Please post questions etc. here...
Okay, first question is a background question:
Alright, that being out of the way, a crunch question.
Primal
Your powers are attuned to the concentrated core of the elemental plane.
Associated Bloodline: Elemental.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell with an energy descriptor that matches your elemental bloodline's energy type, that spell deals +1 point of damage per die rolled.
Bloodline Powers: You can infuse raw energy into your summoned minions.
Elementalist Summoning (Su): At 9th level, whenever you summon a creature, it gains energy resistance 10 against the energy type that matches your elemental bloodline (if it already has such resistance, its resistance increases by +5), and its natural attacks deal an additional 1d6 points of damage of the same energy type. This bloodline power replaces elemental blast.
My questions are more like requests for advice I guess. I've gone from a Varisian heavy country to one where they'd be a definite minority. How much do you want me to alter his background and how well would it fit in Cheliax?
Mechanically speaking (and possibly background as well), the best trait match appears to be Child of Infamy. Perhaps Krokod had a cousin who foolishly chose Cheliax to make his/her name on stage here.
Being in 'Devil nation' I have to wonder how many things are going to be immune to fire ;) But Krokod wouldn't necessarily know that and by the time we face that sort of thing (hopefully) He'll have options
I'm in the same boat fire-wise, Krokod, but welcome the challenge :) I'm hoping our abilities can work very well together.
Let's just say that if you have to drop a fireball on me to clear things out, I'll have a better chance than your average cleric of making it ;)
I also wanted to say a big Thank You to GM Birch for taking on more than one game, I understand how much work can go into running a game and am very happy and appreciative to have a pbp game to play in.
Okay, first question is a background question:
** spoiler omitted **
Alright, that being out of the way, a crunch question.
** spoiler omitted **...
Go for it! We're far enough into the process to bend a few rules now. If it feels odd to me, I'll soon let you know.
I'm exhausted before we start!
Thanks for sticking by me and well done to you all. What's next? I need you to:
1. Review your characters and make sure they're 100% to your satisfaction
2. If someone fancies themselves as a rules-helper, please check out/help the other guys to make sure they're characters are 100% to your satisfaction ; p
3. Be really clear about why you're here
4. Please help out if I'm asked a question and you know the answer. I won't mind if someone jumps in and solves the mystery or gives advice
5. I have a house-rule now. Knowledge (local) is about where you come from primarily. If you go somewhere new, I suspect you're the sort that obseves things, listens to gossip etc. Once you're in a new place for at least 24-hours, you can roll for that place too.
6. If you want to weave back-stories, now is the best time
My questions are more like requests for advice I guess. I've gone from a Varisian heavy country to one where they'd be a definite minority. How much do you want me to alter his background and how well would it fit in Cheliax?
Mechanically speaking (and possibly background as well), the best trait match appears to be Child of Infamy. Perhaps Krokod had a cousin who foolishly chose Cheliax to make his/her name on stage here.
Being in 'Devil nation' I have to wonder how many things are going to be immune to fire ;) But Krokod wouldn't necessarily know that and by the time we face that sort of thing (hopefully) He'll have options
First of all, go with what works for you. Sticking out has strengths and weaknesses after all. How important is being Varisian to you?
I think you've a answered the next two points yourself.
First of all, go with what works for you. Sticking out has strengths and weaknesses after all. How important is being Varisian to you?
Not incredibly, though they best suit the 'roving performers' background (Which I could switch). I'll think on it.
I've adjusted my final stats (brought in the archetype and realized I had an extra feat that I'd forgotten to assign).
well I reckon that I thought the gameplay and discussion thread were swapped. ;)
so reposting this---
Keth here reporting for duty.
party as it stands-
Brand Firestorm Human Sorcerer
Delgata Pesur Varisian Rogue
Kaddok Bear-Kin Shoanti Barbarian
Keth Longstrider Half-Orc Ranger
Krokod Firetongue Varisian Oracle
Nebuchcanezzar ?? Wizard?
Ill be altering Keth a little to more fit him growing up in Westcrown and being a hunter that provides food to the city.
Ill work on that tonight
Hey Viluki, I tried to figure out what Nebuchanezzar exactly was but couldn't track it down easily. Just wanted to say Sorry, I didn't overlook you on purpose. ;)
This is more so folks know our party classes when we are doing the 'restructure' :D
Done with crunch except two things.
Changes I made:
1. Added Skirmisher Archetype....wont have an impact til 5th level when Keth would get spells and he exchanges spells for tricks (much like Rogues Talents) at the levels hed gain spells at.
2. Changed Campaign trait Monster Hunter to Conspiracy Hunter with Sense Motive being the skill.
3. Changed Skill Rank from Heal to Sense Motive
4. Changed Favored Enemy from Aberrations to Humans
I think thats it.
2 things remnaining
1. Wolf or No Wolf that is the question? and if no wolf what about Hunting Dog? and if I can take a dog, can I use a dog out of the 3pp Phantasia Zoologica (all they did was take dogs and break them into breeds. So theres a half a dozen hunting dogs there. like Golden Retrievers, Moorhounds, Bloodhounds, Setters etc... I would run the dog type by you...) No big deal either way, just makes a difference how much gold I spend. A Wolf or medium hunting dog would cost 150 Gold and a small hunting dog would cost 25 Gold.
2. Buying Gear would be next.
Once I know about the Pet I can edit the background to incorporate The new Campaign.
So a bit of a meta question for you guys. I'm fairly new to pbp and was wondering if most players read the background of the other characters or not? Is it usually a player preference thing? I kind of feel the story can be better if I don't have a perfect picture of the character formed before we start out on the journey, but I can see the benefits of having a good understanding of your colleagues.
I've not read any other character's backstories up until this point, so what's recommended?
Also, hello to everyone!
party as it stands-
Brand Firestorm Human Sorcerer
Delgata Pesur Varisian Rogue
Kaddok Bear-Kin Shoanti Barbarian
Keth Longstrider Half-Orc Ranger
Krokod Firetongue Varisian Oracle
Nebuchcanezzar ?? Wizard?
Just so you know, Kaddock chose to withdraw from CoT and has asked to be a reserve on RotR instead.
Is that enough martial prowess? If you think not - and nobody wants to switch, I can recruit one more party member.
Done with crunch except two things.
1. Wolf or No Wolf that is the question? and if no wolf what about Hunting Dog? and if I can take a dog, can I use a dog out of the 3pp Phantasia Zoologica (all they did was take dogs and break them into breeds. So theres a half a dozen hunting dogs there. like Golden Retrievers, Moorhounds, Bloodhounds, Setters etc... I would run the dog type by you...) No big deal either way, just makes a difference how much gold I spend. A Wolf or medium hunting dog would cost 150 Gold and a small hunting dog would cost 25 Gold.
I've been thinking and...
1. No charge for the wolf - as he's effectively a free agent, not a possession.
2. You may choose to create an avatar for him? It's up to you (just don't call him Lone Wolf!!!!!).
3. Why have I jumped straight into saying yes to the wolf - even in an urban environment? Did you ever see Due South? If you did, I need to say no more. If not, see if you can catch an episode on You Tube and you'll see what I mean.
So a bit of a meta question for you guys. I'm fairly new to pbp and was wondering if most players read the background of the other characters or not? Is it usually a player preference thing? I kind of feel the story can be better if I don't have a perfect picture of the character formed before we start out on the journey, but I can see the benefits of having a good understanding of your colleagues.
I've not read any other character's backstories up until this point, so what's recommended?
Also, hello to everyone!
My input - for what it's worth - is that it can be useful if you want to create a common link before the adventure starts. Somthing you have in common, somewhere you met, or a reason to actually know someone.
This relies on being 'honest' in the game if you have read someone else's back-story and could easily act in a way that plays to that person's strengths or weaknesses.
party as it stands-
Brand Firestorm Human Sorcerer
Delgata Pesur Varisian Rogue
Kaddok Bear-Kin Shoanti Barbarian
Keth Longstrider Half-Orc Ranger
Krokod Firetongue Varisian Oracle
Nebuchcanezzar ?? Wizard?Just so you know, Kaddock chose to withdraw from CoT and has asked to be a reserve on RotR instead.
Is that enough martial prowess? If you think not - and nobody wants to switch, I can recruit one more party member.
my thoughts- The AP was created for 4. I think we can get by fine without one, however PBP has its own issues with folks being unable to post for a few days here or there and I find a 6 person party is better for the game to move along. So I am fine either way. I think its more a DM choice.
I've been thinking and...1. No charge for the wolf - as he's effectively a free agent, not a possession.
2. You may choose to create an avatar for him? It's up to you (just don't call him Lone Wolf!!!!!).
3. Why have I jumped straight into saying yes to the wolf - even in an urban environment? Did you ever see Due South? If you did, I need to say no more. If not, see if you can catch an episode on You Tube and you'll see what I mean.
I havent, but I plan to now. :D
I think I will create an avatar for him...could be fun
My opinion is that 5 should be enough, especially at 25 point buy, assuming its your average difficulty AP and that we're not fully optimized.
Still here. I think I'm really only changing the last part of the backstory so his cousin has told him off all the money to be made in West Crown. He'll arrive just in time to find out she's died under mysterious circumstances. That okay, DM?
Child of Infamy also gives 300 extra gold. I'm really not sure what to do with it . I may have it be inheirted from his cousin and waiting for him in gems and Platinum coins.
Still here. I think I'm really only changing the last part of the backstory so his cousin has told him off all the money to be made in West Crown. He'll arrive just in time to find out she's died under mysterious circumstances. That okay, DM?
That works for me.
Good to go. Only change is the campaign trait. Took Shadow Child, because we are down melee fighters this will help without altering how I wanted to play him.
For the why I am here, I like the following the crow idea. Either fate is guiding him or Gus is looking over him, being that he is very superstitious he would not question why Gus brought him here from Magnimar.
I am fine with knowing some/all the other characters before we start a true adventure will post a formal getting to know you soon.
I think I'm good to go :)
I told the boy this was a bad idea. No one is here. *sniff sniff*
oh look a place I need to mark
.....................................
yep Woolf was here. *pant pant pant*
Here is how I picture Delgata, this is just for fun and does not need to be actually used in game.
Hey! Meet me at The Gold Grape for dinner, 6 bells.
Delgata
Greetings, sit here sit here, got us a table. The people that were just here decided to let me have it finding out I am royalty.. Chuckles.Who am I to argue if they are the misinformed ones?. Stands up. Garson! We have need for food! There is much celebrating to be had! Bring the finest bottle of wine for the ambassador to Vasiria!. Winks at Krokod. Need to look out for the family. Give a second, please excuse me.. Delegata walks away from the table, those with keen eyes can see him swipe several coin purses as he stops at different tables greeting people he does not know; the rumor of his royalty has made his way around the room and everyone is eager to accept him. He puts on a good show pretending to be of high and Noble blood to those that truly are of Nobility. He vanishes from sight a few moments and returns much better fashioned. The jingle of plentiful coins comes from his newly acquired jacket pocket. He sits down and sips the expensive wine the waiter delivered. Yes, why this is a new coat. I mentioned to the previous owner that I had a chill, he jumped to his feet and took it from his back. Fits nice right? Cuts that chill I had, nice man. Are you cold? I could get us next to the fire place, no really not any trouble at all. He stands again, addressing the waiter from across the room. . Are you trying to freeze this lot of high society that you cannot afford more logs on the fire! winks and smiles at a good looking Chelaxian woman from across the room. Is the good ambassador to freeze!? Let us show him how we in Cheliax tend a Hell Fire!. Within moments waiters are moving tables to provide Delgata (of royal blood) a place next to the fire place. . Now I am too hot. Our food is here! Let us dine. So I did a walk around and everyone seems to be eating snails, and frog legs... I thought these people had money, look at them eat like the homeless. Well anyway, just a heads up if that is what the bring to the table; I ordered lots of dishes, no clue what that are, so enjoy... Well my real name is Delgata, but until we leave please call me Prince Cayson Mailson, it rhymed and was the first thing that came off my tongue. Frog legs it is then! Does anyone know what fork to use? There are far too many, are the different sizes for the different sized bites you wish to take?. Waves the quietly playing violin player over. Play something up beat!. He places a handful of coins in the violin player's pocket and gets his up beat music. Then he gets up and walks over to the Cheliaxian woman whispers in her ear then returns the group. She has a date with royalty tonight. So I really do not know how to eat here and before I ruin this ruse I am just going to leave. Let us find a place more formidable that serves stew with the choice of only one spoon or drinking from the bowl.. Gets up tosses a large handful of coin on the table, bows to the Cheliaxian women and leaves. The door man hails a carriage that is painted in gold leaf and carved with intense precision and beauty. The door man opens the carriage for all of you and everyone piles in. Delgata yells up instructions to leave and head for a seedier part of town. Not sure who this thing really belongs to but it sure beats walking. I like stew. May need two bowls. Can you imagine frogs legs, frogs legs! Not that I have not eaten frogs before but in a high class place, thought at least lamb. A good bloody lamb chop, with that mint jelly stuff, that is what rich people should eat. What do you mean can I shut up? I am hardly talking...
a question can I swap wizard for a sorcerer? Or can a design a new wizard character...Neb was designed for a Thassilion campaign and Cheliax just doesn't have an ancient history of monuments and magic to draw upon.
a question can I swap wizard for a sorcerer? Or can a design a new wizard character...Neb was designed for a Thassilion campaign and Cheliax just doesn't have an ancient history of monuments and magic to draw upon.
I'm fine with that - and unless another player adds anything, go ahead.
Just to say that after today (my time) my posting will be sporadic for the next three days. Saturday and Sunday are always my slowest days – I tend to post mostly in the evenings.
Monday is my wife’s birthday, so expect zero posts and then I’m full steam ahead again from Tuesday morning. Thanks for your patience.
Could you all post something to say where you are with your character? If not complete, how soon? I said I hope to kick things off on Tuesday but I won't rush anyone.
Ill have mine done by the end of the weekend. all I have to do is equip and adjust background.
Once you’re happy with your character, I need you to post here (as well as on your character sheet) how you’ve been wronged or hindered by the government (this would normally come from your campaign trait). If this isn’t a direct impact, what is the indirect impact? I'm happy if you prefer to put it in a spoiler if you don't want to share it with the group.
Good post, Delgata (Though if you could break it up in paragraphs it would be a little less 'wall of texty' :)) Just wanted you to know I'm not ignoring you, I'm just assuming it was hypothetical.
GM-Birch I'm pretty happy with Krokod. I picture him being hindered by the government in a fashion that the local guard and the like refuse to investigate that his cousin was murdered. My back story is already so long that Hero Lab keeps trying to cut it off ;) but I'll try to add something to that effect
Thanks Krokod! Yes hypothetical and more or less how I picture him to be personality wise. Will definitely pay attention to the wall of text syndrome; it was written on my iPhone notepad so seeing it en masse was not possible.
alright I am taking a spin of the Child ofInfamy trait, Neb wasn't the son of a famous artist. Neb was the son of a very commercial enterprise. Read on.
Hendrennok had ruined well over a third of the tax revenue that the bazaar's had generated and in anger they banished him and seized his business assets. Unfortunetely for them Hedrennok was a rather careful being and had kept well over a third of his private wealth safe in the Adabar banking institutions of Westcrown the former capital of Cheliax. Fleeing for their lives to Westcrown Hendrennok used his remaining capital to start "Elemental Enterprises". Elemental Enterprises was born of yet another of his father's business revelations which seemed to be granted by Adabar himself(at least that is what many bazaar owners thought in Quadira). Hendrennok realized that there was a massive, virtually untapped market in Cheliax. Seeing as the services of Devils are kept by Thrune and the upper classes Hendrennok realized that there was silent but massive demand for "Elemental Enterprises". These were some of the marketing slogans used.
Is your imp's political advice simply not enough? Are you going no where? If so Elemental Enterprises has the service you need to move up in this world, get a political consulation with an Efreeti for 100 gold an hour. Get the service you deserve, imps simply don't cut it.
Running ragged from trying to get a partner for the next ball that doesn't get raving drunk and humilate you with their lack of equiette and manners? If so you need a Djinn, a master of equiette and manners that will never humilate you in the ballroom. For an evening with one of these fine Djinn men or women you need only pay a 100 gold. Get a Djinn, not a village idiot.
Getting tired of those damned guard devils that cause all conversation in a room to just stop? If so you need to kick them back to the Hell they came from and get invisible stalkers! These highly skilled air elementals are not just good at keeping you safe, they are good at keeping themselves invisible as well. They provide protection that is better then any devil and you can now carry on a conversation with those guests from far of Quadira, Isger, Molthune and many more countries! It is just 200 gold a month to rent the services of one Stalker, get ten and we will give you a ten percent discount!
Upon these slogans Elemental Enterprises was founded and for six months thrived. They raked in 100,000s of gold and all seemed well, then the letter (via an air elemental) came to Nebuchcanezzar as he was studying in Absolam. Elemental Enterprises had been shut down by the Cheliaxian government and his father has been hanged. Fortunetely his father had always placed importance on keeping the idendity of Nebuchcanezzar hidden from others so that his son would not be used against him. Now Nebuchcanezzar has abandoned his training (which is no longer being funded) in Absolam and has gone to Westcrown to plot his ascendance and revenge...
Scheme number one, establish revolutionary underpinnings. Nebuchcanezzar knows that there is considerable resistance against Thrune especially in westcrown, however the majority of this is disorganized and easy to put down. This must change as such Nebuchcanezzar has been working for the past three months to feverishly build up a series of revolutionary cells. So far he is building up suppot to create these cells, revolutionary activites require lots of money afterall.
Scheme number two, gain the support of the Westcrown nobility. It is no secret that the Westcrown nobility isn't supportive of House Thrune, first Thrune moves the capitol to Egorian. Second thrune enacts laws aimed at uplifting the new nobility and throwing down the old nobility. Third Thrune has given much support to the Asmodeus church in Westcrown which is making great efforts at wiping out the other religions of teh city, most notabley Adabar, Calistra and Nethys each of which is popular with the westcrown nobility. As such Nebuchcanezzar is trying hard to gain contacts within the nobility and so far his efforts have been failing. Of late however he has managed to gain entrance into Chelish opera, the traditional place of socialization in the nobility and he is hoping that his efforts would be more fruitful in that setting.
Scheme number three, gain economic power in Westcrown. Revolutions need money and Nebuchcanezzar received an excellant education in such matters from his father. He understands that his economic power cannot be openly known, at least not yet. However there is more then one way to be an economic power, Nebuchcanezzar has been working hard to get to know the underworld of Westcrown. By hoof, crook or pickpocketing Nebuchcanezzar is going to become the kingpin of Westcrown.
gm do you like? I am also debating whether or not to make him a summoner or a wizard, your preference?
LOL
Is your imp limp? Tired of the sulfa smells in the carpet? Devil got you down? Experience Elemental Enterprises, the only show room with a full size heat proof display case. Our pledge is to match you with the minion for all your day to day needs or special occasions. That's Elemental Enterprises, just a quarter mile down main street by the city green. Every Saturday is family day bring those little buggers to the petting zoo. Elemental Enterprises, Elemental Enterprises!
oops, didn't post in character
I spent an hour and a half working on my backstory and the forum ate it. I am so po'd right now. I'll update it soon with the bare bones but I don't have time to type all that out again at the moment. Arrrrghhh!
Ok, so general story and revisions
Grim, is a pathfinder enjoying retirement and the occasional adventure when he gets a message from Absalom and hurries off the next day. This is a few months before Gwen leaves.
Brand gets weekly letters from Gwen telling him how things are going, and they slide into political rantings over the injustices done in Westcrown and how tyranny rules and social revolution needs to take place.
Calen finally relents and lets Brand journey to Westcrown to rejoin his sister.
On the way from Kintarjo to Westcrown, Brand gets a Sending from Grim saying, 'Gwen has the wayfinder, find her.' and then ends dramatically.
Brand reaches Westcrown and the apartment that Gwen has rented only to find it ransacked and rifled through with a warrant from the Hellknights on the door saying 'Gwendolyn Firestorm has been arrested for the act of sedition and the distribution of essays and pamphlets of seditious nature.
I also added a bit of deeper backstory that you'd probably be interested in (Before I drug Grim into this it really didnt matter).
Six generations or around 200 years before, Brands great-etc grandfather, Cathos, a cavalry officer became a minor noble by saving a battle from becoming a route and turning it into a decisive victory. He is granted a title and the lands that would become Silverglade.
Later, he ventures to Quadira and meets an Ifrit woman name Lathris and falls in love. Her father, an elf named Elenthyrys Colarri, and Cathos become great friends as well and the three journey back to Silverglade once the two marry.
A son is soon born named Desolar, who has great magical aptitude as a sorcerer and later nicknames his grandfather Grim.
Desolar becomes a great Chelaxian mage and later has a son, Brand.
Brand is born without magic but learns the soldiery arts from Cathos and Grim. The fact that Grim is his grandfather is kept from Brand and Grim moves away from Silverglade out to a very nice house in the nearby village. This is so Grim can get emotional distance from the family in response to Lathris' death from natural causes.
Brand later has a son, Thoradin, who is also a great sorcerer and demon hunter. Thoradin has a son Calin who become a cavalier in the Chelaxian army. Calen has a daughter and son, Gwendolyn and Brand.
Grim continues to tutor the family as they grow, maintaining a mentoring and advising relationship with the family as opposed to a family one, mainly to reduce the emotional toll on him.
Lathris's mother (Grim's wife) was a Brijidine (Entharia) whom he had encountered in his adventures with the Pathfinders. She was called back to her home plane soon after Lathris was born and has not been seen since. Any news of her would set Grim in motion quickly.
Family tree:
(Mother's Side)
Grim and Entharia
Lathris
(Father's Side)
Cathos and Lathris
Desolar
Brand
Thoradin
Calen
Gwendoly + Brand
Ok, added the reasons for resentment to the profile
Thanks Krokod! Yes hypothetical and more or less how I picture him to be personality wise. Will definitely pay attention to the wall of text syndrome; it was written on my iPhone notepad so seeing it en masse was not possible.
** spoiler omitted **
I can work this in.
alright I am taking a spin of the Child ofInfamy trait, Neb wasn't the son of a famous artist. Neb was the son of a very commercial enterprise. Read on.
** spoiler omitted **...
I genuinely don't mind which you choose and I'm happy with what you've done - thanks.
I spent an hour and a half working on my backstory and the forum ate it. I am so po'd right now. I'll update it soon with the bare bones but I don't have time to type all that out again at the moment. Arrrrghhh!
Nothing will start until Tuesday, so don't worry.
Keth is complete now. Ready to hunt for that reputed Council of Thieves who killed his adopted father....
(see changes to background)
I looked over everyone mechanically since I don't think anyone else has done that yet and found most everyone setup correctly.
Keth:
I think you have your modifier for your Charisma Based skills using a +2 bonus while he currently only has a +1 having a 13 score.
Delgata:
You're missing your Trapfinding bonus to Disable Device. (Don't forget to add it to your Perception as well for finding traps)
Hope no one minds me looking over your characters. I'll look over Nebuchenezzar (spelling?) when he's submitted.
not at all. Thanks for taking the time...
Fixed.
Yeah, one of the advantages of my job currently is that I have boatloads of free time, its also the big disadvantage, it gets boring so fast.
Thanks! Always forget that bonus.
ready and able I haven't yet added the personality and bckground from here to him yet. Also GM by campaign feat do you mean story feat? I am a tad confused on that.
I'm looking at story feats later today (APG I think from memory) as an option.
Th confusion with the early adventure paths is that they refer to 'Council of Thieves Campaign Traits' but these are actually feats in new Pathfinder language.
So two feats (one should be either campaign based or could be a story feat if it is likely to work out).
My worry about story feats is that in a campaign you may not get the opportunity to fulfill the story element and I can't run the campaign just to satisfy half a dozen different requirements. So the choice of a story feat would have to be by agreement with the GM.
OK - thanks everyone. We can iron out the wrinkles as we go and I'll start the posting now...