Granta's Long Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

As written it doesn't work with a repeating crossbow, although I'd suggest searching the PFS FAQs in case someone has said you can take it for a repeating crossbow.

Chaosorbit, I have never built a magus, but I have a couple of more general questions about your build:

Knowledge: Arcana and Spellcraft are pretty crucial for a spellcaster. Less so I guess for a sorc since they don't need to learn spells from scrolls and other spellbooks. Guess it all depends on what kind of sorc you want to play.

They are also trained only while intimidate isn't.

Thanks for the feedback -- I'll make a few changes

Those are good points Massee, didn't think of that!

Why did you join the Society?

How's everyone doing? My other games should both finish up within a few days.

Also, I forgot to find a replacement for the two games Gummy Bear has played. Would the Forged in Flame series (8-09 & -11) work?

I've not played them. Which would they replace? I marked out the various scenarios in my played-list as reserved so as to not play them accidentally, but it sounds like I need to make a small change.

#04-22: Halls of Dwarven Lore (5-9)
#04-24: The Price of Friendship (5-9)

Chaosorbit here

Almost ready to go...finalizing my character, she's starting to come together.

Was tentatively planning to play those at Origins...but can probably find something else to play in those slots, so should be fine.

I have not played either of those games

My character is coming together but not yet complete. Anyone interested in being my partner? Preferably a family member? I'm Garundi, I believe that's the correct spelling. I'm assuming an adopted family member would work ok for the trait I'm thinking about, I can also probably be the adopted one if you wish.

Preferably someone that gets in melee somewhat, but that's not a requirement.

Trait I'm thinking about vs Helpful, makes more sense for a bodyguard I think:

Kin Guardian: You are dedicated to defending members of your family. When you use the aid another action to give a member of your family a bonus to AC, increase the bonus by 2. This increase is a trait bonus (and therefore doesn't stack with increases granted by other family members using this trait). This trait has no effect when using the aid another action to increase a family member's next attack roll. (combat)

I can play those two scenarios. I'll also start working on my character today, I need to go to the library anyway because I can't edit my Google Drawing from mobile.

Crunch here with this nice halfling ninja, who will likely expand into paladin. Still unsure of whether I'm going to play him or the bolt ace, but I can write up both. If anyone has an opinion on which would be more useful, that would be helpful. The region in which he lived could also change depending on whether we select a common one or not.

Why did you join the Society?

Self-exiled from his homeland, Sejiri came to the fabled "City at the Center of the World" looking for work. It seemed one of the highest-paying options, and while it was said the risk was high, he believed himself up for the task.

What is life like outside of adventuring?

Upon reaching Absalom, Sejiri intended to sell himself out as a mercenary and assassin working against the corrupt. However, he found the spectrum of good and evil much less black and white here, and the challenges too great. He now does menial labor and other odd jobs, preferring those better achieved by small folk such as himself.

List two prejudices:

Sejiri shies away from other halflings, particularly slaves and servants. He finds the manner of those not from the Dragon Empires terrifying in its subservience, not realizing that it is something of a front.

Sejiri prefers those who are more self-absorbed, disillusioned as he is. He tends to believe anyone who keeps to themselves must know something he does not, has a good thing going, and respects them all the more for it.

Describe a memory you still regret:

Sejiri was relatively young for a halfling when he made his first kill. The human had had information important to the order, and was captured due to intelligence Sejiri had procured. As such, the higher-ups decided the halfling should have the honor of executing the man, which he did without hesitation. Still, the man had been groveling pathetically until the end, and given what Sejiri now knows about his old order, perhaps the victim had been innocent of the crimes pinned on him?

Two stories about wronged people, one in which you felt right:

After Sejiri came to Absalom but before his views changed entirely for the better, he burned down a small villa in the Puddles district. He believed many halflings were being kept there illegally, and when local law enforcement would not heed his opinions, he took the law into his own hands. He sat in front of the wreck until the survivors came out, expecting praise, but receiving several strangely different stories, almost all of which put him at fault. They ranged from his error in not pushing his case before the law, to the halflings not having it too bad, to the people not being there against their will at all. Most were able to escape the fire, but they were angry at how many perished and that now they would have to roam the streets as illegally freed slaves, depending on their story. Sejiri remains confused and annoyed at himself over the matter to this day.

Long before, back in the Minatan Archipelago, Sejiri killed a small child after a long battle between his order and a small village that had not payed its dues. He had not participated, instead running messages and errands, as he had not been cleared for battle. He was searching the smoking remnants with comrades when they encountered what appeared to be another hut, still standing, containing a child wreathed in transparent energy. His leader bade the halfling to kill it, which he did without a second thought, as he was wont to do at that time. The magic was later identified to be a form of aetheric energy some acquired at birth, rare and incredibly dangerous to those around them. Sejiri still vaguely regrets having to kill a child and follow such barbaric orders, but also would prefer it to having such a potential danger inflicted upon many unknown people.

Just trying to get the rest of my character completed. So does anyone want a partner in RP crime and bodyguard? Looking at characters so far... Gummy and Chaos may fit well with Kembe. Either of you have any interest? I'd like to be siblings for a trait, either actual siblings or one of us with the adopted trait? I could fit the trait if necessary.

I'm human Garundi, male. It wouldn't be terrible to be the same faction either, I'm fairly flexible in my faction.

I didn't run a detailed check, but it seems like the only arcane caster is 2/3 progression and there's no divine caster. Are you guys sure you want to try going to level 17 without a full progression (9th-level spells) arcane and divine caster?

Do we both have to take the trait? I think it would be easy enough to fit the RP together, but my only concern is that you aren't going to ever see the bonus if we become siblings. I have no intention of getting into melee range willingly.

If you are ok with that, I'm more than happy to join your family and have my human be Garundi as well. Even if you don't want to take that trait and utilize the helpful (halfling) trait via adopted, I'm still open to being a family member!

If nobody is open to being a full divine or arcane caster, I am willing to change my build up. My fluff can be adjusted to fit another build, and both types of casters can be very support oriented without a problem.

Edit: If it matters for anyone, I'd be leaning towards an Arcanist.

Sejiri, go for the Ninja-Paladin. I'll maybe aim for my Theurge idea. My healer paladin character is still eluding me. Not the mechanics, so much as the personality and story behind him.

Gummy: The only trait that is a must is me taking Kin Guardian. The adopted trait would be to make the RP work if we were different races (Other than someone being half human).

If you are going to avoid melee like that plague then it may not be the best option. The most useful would be someone that likes to mix it up in melee but is a bit squishy and could use the backup: Magus, melee version arcanist, melee bard, barbarian.

Granta: A full progression arcane caster is a luxury not really needed. If I had to choose I'd pick the divine caster for their sweet sweet condition removal.

I'm definitely playing the monk, I'm still waffling a bit on unchained or flowing monk though. Flowing is definitely more defensive so I guess it would depend on what our expected damage output would be. Not having that nice full BA on unchained monk would be a bummer but the flowing monk's nice synergy with bodyguard would be nice, and you don't lose out on the CMB for maneuvers once you hit level 3.

Kembe: I figured as much, I hope it works out with someone!

With a mystic theurge and someone focusing on UMD/consumables (me), we may be ok on the condition removal front. Scrolls can go a long way in alleviating that issue.

I think we should wait and see what builds others have in mind before really worrying about it though.

I'm currently thinking of a druid/wizard for the MT components. Thematically she is the daughter/niece of two of my two other elven PFS characters (a ranger and a wizard :-).

I thought there was a half elven trait that worked like magical knack but did +1 to each caster level (though obviously not stacking with magical knack). I know there is an alternate racial trait that does that, but I thought there was a standard trait as well. If anyone can spot it, I'd be very happy!

Multidisciplined (the alternate racial trait) and magical knack seems pretty strong for a theurge though... +3/+1 to your CL is pretty nice. Besides spell progression, CL is a major weakness in the theurge concept! I'll keep an eye out for this trait of yours though.

EDIT: Are these the droids you're looking for?

Yes! You, Mr Bear, are a very clever man.

That is exactly the one I was thinking of. Bifurcated Magic!

The real question is, is it better to pump one spell level a little more, or keep them the same? I'm pretty tempted to keep them level

I'm going to work on my character during the weekend. Do we have something common that I should adhere to?

I could easily switch over to a sorcerer if we want a full progression on arcane for those higher levels.

If I stick with magus, I could be D Kemba's adopted younger sister, but as a sorcerer though I wouldn't be getting into melee.

What's everyone think about that full arcane caster, should I switch?

I suspect your weakness at high levels is going to be divine more than arcane. A druid MT will be three behind on cure spells and entirely without channels or breath of life. There will almost certainly be character deaths if that's your only non-scroll healing.

And before anybody says, "That's what Prestige is for," let me be crystal clear: that is a horrible f+~%ing way to spend PP, and you will be VERY strongly encouraged by this GM to develop potion, wand and scroll libraries.

Role-playing is probably the only thing that I'll stress more than spending your PP well.

I have a few thoughts about a cleric build, if everyone thinks we need to go in that direction.

Although it may be fun to see how we can do without some of those traditional roles completely covered...can planning and cleverness overcome the gaps?

Sounds good Iuni. I'd echo what Granta said. High level arcane casters aren't a requirement, more like a convenience. A full caster divine class is usually more important for condition removal, BoL, and even better if they have access to dispel and greater dispelling.

But I am a firm believe in play what you enjoy and enjoy what you play. I'd rather we all went down in fire at level 10 having fun than slog through at half fun to the end.

I can do cleric rather than Druid if necessary. I kind of liked the synergy of druid for the backstory more than anything else. UMD is our friend too of course!

But Cleric would work, either a woodlands deity or Nethys.

So what's the party looking like:

Chaosorbit as Iuni Al-Ahdal, Magus (Eldritch Scion) (could go cleric)
Massee as D. Kembe, Unchained Monk
Aerondor as Druid or mystic thurge (could go cleric)
Giuseppe as empiricist investigator or a reach cleric
Gummy Bear as Norril Tyndall, Bard
Crunch as Sejiri, Ninja/Paladin

That look right?

Ya I am definitely playing a monk, either unchained or flowing monk.

yeap. I'll be a mystic theurge, could go either cleric or druid route. Druids have some nice advantages (barkskin and better skill points!) but looks like we will be light on status removal that way.

Are there any staffs for either healing or condition removal spells? That's a possible way to cover your bases without a full cleric.

If we have people willing to play clerics, I will stick to the bard then. There aren't any staves that I know of, but I haven't looked too long at staves in general.

Do we know what Giuseppe is planning to play? When I looked back all I could find was empiricist investigator or a reach cleric. If he decides on Cleric it could be problem solved. Otherwise I'll be glad to switch.

I'm not sure how enthusiastic Giuseppe is about playing PFS, but we haven't heard from him for a bit. A cleric would be useful, we seem to have social covered, but I think our party makeup will be fine either way.

I'm enthusiastic about playing PFS. GMing it is not as rewarding as I thought, at least in term of posting consistency. But perhaps I was just unlucky in my experience.

Anyway, I can go with cleric if that's what we need. Otherwise, I can go with my empiricist idea. Thoughts?

Also, I'd like to know if anyone has suggestions on a good reach cleric archetype. Evangelist seems to be the most fitting choice, apparently, but I'd love to hear your take.

Can't say I've ever played one so I won't be much help I'm afraid.

I'd rather play an investigator anyway. But let's see what the others think about it.

As TOZ once said, the best character for you to play is the one you have the most fun with.

Evangelist would be redundant with a bard's inspire courage. I'll be inspiring as often as possible, so unless you really like the rest of what the archetype is offering, id look at other options.

Imo unless you need an archetype for a fairly specific build, vanilla cleric is the way to go. 2 well picked domains are a very strong class ability. Let me look at the archetypes from the perspective of a reach cleric and see what I can find.

EDIT: Divine strategist and Herald caller seem fun for a reach cleric.

@Giuseppe -- if you would prefer the investigator, then it's settled I'll switch to a cleric..most likely a follower of the Dawnflower.

Herald caller looks very good indeed. And also opens up some cool options.

Iuni, I don't want you to feel compelled to play something else. If you want to stick with magus, please do it.

At 4th level, a herald caller receives Augment Summoning as a bonus feat, and is considered to have Spell Focus (conjuration) for the purposes of prerequisites for feats that have Augment Summoning as a prerequisite (such as Evolved Summoned Monster). At 8th level, she gains Superior Summoning as a bonus feat.

That's a nice ability!

Heh that's along the lines I was planning on going with an unchained summoner if I didn't decide on the monk.

It sounds like I'm back to druid either way if one of the others are being a Cleric. Although I found a nice archetype that would have worked well for a Theurge. So if neither of the others actually want to be a cleric, I'm happy to go that way rather than druid.

Okay, first pass at Forvenniel.

Why did you join the Society?
"Well, Mum has been in the society since, well, as long as I can remember. Uncle Valandil too. He's so smart. I hope one day I can do half the things he does. Anyway, mum is never home these days, and Uncle Val isn't round too much either, and since I got blown back to Absalom, it seemed like the winds of fate was having me follow in the family footsteps."

What is your life like outside of adventuring?
"I love mum, but she is pretty distant. I never knew my father, and mum doesn't speak about him. At All. Ever. Anyway, mum left me with a love of the wilderness. But she is a hunter first, me.. I love the wild winds. Mum sometimes said I loved them a bit too much. Anyway I'd happily spend my time on an exposed peak, letting the winds blow over me. I love to travel."

She pauses.

"Oh, how do I make money? Well, I love pretty things.. What girl doesn't. After getting some formal training in the ways of the wilderness from some of mums forest friends, I headed into town. A jeweler caught my eye, and well, in return for working for him six days a week for a year, he gave me these pretty ear rings. And I learned a lot about jewelry making too."

List two prejudices that you have.
"Mum said to always be careful about boys. And human boys especially. The jeweler was okay, he was too old to try anything. Though some of the other boys in town were... well, they weren't polite. Or nice. So, I try to hang round with girls when I can. Guess that might not work out so well now I've joined the Society, but I'm hoping they have some girls in places of authority who might help give me a hand up."
She pauses
"Uncle Val once told me a bit about how I came about. He also cautioned me to be careful about humans. Always rushing off at the slightest whim, and never thinking through the consequences. I guess all the short lived races suffer from that to some extent or other."

Describe a memory that you still regret.
"When I was coming back from my journey, I visited Varissa. Great people, lovely dancers. Though the boys are a little too friendly, and there are far too many humans. Anyway, I got friendly with this Traveller, and well, we were drinking, and I got this god-awful tattoo. She said it was an etching of Power, but I think mum is going to have a fit when she sees it. Impulsive, see?"

Let's try to wrap up character creation. My last table should be finished within 2-3 more days.