Dragon Age Origins Pathfinder PBP

Game Master Squee the Goblin

the Chantry teaches us that it was the hubris of men that brought the Darkspawn into our world. The Mages had sought to usurp heaven. Instead, they destroyed it. They were cast out, twisted and cursed by their own corruption. They returned as monsters, the first of the Darkspawn. They became a Blight upon the lands, unstoppable and relentless.
The Dwarven Kingdoms were the first to fall and from the Deep Roads the Darkspawn drove at us again and again until finally we neared annihilation. Until the Grey Wardens came.
Men and Women from every race: warriors and mages, barbarians and kings. The Grey Wardens sacrificed everything to stem the tide of darkness...and prevailed.
It had been four centuries since that victory and we have kept our vigil. we face watched and waited for the Darkspawn to return. But those who once called us heroes have forgotten. We are few now, and our warnings have been ignored for too long
It may even be too late, for I have seen with my own eyes what lies on the horizon.
Maker...help us all.
Duncan of the Grey Wardens.

This recruitment thread is based entirely upon Bioware's masterpiece, Dragon Age Origins, converting it into a home brew pathfinder module of my own creation. I am Leif for at most four experienced, well written and experienced players who share my love of the game and world of Thedas and would be interested in playing in a pathfinder version of it. The race and class systems are slightly strict to keep with the original content of the game. Any who are interested please let me know!

That is such a great game. Truly on the fence about giving this a shot at pbp but I will keep an eye on this to see how it pans out. I am interested in what your character creation requirements are gonna be if you get this thing off the ground.

RACES:

Human Noble: +2 Str and Wis/Cha, -2 Wis/Cha
Human Mage: +2 Int and Cha, -2 Str/Con
City Elf: +2 Dex and Cha, -2 Con
Elf Mage: +2 Dex and Int/Cha, -2 Con
Dalish Elf: +2 Dex and Wis, -2 Con
Dwarf Commoner: +2 Con and Wis, -2 Cha
Dwarf Noble: +2 Con and Cha, -2 Wis

Human Nobles may choose between: Cavalier, Cleric, Fighter, Inquisitor, Paladin, Ranger or Rogue
Human Mage may choose between: Sorcerer, Wizard, Oracle, Bard or Witch
City Elf may choose between: Bard, Cleric, Fighter, Inqusitor, or Rogue
Elf Mage may choose between: Sorcerer, Wizard, Oracle, Bard or Witch
Dalish Elf may choose between: Barbarian, Druid, Fighter, Ranger or Rogue
Dwarves may choose between: Barbarian, Cleric, Fighter, Paladin, Rogue
Classes:

Barbarian (Limited)
Bard
Cleric (Maker) Domains: Light, Healing, Protection, Good or (Paragons) Domains: Ancestor, Fire, Protection, Stone
Druid (Keeper)
Fighter
Paladin (Templar)
Ranger
Rogue
Sorcerer
Wizard

Cavalier
Inquisitor
Witch

Oh gosh yeah! Dotting for all sorts of interest!

Dragon Age is pretty brilliant. This setting makes me really wish that there was a Druid Archetype with focus on Shapeshifting.

I like the way you've got that setup so far. What's the stat generation like? Any traits?

Stat generation is for right now set at either a 12 mod point buy or at 25 standard point buy all before racial modifiers

Traits are suspended for right now while I read up on all of them or learn how to make Dragon Age appropriate ones

What do you mean when you say mod point? Like each increase simply costs 1 point? And then the standard 25 before all racials?

Haven't really heard the term "mod point buy" before.

It's where you have a set mod point buy and you spend your attributes to that max in terms of modifiers. The max plus you can have in one stat is plus 4 and after spending that many you would have 8 left to spend.

25 point buy is the normal way to do it with the d20 system

On Human Noble, you have this: "+2 Str and Wis/Cha, -2 Wis/Cha" I would guess the, "-2 Wis/Cha" should be something else?

What does the, "(Limited)" part of Barbarian mean?

Actually the minus depends on the one you chose to have the plus into. So if you choose wisdom you have a minus to charisma and vice versa

Limited on barbarian means that if you decide to play a barbarian I have to ok it before hand I've seen way too many stupid designs for barbarians.

Ah, I see. Gotcha.

Oh! Ok. That makes sense to me. So the total in positive modifiers is +12 or can have a 25 point buy? Sounds pretty powerful.

I'm thinking city elf and either rogue or bard. :)

Characters in Dragon Age Origins Pathfinder are powerful but so are their enemies, most especially the Darkspawn. Also, there is a unique system I will be using once I have selected the players, just like in the game with the Origins missions, you each have a solo mini-adventure which boosts you automatically to level 2. Its entirely character driven, and allows for a more intimate introduction for each player

A city elf Rogue would be the best combination with that setting I think and I would love to see one of them in the party.

Ideally I am looking for One Rogue, One Mage, 1 warrior, and one other of any kind

Name: Roth
Race: Human Male 28
Class: Mage (Wizard (Evocator (Admixture)))
Alignment: LN

Dotting with my details so far, much looking forward to this. Hoping to play a mage who firmly supports everything done to throttle and keep in control magic users.

Well then, you've got me!

Name:
Race: City Elf
Class: Rogue
Alignment: NG

That's all I've got so far.

For Mages: All Mages serve in the Circle Tower, located in the middle of Lake Calenhad. Mages in Fereldan are feared and collared as soon as their magical talents begin to show, most often at a young age, ripped away from their families to be brought up by their own kind, sternly watched over by the militant arm of the Chantry, the Templars, whose duty is to look after, and hunt down, any Mages who seek to escape or worse engage in forbidden Blood magic. Any Mage outside of the circle is branded an apostate and is hunted by the Templars, most often killed on the spot, or dragged back to the Circle to be forced to join it, or be made Tranquil, forever cutting them off from all Magic, and the mystical Fade, the realm where beings go when they dream. Mages are constantly viewed as ticking time-bombs, especially by the Chantry, as Mages remain conscious whenever they enter the Fade, and thus attract the attention of Demons who would seek to possess the Mage's body, turning them into an Abomination, and wreaking terrible havoc upon the world.

For Elves (City): All Elves live in small farming communities, or more likely in the City of Denerim, the capitol of Ferelden, in a walled off ghetto area called the Alienage, where they are treated as second-class citizens. Many years ago, Elves were slaves to the Tevinter Imperium and were only freed during the Exalted March of Andraste, the bride of the Maker. Much of their history, culture and sense of being an individual race has therefore diminished if not faded away entirely from the current generation of Elves in Denerim. Elves are not looked well upon by most Humans, although there have been many Elven heroes in the history of Ferelden. Some City Elves run away from Denerim to join the Dalish, nomadic elf tribes that wander the forests, refusing to join with human society as they cling to the last memories of their ancient culture and beliefs.

What about archetypes? Are you using those?

Dwarves? Orzhammer, correct?

Archetypes I have to approve before hand.

And yes the Dwarves are all from the city of Orzammar, the last of two remaining dwarven strongholds left in the world, a city rife with political intrigue, backstabbings, and valiant warriors who spend their entire lives attempting to win honor for their houses and fighting darkspawn

Good luck, Squee. :)

I think, for my elf, I would want to take either the Rake or Thug archetype, and not sure which I'd go with. Would either be allowed?

I'd need to look at them both, but Rakes always come across to me as wanna be Nobles, and City Elves aren't like that. They live in a very closely knit family system where everybody knows everybody and trouble-makers tend to not do well, both with their relatives, or human guardsmen for that matter. Again, I'd need to look at both archetypes and I don't have the materials on hand atm but I will as soon as I can

@Gm Elton: Thanks!

I have access to the d20pfsrd and can actually either share the info here or in a PM, if that'd make things easier for you? :)

I will agree that rakes and thugs are both cocky. I've always thought of rakes as the sort of "why yes, I am a scoundrel, but you still love me anyways" with a cheeky smile. Zevran has a lot of the personality characteristics of the rake, while the dwarf commoner story has a lot of the thug archetype examples.

I have access to the d20pfsrd and can actually either share the info here or in a PM, if that'd make things easier for you? :)

I will agree that rakes and thugs are both cocky. I've always thought of rakes as the sort of "why yes, I am a scoundrel, but you still love me anyways" with a cheeky smile. Zevran has a lot of the personality characteristics of the rake, while the dwarf commoner story has a lot of the thug archetype examples.

Nice name drop! Yes Zevran comes across as that kind of character but he's also technically an Antivan Assassin, so he's not exactly a City elf as your character would be. If you were indeed playing a Dwarf Commoner Rogue, I would say that Thug is almost required because of how likely they turn to crime or mafioso work just to get ahead of the other dusters

EDIT: I looked over both Archetypes but I'm sad to say I don't see either of them really working for a City Elf. Rakes come across as well-represented and Thugs are like I said more Dwarven or Human Bandit material than City Elf

Very Interested.

I'm thinking a Dalish Elf either Ranger or Druid. Maybe with a Halla animal companion. (I'd look to reskin the nearest equivalent. Not looking for OP, just the flavor.)

For story I was thinking she has a city elf or an elf mage sibling (one of the other PCs) that she knows she must help with some kind of destiny.

Zevran is one of my favorite characters, just because he's so...plucky. I'm trying to think if there are any rogue archetypes that fit for the City Elf...

Possibly bandit, but even then, that's problematic...maybe knife fighter?

Isn't "knife ear" a derogatory elf term?

Edit: Ooh! I see a tie in!

Yes Knife-FIghter is indeed one of the ones I would allow for City Elves. Also for backstories, I love one as much as the next DM but simply stick to basic upbringing and childhood for now I will provide unique character Origin mini-adventures for each of you that will supply you with most of your relatible backstory information. Thank you :) also any knowledge of destinies will come up later in the game

Well, City Elf (Knife Fighter) Rogue it is then.

Basic upbringing will be that his family has been in the city for quite a long time. Some of the old timers say that his family came to the city to escape persecution, while the large majority say that one of the noble families lost a daughter to a "marriage" between one of his family and theirs, and so several groups of his family were abducted and taken to the city as servants. Eventually the history was lost to the nobles (for the most part), and so the children several generations down stopped being servants and were kept in the Alienage.

As far as childhood? Fairly normal child: always getting into trouble in the Alienage, but nothing was horrible. It was all the sort of things that would end up with a black eye, at worst, or a smile & roll of the eyes, at best.

I'll come up with more (and a complete sheet), when I get some sleep.

I am interested. Although this would only be my second PBP game to start.
I would be happy to play any of the roles you have laid out, but a Human Circle Sorcerer or Human Noble Ranger appeal the most right now.
Dwarf Noble Rogue also sounds pretty excellent, now that I think about it.

Just please tell me the Circle Fade dungeon wont be as unfortunately designed as it was in DA:O.

Submissions will be open for a while, so I can make sure I have plenty to choose from. I am hoping for, as I said, four at maximum, but I will take five if I feel that there is at most one extra character that I'd like to have in the story. That means however that both the encounters will be slightly scaled up, as well as that I will only be allowing One Mage, One Rogue, One Warrior and One apiece for any of the three builds. For example, I won't take two Rogues in a party where they both want to specialize in backstabbing and DPS, or two mages who want to do nothing but blast things to bits. I would like at best a well balanced party, and due to my more recent searching of recruitment threads, I'm also hoping to see a Fighter, Paladin, Ranger or two submit as well, since it's become obvious to me that there are indeed people, like me, who just love a rough and ready sword swinging warrior type ^^)

This does not mean that I will automatically take a character, nor does any class, so make whatever you would most like to play. If you need to, submit up to two different characters and I'll give you notes on either :) and PLEASE make serious characters, I trust everyone currently here to make characters that both aren't made to be broken and aren't ridiculous in weaponry, attire, name, or outspokenly flamboyant mannerisms, etc.

Thank you all again for so much interest, and know that there are a few homebrew things that will become commonplace in this game

1. Healing Poultices, work as potions of cure light wounds, VERY popular, don't feel obligated to make a healer just because no one else has

2. At certain levels you will all gain extra abilities as per a sort of Prestige class called "Grey Warden" but this does not increase your CR or Character Level

3. If you die, you are not out of the game necessarily, Resurrection isn't as bad in this game as it is in others

Welp, funny you should say that about fighters. I just threw this guy together.
Concept is a noble who was sent away to fight in the Free Marches to keep him out of trouble. He recently returned to Ferelden having learned much. Sildred is fiercely angry at his family for sending him away only to call him suddenly back from his company without warning.
He no longer puts stock in knightly customs. He has seen enough war to disabuse him of courtly ambition.

I assume we're going with the original origin stories, but if not, awesome, new adventure.

Dotting for now. Though I second the do not want Circle Fade Dungeon. I'm thinking human noble two handed fighter.

Is a full character sheet required before you will accept anyone? Do we need our own backstories or will it be mostly provided to us? I presume Personality is where we mostly get to show our writing stuff.

At Sildred: well hello there Nathanial Howe! Lolz

At Red: glad to have you do you mean you want a fighter using a two handed weapon our the actual archetype two handed fighter?

At Ark: character sheets would be nice but I do want everyone to do two things. Post their stats on the board. Please no negatives I like wellbalanced characters most. Secondly please figure up three significant character backstory events that I can with with fit designing your individual unique talents. These can include anything really such as tourneys you fought in, books you studied as child or teen, or history growing up hearing about the Grey Wardens etc.

Also for backstories, I love one as much as the next DM but simply stick to basic upbringing and childhood for now I will provide unique character Origin mini-adventures for each of you that will supply you with most of your relatible backstory information. Thank you :) also any knowledge of destinies will come up later in the game

This game looks like a lot of fun. I loved DA:O.

But I get most excited about generating a character and motivations FIRST, then crunch to match. I'm just not good at doing it the other way around. So I am reluctantly withdrawing.

Best of Luck to Everyone. Have Fun!

You say no negatives, what if the negatives are because of racial/class modifiers? IE if it's set at 10 but I have a -2 penalty due to race. If you don't mind that, then

Str: 8
Dex: 10
Con: 16
Int: 19
Wis: 12
Cha: 12

Significant backstory events to come. Small change, character'll be named Erast.

Welp. I just reinstalled Dragon Age Origins. Thanks, Squee. I didn't plan on doing anything else today. :P

At Apocalypto: I am really sorry to drive you away so soon, essentially you do build the character and motivation I just supply an intro Origins mission for every player that helps introduce you to the world, and not to mention tie in how all of you meet.

At Arkwright: Yes those stats would be fine on the 25 point buy system, but for the 12 mod point system, I do not want to see any negatives at all. The max stat for any of the six in that mode is +4 after racial modifiers and you are only allowed to have 3 Evens (12, 14, 16) and 3 Odds (11, 13, 15, 17) So I need both stat versions from everyone before I decide on who I am officialy taking.

At Yorick: What do you think I have been playing all month? Lolz I've gone through 4 complete playthroughs already of DAO, DAO awakening, and DA2. So far I've done Human Noble Warrior with greatsword, City elf Rogue, Human Mage Arcane Knight, and Dalish Elf Rogue Bow

Since the timeline of Thedas should figure in very prominently, at what chronological point in the Dragon Age story will this game be taking place? That helps with the background info you want on the PCs.

For anyone needing a more clear definition of Mod Point Buy, I will start with a couple examples sheets

Using this method generates rather powerful characters, but it's also easily translatable to change to a 8 or 10 if need be.

Since the timeline of Thedas should figure in very prominently, at what chronological point in the Dragon Age story will this game be taking place? That helps with the background info you want on the PCs.

An excellent question. The game's timeline is that of Dragon Age Origins, and while many of you are no doubt familiar with the content, there will be many changes I make to the storyline, both to better fit my own style, the fact there are four significant characters who make decisions rather than just the PC controlled by the player on the console, and to make the game that much more enjoyable.

You will all be starting off just before the Blight truly begins, and your Origins mission will carry you through to Ostagar, where you meet the rest of the Grey Wardens, undertake the Joining, and from there continue your quest to defeat the Blight, destroy the Arch-Demon, and encounter hundreds of those lovely little Darkspawn, who are so happy and eager to see you on the battlefield.

If this game actually goes well enough, I may even start up a reverse plotline Thread on here where other players participate in the events of the story, but as PC Darkspawn the rest of you must encounter. Many thanks to DM Darksmokepuncher for the idea!

Definately dotting!!

Thanks for the answer. I think I may be throwing something in the ring here. Probably a Bard, which unlike in Dragon Age is a definitely arcane class in Pathfinder, so it looks like there's no freewheeling rogue-bard type and only the cloistered Circle Tower bard-mage. Which is fine. :)

Yorick is thinking about submitting a Druid, despite Pathfinder hating Shapeshifting so much that it's unfortunately rather weak. (That Ultimate Combat did not come with a Shapeshifter Archetype that gives better shifting in exchange for lessened spellcasting or fewer forms is one of the only things about this game that has ever really upset me.)

I actually was considering asking about the Wolf Shifter class in Wayfinder #5, which plays basically like a Werewolf Barbarian, but I figured 3rd party stuff was probably a no. Still, if it's something that could potentially be approved, let me know!

In the meantime.

Dalish Elf (+2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Con)
Druid

Mod Point Buy
STR 18 (+4)
DEX 12 (+1) +2 Racial = 14 (+2)
CON 17 (+3) -2 Racial = 15 (+2)
INT 15 (+2)
WIS 15 (+2) +2 Racial = 17 (+3)
CHA 10 (+0)

25 Point Buy
STR 16
DEX 10 +2 Racial = 12
CON 16 -2 Racial = 14
INT 10
WIS 14 +2 Racial = 16
CHA 10

Since Dalish Elves are so anti-cities / enslavement / humans, my background will probably be based off that. ELF FREEDOM.

Yorick is thinking about submitting a Druid, despite Pathfinder hating Shapeshifting so much that it's unfortunately rather weak. (That Ultimate Combat did not come with a Shapeshifter Archetype that gives better shifting in exchange for lessened spellcasting or fewer forms is one of the only things about this game that has ever really upset me.)

I actually was considering asking about the Wolf Shifter class in Wayfinder #5, which plays basically like a Werewolf Barbarian, but I figured 3rd party stuff was probably a no. Still, if it's something that could potentially be approved, let me know!

In the meantime.

Dalish Elf (+2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Con)
Druid

Mod Point Buy
STR 18 (+4)
DEX 12 (+1) +2 Racial = 14 (+2)
CON 17 (+3) -2 Racial = 15 (+2)
INT 15 (+2)
WIS 15 (+2) +2 Racial = 17 (+3)
CHA 10 (+0)

25 Point Buy
STR 16
DEX 10 +2 Racial = 12
CON 16 -2 Racial = 14
INT 10
WIS 14 +2 Racial = 16
CHA 10

Since Dalish Elves are so anti-cities / enslavement / humans, my background will probably be based off that. ELF FREEDOM.

Thanks for the fully complete stats Yorick ^^)

Unfortunately I am not a fan of any 3rd party content, so Dalish Druid who shape-shifts (as Moriggan) Hell yes, Werewolf, no.

Thanks for the answer. I think I may be throwing something in the ring here. Probably a Bard, which unlike in Dragon Age is a definitely arcane class in Pathfinder, so it looks like there's no freewheeling rogue-bard type and only the cloistered Circle Tower bard-mage. Which is fine. :)

Actually, Bard isn't exactly an Arcane class, Leliana was a Rogue who specialized as a Bard in Dragon Age Origins, so if you play a Bard, power to you, you don't grow up in the Chantry, unless you want to, you are just really good at Healing, Knowledgeage about stuff, and sing/dance a lot to inspire!

Thanks for the fully complete stats Yorick ^^)

Unfortunately I am not a fan of any 3rd party content, so Dalish Druid who shape-shifts (as Moriggan) Hell yes, Werewolf, no.

That's pretty much what I figured, cheers. I just wish Pathfinder had a better way to build a shapeshifter. Instead of "Oh you can't even do it until level 4 and it's kinda s!*!." WELL I'M GONNA DO IT ANYWAY.

At Sildred: well hello there Nathanial Howe! Lolz

Wait I never got to Awakening. Seriously? Damn. I think it would be safe to say he has different motivations re:family. Still, damn.

Secondly please figure up three significant character backstory events that I can with with fit designing your individual unique talents. These can include anything really such as tourneys you fought in, books you studied as child or teen, or history growing up hearing about the Grey Wardens etc.

1.Though his parents tried to raise him in a courtly fashion, he often skipped lessons with his tutor to ride out into the country. One day he took a guest's daughter with him, and when they came back Sildred was harshly beaten. He hit the tutor back, hard. It gave him a chance to look around. There she was, his friend. She witnessed the beating, but she had no pity for him, only disdain.

2.--Will be added later--

3.Once while in the field in the Marches, his group came across a lone Grey Warden corpse. Whoever or whatever she was fighting had carried away their dead or wounded, for surely there must be other dead. The brush around her was chopped to bits and there was enough blood at the scene for a dozen men. Sildred thought it was odd that no one from the order came looking for her.

Stats (If I am getting this Mod-buy thing right, this has racial adjustment for human noble.)
STR+4
DEX+3
CON+3
INT+2
WIS+2
CHA+0

If I can use the tactician archetype I may change things re:stats.

Origin Starting Locations after Backstory:

Human Noble (Fighter, Rogue, Bard, Ranger) : Castle Cousland for the Meeting of the Lords, youngest members left behind with small garrison of men while Lord Cousland and Howe await the arrival of Lord Howe's men who have been delayed while the other lords ride out to meet up with the King's army at Ostagar

Human Noble, Follower of the Maker (Cleric, Paladin, Oracle, Inquisitor): Chantry of Castle Cousland, child of Lord who rides out to face the darkspawn while awaiting the arrival of Lord Howe's men

Human and Elf Mage (Sorcerer, Wizard, Bard, Oracle): Circle of Magi Tower to perform the Harrowing with several other young mages

Human and Elf Mage, Apostate (Sorcerer, Witch): Alone in the Wilds, hunted by Templars

City Elf (Rogue, Bard, Cleric, Fighter, Inquisitor): A happy day for the Alienage, two of its youngest members are to become husbands to lovely visiting elf maidens from other Alienages, all the while looked over by the visiting members of the Chantry, and the conniving Human nobility

Dalish Elf (Barbarian, Druid, Ranger, Fighter, Rogue): Hunting one day a group of young elves encounter a trio of human villagers who have stumbled too near to the Dalish camp. Once intimidated, the humans tell of a hidden cave filled with Elvish writing and statues, apparently guarded by some sort of Demon

Dwarf Noble (Fighter, Paladin, Cleric): It is a proud day for the Aedeucan family, for one or several of its younger sons/daughters have been chosen to lead a small military excursion into the Deep Roads as newly appointed commanders

Dwarf Commoner (Fighter, Rogue, Barbarian): Brought up in poverty and squalor, many young, strong Dwarves turn to crime syndicates just to stay ahead of other Dusters, taking up employment, willingly or not, under the Crime Lord Beraht

Stats (If I am getting this Mod-buy thing right, this has racial adjustment for human noble.)
STR+4
DEX+3
CON+3
INT+2
WIS+2
CHA+0

If I can use the tactician archetype I may change things re:stats.

You have it down right, but that is at 14 Mod Buy, not 12, a couple quick changes and you'll be fine

Also, you will need to have your stats down in the usual fashion as well, 3 Odds allowed, and 3 Evens. The reason why I enforce this is because I don't want to see characters who have only one point to go to a new modifier in every stat

For example:
STR: 19
DEX: 15
CON: 17
INT: 13
WIS: 15
CHA: 11

If you instead changed it to:
STR: 19
DEX: 15
CON: 16
INT: 12
WIS: 15
CHA: 10

or any variation thereof, its more evenly balanced, in my mind.