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At a perfumed arcade known as the Emporium, Governor-Mayor Lanod Neff rubs shoulders with common laborers awaiting an appointment in the Veiled Corridor. In an adjoining antechamber, snakes and exotic dancers gyre to a sonorous weave of cymbals and seductive pipes. A floor below, a gaggle of grasping miners presses against the windowed door of a darkened cell, impatient for a glimpse of a twoheaded calf.
Out in the street, a gang of rowdies screams obscenities at a crumpled halfling, kicking it as if scrambling for a ball. Their drunken laughter echoes off shuttered windows and bolted doors. In a tower-flanked fortress across the shadowy square, filthy men with nothing to lose shout hymns to St. Cuthbert, clutching to their idealism and principles like cornered animals. Their wild-eyed chief minister smiles as he draws a cat-o-nine tails across his bare back, awash in their adulation and the spirit of his god.
But it’s just another night in Diamond Lake.
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Originally featured in only a few sections of The Age of Worms Adventure Path, Diamond Lake has always stood out as a gritty and decadent setting par excellance, right up there with Richard Pett's The Styes. As such, I want to run The Whispering Cairn and The Three Faces of Evil, and really take the time to delve into its sordid underbelly.
Here's what kind of game this is going to be:
- Diamond Lake is an incredibly rich setting. Here's a player's guide that everybody should at least skim before creating a character.
- I'm looking for people who can commit to posting at least once a day. I know everybody says that, but I'm quite serious about this condition: don't sign up if you're more likely to only post once or twice a week. I'll step in and post for you if necessary, but prolonged absences or breaks should be announced ahead of time. If people go dark for an extended period of time with no heads up, they'll be canned and replaced.
- I'm going to be shooting for a grittier game for this outing. This will be reflected in a lower point-buy entry and (hopefully) in descriptive text and goings-on in the game itself. Diamond Lake is the last stop for those one step away from a life of crime and despair, where they work back breaking hours in the dank depths of the earth before wasting their meager pay in the brothels and taverns of the city. Few escape it, and clearing away dead bodies from the streets each morning is a fact of life. This lends itself pretty well to a bleak atmosphere, I'd say. Descriptions are going to trend towards gory. If that sort of thing isn't your cup of tea, I'd recommend giving this one a pass.
- This is going to be an rp-focused game, and I will be looking for players who are able to greatly expand on posts and give them some meat/heft. Perfunctory descriptions and dialogue are likely to get passed over. The greatest strength of the PbP format is a greater insight into what the players are feeling and thinking. Take advantage!
- Leveling will occur at moments I feel necessary, rather than by tracking experience totals. More simply put, I'll keep your group's XP tracked behind the GM Screen and tell you when to level your characters up. Rest assured, you will keep pace with where the adventure assumes/intends you to be.
Sound good? Now let's get into character creation guidelines.
Level: Characters will be starting at 1st Level.
Attributes: Characters have the choice between a 15-Point Buy or Rolling. There's a catch: I will be rolling for characters who choose to do so (4d6 and drop one once, then 3d6 five times). Be cautioned, the Dice Gods giveth and the Dice Gods taketh (but mostly taketh).
Hit Point Generation: Max at 1st level. When characters level, you will be given the choice to take Average+1 or Roll. You will be locked into your choice from start to finish.
Classes: Pretty much anything officially released by Paizo is fine. I will not be accepting any 3PP builds of any sort.
Races: Again, pretty much anything officially released by Paizo is fine. Selecting something outlandish is going to require more legwork to impress me; justify why they are tolerated and explain why they are unlike the rest of their kind.
Alignment: Any, but you should keep in mind that an evil alignment doesn't mean your character should read and play like a 70's cartoon villain.
Starting Wealth: Average starting wealth or let the DM roll for you.
Traits: Two traits. Each player may take a single Drawback to gain a third trait. Traits should inform your backstory and feed into your character's overall narrative.
Submissions: I'm going to close submissions on Jan 10th to give people plenty of time to think up great PC's, but may shorten the deadline if I get a great set of submissions early on. I'm looking to create a 4 person group.
Create a profile with relevant info contained within. I'm looking for profiles that are easy to read. If your profile looks like someone vomited a random block of numbers, words, and letters into a pile, I'm not going to bother reading it. Here is a decent example of what I'm looking for. Your profile does not have to be identical to this layout, but it should be similar.
All submitted characters will require the following: Character Description, Personality, and Background. Put some effort into this. As mentioned before, I'm not looking for perfunctory descriptions. A couple of bland sentences is not going to inspire me to consider an application. Also, remember that if this game had a genre, it would be Grimdark. A shining and perfect paladin might not be the perfect fit, whereas a guilt-ridden paladin striving to maintain her god's favor would work.
In regards to Background, everyone should be considering why their character would be in Diamond Lake to begin with. Are they working in the mines, do they help run one of the shady businesses in town, or have they just stopped in? If so, what brought them there? Work at tying yourself into the setting - the more involved you are, the more fun it will be to play.
interesting. Can't say I am extremely enthused for level 1, but the setting has gotten my attention. Roll for me sir! Let the dice gods bring to me their wrath!
I've always been interested in age of worms. I will bite, let the dice fall where they must.
Dot - please roll
interesting. Can't say I am extremely enthused for level 1, but the setting has gotten my attention. Roll for me sir! Let the dice gods bring to me their wrath!
This AP is terrific, and this level 1 adventure is one of the most well written 1st level Mods.
Good luck all!
Roll them good sir
Colour me interested. Can I have some rolls please?
Ah, madness to bet your fates on the cruelty of the die!
thelizardwizard
9,10,9,8,11,3
Or if we swap the 4d6 to the bottom:
7,9,10,6,13,5
Teiidae
10,9,13,13,9,9
Or 8,7,14,13,10,12
Rostam
15,7,13,8,13,13
Or 13,10,12,9,8,16
The Chess
12,13,8,10,15,4
Or 12,11,10,11,9,9
ElbowtotheFace
10,7,12,13,13,11
Or 8, 6, 9, 13,15,13
Umbungo
8,7,12,9,9,9
Or 6,9,8,12,8,14
Okay, I'll bite. Roll for me, monsieur.
Temerity! To dare the die gods to do their worst.
EmisaryoftheNorth
10,12,11,11,11,17
Or 6,14,13,11,10,17
Actually, that's not half bad.
A roll of the dice, please.
To tempt fortune is at best sheer folly...
Spazmodeus
16,12,10,10,9,9
Or 10,13,13,6,12,11
Create a profile with relevant info contained within. I'm looking for profiles that are easy to read. If your profile looks like someone vomited a random block of numbers, words, and letters into a pile, I'm not going to bother reading it. Here is a decent example of what I'm looking for. Your profile does not have to be identical to this layout, but it should be similar.
If you're interested in a helpful guide that does a lot of formatting for you, I suggest my Character Creation Guide.
That is all, best of luck with your campaign!
[/shameless_self_promotion]
Temerity! To dare the die gods to do their worst.
EmisaryoftheNorth
10,12,11,11,11,17
Or 6,14,13,11,10,17Actually, that's not half bad.
The Die Gods hath spoken! I shall be their paladin! Well, not their paladin... but a paladin nonetheless. Indeed I will be!
Except I am not completely sure how well would a Paladin go with this adventure. I will go over the player's guide, but any input would be much appreciated.
I was thinking a crossbow toting charismatic paladin, a bit rough around the edge and with a tendency to be a bit harsh with enemies but caring of his allies. For this purpose I would request, as the setting is Greyhawk and I still remember 3.5 edition, the Gray Guard Prestige Class or a DM's update of the class if he wouldn't mind.
Failing the paladin angle, I may go Inquisitor. Maybe even Bolt ace Gunslinger, but I'd rather go divine and choose San Cuthbert, Pelor or Heironeus as my Deifical Big Bro.
Playing a paladin in a Grimdark setting is always a challenge; it's almost like trying to rock one in Ravenloft. You're going to be a shining beacon of light, a lone candle in the darkness. As such, you'll be constantly tested by the injustices you see all around you, and it will be hard work to keep bitterness at bay as you fail to save so many souls.
As I said in my intro post, try to think of how life thus far could have impacted your PC and complicated their life. How steadfast is their faith? How do they navigate obvious corruption and the like that they see around them?
While the Gray Guard is apropos, I'm not going to allow 3.5 material, however, nor trust my rules-fu enough to attempt an update.
Roll the dice please
Ask not for whom the die rolls...
Ira kroll
So 6,9,10,14,12,7
Or 3,8,9,15,13,10
Looks super interesting, especially intrigued by the more rp-heavy angle! And of course, I must submit myself to the die gods. Thinking either a rogue or inquisitor. Something not very fighty, as I don't usually get a good opportunity for such builds.
Ah, trusting your fate in the die gods...
hmnhntr
So 8,13,11,11,9,9
Or 8,9,12,14,6,12
well, I think the dice gods are telling me somthing. I truly can't come up with much to work with for those stats :p
Well with our rolls, the legacy of the age of worms difficulty will remain true.
I will try and make a tiefling magus and see how that turns out.
Remember guys, you can opt for the 15 point buy if you prefer.
Well, that's what I get for underestimating the dice gods! 8,9,12,14,6,12. Man.
Thinking 6 Str, 8 Dex, 9 Con, 12 Int, 12 Wis, 14 Cha. Charlatan/Guild Agent (assuming you want to deal with guild stuff). Probably Elf. Neutral to evil alignment.
Alternatively, I could go 8 Str, 12 Dex, 9 Con, 14 Int, 12 Wis, 6 Cha. Investigator of some form, almost certainly human. True Neutral alignment.
Stats here don't include racial adjustments
Even after we roll?
Sure. I don't want interested players from being disqualified altogether because they can't make a PC.
Though I'll always be more impressed if a player tries to salvage a bad set of dice rolls. I'm of the camp that awful stats often make for memorable PC's - and force the players to be that much more creative.
I'm not quite sure if I'll have time to put together a character...but I'm definitely interested. And I think I'll even trust to fate and see where it takes me - roll on, GM!
As far as grimdark paladins go, there's an archetype in Horror Adventures that actually does the job pretty well - it's Wisdom-based, which may not quite be what you're going for, but it's not a bad way to make it fit a darker setting well. Tortured Champion, if you're interested.
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DM, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that we stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, DM... so grant me one request. Grant me high rolls! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!
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I'm of the camp that awful stats often make for memorable PC's - and force the players to be that much more creative.
As a player with a history of not having the best rolls, I agree completely. Many of my favorite characters had glaring problems stat-wise.
Is there anyone planning on making a bard, wizard, witch, or sorcerer?
Care to toss the bones for me?
Anyways, interested and roll for me please :)
No whamny, no whammy...STOP
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GM, I'm working on an illusionist wizard who will aim for a skill monkey build. I intend to take the Evangelist prestige class but since you are probably using greyhawk deities instead of Golarion's, I thought about checking if you'd allow an equivalency between Nethys and Boccob regarding obedience... IMHO they are pretty similar.
These dice come from David S. Pumpkins' personal pouch...
I'm not quite sure if I'll have time to put together a character...but I'm definitely interested.
I hope you get to submit something ;)
Rennaivx
15,15,14,10,9,10
Or 11,18,11,13,8,12
And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!
Ah, the refreshing savor of defiance... it does make the banquet all the more piquant...
Nebten
14,12,10,10,9,10
Or 11,13,12,12,8,11
Aer
13,15,9,6,8,11
Or 11,14,10,8,7,12
Gilthanis
17,9,14,6,11,8
Or 14,11,13,9,9,10
...but since you are probably using greyhawk dieties instead of Golarion's...
I'm probably going to keep the Greyhawk influence to a minimum, and will run with Golarion gods. This is primarily due to how the actual AoW was written (they didn't have the GH license.)
Sir Longears
12,9,10,11,8,8
Or 12,11,6,11,11,8
Well, dang...almost be a shame to waste those rolls, if I don't get time. :) I'll start noodling over ideas.
Though I'll always be more impressed if a player tries to salvage a bad set of dice rolls. I'm of the camp that awful stats often make for memorable PC's - and force the players to be that much more creative.
Completely agree. Roll me some "memorable" stats!
Ah, another mortal tempts the whims of Fortune...
SodiumTelluride
So 9,9,14,9,9,9
Or 7,10,10,13,9,9
Nearly all 9s are memorable ;)
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I don't have anything anywhere near fleshed-out yet, but I'm thinking either:
a) One of the attractions at the Emporium or the Midnight Salute, a woman born with a series of intricate, swirling birthmarks. She's a devotee of Calistria who's fairly good at her chosen profession, and quite proud of it, though she conceals blades worked into her scarf for those who think they can steal her wares by force. (Probably human, and alternately a cult leader warpriest, a kapenia dancer/hexcrafter magus, or an unchained rogue, depending on what the group needs and what I decide fits best in my head as she comes together. If we're assuming Golarion ethnicities, she's Varisian, and if it's ok I'll likely take the Varisian Tattoo trait. But why did I have it in my head that bladed scarves were double weapons?)
b) A dwarf woman, convicted to work in the mines after digging her way out of prisons one too many times, who has an uncanny intuition when it comes to classifying minerals and mapping out seams of ore. As such, she caught the eye of the Greysmere Covenant, and they've hired her to ensure the best, most beautifully-colored iron ore makes it their way. (Dwarf geokineticist, ranged combat-focused.)
I'll cash in on the lottery to see what numbers I get...
Hmm, I had an idea for a ranger with FE vermin, who was the local rat-catcher. OK, its an idea carried across from another game that died early on.
However I think I'll bow out, realistically while I have time to do an application, would I have time to play and do it justice? Sadly probably not. Eyes Bigger Than Tummy.
Oh jeez. Literally a 0 point buy on that first array, and even worse on the second. I'll just take the 15 and see what I come up with.
in the interest of full disclosure, I'm not sure I really have time to add another game (I'm hoping/planning to start DMing one more after the new year), but I do have a masochistic curiosity about what I'd get for stats... may I have a roll even if I'm on the fence?
Paizo's algorithms love nothing more than to be tested...
djpika
So 15,7,13,9,10,10
Or 14,10,6,14,6,12
nate lange
So 15,11,5,13,6,5
Or 11,12,8,9,7,8
I don't have anything anywhere near fleshed-out yet, but I'm thinking either...
Both sound like most excellent concepts. I'm curious to see which you end up going with!
I don't have anything anywhere near fleshed-out yet, but I'm thinking either...Both sound like most excellent concepts. I'm curious to see which you end up going with!
Have better character art for the dwarf...have better initial feel for the Calistrian... Played a Calistrian prostitute before, but the game died early, and she was built differently...but I've got mad love for dwarf ladies... Both are mechanical toys I've wanted to play around with for a while...
I DON'T KNOW!! D:
Maybe I'll just build both and let you decide which could work best in the final party, electric, because I'm crazy. ;)
This is Zalorra, my Fetchling rogue. She specializes in skill utility, particularly social skills like bluffing and gathering information. I haven't done gear yet, because I was going to ask you to roll for me. I will also be expanding her backstory later with a '10 minute backstory', which is nice for getting smaller details that are lost in summaries.
Why Fetchling?
I'll be honest, this character was not made with a fetchling specifically in mind at first. But after reading through the various races, and feeling in the mood to play something non-standard, Fetchling leaped out at me. Their whole theme just felt right for a very underworld-based character, especially one that likes to manipulate from the shadows, so to speak.
Why is she tolerated?
Zalorra rarely goes into public undisguised, and few beyond her compatriots at the thieves' guild know of her true racial heritage. She typically pretends to be Suloise, on account of her light grey hair and pale skin.
What makes her different from other Fetchlings?
As she was brought to the Material Plane as a child, Zalorra considers herself a native of this plane rather than the Plane of Shadow. While she can act sycophantic as needed to survive, Zalorra dreams of being in charge of others, and seeing others fawn before her in the same way, rather than being content with her position. She sees the rules and traditions of the land as little more than interesting curiosities to be used to manipulate others.
Evil alignment?
Though Zalorra is technically evil, she is not unnecessarily cruel or obstructive, and will not go out of her way to interfere with or harm others. Though she generally feels disconnected from other people, she would still prefer to see peaceful times prevail, and doesn't wish harm on humanity in general. She is fully willing to work with Good-aligned characters, and even holds some deep respect for some of them.
Hahaha- that's a -13 point buy! I still don't know that I'll have time to actually play but I'm going to have fun trying to make a character out of that, lol.
Would the once a day schedule be required on the weekends too?