RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Some of you have sent me private messages inquiring about your characters' origins and whether or not it be required that you are a resident of Ustalav. In short: No. It is not required.
The game will begin in the capital city of Caliphas. Your characters may be from other parts of Ustalav, you may be a life-long resident of the city, or you can be from parts abroad. The homeland of the character does not matter as much as why you've come to Caliphas.
Those of you coming from other nations likely came to Caliphas to evade capture from someone. Ustalav, and the city of Caliphas in particular, are viewed in a very superstitious light by many and only particularly determined trackers would dare pursue someone into this cursed land. Perhaps that very superstition itself is what drew your character to this land, out of morbid curiosity or a desire to understand its dark secrets?
I cannot say for certain when this campaign will begin in earnest. Obviously I am still waiting for many people to finalize their characters and backstories so that I can decide how I am going to approach the subject of getting you all together. Until that is completed, I will be developing the deeper parts of the story.
However it would seem very likely that tactical smarts overcame simple brute force in enabling Ventar to defeat Albrekt (as I'm coining my anti-pally) - that and the cold dead hands of his necrotic followers :)How about this?
Ventar narrowly manages to escape their first encounter by fleeing. Then Ventar manages to lure Albrekt into an area where he has prepared well... Several undead minions, desecrated area and multiple channel negative energy bursts to keep the undead minions alive while tapping Albrekt for life until he is left unconcious. Ventar considered to make a zombie of him, but while talking with Albrekt as he lay naked and ready on the altar, Ventar had a better idea ...
Open for ideas obviously :)
Last part worries me lol...
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I'm starting to become concerned that I'm already seeing a couple of players with a very low level of involvement. Ex Lege Libertas and I have been working out details largely via PM, and Black Dow and Glade have been fairly active in their discussion... but I haven't seen anything from KMB or Monkeygod in several days.
This game isn't going to work without involved players. Character creation and story-making is just as important as gameplay in my opinion, so let's see some activity, guys. If I haven't seen anything from the two of you in 48 hours, I'm going to go back to the recruitment thread to pull in some other people who wanted to be in on this.
Mostly finished Haruk. Need to do gear, change a few things in my history, including why I'm in Caliphas, and I should be good.
For us casters, can our standard and back-up weapons be masterwork? or just regular?
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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If you want to spend 300 of your 900 "unallocated" gold to make one of your weapons masterwork, that's fine. The fact that I'm giving casters a 1000gp magic item is supposed to make up for the fact that they don't get masterwork weapons and armor.
Fair warning: Magic items above about 6,000gp are going to be seriously hard to come by in Ustalavan marketplaces. That said, I plan on being pretty generous with the magical equipment you'll be finding in the field.... and some of it may be quite difficult to sell. :)
I was just wondering, as the wording confused me just a tad. Thanks for the clarification
Fatespinner/Ventar - would it be concieveable that as Albrekt was bested by Ventar some of his possessions/coin would also be his "by right of combat & blood"...
Just a thought?
Am offshore at the moment so interwebs can be a bit spotty - may find I've loads of time and limited access, but just as likely to be the reverse!
Back on the beach tomorrow so will break the back of character generation then.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Fatespinner/Ventar - would it be concieveable that as Albrekt was bested by Ventar some of his possessions/coin would also be his "by right of combat & blood"...
I think that it would be pretty unusual for any chaotic evil character to entrust another character with his possessions, respect for strength notwithstanding.
That said, if Ventar is intentionally withholding some of your items from you, that's up to you to decide. That seems to be a very quick way to put Ventar on the "murdered in the middle of the night" list, though.
Yeah wasn't thinking so much as entrusted, more taken from him...
True Albrekt probably would hold the grudge lol...
Also considered whether Ventar's church has placed a Geas/Quest upon Albrekt...
Like the Rough Beast himself, I too am shackled by the weak and fearful...
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Also considered whether Ventar's church has placed a Geas/Quest upon Albrekt...
That would be very unusual for the church of Urgathoa. If they wanted to accomplish that kind of thing, they would've just killed you and enslaved you as an undead. The control is much more ironclad that way.
The fact that your character is still living in this theoretical situation is entirely because Ventar has, for whatever reason, decided you're more useful alive than dead. I'm interested to see what kind of excuse he can make for that particular case because it seems to me that using an Antipaladin of Rovagug as a slave is possibly one of the quickest ways to ensure a very unpleasant death.
Perhaps he (or his church) has promised you a path to undeath in return for a certain length of servitude? It seems to me that becoming a skeletal champion or graveknight might actually be viewed as a good thing for an Antipaladin of Rovagug, but you and your faith do not have the knowledge or power to do so personally. After all, you can't survive to see the End of All Things unless you become immortal.
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A priest of Rovagug makes no contribution to normal society; at best, they may be (unreliable) mercenaries. They typically spend their day hunting beings and things to kill and destroy, saving only that which can be utilized in creating greater destruction.
@Black Dow
Depending on what you envision Albrekts cognitive processes to be like, perhaps this might be a viable backstory? I picture their arrangement not to be a master/slave or an involuntary arrangement, but more a situation where both people see that joining forces will help them reach their respective goals. The relationship that comes to mind would be the relationship between Darth Sidious and Darth Maul in Star Wars I.After liquidating his father’s few remaining assets he had spent most of his remaining coin on some good wine for the road East, the rest he had squandered on a set of armor, a weapon and some minor magicks. Somehow it seemed like the thing to do when going out on adventure. For simplicity he took up with a caravan heading east, but they were never prepared for the onslaught that came upon them in the night. Judging from the sounds of the fighting the camp was under attack from half a dozen assailants. Ventar quickly rolled out of his sleeping bag to defend himself, but by then the remaining traders and guards from the caravan were fleeing for their lives. Letting his curiosity get the better of him was not a new thing for Ventar, and so he suddenly found himself face to face with the warrior who had unleashed his fury on the caravan. Realizing, too late, that there was only one assailant and that he was facing him, Ventar raised his Morningstar in a defensive position; the warrior had single handedly decimated the caravan and now Ventar was next.
The warrior charged with reckless abandon and Ventar barely managed to deflect the blow sufficiently to avoid being split in two. As it was he suffered a grievous wound to the chest and realized that he could not stand in single combat with this opponent. Stepping back slightly Ventar channeled the divine energies granted to him into a forceful command: “Fall!” Muttering a short praise, Ventar observed as the spell took effect, and the warrior fell to the ground. He knew though that the warrior would be getting up, and so he fled. As Ventar fled and hid he could hear the trashing of the caravan, the destruction of the wagons, the merchandise they carried and the senseless slaughter of the horses. Fortunately he found a cave suitable for shelter and as midnight came he was able to pray for new favors from the pallid princess. Taking stock he realized that he had been forced to leave most of his possessions in the camp as he fled. Even so, he still had some his more expensive items carried on his person, amongst them a wand of healing and some scrolls .
Not wanting to leave his other possessions behind, Ventar healed himself and started to scheme on how he could regain his possessions. The obvious way to do that was to search the campsite for his backpack in the morning and hope it was still intact. As morning came Ventar snuck back to the caravan and observed from a distance the carnage. Nothing was left untouched and no one was left alive, man or beast. Except the warrior who had caused all of this. Having completed his destruction, he was now sleeping in the midst of the wreckage, apparently not an early riser. A plan formed. Ventar made his preparations and gambled that the warrior did not wake too soon. He did not. Having all the pieces of his plan in place, Ventar went into execute.
Again sneaking up on the warrior he stopped a good distance away, found a good place to rest his crossbow, aimed carefully and buried a bolt deep in the warriors left thigh. Waking with a scream of anger and bewilderment, the warrior was quickly in his feet and in pursuit. He was markedly faster that Ventar, but was also somewhat hindered by the bolt in his thigh. That and the headstart Ventar had allowed him to reach his cave before the warrior caught up with him. As he did though, the trap was sprung. The warrior had leaped into the cave area where Ventar had cast desecrate before he had created a pair of zombies (after all, there was plenty of raw material from the previous night). The zombies fell on the warrior as Ventar conjured up a magical darkness around them, preventing normal sight. As the sounds of fighting reached Ventar from close by he once again called on the dark energies and filled the cave with them, harming the living and bolstering the undead. After some time the sounds of fighting stopped and Ventar lifted the magical darkness to find the warrior lying severly wounded on the floor.
Wanting to savour his victory he ordered the one remaining zombie to stop attacking. The deadly warrior was stripped of his weapons and armor and bound hands and feet. Making sure he was sufficiently restrained and wounded, Ventar expended a charge of his wand so that he could gloat about his victory to the defeated warrior and perhaps see the fear in his eyes as he told him about his plans. As the warrior awoke and found himself restrained he raged for a while before Ventar could confirm that they indeed spoke the same language. As they were talking, much to Ventars surprise the fear he was hoping for never surfaced. Curious he continued the interview, and found that this warrior might actually be of more use to him alive than (un)dead. As the realization struck home for them both that they might accomplish more together than separately, a strange bargain was made;
Albrek, for that was the warriors name, swore to enter into companionship with Ventar and restrain himself from wanton destruction whenever the urge came upon him. In return he would get to unleash all his destructive capabilities on demand, but in a way that was aligned with the greater goals. Goals which would guarantee an even greater level of destruction in the future, though sometimes this might not be obvious at the time. Also, he would keep his life for now. As a separate part of the deal, when Ventar came sufficiently into his Gods good grace, he would find a way to turn Albrekt into his undead form of choice, possibly a vampire, and so enable him to unleash his wrath and destruction on the world until the end of time. Thus having struck a win-win deal for both, they set off, still heading east…
Like it :)
Will probably go with the Knight of the Sepulcher archetype as this would totally tie in with this endgame nei?
The undead he would seek to become would (i think) be more akin to a Barrow Wight than a Vampire - a ravening, brutal beast rather than a sophisticated killer...
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Glad you like it. ;)
Any comments from the GM to this, or can we incorporate this in our background stories? (Assume any items mentioned in the story to have been used since then unless paid for during character creation)
Good idea! As a knight of the sepulcher Albrekt will end up as an undead champion at lvl 20.
How about this? Every time he levels in that class, it is really Ventar who guides him on the path, coaching him on how to reach his full potential and becoming an undead? Lends itself nicely to the story on how they met and provides additional motivation not to kill each other(Saves us from having to consider which type of undead he aspires to become as well)
On a separate note, as a rules question, is there anything stopping you from gaining levels after gaining the undead template? (Assuming that you gain one of the more advanced templates, e.g. vampire, lich etc.)
Quick question Fate:
You said no to Leadership, but how do you feel about allied NPCs built into my backstory, as potential actual in game NPCs?
Right now there's a trio in my history that I've actually killed, but I think I might like to have them alive instead, if that's cool with you.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Quick question Fate:
You said no to Leadership, but how do you feel about allied NPCs built into my backstory, as potential actual in game NPCs?
Right now there's a trio in my history that I've actually killed, but I think I might like to have them alive instead, if that's cool with you.
I have no problems with established connections with allied NPCs, but they will not be following you around or performing special favors for you on demand like those acquired with Leadership would.
Also, Dow, the Knight of the Sepulcher idea is pretty interesting, but it seems like if you're going down that route, Albrekt might be (unwittingly) converting to the worship of Urgathoa as you progress. Rovagug is pretty neutral on the idea of undead, so it's not necessarily against your ethos, but it is pretty unusual for a member of that faith to adopt that particular angle so readily. Something to consider.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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On a separate note, as a rules question, is there anything stopping you from gaining levels after gaining the undead template? (Assuming that you gain one of the more advanced templates, e.g. vampire, lich etc.)
As long as you still have an Intelligence score, you can gain class levels. I will probably stagnate your level advancement a bit to make up for the overall power increase that comes with applying a template, though.
The rest of the backstory seems perfectly fine by me. Gives you both a good reason to "play nice" with each other as well as the rest of the group.
@ Venter: Sounds a plan - just no naked alters when levelling up eh? :)
@ Fatespinner - have incorporated the Rovagug/Urgathoa element into Albrekt's profile (yet to be populated with anything). Like the warped logic of the ultimate survival to the End of All Things being the walking, warring dead.
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I just got my access back. I apologize for my absence - there were unforeseen circumstances involving a man flipping my laptop and shattering it.
Needless to say, authorities are just, and I have a brand new laptop appraised at the value mine was at.
My Cavalier is nearly complete, but if we need more support, I can use an alchemist prototype (with backstory complete) instead. Sorry once again for the inconvenience.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Glad you got things squared away, KMB. I was beginning to get concerned you weren't going to make it. Is your character going to be a pure Cavalier? I was operating under the impression that you were going to be a cavalier/bard. The table is starting to look pretty fighter-heavy otherwise.
@Fate, Plans for dealing with maps? Thought Id tip you about the roll20.net page if you havent alreadyseen it...
I'm going to be using Google docs for maps. The spreadsheet document very nicely mimics a battle grid and most people (myself included) should have access to it from anywhere.
I hope at least one of you will be able to reliably make Knowledge checks on a consistent basis, since I expect Religion, History, and Geography may commonly come into play for this game. After all, these are ancient artifacts we're talking about here. :)
Currently lurking, is this game full?
Question for the players:
Would you prefer to use Obsidian Portal as a place to collect character notes, adventure logs, loot tables, and the like? Or do we want to just keep it strictly to the Paizo boards?
The advantage to using OP is that it has tools we can use to expedite character advancement, divvy up party loot, figure out who is carrying what, collect visual aids and 'handouts,' and keep individual logs of key NPCs and things like that. The disadvantage, of course, is that then we would need to be visiting TWO sites on a regular basis (possibly creating an OP account for some of you), and updating a character sheet in two places when you level up or get a new piece of gear. To be fair, you likely wouldn't need to visit OP often, just when leveling up or handling loot distribution... or when I posted a new visual aid (which I would be providing a link to in the game thread anyway).
I'm willing to go with your collective decision on this. Obviously adding OP to the mix makes for a bit more paperwork on both sides of the GM screen, but it also allows for a slightly more colorful and organized experience. If the overall opinion is "I'm fine with or without it" then I'm just going to default to "no" since, if it doesn't matter to you either way, I'm just not going to bother with all the extra effort. :)
Aww shucks. You sound like an awesome DM. Well if someone drops out please PM me.
KMB - Welcome back, and glad to hear that the story had a happy ending.
Fatespinner - I'm neutral on the whole Obsidian Portal thing.
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@ ELL: Thanks, I appreciate being back.
I'm neutral on the Obsidian Portal thing. It sounds really cool, and if you're willing to put the work in, I'm all for it.
I am making a cav/bard/herald, so I will have some samplings of arcane casting, but not enough to matter. More like tossing morale bonuses and demoralizing our enemies.
That said, he's pretty much prepared in my head, just need to apply to paper. So if anyone wants to see less armor, by all means, let me know before I finalize by tomorrow evening.
Also: If I'm keeping my Cav, which I'd like to do, I want to request any melee bruisers to take Outflank. Shenanigans are sure to happen. ;)
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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That said, he's pretty much prepared in my head, just need to apply to paper. So if anyone wants to see less armor, by all means, let me know before I finalize by tomorrow evening.
Also: If I'm keeping my Cav, which I'd like to do, I want to request any melee bruisers to take Outflank. Shenanigans are sure to happen. ;)
I'd like to see everyone's character sheets finalized, with gear, in their alias profile by tomorrow if at all possible. Then I can maybe get this show on the road come Monday.
@ ELL: Thanks, I appreciate being back.
I'm neutral on the Obsidian Portal thing. It sounds really cool, and if you're willing to put the work in, I'm all for it.
I am making a cav/bard/herald, so I will have some samplings of arcane casting, but not enough to matter. More like tossing morale bonuses and demoralizing our enemies.
That said, he's pretty much prepared in my head, just need to apply to paper. So if anyone wants to see less armor, by all means, let me know before I finalize by tomorrow evening.
Also: If I'm keeping my Cav, which I'd like to do, I want to request any melee bruisers to take Outflank. Shenanigans are sure to happen. ;)
Outflank looks great, definitely on my to-do list.
These guys are gonna be butchers on the field.
I'm aware of Obsidian Portal as a tool, but not familiar at all with using it. Would be game to tho'
@ELL: Yup we're gonna be Nasty...
Working on my character as we speak Fatespinner...
Working on why I am in Caliphas. Thankfully I own Rule of Fear. Will be sending a PM to you soonish.
Could the 1k gold magic item for us casters be a Wand? or is it just for wondrous items?
Right, then. You have my most sincere apologies for my delays. I've been sideswiped repeatedly in this endeavor, and I'll put some big bullet points / small summaries in his profile. Otherwise, he's done.
Anyone else want to chime in with a backdrop story of why we ended up keeping company?
I assumed that was gonna be Fatey's job, and that we had not all become a "party" before this point.
Fatespinner: Do we need to cover that? Should we gin up a reason we're all working together?
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Fatespinner: Do we need to cover that? Should we gin up a reason we're all working together?
You should probably come up with reasons why you know each other and might at least be willing to trust each other on a limited basis. As for the unifying aspect that brings you together as a GROUP, I will handle that. But if you're all mistrustful and ready to kill each other on sight, my catalyst isn't going to solve anything.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Right, then. You have my most sincere apologies for my delays. I've been sideswiped repeatedly in this endeavor, and I'll put some big bullet points / small summaries in his profile. Otherwise, he's done.
I notice that the cavalier archetype you chose gives up tactician. That's an interesting choice. Is there some particular combo you're planning to make Battle Herald more useful? Because the levels stack with the cavalier tactician ability, but it doesn't GRANT the ability if you don't already have it.
Right, then. You have my most sincere apologies for my delays. I've been sideswiped repeatedly in this endeavor, and I'll put some big bullet points / small summaries in his profile. Otherwise, he's done.I notice that the cavalier archetype you chose gives up tactician. That's an interesting choice. Is there some particular combo you're planning to make Battle Herald more useful? Because the levels stack with the cavalier tactician ability, but it doesn't GRANT the ability if you don't already have it.
You know, you're right. Don't know how I missed that. Removing archetype, because it goes against my plans.
As for improving battle herald, I just get a single dead ability at level one. Most other things taken care of, as I will update my profile page in the hour.
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You know, I keep delaying, because my time management hasn't been what it used to be, and I apologize to all of you for it.
I think it's in your best interest to find someone else, much as I hate to say it. I probably can't commit a lasting thought here as much as I originally thought I would. You have my most grandest apologies for wasting your time.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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You know, I keep delaying, because my time management hasn't been what it used to be, and I apologize to all of you for it.
I think it's in your best interest to find someone else, much as I hate to say it. I probably can't commit a lasting thought here as much as I originally thought I would. You have my most grandest apologies for wasting your time.
No worries. Thank you for letting us know up front, as it's much easier on all of us to change the starting line-up instead of phasing out an existing part of the party. I hope at the very least you'll be able to find time to see what kinds of nefarious deeds unfold as things go on!
Back to the recruitment thread for me, then...
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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How about getting started for the 4 we've got atm and get the last addition to the group when we are underway ? Usually takes a bit of time to get stuck into it
anyway...
Because you need to all be in the same general area when this thing gets kicked off. Also, I still haven't seen any ideas about how/why you guys might know each other. The game will be starting in the Caliphas marketplace. You might be finishing up some shopping, perhaps packing up your own stall, dining in a nearby inn, or just strolling by. There will be a catalyst, however, but I'm not quite ready to set this in motion yet. I want all the PCs ready and accounted for before the game begins and I'm willing to wait a few days to make sure that happens.
How about getting started for the 4 we've got atm and get the last addition to the group when we are underway ? Usually takes a bit of time to get stuck into it
anyway...
I'm eager to see the game, but I'm not in any rush to start at the expense of having things set up. There's no time limit on these games.
For my part, I have no trouble working with others, as long as I can find a way to have them advance the goals of Hell.
Perhaps, similar to Way of the Wicked, we share a collective persecution? Or maybe we all worked together, perhaps as part of a bigger group, to take down some force of good? In fact, both could work. First we were persecuted, than we gather together to destroy our persecuter.