Good evening, potential players!
I've been itching to run a campaign for a long time and now have one hashed out, for the most part. I'm new to play by post but certainly not to GMing, and I'm looking to recruit a few players for a low-powered campaign to get me into the swing of things. Which means that if I mess something up, feel free to tell me (nicely) and I'll try to work on it. With that said...
The Setting: A landmass by the name of Auvenkine, reaching the tail-end of summer and shading into autumn at the time of the campaign. It's a reasonably low-magic fantasy world with a little scattered industry – humans outnumber the other races though not by very much, and the technology level is such that guns are present but are far from common, and the few standing armies that exist are still strictly in the sword and crossbow stage.
The Rules: This will be a pathfinder game beginning at level 1, with experience rewarded as much if not more for good roleplay and clever ideas as for combat. Anything from the core pathfinder rules is great, and by extension most things on the PFSRD are fair game as long as you run them by me first. As stated above the setting is reasonably low magic... but you're an adventuring party (sort of), so you're expected to be a little odd - if you have a burning desire to play a magic user, it won't be a huge problem. Similarly, don't worry too much about a balanced party – making sure that encounters are fair and obstacles can be overcome is a job to be done on my end, not yours.
Registering Interest: I'm looking for minimum three players, maximum five. If you're interested, just post on this thread. You don't need the whole crunch, but I'd heavily prefer it if you stated what kind of class and race you intended to play right from the start - it'll help get things going faster. Characters should be built with 20 points for stats, no hero points, and no stat below 8. Each character gets two traits, and a drawback can be taken to gain an additional trait if you really want to. All characters automatically benefit from the Weapon Finesse feat for free, a long time house rule that I see no reason to revoke. Starting gold will be set at 500gp, irrespective of class – your employer needs you ready for trouble. Character sheets can be sent to me as pdfs, which would be great, or hosted on Myth-weavers, but as I said, don't worry about the crunch too much yet.
Anything Else?
Yes, but only a little.
As far as additional information goes, your characters are all held on retainer by a local logging company, not as workers but as investigators, protectors and strikebreakers. You will have been called out by a representative of the company to attend the site of an 'incident' at one of the smaller sawmills, several miles uphill from the nearest city. Your employer has provided you transport there, and the scenario will start when you arrive as a group.
As a side note, if you're looking for page after page of combat this campaign might not be for you, as I'll try to keep full combat encounters quick and brutal (as much as you can in play by post). I'm definitely not using a grid system to start off with, and I don't much fancy the idea of each encounter being a month long. I'll be playing a little bit fast and forgiving, combat wise, at least until I get used to the electronic medium and possibly beyond. By the same token, don't enter this expecting to save the world - it won't be that sort of campaign unless the players all choose to drive it in that direction.
Apart from that... here's hoping, I guess? Any questions, just post and ask.
Gatsby
I'm interested indeed. I have a halfling barbarian I want to play, a very outdoorsy kind of character.
Sounds good to me. Any other information you might need?
It's a reasonably low-magic fantasy world with a little scattered industry...
...As stated above the setting is reasonably low magic... but you're an adventuring party (sort of), so you're expected to be a little odd - if you have a burning desire to play a magic user, it won't be a huge problem.
Low-magic can mean different things when people say it. May I ask for clarification?
Do you mean that
(A) magic is rare, but there are powerful magic users
(B) magic is rare, and powerful magic users are the stuff of myth.
(C) magic is almost mythical and there are people who don't even really believe it
(D) magic isn't that rare, but there are not powerful magic users
(E) magic is rare, as are 'non-mundane' creatures
(F) other
I've got an idea for a magic-users in a type B, C or E world.
i have a half elf archer cleric of milani that i'd like to play. he was originally designed to be played in cheliax or galt so hopefully there's a similar sort of setting in your homebrew where he could have come from.
Low-magic can mean different things when people say it. May I ask for clarification?
Do you mean that
(A) magic is rare, but there are powerful magic users
(B) magic is rare, and powerful magic users are the stuff of myth.
(C) magic is almost mythical and there are people who don't even really believe it
(D) magic isn't that rare, but there are not powerful magic users
(E) magic is rare, as are 'non-mundane' creatures
(F) other
Good question! The world is most definitely a type B - it's not too uncommon to find entertainers or showmen who have mastered a few cantrips, and races with inherent magical abilities certainly exist (though are regarded as strange by some, unfortunate by others), but the average town-dwelling citizen would probably go through the entirety of his/her life without ever seeing anything more complex than 'dancing lights' being cast.
There are very few places in which an individual is able to efficiently hone magical skill, and amongst the 'civilised' races the talent for natural magic is overly rare.
In well-defended villages far from dangerous frontier areas the world would shade more into a type C, with even the most minor prestidigitation drawing remarks and whispers from the adults and surprised delight from any watching children. On the same note, even frontier towns and adventuring guilds who are used to the idea of magic rarely see the talent develop for it past the ability to lob a fireball or two, mostly due to a high adventurer fatality rate and the lack of dedicated eldritch institutions.
Magic users who do make it, however, REALLY make it. They go down in legend as unique individuals, their exploits joked about by people who don't really believe what they're saying, or used as cautionary tales by teachers attempting to scare their wards.
As for non-mundane creatures, civilised races with inherent magical ability exist but most magical beasts have been pushed out of the more developed areas of the setting and into the badlands. Dragons, true dragons, are most definitely seen as a myth.
Hope that helps!
Would I be allowed to use the Slashing Grace feat that was introduced in the ACG playtest?
Also, would you be open to using the called shot rules from Ultimate Combat?
As far as the Slashing Grace feat is concerned I have no problems. As for called shots... I've always loved the idea of them but been vaguely annoyed by them in practice, because they tend to slow things down.
HOWEVER, this is play by post! It is, by nature, a lot slower than the average tabletop game. I wouldn't be against players using them in situations that genuinely merited using them (a called shot to the throat to prevent a guard from crying out, for example), but calling every shot on a small pack of charging goblins (just an example) would be a little excessive.
Hope that helps.
gm opinion on non core races and on non core classes (thinking witch and magus here)
i have a half elf archer cleric of milani that i'd like to play. he was originally designed to be played in cheliax or galt so hopefully there's a similar sort of setting in your homebrew where he could have come from.
It's a homebrew, so I have the luxury of being accommodating. There are certainly large, independent cities with the mix of creativity and political upheaval that would suit something created with Galt in mind, but if you came at this with a more Cheliax-ish mindset you would have had to have arrived from overseas - there is no particular 'negative stigma' attached to foreigners living in Auvenkine, but overseas travel is hard and you would be seen as something of a rarity (doubly so, if you were a divine magic user).
Is that acceptable?
gm opinion on non core races and on non core classes (thinking witch and magus here)
Not a problem in terms of classes (I'm particularly fond of alchemists, so I'm just as guilty on the non-core classes side of things), but what kind of non-core race were you thinking of?
I am interested. I have a character concept I'd like to run by you that I've been wanting to play. (I'll send you a PM) Of course, if it's a nogo I've plenty more!
reflavoring of a tiefling, ifrit or suli is what I am getting at (deciding which makes more sense is a tad difficult).
reflavoring of a tiefling, ifrit or suli is what I am getting at (deciding which makes more sense is a tad difficult).
A suli would be wonderful, I haven't seen one of those played before. Obviously due to the nature of the setting playing any one of those races would make you something of an... oddity, but if you don't have a problem with that, neither do I.
That helps a lot, thanks :)
I'm thinking of a wizard or witch;
There's an obvious inspiration from some of Lovecraft's work. For some reason the setup you described reminded me of the towns near Miskatonic.
Silas Bishop's father John was the third son of Albert Bishop. He had some disagreement with his father and left home at eighteen. He worked as a mercenary and an adventurer, made some money and went into the transport business. He disapproved of his son Silas's interest in reading, but was often on the road and Silas' mother Joan - being from an academic family - encouraged Silas to read. His father's disapproval only served to make reading more exciting (a rebellion) and when his father died a young Silas was already firmly on the path to academia.
Silas' intellect was unparalleled. His maternal grandfather, dean of a prestigious university, ensured his grandson got an excellent education. Silas studied for nine years, earning the rank of doctor and was considered on the fast track for academia. The university was his life, and it was there he met and married his wife.
Jessica was beautiful and brilliant. A student of history and mythology she patiently put up with her husband's erratic intelligence, and the two shared the sort of relationship only young lovers could have.
The provincial lawyer who informed Silas he had unexpectedly inherited his paternal grandfather's worldly goods was surprised to know Silas had never even met him. He explained the Bishops were an Old Family (the capitals could be heard) but the remaining family had all caught some strange new disease and died. It had taken months to locate Silas, who was now the heir.
Curious Silas and Jessica went to look at the house they had inherited. While it must have once been a proud mansion it had fallen into disrepair and decay. Slate roofs had fallen in and been replaced with wood and even straw. Windows were boarded up. Entire rooms had simply been closed up and abandoned. Furniture sold, replaced with rough homemade equivalents. Trees - once an orchard but now wild - crowded around the house.
The library was unexpected. If every other room was uncared for, that care had gone into the library. The floor was a solid stone, the walls apparently stone, but covered entirely in glass-fronted bookcases. Each case locked, and so tightly sealed that they were airtight. And the books! Jessica's eyes lit up, for there were treasures here only a student of that strange science that had once been called magic and was now called mythology could recognise.
They planned to stay one night in that house, and Jessica spent it in the library. Silas had trouble sleeping - plagued by bad dreams. Waking he took to his feet to walk the house, thinking he heard strange footsteps in the creaking and groaning of the house.
In the library he found Jessica. A bookcase open, a book on the table before her. Not dead - not exactly - but caught somehow in some spell. Her body was slumped as if sleeping, gently breathing, her eyes open, but she never awoke.
The book before her was an ancient spellbook. Open to a page on Projection of the Mind.
No doctor could help her, and Silas burned much of their money trying. Desperately he started to read the books in the library and found out the family history his father had kept from him.
This house was built by a student - no a master - of the occult nine hundred years ago, the head of Silas' family tree, and evil. The family had stayed here, generation after generation attempting to reclaim their ancestor's lost occult power. Sacrifices. Blasphemies. Experiments. Nothing was beyond his family. Children growing up here learned dark arcana at their parents knee, and many siblings were spouses. Occasionally a child would rebel and leave - the last to do so was his father - many had simply accepted the family's fate and geas, a suspiciously high number had died.
Silas found a reference to the spell. A safeguard on some of the books. His great-great-great-great-grandmother's journal referred with annoyance to having to free someone from the spell, but gave no clue as to how.
Years passed. Silas lived in the house, desperately looking for a way to save his wife, who still slept. Was he driven to madness by the house? Was it some weakness in his blood that seduced him? Or was he simply driven to desperation by love? Either way he lost much of his morality in the house, clinging to his sanity by his fingertips. He read every book, but never found an answer. He despaired, and considered death.
It was a plague that saved him.
There were few doctors in the area, and when the plague came to the area the local mayor came to his door and pleaded with him to help. His skills were rusted from disuse, but he was still a talented doctor and his surgical and chemical knowledge was the reason many who would have died, lived.
In gratitude, and knowing of his interest in 'mythology' one of his patients gave him an old book. A missing journal - by the daughter of the woman who cured the spell. Not all children had stayed in the house, Many had moved out. The woman who wrote this journal wrote of fleeing an arranged marriage to her brother to a village nearby, then continuing her studies, though the House's books listed her as dead.
There were other books - had not Jessica studied them? Silas found a job that gave him an excuse to poke around, and the gold to bribe and buy where necessary. There was more knowledge out there than in the house, and he would find it.
deciding between the suli, ifrit or tiefling for this read and tell me what you think.
Count me in! I would be terribly interested in this! I would want to be a Human Sorcerer of some ilk. :D
Wow, lot of changes since I started that post.
Mechanically:
Class: I'd like to do a Wizard (witch is very tempting but books and familiar is more in theme. Alchemist or magus could possibly work).
Race: I think Human, though I suppose this concept could work with many races. I'd like to see if there is a way to work in a taint somehow.
There's an obvious inspiration from some of Lovecraft's work. For some reason the setup you described reminded me of the towns near Miskatonic.
A wonderful character concept, thank you, and I'm happy to incorporate the back-story into the immediate setting and future plot points.
As for the lovecraftian inspiration of it, I have absolutely no problem with that - I actually wrote a dissertation on Lovecraft and supernatural horror when I was in university, and Call of Cthulhu was my first ever roleplaying game. Good memories...
In other words, work out the crunch and you're onboard!
deciding between the suli, ifrit or tiefling for this...
I'd prefer it to be Suli or Ifrit - the lands past the frontier are barely explored, and the mountain peaks a struggle to access. I'd be happy to incorporate the suggested history into the world, you can never have too many mysterious ancient places to potentially explore!
As for the lovecraftian inspiration of it, I have absolutely no problem with that - I actually wrote a dissertation on Lovecraft and supernatural horror when I was in university, and Call of Cthulhu was my first ever roleplaying game. Good memories...
You've written on this at uni? That's intimidating...
I confess I did look at your profile before I posted it; there are a number of people who seem to really hate the Lovecraft influences in Golarion.Any ideas on the Taint? I was looking at Eldritch Heritage, Racial Heritage and the various traits.
Speaking of which: no problem with Precise Treatment is there?
You've written on this at uni? That's intimidating...
I confess I did look at your profile before I posted it; there are a number of people who seem to really hate the Lovecraft influences in Golarion.
Ha, it shouldn't be! That was a few years ago now, so my Dunwich-senses have dimmed a little through disuse.
And as far as I'm concerned, you can't go wrong with a few Lovecraft influences. I am biased, of course...
I'd like to play a Human Ranger focused in Archery, spell-less if that's necessary. I'll go from there, but I'd like to know exactly how is this going to work. Are you just going to say "ok I have my characters" or set a deadline for submissions?
I see you posted several times today. Are we looking for a fast group with 3-4 posts a day?
Thanks.
Hawcroft Logging: An Important Update
Okay, a fair few people have shown interest so I guess it's time to start phase two...?
I'll accept and evaluate character concepts for at least the rest of the day (about 16 hours left of it for me, so that's quite a while) and then decide on the primary group - 5 players whose concepts and class choices fit together reasonably well (emphasis on the concepts). If there's enough interest I would happily run a second campaign with the same story so a few more people can have some play-by-post fun, and if I don't choose you for the initial campaign it certainly doesn't mean that I don't like you or your character concept. It's the nature of these things, I think, so apologies in advance if you get left out.
A lot of people want to do something magic-based, which is no problem provided you remember that your characters will be treated somewhat differently if you start spell-slinging across the streets of a quiet township. People will talk.
I will work on getting some of my notes on the world into a useful format for people and post them later today, with a little more detail about the setting. If you have any specific questions, go right ahead and ask.
So, private message me with your concepts and if you have any questions that you think might benefit anybody else, post them on this thread. I've got a gloriously free day today (public holiday, huzzah), so I'll try to be attentive and provide all the answers I can.
... and another thing...
I'm looking for a minimum of one post per day, several if people can manage it - they don't need to be huge slabs of personal description, anything that keeps the story moving and gets your point across will be fine. Fewer posts during the week would be acceptable if it was all you could manage, and a few more than usual at the weekend equally so.
... and a final thing...
A few people have already offered backstory that affects the world as a whole, and to this I say... no problem. The beauty of homebrew is that it's easy to adapt, and the characteristics of the world can be affected by player input. If it's an idea I like and it fits the general structure of the campaign as planned, I have no problem using it. If I like it but it doesn't fit, or if it isn't something I'd feel comfortable incorporating, please don't be offended. I can't please everybody, but I can do my best.
Good luck!
Gatsby
Malik alas died and while his corpse was still warm two lords of the Ifrit empire fought for dominion over the successor less empire... These two lords were known as Margos the Destroyer and Urahic Malivos, they fought against each other until the angered spirit of Malik rose and proclaimed Margos his successor. Margos would then proceed with the power of his "legitimacy" to "kill" Urahic and lead the Smoldering Empire to war against the Empires of Wind, Earth and Water. In truth Urahic Malivos did not die, he had realized what would occur and had made suitable arrangements to preserve himself. When Margos retreated back to the Smoldering Empire he found a most unwelcome surprise, Urahic still lived and while Margos fought a war he could not win Urahic had been busy rallying the elements of the Ifrit empire that had refused to follow Margos into his doomed war.
Urahic slew Margos and conscripted the majority of his army into service to defend the Smoldering Empire from the alliance of the nations of Rising Water, Churning Earth and Echoing Wind/ Unfortunately Urahic despite being a leader infinitely better then Margos failed to prevent the demise of the Smoldering Empire and recognizing that he could not win he and an army of many thousands retreated into the depths of the blazing desert to take shelter in the pyramid of Eternal Fire. Urahic and his people would wait out the eons of existence in statis until the other nations had fallen and then they would return to rebuild the Smoldering Empire. Alas the power of the magic used to preserve him and his men lasted for only a time, it eventually malfunctioned and now that over ten millennia had past Urahic awoke... Depleted in both the power he had once possessed and in retainers, his entire army that had followed him into statis were now nothing more then piles of bone...
The lands are desolate and Urahic now sees that creatures that were once animals walk upright and speak, he has journeyed well over two thousand miles up north from his homeland...
like the background?
The campaign information tab as been updated to make creating characters and backstories that fit the world a little easier for everybody - hope it helps.
Any other suggestions of what people want or need to know in order to participate, please let me know.
Gatsby
I'd pick up at least the first feat for called shots, and possibly the second if we reach a high enough level, but it's more to give options in terms of melee - if magic is a rare thing, then a magic user may wish to avoid attention, and the option of going for a vulnerable spot can be rather useful. There may be times where we don't actually want to kill the people we're fighting with, for example - stopping someone from fighting using a non-permanent status effect caused by a called shot is a decent alternative (most people won't keep fighting once they receive something like "Sickened" from a blow - not unless it's the kind of thing they're willing to die for.
But yeah, I'll go ahead and create a longsword wielding Kensai. He'll probably avoid using obvious magic unless he absolutely has to - and as such will also avoid mentioning his talents. Subtle magic, on the other hand...
On the subject of called shots...
There's a lot of sense in that, I've got to say. If we approach it like that I see no problem with it.
Ifrit Bard (arcane duelist) 1
LN Medium humanoid (Native Outsider)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 feet; Perception +4
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 8 (1d8)
Fort +0, Ref +5, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee rapier +3 (1d6/18–20)
Ranged
Spell-Like Ability, burning hands 1/day
Special Attacks bardic performance 8 rounds/day (Rallying Cry , distraction, fascinate, inspire courage +1)
Bard Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +5)
1st (2/day)—Dazzling Blade, Vanish
0th (at will)—Detect Magic, ghost sound (DC 14), message, prestidigitation
STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 16 (14+2), Con 10, Int 13, Wis 10 (12-2), Cha 18 (16+2)
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 12
Feat Combat Expertise, Arcane Strike (bonus)
Skills Bluff +8, Diplomacy +8, Perception +4, Sense Motive +4, Knowledge (arcana, planes) 5+, Use Magic Device 8+ and Intimidate 8+
Languages Common, Ignan and Infernal
SQ Wildfire Heart, Hypnotic
equipment studded leather armor (25 gp), rapier (20 gp) and 455 gp.
Urahic was a friend of the fearsome creatures that lair in the Plane of Fire, his bond with one such companion was exceptionally strong and has lasted the ages...
LN Medium humanoid (Native Outsider)
Init +10; Senses Darkvision 60 feet, Perception +0
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (3+ armor,+2 Dex)
hp 8 (1d8)
Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +2 (1d4)
Ranged crossbow, light 2+ (1d8+2)
Spell-Like ability burning hands 1/day
Summoner Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +5)
1st (2/day)—Rejuvenate Eidolon, Lesser and Shield
0th (at will)—mage hand, detect magic, guidance, message
STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 15 (13+2), Con 10, Int 14, Wis 10 (12-2), Cha 18 (16+2)
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 12
Feats Improved Initiative
Traits Twinned Presence and Influence (diplomacy)
Skills Knowledge (arcana, planes) 6+, Use Magic Device 8+, Diplomacy 9+ and Intimidate 9+
Languages Common, Ignan, Infernal and Draconic
SQ Wildfire Heart
equipment Chain shirt (100 gp), dagger (2 gp), crossbow, light (35 gp) and 363 gp.
In the days of the Smoldering Empire the Beast of Urahic was feared, it was a representative of it ruthless master. Those who saw the beast rightfully feared it...
Quadruped
Statistics
Size Medium; hp 11, Speed 30 ft.; AC 15, 15, 14 (1+ dex, 4+ natural armor); Saves Fort 3+, Ref 1+, Will 2+; Attack 2 claws (1d4+3), 1 bite (1d6+3); Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
skills Perception 4+, Intimidate 4+, Sense Motive 4+ and Climb 7+
Evolutions, Bite (1 point), Pounce (1 point) and improved Natural Armor (1 point)
Free Evolutions
claws, limbs (arms), limbs (legs).
Urahic had a profound understanding of the Plane of Fire and created many new spells and items which utilized it... Even artifacts were not out of his capability in his prime.
Ifrit Wizard 1
LN Medium humanoid (Native Outsider)
Init +13; Senses Darkvision 60 feet Perception +0
DEFENSE
AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex)
hp 6 (1d6)
Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +1 (1d4)
Special Attacks firejet (dc 15) 7/day
Wizard Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +5)
1st—burning hands (DC 15), Mage armor, Shield
0th (at will)—message, detect magic and mage hand
STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 13(11+2), Con 10, Int 18, Wis 10 (12-2), Cha 12 (10+2)
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 11
Feats Improved Initiative, Scribe Scroll
Skills Knowledge (arcana, history, planes, religion) +8, Spellcraft 8+, Diplomacy 2+ and Intimidate 8+
Languages Common, Draconic, Ignan, Infernal, Auran and Terran
SQ arcane bond (scorpion, greensting), Wildfire Heart and Fire School
equipment wizards kit (21 gp), dagger 2 gp and 477 gp.
still coming up with his (and if you choose the summoner, eidolan's) appearance.
Any ideas on the Taint? I was looking at Eldritch Heritage, Racial Heritage and the various traits.
Speaking of which: no problem with Precise Treatment is there?
No problems with precise treatment at all. And on the subject of a Taint, I know I would head in the direction of the Aberrant bloodline or the Eldritch Delver / Possessed traits, but that's just me...
Viluki, Duelist and Fire Friend are both intriguing...
This is quite interesting I would be interested in playing a catfolk ninja or a swashbuckler from the playtest.
If that is ok I will make a backstory.
Go ahead, just send me a PM when you're done. And I haven't seen the swashbuckler in play yet, although I read some good comments on it from the playtesting.
Sorry just got pulled in for something else, I will be withdrawing.
No problem, good luck!
@Gatsby: I have PM'd you a proposal.
More publicly: Does anyone know of a way to cast a spell subtly?
All I can find is
Subtle Magic (Ex)
Whenever you cast a spell or activate a spell trigger or spell completion magic item, you can attempt a Bluff skill check opposed by a Sense Motive check from anyone that can see you. Those who fail the opposed check don't know that you cast a spell or activated an item unless it has an obvious effect that emanates from you. In addition, the magical auras of magical effects on you and magic items you carry (except for artifacts) can't be detected.
I think by the rules even a spell with no V, S, M or F components can still be spotted and analysed with Spellcraft.
I'm not so worried once it is cast as then most spells can only be detected with Detect Magic, which is a spell itself.
I am also assuming Magical Healing is going to be very, very rare.
@Gatsby: I have PM'd you a proposal.
Read, enjoyed, considered, replied to... PM me what you think.
I am also assuming Magical Healing is going to be very, very rare.
... and yes, you assume correctly. You shouldn't have too much of a problem at the beginning, but the almost complete lack of people in the area who can cast anything above a 1st level spell will limit your healing options somewhat as the game progresses, unless the characters themselves can carve out a solution.
But don't worry too much - I won't just let the characters die from minor diseases or rat-scratches, I think it would rather detract from the experience.
But if it's a really big rat...
Okay people, you've come up with some great character concepts and I'm really happy with the responses on this thread. I've had about the right number of potential players to run the homebrew for two adventuring parties (as I feel a single 8/9 person thread would get bogged down quickly in complex situations), so now I just have to decide which characters should make up each group and when the campaign is going to start.
What I need from you...
A PM'd statement of intent (yes I still want to play, yes I'll try to post at least once a day, here's my character sheet and backstory). I am assuming that most people are busy christmas day / boxing day, so although I'll most probably start the campaign thread around that time I won't expect first posts until the 27th.
If a person or two drop out then I'll run it as a single campaign, but if not I have no problem running two at the same time - I've done this GM schtick for a long time, so the idea isn't foreign to me. However, if you are going to drop out or send me a message saying 'yep, I'm ready to go, here's my stuff', please do as soon as possible. This also concerns the people who have PM'd me over the past few days with questions, concepts and ideas - I'm assuming (again) that you're on board, but it would be nice to have that statement of intent so I know for sure.
Other than that, I'm really pleased by how friendly people seem on here. I'm new to the paizo forums, and it's been a great welcome. So... thanks, I guess?
If you have any other questions, ask them on the thread over the next few days. I'll keep checking, just in case.
Gatsby
Oh, just one more thing...
If there are going to be two parties, we do still have one potential slot to fill. SO if you're looking for a low-level game and feel like applying over the christmas period, there is still a small chance. Just in case.
Master, I woudl not be just easy to put our stats in the profile of our aliases? Like this one
Oberonviking here, reporting in. Pm sent.
I'll take that open spot. Looking to play a human musket master gunslinger since I've never played one yet, but honestly if there's something else the party desperately needs, I can fill that spot.
Master, I woudl not be just easy to put our stats in the profile of our aliases? Like this one
Nicos, that is a very good point.
If people find it easier you can simply post your stats in your alias profiles when they're made.
Learning experience!
Ah I see all the spots are filled? I am very interested and if you could squeeze me in I'd love to try out a Dwarf Alchemist.
GrinningJest3r, checking in with Roland, assuming that spot is still open?
Edit: Backstory and description are now included in the profile.
@ Roland
So dang cool.
Afternoon, people.
So, having been given a lot of advice and guidance from several people (and wanting to give the best experience possible) I've decided to stagger the start of the second 'Hawcroft Logging' campaign until the first one is underway - I'd love to run and begin them both simultaneously but (as someone far wiser and more pbp-experienced than me pointed out) quality is more important than quantity, and I want to really concentrate on GMing my first play by post and making it a good experience for both myself and the players.
I'll be PMing the people I've selected for the first campaign within the next few hours to confirm, and then I'll shift over to a discussion thread.
For those of you who have shown interest but weren't selected for the first campaign, apologies in advance and please don't take any offence - it's nothing personal, I've simply selected a team that I think will interact well for roleplay purposes.
When I feel confident enough to run the second campaign I will PM anybody that has shown interest but that I haven't selected, and you can tell me whether you're still interested / have found another campaign you're enjoying / hope I catch fire, anything. The characters that have been made so far are great, so when I do decide to start the second one, if people are still interested it should get going pretty quickly. If I thought I could effectively run two at the same time without the quality suffering, I most certainly would.
So... apologies and congratulations?
Gatsby
@ Roland
So dang cool.
Thanks. I always have fun making up a character and their backstory. I actually spend more time on that than I ever have playing because all of my games seem to fizzle out for one reason or another...
When I feel confident enough to run the second campaign I will PM anybody that has shown interest but that I haven't selected, and you can tell me whether you're still interested / have found another campaign you're enjoying / hope I catch fire, anything. The characters that have been made so far are great, so when I do decide to start the second one, if people are still interested it should get going pretty quickly.
Count me in. I'll probably never use Roland otherwise.