Epic Sixth Level Bronze Age Campaign

Game Master Cranefist

Hello,

I'd like to find some people to play my first play by post game.

The game will be set in a fantasy world sort of like ancient Greece and Persia.

Characters start out at level 5 and must have a back story of at least a little depth. Characters do not level up and NPCs will not have more than 3 levels unless there is something special about them. Half gods and lesser gods are level 7. Powerful deities are around level 9.

Combat

Combat is handled like so:

Initiative is simultaneous. Everyone gets three actions and takes all three of their actions together in the same post, fully describing them and writing out their effects and rolls. Any characters that have a higher total initiative bonus than every NPC get to take four rounds worth of actions on their turn. If an NPC has the highest total bonus, he gets four actions.

After all actions are declared and described, the GM will make one post explaining how the battle actually transpired, and what treasure can be claimed.

Reply to This

I would love it if no one gave me their opinions on this, in this thread, unless their opinion is that they like it and want to play. If you have a problem with this, please send me a private message.

Soo... Stat generation? This might turn out interesting. Do characters not level up EVER, or do they not level up until they become half-gods/whatever? Or are you doing something like e6 with their feat at every n xp?

I have similar questions. I would be very interested in this sort of game, but my question is what classes are allowed, what ability point buy, and can you give a tad more background on the setting?

The links below go to some background on the setting. I'm pulling these out of the attic so to speak.

There is a sandbox map I drew with Hexographer that I'll be able to put up later, but from this computer I can't access the art. You guys will be starting near the city of Dodona, which you will probably gather when you see the hex markers on the locations in one of the files.

Alternate Persia

Alternate Greece

Characters are 25 point buy. You can have two traits, provided they come from different categories.

Characters will gain a feat every 10,000 experience (aka periodically). I have a good list of capstone feats I'll link you to later, but they aren't anything different from what you might imagine.

There are no banned races or classes. You can even play a gunslinger (though there won't be any npc support for equipment). The world is human mostly, with some hobbits and a single nearby dwarven settlement.

Anything else will seem very alien to the locals.

I would prefer if those playing make characters that fit with the setting, but if you choose not to, the setting will simply react to you.

Do you have thoughts as to what would be the focus of the game? It might help me get the creative thinking going

Do you have thoughts as to what would be the focus of the game? It might help me get the creative thinking going

You are 5th level characters in an e5 world. People know about you. Gods envy you. Things will be thrown at your feet even if you just sit there.

The way it goes is up to you. If you all make wizards and live together, that is one thing. If you all make fighters without allegiance to a city, that's another.

Think of it this way - the world will respond to you, so the focus has more to do with what you pick for class and alignment than it does with what I want.

IMPORTANT POST

I've been saying 5th level because I was talking about the Beginners Box a lot with people recently. We should play at 6th level so that you can have an Oracle or Sorcerer if you want.

6th level

Snowballs chance in hell you'll be convinced to run this game with these classes?

I skimmed a couple classes. I didn't see anything too bad.

As long as the character you make is fair by CRB + APG power level, and I don't need to read more than a page or so to get it, it's fine.

Level 6 sounds perfect. Depending on what other people want to play I'm debating between a Ranged/Support character, or a melee character(maybe magus)

I'm very interested in this--I love relatively low-power feel games, and the idea of being an E6 game where we're already the great, 6th-level heroes is very neat.

Glancing through the classes in the link above I'm seeing a lot to like, but I especially like the Gladiator class. Now just to figure out how to reflavor it to fit ancient Greece/Persia, rather than a more Roman feel (though, admittedly, it's pretty generic already; how would you feel about me just renaming it for the sake of the character?).

EDIT: I can't see anything when I open the links on Alternate Greece and Persia above.

I'm very interested in this--I love relatively low-power feel games, and the idea of being an E6 game where we're already the great, 6th-level heroes is very neat.

Glancing through the classes in the link above I'm seeing a lot to like, but I especially like the Gladiator class. Now just to figure out how to reflavor it to fit ancient Greece/Persia, rather than a more Roman feel (though, admittedly, it's pretty generic already; how would you feel about me just renaming it for the sake of the character?).

EDIT: I can't see anything when I open the links on Alternate Greece and Persia above.

The links work fine for me. They are Google documents, so if you can trouble shoot to open another Google Document, they should work. If that doesn't work, let me get your email address and I'll send them to you.

I don't care if you change the flavor of a class. You can work it however it makes sense to you. The Gladiator class is perfectly fine. That's the sort of adaptability I'd expect from an adventurer anyway.

"I need to shoot some arrows and get my head in the game if we are going to deal with a Wyvern. Let me practice and I'll be ready to roll in the morning."

Wow, those classes are definitely 3.5 material. Favored enemy or rage, and +3 attack and damage bonus, and/or the ability to pounce at 6th level? I mean, if that's how we're doing it it certainly fits the epic theme, but a character who has 6 levels in those classes is way more powerful than an equivalent CRB +APG character in Pathfinder.

Wow, those classes are definitely 3.5 material. Favored enemy or rage, and +3 attack and damage bonus, and/or the ability to pounce at 6th level? I mean, if that's how we're doing it it certainly fits the epic theme, but a character who has 6 levels in those classes is way more powerful than an equivalent CRB +APG character in Pathfinder.

These guys are probably pretty serious Pathfinder fans. I'm sure that they can self moderate and write up fair characters. I'm not worried about it.

Trying again on the documents, it doesn't seem to be working. I know that I've used that type of document before, though, if I'm seeing it right--it's like an uploaded Word document from your computer?--and it's been somewhat troublesome, on these forums in fact. If you could email it to me or change it to a basic Google Drive Document, that'd be great!

Trying again on the documents, it doesn't seem to be working. I know that I've used that type of document before, though, if I'm seeing it right--it's like an uploaded Word document from your computer?--and it's been somewhat troublesome, on these forums in fact. If you could email it to me or change it to a basic Google Drive Document, that'd be great!

** spoiler omitted **

I just sent them. Good luck

So, the three of you, who would like to play what? Lets get some official character concepts rolling.

I am curious. When I have more time, I will peruse the documents closer. I am thinking either fighter or ranger.

I would like to join this.

Character concept wise I am thinking of the mythical thief, the one that steals from kings and gods alike. More Persian then Greek.

To spice things up I will probably be the daughter of a pasha that did not want to be in a political marriage and then left. On one hand all women envy here, on the other hand they loathe her for being all they could have been.

Technically probably a rogue with a sprinkling of bard, or maybe the other way around.

Allow me to introduce Abid Xarin. A former court poet who has traveled far and wide and was gifted with a magical weapon of thunder after passing the challenges of the Goddess of the night in the east, or so the stories go. He accidentally caused the downfall of a prominent Satrap in Asia Minor through a web of intrigue and a mistaken poisoning of a rival.

Still working on stats, but that's the backstory I have in mind.

Abid Xarin - awesome character.

Magabeus, Aeshura, welcome in.

IMPORTANT POST

I think we have 5-6 interested, so I'm going to stop recruiting from now until the 19th. If I have at least 5 characters described then, we can get ready to start play. If not, I'll re-open recruiting.

Lets see everyone's character concepts.

Is there a map somewhere?

Ganymedes grew up in Serres, the son of a sheepherd. He learned as any citizen expected to serve in the military when it called for it, but he longed for more. At the age of 12, he left for the capital.

In his travels, he became a warrior, training with any hero that would teach him, when he felt he learned all he could, he would move on to the next one.

Today, he is a truly fearsome force on the battlefield, but he feels he needs to accomplish great feats such that his name will be remembered in story and song forever!

Is there a map somewhere?

Ganymedes grew up in Serres, the son of a sheepherd. He learned as any citizen expected to serve in the military when it called for it, but he longed for more. At the age of 12, he left for the capital.

In his travels, he became a warrior, training with any hero that would teach him, when he felt he learned all he could, he would move on to the next one.

Today, he is a truly fearsome force on the battlefield, but he feels he needs to accomplish great feats such that his name will be remembered in story and song forever!

Good character.

I have to get out my laptop tonight or tomorrow. The program (Hexographer) I need to open my area map is on there.

Thanks, the map is just to get an idea of where he went after he left Serrea, and where he is now.

I would like to present Yasmin

Yasmin is the eldest daughter of Farshid Jahanshah. She has two younger brothers; Firouz and Reze. Her father is the Satrap of Kermanshah, a part of Zathurm that was added to the country long before the rule of Kamram the Godly started.

During her early years Yasmin was educated in all the important facets to a woman's life; dance, history, conversation skills and so on. Although Yasmin liked to learn, she also yearned to learn the more manly skills that were taught to her brothers. Alas, in this day and age a women is not equal to a man.

When Yasmin found out that she was promised to an elderly Satrap who had lost his wife in an accident she was decided that she needed to move. Having heard about the freedom that citizens have in the cities of Dodana she decided to go there.

After careful planning she snug out of the palace one night, went over the city walls and walked to the traveling band of gypsies that had been performing in the city. The gypsies where however not prepared to just accommodate her in her plans. The jewelry she offered them was easily accepted. However one of the gypsies wanted her to be his wife. Not being in a position to refuse she had to accept his "offer".

After several years in which she slowly gained the trust of the gypsies she learned a lot of their skills. Going from satrapy to satrapy they even returned to Kermanshah to perform there. She wasn't recognised at all.

As Yasmin had developed considerable thievery skills she was able to slip out of the sight of her "companions" and managed to reach the nearest city of the towns of Dodona. She is constantly on guard as the gypsies see their wives as just another type of possession.

Yasmin has no immediate goals, she is very happy that she is finally able to set her own ambitions. As she has never done that, she is somewhat at a loss. However one thing is sure: her destiny is finally her own.

I hope my story aligns with the ideas you have about your setting, if not I can easily adjust

Do you have an idea what languages are available to learn? Do the different satrapies share a language?

Are we allowed to select a drawback (and the extra trait)?

Yasmin sounds great.

The "gypsies" can be sexist and have given her problems, and Dodona isn't an equal society. Zathurm however is completely equal. A woman serves in the highest military post and slavery is illegal.

If Yasmin's fathwr demanded a certain way of life she didn't want, we could do that. It would be the oppression of her family in the palace, rather than society, she was escaping.

She still may have wanted to leave Zathurm because her father is spending a lot to find her.

Yes, you can take a drawback. I just picked up Ultimate Campaign.

Thanks! I will adjust my story to align more with the background. I really like the "woman on the run" theme, will keep that in. But could also change that to on the run from the organization that taught her everything.

Is there an assassins' guild in Zathurm? And do you want us to start in a specific place?

I am placing my character sheet in my profile, please take a look and tell me what you think b

Just a quick post before I run out for the day (probably), so I can't promise anything stats-wise or solid until tomorrow, but my plan is definitely to go with the Gladiator class from the link above, re-flavored to just be a wandering hero. In the actual profile I'll include the relevant info.

Derantes (working name, may be different) is a great warrior hailing from Dodona (at least for now, I may change that as well). He has faced many challenges, which will be discussed in more detail in his actual background, and is well-known and well-beloved by the people. He spends most of his time traveling from region to region, defeating threats and helping the people.

Thanks! I will adjust my story to align more with the background. I really like the "woman on the run" theme, will keep that in. But could also change that to on the run from the organization that taught her everything.

Is there an assassins' guild in Zathurm? And do you want us to start in a specific place?

I am placing my character sheet in my profile, please take a look and tell me what you think b

You character looks great.

I think this parties britches are too big for Dodona. You are going to start in the capital city of Ashlam aka Zathurmopolis.

I happened to have a picture you could use for your character. Of course you don't have to. I just thought it was appropriate.

Persian Archer

Important Post

All of you are going to start play in the capital city of Ashlam, somewhere near the imperial palace of Kamram the Godly.

While it isn't needed right now, here is the area map of Dodona.

Dodona

Here is a picture of the city you are starting in, to give you some perspective:

Ashlam

Here is a little about the full campaign world:

Campaign Details

Note: 2:26 PM I fixed the above links.

The written material I've given you guys about this game world was actually written just for myself 3-4 years ago. I didn't share the written information with the players. It was just for me while I was developing it, and only shared specifically what an individual character should know.

That said, it wasn't really edited or even written to be pleasing to read. I'm only putting it up because I know that in an online game, sometimes players appreciate being able to fully wrap their head around the game world.

Man, as much as I want to play this, I am going to have to bow out. I would love to follow this campaign.

@Cranefist: If you want to use the concept of Ganymedes, go for it... Sorry man!

Man, as much as I want to play this, I am going to have to bow out. I would love to follow this campaign.

@Cranefist: If you want to use the concept of Ganymedes, go for it... Sorry man!

Sorry to hear it. (: I may use him. He's a good character.

Two open slots. Any more people like to join?

Quick heads-up:

I am rehashing my background, will probably post a new one before the weekend.
Regarding the picture: nice! However I throw knifes, bows and arrows are for cowards. ;-)

Couple of questions:

• Is there an official assassin's guild in Zathurm?
  
• What are the languages?
  
• Starting equipment?
  
• Are spring loaded wrists sheaths available?
  

Quick heads-up:

I am rehashing my background, will probably post a new one before the weekend.
Regarding the picture: nice! However I throw knifes, bows and arrows are for cowards. ;-)

Couple of questions:

• Is there an official assassin's guild in Zathurm?
  
• What are the languages?
  
• Starting equipment?
  
• Are spring loaded wrists sheaths available?
  

There is an assassin's guild, but the leadership is in the pocket of Kamram.

On that note, there is only one legal magical society, the one Kamram heads. The assassin's guild is his chief means of enforcing his law that no other mystical order flourishes. Some are still around, in hiding sense Kamram came to power, but they aren't big. All that is in the document on the empire I believe.

There is organized crime, and there are hitmen known to the crime bosses that aren't a part of the assassin's guild.

The difference is in the training. Hitmen for the crime bosses are usually fighter / rogues. The Assassins' Guild has the resources to get higher levels of training, like Ninja, Sorcerers and Bards.

A high level character like a Ninja or Bard could work as a freelance Hitman, but if you get known the Guild may pressure you for membership.

Starting equipment is 16,000 GPs.

Yes, spring loaded sheaths are available. They are illegal, but they are available.

Languages are: Zathurm (Persian), Legas (Greek), Hezzel (Egyptian), Dwarf, Halfling, Sylvan, Dragon and so on. There isn't a common language, although almost all traveling people speak Zathurm.

Aeshuura wrote:

Man, as much as I want to play this, I am going to have to bow out. I would love to follow this campaign.

@Cranefist: If you want to use the concept of Ganymedes, go for it... Sorry man!

Sorry to hear it. (: I may use him. He's a good character.

If you want, when I have time, I can send you a little short story that will help you get into his "head."

That fits quite nicely with my picture of the country. I don't think Yasmin likes Kamran.

I was thinking to adjust my background to assassin's guild trained but did not have the stomach to kill indiscriminately. This would replace the Gypsie part, off course I will adjust the rest as well. But guild trained fits my character sheet I think.

And the guild pressure nicely ties in with the woman on the run theme. And I thought ninja's were not allowed ;-)

I skimmed over the document earlier, but did not catch this.

Hi. I'm a long-time RPG player (plenty of Iron Heroes and 3.5) but new to both Pathfinder and PBP.

This sounds like a fun setting and power level, and I'd be very interested in joining the party.

A few questions to help focus me:

• What does the party look like thus far? From the thread, it looks like Yasmin (Rogue/Bard), Abid Xarin (Gunslinger), Derantes (Gladiator-Warrior). Am I missing anyone?
  
• Am I right in assuming that the traditional Greek pantheon are common gods? If so, they and their worship have so much richness to them, I think I may well go for a Cleric or some sort of dedicated temple-warrior (mechanics TBD, maybe Monk without the Eastern flavor, or one of the fighting classes in the E6 link).
  
• I found this 3.5 guide to various Greek deities. Should I use that, or do you have something else/better to reference?
  

Hi. I'm a long-time RPG player (plenty of Iron Heroes and 3.5) but new to both Pathfinder and PBP.

This sounds like a fun setting and power level, and I'd be very interested in joining the party.

A few questions to help focus me:

• What does the party look like thus far? From the thread, it looks like Yasmin (Rogue/Bard), Abid Xarin (Gunslinger), Derantes (Gladiator-Warrior). Am I missing anyone?
  
• Am I right in assuming that the traditional Greek pantheon are common gods? If so, they and their worship have so much richness to them, I think I may well go for a Cleric or some sort of dedicated temple-warrior (mechanics TBD, maybe Monk without the Eastern flavor, or one of the fighting classes in the E6 link).
  
• I found this 3.5 guide to various Greek deities. Should I use that, or do you have something else/better to reference?
  

Thanks, the more I think about this the more fun it sounds!

You can definitely use that resource. It seems perfectly reasonable.

When you make you cleric / monk / paladin or whatever, don't be afraid to play a negative channeler if that is what you want to do. You are still subject to getting directly influenced by good deities if you piss them off (desecrate their temples, harm their worshipers) and so would be aware of divine law and inclined to follow it. That said, a neutral or lawful evil character isn't unreasonable, provided your character isn't a sociopath (feels loyalty towards people he shares important experiences with, can develop friendships, has a conscience).

The first campaign I ran in this world, the party had a paladin of Athena and an Anti-Paladin of Aries (lawful evil). They had a good cop / bad cop thing going, worked towards gaining influence in and helping the Greek cities they were loyal to, and didn't fight with one another for fear of all mighty Zeus stripping them of their powers. The Anti-Paladin just had to play it cool when it came to doing outright evil acts around the Paladin, and the Paladin recognized that they were both agents of law supporting their state and worshiping all the gods, and didn't go out of his way to follow the Anti-Paladin around and see what he was doing.

Thanks.

I'm leaning toward:
Champion of Artemis -- orphan of war, raised as a dedicate-warrior in service to her glory. Mechanically e6 Hunter (Beastmaster) with a medium dog and hawk companion, and a focus on archery feats.

My only hesitation around using the e6 classes is I'm sure you'll need to houserule/clarify a few things, e.g. how the skills translate to Pathfinder, does Deadly Aim stack with STR for a composite bow, or replace it, etc.

A backup option if that doesn't work for whatever reason:
Cleric of either

• Dionysus (Theologian focused on Madness domain), or of
  
• Hermes (Trickster and Travel domains). The latter would possibly take a level of Rogue to represent a childhood as a pickpocket before being taken under the wings of the temple of Hermes.
  

Thanks!

Thanks.

I'm leaning toward:
Champion of Artemis -- orphan of war, raised as a dedicate-warrior in service to her glory. Mechanically e6 Hunter (Beastmaster) with a medium dog and hawk companion, and a focus on archery feats.

My only hesitation around using the e6 classes is I'm sure you'll need to houserule/clarify a few things, e.g. how the skills translate to Pathfinder, does Deadly Aim stack with STR for a composite bow, or replace it, etc.

A backup option if that doesn't work for whatever reason:
Cleric of either

• Dionysus (Theologian focused on Madness domain), or of
  
• Hermes (Trickster and Travel domains). The latter would possibly take a level of Rogue to represent a childhood as a pickpocket before being taken under the wings of the temple of Hermes.
  

Let me know your thoughts and I'll draft something.

Thanks!

I'll let you pick your medicine when it comes to Deadly Aim. Either it doesn't stack with the strength modifier OR using it is a standard action.

If you pick the former, the justification is that you are trusting your intuition with the shot, with a focus similar to balancing on a beam, as if you expect the goddess to guide it for you.

If you take the later, you get the damage from an extra moment of aiming.

For skills, just don't multiply the starting amount by 4, and gain a +3 bonus to the used of any class skill you have a point in.

As I started working on my character, he transformed in ways that surprise me but that seem like they'll be quite enjoyable to roleplay. I'll post a new thread in the voice of Oneidros, ecstatic warrior-cleric of Dionysus.

Feedback of any sort welcome!

I’d like to introduce Oneidros-- an ecstatic warrior-cleric of Dionysus, the Liberator, Source of Splendid Intoxication.

He comes from a small, isolated community known for their wine, and where Dionysus is worshiped with wild revelry. All within the village practice dancing to divine fervor but Oneidros stood out for how completely he could let go and be filled by Dionysus’ splendor. Because they were small and isolated, all who were able learned to share in hunting and the defense of the community from periodic attacks...and Oneidros found that he was able to access the same ecstatic abandon in battle that he achieved in revelry.

One night when he was 14, hours into the wine pressing festival, Oneidros was drawn off into the moonlight. When he returned in the morning he was followed by a young leopard. When day came he couldn't quite explain where the cat had come from but it was an obvious sign of Dionysus's favor, and led him into greater depths of ecstatic worship. He named the leopard Madness, and the two would hunt and train together regularly. Nearly a year later when the community was attacked by encroaching troops from a petty would-be tyrant, Oenidros and his leopard Madness rallied the villages defense, thrashing the troops badly enough to encourage the petty lord to take his ambitions elsewhere.

Eventually his hungers and passions led Oneidros out into the wider world, and he’s led a very eclectic life since then: sometimes serving Dionysus by championing chaos, luck, and liberation over stifling order, sometimes led by divine dreams to odd, far away places...and many times simply sating his thirst for the chaotic spendor of an adventuring life, and the opportunities it brings him to come closer to Dionysus in the Holy Fervor of battle.

Oneidros laughs easily, is quick to share a drink, and fundamentally enjoys the company of others so has had many companions throughout his travels but is rarely alone for long.

When in battle, Oneidros’s prefers to be in the thick of combat, boosted by his Holy Fervor, swinging his great sword side-by-side with his leopard, Madness. He never had the willpower or wisdom to learn spellcasting but he relies heavily on channeling positive energy to keep himself, Madness, and his allies going.

That is excellent!

Alright, if everyone could please message me their character sheets or post a link. I'll start the first post of the game tomorrow and everyone who is ready can jump in.

I'm trying out a Google spreadsheet based character sheet template here.

Cranefist, as I said before, I'm new to Pathfinder. If you see anything you believe is incorrect -- or something you think I should consider changing -- please let me know.

Looking forward to the game!

I'm trying out a Google spreadsheet based character sheet template here.

Cranefist, as I said before, I'm new to Pathfinder. If you see anything you believe is incorrect -- or something you think I should consider changing -- please let me know.

Looking forward to the game!

No, that's fine. He's a boss. I love it.

It has started.

Just posted in gameplay, although I now realize posting here first probably should have been done... Sorry.

I have joined the gameplay tread as well. Sorry for the absence, real life wanted some attention.