Icy Chains (Inactive)

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

We can discuss details here.

Alrighty--checking in! :)

Where in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords is this taking place?

The original idea I had for my character is that she was born in the foothills of the Tusk Mountains, around the Ginji Mesa. I imagined her to be the chieftain's daughter, and as such was expected to be a better warrior & hunter than the rest of her tribe.

So... I planned for my character to start in the foothills of the Tusk Mountains. Is that alright, DM?

Aye. We don't really have much on the Tusk Mountains in canon.

One of the great mountain ranges of Avistan's north, the Tusk Mountains are a wild and dangerous place. They begin in the orcish Hold of Belkzen, running in a generally northern direction into the Realm of the Mammoth Lords all the way to the tundra at the northern reaches of Avistan.[1] They form part of the border between the Hold of Belkzen and Ustalav in the southern reaches and the entire border between the Hold and the Worldwound further north.[2]

Despite their many dangers, the Tusk Mountains are known for their many passes. The range divides the Realm of the Mammoth Lords in half, separating the snowy west from the warmer east. The Tusk Mountains are home to numerous frost giants ruled by Jarl Gnargorak.[3]

So, we have frost giants, dinosaur valleys, megafauna.

I don't know where the Ginji Mesa is. The tusk mountains are very long. Are you thinking east side (snowy) or west side (not snowy)? North end (near Crown of World) or south end (near Belkzen)?

I was thinking the south end of the mountains, near Belkzen. East side is more appropriate, considering that's where the Ginji Mesa is located.

Here's a map of the land, if you'd like.

Nice. Was looking for a country specific map and couldn't find one.

So, iirc you mentioned her motivations as being rescuing kidnapped family members, right?

Indeed. I've got her profile ready, if you'd like to take a look--here it is. It's got her background, a rough personality sketch and a link to a portrait I found that I felt accurately represented her.

Cool. Haven't read it in detail yet, but the first thing I noticed was the diehard feat. Isn't that basically negated by my houserules?

Really? I just picked the Unbreakable Fighter archetype because I thought it sounded cool. Would you recommend picking a different archetype or can we work around the Diehard overlap?

Well...

When your hit point total is below 0, but you are not dead, you automatically stabilize. You do not need to make a Constitution check each round to avoid losing additional hit points. You may choose to act as if you were disabled, rather than dying. You must make this decision as soon as you are reduced to negative hit points (even if it isn't your turn). If you do not choose to act as if you were disabled, you immediately fall unconscious.

When using this feat, you are staggered. You can take a move action without further injuring yourself, but if you perform any standard action (or any other action deemed as strenuous, including some swift actions, such as casting a quickened spell) you take 1 point of damage after completing the act. If your negative hit points are equal to or greater than your Constitution score, you immediately die.

All damage taken until 0 HP does not actually hurt the PC. It represents minor cuts, bruises, and loss of stamina. When not in combat, and at a positive HP value, the PC gains fast healing 2. HP damage that brings a PC below 0 represents a serious wound. While in negative HP, the PC remains conscious and staggered, bleeding each round until they stabilize or reach an amount of negative HP equal to their constitution. Reaching negative HP equal to the PC’s constitution results in death. Stabilization is a free action taken every round at the end of the PC’s turn, which otherwise functions as normal. Strenuous action has no effect on the bleeding or staggered condition. Negative HP regenerates as per normal PFRPG rules for rest and recovery. Once the PC is in positive HP again, their fast healing turns back on.

I guess it doesn't negate it, they just overlap a bit. The net benefit of diehard in this game is automatically stabilizing. You get the other benefits of diehard automatically from the houserule.

If you want to focus on how tough as nails Victrix is, we can change the benefit of diehard to be that she's not staggered while at negative HP, but still bleeds and needs to stabilize as normal. What do you think about that?

Also, I plan on using minion creatures in this game. Meaning they will only have a handful of HP, but they will still threaten like a normal creature. Therefore the cleave line of feats will be much more useful than they might normally be. I really want to get that pulp feel of Red Sonja Victrix cutting through thirty dudes like it's nothing, and then having a minute long duel with their boss, to save the boy-toy in distress.

Oh, and you can have Hero Points or Action Points, whichever you'd prefer.

If you want to focus on how tough as nails Victrix is, we can change the benefit of diehard to be that she's not staggered while at negative HP, but still bleeds and needs to stabilize as normal. What do you think about that?

That sounds reasonable. I'll update her profile to reflect that.

Also, I plan on using minion creatures in this game. Meaning they will only have a handful of HP, but they will still threaten like a normal creature. Therefore the cleave line of feats will be much more useful than they might normally be. I really want to get that pulp feel of Red Sonja Victrix cutting through thirty dudes like it's nothing, and then having a minute long duel with their boss, to save the boy-toy in distress.

Alrighty then. I'll swap out Quick Draw for Cleave.

Oh, and you can have Hero Points or Action Points, whichever you'd prefer.

I think I'll pick Hero Points.

The raiders who attacked your village were a mixed group of orcs and ogres, led by a winter wolf and an ettin.

You know they are minions of Jarl Gnargorak, self proclaimed King of All Frost Giants, who rules over a kingdom of giants and slaves in the Tusk Mountains. They never used to come this far down into the foothills, but lately (the past few years) Gnargorak's minions have been getting bolder and bolder.

I think I have enough to go on. I will write up a little flashback to the raid, and then an opening scene when I have time. Once it's ready I'll make a gameplay thread and post it. It might not be for several days, I have two papers to write this week as well for school.

In the meantime, can you come up with three NPCs that are accompanying you on your trip? One mentor, one friend and one rival. The tribe would not have let you run off alone. Also, what's the deal with your mother?

Edit:I can make one or all of the NPCs if you like. It'd be nice if you at least make the friend though. I'm fine with you taking narrative control of one of the NPCs as well if you'd be into that.

Regarding Victrix's mother, I imagine she's still around. She's probably going to take over running the tribe from her father, because of him losing his sword hand.

I'll see if I can stat up the three NPCs: mentor, friend, rival.

Should I pick from the NPC classes for the mentor, friend & rival? Or do I have a bit more leeway in class choices for them?

You don't necessarily need to stat them up. I can do that. Just give me a description of them and their general abilities.

Alright, I've got descriptions for the mentor, friend & rival characters for ya. I haven't decided on names for them yet...

Mentor Character: Older man with graying brown hair and hazel eyes, built like a mountain. Never learned to read, but is wise in the ways of animals and surviving in the wilds. He's a quiet sort, preferring to let his actions speak for him. More down-to-earth than Vic is, and taught her how to survive in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. Oddly enough, he's something of an idealist, and tries to see the good in most people he interacts with. Fights with a sword & shield.

Friend Character: Young blonde woman, around Vic’s age. Hasn’t quite grasped the basics of sarcasm yet, and has some difficulties interacting with other people. She's a pragmatic sort, very focused on getting the job done. Great shot with a bow, and was the one who taught Vic archery. She’s skilled at scouting and hunting.

Rival Character: Young redheaded man, slightly older than Vic. A commoner tribesman, nevertheless distinguished himself as one of the best warriors in the clan. He's brash, somewhat cocky, and very anxious to prove that he's the best warrior for the job. Went with Vic as much to try to one-up her as much as he wanted to save his people. Fights with twin axes.

Alright.

So we have a fighter, a ranger and a slayer. I'll hero lab them up when I have some downtime.

Alrighty then. :)

Here are some articles about iron age village life:

Article 1
Article 2

They will give you an idea of what Vic's life was like before the adventure starts.

Thanks for the articles. :)

Homework heavy week, haven't had time for the intro yet. Thanks for the patience :)

No sweat. You're quite welcome. :)

Go!

Okay, for the next part, I need to create the 3 NPCs you outlined above. They will be fellow survivors of the attack. I should be able to get that done later today, we'll see.

Alright then. :)

Vendrak - The old mentor.

Gruntha - Friend.

Hannukan - Rival.

Also, though this is set in Golarion, I'm going to take some liberties with canon to get the feel I'm going for.

I just found out I made RPG Superstar top 32! I will not be posting in any of my PBP games until I get my entry for round two done. Thanks for being patient with me.

Congrats! :D

I have some bad news. I have decided to withdraw from, or end most of my participation in PBP games. Getting into the Top 32 of RPG Superstar has shown me how much time I was dedicating to PBP that could be better used elsewhere, and how I am in too many games for me to do them all justice. As a consequence of over committing myself, PBP games often feel like a chore for me instead of fun, and I have to make difficult choices about which ones I prioritize, while other people wait on me to post. Therefore, I’m limiting myself to two games as a DM and the games as a player where I have invested the most time/posts and had the most fun.

I apologize for withdrawing from this, but it’s a hard reality I have to face. As much as I love PBP there is limited time in life, and I can’t be fully invested in so many disparate ventures. Thank you all for giving me a chance, and for the fun we have (hopefully) had together. In the future my availability may change, and I hope to see you all around the boards. Again, apologies for failing in my commitment. I wish you all the best of luck, and that all your rolls be critical hits!