Dungeon of Dread - Team 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

Two heroic adventuring parties enter the ruins beneath a field where once an ancient evil tower stood.
Each of them are brought here by a different patron, and neither can leave until their purpose is served...

Obsidian Portal

This is a short retro AD&D style dungeon crawl. I'm going for the feel of a convention style game, with two parties competing to complete the dungeon alive and retrieve the most loot.

It ties into my ongoing multi-party sandbox set in the Lost Lands.

If I recruit from the survivors to join my ongoing game they will have a big leg-up on loot vs the miserable starting wealth I normally use (also the character creation guidelines are a little more loose here, as a tournament-style boon).

Each party needs one more PC. Clerics are the most needed but I'm looking at all types of PC's in case of openings elsewhere in my campaign.

This is a very lethal dungeon grind, that challenges the player as much as the character.

Fast paced game, very high posting availability required.

Must be willing to track resources and keep character sheet up to date at all times (nothing gets hand-waived).

Simple initiative.

Character Generation
*150 GP
*20 point buy
*No stat above 18 after racial adjustment
*Roll HP, max lvl 1, re-roll 1's
*Bonus feat at 1st level
*No traits
*Rogues are the exception, they get 2 traits
*Fighters get 4+int skill ranks
*Action points. 2/level, max 5 in the bank.

Books:
CRB pretty much everything but leadership
APG almost all feats and spells
UM feats and spells only
UC feats only
Anything else ask first.
No golarion setting specific or adventure path specific material.
Anything ARG ask first.

Featured Races:
Aasimar
Dhampir
Drow
Fetchling
Ifrit
Oread
Sylph
Undine
Tengu
Tiefling

Uncommon Races:
Dhampir
Samsaran

Paizo Base Classes:
Inquisitor, Cavalier
(Oracle, Witch maybe depends on concept and build and flavor)

3PP Classes:
Tome of Secrets (Knight, Warlock, Spellblade, Priest) ask first, still reviewing
Open Design/Kobold Press Shaman

List of archetypes in next post.

Dot for interest.

Dot for interest, I'm thinking of a dwarf rogue. How do you feel about alternate racial traits?

Color me confused. First you say that nobody gets any traits. Then you say that rogue's get two traits. Are you referring to rogue talents? Also, what level are the characters starting at?

*No traits

*Rogues are the exception, they get 2 traits

2 traits for rogues, none for other classes... Seems pretty clear. Maybe DMG edited after you posted?

Is there information on the deities in your setting? If I do build a cleric (or an inquisitor), what might my options for favored weapons and domains be?

Here is a cleric of Sarenrae! Can be reformatted to fit your setting if necessary. Buffer and healer.

Sarpadin:

Obsidian Portal

Definitely dotting for interest, will get something together soon.

DMG wrote:

*No traits

*Rogues are the exception, they get 2 traits

2 traits for rogues, none for other classes... Seems pretty clear. Maybe DMG edited after you posted?

I think I did edit that for clarity maybe he saw the pre-edit version.

Also, big typo up there in 1st post: you get only one action point per level. Too late to edit unfortunately.

(and my action points are the same as paizo hero points I just call them action points because it sounds cooler to my ear)

Sigz dwarf rogue here.

Preliminary crunch in profile. Working on equipment (link in profile) and fluffyness.

What was the starting level?

hmmm... looking over your cast of characters I think I'll withdraw the idea of a dwarven rogue. Seems like every other member of the group has levels of rogue or rogue-like builds.

How about a human female cleric of Freya? A valkyresque type.

Edit; Need sleep. Preliminary is in the profile above.

Dot for interest, I'm thinking of a dwarf rogue. How do you feel about alternate racial traits?

Case by case. I don't own the ARG so I haven't curled up with it yet.

Incidentally, only hp or skill ranks for favored class.

Working on a Tengu fighter who favors a two bladed sword. My work schedule is such that it will take a couple of days.

Showing interest. No concept yet but it can be created quickly.

**stuff** Also, what level are the characters starting at?

**stuff** What was the starting level?

**nudge**

Given that we're starting with 150 gold pieces for equipment I'm going to have to assume first level.

Other threads by the same GM for the same setting give the same starting gold but set the starting level at 2 or 3 so I'm going to hold off assumption.

Right^^

I left out the starting level because I want to meet the players first before the characters, but the two spots that need to be filled first are the DoD team 1 and team 2 spots, which are Level 3 150 GP.

I haven't missed your questions I just have limited internet access today. I'll be popping in and out.

cool :)

Ok, level 3 it is then.

Gotta say, Sigz is showing all the signs of what I'm looking for in players. Siggz I have a few more questions but I'm liking your odds.

Everyone else, that doesn't mean I don't want to keep hearing from you, I have 2 spots open immediately and possibly a third pending.

Survey

*What is your posting availability like? What do you like in terms of pace for PbP?

*How familiar are you with the setting? Have you run or played in Necromancer/FGG modules before?

*How many PbP do you currently participate in? Player or GM?

*What does "Old School" mean to you?

*Would you have still been interested in this campaign if it was CRB only? Why or why not?

*Give a couple examples of your all-time favorite fantasy art.

Sounds interesting :)
I was confused by the Action points thing, but that is cleared up :)
Quick question about the Action points. Can you chose to be an Anti-Hero and gain an extra feat at the cost of gaining no action points and never benefiting from them?
At first glance I am thinking of a human with a focus on the action points or a dwarf Stonelord (if that archetype is allowed, its from the Advanced Race Guide) Anti-hero (because he needs all the feats he can get :p)
Will get something up soon :)

Players first, characters later.

Quick question about the Action points. Can you chose to be an Anti-Hero and gain an extra feat at the cost of gaining no action points and never benefiting from them?

The thing is it would be a little scary because having 2 action points is really important for cheating death. Raise dead is kind of rare (until the PC's get it at least) and the encounters get pretty brutal.

Posting availability: one or more times a day during the week, weekends can get iffy. I work three 12 hour shifts a week, Thursday nights, Saturday and Sunday days. Sometimes I can sneak a post in while I'm on shift and sometimes I can't.

Pace: One or two posts a day is fine.

I am not familiar with the setting.

How many PbP's am I in? That's a good question. Technically I'm in three right now, but one is on indefinite hold because the GM has serious health issues and it may never get off the ground. I'm in another where the GM hasn't posted anything for the better part of a week and hasn't seen fit to tell us what the problem is. The third one is actually going ok.

So, you tell me, I go through the trouble of creating a character, how do I know that you're going to stick around?

In terms of "old school" I've been playing DnD variants off and on since the early 1970's. How "old school" are you? I've got no problem tracking encumbrance and stuff as long as I'm not the only player doing it.

I could hang with CRB only, though I'd obviously have to pick a different race than Tengu. Right now the CRB is the only book I've got, I'm getting all the other info I need off the PRD.

Fantasy art? I'm not a big art person. The stuff done by Boris is usually pretty good, but I don't know enough about the various artists who work in that field to get into a serious discussion on it.

Pace: One or two posts a day is fine.

That's what I'm shooting for too (from each player).

So, you tell me, I go through the trouble of creating a character, how do I know that you're going to stick around?

Check out my campaign tab, I have a lot invested in this project!

In terms of "old school" I've been playing DnD variants off and on since the early 1970's. How "old school" are you? I've got no problem tracking encumbrance and stuff as long as I'm not the only player doing it.

I'm only 34 so not that old-school but I'm always trying to recapture the feel of the games I played as a kid. I describe that as old-school for lack of a better word. It's just the best way I can think of to find people who want the same things out of the game as I do. But I found different people have different definitions so I like to ask what that phrase conjures for each individual.

Well, shucks... thanks :)

Survey

*What is your posting availability like? What do you like in terms of pace for PbP?

First off, I'm in the GMT-zone.

For the summer I'm working every other week (this week) 11 hr shifts on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday so posting would be limited to before or after work, 1 or 2 posts, depending on the pace of replies I get. Other days I'm more or less always in front of the PC so posting can sky-rocket if the pace is fast.
Next fall (mid-august) I start class again and availability should be near constant barring assignments and exams.

Today is an exception, I'm heading in for an extra shift so as I'm typing this a reply won't be forthcoming for aprox. 11 hrs though I'll check in on my phone frequently.

*How familiar are you with the setting? Have you run or played in Necromancer/FGG modules before?

I'm not at all familiar with the setting or familiar with the works of Necromancer games, I've made one character aimed at Rapan Atuk which didn't get off the ground and I've browsed through your Obsidian Portal site briefly.

*How many PbP do you currently participate in? Player or GM?

I'm currently in a Kingmaker Campaign here on the Paizo boards and I play Way of the Wicket and participate in an Arena game over on Rpol, I'm only a player.

*What does "Old School" mean to you?

Don't get to attached to your character and it's a good idea to have more than one ready. My first experience as a player was Caves of Chaos back in '91 so it was a lesson learned early and quickly. Pack a 10' pole even if you're a wizard, you can't beat everything and running away is sometimes the only valid survival tactic.

*Would you have still been interested in this campaign if it was CRB only? Why or why not?

Yes, though i prefer having the options available from the other books. Why? Because the CRB has everything needed to build awesome and fun characters (and even though I've been playing Pathfinder since 1st printing I still haven't explored all the possibilities for character build) though more options are just more options and I like options.

*Give a couple examples of your all-time favorite fantasy art.

First D&D book I read, the art holds a special place in my memories.

DMG wrote:

*What does "Old School" mean to you?

Don't get to attached to your character and it's a good idea to have more than one ready.

Side note; I always fail miserably to do that, I like characters with depth, personalities and goals in life, that's why I love pbp, and it's hard not get attached.

OK Sigz you're in, either team. Feel free to post in discussion if you want feedback from the group but Hana looks good to me.

Backstory stuff, format as:

Description:

Background:

Motivations:

Keep it simple, paragraph each. No epic heroics already under your belt. Zero to hero type game.

Let me know if you need setting info that isn't up on the portal yet.

Do your mini-stat line in the "Race" field of the profile, formatted like:

Race Class X | HP XX/XX | AC:XX Tch:XX FF:XX | CMD: XX | Fort +X Ref +X Will +X | Init +X | Perception +X

Sigz wrote:

DMG wrote:

*What does "Old School" mean to you?

Don't get to attached to your character and it's a good idea to have more than one ready.

Side note; I always fail miserably to do that, I like characters with depth, personalities and goals in life, that's why I love pbp, and it's hard not get attached.

That's a good thing. Keep 2 action points in the bank at all times.

(incomplete) list of green-lighted archetypes.

Still need to do Monks, Paladins, Sorcerors.

Barbarian:
Elemental Kin
Savage
Superstitious
Totem Warrior

Bard:
Magician
Savage Skald
Songhealer
Sound Striker

Cleric:
Cloistered
Crusader
Merciful Healer

Druid:
Mooncaller
Storm Druid
Tempest Druid

Fighter:
Archer
Crossbowman
Lore Warden
Savage Warrior
Swordlord
Two-Handed
Two-Weapon
Weapon Master

Ranger:
Skirmisher
Infiltrator
Spirit Ranger
Trapper
Wild Stalker

Rogue:
Burglar
Knife Master
Scout
Survivalist
Swashbuckler
Thug
Trapsmith

Backstory stuff, format as:

Description:

Background:

Motivations:

Woops, I meant Backstory, Personality, Motivations

Abraxes! I choose you! (I've never played Pokemon though)

Survey

*What is your posting availability like? What do you like in terms of pace for PbP?

At least once or twice per day, more on weekends with Tue and Wed being my slow posting days.

[/QUOTE="DMG"]*How familiar are you with the setting? Have you run or played in Necromancer/FGG modules before?

I have not.

*How many PbP do you currently participate in? Player or GM?

I am currently in 12 games, as a player and will maybe be taking over a WoTR AP as GM in a week or two, I also am running my tabletop through RotRLA right now, it's been fun so far!

*What does "Old School" mean to you?

I've only been playing Pathfinder/D&D for about four years and I made the mistake with starting with D&D 4th, I then got approached about pathfinder at my local comic shop and had it explained to me by an employee like the noob that I was, after looking through the pathfinder stuff, and a bunch of my friend's 3rd edition stuff, I immediately bought a bunch of pathfinder books and have been playing ever since.

So I guess, anything that doesn't run like a video game, I play WOW for a reason and I play Pathfinder for a reason and those reasons are nothing alike.

*Would you have still been interested in this campaign if it was CRB only? Why or why not?

Yes I would, but I do prefer some of the supplemental things in other books and the versatility if brings. Though a straight up fighter, cleric, rogue, wizard game is totally fine by me as well.

*Give a couple examples of your all-time favorite fantasy art.

I absolutely love the work of John Howe(Lord of the Rings)

Player first :) ok, i can get behind that.

I could chat forever about my style as a player, or I could just let you check out the PbP I'm active in.

Paizo.com/campaigns/ThePyramidofShadows/gameplay&page=last

I'm running Mundarion, an elven rogue 2/wizard 2.

If I like a campaign and a game master I'm willing to put up with a relatively high character death rate.

I took a brief look at your website and I like it.

Survey

*What is your posting availability like? What do you like in terms of pace for PbP? I can post 2-3 times per day, I like fast paced.

*How familiar are you with the setting? Have you run or played in Necromancer/FGG modules before? Never played 'em.

*How many PbP do you currently participate in? Player or GM? Zero. Zilch. Goose eggs. 0.

*What does "Old School" mean to you? Well, let me start off with what it doesn't mean (for me, at least) (Warning: mini-rant coming): It doesn't mean hours spent researching, asking on the boards, and digging up obscure splat books to create the most borken combination of feats, class abilities, racial alternate traits, and whatever obscene rules you can come up with to create a trigger that gives you infinite BaB, HP, stats, whatever. Basically, no Pun-Pun. Secondly, it doesn't mean wasting valuable minutes of game time looking up some obscure rule in a 32-page supplement that may exist and may give you a +1 mechanical bonus to an irrelevant skill check. What it does mean, to me, is going with the flow and thinking up of creative solutions to the problem instead of just saying "Whelp, it's not in the rules, so you can't do it." It means actually bonding with that strange, irrelevant sheet of paper we call our character and actually bonding with him/her/it and, for some strange reason, fearing for that collection of invisible, imaginary number's life when a certain variable starts to shift downwards, sobbing when that variable is greater than another variable we call our negative CON score, and rejoicing when that variable is brought back above that score through some external variable that's added to the system if we subtract another variable that we call "gold" and use that chunk of imaginary numbers to trade for that external protocol. Old school means difficulty, sweating as a group of variables and statics higher than your "character's" variables and statics is introduced into play, and you compare the two collections' of variables and statics, and using a random number generator, add statics and subtract that variable from the opposite collection's variable if the random number generator's variable is higher. In short, all of the robot-perspective joking aside, it's more fun and challenging, rather than just blindly looking for the best combination of numbers to make a character become the best at everything.

*Would you have still been interested in this campaign if it was CRB only? Why or why not? With all of the new hardcovers and races out, I would love to test out a bunch of concepts and actually have official crunchy stuff for them. However, there is still plenty of things I can do with the CRB, so I don't really mind if it's CRB only.

*Give a couple examples of your all-time favorite fantasy art.

I believe this pretty much sums it up.

Ravalon Lightborn do you have any other concepts your excited about or only the oracle?

@Ravalon Lightborn: +1 for the cool definition of "Old-School"; -1 for NOT including the 1st Edition PHB (Best cover EVAH!) in the art link. ;)

Wait...are those modifiers typed?

Well, I just recalled a concept I was toying with for Pathfinder a little while back. Forgive the lack of good narrative, dear sir, I just got up. (i.e., this is just a basic outline.)

I know you said you don't allow inquisitors, but this concept is practically begging for the Spellbreaker Inquisitor.

The elder dwarves of Mithrilforge had a peculiar trait that almost no-one could fathom. Out of all of the dwarf clans, they had a peculiar... stubbornness against magic. You could fling lightning bolts and fireballs at them all that you want, they just kept plowing on through.

This attracted unseemly attention. [Insert evil necromancer here] was fascinated by these dwarves and their natural resistance to magic, and, of course, wanted to pass this trait on to his minions. One night, he conducted a raid on Mithrilforge, taking about ten dwarves as test subjects. Among them was Morgrym Grunyarson. In the brutal years to come, he was the only one to survive such the ordeal, and was changed because of it. He grew three feet, magical runes appeared all over his body, and the most horrifying of all? Morgrym lost his ability to grow a beard! Some months (or years, he couldn't tell) after he had been captured, Morgrym was visited by [Insert good-aligned deity here], who offered him freedom. The young dwarf (that term wasn't really accurate now, actually) accepted, and he overcame the skeletal guards and broke free of his prison.

Morgrym, knowing that at best, he would be shunned from his clan, and at worst, the elders would send the exarchs after him, Morgrym began to wander, using the divine power of [Insert good deity here] to cleanse the world of the evil influences of magic.

Inquisitor is allowed.

Story would need tweaking, too epic for background of low level PC in lowish-magic setting I think.

It's really cool though.