masterwork backpack[APG], noble's outfit, signet ring, silver holy symbol of Iomedae, waterskin, 14 gp, 4 sp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Animal Companion Link (Ex) Handle or push Animal Companion faster, +4 to checks vs. them.
Aura of Courage +4 (10 ft.) (Su) Allies in aura gain a morale bonus to saves vs. fear.
Detect Evil (At will) (Sp) You can use detect evil at will (as the spell).
Immunity to Disease You are immune to diseases.
Immunity to Fear (Ex) You are immune to all fear effects.
Lay on Hands (2d6 hit points, 6/day) (Su) As a standard action (swift on self), touch channels positive energy and applies mercies.
Mercy (Shaken) (Su) When you use your lay on hands ability, it also removes the shaken condition.
Paladin Channel Positive Energy 3d6 (3/day, DC 14) (Su) Positive energy heals the living and harms the undead; negative has the reverse effect.
Share Spells with Companion (Ex) Can cast spells with a target of "you" on animal companion, as touch spells.
Sheltered You become shaken when you have less than half your maximum hit points.
Smite Evil (2/day) (Su) +2 to hit, +5 to damage, +2 deflection bonus to AC when used.
Weapon Versatility Weapon w/ Weapon Focus: shift grip to alter damage to B/P/S (free act.).
--------------------
Animal Companion
Wolf
CG Medium animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +7
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 20, touch 15, flat-footed 17 (+1 deflection, +3 Dex, +1 enhancement, +5 natural)
hp 45 (5d8+20)
Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 50 ft.
Melee unarmed strike +5 (1d3+2 nonlethal) or
. . bite +6 (1d6+4)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 14, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 19 (23 vs. trip)
Feats Alertness, Improved Natural Armor, Toughness
Tricks Attack, Attack, Attack Any Target, Combat Riding, Come, Defend, Down, Guard, Heel, Hunt
Skills Acrobatics +9 (+17 to jump), Perception +7, Sense Motive +3, Stealth +7; Racial Modifiers +4 to survival when tracking by scent
SQ attack any target, combat riding, hunt
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
+4 to Survival when tracking by Scent +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent.
Attack Any Target [Trick] The animal will attack any creature on command.
Combat Riding [Trick] The animal has been trained to bear a rider into combat.
Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save.
Hunt [Trick] Hunts or forages for food to bring to handler.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
Trip (Ex) You can make a trip attempt on a successful attack.
Background:
Put your backstory here. I don't mind reading a novel if you bang one out by accident.
Appearance and Personality:
Can be separate or together, just so long as they are both there, and you put in how tall your character is. This is also where you put links to any images you may have found that your character looks like.
Answers to the questions above. I find it helps to keep things straight if I do it something like this:
Question
Answer
Question
Answer
but that could just be me.
Beyond that, there are a few things that I expect.
-Be kind and courteous to others, though I hope that goes without saying
-Remember this is a game, and that what another PC or NPC feels about you is not what the player or the GM feels about you. Again I hope that goes without saying.
-Try to post daily, especially when we're in combat. I'll try to do the same.
-Play your character. People aren't perfect, and neither are good or great characters. Your PC may suffer for it, but it makes the story more fun to play out.
-Don't be afraid to ask questions and evilly plot with the GM to throw a monkey wrench into your character's plans. I do it, and I believe that my characters have come out stronger for it.
-Ask questions. I'll try to answer them. If I don't, ask again, I probably forgot to answer.
-Don't sweat the small stuff. I'm a laid back guy, and if you got something wrong on your sheet and you didn't catch it until later, or if you've figured your bonuses wrong, don't worry. I'll fix it if it's feasible, or let it stand if it isn't
-Have fun. If you aren't let me know and I'll see what I can do to fix it, because my job as GM is to make sure that you have fun. If you don't I didn't do my job.
Good luck, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
~DM Salsa
P.S. Because I know I've forgotten something, updated submission rules will be here:
Submission Rules
If we are already playing a Jade Regent game are we ineligible to take part in this one? I know a lot of GMs are wary about such things.
Also I'm guessing it's a no on the Dragon Empires races correct?
Nope, mainly because I'm in three different Rise of the Runelords games. It might be a deciding factor if things are close between two characters, but it's not an outright red flag.
If we are already playing a Jade Regent game are we ineligible to take part in this one? I know a lot of GMs are wary about such things.
Also I'm guessing it's a no on the Dragon Empires races correct?
Nope, mainly because I'm in three different Rise of the Runelords games. It might be a deciding factor if things are close between two characters, but it's not an outright red flag.
Sweet!
By the way are we allowed to play races from the dragon empires like kitsune, nagaji, etc? Or would you prefer we stick with what you listed?
Hello there, I'm very interested in this! I started this campaign once before, but we only got partway through the first encounter area before the GM was forced to bow out due to RL concerns. I'll reconfigure my character and post it tomorrow.
If we are already playing a Jade Regent game are we ineligible to take part in this one? I know a lot of GMs are wary about such things.
Also I'm guessing it's a no on the Dragon Empires races correct?
Nope, mainly because I'm in three different Rise of the Runelords games. It might be a deciding factor if things are close between two characters, but it's not an outright red flag.
Sweet!
By the way are we allowed to play races from the dragon empires like kitsune, nagaji, etc? Or would you prefer we stick with what you listed?
I knew I was going to forget something!
Yes, Kitsune are allowed. I forgot to double check that. Will be fixing it in the campaign tab.
Also, if anyone is dead set on playing a certain race, if you can sell me on it, I'll allow it.
Quick question: can we have a lower than 8 ability score if we don't get any points for it?
I'm gonna say no. Mainly because it will make auditing characters easier all around if we don't have to remember things like that.
Now, that is before Racial modifiers, so if you have a dwarf and lower his charisma to 8 before applying the dwarven -2 to charisma, then it would be a 6.
dot... Jade Regent has always seemed interesting to me (I like how much emphasis they put on developing relationships with the NPCs!) and Spheres of Power seems very cool
I am SO interested! I've got this Cartomancer witch almost all set to go! It may take some time to tweak, though, as I'm currently on vacation in Ireland and thus am posting primarily from my phone.
Dotting, always wanted to play Jade Regent. Might buckle some swashes or monkey some skills, probably will play something high on charisma. A bit sad that there aren't any guns, though, I love the Picaroon.
Couple of questions:
- When is the submission deadline?
- Since almost all the campaign traits state that the PCs are Sandpoint born and grown, is it alright if the background is not very flashy?
- Is the Vigilante class allowed?
- Variant Aasimar and Tiefling heritages?
Hi here is my character (Grandma) I need to make a few adjustments for 25 point buy. I hope you like her.
Spoiler:
1- I am Grandma Maple :)
2-I will try to post everyday if it is my turn
3-I try to roll play this best I can.
4-I hope as she progresses she learns the importants of a little control with fire but she will always love to see things burn burn burn!!!
5-I just look at a game as a place to have some fun.
oh yea, I am not an old lady this time, sorry no cookies.
i'll dot i have an idea for a druid supernaturalist, he fights using natural weapons. and is kind of like Tarzan
how do you feel about Grippli? i have an idea for what i'm calling the Frog Knight...he's a frog who rides an elephant. i was going to aim for mammoth rider. not too important but it's one of my two ideas
So two of my concepts have been taken right out of the gate, the old person and the bloodrager. I might make another old person and we can have an old couple off to travel the world! :P
Dotting, always wanted to play Jade Regent. Might buckle some swashes or monkey some skills, probably will play something high on charisma. A bit sad that there aren't any guns, though, I love the Picaroon.
Couple of questions:
- When is the submission deadline?
- Since almost all the campaign traits state that the PCs are Sandpoint born and grown, is it alright if the background is not very flashy?
- Is the Vigilante class allowed?
- Variant Aasimar and Tiefling heritages?
1. Haven't set one. You'll have at least a couple of weeks
2. I'm fine with non-flashy backgrounds. I'm also fine with characters that have only been in Sandpoint for a couple of years.
3. I didn't forbid it. That said, I don't know if the class will be a good fit for this AP.
4. Yep. I'll add a note to the rules this evening when I get home.
@Ammon: Eh? You haven't really sold me on the idea. I think it could be interesting, but I don't think it'd fit with the AP.
@Choon: Just remember to apply the bonuses and penalties for your age.
Looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with. I've been liking what I'm seeing so far.
So two of my concepts have been taken right out of the gate, the old person and the bloodrager. I might make another old person and we can have an old couple off to travel the world! :P
Sorry! If you had your heart set on a bloodrager I've got a paladin that was originally written for a Reign of Winter game that I could rework and submit instead :)
Here's my applicant! A human warpriest of Cayden Cailean. Campaign trait is Childhood Crush: Sandru. The poor guy doesn't seem to get much love when players pick traits.
I need to adjust to 25 point buy, tweak the background just a little, and answer the questions, but her background is background and fundamentals are in place.
While my build is still an ongoing process, I will be apping with a Kineticist. I am taking Childhood Crush: Ameiko.
Here are my answers to the questions above:
Character questions:
What is your character’s name?
How old is your character? 15
What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)? Towering, intimidating woman with jet black hair that has a silver streak and Black eyes (her entire eyes are black, not just the Iris).
What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)? Normally friendly and talkative, she becomes almost painfully shy and has trouble speaking when Ameiko is around. It's clear to anyone with eyes that she has a crush on Ameiko. For her part, Ameiko either doesn't know or ignores it.
Where was your character born? Sandpoint
Where were you raised? Sandpoint
By who? Father Zanthus in the church of Sarenrae.
Who are your parents? Unknown
Are they alive? Unknown
What do they do for a living? Unknown
Do you have any other family or friends? Unknown for family, she's friendly with most people she meets, but doesn't have any real best friends.
What is your character’s marital status? Single
Kids? None
What is your character’s alignment? Chaotic Good
What is your character’s moral code? Protect people who need protecting, help wherever you can, do you best.
Does your character have goals? To someday get up the courage to tell Ameiko how she feels.
Is your character religious? While she was raised in the church, she's not overly religious.
What are your character’s personal beliefs? People are stronger when working together than when trying to go it alone.
Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)? Optimistic and cheerful.
Why does your character adventure? To help others.
How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer? Protector
Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)? Her face has been scarred from several encounters with older men who thought to take advantage of a young girl.
How does your character get along with others? She always tries to see the best in others.
Is there anything that your character hates? Bullies.
Is there anything that your character fears? Letting others (ESPECIALLY AMEIKO) get hurt, double-especially because she failed to help/protect them.
Deeper Questions:
Concept
1. What emotion best describes your character? Hopeful
2. What emotion does your character evoke in others? mostly prejudice and anger, with a healthy amount of fear as well. The terms "witch" and "monster" are bandied about alot.
3. What does your character need most? To try and be the best she can be.
4. What is your character’s goal in life? See above.
5. How does your character believe this goal can be accomplished? She has no idea. Every time she worked up the courage, the words would just stick in her throat. She tried to confess while drunk once, and Ameiko basically told her the next morning that she was way too drunk the night before and she was telling everyone that she loved them.
Background
6. Where did your character come from? She was raised in an orphanage in Sandpoint run by the church of Sarenrae.
7. When did you grow up? Sandpoint
8. What values does your character hold? Protect those who can't protect themselves; Make people happy; Stop bad people from hurting others.
9. How does your character dress? Mostly in ill-fitting hand-me-down clothes. She has a hard time finding clothes that can fit her, but since most of her 2 outfits are made of whatever cloth is nearby, her outfits are at least colorful.
10. What are your character’s means? She has little money, but she has a burgeoning power that both excites and terrifies her.
Details
11. What are your character’s personal tastes? She likes watching flowers blossom, playing with cats or dogs, and the sounds birds make in the morning. She dislikes bullies and other mean people, and she hates it when people call her a monster.
12. What are your character’s opinions? Adventurers are good heroes who help the people and stop other people from destroying the world.
13. What is your character’s comfort zone? She loves to listen to travelling bards when the stop at the Rusty Dragon. Music played well is amazing.
14. Who has had the biggest impact on your character’s life? For she, it's Ameiko. She is smart, funny, pretty and takes no guff from anyone.
15. What are some of your character’s unexpected quirks? She's rather subdued whenever Ameiko is around, and she likes to hum or sing quietly to herself.
Player
16. What kind of story does your character belong in? This is a character who wants to travel to new locations and hopefully meet nice people, all while being almost heartbreakingly shy around the one person who is consistantly and honestly nice to her.
17. What role does your character fill? Tank and Ranged DPS
18. What should the other players know about your character? If you spend any time around both Ameiko and she, you will see that she is both out of her league and desperately in love with Ameiko.
19. What is your play style? I like to tailor my playstyle what the group is keying off of.
20. How do you want your character to die? Helping someone else be safe and happy.
Questions from your GM:
-Who are you and how are you doing? My name is Vrog Skyreaver, and I am well. How about yourself?
-How often do you tend to post? Daily.
-What kind of tone are you looking for in this game? Journey to the west.
-What do you expect out of your fellow players? To work together.
-What do you expect out of me (the GM)? An interesting, fun, fair, and wonderful time.
-What is your comfort zone? Where's the line for you in RP terms? I'm really, really hard to offend, so say what thou wilst.
-How do you see your character progressing as a character? It really depends on how my relationship with Ameiko goes.
Dotting, never played this game before and would like to see what it's like :)
I'm thinking of applying with a catfolk ninja, didn't make it into another game, will do some adjustments, posting with the alias in a minute to show you who it is.
Here she is, beginning adjustments... go ahead and read the fluff and such, i'm not changing much there, just some minor details. using the cat-burglar archetype, since it can apply to the ninja.
GM, before I commit to anything in character creation, I'd like to make you one question: Are you aiming to GM this game until the end?
I always check the GM history before applying to any game and I must say that yours isn't really shinny to say the least... from what I've checked, in all the games you GMastered, you haven't finished a single one, so what I'm really interested in is knowing if/how this game will be different.
I'm not trying to be a jerk here but I think that commitment is really a two-way thing...
So two of my concepts have been taken right out of the gate, the old person and the bloodrager. I might make another old person and we can have an old couple off to travel the world! :P
Sorry! If you had your heart set on a bloodrager I've got a paladin that was originally written for a Reign of Winter game that I could rework and submit instead :)
well, all her stats and such are on her page, and here are the answers to your questions:
DM Questions:
-Who are you and how are you doing?
I'm doing fine but otherwise I would like to keep my personal life to a minimum when it comes to sharing.
-How often do you tend to post?
every day every five minutes if i could.
-What kind of tone are you looking for in this game?
well, this is a good question. based on the general appearance of the campaign i expect it to feel like one of those old Kung-fu movies... only without all the cheese.
-What do you expect out of your fellow players?
I expect humans, no robots. simple and pure. have fun interact allot
-What do you expect out of me (the GM)?
I expect a moderator that will have consistent posting and if he is not able to keep posting then he will not completely abandon the group but will give a reason and apologize.
-What is your comfort zone? Where's the line for you in RP terms?
as long as you are good with it I'm good with it... that's to say it has to follow the forum rules, but that's obvious.
-How do you see your character progressing as a character?
as a ruthless killer only bent on perfecting her art... as well as the group's Snake-eyes :)
Not sure I'm doing it for the right reasons but I'm really porting one of my retired characters from Rise of the Runelords over. Basically, I've always wondered what it would be like to romance Ameiko, but nope, that never happened.
She had her duty and I had mine...so when she left, I couldn't follow. I'm just submitting so I could see what could have happened in an alternate timeline, had I followed..
My backstory will involve quite some Rise of the Runelords Spoilers so please do not read if you don't want to be spoilt.
Hazak:
Hazak
Half Orc Urban Ranger
Deity: Gozreh
N Humanoid
Init +4;
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Defense
--------------------
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15
hp 13 (1d10+2)
Fort +6 Ref +7, Will +4
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 20 ft.
Melee Ranseur +4(2d4+6)
Ranged Javelin +3(1d6+3)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 14 Cha 10
Base Atk +0; CMB +4; CMD 16
Feats
Skills: perception +6, disable device +3, survival +6, acro +3, knowledge local +8 (due to additional +2 from City-raised), climb +4, swim +4, knowledge dungeoneering +6
Background skills Profession (Glassblower) +7, Knowledge (Geography)
Languages Common, Draconic, Orc, Goblin
Alternatr Racial Traits
Sacred (Bear) Tattoo : +1 luck bonus to all saves
City-Raised: Half-orcs with this trait know little of their orc ancestry and were raised among humans and other half-orcs in a large city. City-raised half-orcs are proficient with whips and longswords, and receive a +2 racial bonus on Knowledge (local) checks.
Shaman's Apprentice: Only the most stalwart survive the years of harsh treatment that an apprenticeship to an orc shaman entails. Half-orcs with this trait gain Endurance as a bonus feat. This racial trait replaces the intimidating trait.
At 1st level, an urban ranger adds Disable Device and Knowledge (local) to his list of class skills and removes Handle Animal and Knowledge (nature) from his list of class skills.
Wt - medium load, enough said.
Background:
Background:
Hazak's mother, Alira, was a herbalist, but she met a bulky orc named Uzul, one moonlit night when she had gone out to gather nocturnal herbs. Uzul had escaped from the holds of Belken and wished to leave peacebly in human lands. Alira fell in love with him, but knowing that their village would never accept them, and she would not leave him, they eloped and ran to Riddleport. Uzul would take up jobs as a marine and would come back with pay to support the family, while Alira would go outside Riddleport to forage for herbs and foodstuffs to sell to the local market. One day, Uzul didn't come back. His captain gave Alira a small pouch of silver, saying that her husband had been killed in battle and that was all his pay.
Alira was distraught but determined to raise their son, Hazak, as well as she could. From his father Uzul, Hazak inherited his great strength, and quick reflexes. From his human mother, Hazak inherited her quick wits and wisdom. Yet Hazak's childhood was nothing but peaceful, for the children in their ghetto saw him as a beast, rather then the human soul beneath. He learnt to use his great strength to defend himself from bullies and soon garnered a reputation he was not one to be messed with.
Alira had to pay protection money in order to keep their little grocery stand in the riddleport market, but never let Hazak know, for Hazak had a quick temper and little patience for bullies. As Hazak grew, Alira tried to teach him herb lore, but only managed to get him to recognize what was edible. Hazak took over the grocery shop, after Alira died of an illness, and started selling mushrooms he had foraged instead herbs that Alira had sold.
When the local mafia, headed by Kreger, sent his lackies to collect protection money from Hazak's grocery store, Hazak, in a fit of rage, punched their teeth out. The next day, there were posters for his head, to be brought to Kreger, for a pouch of silver. Discretion being the better part of valour, Hazak decided that he had overstayed in Riddleport and decided that his life lay elsewhere.
Owing to his big size and muscular build, Hazak signed up as a caravan guard, and the caravan he had been escorting had just reached Sandpoint.
He had just arrived at Sandpoint in time for the Swallowtail festival. What should have been a happy celebration became a scene of horror as goblins invaded the town. He banded with his fellow caravan guards, a cleric of Desna, Corpore and a scholarly looking fellow named Zaius, a paladin of Torag, Ianto and a unkempt hermit named Barcus. Together they managed to fend off the goblin invasion, but there were many dead and injured Sandpoint citizens that day. Ameiko offered the party rooms in the Rusty Dragon for their services.
The next day, the party joined Aldern for a boarhunt, coming back victorious with a large boar for the feast. In the middle of their celebrations, Lonjinku, Ameiko's father came to accuse the parry, being foreigners of bringing trouble to the town, and being busy bodies, claiming that Sandpoint was better defended by the town guard. Ameiko came to the party's defence, smacking her father with a soup laddle and calling him a jackass. Hazak was touched by Ameiko's gesture, to stand up against her own father for a bunch of strangers she just met. He admired her balls to live by her principles and stand up for what she felt was right, and hoped to get to know her better.
The following day, the party woke to find Ameiko missing, with her halfling helper Berthana translating a note from her brother that they were to meet at the glassworks the night before. As she had not returned, Hazak fearing for her safety, rallied the party to check the Sandpoint glassworks. The glassworks, once a place of fine arts, had been turned into a gruesome murder scene, with goblins everywhere, with the bodies of the glassblowers all over, with Lonjinku's flayed body encased in a glass tomb. They fought to liberate the glassworks from Tsuto and his band of goblins, and after a long-drawn vicious fight, they emerged victorious. They found Ameiko unconscious in the basement and helped her back to the inn where she could better recover.
Ameiko inherited the glassworks after her father's death, but had major problems finding skilled workers to continue the business, so Hazak picked up glassblowing to help Ameiko with her business. Ameiko was so busy trying to run the Rusty Dragon and the Glassworks at the same time that despite Hazak's best efforts to try to get her out to the Sandpoint Theatre, he never managed to get her out on a date.
Hazak has now heard that Ameiko intends to take a caravan trip with a couple of her old friends, and he's happy to sign up as a caravan guard once more just to have more opportunities to be around her. Even if she doesn't know he's got a major crush on her.
Hazak is a strong hulky half orc with black hair and eyes. Years on the street have taught him not to fight fair, and he who strikes first has the advantage. Despite his size, he moves suprisingly quietly, like a stalking panther. Hazak isn't particularly devout, but pays his respect to Gozreh, for the fruits of the Earth, like his mother taught him. Ever since he's run off from Riddleport he's looking for a place to call home. He hopes that he can earn a commission from a mercenary job so he can buy himself into a minor noble title(with lands included). He's put all that aside to see the world with Ameiko. He views goblins as pests to be exterminated after what they've done to Sandpoint. Undead make him nervous, as they are not of the natural order of Gozreh, and really, those dead bodies shouldn't be shuffling around. Hazak is pragmatic and headstrong and has little patience for fools, of whom he can be quite gruff towards.
GM questions -I'll answer in PM as some of them are rather personal.
I've played part of jade regent before(book 1),before I started ROTR, so it's a bit hazy, which is all good. Unfortunately, to begin with, my memory is usually very precise about game details, so despite being sometime back, it may still be clearer then expected.
GM, before I commit to anything in character creation, I'd like to make you one question: Are you aiming to GM this game until the end?
I always check the GM history before applying to any game and I must say that yours isn't really shinny to say the least... from what I've checked, in all the games you GMastered, you haven't finished a single one, so what I'm really interested in is knowing if/how this game will be different.
I'm not trying to be a jerk here but I think that commitment is really a two-way thing...
Agreed and completely understandable. I know that I've got a lot of failed games, and I could make excuses for them all. I won't though.
I will say this. I plan on going all the way. I plan on investing the time I need to make this work. I know I'm in for a multi-year commitment. It took three just for me to finish book one of Rise of the Runelords.
So there you have it. I can point to that one game and tell you that I want and will be trying to make this game like that. I may need to step away, take a break for a bit, but I plan on coming back as long as people still want to keep going.
On another note, I wish you had sent me a PM, instead of bringing it up here. Oh well, guess it's better to get this out now than later.
How do you feel about the NPC relations/romance aspect of the game? I really want to play a character romantically involved with one of the NPCs, probably Ameiko, but I'm also considering Shaelu. Will you be using the romance rules? One of my ideas is an arcane trickster based out of wizard, a great charisma will be hard to come by, but it's still possible to get a great diplomacy score.
Besides the above idea I'm not sure what to make. A mesmerist or bard could be interesting.
How do you feel about the NPC relations/romance aspect of the game? I really want to play a character romantically involved with one of the NPCs, probably Ameiko, but I'm also considering Shaelu. Will you be using the romance rules? One of my ideas is an arcane trickster based out of wizard, a great charisma will be hard to come by, but it's still possible to get a great diplomacy score.
Besides the above idea I'm not sure what to make. A mesmerist or bard could be interesting.
All for it, but I'm not going to be using the relationship rules. I prefer to play things out.
So would an elf arcane trickster (going from URogue1/Wizard 3 with accomplished sneak attacker) using the clever wordplay to get a good diplomacy score be a good fit? I would chose Shaelu in that case.
Of course the benefits of the childhood crush trait would be mostly lost with a character without a decent charisma score, so I might reconsider what I'm doing. And it might be more fitting to play a charismatic character regardless.
Trying to decide between a dwarven treasure hunter (he hates being called thief or rogue) who worked as a caravan guard for Sandru or a half Orc Druid who hero worships Shalelu and is secretly in love with her. There's also an oread monk who was adopted by Koya I've been meaning to design for a while but never got around to doing it. Then again I've always wanted to do a nagaji paladin of Shizuru who crushes on Sandru and then there's a kitsune geisha hard who is Ameiko's half sister. I'm also thinking of a half elf cleric of Shelyn who is best friends with Ameiko and wonders if they can be something more.
Yeah Jade Regent is my favorite AP and is actually what got me hooked on Pathfinder.
I'm going to play that half Orc druidess (and that's actually a word btw). ;3
I sent you the "GM Questions" by PM. Here's my submission: Lettu "Wings" Kan, a swordmaster rogue Tengu. This is quite the perfect game for him. If you need more details, just let me know :)
Trying my luck with another Jade Regent game, thrice selected thrice doomed before starting to die at the second encounter. Maybe the 4th time is my luck. Have to rework him.
Questions:
-Who are you and how are you doing?
I am pretty fine, and I manage quite good, although it takes sometimes a bit of effort
-How often do you tend to post?
2 big posts, one in the morning, one in the evening, and a few times at work if I need to rest my batteries
-What kind of tone are you looking for in this game?
Mature, with smiles and tears, finding adventure but also face personal challenges
-What do you expect out of your fellow players?
To tell the best story there is with me
-What do you expect out of me (the GM)?
To guide us, support us, reprimand us, make us laugh, but laugh with us and enjoy a wonderful journey.
-What is your comfort zone? Where's the line for you in RP terms?
I have enough of bickery in my real life at work thank you very much ;-) But apart from that, I have played depraved monsters in vampire, cold bounty hunters in star wars, highly idealistic soft hearted poets with L5R.
And I do that in my 3rd decade, so I think I have seen a lot
-How do you see your character progressing as a character?
He will follow his path, but I do not plan it out completely. Maybe the story will tell him one day to become a poet, or a lover, or maybe even a cold hearted killer intend on revenge.
