GM Phntm888's Rise of the Runelords Campaign

Game Master Phntm888

Everything else looks good. Please make sure to note the Favored Class Bonus in the stat block (it annoys me that HeroLab doesn't automatically list it, but that's more pet peeve than anything).

Something I forgot to ask: There is a Thassilonian scholar in Sandpoint named Brodert Quink, who has a rather strange theory. He believes that the Old Light in Sandpoint is not, in fact, an old, ruined massive lighthouse, but an ancient weapon that could hurl fire great distances. Would Rasmorn be familiar with him, and what does he think about this strange theory?

Likely, Rasmorn would not dismiss the theory, and would seriously consider it. However, he would ultimately decide that he disagrees with this interpretation. The use of a woman likeness, particularly with the one bare breast, indicates nourishment and care far more than it does any sort of violent action. Given the nature of the light, pointing out to sea like it does, there is just nothing there that would give the indication it is a weapon. Is it possible? Certainly. With the inaccessible door at the base, it certainly seems like it is more than just a simple lighthouse. However, without more evidence available, he would not be convinced.

Good point regarding the noble clientele; I altered the backstory somewhat, adding in a move to Magnimar. The character would have began his training when he was about seventeen, and been at the bardic college for approximately five years. Before returning for the Swallowtail Festival, he would have been conducting some research on the Thassilonian Empire.

The favored class bonus was an extra HP, for 10 total HP.

Yeah, Linguistics was for Celestial. Bonus languages from Intelligence were Abyssal and Goblin. Thassilonian is from the trait.

Let me know anything else you have questions on or if my sheet is out of order!

Having some attachment to Sandpoint will not be a problem. Although I did not explicitly state it in the characters background, I was thinking that Noirin would have spent some time there, probably long enough for her to get to know her relatives and grown fond of the town. This would be why she would have chosen it as the place where she would want to settle down and try and start her own business.

I'll add something into the background to this effect.

Was there anything else? I know that we're getting down to the wire and the final selection and just want to make sure that I'm in serious contention for a spot. :)

Updated character link

Where did he travel with his uncle and the group during his training?

Has anything specific brought him to Sandpoint, or does he just happening to be passing through as the time for the Swallowtail Festival arrives?

Why Lamellar instead of chain shirt? Since Lamellar is considered an Eastern armor in Pathfinder, I'd like to know how he got such an exotic armor.

What three spells did you choose to go with the Lore Seeker trait? Please include them in the stat block.

Where is his Favored Class Bonus going?

Don't forget to choose your Background Skills and spells.

He seems a very atypical bard. Could be interesting.

What language is his tattoo in?

The fact I didn't have any comments for you means that your mechanics were spot on and your backstory made sense. That being said, if you were to expand on your time at the military academy, it certainly won't hurt your chances.

I thought for some reason that humans got a regional language, so I'll just use linguistics to pick up Varisian.

Having gotten the tattoo locally it is Thassilonian, unless you think there is a better fit.

Hoping I'll get to play him, been thinking about the pc on my ride into work for the past two weeks:)

Can the human fcb add cantrips onto spells known?

Thassilonian is fine, I was just curious.

I see no reason the human FCB wouldn't apply to cantrips, seeing as they are at least one spell level lower than the highest spell level you can cast.

Which city was he born and raised in? + Where did he travel with his uncle and the group during his training?

I left these intentionally vague to allow things to be added later in campaign to build GMing hooks from but if you want I can add cities and areas in the background.

Has anything specific brought him to Sandpoint, or does he just happening to be passing through as the time for the Swallowtail Festival arrives?

The timing is coincidence but the selection of sand port was due to the relative nearness of ruins to the town

Why Lamellar instead of chain shirt? Since Lamellar is considered an Eastern armor in Pathfinder, I'd like to know how he got such an exotic armor.

I didn't think Lamellar was an exotic armor since it was historically used throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. I was using the Ultimate Equipment guide when selecting equipment and it didn't indicate it as a "Eastern Armor" if its a problem I can change it probably to studded leather. I selected it mainly because I figured it would fit a band of mercenaries that would have to take care of there own armor while on the road sometime with little support.

What three spells did you choose to go with the Lore Seeker trait? Please include them in the stat block. + Where is his Favored Class Bonus going?

Over site on my part will get those added.

I did wish to ask how you would rule on a couple of Trait, Feat and spell interactions.

the first is the Helpful trait and Swift Aid Another feat. I see it as providing the full +3 benefit when using a swift action for aid another. I was mainly thinking of using it to provide a little martial support while hexing since it fits the Magus's style of casting and attacking in the same round.

The second is enforcer + frostbite spell when used with Spellstrike. most DM's I have played with permit the frostbite nonlethal damage to enable the enforcer feat but not everyone so I wanted to check first.

And lastly I was thinking of taking the additional trait feat later on and wanted to see if that would be ok. I am asking the questions up front because I see them as important to how the character will eventually play.

Karrick Tarro is an orc who came on a raid from the Hold of Belkzen when he was far to young to be of any use in it. He had simply been caught up in the moment and ended up here in Varisia. Getting lost from the raiding party, Karrick ended up fending for himself in the wilds of Varisia.
Eventually, he encountered a settlement, so small as to have no name. He ventured in and eventually found work for a small amount of food and a place to sleep, after braving the small amounts of abuse and fear the towns folk had for him. This arrangement went on with various people in the town, who needed his strength but who were not quite comfortable with the orc.
After a year in the hamlet, Karrick was out side of town felling trees for the local cooper. He heard shrill voices coming from the edge of the forest, maybe a hundred feet away. Grabbing his ax and going to investigate, Karrick found a small group of goblins, maybe 10 in all. Crying out and yelling to raise the alarm, Karrick started back to the hamlet at a run, wanting to get everyone safe inside the buildings.
At the edge of the town, Karrick looked back and saw the goblins about half way from the forest to the town, and he turned around now that the alarm was raised. He braced himself and prepared to do what he could to slow the marauders. Gripping his ax, Karrick moved towards the goblins and began to fight as best he could, though it was not pretty.
After a series of exchanges, Karrick managed to slay a goblin, though was quite injured in the process. Turning he saw the others had managed to set fire to the few buildings in the hamlet, though the townsfolk had made it off down the road.
With arms filled with loot, the remaining goblins came out from the burning buildings and saw Karrick standing over the body of their slain comrade. Dropping their goods, they pulled their weapons and rushed him. Karrick ran, trying to get to the road and go the opposite way of the townsfolk, wanting to lead the goblins away before he died. Before he made it vary far, they cut him off and so he fought. After bringing a second goblin down, the others over powered him and he sunk to his knees beginning to topple over. As he blacked out he could hear the cries of men entering battle, the twang of arrows and the beat of hooves.
Upon waking, Karrick was in the company of three men beside a fire. Their cloaks and clothing flecked with blood and their mounts tied up a dozen feet away. Upon the mens cloaks a bow an arrow was emblazoned.
Noting he was awake, one of the men turned to him, "I am Carl, my companions are Eric and Joshua. We would like to hear the story of the orc who protects a hamlet of humans"
Clearing his through, Karrick recites his story, being given food and water while he does so. Upon completion of the story, Carl speaks again,
"Given what you've told us, we should move on soon, to get to the townsfolk you say got away. After that, I would like you to come with us, you are a good fit for the ways of Old Deadeye"
Over the next week, Karrick had Carl explain more of Erastil, and decided he liked it. Under Carl's tutelage, Karrick grew stronger and more competent, though he still favored the axe over the bow. After a few years under Carl's tutelage, Karrick ventured out on his own to see the construction of new cathedral in Sandpoint and lived there for a few years making the town his home. He is now very excited to see it in its completed state...

Male Guide Ranger 1 (Worshipper of Erastil)
LG Medium Humanoid (Orc) 
Init +4; Senses Darkvision 60, Perception -1 
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Defense 
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AC 18, Touch 16, Flat-footed 12 (+6 Armor, +2 Dex) 
hp 12(1d10+2) 
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +1
Defensive Abilities Ferocity
Weaknesses none
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Offense 
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Speed 30 ft. (20ft in armor)
Melee  Greataxe +4 (1d12+4 /x3) or Dagger +4 (1d4+3 19-20/x2) or Light Flail +4(1d8+3 /x2)
Ranged  Longbow +1 (1d8+3 /x3) or dagger +1 (1d4+3 19-20/x2)
Special Attacks Ranger's Focus

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Statistics 
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Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 7 
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 16 
Feats  Power Attack
Traits  Student of Faith, Reactionary(+2 initiative), Life of Toil (+1 Fort)
Skills(6 Ranks, 1 FCB, 2 BG skill ranks, ACP-6)  Climb 7 (1 rank), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +4 (1 ranks), Knowledge(History) +1 (1 BG skill rank), Knowledge (Nature) +4 (1 ranks), Knowledge (Religion) +1 (1 ranks), Linguistcs +1 (1 BG skill rank) Perception +5 (1 ranks), Stealth +6 (1 ranks), Survival +5 (1 ranks) 
Languages Common, Orc, Varisian
SQ Ferocity, Weapon Familiarity (Greataxes/Falchions/Orc weapons), Dayrunner, Track, Wild Empathy
Combat Gear Great Axe[12 lbs], Longbow[3 lbs], 40 arrows[6 lbs], dagger x 5 [5 lbs], Light Flail, chainmail [40 lb]
 Other Gear 1Rangers Kit(includes a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, iron pot, mess kit, rope, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin)[28 lbs], silver holy symbol 1 gp

Appearance

Karrick is about average Orc around 18 years old with darker green skin, standing 6'3 and weighing 265 lbs. He is well built and muscular, though edging toward the looking lean instead of over built.

Karrick as scars on his hands, arms, chest, face, back and legs from both growing up in the rough atmosphere Orc tribes are and from the common labour he did to support himself after he left.

Personality

Karrick is quiet, as others usually seem wary of him and he wants them to have their peace and comfort. He is always willing to help others, though they may not always want his help. He is not good with words and says the wrong thing, or is ignorant of local customs more often than he would like.

Karrick also takes his faith very seriously, and is an ardent supporter of Erastil. He will try to defend the faith and faithful as best he can, as well as the rest of the community of Sandpoint, for while they may not all like him he sees them all as worthy of his protection, and so that he can start to make up for all the wrong his race has done to others.

Karrick's initial attempt at joining life in Sandpoint was difficult. The general pushback by the public made him think twice about it, and so he spent his first year in the area camping out amongst the outlying farms, dealing with what troubles arouse to prove his good intent and being deferential and polite to all he met, regardless of how they treated him. Occasionally this pattern would wear on him, testing his patience and when it did, Karrick would retreat into the hills or forests surrounding the area to let his patience return to him.

After a bit more than a year of this, the people were noticeably less hostile and so he deemed it time to try to integrate into the town again. This time, though many were still hostile, enough people had heard of the strange orc that he could generally do business without much trouble. On his second entry into Sandpoint, both Kendra Deverin and Belor Hemlock made a point of approaching him to warn him off of causing trouble, but other than that they left him alone.

Since his first accepted entry into Sandpoint, Karrick has returned when he needed/desired to, always trying to be gracious in the face of the peoples dislike of him, though still lived out side the town. On a few occasions he set himself back by becoming angry with the townsfolk. In these instances, Karrick would make amends as needed and then visit the cathedral to pray for guidance, and do his best to keep his name as a calm and collected individual intact. On every journey to Sandpoint, Karrick made it a point to visit the new cathedral being build, marvelling at its construction and awaiting its completion...

Quick timeline summary, Karrick spent 1 year entirely outside Sandpoint and two years occasionally venturing into Sandpoint a few time a month but generally staying in the outlying farms. He calls Sandpoint home but that is more due to it being the closest town than actually living there

Any interaction with Shalelu would have been very non-confrontational on Karrick's end, doing what he would need to to deescalate any situation with her. He would treat her with respect due to what she does and offer to help if she would allow it. Karrick is open to a chance at any form of friendship she would offer and would be willing to coordinate travelling based on her suggestions to protect as much of the area as possible.

Unrelated to Shalelu, Karrick would also inform Kendra and Belor of his willingness to help if the opportunity presented itself, and would do so for no/minimal reward.

Karrick would also try to foster good relations with Ameiko and Jargie, to make visiting the inn or tavern a more comfortable experience. He would do this so that he can bot enjoy a drink/the atmosphere and so that he could listen to gossip in the establishment so that he could better be informed about the needs of the town and surrounding area.

For other notable individuals and the rest of the population, Karrick would try to avoid those his presence upsets, mainly to keep things calm in the area around him, and would try to make friends with those he could.

I also envision Karrick having the following ideals to support and give direction to his lawfulness, the code is almost entirely the Erastil Paladin code as per the Archives of Nethys with a few changes as noted below

- My community comes first, and I will contribute to it all that I can. If I don't give something back who will?
- When danger threatens, I am not a fool. I seek first to make sure the weak and innocent are safe, then I quell the danger.
- I shall keep an open mind of others, and seek to understand why they act in the way they do. I shall not pass judgement on another without understanding why they committed the acts they did. I shall also not allow not understanding to stay my hand against those who would threaten the weak and innocent.
- I show respect to my elders, for they have done much. I show respect to the young, for they have much to do. I show respect to my peers, for they carry the load, and I shall carry it with them.
- I shall not be swayed by the lure of money or power, my honor comes from within and from my reputation. Mine is pure and upstanding and I will repair it if broken or tarnished, and not act upon mere accusations of such. I stand by my decisions and live so that none shall have cause to blame me.

On the points I left out of my code from Erastil's Paladin code,

- The point about teaching the poor to contribute omitted as there is not much Karrick believes he can teach them
- The point about keeping to the old ways, the true ways is omitted. This is because it is a point of contention between him and others who follow Erastil, as he believes that keeping an open mind and being flexible to change is needed for the betterment of his community.

As noted upthread, the candidates are melee heavy. I am planning on taking the Archery Combat style. Mechanically this is so I can switch hit, but story wise this is to show my devotion to Erastil and to further improve Karrick's connection to his Deity, despite his disadvantages.

I am also considering taking the Urban Ranger archetype as well, if you will allow me to alter my class a bitk. This will mechanically allow me to be more versatile in my skills role and is more thematic I believe as well. I plan on using the Favored Community mechanic to emphasis the locales that are most accepting of Karrick.

Also, if I do take the Urban Ranger archetype I will be wanting to replace the Reactionary Trait (+2 initiative) with the following combat trait,

Nature's Mimic: Your knowledge of nature informs your fighting style, and that style gives you insight into related aspects of the natural world. You gain a +1 trait bonus on all Knowledge (nature) checks, and Knowledge (nature) is always a class skill for you. You can make Knowledge (nature) checks pertaining to animals that correspond to your style feats untrained.

So that I can regain knowledge nature on my class skills list, as K(Nature) is very thematic for Karrick but Urban Ranger trades it out.

If you have no objections to those changes I will change his stat block.

Other than that, Karrick is a less of a push over than the Integration into Sandpoint section would make him seem, but I am trying to keep things concise. Also, trying to reconcile his personal beliefs with the general beliefs of the followers of Erastil is a source of internal conflict for him as much as the prejudice he faces.

It was also used more throughout Eastern Europe than Europe as a whole, and I view Varisia as more of a Western European type setting.

Since Swift Aid reduces the Aid Another benefit to +1, and Helpful increases the Aid Another benefit to +3 instead of the standard action +2, I'll allow the combination to provide a +2 bonus when using Swift Aid. Helpful gives an increase, but the benefit is still reduced in swift vs. standard action.

They work together, but only the damage from the frostbite spell applies to the duration. If you spellstrike using frostbite, the damage from your weapon does not extend the duration, since it is lethal damage.

Additional Traits is fine, provided you follow the wording of the feat when selecting the traits.

I'm fine if you want to do the Urban Ranger, but the AP does have significant parts of wilderness to it. Your call.

Nature's Mimic is fine.

Main Gauche attack should only do 1d3 damage - Fencing Grace only applies to rapiers.

Your attack mod with the rapier is 1 too high, as is the ranged attack modifier. Your melee attack modifier and modifier for the main gauche should be +1, since Inspired Finesse only gives the benefits of Weapon Finesse to the rapier.

Winner's Luck is not one of the Rise of the Runelords campaign traits. Please choose a campaign trait from the player's guide. You can find it here for free.

You forgot to list your +1 rank in Sleight of Hand as the other background skill.

I was curious about the background I take it that your cool with leaving some things open to integrate in your campaign later.

The reason I bring up the "why lamellar" is because I view it as a kind of discounted chain shirt, since it has almost the same benefits but is 40 gp cheaper. Since I gave max starting wealth, the price shouldn't be an issue for a class that would like a more protective light armor. By categorizing it as an Eastern armor, it gives players a chance to come up with a story explaining how they acquired it. I've posed the same question to a couple of other submissions who picked lamellar, so it's not just you.

I could simply say that the monster hunting group had a member who was originally from Tian Xia and learned their armor forging skills there or something similar but all I really wanted was a cheap and easy to fix/replace armor that a mercenary group might supply to a junior member and something that gives that rough and tumble mercenary feel(I was balancing against its protective qualities of coarse but the 1 point ac difference isn't a make or break for me). Wasn't really looking for anything that would be unusual for the region so I will just change it to studded leather to keep the feel I was looking for.

It was also used more throughout Eastern Europe than Europe as a whole, and I view Varisia as more of a Western European type setting.

I tend to associate it mostly with the vikings and maybe the mongols if I think about it but that's probable more my bias so whatever.

Since Swift Aid reduces the Aid Another benefit to +1, and Helpful increases the Aid Another benefit to +3 instead of the standard action +2, I'll allow the combination to provide a +2 bonus when using Swift Aid. Helpful gives an increase, but the benefit is still reduced in swift vs. standard action.

I wanted the full bonus of coarse but that seems like a good compromise It wouldn't come into play until 9th level anyways so I would have plenty of levels to bring you to my way of thinking. :) lol

They work together, but only the damage from the frostbite spell applies to the duration. If you spellstrike using frostbite, the damage from your weapon does not extend the duration, since it is lethal damage.

That's how I read it as well so cool.

Additional Traits is fine, provided you follow the wording of the feat when selecting the traits.

Good to know.

Added the below to Tanrovs Background and a black ceremonial robe inlaid with silver and holy water vial to his gear (Only just found the reference even though i've looked through Pharasma info several times)

Online Pharasma Info

He preaches a part of the day to those who will listen, insisting that the Goddess of Death should be represented in the Great Temple that has been built "For she oversees life til death and determines a souls final fate for it's actions in between, what could be more important", he reviles the undead as an abomination and advises any to tell him so that he can deal with them.

Tanrov also gives out small medallions with Pharasmas image to pregnant women freely to protect the child. (noted in equipment spent 8gp)

You seem to have missed the Strength penalty from Halfling - Strength should be 8, otherwise the point buy doesn't work.
Main Gauche attack should only do 1d3 damage - Fencing Grace only applies to rapiers.

Your attack mod with the rapier is 1 too high, as is the ranged attack modifier. Your melee attack modifier and modifier for the main gauche should be +1, since Inspired Finesse only gives the benefits of Weapon Finesse to the rapier.

Winner's Luck is not one of the Rise of the Runelords campaign traits. Please choose a campaign trait from the player's guide. You can find it here for free.

You forgot to list your +1 rank in Sleight of Hand as the other background skill.

I think I have everything correct or corrected...I hope

Stats fixed

Main Gauche fixed also...I could not find a description for the weapon...is it like 3, and 3.5 where..The Main Gauche, or "left hand" in french, is a parrying dagger known to be wielded in the off hand while wielding a long blade, such as a rapier in the dominant hand. While wielding a main gauche in your off hand, you receive a +1 dodge bonus to your armor class.

Attack bonus for Rapier should be +7 BAB+1, Size +1, Fencing Grace +4, Weapon Focus +1
Range should be +6 BAB+1, Size +1, Dex +4

Fixed Trait..sorry I thought it was a campaign, it was a regional.
Fixed Sleight of hand...

I missed the size bonus completely - your rapier and ranged attack numbers are correct.

Everything else looks good - but see below.

I was planning on taking bot Urban and Guide archetypes as I believe they stack.

Urban Replaces

- Favored Terrain
- Endurance
- Woodland Stride
- Camouflage
- Hide in Plain Sight

Guide Replaces

- Favored Enemy
- Hunter's Bond
- Evasion
- Improved Quarry
- Improved Evasion

This lets me keep my connection with nature and nature skills, expands my skill set and allows me to use the Favored communities to showcase the level of acceptance I have earned in various places a bit better.

I will make the stat block in the next day or two, but my background will not change

Here is the new stat block. Only changes where Reactionary to Natures Mimic and a rank in K(Dungeoneering) to Disable Device. Adding the Urban Ranger archetype didn't actually need any other changes at level 1

Male Urban Guide Ranger 1 (Worshipper of Erastil)
LG Medium Humanoid (Orc) 
Init +4; Senses Darkvision 60, Perception -1 
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Defense 
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AC 18, Touch 16, Flat-footed 12 (+6 Armor, +2 Dex) 
hp 12(1d10+2) 
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +1
Defensive Abilities Ferocity
Weaknesses none
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Offense 
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Speed 30 ft. (20ft in armor)
Melee  Greataxe +4 (1d12+4 /x3) or Dagger +4 (1d4+3 19-20/x2) or Light Flail +4(1d8+3 /x2)
Ranged  Longbow +1 (1d8+3 /x3) or dagger +1 (1d4+3 19-20/x2)
Special Attacks Ranger's Focus

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Statistics 
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Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 7 
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 16 
Feats  Power Attack
Traits  Student of Faith, Nature's Mimic , Life of Toil (+1 Fort)
Skills(6 Ranks, 1 FCB. 2 BG skill ranks, ACP-6)  Climb 7 (1 rank), Disable Device +6 (1 ranks), Knowledge(History) +1 (1 BG skill rank), Knowledge (Nature) +5 (1 ranks), Knowledge (Religion) +1 (1 ranks), Linguistcs +1 (1 BG skill rank) Perception +5 (1 ranks), Stealth +6 (1 ranks), Survival +5 (1 ranks) 
Languages Common, Orc, Varisian
SQ Ferocity, Weapon Familiarity (Greataxes/Falchions/Orc weapons), Dayrunner, Track, Wild Empathy
Combat Gear Great Axe[12 lbs], Longbow[3 lbs], 40 arrows[6 lbs], dagger x 5 [5 lbs], Light Flail, chainmail [40 lb]
 Other Gear 1Rangers Kit(includes a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, iron pot, mess kit, rope, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin)[28 lbs], silver holy symbol 1 gp