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Wrath of the Righteous. Even the name says it all, and in that name is the promise of the hero rising from the ashes to battle the odds with righteous fury. Or at least that's my take on it. The theme of the epic adventure is one that all of us know, and many hold dear. Arthur and Camelot, The Lord of the Rings, The Belgariad, Sword of Shanara, and the list continues enough that I could fill this whole space. They all hold one thing in common though, the fight between good and evil. Wrath of the Righteous has the same feel to it, and I'm looking for a few epic heroes (in time ;) ) to come take that trip with me, and see what kind of tale we can weave.
That being said, I am looking for four, and only four characters to join this game. I am looking for good aligned heroes, with outstanding backgrounds that have been given thought, with enough drive for the character, and enough dangling threads that I can use to weave into the game itself. I am also going to be doing things a bit different. I am going to have a prolonged recruitment. The first week or maybe two are going to be for character submissions, after which the next week or two is going to be roleplaying the festival Armasse in Kenabres so I can get a feel for how the characters are portrayed, writing styles, personalities so I can put together a group that meshes well. At the end of the two weeks, I'll start the campaign, and may even have a surprise or two.
Character creation details:
-20 point buy
- 2 traits, one of which must be from the Wrath of the Righteous player’s guide. We will be using mythic adventures so chosing the trait is key.
- No Summoners, and no firearm wielding characters
- All core races, tieflings and aasimar
- Divine spellcasters need to have a specific deity that they get their powers from
- All the Core books are in play for feats, spells, etc
- Good and Neutral aligned characters only
- Max starting gold for you class
- No 3rd party material
- I tend to err in the side of a better story than strict adherence to the rules, so if you want something tweaked, let me know and I’ll try to accommodate.
- Please have a well thought out backstory giving history and motivation, as well as a good look into their personality.
- I’ll run combat by rolling initiative and then allowing characters a chance to act, after which I’ll post a narrative recap. If characters don’t post that day, I’ll act for them, in order to speed things along.
I’ll expect that each character post at least once per day, and then once again on the weekend. If posting more often is warranted, we’ll proceed. To make this even clearer, I’m looking for strong role-players with strong characters, which like to have fun within a story.
-Once I have all the characters, I use Hero Labs to keep track of combat, buffs etc, which helps speed things up.
Expectations:
1 post a day minimum during weekdays, 1 post per weekend. I am able to check the boards frequently, and do my best to reply quickly, so a person that doesn’t post daily runs the risk of falling behind
Players that are engaged in their characters, who in turn are engaged in the story. I fully believe in cause and effect, so any actions that characters take may have reprocussions.
I expect the recruitment to be tough, the characters to be somewhat complete and complex, and the roleplaying to be engaging and fun, but I believe through that crucible that the game will wind up with four heroes ready to take on the challenge whose players post often, but with quality
I look forward to finding my four. Who’s up for the challenge?
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I am very interested.. Just need to put together a character that fits your requirements. I am playing a homebrew right now very similar to what you describe.. you can check out my alias Garekk to see if my style fits with what you want. I have been playing since middle school (many moons ago).. and started on the origional AD&d rules. I am however in my first year playing pathfinder, so I do need occasional help with the finer points.
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A towering figure clad in polished armor steps forward. Raising his shield adorned with the black rose of Pharasma, he salutes with his sword and goes to one knee.
From his closed helm comes a deep, rough voice that sounds like he had been swallowing ground glass, "I will take up the challenge. I shall not rest, nor allow any evil to go unpunished while I live!"
A huge, imposing figure covered in armor from head to foot, he carries a polished shield bearing a black rose. He speaks seldom in a deep, chilling voice that sends shivers up the spine of even the boldest knights.
Beneath the armor:
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 245#
Eyes: Red
Skin: Black
Hair: None
Once he takes off the helmet, you see a horrific black-scaled monster. Gleaming white fangs, small horns, glowing red eyes and pointed, serrated ears make him seem almost a full demon.
Although he calls upon Pharasma in battle, he secretly worships Shelyn, the deity of his mother, for his spells. He is ashamed and believes that others would ridicule a monster like himself following the Goddess of Beauty.
His mother Kale caused the cracking of the Kenabres Wardstone.
At least, that is the way she tells it. Before the first attacks, she was merely one of a squad of soldiers assigned to routine duty in the city. With nothing much to do most of them spent a lot of time in the local tavern, which is where she met Arvoris. A fairly good-looking young blacksmith come to trade from a neighboring village, she started spending a lot of time with him. He asked her endless questions about her and the exciting life of a soldier, and she enjoyed the attention.
Until the attack began.
With the cracking of the Wardstone, Demons began the assault , a screaming horde ready to claim all Golarian as their own. The crusaders fought bravely but were barely holding the line. After a disasterous battle on the front where she had seen almost her whole squad killed, she and a ragged group retreated back through the city. She rushed to find her lover. When she told him he had to flee, he laughed.
And then he changed.
He was not a simple craftsman but an advance scout for the Demonic Horde. And she had provided so much valuable information! Tears in her eyes, she could not believe it. She had used her Sight on him, seen no sign of evil! He grinned and raised an amulet with strange markings on it, taunting her. She rushed him, sword raised, but he teleported away, his laughter still ringing in her ears. She changed after that. Before, she had been a devotee of Shelyn, finding beauty in everything and a firm believer that anyone could find redemption. Now, she rushed into battle, fiercely battling the enemy with no regard for her own life. Slowly, they managed to turn the tide and reclaim the city. The Wardstone held, and she joined the new crusade to push the demons further back.
Until she discovered she was pregnant.
She knew once the child was born, everyone would know of her shame and betrayal, so she fled. She settled in Ustalav, kept to herself and raised the demon-child for the rest of her life. She poured all her bitterness, rage, and hate for all demons into her son and trained him to kill as soon as he could hold a sword. Last year, he returned from a trip to pick up the weapon he would need in his fight to find her dead, with a skeletal grey-skinned demon standing over her. The fiend dropped something on her body and vanished before he was able to reach them. He vowed then to destroy all demons, and to find out why she had been singled out for such misery.
Now he has arrived, ready to kill his Father and any other demon that gets in his way...
Defense
AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19 (+5 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Shield, +2 Natural Armor)
HP 12 (1d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +2
Resistances Cold 5, Electricity 5, Fire 5
Offense
Spd 20’ Init: +1
Melee Cold Iron Longsword +4 (1d8+3, 19-20/x2)
Silver Dagger +4 (1d4+3, 19-20/x2)
Shield Smash +4 (1d4+3, 20/x2)
Ranged Silver Dagger +2 (1d4+3, 19-20/x2) (10ft)
Shortbow +2 (1d6, 20/x3) (60ft)
Special Attacks
Statistics
Str 16 (+3), Dex 12 (+1), Con 14 (+2), Int 11 (+0), Wis 10 (+0), Cha 16 (+3)
BAB +1, CMB +4, CMD 15
Feats
Armor of the Pit: +2 Natural Armor.
Traits
Child of the Crusade: His mother was a member of the crusade, as were her parents before her. The righteousness of the crusades sometimes feels as if it runs in his very blood, and it bolsters him against demonic influence. His mother died last year, but he grew up knowing her, though, and her zeal and devotion to the crusade is the primary reason he feel the same way. She told him of other family members who have also been involved in the crusade, and it would not be uncommon for him to meet a distant cousin or long-lost aunt, uncle, or other family member while traveling among the border towns of Mendev. This strong family tie bolsters his mind and sense of belonging to the crusade. Once per day when he fails a saving throw against an effect created by a demon that would possess or incapacitate him mentally, he may immediately reroll that saving throw as a free action. He must take the second result, even if it is worse. Associated Mythic Path: Marshal.
Scholar of the Great Beyond: +1 to Knowledge (history) & (planes), and Knowledge (planes) is a class skill.
Talented: You gain a +1 trait bonus on checks with a single Perform skill (sing), and all Perform skills are always class skills for you.
Drawback:
Overprotective: If one of your allies should fall unconscious from hit point damage, you take a –2 penalty on attack rolls and skill checks as long as you are farther than 10 feet away from your fallen ally.
Skills
(2 skill points / level +1 FC = 3 - Class Skills in Bold yield +3 when trained, Class Skills in Italics are trained only)
Mod Ranks Name of Skill (-6 Armor Check penalty)
-5 0 Acrobatics
+0 0 Appraise
+3 0 Bluff
-3 0 Climb
+0 0 Craft
+7 1 Diplomacy
-3 0 Disable Device
+3 0 Disguise
-5 0 Escape Artist
-5 0 Fly
+3 0 Handle Animal
+0 0 Heal
+3 0 Intimidate
+0 0 Knowledge (Arcana)
+0 0 Knowledge (Dungeoneering)
+0 0 Knowledge (Engineering)
+0 0 Knowledge (Georgraphy)
+1 0 Knowledge (History)
+0 0 Knowledge (Local)
+0 0 Knowledge (Nature)
+0 0 Knowledge (Nobility) (c)
+5 1 Knowledge (Planes)
+4 1 Knowledge (Religion)
+0 0 Linguistics
+2 0 Perception
+4 0 Perform (sing)
+0 0 Profession (c)
-5 0 Ride
+0 0 Sense Motive
-5 0 Sleight of Hand
+0 0 Spellcraft
-5 0 Stealth
+0 0 Survival
-3 0 Swim
+3 0 Use Magic Device
Languages
Common (Taldane)
Abyssal
Racial Abilities
+2 Str, +2 Cha, -2 Int
Darkvision 60’
Infernal Resistance: Cold, Electricity & Fire 5
Skilled: +2 to Disable Device and Perception
Soul Seer: Deathwatch at will; r: 30' cone, d: 10 min/lvl; know if creatures in range are dead, fragile (less than 3hp), fighting off death (4+ hp), healthy, undead, or neither alive nor dead.
SQ
Aura of Good has an aura of good equal to his level.
Detect Evil: at will; As move action, gain knowledge of strength of aura about 1 item/individual within 60' as if he had studied it for 3 rounds of concentration.
Smite Evil: 1/day; add +3 (Cha) to attack, add +1 (level) to damage vs. 1 chosen opponent until they or he is defeated. If evil outsider, dragon or undead, gain +2 (2 x level) to damage instead. Bypasses DR.
He also gains a deflection bonus to AC vs. attacks from the target equal to his Cha mod (+3)
Combat Gear
Scale Armor, Heavy Steel Shield, Cold Iron Longsword, Silver Dagger, Shortbow, 20 arrows
Other Gear
Traveller's Outfit, Bedroll, Small Tent, Backpack, Belt Pouch, Waterskin, Flint & Steel, Iron Pot, Mess Kit, 5 days Trail Rations, 50 ft Silk Rope
Money
19 gp, 4 sp
Hi, please consider Godwin Solace, Aasimar Warpriest of Iomedae
Male Archon Blooded Aasimar Warpriest of Iomedae
NG medium humanoid
Init +4 (0 dex + 4 feat)
Perception + 2 (2 wis)
STR 17
DEX 11
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 14
CHA 12
DEFENSE:
AC 17 (10 + 7 armor )
T 10 (17 - 7 armor)
FF 17 (17 - 0 )
hp 11( 8 + 2 (con) + 1 (class bonus))
Fort 4 (2 base + 2 con)
Ref 0
Will 4 (2 base + 2 wis)
CMD 12 (10 + 2 Str)
OFFENSE:
Speed 20 ft
Melee Falchion 4 (3 str + 1 weapon focus) (2d4+3/18-20/x2)
Space 5 Reach 5
BAB 0
CMB 3 (3 STR)
TRAITS:
Stolen Fury: +2 trait bonus on all combat maneuver checks against demons
Associated Mythic Path: Champion
Good Influence: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks when attempting to persuade a nongood creature to make a decision that benefits the cause of good, and when persuading a nonlawful creature to make a decision in line with the laws of the region.
These bonuses stack if you attempt to persuade a nongood, nonlawful creature to take a lawful good action.
FEATS:
Weapon Focus Falchion
Improved Initiative
SKILLS:
Acrobatics +0, Appraise +1, Bluff +1, Climb +3, Diplomacy +5, Disguise +1, Escape Artist +0, Fly +0, Heal+2, Intimidate +1,
Knowledge (planes) +2, Knowledge (religion) + 5, Perception +2, Ride +0, Sense Motive +6, Spellcraft +2, Stealth +0, Survival +2, Swim +3
GEAR:
Splint Mail, Falchion, Warpriest's kit, weapon cord (Falchion)
Special Abilities:
Celestial Crusader: +1 insight bonus to AC and attack against evil outsiders, +2Kn:Planes and Spellcraft to identify evil outsider or evil outsider effects
Incorruptible: Cast Corruption Resistance evil 1/day as a spell like ability
Halo: Can create light centered on her head at will as a spell-like ability. When using halo gain a +2 circumstance bonus on Intimidate checks against evil creatures and on saving throws against becoming blinded or dazzled.
Aura: Lawful Good
3 Blessings per day
Good: Holy Strike (Minor)
War: War Mind (Minor)
Sacred Weapon
Spells:
Orisions
Detect Magic
Enhanced Diplomacy
Purify Food and Drink
Level 1
Summon Monster 1
Divine Favor
For many in this troubled and demon cursed land dreams are the stuff of nightmares and horrors. They speak of gibbering horrors and demonic screams. Their sleeping hours, they say, are haunted.
The same is true of me. But my dreams are not of my imagination. They are of a horror I was subjected to in my youth.
I grew up in one of the many orphanages of Kenebras. One of the countless orphans created by the ceaseless war against the damned fiends of the abyss that press against the wardstones constantly. It was obvious from the start though that my origin was... other.. than purely human. There is some celestial blood in my veins. This is probably what led to me being snatched from my home when I was young, forced into a horrific ritual, seeking to use me as an angelic sacrifice. By the grace of the good goddess Iomedae the ritual was broken up before it completed. The crusaders of her name rescued me.
But they rescued a polluted being. The memories of that terrible day have haunted me and I have exhibited my fear and disgust as rage against the ones who subjected me to this desecration of all that is good and holy.
Seeing my rage against the demon worhsippers and the demon as well as my devotion to The Inheritor whose crusaders saved me I was accepted into the church at its lowest levels. I grew up both strong and devout, catching the attention of both the ecclesiastical and the military leadership of the church and was adopted by both.
Ten years to the day that I first stepped foot in the church I stand ready to do battle with the accursed demon hoardes as a fully adorned warpriest. May Iomedae bless my sword and my armor as I step into battle in her name. The foul designs of the foe has been turned against is. I have learned to resist whatever they did to me and use it in battle against their foul forces. I know as long as I fight them, the dreams will haunt me no more.
I just have a bit of shopping to do to get up to 300 gold. Please let me know what you think.
possibly interested though I have never done any mythic stuff. Thinking Sorceror of some kind.
I'm interested in joining a game of this from the beginning. It's a game I've not yet had the pleasure of, so hopefully have a chance.
I am so interested but I'm at work. Can't wait to get home and start working up some characters.
Massive dot!
I'd like to play an inquisitor, but I have a couple of questions first. Do you allow the variant heritages for Aasimar and Teiflings? Also, approximately what time of day do you usually post? I'm currently in a group that posts when I'm asleep, and it can be difficult to keep up with what's going on.
Dotting for interest. Will have to think about what to play.
Do oracles have to choose a god? It just makes a lot of sense for them to draw their power more from multiple gods united by a theme.
I'd be interested in joining.
Dotting, will have this character finalized ASAP
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Dotting with an idea I'd like to run past you, venerable Shathira. A LG Chelish fighter with plans to prestige into a Hellknight of the Order of the Godclaw. Shall build an alias for him should the concept pass the test.
Here is my submission. I can redo stats to match if chosen. All info in the alias.
dotting
My submission. Still working on backstory. A half orc TWF ranger with the stolen fury trait.
Going to use this alias to submit a wizard come from far away to research the stones and the world wound. Really love to get a chance to play this AP.
I'd like to submit Jens Varmodsson, a character who's been in four WotR campaigns that have all died due to GM absences. Mechanically, he's an Ulfen cavalier with the Honor Guard archetype, focused on using his shield as much as (if not more than) his blade. His mount is a horse, and I'm aware that there are some limitations on large animal companions in the first part of the AP, which I'd be happy to work with. His mythic path will be guardian, and I'm planning on picking his mythic powers around taking damage for allies, putting himself in harm's way for them.
Conceptually, he's middle-aged (and I'd be willing to accept the age penalties for that, even though it would cripple me somewhat), and a veteran of the Foirth Crusade. His wife was killed and his children lost when the Wardstone at Kenabres was cracked, and he hasn't been the same since. He's been training new crusaders since the Fourth Crusade ended, and is getting tired of seeing young people dying on the frontlines.
I'm rather fond of this character, and look forward to your thoughts!
Dotted, working up a character
Aestereal, yes the variant heritages are okay. It's hard to say when I post, because it can be several times. Early morning, mid day, and in the evening for sure I check the boards (I'm in Central Time). If there is RP that can be answered I'll do it then. If it's combat, or something where the group needs to respond before moving forward, I'll hold off. I hope that answers the question.
Nohwear oracles would be an exception.
Experience Adventurer, info from those should be good. I just tend to stay away from 3rd party books.
Xantrius, third trait with an accompanying drawback is fine.
I will give this caveat to my posting times. Come February, there may come a slowdown, but then again it may lead to more posting. My firstborn is due in the middle of Feb, and I figure it's either going to be too busy, and I'll won't post as often, or in those snatches of time that I do have, posting will give me something to do that won't be too much of a time sink and I'll post more often. Just plain not sure. I know for sure I'll commit to at LEAST one post a day during that time though ;)
House Arneste, make the submission, but I'm dubious as to how an order that models itself after the armies of hell, and "trains with devils" is going to fit into a setting where the people are used to fighting fiends. I'm not saying no, but it's going to make for a tough road for sure.
Piousa of the Stars is finished and is now being submitted!
Very interested!
It sounds like you will host an RP heavy game, which is the only kind I can really get into.
I always wanted to play this AP but I don't have a character for it.
In any case, I have a good idea for an inquisitor of Sarenrae, a troubled young man redeemed by the Dawnflower who is now looking to bring the sunlight to the Worldwound.
My characters tend to be 'well-rounded' (but no idiots either); will this hurt my chances for getting selected (i.e., are you looking for optimized PCs)?
On that subject, will you make your choice on fluff, crunch, both?
Thanks for hosting a game!
Thanks, GM Shathira, that answers my questions just fine. I was poking around your aliases, and you've already read one of my characters; Ranna. She was a submission to Mazra's game to replace your old cleric. Hopefully I can make Tatyana's character at least that solid.
I'll submit this character, I played her in a WoR that fell apart due to gm issues. I'll get her reset and adjusted for creation rules and to level one tomorrow.
*Edit
That was easy, had a back up copy of her at level 1 so I should be good to go on it.
Gramlag makes his way towards the city, having little knowledge of human citys he is unsure of where to volenteer his services for the fight against the demon threat, perhpas the encampment he can see near its walls? or maybe within?
first thing on his mind though is to secure lodgings for a few days and learn what he can of the recent events then he can present himself to the commanders of the forces that fight this harrowing opponent.
Knowledge has never been his strong suit but Gramlag knows that it can be quite valuable. a few nights at an inn and some conversations with the locals should gain him what he needs, preperations for battle can be just as important as the fight itself after all.
so begins another chapter he thinks, e knows that with foes like he will face here he will either become a hero or a stain on the battlefield, and honestly he would prefer the prior.
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Well, and I understand your doubt, but if I may defend my concept as you didn't say no...
1) The Godclaw Order is not just about Hell, but follows doctrine from Abadar, Iomedae, and even Torag.
2) Hellknights have to kill a devil to become a member, that marks them as no ally of Hell, in my eyes. They simply value order.
3) The Godclaws in particular has fought in past Mendevian Crusades, so they, out of other orders, might be more accepted.
4) As for my character Gressil himself, he sees the motto of this order - "Righteousness by obedience" - as a tie to his deity, Iomedae, whom he has sworn to serve to atone for his and his family's mistakes. This is explained further in his background chapters "Damnation" and "Redemption".
If you are still dubious, I understand and will try again with another concept. Good luck to all, btw!
Arneste dubious doesn't mean discounted. I like the fact that there is a lot of thought put into it. Submit the character and give a strong background. Still doesn't mean that he won't have a difficult time IC ;) Cause and effect
Phew glad that the variant Aasimar heritages are allowed. Goodwin Solace makes heavy use of them.
And congrats on the upcoming brand new phase of your life :) As a slightly more experienced father let me tell you that you guys are in for a true adventure :D
Interested!
Flynn here is a 'shamed' Paladin of Iomedae. From a specific order that has celibacy as one of its rules. To protect a young woman and give her better status , he claimed to be the father if her baby. Exiled from the order, he has returned a year later, looking to atone and join the crusade. Written better and more complete in the backstory spoiler in this alias.
will drop him back to 1 if chosen...
He was in the campaign with Jens that the GM disappeared on.
Heya Jens. Four times. sorry. that sucks. hope you get in this one!
I actually have my first child due in april too, so i will join you on that adventure just a couple months after, should be quite a time
As much as WotR seems to scream for a good character, I am going to go for a challenge. I plan on being the brooding bad boy in the band.
I plan on a tiefling sorcerer tormented by dreams of demons rising to the extent he is taking drugs and alcohol to escape what he thinks are dreams caused by the thoughts of demons reaching into this world. A Chaotic Neutral character torn between parentage and heritage of an evil nature and the land of Golarion he has come to love as a privileged Chelaxian courtesan. His will be the story of the tough road to redemption (towards CG). He will be a riftwarden heading toward Archmage.
Finding out that his mother was not his true mother, he has journeyed to Kenabres to find out about his birthmarks and his true heritage.
And so I present Fomiel, my stoic bad boy.
Dang it guys, where is Voren?
Well, I love a good roleplaying challenge, forces me to think.
This is House_Arneste's submission, hoping for the best for all submissions but with fingers crossed. Background is still a little sketchy, but it'll strengthen as time passes.
Getting some good submissions, but I will give one piece of advice. Read the player's guide, pay close attention to the traits, and work that into your backstory. The things that are going to impress me are showing me the character, rather than telling me. It means that your backstories are going to be larger, and take on a life of their own, this is what I'm looking for.
I'll take a Riftwarden Orphan as an example:
Tell:
Grafton was born with a birthmark that resembles the Seeker's Spiral on his thigh. Grafton's parents were killed when the Riftwarden's sent them into the Worldwound on a dangerous mission. Grafton was adopted by his paternal aunt, who was a mage, and raised him in the craft.
Show:
Grafton was born the only child of two Riftwardens, who defied the odds by having a child while still active for the secretive group. They knew they'd done the right thing when Grafton was born, as they saw a winestain birthmark that resembled a spiral with marks about it like stars. It was the Seeker's sigil, the secret mark of the Riftwardens.
Grafton grew up in the camps of the crusaders, and knew that his parents had a special role to play there, but never fully understood it. Often his parents would go away for extended times, during which Grafton's father's sister would care for him, and delight him with cantrips. One particular outing that his parents took seemed to last longer than normal, and his aunt grew more and more concerned, until a messenger came with that fateful bit of news. Grafton's parents had perished during an excursion to the Worldwound. Grafton was just barely old enough to understand what this meant, and although he was used to his aunt watching over him, still didn't fully understand till later, that his parents were dead.
Grafton grew up in the loving care of his aunt, who was amazed at the young boy's aptitude for magic. He learned his first cantrips far earlier than any normal student, and once he started a casting, no amount of distraction seemed to deter him from finishing.
Upon his 15th birthday, and having become a mage himself, his aunt confided in him the nature of his parent's affiliation with the Riftwardens. She also told him the real truth of his parent's disappearance. They were on a mission for the Riftwarden's in the Worldwound, and were killed by a fiend of the pit.
Much to his aunt's chagrin, Grafton left to seek out the crusaders, if not the Riftwarden's themselves. There was a demon out there who was the cause of his parent's death, and Grafton vowed the demon would pay.
________________________________________________________________________
As you can see, the former gives only basics, I can see where the pluses and minuses come from, and it's all tidy from a mechanics standpoint.
The later shows me how all the mechanics work for the character from the background. It works with the trait, but tweaks it a bit. The trait states the parents were killed no more than a month after the character was born, but it worked for Grafton better this way. The show example also gives me a hook with the demon who slew his parents, leaves questions still unanswered. What was the mission his parents were on? Are they REALLY dead? Who was the demon? How powerful has the demon become? Will the Riftwardens accept him into the group? It also gives me a tie back to Kenabres, and a possible plot device later in the aunt.
All in all, neither is bad, but the second is far more intriguing to me as a GM. It shows me that the player has thought through the character's history, and filled in the "why's" of the character's feats, traits and stats, but also has a real grasp on the character's motivations. Why the character would choose to live in a place where demons are a constant threat. In the end, that's what's going to sell me on any character.
With that in mind, if anyone reworks their backgrounds, let me know, or I may not be prompted to take another look ;)
Another note. Many have asked "what do you think?" In the auspice of being fair, I can't answer that question. I can give general help, as the above post.
If I see something in someone's post that I need clarification on, I'll send that via PM, so as to not clutter the boards more than necessary. If you have a character submitted and are having trouble with an aspect, or need clarification yourself, feel free to send me a PM as well.
Thanks very much for the tips GM. Makes sense that you wouldn't be able to give feedback until much later on in the recruitment process. I'm adding just a bit to Godwin Solace's background to explain his more charismatic and wise side. Looking over it right now I could have easily dumped his Cha completely and turned him into a straight up demon killing murder hobo and fit the background perfectly but my vision for him, as can be seen in the crunch, is just a bit more well rounded. Just want to bring both crunch and full into synch.
And with that I think I'm done for now :)
Male Archon Blooded Aasimar Warpriest of Iomedae
NG medium humanoid
Init +4 (0 dex + 4 feat)
Perception + 2 (2 wis)
STR 17
DEX 11
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 14
CHA 12
DEFENSE:
AC 17 (10 + 7 armor )
T 10 (17 - 7 armor)
FF 17 (17 - 0 )
hp 11( 8 + 2 (con) + 1 (class bonus))
Fort 4 (2 base + 2 con)
Ref 0
Will 4 (2 base + 2 wis)
CMD 13 (10 + 3 Str)
OFFENSE:
Speed 20 ft
Melee Falchion 4 (3 str + 1 weapon focus) (2d4+3/18-20/x2)
Space 5 Reach 5
BAB 0
CMB 3 (3 STR) (Conditional +2 against demons)
TRAITS:
Stolen Fury: +2 trait bonus on all combat maneuver checks against demons
Associated Mythic Path: Champion
Good Influence: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks when attempting to persuade a nongood creature to make a decision that benefits the cause of good, and when persuading a nonlawful creature to make a decision in line with the laws of the region.
These bonuses stack if you attempt to persuade a nongood, nonlawful creature to take a lawful good action.
FEATS:
Weapon Focus Falchion
Improved Initiative
SKILLS:
Acrobatics +0, Appraise +0, Bluff +1, Climb +3, Diplomacy +5, Disguise +1, Escape Artist +0, Fly +0, Heal+2, Intimidate +1,
Knowledge (planes) +0 (+2 to identify evil outsiders), Knowledge (religion) +4, Perception +2, Ride +0, Sense Motive +2, Spellcraft +0 (+2 to identify evil spells), Stealth +0, Survival +2, Swim +3
GEAR:
Splint Mail, Falchion, Warpriest's kit, weapon cord (Falchion)
13.9 GP
Special Abilities:
Celestial Crusader: +1 insight bonus to AC and attack against evil outsiders, +2Kn:Planes and Spellcraft to identify evil outsider or evil outsider effects
Incorruptible: Cast Corruption Resistance evil 1/day as a spell like ability
Halo: Can create light centered on her head at will as a spell-like ability. When using halo gain a +2 circumstance bonus on Intimidate checks against evil creatures and on saving throws against becoming blinded or dazzled.
Aura: Lawful Good
3 Blessings per day
Good: Holy Strike (Minor)
War: War Mind (Minor)
Sacred Weapon
Spells:
Orisions (DC 12)
Detect Magic
Enhanced Diplomacy
Purify Food and Drink
Level 1 (DC 13)
Divine Favor
The same is true of me. But my dreams are not of my imagination. They are of a horror I was subjected to in my youth.
I grew up in one of the many orphanages of Kenebras. One of the countless orphans created by the ceaseless war against the damned fiends of the abyss that press against the wardstones constantly. It was obvious from the start though that my origin was... other.. than purely human. There is some celestial blood in my veins. This is probably what led to me being snatched from my home when I was just a child of 12, forced into a horrific ritual, seeking to use me as an angelic sacrifice. By the grace of the good goddess Iomedae the ritual was broken up before it completed. The crusaders of her name rescued me.
But they rescued a polluted being. The memories of that terrible day have haunted me and I have exhibited my fear and disgust as rage against the ones who subjected me to this desecration of all that is good and holy.
Seeing my rage against demon worshipers and demons as well as my devotion to The Inheritor whose crusaders saved me I was accepted into the church at its lowest levels. I grew up both strong and devout, catching the attention of the ecclesiastical and the military leadership of the church and was adopted by both.
I do not know anything of my parents but Iomedae, by her grace, provided me with both. An Aasimar Paladin from the military wing of the church by the name of Godwin Ember is who I consider my father, he taught me to to control the fruits of my divine heritage and how to channel my rage and anger into martial deed. Any foul blood that I spill should be attributed by right to him and his mentor-ship, not to me.
Emeria Solace a cleric in service to Iomedae is who I consider my mother. She... saved me from being just a rage filled weapon. She is a tiefling and it was through a godly amount of patience and persistence on her part that I was able to overcome my.. hate and prejudice towards her. From her I learned that anyone may be redeemed no matter their origins or what was done to them. Any wisdom or ability to lead I may have comes from her grace.
It is from both of these that I take my name, leaving behind the name slapped onto me by the orphanage. I am Godwin Solace.
Fifteen years to the day that I first stepped foot in the church, at 27 years of age, I stand ready to do battle with the accursed demon hoardes as a fully adorned warpriest. May Iomedae bless my sword and my armor as I step into battle in her name and lead others to do so as well. The foul designs of the foe has been turned against is. I have learned to resist whatever they did to me and use it in battle against their foul forces by word and deed. I know as long as I fight them, the dreams will haunt me no more.
Because everyone needs some entertainment in their lives, may I present Drakra Worpltng <-- click here, pronounced Vorpal Tongue. Eccentric and sometimes annoying gnomish bard looking to experience all that the Worldwound has to offer.
Background and crunch are in the alias. I usually do not post in recruitment threads with a new alias until selected so that I can delete the alias if needed.
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I have updated Xantrius' history:
I should also mention that I have played him in a Wrath of the Righteous campain before, but it ended very early in the first adventure.
At least, that is the way she tells it. Before the first attacks, she was merely one of a squad of soldiers assigned to routine duty in the city. With nothing much to do most of them spent a lot of time in the local tavern, which is where she met Arvoris. A fairly good-looking young blacksmith come to trade from a neighboring village, she started spending a lot of time with him. He asked her endless questions about her and the exciting life of a soldier, and she enjoyed the attention.
Until the attack began.
With the cracking of the Wardstone, Demons began the assault , a screaming horde ready to claim all Golarian as their own. The crusaders fought bravely but were barely holding the line. After a disasterous battle on the front where she had seen almost her whole squad killed, she and a ragged group retreated back through the city. She rushed to find her lover. When she told him he had to flee, he laughed.
And then he changed.
He was not a simple craftsman but an advance scout for the Demonic Horde. And she had provided so much valuable information! Tears in her eyes, she could not believe it. She had used her Sight on him, seen no sign of evil! He grinned and raised an amulet with strange markings on it, taunting her. She rushed him, sword raised, but he teleported away, his laughter still ringing in her ears. She changed after that. Before, she had been a devotee of Shelyn, finding beauty in everything and a firm believer that anyone could find redemption. Now, she rushed into battle, fiercely battling the enemy with no regard for her own life. Slowly, they managed to turn the tide and reclaim the city. The Wardstone held, and she joined the new crusade to push the demons further back.
Until she discovered she was pregnant.
She knew once the child was born, everyone would know of her shame and betrayal, so she fled. She settled in Ustalav, kept to herself and raised the demon-child for the rest of her life. She poured all her bitterness, rage, and hate for all demons into her son and trained him to kill as soon as he could hold a sword. But she also had the wisdom to try to make him understand that he was not to blame for what he was. Through his actions, he could overcome the stain of sin left on him by both his father and herself. He took to wearing full armor as often as he could, so as to hide his horrific visage. He still rarely removes it except when alone.
But it was not all lessons about demons and training. His fondest memories are of the times when, after a long day his mother would sing to him. She had a voice that would make the goddess Shelyn herself stop and listen! She would also sometimes talk about the family she left behind, her brother Kal who as far as she knew was still fighting in Kenabres.
Last year, he returned from a trip to pick up the weapon he would need in his fight to find her dead, with a skeletal grey-skinned demon standing over her. The fiend dropped something on her body and vanished before he was able to reach them. He vowed then to destroy all demons, and to find out why she had been singled out for such misery. He still holds the strange amulet dropped by the demon, but he has not yet found someone who can tell him the meaning of the runes carved into it.
Now he has arrived in Kenabres, biding his time training in a crusader camp outside the city, ready to kill his Father and any other demon that gets in his way...
i agree a tad bit of prior interaction is good to get a feel for who youll be working with, cuz personally im bad at writing backstory, perfectly fine at writing in character stuff though
While I enjoy Recruitment thread IC chatting, I know many players on these boards who hate this. Personally, I think that a well written backstory is important as it grounds your character and provides links for the DM to add into the campaign. Also, it gives others an idea of what to expect from the character. IC roleplaying shows the quality of your posts and may give insight into how your may react in certain circumstances, but does little for providing the depth and backstory necessary to choose characters for a campaign.
I did one recruitment and had over 40 applicants. If they had all attempted to insert their backstory through IC dialogue, I would still be making a decision 2 years later and would probably have several thousand posts in the recruitment thread.
Just my 2 cents, but hey, Drakna is just a gnome with a knack for getting into trouble, who is out to experience all that life has to offer, including an apparent venture into the Worldwound.
Well, I fleshed out the background more, giving details on key peoples who she cares for. I also left some things to ambiguity (the fate of her father being the big one), and detailed why she is called 'of the Stars'.
Hope that it is a good background...
Here is my sorcerer, out for revenge on all the wrong doers, but in the right way. Inspired by a batman theme, but not with the batman backstory of parents were killed and all that. But had witnessed similar things. And does not rely on fists and gadgets, but relies on magic and the will to learn. Has the somewhat the same attitude as batman and somewhat the same personality.
Hey GM,
Please find my submission to your game: Ali Asaidi, inquisitor of Sarenrae.
A native from the southern deserts, it’s clear that Ali is a foreigner in the Worldwound. He is an imposing figure, standing almost 6 feet tall, with thick, corded forearms. His tanned skin makes him stand out and his attire does nothing to blend him in the crowd. Ali likes to wear bright yellows and oranges in his armor and clothing. His short, dark hair is hidden underneath a turban and metal cap. The inquisitor wears scale mail and his round shield and scimitar are close by and ready for use. Ali’s attire rarely changes, even in the northern winters. The man seems comfortable no matter what the temperature, something he attributes to his Goddess.
Lazy summers in the Oasis Estate. Tutors and servants for every whim. Young ladies eager to please him. Young men trying hard to be his friend. That was growing up for young Ali, the only son and heir of the Asaidi Merchant House in Katheer, Jewel City of Qadira.
His father, too busy trying to forge a lasting Merchant Empire, failed to see the vices in young Ali, failed to see his dependency on hard drink and opiates and failed to see his disdain for those ‘beneath’ him. And so it was that Ali’s father could only stare with an open mouth when a drunk Ali gave mortal offense to the visiting Satrap, Xerbystes II. It took all his father’s influence and good part of his fortune to spare young Ali’s head from being served on a platter to the Satrap right there and then.
Instead, he was exiled to the deep desert and told not to return on pain of death. His first couple of days in the desert are still a blur to him and even today, Ali is not quite sure how he survived. He was soon caught up by a band of slavers. Not knowing what else to do, Ali pleaded for his freedom, renounced his past sins, and begged for a second chance. The slavers laughed and told him that only the Dawnflower redeemed people; they were in the business of selling people. As the whip came up and Ali screamed, a flash of white light engulfed the scene. The slavers fell to their knees and clutched their eyes. At Ali’s questions, all they did was point west towards the open desert.
Ali, now bathed in a nourishing light, headed deeper into the desert. Guided by the sun, a couple of days later Ali was before a white-washed monastery dedicated to the Dawnflower. He was quickly ushered inside and spent the next couple of years learning about the passion that had woken in his heart. It was there that it was explained to him how he was redeemed. It was there that the love for the Dawnflower flourished. It was there that he would find a way to pay her back. Ali spent the next couple of year deep in the desert of Qadira; he came out a much different man than the foolish youth that shamed his family.
His training was not easy. Ali always admired the dervishes, their subtle moves and deadly fighting skills. He trained hard, practiced every day but his thick body just lacked the subtlety needed to twirl and jump with any sort of grace. After a couple of months, it was clear that he would grow up to be a thick, muscled brute.
His lack of finesse also showed in his healing touch. Where most in his order would provide healing that soothed, Ali’s hands left scars after an intense but thankfully brief pain. The scars resembled burn marks and Ali was certain that it was a sign of his Goddess.
The lack dancing skills and healing touch didn’t deter Ali who continued to practice and pray, asking for a way to serve his Goddess.
Then one day at dawn a vision came to him. It told him to head north and bring the searing light of Sarenrae to the darkness that threatened to engulf the entire world. It was then that the young man headed north and soon found himself in Kenabres.
NOTE: I’m not sure how long we can assume that the PCs have been in Kenabres. If long, then I’ll write something about Ali’s time so far and the contacts (NPCs) he’s already met.
Ali is a serious man and speaks with a heavy accent. He speaks slowly and often pauses between sentences as if he took his time to think before he spoke. The inquisitor has a piercing gaze and he looks like he’s trying to see inside your soul. Most people tend to look away or become visibly nervous when under his scrutiny.
All his serious demeanor seems to get to him every once in a while as he bursts out laughing for no apparent reason. He is a man that had all the riches but did not appreciate them. He now notices and cherishes beauty and goodness in small things, whenever he finds them.
Like all of his order, he carries the Dawnflower’s holy book “The Birth of Light and Truth”, with a few extra blank pages which he hopes to fill in with the time he spends in the Worlwound.
He still remembers the shame he brought upon his family by losing himself in vice so he has sworn never to lose control again and is very wary around those that still partake in vices and haven’t learned this costly lesson.
He strongly believes in second chances given his own experience and the Dawnflower’s teaching so he is much more interested in bringing light to misguided and/or ignorant people than to just kill them. However, his travels have also taught him to be careful so he remains vigilant, albeit with hope in his heart for redemption.
Ali’s happiest when under an open sky and a shining sun. He often stares at the sun far longer than recommended and swears to see words when he finally closes his eyes. He swears this is the Dawnflower’s way of talking to him.
He has never given up on dancing and can be seen practicing at dawn and when no one seems to be looking at him.
a) Ali has never gone back to his family, who assume that he died in the desert. Perhaps Ali’s sister Seraphine, a dancing dervish, has gone to the Worldwound to give her sword to the cause.
b) Some in Xerbystes II entourage were not happy with the ‘banishment’ and wanted Ali’s head. The satrap’s headstrong ministry.
c) Ali made the last part of his trip escorting a small trader family. He became fond of the man’s children, whom he regaled with tales of the desert.
d) Someone saw Ali dancing in the cold mornings with little more than robes and suspect possession. His foreign looks/manners/speech don’t help him either.
e) I’ll add other NPCs/hooks if Ali has been in Kenabres for any length of time (see last part of Background above).
I've also put together his stats here.
I'll, of course, make a proper alias should he be selected for the game.
In the meantime, please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for hosting a game.
Game on!