GM Rednal's Rappan Athuk (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Iä! Iä! Ygotha yhrii fm'latgh Rappan Athuk... bug hai, ygof'nn. Yilyaa uln shugg. Nafluln li'hee syha'h n'gha.

Hail! Hail! I wish for my followers to burn Rappan Athuk... go now, my children. I await your call to the realm of Golarion. Fail to call for me on pain of eternal death.

For countless years, the armies of light have failed to subdue Rappan Athuk, one of the vilest dens of evil that blights the face of the world. Entire armies have challenged it and never been heard from again, but the lure of riches continues, and countless adventurers have been lost within its depths. Being of sound mind and body, you were quite content to stay far away from this den of wickedness... until you received a vision from your god. Now, at their command, you have come to brave the depths of Rappan Athuk and clear the place of evil... though for what reason, only your god could say.

This is not the story of how the forces of light heroically challenged evil and got killed along the way. This is the story of what happens when evil looks into the endless depths of madness... and the madness looks back.

---

Character Creation:

Characters Chosen: 3

Level: 8 (Gestalt)

Starting Wealth: 40,000 GP. Spend as you wish - this is Rappan Athuk, and trust me, you'll need the preparation.

HP: Max per HD

Ability Buy: 25 points. No minimums or maximums, but remember that this place wants to kill you, so major weaknesses could be fatal...

Alignment: Any Non-Evil. In addition, your character must be willing to work with the rest of the party. It is possible to be Chaotic Neutral without being a backstabbing jerk who ruins everyone else's fun. Despite the theme of this game, I expect you to show maturity and consideration for your fellow victims players, and I will be looking for evidence of that in your backgrounds.

Races: Core and Featured

Classes: Any Paizo. 3PP accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Skills: +2 bonus skill points per level

Feats: +4 bonus feats

Traits: 2, 3 with a drawback (but honestly, I wouldn't take a drawback if I were you. XD Not in this game.)

Sourcebooks: All Paizo. Playtest material is okay - rebuild when the full book is out. 3PP content available on request. Psionics, Deep Magic, 1001 Spells, Path of War, and Heroes of the Jade Oath are all acceptable.

Mythic: No.

Templates: Yes. Up to 1 template, no more than +3 CR max, and you must drop an equivalent number of class levels. (So for a +2 CR template, you could have the template and two Level 7 classes, a Level 8 and a Level 6, etc.) The Advanced Bestiary is an acceptable source - if you want a template and aren't sure what would work, I can help you find one. Oh, and there are +0 Templates you can take without sacrificing character levels...

Backgrounds: 3 paragraphs minimum. I will pay heavy attention to these when making my final selection. Your job is to convince me that you can play a Lovecraft-themed character that can still work with the party and be an interesting person. I don't want "Bob the Fighter #32", I want to be convinced that they're an actual character with an interesting personality and unique identity. I want you to remember this character by the time we're done. Note that you're not required to be a paragon of goodness and donate half your income to shelters for orphaned kittens... but nor should you be evil.
-Don't go for violently insane, unless it's only against evil.
-Characters could, for example, have a scholarly interest in the Dark Tapestry and want to uncover secrets best left buried.
-Or be offended at the idea of comparing lesser entities - like Cthulhu - to the truly eldritch gods like Azathoth and Yog-Sothoth, who are so much greater that they don't even care to notice mortals, much less plot against them.
-Literacy is important to me, and will be a factor in my final decision.

Notes:
-Rappan Athuk is more than a dungeon. Indeed, there are a number of areas around the dungeon for you to explore. Some of these are within your ability to handle at the start of the game, others are... less pleasant. Still, they could be valuable sources of experience.
-You will face many kinds of enemies within and around the dungeon. For various reasons, undead are fairly common, so the party should be ready to face them. Ability healing will be valuable.
-You may want to hold off on buying consumables and such until the party's been selected. By talking with everyone else, you should be able to form a good balance.
-There are times when there are a lot of very weak enemies to fight. During these times, I may simply declare the party as the victors and reward you with XP equal to the CR minus 1 rather than dragging things out for weeks as you kill foes bit by bit.
-Reliable powers you can use all day long may be better than strong (but limited) options. You don't want to run out of power here.
-In case it wasn't sufficiently obvious by now, I'm looking for characters with strong Lovecraftian elements. I am not looking for completely insane cultists with no regard for their own lives (or the lives of their allies). I honestly cannot emphasize that bit enough.
--Party balance is good. We do need melee tanks and the like, too. You don't all need to be eldritch sorcerers - you don't even NEED magic at all as long as you can find some appropriate thematic connection.
--You don't need to choose explicitly Lovecraftian options, either. If you were a sorcerer with a fire bloodline, for example, you could just say that the fire was from a Cthugha far back in your family tree. Reflavoring stuff is fine, since I don't want to limit your options TOO badly. Have I mentioned that this dungeon is evil and wants to kill you? Because it does.
-The greatest deities of the eldritch pantheon are Chaotic Neutral, not Chaotic Evil. That distinction is important. In addition to the official choices, you can ask about having a character that worships another Lovecraftian entity (I can help you port them to Pathfinder) or Yidhra, CN eldritch goddess of paradoxes.
-This setup is a bit different from the typical RA party. I will be adjusting the dungeon somewhat to compensate - for one, there won't be anything like traps that RELY on pure goodness to overcome and are unfairly punishing to non-good parties. Mind you, this is still going to be a very unfair dungeon, but every trial has a solution. Sometimes that solution is running away, but yeah.

Recruitment ends 3/17, assuming I've got enough good applications by then.

dotting. are archetypes allowed?

Of course. Personally, I'd find it stranger to not allow them. XD

I might be interested. Is Rappan Athuk a killer dungeon? Like a real killer dungeon? Like, how does it compare to other famous dungeons like Tomb of Horrors?

Also my knowledge of Lovecraftian themes come from arkham horror board game and a few other board games dealing with Cthulu. Though they all do have stories to them which I have learned over time.

Also, how do I apply a template to my character? Like I up the race to something like Ogre and that gives me a template? You said advanced bestiary is an option let me know. You probably wonder what I would do so you can help me with the template stuff. I want to do more damage, even if it means being a little less tanky. If there are ones that can make me large, even better. As well as do many other cool thinks, maybe fly or maybe jump further distances.

I'd like to dot for interest. My first thought would be to have an oracle/investigator type in his/her parents' footsteps in uncovering ancient secrets. My knowledge of Lovecraft is somewhat limited, I probably know enough to be dangerous...mostly to myself, LOL

EDIT: What are the odds of being a pureblood Azlanti have in being allowed?

Is it a problem if I am also running it? I haven't read the whole thing, just the parts where my party is up to(exploring the wilderness) and I can definitely keep from metagaming.

@DoubleGold: If you aren't familiar enough with this game to understand templates - and you've never heard of Rappan Athuk - then this probably isn't a game you should apply for.

@Lord Manticore: I can help you with themes and ideas if you need it. ^^

@HighonHolyWater: Depends on the quality of your submission. I plan to change up a few things, so even if you have a guidebook, it'll be of limited use.

Very interested; I adore Lovecraft s*&# in all areas. My first thought is an Oracle of Dark Tapestry/something else. Paladin would be a bit weird to work in but very strong, some brand of Sorceror or maybe Summoner would also be cool, but be the very definition of limited resources they'd be useless after the exhaustion of, so I'm not sure. For the time being though, how would you feel about a non-LG Paladin?

Was working on backstory, but it is late and I will finish tomorrow (don't want to rush it). Really cool idea about sentient computer's reaction to discovery of the existence of the Elder Gods (got some of the idea based on the Iron Gods AP)>

Paladins themselves are meant to be Lawful Good - it's thematically important, not just mechanically, that they A) Be legitimately righteous and B) Have a personal code of conduct they hold truly important - but as far as I'm aware, there's nothing that says your deity has to be within one step of that... I'm sure you could find a way to make it work. ^^ There are plenty of nuances within the alignment spectrum, and no need to be Lawful Stupid about things. I'll also accept a modified code of conduct (so long as there's something obviously lawful and something obviously good among its tenets - for example, a Lawful Good Paladin of Yidhra [see first post] might have a thing about encouraging laws that make sense, but being willing to disregard laws that do more harm than good).

I may have misunderstood, do we have to worship an Elder God, or may we be an instrument of discovery or destruction of the Elder Gods from another source/deity?

The basic idea is "Eldritch vs Evil". Your character should have some kind of positive connection to the Mythos - maybe they worship a Mythos entity (not an evil one - Azathoth, Yog-Sothoth, Mhar, and Yidhra are good choices), maybe they were descended from something in the Mythos, maybe they like studying them as a hobby, whatever fits your character.

ah, OK thank you. I was going the study/discovery route.

Just asking...what are that odds of allowing a pureblood Azlanti in? Just curious, it's not a dealbreaker or anything...

*Rubs chin* Without giving anything up, pretty much nil, since the added points wouldn't be fair to the other players. You could, however, take the Advanced template and thematically style it as a result of being a pureblood Azlanti (heck, rename it to that you want to) - in which case you'd pay a class level and I would be quite willing to accept it.

PrC allowed?

In regards to templates, a +1, means I would be X8 / Y7?

Interested to play a half dragon. (Sorcerer 7/paladin 7) with Draconic bloodline. There is probably some overlap there but I'm ok with that.

dot.

looking at half dragon, not sure what the classes are, but I am indeed drawn towards the dragon sorcerer.. though I think I will leave that alone.

Thinking a melee martial character Half dragons are just so awesome :3

Actually considering investigator/magus.

yes, investigator/magus, He delves into the darkest of places, seeking the most forbidden of knowledge in order to better his, and others lives.

while my lovecraftian knowledge is, sadly small. I do so enjoy a bit of madness.

Ooo

Me thinksin on a Ranger with the Xenocidist archetype + ????

and Templates too?!?!

... though I don't think this would be the right campaign for a Half-Succubi...

Switched my mind. Think Oracle Paladin would better fit the theme though still a half dragon, oracle(being a somewhat divine class) mixes better with paladin and the character story i'm cooking up.

This sounds so mega-double-hotfudge-awesome, I'm pretty pumped. I immediately want to play a Half-Giant Soulknife/Fighter (Mutation Warrior) that hits things really hard with an energy sword, and essentially does nothing else. I'm thinking low intelligence, high wisdom, a simpleton with great emotional depth, a spot on moral compass, and a limitless temper. I'll have to gloss over the templates and pick one that strikes my fancy, as well as jotting down a few ideas that tie...Herman, let's call him Herman, to the Mythos.

Ia Ia.

Edit: So...any template? Because some of these are pretty ridiculous, they're starting to feel like I'm reading a Rifts book ^^

Hmm the Id Mutant (CR+1) from Doom comes to Dustpawn is very tempting...

*Rubs chin* Without giving anything up, pretty much nil, since the added points wouldn't be fair to the other players. You could, however, take the Advanced template and thematically style it as a result of being a pureblood Azlanti (heck, rename it to that you want to) - in which case you'd pay a class level and I would be quite willing to accept it.

Not a problem, Rednal. I might go that route, or choose something else, or maybe no template at all. I believe that someone else mentioned how nasty some of those templates are.

@DoubleGold: If you aren't familiar enough with this game to understand templates - and you've never heard of Rappan Athuk - then this probably isn't a game you should apply for.

sorry to bug you. I still want to know though, is it a killer dungeon? I'll accept an answer from anyone.

Edit: there is a chance that some other DM will recruit for it in the future, as I've always wanted to play a killer dungeon with the challenge of surviving.

I am wondering what would be the best way to be playing a paladin, as in who he would worship. Or would you be ok with that being explained by his oracle side. Some mysterious force that he does not understand is helping him somehow. He 'thinks' it is a good force at least.

@Gilthanis: Yes, Prestige Classes are allowed. Note that Gestalt rules have a specific limitation on them - you can only have ONE side improve as a Prestige Class at a time.

@GypsyMischief: If I think a template is too unbalanced for this campaign, I'll ask people to change it.

@Rysky: Don't forget that it'll sharply drop your Intelligence - you'll either need to pay a lot to make up for it or accept being fairly dim (and having reduced skill points!) in a dungeon where weaknesses are often fatal.

@LordManticore: Some templates are nasty, yes - but templates aren't everything, and improved class abilities are important as well.

@DoubleGold: Yes, it is a killer dungeon.

@HighonHolyWater: Depends on how you want to play them. Paladins explicitly get their power from righteousness - though yeah, you could flavor it as the Oracle side giving a connection to the divine, and then their personal code giving them the abilities of a Paladin. Remember that Paladins can worship most good or neutral deities (if you want it to be closer to your alignment, I should probably note that Yidhra is both LN and CN - yes, this makes no sense, but that's the kind of thing that happens with deities of paradox), or you can take an alternative view of things. For example, one of Azathoth's portfolio elements is entropy, and you could have a focus on bringing destruction to places of entrenched evil. Basically, look at the options and try to find a way to make them work. There's a huge list of entities that haven't been brought to Pathfinder yet, either, and you may find something more workable there.

Are psionics allowed? I have a Gunslinger/Kaigun that I would like to submit.

Sourcebooks: All Paizo. Playtest material is okay - rebuild when the full book is out. 3PP content available on request. Psionics, Deep Magic, 1001 Spells, Path of War, and Heroes of the Jade Oath are all acceptable.

That said, I would like to give everyone a reminder - there are only going to be three of you, and Rappan Athuk is a killer dungeon. I'm going to be looking for characters who can fill different roles as-needed, rather than characters who focus on doing one thing abnormally well. You shouldn't look at this as a time to min-max your damage or anything like that, because doing that is probably going to get you killed sooner instead of later - instead, think about creating a well-rounded character who can be useful in different situations.

Here is a fairly rough draft for my character, (and boy, it took a lot of Referencing.. Still undecided on a couple of feats) background is still in progress but its basically the concept for the forbidden lore seeker. I think NN would be a good alignment. or NG, still deciding.

the magus part is built for damage/combat while the investigator represents his intellect and ability to get into and out (alive) of dungeons and tombs filled with dark horrors. It also lets him heal and buff a bit.

I will keep looking for something that fits. I have a 'sort of' hellboy thing going here, a crusader, despite being part bronze dragon was raised by an old adventurer and taught how to destroy evil things. I am going to have the old adventurer be the one who fed him tales of Yidhra and maybe the old man even met one of her avatars at one point. Perhaps thinking that giving bountiful crops and livestock means there is some good and aiming to please her and effect that is part of his way, besides from generally seeking out anything evil that would oppose her or harm innocents. Even though he doesn't feel human, he knows right from wrong and he takes out evil with a vengeance.

Two changes to my character: change Knowledge (Local) to (Planes) and change Fate's Favored trait to Scholar of the Great Beyond trait.

LG Monk/Rogue - Hungry Ghost/Trapsmith?

Would Monk Robes convey extra Punishing Kick (instead of Stunning Fist) as Hungry Ghost swaps it out?

Servant or Agent of the Light, etc... Like a Gurkha.

I'm not sure how well the idea of Lawful Good squares with an archetype that's about taking personal power by any means necessary, but I would allow an extra Punishing Kick from the Monk's Robes, yes.

It is a necessity as typically, this sort of agent would be inserted into enemy territory alone. Possibly where their gods' power will not reach.

For anyone else, expectation is one way suicide mission.

Also, drawing ki, life from the living is but a step towards drawing life from the unliving.

Could be LN with good tendencies.

GM Rednal, let me know if there are any difficulties with the path I chose, I am open to edits :)

Rock and Roll, assuming that my character choice is acceptable I'll write out a rough draft tonight after work. I know my character's focus seems extremely narrow but I'm fairly versed in the ways of applying brute strength to almost any situation (tongue planted in my cheek) I'm really gonna push the whole "Idiot Savant" thing with Herman's wisdom. I'm leaning towards 1/2 Celestial as a template in order to give Herman some utility as well as a source for his Soulknife abilities.

@Galahad: Being a scholar of eldritch deities is fine - though being an android might present its own challenges within this place. Of course, that's going to be true no matter what you choose, so there's no point in worrying about it. XD

@Gypsy: I believe what you put up earlier is technically a legal submission - just keep in mind that well-rounded and adaptable characters are likely to be given preference in my final decision.

LN Monk Rogue w/good tendencies is OK?

Yup. There's nothing inherently wrong with that combination that I see.

Thanks!

Would the Simple Advanced template CR +1, for general toughness be cheesy?

All this talk about killer dungeon has me concerned. No point being a glass cannon.

The Advanced template is a solid, reliable, and practical choice - makes you a little bit better in every way, although you do have to weigh that against your loss of class abilities.

And... yeah, it's probably better to avoid being a glass cannon. This is not a dungeon where you can simply load up on firepower and expect to blast through every obstacle without worry. There are traps and environmental hazards as well, many quite lethal.

GM. sorry, knowledge of lovecraft is underwhelming, what would a half dragon, seeker of secrets and forbidden lore, worship?

Got the idea of android from the Iron Gods AP, sentient computer becoming a god that sends his creation out to check out the competition....

I like the high INT as it gives me more skills and lets me be more than just a fighter.

Just a quick question: are the simple class templates open as well? From the Monster Codex...I have an idea running through my mind; it has to do with training as a young child, and then taking up the oracle/investigator path.

@Rorek: They could worship the Great Old Ones as a pantheon (forbidden lore is very common here... for a reason). Nyarlathotep, sadly, is evil in Pathfinder. Personally, I would have preferred all Mythos entities to be Chaotic Neutral. XD Yog-Sothoth, however, does have Knowledge as a domain, and would be a good choice here.

@Galahad: Skills are good. XD You may want to make at least a small investment in movement skills (Climb, etc.), as well as things to identify foes - and magical items - with. And Perception, of course.

@LordManticore: Yes, the Simple Class Templates are acceptable options. Note that you'll need to pay the maximum CR adjustment, and it might be more effective to take the class levels themselves for things like potentially improved saves and HD.

Whisper Stuarden, N Female advanced psychic smoke daemon-spawn tiefling psion 5-warder (dervish defender) 8 gestalt and follower of The World Thunder.

Background will be added soon, needs to be written, edited, perhaps re-written.. but essentially she was born of smoke, flame, and pain, and has seen the wonders to come when Mhar finally comes in full to Golarion. She seeks glory in his service. Quiet, but not silent, she speaks her mind and backs it with her blades. She is a dynamo in combat, but always seems to find a way to protect her allies while navigating the battlefield.

He did say a grand total of 1 template was allowed.

Is it ok to craft our own items? Like by taking craft wondrous item. Since we have 4 bonus feats I was thinking of taking it. Perhaps arms and armour aswell.

This game sounds INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE.

thanks, I'll do some reading.

also- I made a boo-boo char. is supposed to be silver, not gold.