Here we go team!
We have a very unique group, and some very challenging encounters ahead of us. In this thread feel free to discuss ideas, post about anything that comes to mind, fill us in on your schedule if you're having a rough week, and just get to know each other!
We will open play on Monday, June 6! Until then, tide yourselves over here. Please discuss the following:
-How your group came to be.
-How you are working together, despite strong differences in philosophy.
-What you are doing in Osirion, and what is your interest in tomb raiding?
You can also check out:
-GM Levi's {Advanced} Sands of Osirion PbP (Play Thread)
-GM Levi's {Advanced} SoO PbP Obsidan Portal Page
If you can, please email me at prpg (dot) levi (at) gmail (dot) com, so that I can invite you to join us on the Obsidian Portal page as a player!
Belgraen is an adventurer and explorer by trade. He's a pathfinder as well. So that's easily my reason for tomb raiding. I'd be more interested in lore than loot, but loot will allow me to continue exploring.
I'm open to suggestions on how the group came to be and why we work together.
If we're working together in advance we can actually start anywhere in the world. Transport is my speciality. :-)
Obviously Dianora's going to be the one who's most difficult to work in, being that she's an evil assassin (though she's actually quite a pleasant woman if you get to know her).
As noted in the recruitment thread, my initial thought, based on reading the blurbs of the module, is the Red Mantis Vernai are concerned that they may have assassinated a ruling pharoah ages ago, during a time lost in their histories that the Blood Mistress -- the only member of the Guild with access to the Sarzari Library -- will not discuss.
Thus Dianora was sent to accompany several other travelers to enter the newly-opened pyramids and discover how its occupants died and if they were in fact sitting monarchs at the time of their deaths...
If the party/any members are hired to explore (you mentioned the why wouldn't the Pharaohs of Ascension?), they could easily be assigned to work with Dianora, as the Red Mantises call in a favor (since they often do killings for favors and other such benefits as opposed to just money).
She probably wouldn't be a long-term part of a group, unless the Vernai would have some plans for them. (The limited span of the adventures was kind of key to her being able to work into it, I thought.)
She could alternatively have known them from growing up in Rahadoum/her early life and someone contacted her for help. At 15th-level, they'd probably be known enough that the Red Mantises would accede to their request for help, thinking they could end up being owed a favor by some of the most powerful people in Golarion.
Anum's passion is exploring lost tombs, learning about the past, and seeing things that no one has seen for centuries.
As a Balanced Scale of Abadar its his duty to return lost treasure to civilization or return stolen treasure to their rightful owners.
And as a priest of Abadar his talents are for sale, so for being a member of the group, I could have been hired to accompany the party and aid in recovery of the information you seek. My price would have been treasure from wherever I go so I can return it to Solis. (And the opportunity to examine everything we find and document it.)
I could have had previous dealings with any of you, or just paid for by the Red mantis or some sort of middle man. I may have asked you to come along as help to succeed or maybe was recommended by one of you.
So I may not approve of Dianora but that doesn't concern anything for my contract. (killer for hire is a service after all)
I wouldn't be "for hire" per se, but I am highly interested in any forgotten lore within the tombs. In that Underdune and I would have very synergistic goals. Its possible we've worked together in the past for that reason.
As far as the mantis assassins go I have no qualms with them and I'd prefer to stay on the groups good side. It would be inconvenient to have to constantly worry about assassins. Perhaps we've come to some kind of mutually beneficial arrangement?
I wouldn't be "for hire" per se, but I am highly interested in any forgotten lore within the tombs. In that Underdune and I would have very synergistic goals. Its possible we've worked together in the past for that reason.
I can see previously being hired by the Pathfinders to aid them in tomb running.
Also with your interest in transport you could also have a fascination of his domain power "Dimensional Hop" as well as his ability to travel through Abadar's First Vault.
I do something similar.
Shift - Can teleport (self only) as per dimension door as a swift action. Does not provoke an attack of opportunity. You can move 5 feet per two wizard levels. Can use this ability a number of times per day equal 3+ int +elven wizard variant from APG.
35 feet 18X/d
Dimensional steps - Can teleport up to 30 feet per wizard level per day as a standard action. Must be used in 5 foot incriments. Does not provoke an attack of opportunity.
450 feet /d @ 15th level
Also i'm not sure what adabars vault is.
Should I pick up the players guide to this campaign or no?
Also, DM Levis, are you still going to assign campaign traits?
Nice! We do have some synergy here.
Anum describes Abadar's vault as a place where there is a perfect version of every item ever made. Abadar has granted Anum the ability to temporarily borrow an item from the vault and even travel through the vault as a shortcut to another place.
Nice! We do have some synergy here.
Anum describes Abadar's vault as a place where there is a perfect version of every item ever made. Abadar has granted Anum the ability to temporarily borrow an item from the vault and even travel through the vault as a shortcut to another place.
That's very interesting to me. Yea, I can totally see us working together over the course of many projects.
Edit: I just read up on the vault thing. That's pretty badass. I like the word of recall aspect especially.
Popping my head in. I'll post tomorrow after I get back from the funeral.
Should I pick up the players guide to this campaign or no?
Also, DM Levis, are you still going to assign campaign traits?
You won't need the guide to Osirion, but if you feel the itch to pick it up to expand your knowledge of the environment and political atmosphere of the area, go ahead.
I will be assigning traits sometime this week. You may pick one from any source book, and I will be writing the other.
Should I pick up the players guide to this campaign or no?
Also, DM Levis, are you still going to assign campaign traits?
You won't need the guide to Osirion, but if you feel the itch to pick it up to expand your knowledge of the environment and political atmosphere of the area, go ahead.
I will be assigning traits sometime this week. You may pick one from any source book, and I will be writing the other.
I picked up the PDF for osirion. I'll read it when I have a chance. I'm the traveling high int character. I should brush up.
I have a trait. It's the +2 inititaive one. I couldnt think of anything better.
Whoops, I picked up two traits too, though they're easy enough to get rid of (I'm finding I can never find traits I actually like for my characters). Will switch down to just the Ambassador trait (+2 diplomacy).
Working on those traits! You should have them by, say, midnight.
Also if you could all do me a massive favor, and go to:
miniaturemarket dot com
and pick out a METAL REAPER miniature that you like, and post a link to it here, I would greatly appreciate it.
I will buy those miniature, paint them up, and be taking pictures of them on the encounter maps that I will be inserting into the game thread, for ease of visualizing the battles and such! When we're all done with this thing I'll pack them up, and send them to you as a nice little "we made it" present! :)
That's a cool idea. I just downloaded folks' avatars and used 'em in photoshop. : )
Either of these would work (though the first one appears to be out of stock):
http://miniaturemarket.com/inc/sdetail/1350727
http://miniaturemarket.com/inc/sdetail/1085065
And thanks.
Here are the best two I could find
Excellent! Your first choice is one of my favorite sculpts! I played a inquisitor of Sarenrae using that mini! :)
This might work, but it has a shield ...
Will do when I get home in a few hours. On a road trip now.
Asher would want to seek out the treasures in his quest to secure the security and freedom of his community of former slaves.
Asher met with Belgraen to discuss the possibility of creating a demiplane for the former slaves to live in. He finds the elf an interesting person to talk to, but Abraxiel disapproves of his demon-summoning past.
Asher met Anum years ago when he needed assistance in gaining entry to a noble's palace to free the slaves there. The noble was a vocal follower and donator to the Church of Sarenrae, and thus Abraxiel could not openly embarrass him by unsubtly bringing his flaming sword to bear on his house. He found Anum a helpful assistant in his quest, and Abraxiel gifted him with a small trinket from Heaven in gratitude. As Abadar and Sarenrae are friendly, if not a perfect match, both angel and mortal vessel get along fine with Anum.
Asher has not yet met Dianora, but Abraxiel knows of her. He watched from Heaven as her parents were killed, unable to assist because his previous mortal vessel had recently died of old age. It was their tragic murder that spurned him onward to seek out a new vessel, coming upon the pious Asher in nearby Osirion. While he does not approve of her current occupation, Abraxiel knows the value of vengeance and hopes to steer her in a more righteous path.
Miniaturemarket.com only displays broken links for me, so I went to the Reaper website.
Abraxiel Mini
Asher Mini
Excellent! Your first choice is one of my favorite sculpts! I played a inquisitor of Sarenrae using that mini! :)
This might work, but it has a shield ...
Anum does have a shield, but I am good with either
Anum does have a shield, but I am good with eitherExcellent! Your first choice is one of my favorite sculpts! I played a inquisitor of Sarenrae using that mini! :)
This might work, but it has a shield ...
What one do you like better?
Asher would want to seek out the treasures in his quest to secure the security and freedom of his community of former slaves.
Asher met with Belgraen to discuss the possibility of creating a demiplane for the former slaves to live in. He finds the elf an interesting person to talk to, but Abraxiel disapproves of his demon-summoning past.
Belgraen would be happy to come to some kind of arrangement for creating a demiplane. However, it's not foolproof. It can be dispeled, etc.
Feel free to look at the 8th level verson. Belgraen would explain to you in great detail how it can be done and will have done so if you like. Just pay the permanency cost out of your wealth and assume the debt incurred for this favor has already been paid.Belgraen sees demons as tools. Particularly dangerous tools to be used with caution, but tools none the less. Frankly he'd rather summon an elemental, but sometimes demons are the right tool for the job.
Edit: Oh, and I'm looking at minatures, but no luck yet. The elven miniatures tend to be female and the wizard males tend to be human. I'll keep looking and get back to you.
Levis, without being too spoiler-y, can you give us some kind of hint as to what leads us to investigate this pyramid (i.e. who hires us, or does one of us have a map, etc. etc.)? That might help us work out a reason we're all going into this together.
Levis, without being too spoiler-y, can you give us some kind of hint as to what leads us to investigate this pyramid (i.e. who hires us, or does one of us have a map, etc. etc.)? That might help us work out a reason we're all going into this together.
Oh! Of course! I'm sorry. I'm so bad at this sometimes! :)
Entombed involves the lot of you serving as a group of adventurers who are raiding a newly uncovered tomb for an organization of your choosing (the module is used to introduce players to the PF Society, and it is assumed that the PFS is the sponsor, but that can be changed). This organization could be the PFS, the Consortium, the Eagle Knights, Red Mantises, or any number of power groups - even churchs! Abadar would be a great church to sponsor such a group!
Pactstone is the sequel in which you must stop a mad Osirion Noble women from disrupting the balance of political power in the desert nation by preventing her from uncovering an artifact from a related ruin.
What one do you like better?Anum does have a shield, but I am good with eitherExcellent! Your first choice is one of my favorite sculpts! I played a inquisitor of Sarenrae using that mini! :)
This might work, but it has a shield ...
The first one without the shield looks bad ass, I like him the most.
But as I said, good with either.
By the way noticed you are in Milwaukee....just outside Madison here!
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Entombed involves the lot of you serving as a group of adventurers who are raiding a newly uncovered tomb for an organization of your choosing (the module is used to introduce players to the PF Society, and it is assumed that the PFS is the sponsor, but that can be changed). This organization could be the PFS, the Consortium, the Eagle Knights, Red Mantises, or any number of power groups - even churchs! Abadar would be a great church to sponsor such a group!
Abadar could be sponsoring the group. I asked Belgraen and Asher to tag along from previous excursions. The Red Mantis may have gotten wind and paid the church of Abadar to include Dianora. (Abadar will do anything for cash!)
So perhaps we should say an alliance of Abadar and Sarenrae's churches might be the sponsoring organization(s). Anum is high enough level that he could certainly suggest bringing in Belgraen based on their past experience, and it's possible that the Red Mantises call in a favor to get Dianora involved.
Seems like there should be a more organic way to get Asher involved, though. I think I'll mull it over tonight and see if I can't pitch an idea in the morning.
Yep! I go to school in Milwaukee, and stay the summers in Black River Falls, just south of Eau Claire!
I like the ideas I'm hearing so far. And I'll get the first miniature for you! :)
Yep! I go to school in Milwaukee, and stay the summers in Black River Falls, just south of Eau Claire!
I like the ideas I'm hearing so far. And I'll get the first miniature for you! :)
I travel the state for work, actually heading to BRF in a couple weeks!
I travel the state for work, actually heading to BRF in a couple weeks!Yep! I go to school in Milwaukee, and stay the summers in Black River Falls, just south of Eau Claire!
I like the ideas I'm hearing so far. And I'll get the first miniature for you! :)
If you're in town, let me know! I'm teaching summer school (teaching little kids how to play very basic Dungeons and Dragons actually!) and work at a local supper club, so I'll be around!
I'm teaching summer school (teaching little kids how to play very basic Dungeons and Dragons actually!) and work at a local supper club, so I'll be around!
As in just the basic rules trimmed down or the Basic D&D set from the early 80's?
I'm teaching summer school (teaching little kids how to play very basic Dungeons and Dragons actually!) and work at a local supper club, so I'll be around!As in just the basic rules trimmed down or the Basic D&D set from the early 80's?
Trimmed down. I'll probably be doing something along the lines of the 3.0/3.5 Basic Sets.
So perhaps we should say an alliance of Abadar and Sarenrae's churches might be the sponsoring organization(s). Anum is high enough level that he could certainly suggest bringing in Belgraen based on their past experience, and it's possible that the Red Mantises call in a favor to get Dianora involved.
Seems like there should be a more organic way to get Asher involved, though. I think I'll mull it over tonight and see if I can't pitch an idea in the morning.
If the Church of Sarenrae is taking part, I'm pretty sure it won't be a stretch to have an archangel of Sarenrae tagging along. If Abraxiel commands it, Asher will gladly put aside his own agenda to go.
What did you think of my character ties, especially to Dianora? While Asher would likely not like her and not like working with her, he would put his faith in Abraxiel's assurance that Sarenrae has a plan for her.
Also, Asher's got a Leadership score of 30 (15 Level + 9 CHA + 6 Modifiers), so he's got a lot of followers. His cohort, who I have yet to design, will not be accompanying us, but rather watching over them in the community of freed slaves.
My background is that I'm a pathfinder. It's highly beneficial for all these groups to work together.
I'm working on improving my behind the scenes traps and what not. Most of it will probably never come into play. I'll need to edit my gear to pay for some of it as well.
Edit: paranoia + spallcasting gets expensive
Updated/edited my gear and tactics, Added some commonly summoned creatures as well as changes to some of my favored forms.
I may add or subtract a few things here and there, but this is more or less done.
I do need to think of a good "trap" location for the divert teleport thing to go to. I've got an idea or two, but haven't checked the details and put it on paper yet.
Updated/edited my gear and tactics, Added some commonly summoned creatures as well as changes to some of my favored forms.
I may add or subtract a few things here and there, but this is more or less done.
I do need to think of a good "trap" location for the divert teleport thing to go to. I've got an idea or two, but haven't checked the details and put it on paper yet.
Belgraen, before you get to caught up in the teleportation stuff, the tombs we are delving into do have some magic that prevents teleportation. So be ready for that. It doesn't block all of it, but some of it. I don't want to be too much of a fun suck.
Belgraen, before you get to caught up in the teleportation stuff, the tombs we are delving into do have some magic that prevents teleportation. So be ready for that. It doesn't block all of it, but some of it. I don't want to be too much of a fun suck.Updated/edited my gear and tactics, Added some commonly summoned creatures as well as changes to some of my favored forms.
I may add or subtract a few things here and there, but this is more or less done.
I do need to think of a good "trap" location for the divert teleport thing to go to. I've got an idea or two, but haven't checked the details and put it on paper yet.
I can deal. It's mostly behind the scenes stuff involving my Demiplane.
Edit: I'm a thinker that's why mages appeal to me. Everyone feel free to look it over and give feedback.
Formatted a lot of my profile to make it easier to read and negotiate
Asher, I love your ideas for a link with Dianora. Works so perfectly with her parents as Sarenraen missionaries (boy, that turns out to be a really fortuitous choice!).
As for more organic, I just meant that I feel like you've got such a rich character (probably my favorite back story on the recruitment thread, including my own) that just saying your church has you there feels a bit like it's shorting you, but maybe that really does work best.
I don't know if it works with the module, but perhaps there's some rumor that something in the temple threatens the gods themselves, which might explain why emissaries of three gods have been called to investigate.
Still think there's a better idea out there than the Sarenrae/Abadar sponsors -- with Dianora and Belgraen being pulled in, but it's just not coming to me right now.
Most of the time, Asher is not bonded with Abraxiel. Like Belgraen was mentioning earlier, archangels can be touchy about not being present to defend the gates of Heaven. Generally, Asher will only summon Abraxiel when needed or when Abraxiel asks it of him. In this particular case, it is Abraxiel who seeks to gain entry into the pyramids, answering the prayers of the Church. (Asher hopes to find additional resources for his community, but that is secondary to him to the wishes of Sarenrae and Abraxiel.)
Abraxiel (in Asher's vessel) would likely appear at the staging location without warning, simply announcing himself as the representative of Sarenerae. Whenever Asher leaves the community (named Haven), he leaves in the care of Jarcoteth, a rage prophet of Iomedae who he freed over fifteen years ago. (Jarcoteth is his cohort and a Barbarian 4/Oracle 2/Rage Prophet 7, and Asher's cohort from Leadership.)
I don't know if it works with the module, but perhaps there's some rumor that something in the temple threatens the gods themselves, which might explain why emissaries of three gods have been called to investigate.
That definitely can be made to work. The Four Pharaohs of Ascension were basically gods, dominating the surrounding land and keeping control through powerful magic and fear. The supposed return of their tomb (and possibly the pharaohs themselves) could cause alarm amongst the churches, governments, and historians.
If you haven't already, please remember to join the obsidian portal page.
Abraxiel (in Asher's vessel) would likely appear at the staging location without warning, simply announcing himself as the representative of Sarenerae.
Keep in mind it takes a minute to summon your edilion. He doesn't just instantly appear (with the exception of the spell version which is a standard action and summons the edilion for either a round per level or minute per level I forget which).
I assumed you would feel something in the back of your mind letting you know that he wishes to be summoned to the prime through the ritual.
Dm levis,
If I pay the appropriate scroll cost for the ninth level version including the permanency effect could I have my demiplane be created using the ninth level version of the spell? I'm thinking I'd like the plane to be timeless and mildly positvely aligned. That would dramatically help certain logistic issues. The plane is probably just a respite anyway. If yes I'll rework it a bit Sunday. It will be the same flavor with a few minor changes. As with all things it's contingent upon dm approval.
Dm levis,
If I pay the appropriate scroll cost for the ninth level version including the permanency effect could I have my demiplane be created using the ninth level version of the spell? I'm thinking I'd like the plane to be timeless and mildly positvely aligned. That would dramatically help certain logistic issues. The plane is probably just a respite anyway. If yes I'll rework it a bit Sunday. It will be the same flavor with a few minor changes. As with all things it's contingent upon dm approval.
Sure, as long as you pay. I have no experience with this plane thing, so whatever you want works for me. :) Plus, it's way cool!
Sure, as long as you pay. I have no experience with this plane thing, so whatever you want works for me. :) Plus, it's way cool!
This is my first time playing with it also, but it's pretty fun. It's a cool respite, but basically it's a glorified rope trick. ;-)
So upgrading the demiplane actually saved me money despite the scroll costs. I added the Timeless trait in regard to aging and magic, which means I didn't have to pay to make certain things permanent. Basically any spell cast on the plane that is non-instantaneous is effectively permanent until dispelled. Of course trying to take said spell off that plane effectively ends it, but still cool. I have a very nasty teleport trap and lots of "permanently" summoned creatures. Oh, it's also mildly positive energy dominate meaning all living creatures get fast healing 2 while in the plane. The perfect respite between adventures. ;-)
I'll probably clean up the language and maybe add a few things as time goes on, but I wanted to put all my ideas down.
Edit: When you look at some of the creatures that are on the plane you're going to think they look really badass and they are, but they are effectively trapped on the plane. The spells cast on the plane do not expire, while on the plane so every buff spell is essentially permanent. If they leave (depending on their nature) they will be seriously powered down, or cease to exist entirely. It's designed that way specifically so if a planar incursion were to occur it would go very badly for the invader. Though that's unlikely you don't get to be a high level mage by not taking "just in case" precautions.
Also, Asher did you want to create a plane for your people? If so just let me know so we can work out the details.
Post Post Script: Did I mention I'm an uber nerd? lol.
Post Post Script: Did I mention I'm an uber nerd? lol.
+1 ;)
+1 ;)
Post Post Script: Did I mention I'm an uber nerd? lol.
I had the idea to put a portal in, but i had created just layers and layers of defenses. My defenses for such a thing were so ludicrous and thorough that I decided that just not having one would be the way to go. Buffed elementals and illusions, permanent spell effects etc etc etc. It was madness so I just took it out entirely. Good luck getting to my plane if you've never visited. ;-)
Edit: I traded the feat Breath of Experience for Eschew Materials