GM Rednal's War of the Burning Sky (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

While once news reached the Free Citystate of Gate Pass by weekly teleporting courier, that channel has gone silent, and now news travels by the old routes of rumor — travelers from the outside world. You might be one of those travelers, or a concerned native of the city, but you have heard the rumors.

Driven by the dogs of war, you will head for a distant safe haven, a mages’ school named Lyceum, which has sent up a rallying cry for those who wish to resist the warmongers. You will have a chance to form alliances, to build an army, and to uncover the strange secrets that underlie the conflict. As the war reaches a climax, powerful magic will threaten to scorch nations, or sunder them into nothing but nightmares. It will be up to you to bring the war to an end before only embers and ruins remain...

Setting Information

Start with the Player's Guide. Note that while this campaign was originally for 3.5, we'll be running it under PF rules. The official conversion isn't done yet (hopefully it will be someday), so I'll be winging it. XD

This run of the game takes place on a distant continent of Golarion - one that has little interaction or trade with the Inner Sea area. You should avoid location-based traits and the like unless they clearly fit within this campaign.

Rules:

Sourcebooks: All Paizo (except Ultimate Intrigue playtest - that'll become legal when the full book is released). Psionics, Path of War, New Paths Compendium, The Secrets of Adventuring, Deep Magic, and 1001 Spells are all okay. Other 3PP available on request.

Level: 1 (Gestalt rules)

Races: Core and Featured. Pay attention to the player's guide for how some choices might affect you during the campaign.

Point Buy: 25 points. No score above 18 or below 8 after racial modifiers.

HP: Max per Hit Dice.

Skills: +2 points per level. One of these points must be put into a Profession skill, the other into Craft, Perform, or Artistry. This is intended to represent who your character is outside of adventuring.

Traits: 2, +1 with a Drawback

Alignment: Any Good or Neutral. Note that CN characters still need to be willing to work with the team and support its goals.

Starting Wealth: 150 GP

Other Rules:
-Automatic Bonus Progression (Unchained)
-Background Skills (Unchained)
-Campaign Feats (see the Player's Guide, Page 6 - pick one)
-Skill Unlocks: Free for Rogues, Feat Access for Other Classes
-Stamina: Free for Fighters, Feat Access for Other Classes
-All characters get bonus feats at every even level (in addition to their normal feats)
-This isn't a rule, exactly, but there will frequently be occasions when you do not have the time to craft powerful items. It's one thing if you're focused on smaller, easier items, or adding multiple minor effects to an existing item, but don't expect to be crafting your own legendary equipment. Besides, we're using ABP, so you're already guaranteed the basics.

Mythic? No.
Soul Points? Yes.

Check out my profile for some other information for players new to my games.

How to Apply

Anyone can make a character sheet - while I will evaluate it (I do not like min-maxed characters, and generally prefer well-balanced gestalts that can take on multiple roles), my main criteria for judging your submission is your character's background fluff. I want to know who your submission is as a person. How they feel about things, how they interact with the world, what kind of events made them the person they are today, how their powers and abilities have affected their life...

Basically, you should be making a person, not a character sheet that's just a bunch of numbers.

I'll also be taking a look at your history on this forum. PbP games have a die-off problem, so I do lean in favor of users who have been around a long time and aren't likely to disappear or suddenly stop posting. I will be selecting three players. If I liked your profile but didn't select you, I might still ask you to come in as an alternate if someone does drop.

Recruitment will last until Sunday, November 8th. Oh, and though some say the world will end in fire, others say it's ice... and if you prefer the cold to this campaign's heat, I'll also be opening up a recruitment for The Northlands Saga (courtesy of Frog God Games) once my PDF of that is delivered, and that ought to be in the near future since they've moved into layout. ^^

Sounds interesting, i've been meaning to finally write up a new character usually i stick with some of my older ones and rework them. I let you know when i come up with an idea.

Although i usually keep my information for characters accessible via a link to myth-weavers instead of using hero lab for things is that alright?

the quick reference stuff i do usually set up only after i get picked for a campaign but i do it .

Do you allow the Aasimar variant heritages, i have an idea for an angel kin character. She was an angel who was cast out of heaven and stripped of her status and is trying to reclaim what she lost while surviving in a world she knows very little about.

So... what are Soulpoints?

Also, curious about Steelforge being allowed. More specifically the Nonmagical Item Enhancement section... through I hope that we don't need to have the 'slots' as Craft (Traps) ONLY...

Still... decisions decisions... what to play, what to play...

... The Commander Class in the Player's Guide is basically the Marshal isn't it? Either way, the Leader Feats and such are rather... odd. Lets leave it at that.

I do not like min-maxed characters.

I understand that point of view, but with gestalt 25 pt buy and 1 bonus feat per even level you have to go out of your way to not make something disgustingly powerful.

On a positive note the campaign sounds interesting.

@Fury: Soul points are a thing I do in my PbP games - basically, they're rewards for playing that you can save up to spend on various benefits you couldn't normally have. ^^ They're kinda like PFS boons.

@Archae: You're free to have a Myth-Weavers sheet for your own use. The one in your alias is for my reference, which is why I will need it to exist and be formatted in that way (the formatting isn't hard, really). Aasimar variant heritages are fine. You don't need to MAKE the alias until you're chosen - alias bloat is bad. XD

Just wanted to say that this looks really interesting! I haven't played gestalt before, but there's a first time for everything, I suppose! Any suggestions or criticisms that you have of the class or character would be much appreciated.

How do you think that a kobold would fit into this environment? I'm thinking of creating an Eldrich Guardian/(not entirely sure) kobold female who was born with the wrong color of scales for her tribe. After a disease befell the kobolds of her tribe, the tribe worried that their god was angry with them for allowing her to live, and forced her to leave.

As kobolds are social creatures, this expulsion from her tribe was devastating. She spent every day henceforth searching for another tribe of kobolds to join, but was unsuccessful. After several months of this search, her need of a friend manifested itself in a delusion so powerful that it gradually became part of reality in the form of a figment familiar.

Aside from the figment familiar, I'm thinking that this kobold would develop a high handle animal skill, and use it to train animals that could gradually become her friends in their own right. I don't know how solid this vague concept is, so it will almost certainly evolve over time. Just figured that I could write this here and see if you had any comments on it.

okay so working on the backstory right now, but my class combo right now i will most likely end up Sword saint/Inquisitor, Angel Kin Aasimar.

As stated backstory is most important so i'll end up posting it late after i'm sure it's good and ready. just wanted to post my decision for class combo. and also ask if your okay with reflavoring a wooden club being carved to look like a sword?

... So I should make an alias huh...?

I suppose I should learn how to do so yeah.

Anyway, I'm thinking of doing a charmastic leader type, probably Rubato on one side, not sure about the other. Its either going to be Enlightend Paladin, Warlord or Swashbuckler... If its Enlightend Paladin, I'll likely go for a Kamina like character with Peform (Oratory) as one of my skills. But that might be a bit cliche...

*Rubs chin*

Note that as a very story-driven campaign, this AP will be generally on the rails - I specifically avoid having too many sidequests going on, so outside of whatever happens in the plot, there wouldn't be many opportunities to meet animals.

(I wish it were otherwise, but in my experience, the GM firmly keeping things on-plot and moving forward is the ONLY way PbP succeeds. v.v)

@Fang: Practically anyone can make an overpowered character. ^^ I'm challenging all of you to make a BALANCED one instead. Also, balance is generally better in PbP anyway - being able to fulfill two distinct roles means you can switch up as-needed, 'cuz the small party means there's not a whole lot of slack...

I've got an idea for a Monk / Witch or Sorcerer floating in my head. Just have to determine where the training / unique set of skill come from. Mystical order, Sequestered Hermit, Lost cult, vanishing island culture???

*nods* Kamina, favorite character in that show

So I might switch inquisitor to cleric or oracle wondering what everyone thinks, with this being gestalt i can pull healer, frontliner, and maybe something else depending on what i pick. I would do paladin but that alignment restriction prevents my Neutral good by saying you must be lawful good , so thats out. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm taking them.

Also GM how do you want submission sent in?

Sorry with all the edits and questions and whatnot but when the campaign starts should we be in Gatepass or this Lyceum place? reason i ask is i want to end my backstory there or at least nearby, it will also help provide a reason to being here.

@Scranford: Nothing says there can't be an order for both the mystic and martial arts... although in terms of strict flavor, I think Monk/Sorcerer works better (in the sense of improving yourself and bringing out your inner power) than Monk/Witch (you have a weird patron whose motives you might not understand). Of course, practically any combination can work if done right. XD

@Archae: The more I know about what concept you're trying to make, the better the advice I can give is.

Submissions should be made in this thread. ^^

Also, all spellcasters should read the Player's Guide carefully. Your ability to cast or not is important to how others treat you. Ditto for Inquisitors, because there's this group...

Ah well the concept is basically, Frontline fighter and healer. The character was an Archon who got stripped of her status and power for her love of combat and for helping along a rebellion. Because of this she basically fell, instead of awaking a fallen angel, she found she was mortal now, with only remnants of her former divine powers.

Basically well trained warrior with divine magic, Revels in combat and learning proper ways to fight. as she seeks to regain her abilities she still prays to her former lord hoping to be heard.

i haven't really decided on gods or anything, but i remembered that Archon's have strict codes and disapprove of rebellions and such. I liked the concept of an angel becoming mortal, maybe i watched a little to much supernatural but the character Castiel is kind of where i got the idea.

The actual backstory will have more but this should help with envisioning a concept.

Also, balance is generally better in PbP anyway

That certainly matches my experience on these boards. It's a little frustrating when players only have input after initiative has been rolled.

Anyway getting back to this campaign. I've always been rather partial to Paladins, but I've never really found an archetype that I liked from an RP point of view. IMO the best paladin in literature is Paksenarrion and she didn't start out as a Paladin but grew into one after being chosen by the gods (second best Paladin is probably Michael Carpenter). I recently came across this which seems pretty perfect. Since this is gestalt I'd need a second class, but I'm not really sure what. The obvious choice is probably Oracle, since they are also chosen by the gods, but there might be other good options I'm missing.

So that's one vote for a Kamina like character... any other thoughts? Charsimatic leader type, Rubato Bard | Something. Kamina would be an Enlightened Paladin. I'm think a bold, dashing outlaw for the Swashbuckler, or a talented member of the guard, one who is excellent at working with his fellow warriors in keeping people safe as the Warlod.

Any preferences...?

As it says this is the backstory and such, let me know what you all think. your all welcome to look. if anything in it needs work tell me and i'll try to improve it.

@Archae: By strict Pathfinder lore, that would be a very strange event. Basically, souls are sent to a given realm and reincarnated into outsiders BECAUSE it's what's most suitable for them. Pharasma is both unbiased and extraordinarily good at what she does. If someone was going to be inclined towards rebellion and such, they'd probably have been sent to Elysium to begin with... or, heck, they could've just talked to a deity and politely asked to be reincarnated into whatever they felt suited them better. (As far as my games go, gods of good are genuinely good, and their servants can get quite a lot of help just by asking. XD)

However, there are other options for angels becoming mortal. For example, maybe they asked to be reborn because they wanted an opportunity to help mortals more directly. I think that's a bit more plausible, given established lore. Sound like something you could work with, or...?

(I try to be a good GM, and that means trying to avoid saying "no" to players' ideas. XD Questions like these are designed to help you make a character that better fits in with the world as I see it - which measurably increases your chances of getting selected. When we're all on the same page idea-wise, things go much smoother.)

@Fang: Flavor's what you make of it. XD I generally don't mind refluffing things as long as it still makes some sort of sense and doesn't change any mechanics. I always encourage starting with your character idea and building the crunch to match that, rather than the other way around.

Also, yeah, balance - it's DEFINITELY good to have some talent at overcoming challenges outside of combat. Whether it's persuading people to support your cause, navigating difficult terrain, overcoming skill challenges, or otherwise accomplishing your goals, there is definite value in spreading yourself wide, rather than trying to build a gestalt that just does one thing abnormally well. ^^ It also means you have more opportunities to stay involved, and that's pretty important in PbP games, given how slow they are...

@Fury: No preferences on my end. I want you to create a character that YOU would enjoy playing. Personally, though, I often start by looking for a piece of art that matches my concept, then building to match that. XD

Well then i will work on it a bit more and repost when i come up with something that works better lore wise.

Quite interested in this. Need to make a character that's not too focused though. I imagine a heaven's oracle with Awesome Display, a couple traits to apply persistent spell at first level and more bonuses to make color spray truly awesome is too focused for you (even if it would be able to handle both divine and arcane spellcasting and have plenty of utility both outside and in combat outside of that powerful trick)?

How are soul points different from hero points?

Basically, like this.

Specializing in a spell isn't a bad thing - Magus, I'm lookin' at you - but do try to keep it in-line with what a normal character of a given level would be able to do... and consider the opportunity cost of over-investing in one thing.

Okay here's my second attempt, hopefully this falls more in line with the expectations and lore.

Okay so my class choice is Sword Saint (samurai, order of the blue rose, and Cleric (Merciful Healer). just figured i should let you all know my choice.

curious, I've been hankering to play a sword master who is exiled literally or figuratively from home, looking for a purpose. I've been focusing on style and personality but I don't have the story yet. think Lan Mandragoran or John Carter

It May work to have him from Avistan and find his way to the Ragesian Empire. Don't know if he would be from: Cheliax the last survivor of a noble family who worshiped Abadar, A swordsman from Brevoy or a Sarkorian wandering due to loss of his homeland to the worldwound. Hhhmmm, May need to be an older race for a couple of those to make sense. Or his family could have fled and he is the last one, not pining for home but trying to find a place to belong.

I had not considered Gestalt will need to look at it. Hmmm a troubadour warrior always loved Gurney Halleck let me see what I can put together.

Are there any specifics you absolutely have to know about the character's background? What info would we have about the starting area to help build our characters?

I was thinking of making a Tiefling Harbringer(from Path of War Expanded)/Warpriest(alignment depends on gods available) who is a student of a local Hero, a LG Human Fighter/Psychic Warrior who is picky about what mercenary contracts he takes, a CG Goblin Kineticist/Barbarian who left his tribe to be with those closer to his alignment, a Aasimar Paladin(Temple Champion or Warrior of the Holy Light)/White Necromancer who wants to spread the fact that not all undead are evil, or a LN Hobgoblin Soulknife/Aegis who works undercover as an enforcer for the local government. I can flesh out the characters'stories that you think will fit the campaign the best.

The most important details are those relevant to the plot - namely, which organization you are affiliated with, and how that came to be. Ideally, your classes, alignment, and general personality will be a good match for whichever group you're affiliated with.

You're starting in Gate Pass, so pay particular attention to that part of the Player's Guide.

As for which of the characters, mmm... *Looks carefully over them* Most of these ideas look too narrow in focus (mostly just two "hit things" classes), and I've specifically asked people to avoid doing that. The only idea there I would consider taking is your Aasimar.

Okay I read the players guide and feel I have enough info to make a good PC. So I am dotting.

I have an idea! How about a bard who sings about a masked resistance paladin (who is of course, him) Like peter parker taking pictures of spiderman.

Broadly speaking, resistance organizations trend towards Chaotic Good, and might frequently do things that more law-abiding characters would feel uncomfortable with. There's also the detail that what's basically disguising yourself in order to brag about your accomplishments could be seen as... less than totally truthful. How is your character reconciling this potential issue?

Okay, starting in Gate pass, now that i know that i'll think of a reason for being in the area, should be easy enough all things considered.

Also i should add i am a fan of the aasimar character as well,not mine, DragoDorn's. I have been a fan of the not all undead are evil thing.

doooooootttttt.

thinking rogue/fighter or rogue/ranger or some form. something along the lines of a young, somewhat naive lad...hmmmm

After reading through the Players Guide I think my swordsman troubadour would be a better fit if he were from Gate’s pass. I’m thinking either a half-elf, who was raised by his elven grandfather, after his parents died fighting the Ragesians as part of the resistance. His Grandfather would train him in the ways of the sword and his new grandmother (grandad has a thing for pretty human woman) will train him in music ie: bard. At a young age he will join the military, having a desire to ride griffons. But he will always secretly keep his ties to the resistance. Or a young elf who lived through the invasion himself and was a small part of the resistance, becoming a musician and joining the guard to become a griffon rider. Whichever race I decide to go with the story shouldn't change too much.

If he is a cavalier and takes beast rider at 4th level can he select a griffon as his mount?

If his is trained with the “Elven curved blade” using a dexterity build are there any feats that you will allow him to add dexterity to his damage. Slashing grace is for a one handed weapon, would you allow it to be modified for a two handed weapon? If not do you mind if we reskin the “dueling sword” as an elven weapon for story line.

Mounts would need to follow the normal rules for being acquired. Note that I can't guarantee it would always be practical to have a big companion around - I expect you'll need to sneak around on more than one occasion, and investing too much in something you can't keep with you might be rough. (Of course, gestalt helps with that...)

As for dexterity-to-damage for two-handed weapons, none of the legal sources have any such ability (that I'm aware of, at least), so I'd rather avoid that.

Definite maybe...

GM could you tell us some more about the world's pantheon?

Here's what I was thinking of for a concept:

Hey there, Rednal. Is this the northlands-inspired campaign you were talking about running, or does that come later?

@FangDragon: As I explained above, this takes place on Golarion. Basically, if it's a Pathfinder deity, it's probably gonna be fine.

@Ein: No, no. This is the Fire campaign. The Northlands one is the Ice campaign, and it's not so much "inspired by the Northlands" as it's ACTUALLY the Northlands. (I backed the Kickstarter for it, after all. XD Biiiiiig book.)

@Ein: No, no. This is the Fire campaign. The Northlands one is the Ice campaign, and it's not so much "inspired by the Northlands" as it's ACTUALLY the Northlands. (I backed the Kickstarter for it, after all. XD Biiiiiig book.)

Oh, whoops. I'll see how things go in the next week, and maybe submit something fire themed. Still looking forward to that one, though.

Hmm...I've been fairly interested in gestalt lately. Might do a power-caster, witch//wizard perhaps. Or go a more technical route and do bard//sorc. Will give it some thought.

hey GM Rednal, the more I put together classes that would work well, the further I get from the swordsman I want to play. The game sounds interesting but the characters I keep coming up with don't interest me, so I am withdrawing. I may attempt to join you for "The Northlands Saga." Thanks for running the games; good luck to everyone and have fun.

@Iso: *Once again emphasizes building for DIVERSITY in the character, and reiterates that things which look like they're too much of one thing will not be chosen*

@Robert: Understood. ^^

@Thunderbeard: Heh. XD Yeah, I'm looking forward to it, too. That's gonna be my biggest gaming book ever, I think...

@Iso: *Once again emphasizes building for DIVERSITY in the character, and reiterates that things which look like they're too much of one thing will not be chosen*

I would argue that, despite being a double casting class, a witch//wizard would be suitable for essentially any party role except perhaps Face (and I tend to like Cha, so even that is on the table). They would excel at ranged combat, battlefield control, and scouting; they could act as the skill monkey, the healer, the trap finder, the buffer/debuffer, and the knowledge guy; and at higher levels they become a frontline combatant. Seems pretty diverse to me, but whatever.

I would argue that, despite being a double casting class, a witch//wizard would be suitable for essentially any party role except perhaps Face (and I tend to like Cha, so even that is on the table). They would excel at ranged combat, battlefield control, and scouting; they could act as the skill monkey, the healer, the trap finder, the buffer/debuffer, and the knowledge guy; and at higher levels they become a frontline combatant. Seems pretty diverse to me, but whatever.

Can't tank for beans, though, which is one of the most important parts of a gestalt team. Also no DPS, and they lack the spell list to be effective anti-mages.

ok, gonna go for a fighter/rogue(unchained) going with a naive lad that rely's on strength of spirit and his wits to survive more than any practical training. Son of a blacksmith and musician he has some talent in both, but was driven by insatiable wanderlust to a life of "adventure".

focus him on maneuvers (such as trip/disarm/feint) with some hard hitting potential. he will def. prefer to get intelligent enemies to surrender, instead of just mass slaughtering them.

Hum. I'll get back to you with a Witch/Barbarian on the Northlands Saga. Best of luck with this :) I am intrigued, but need to monitor very carefully what I'm getting myself into ;)

I usually encourage not taking two ninth-level casters when gestalting. ^^ It does give you, like, ALL the daily spells, but by the time you hit mid-levels, you're usually not running out of magic anyway... and it's not expanding your abilities in the same way gestalting in many other types of classes might.

For example, Rogues can REALLY benefit from that high INT bonus, especially because we're using skill unlocks. Decent ability synergy, and people usually don't expect the guy in the funny robes to suddenly shank them like a pro instead of cowering when a burly guy approaches. XD

Also, if you have so much magic you can do EVERYTHING, I feel like it might make the rest of the party feel useless. o_O That'd be bad, too.

GM rednal, would you allow pre creation crafting? I ask only because After filling out skills based on my background I have a couple of crafting ones. (weapons and alchemy) if not thats fine, just figured I'd ask as it could help pack in some fun stuff after essentials..

I would allow it, because honestly, there's not a lot of game-breaking you can do with 150 GP. XD Even if you double it through crafting. (That's the max, by the way.)

on that note, would you allow the signature moves trait? I'd flavor it as a gift from his dad (a blacksmith),

here is the link signature moves

Okay, so... the Player Guide is missing answers to one important question: at the beginning of the game, who are the party members working for, and why? (unless I'm missing that). Knowing where our epic destiny is going might help me get started on a backstory, etc.