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I am opening recruitment for my ongoing Council of Thieves campaign, which has lost a player because of real life commitments. We are looking to add two more players to the campaign. We have just begun book 2 and thus the players are currently third level. This game is a fast paced game, and thus requires people to usually post 2+ times a day. The campaign currently consists of an Urban Ranger, a Bard and an Oracle/Fighter. However, the group does have wands of cure light wounds as well as potions, so healing isn’t really the issue at this stage. I'd like to make a decision by July 3, and get started around July 6.
Please take a look at the campaign information page for details of the setting. This setting is extremely evil. In fact, it is so evil that I do not want to get private messages from the players telling me to “tone it down, I’m having nightmares.” If you can’t handle human sacrifice, bodies piling up in pits filled with flies and what not, then do not apply to my game. If human sacrifice, slave trading/ownership and devil worship freak you out and you’ll complain all the time about how over the top the setting is or graphic, move along, this game isn’t for you. I will not tone down the setting. If you can’t handle that, don’t apply.
Before you apply and read about the character creation rules, I want to make five things ABUNDANTLY clear to anyone who is accepted into this campaign. Please consider these carefully, and if you cannot accept these five conditions, do not apply to this game.
First, this is an extremely fast paced game. Since I live in the US West Coast, I will only accept people who can post several times a day while I’m awake. I will generally post between 6:30a.m. PST to 7:30pm PST. So, if you are asleep during that time period like most Europeans, you won’t be able to keep pace and I will kick you from the game. You are wasting my time, your time and everyone else’s time if you apply and can’t post multiple times during the time specified. We have one European in our group who posts often enough to get away with it. So, it’s not that I’m anti-Europe, I’m anti-slow posts.
Furthermore, if your idea of a fast paced game is 1 post/day (or because of your time zone you only post while I’m asleep, which equates to a 1/day), don't apply. In general I expect 2-3 posts a day, maybe slower on weekends. Brief absences tolerated when given advance notice (one of our players is going on vacation in July but we will NPC his character during that time). We simply can’t NPC multiple characters at the same time. If you are about to go on a long vacation, or have some kind of life event coming that might prevent you from posting frequently in the near future (school restarts, baby on the way, new job), don’t apply. I don’t want to read “Oh, this and that happened and I can’t post as often now.” So, you should have stability in your life for the near-future. If not, don’t apply.
Second, I want to emphasize that you need to be familiar with rules for your character, and if you play a spell caster, you need to be familiar with your spells and how they work. You don’t have to be a rules expert with some kind of certification badge (I don’t have one either), but I do expect you to know the basics. If you cast a spell that won’t have an effect on a specific creature/situation, then you’ll waste the spell/action. For example, if you cast mage armor on a fighter wearing heavy armor (don’t laugh, I’ve seen it), you just wasted your spell. Furthermore, if you are selected I will “re-create” your character myself. This allows me to be very familiar with your character, but it also might catch an error or more. If you have a problem with me pointing out a character creation error (or confusion over a selection) via a PM, then don’t apply. Some folks are extremely sensitive if I tell them they made a mistake on their character. So, if you’re room is full of participation trophies and can’t handle being told you might have made a mistake, don’t apply. Finally, while I generally follow the rules, I reserve the right to amend the rules as GM.
Third, I’ll be using Ditzie for maps. As such, if you cannot adjust a map on your computer, don’t apply. I can occasionally accommodate a player who is on a phone or touch-pad device, but I’m not going to move you every single time. Please go to THIS MAP and see if you can move stuff around from the device you will post the most from. If you can’t, then you can’t play in this campaign. If you say you are attacking, but you are in the other room on the map, then you don’t attack and waste your turn. Use the map!
Fourth, my descriptions assume a point of view from your perspective. If you, for example, crawl into a building from a sewer entrance, I will not tell you what the outside of the building is, what street it’s on, etc. You are given the information that you have at the time. As such, it can be difficult for people who want to put lots of actions into just one post (a typical thing for people who can only post once a day in a fast paced game). You will have to do what people would do in that situation, like look for an exit, or talk to the people in the room. Running out, doing this and that, then coming back and doing some more stuff, all in one post, will usually be a gigantic problem. I will allow if/then posts, as long as you can accept that some of your potential actions might not occur because they would have been interrupted by an NPC action/event along the way. It would simply be easier if you can post multiple times in a day.
Fifth, I just want to be abundantly clear, that what you write in your gameplay post is what you do. If you say you went into the main sewer line and then cast channel, and that places you out of range of some of your allies that needed healing, then you blew your channel for nothing. I don’t want to hear “oh, well I would have channeled next to them first.” Sorry, you wrote you went into the sewer line, then did it. This is to force people to think about what they write and what they do, so as to there not being a debate going forward about any response by an NPC. If you don’t pull the sword off the dead guy, then you can’t sell the sword later. Sorry. If you don’t like that, please don’t apply to my game. I also demand that you not read spoilers not directed at you. If you like to read all the spoilers regardless of whom they are directed at (as I believe most of you do), then don’t apply. If I make a DC 18 Sense Motive check spoiler because an NPC is lying, and you roll a 12 but still check the spoiler and then act like the NPC is lying, you will have some explaining to do. If you respond to information in a spoiler not directed at you, you have some explaining to do. I don’t want to be sending PMs left and right because the players can’t control their urges to read spoilers. Most of you can’t control this urge (I know because most of you read spoilers directed at other characters in different games), so please don’t apply.
Okay, if you can pass those five prerequisites, please see some information in the campaign info section. You will need to read the Council of Thieves player’s guide. Please pay close attention to the character creation rules I have listed. Lastly, unlike some online GMs, I do not give preference to who posts first or in what order. When I say July 3, I mean July 3. Take your time and post when ready. You don’t need to create an alias, just give me your background and your character sheet. Please make the character sheet easy to read. I expect the game will restart around July 6 to let people enjoy the upcoming holiday and time to understand the characters and recreate them myself.
You have grown up in Westcrown. You have had to deal with the night terrors for the last 30 years, the watch of citizen spies, and the terror of the dottari and hellknight’s version of justice (suspects burned at the stake kind of thing, or tortured until they confess, then burned at the stake, depending on how much time they have). You know several people who have been killed in gladiatorial battles staged on behalf of the public’s entertainment. In short, you despise your city, your rulers and the government’s inability to deal with the nightly terrors, but are unsure what to do or who to trust. Spies are everywhere and will report any suspicions to the dotarri or worse, the hellknights. You joined a group formed by a half-elf named Ariel to try to improve the city. Upon joining the group, it has decided to name themselves (k)Night's Bane to show how they will fight the night terrors and improve the city. The group has some notoriety already for stopping a group of tieflings from robbing and killing at night known as the Bastards of Erebus, but they never learned how they avoided the night creatures. There were some clues, but alas they don't know.
Please pick one trait from the Council of Thieves Players Guide (download it from Paizo, it's free) and make sure it fits your background (and pick one additional trait, for a total of two traits). No drawbacks permitted.
Also note that you are unlikely to be a successful thief that steals money for a living: they don’t live long when they have to operate in daylight. If you are caught, you are usually killed immediately or put in a gladiator setting and killed there (eventually). So, if you want to play a rogue, play a rogue that isn’t into stealing.
20 Point Buy. No stat below 8 (including racial modifiers). No Firearms. No third party. Otherwise probably okay. 2 Traits, one of which must be a campaign trait that fits your background. Please write a character background.
Alignments:
Lawful Neutral (with conditions), Lawful Good (with conditions), Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, and Chaotic Neutral alignments are permitted. Lawful characters will have to come to grips that this campaign involves a mild rebellion. As such, you’ll need to come to address it in your background. Lawful Good characters will have to be able to lie occasionally (monks need to avoid the vow of truth). Evil characters need not apply. Remember, non-evil deities have on occasion worked with Asmodeus, so non-evil people can worship him, I just don’t recommend it. Over time, the preaching and actions take their toll on your soul and eventually you turn evil. You can only participate in a human sacrifice only so many times before you start thinking it is okay to do it.
Races allowed:
Dwarf, Elf, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Halfling, Gnome, Human.
Classes and Archetypes allowed:
These are the classes allowed in my campaign (1) because they fit the campaign and (2) I’m also familiar enough with them so that rules issues can be kept to a minimum: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Magus, Monk, Oracle, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Wizard.
These classes are prohibited: any class not listed above (obviously). But in case you have to ask: Paladin, Alchemist, Gunslinger, Summoner, Cavalier, Inquisitor, Antipaladin, Ninja, Samurai, Witch, and any test class. Paladin’s are restricted for a specific reason in the campaign and are simply too disruptive given the incredibly evil setting.
Most archetypes are allowed (no play test archetypes or firearms), but remember this is an urban campaign so make sure your archetype reflects this fact. Do not pick an archetype that is woodlands or primitive based (especially true for Barbarians and Druids).
Also, given the setting, petty thieves are usually killed quickly in Westcrown since they can’t work at night (those that do are killed by the Shadow Creatures), so take this into account if you play a rogue and think you’re some kind of master thief. If you play a Cleric, please do not select an evil deity, as that will just cause too many problems. However, clerics should be aware that they are limited to openly worshiping Abadar; worshiping another deity must be done so in private. Worshiping in private just means you can’t have a following, which really isn’t a problem. You will meet NPC clerics along the way that worship non-evil deities in private.
Starting Wealth & Level:
Please make a third level character. You start with 3,000gp, of which no one item can exceed 1,000gp. You were either given it, inherited it, stole it, worked for it, or whatever.
Skills
The Council Chairman suggests these skills if they make sense for your character: Stealth, Bluff, Sense Motive, Knowledge (Local), Knowledge (History), Perform (Act). The Council Chairman believes these skills will prove less useful: Survival, Swim, and Ride. The Chairman wants to emphasize that skills will be used in this campaign (and your skill results can be a matter of life or death), so being only a combat junkie with minimal skill points will likely result in your death faster than fighting.
Do you have questions? Feel free ask here; do not send me a PM as my current players will be reading this recruitment thread as well.
this games great except for the fact that I will be away on vacation from the 5th through the 13th. ad when I go away I am practically disconnected from all internet.
bummer on that.
I had a gnome shadow caster wizard planned out...
I would love to get in on this but I, unfortunately, work a rotating shift work and 7 out of 31 days I sleep right though your optimal post times
Interested in this. I just tested the map thing and was able to move a couple characters around, so I have no problem meeting your prereq's.
I am on Eastern Standard time if you curious as to when I would be awake for posting.
I am currently thinking of a cleric of some kind since that is my preferred class. I will decide upon an appropriate deity and write up a character to post later today.
hello Joy, glad to seer return...
Heya Ed, I'm all settled in Md now and shouldn't have to move for at least 2 an a half years. So I figured it would be a good time to return since I been going into rpg withdrawl....
Hello again, this is Joy's mostly finished Cleric of Shelyn. I had a question on how you handle hit dice at 2nd and 3rd level?
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If you can handle/meet the five hurdles then apply before July 3. If you are new to play by post, that isn't an issue as play by post experience wasn't a criteria.
I mention I am West Coast because it is just too much of a difference for most European posters. It isn't an issue being east coast as i post throughout the day. Our campaign lost one European player already for inability to post frequently.
Well I'll have to start a character from scratch to fit the criteria, but I am definitely interested. I've been looking for a fast paced game. I hate one a day campaigns. I should have a character by tonight
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does hp start at max example rog 1d8 (8+con) or is it 1d6+2+con?
If selected, you will get MAXIMUM HP at level 1. Level 2 and 3 we will roll the dice, but in a modified way to ensure you don't get stuck with a bad roll. If you are a 1d8 HP per level player, you roll 1d6 + 2. So, the minimum you would end up with would be 3, but the max would still be 8.
So, you there is a small chance you end up below the average (one of our players met that small chance), while there is a decent chance to be above average in HP.
No need to roll dice now, we can figure out HP if you are selected. No need to swamp this forum with dice rolling.
I live on the west coast, which makes posting pretty easy, and I meet the rest of your requirements, so I'd like to apply to join this campaign. My character is the alias used for this post.
Tarek the Tall is finished.
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Just FYI, I'm withholding commenting as I receive feedback from my existing players. Also, I want to make sure I give everyone a fair chance by looking at all the applications at the same time. Based upon my existing player feedback, I'll examine their top choices carefully and make selections.
I'm glad there is such strong interest despite the 5 (very difficult) hurdles I require.
If it wasn't for my vacation coming up so soon I would apply...
I'm glad there is such strong interest despite the 5 (very difficult) hurdles I require.
If you run it, they will come.
Regardless of hurdles. :)
Oooh shiny. Started this ap with friends locally but it died after mod one, due to life changes with some of the players.
None of the hurdles look like a problem. Tested the map utility with no issue.
I was playing a character that sounds like it would fit in with the group. He was a dwarven sewer druid with his alligator Nibbler. I think the swamp druid archtype actually works better for it than urban. Maybe a reskin of some of the spells to acid damage rather than say lighting would make more sense.
He is very young and his family was wiped out in the change of power in cheliax and so he hid in the sewers and hasn't really left them since except to scavenge at night. You wouldn't believe the good things people throw away just because they are broken or a little moldy! That is of course, until these pesky rebel types started using his sewers and drawing the attention of the watch and hell knights and all kinds of other undesirables.
That's just one idea though. I have tons of character ideas in my brain.
Thanks
As it happens, I have a character from a CoT game that suddenly died.
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Male Human Wizard 3
NG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +0
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Defense
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AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex)
hp 20 (3d6+6)
Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +3; +1 vs. devil's mind-affecting
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Offense
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Speed 20 ft.
Wizard Spells Prepared (CL 3rd; concentration +7):
. . 2nd—summon monster ii[S], summon monster ii, web (DC 17)
. . 1st—burning hands (DC 15), grease, magic missile, obscuring mist[S]
. . 0 (at will)—acid splash, detect magic, light, open/close (DC 14)
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10
Base Atk +1; CMB +1; CMD 13
Feats Augment Summoning, Craft Wondrous Item, Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (conjuration)
Traits diabolist raised, hedge magician
Skills Appraise +10, Knowledge (arcana) +10, Knowledge (local) +10, Knowledge (nobility) +10, Knowledge (planes) +10, Linguistics +10, Profession (scribe) +6, Spellcraft +10
Languages Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Ignan, Infernal, Terran
SQ acid dart, arcane bonds (arcane bond [familiar]), opposition schools (enchantment, necromancy), specialized schools (conjuration), summoner's charm
Other Gear 3,000 gp
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Special Abilities
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Acid Dart (7/day) (Sp) 30' Ranged touch attack deals 1d6+1 Acid damage.
Augment Summoning Summoned creatures have +4 to Strength and Constitution.
Conjuration The conjurer focuses on the study of summoning monsters and magic alike to bend to his will.
Deliver Touch Spells Through Familiar (Su) Your familiar can deliver touch spells for you.
Diabolist Raised +1 Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Sense Motive vs. Westcrown's nobility. +1 save. vs. mind-affecting spells from devils.
Empathic Link with Familiar (Su) You have an empathic link with your Arcane Familiar.
Enchantment You must spend 2 slots to cast spells from the Enchantment school.
Familiar Bonus: +3 bonus on Diplomacy You gain the Alertness feat while your familiar is within arm's reach.
Hedge Magician Magic item gp costs -5%.
Necromancy You must spend 2 slots to cast spells from the Necromancy school.
Share Spells with Familiar Can cast spells with a target of "You" on the familiar with a range of touch.
Spell Focus (Conjuration) Spells from one school of magic have +1 to their save DC.
Summoner's Charm (+1 rds) (Su) Increase duration of summoning spells by 1/2 level (permanent at 20).
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Zagarus
Female Thrush
NG Diminutive magical beast (animal)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16 (+2 Dex, +4 size, +2 natural)
hp 10 (1d8-2)
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +5
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Offense
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Speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (average)
Melee bite +0 (1d2-5)
Space 1 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
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Statistics
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Str 1, Dex 15, Con 6, Int 7, Wis 15, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB -1; CMD 4
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Appraise +1, Fly +12, Linguistics +1, Perception +5, Spellcraft +1
Languages Custom Language
SQ improved evasion
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Special Abilities
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Flight (40 feet, Average) You can fly!
Improved Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save; half on failed save.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Basic crunch done, working up a basic backstory for him, will try to have it up before I crash tonight.