GM Ariarh's Ruins of Azlant (Inactive)

Game Master Ariarh Kane

Opening this thread for general discussion.

Welcome!

Dot!

oooohhhhh, the discussion thread is open :-)

When I checked it before I went to bed, It wasn't yet, so, Yay!

My original idea was a character who became a pathfinder, then was 'Moon-cursed'becoming the were-crocodile. He left the pathfinders and returned to 'normal life.' Going to the island would get him away from civilization because he was afraid the curse was taking over. The original character was a reworked icon named Taldo the tanner, of course his 'normal life' is hunting and tanning, a very valuable member of a burgening colony.

Like I said, I don't know if he will be the best character as one of four, so it depends on what everyone else wants to play. I'm looking at ranger and slayer archetypes to see if I can put together mellee and skill while doing something suitable for water.

The player's guide does mention the pureblade archetype for slayer. Could be good for a monster hunter.

I looked at the archetypes recommended in the Guide, I will go back through them again. Slayer is one of the few classes I don't normally play an archetype with, it usually means giving up slayer talents. Which allows just enough customization that I don't like to lose them.

My conundrum is the water thing. I want a class that will allow some water familiarity, so I don't have to rely on race. The idea of playing an aquatic race to be a pioneer for an Andoran colony is a bit of a stretch for me. I may end up doing it, but I will try and make the character human, half-elf or Halfling. (probably not Halfling).

I think I'm too anal, my crunchy side is going 'hhhhmmmm pureblade'. My fluffy side is asking 'why would an expert at killing aberrations want to be a colonist?'

So Undine has both a 'mostly human' alternative trait, as well as a 'amphibious' alternative trait, if I include the 'deepsight' alternative trait and the 'Hydrated Vitality' alternative trait we could have a guy who thinks he's human, but being in the water makes him feel good, then later he finds he can breath water... sounds a lot like "The shape of Water" Hard to go wrong stealing ideas from an 'Oscar' winner :-)

So first two options,

a frontliner: human barbarian moon-cursed archetype that turns into a crocodile when raging. Who would join to get away from civilization.

or:

a switch hitting skill monkey (slayer or ranger, not sure which yet) undine who thinks he's human. Who would join because he wants something more, but isn't sure what it is.

I would pick which one depending on the other three characters. Any opinions?

Well, the colonists need defending. And what better place to seek new and exciting monsters than in unexplored territory?

More combat ability is rarely a bad idea, though having more than one trick up your sleeve is a good idea, especially with a smaller party. If the other two characters lack much combat ability, I'd lean towards the barbarian, otherwise the slayer/ranger to cover bases.

Just an aquatic feat that may be worth taking a look at:

Child of Two Worlds (Story Feat)

Ahoy!

Hey look Dain found the discussion thread...

*Waves at Dain*

Ahoy! we are going to be on a ship together, so Ahoy seems completely appropriate...

Man I am loving the Beastmaster archetype, we could actually see a squid animal companion...

*Waves at Dain*

Ahoy! we are going to be on a ship together, so Ahoy seems completely appropriate...

Sounds good to me :)

** spoiler omitted **

Curses...

Okay; will do...

This is for all the players, some traits just don’t make sense to me in certain settings. If I look and think there may be a problem, I’ll talk to you about it. With so many traits to choose from, I’m certain something can be worked out to fit a character’s backstory and the AP.

Thanks, gentlemen. :)

On the topic of those 3rd party classes.

I am most familiar with Scholar (shocking I know ;), and it is quite flexible. Even as a one or two level dip for a skill-based class, it would be decent (it gives evasion at level two).

@Decimus: So are you considering the scholar now instead of the cavalier? :)

Haha! Not this time. :) It would be difficult to rival Patenemheb for starters! And I'm pretty fixed on my cavalier by now. I won't be focusing entirely on mounted combat, because I generally prefer my characters to have some flexibility, and that chunks of this adventure will be on land.

For Crafting Purposes, we will be employing Dain's House Rules for Crafting, as follows:

1. Calculate DC
2. Pay 1/3 GP in "parts"/raw materials.
3. Roll appropriate Crafting Check representing one week's work (56 crafting hours).
4. If Check succeeds - then multiply DC x Check x 1/2

=====================

For eg, Let's say you wanted to craft a common martial weapon and the Craft (Weapon) DC is 15 and the weapon costs 30gp and you roll a Craft (Weapons) check of 20.

Your total crafting progress would be 15x20x0.5=150 gold pieces completed in seven days (or 21 gold pieces daily).

Thus, for a weapon valued at 30gp, it would take approximately 11 (56 divided by 5) hours to complete.
-

Accelerated Crafting can be employed. You may voluntarily add +10 to the indicated DC to craft an item. This allows you to create the item more quickly (since you’ll be multiplying this higher DC by your Craft check result to determine progress). You must decide whether to increase the DC before you make each weekly or daily check.

-

Using Accelerated Craft (Weapons) DC=15+10=25

Your total crafting progress would be 25x20x0.5=250 gold pieces completed in seven days (or 37 gold pieces daily)

Thus, for a weapon valued at 30gp, it would take approx. 7 hours (56 divided by 8) to complete.

The +3 HP bonus is appreciated. :)

@Ariarh:

A notion. I know you're not allowing most 3PP classes. But what about 3PP alternate class options?

Specifically, Gillmen cavaliers don't get any alternate class bonus in Paizo material. The 3PP Book of Heroic Races: Advanced Favored Class Options has one for Gillmen which I think is reasonable, and can help buff the party from level four onwards.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/uncommon-races/arg-gillmen/

Cavalier: Add +1/4 to the cavalier’s banner bonus. [JBE:BoHR:AFCO]

@Decimus: I have no issue with that 3PP Favoured Class Option. You may take it. :)

Alright. I've opened the campaign thread, so you can go ahead and dot it to show the game on your active campaigns list to make it easier to find.

Please delete the 'dot' post afterward to keep the campaign thread clean. This also gives me the chance to make the opening post when the time comes to start the game. Also, please don't start any social rp on the campaign page at this time. I'll let you know when you can.

Thanks,
Ariarh. :)

Nice, Thank you!

Cheers. :)

Dot

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in saying hi but I've been really sick this week. Looking at spellcasters of all sorts but not really sure what I want to do. Have toyed with Arcanists, Sorcs, Shaman, Wizard, Theurge from Kobold Press maybe if it's ok. Honestly I would love some input in what you all think.

Hi imimrtl and welcome,

Um, I think a spellcaster would be lovely...

You have now seen the extent of my knowledge on casters... some of us take 'magic is a mystery' to a whole new level :-)

I would offer only this, play something you will enjoy. Oh and that can save our butts when we do something really stupid...

Outstanding! Well, I for one am eager to see what you have :)

Hello Imimrtl!

Taldo's advice is solid. ;)

If you're considering sorcerer, the aquatic bloodline seens a good fit thematically while being quite handy. I've heard good things about the undine watersinger bards.

Since I'm the only spellcaster right now I was considering either an exploiter or spell sage wizard or winter witch to get spell levels as fast as possible. There is a 3rd party class from Kobold Press that I was looking at called Theurge that looked pretty cool too.

Only problem is I hate vancian casting, hence why I almost always play sorcerers, but being the only caster I need to get level 2 and 3 spells as fast as possible.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Since I'm the only spellcaster right now I was considering either an exploiter or spell sage wizard or winter witch to get spell levels as fast as possible. There is a 3rd party class from Kobold Press that I was looking at called Theurge that looked pretty cool too.

Only problem is I hate vancian casting, hence why I almost always play sorcerers, but being the only caster I need to get level 2 and 3 spells as fast as possible.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What is Vancian Casting?

A D&D/PF standard

I've been toying with the idea of giving each of your character's a signature gift/item.

I will wait until your backstories are complete, and then, I will see what I can come up with. :)

cool, I guess that means I need to work on the backstory some more...

I had said Taldo would be a 'switch hitter.' Since Dayrl has ranged covered at first level, I will make Taldo's first feat for melee. I've wanted to do a 'two weapon fighter' for a while. But probably will start with power attack, and decide if i'm going two weapon later or a two handed weapon. His str isn't optimal but we need him to be a skill monkey, so the dex. is the priority.

Ok so I know what I'm doing with my character. I am creating an Exploiter Wizard. I'm working on the build and backstory.

Just checking in. How goes the character creation? :)

Slow, still thinking about traits,

I was deciding if I would focus more on melee or ranged. I decided Melee, then started looking at two-weapon compared to a two-handed weapon fighter. I realize two-weapon is a little less efficient than a two handed weapon, and more feat intensive, but I like the idea of two weapon.

Probably will start with a weighted spear, axe, gladius and bow.

So now, I'm working on the 'shopping list.'

I like the idea of Taldor making lamellar armor, (leather or horn, preferably using exotic creatures he's hunted) but Lamellar isn't real common in Avistan. So a portion of his backstory will be where he learned it from.

Part of me want's his family to be immigrants, from someplace that would use lamellar. Part of me wants to make him an orphan raised by a druid or ranger, who moved here from such a place. Or perchance befriended, by such a person. I haven't decided yet.

Part of me want's his family to be immigrants, from someplace that would use lamellar. Part of me wants to make him an orphan raised by a druid or ranger, who moved here from such a place. Or perchance befriended, by such a person. I haven't decided yet.

If you multi-class a bit via Ranger you could pick up the two-weapon fighting by 2. I'd recommend going at least two levels of Ranger (though optimally 3 to pick up Endurance and level out your Saves). This grants you more skills for the wild via tracking as well as some other perks - but then, that's just me.

Taldo will be a ranger with the 'Trapper' and 'beast master' archetypes.

The basic idea is he is a 'tanner' by trade, thus why he was selected for the colony. He would hunt/trap exotic animals, monsters and aberrations and make armor from some of the hides he tans.

Now I need a mentor who would have also taught him to handle animals ergo the beast master archetype. Possibly a druid....

Yeah, the backstory is a work in progress. I was thinking 'the family business' would be hunting and tanning. But I still need a connection to nature. And if he knows his family, it wouldn't explain why he doesn't know he's undine.

Might just go 'orphan' for simplicity. Adopted by ranger druid couple? He moved to the city, used tanning to make ends meet...

Taldo will be a ranger with the 'Trapper' and 'beast master' archetypes.

The basic idea is he is a 'tanner' by trade, thus why he was selected for the colony. He would hunt/trap exotic animals, monsters and aberrations and make armor from some of the hides he tans.

Now I need a mentor who would have also taught him to handle animals ergo the beast master archetype. Possibly a druid....

Yeah, the backstory is a work in progress. I was thinking 'the family business' would be hunting and tanning. But I still need a connection to nature. And if he knows his family, it wouldn't explain why he doesn't know he's undine.

Might just go 'orphan' for simplicity. Adopted by ranger druid couple? He moved to the city, used tanning to make ends meet...

An adopted child in the wild who grows up to becomes a Trapper and a Ranger?

Sounds like a good place to find inspiration is The Last of Mohicans - that's literally Hawkeye's backstory, and if your adopted family was like Chingachgook and Uncas, I could easily see you learning some Druidic skills in their care.

So I just need to combine the basic themes of "The shape of water" and "The last of the Mohicans" oh, and "Dr. Dolittle"... Like I said, a work in progress ;-)

What's odd is the reason I went with 'two weapon fighting' is the imagery of using a knife and a tomahawk together. I'll re-flavor the axe and gladius as such, and once we get underwater possibly find a trident...

Thanks for the update Taldo. :) How about you, Daryl? You didn't say how your character was progressing.

Thanks for the update Taldo. :) How about you, Daryl? You didn't say how your character was progressing.

That's true - there have been so many decisions to make that I've been delaying them a bit as I observe the others and their designs.

Don't worry; I will have it done soon.

Very slowly tbh. I expected to be able to focus on character creation a lot more over the past week. Though I am settled on the following:

* Gillman
* Cavalier
* Order of the Waves
* Oceanrider
* Seahorse Mount

Can I help anyone in any way?

So Taldo will figure out he can breath under water, would you rather do that in game? Or would you rather that be part of his backstory?

@Taldo: Being part of his backstory is certainly fine. I look forward to reading about him. :)

A notion. What do you make of the Beast Rider archetype as something to take with or instead of Ocean Rider? Having a mount that can stay underwater matters more for my character concept, but it's the only other archetype I've any real interest in.

Hey everyone, sorry real life has gotten in the way a bit. I'm almost done with the mechanics and then will get underway with the backstory

A notion. What do you make of the Beast Rider archetype as something to take with or instead of Ocean Rider? Having a mount that can stay underwater matters more for my character concept, but it's the only other archetype I've any real interest in.

My apologies, Uzziah. I've been training people all day and only just got home. I will respond via PM later tonight, my time. Thanks for your patience. :)

No worries. :)