Summary:
Alright, first things first, this thread is not designed to be entirely serious. The title should tip you off. However, while I hope the roleplay I hope it spawns will have many jokes in it, it itself not a joke. I fully intend to DM this.
Character Creation will be full of cheese. The rules are yours, do as you please. /rhyming Bane voice
3rd level, with lots of crazy leeway. All sorts of race/class restrictions dropped, extra money, prestige classes from level 1.
The setting will be a realm created by a presumed madman, with portals connected to many other realms. He has invited your characters to provide "entertainment" for the day, as he and the guests and the courts watch on while you are sent on various missions. Between missions, you may mingle with the invited guests and the court and perhaps even the host himself.
All DM stuff on missions will be presented in the form of Count Visage commentating on the action.
Things you may do even if you are not accepted into the adventuring party:
Design worlds, missions, bad guys for those missions, adversaries attempting to attack the Court or otherwise interrupt the festivities, make characters who are attending the festivities and spectating.
Yeah, even if you come in late, I'll be accepting people for these roles at any time. Got a random cheesy bad guy you always wanted to run against your players but didn't? Run it by me, and if I ok it, you may attack the party or do whatever it is you were gonna do.
You can also do these things if you are IN the party. But I certainly don't expect it. It would be improper of me to expect you to design who you have to fight.
The Setting:
Each of the characters have been invited to the Court of Madness, a not-particularly-creatively named realm of a, well, we're pretty sure he's mad or very good at bluffing, Count Visage. The invitations were sent across the worlds to people the Count Visage found "interesting", and your character was sent an invitation to serve as part of the entertainment for the day, in return for lavish reward.
Though some might be insulted by such an invitation, the Count has "interesting" values of entertainment. He may say the entertainment to be provided by your character is to slaughter all the other entertainers in whatever way you desire, so long as each of them trusts you before the end, or perhaps it is to save a village from evil goblins. You get to choose, and may keep it a secret.
The Court of Madness itself is connected to many worlds, and if you wish, you may design some of them and suggest missions.
You may also create characters who were invited to the event proper, but, know that they may not be the focus of the story. I will always be accepting these "spectator" characters, so you may simply jump in with such a character if you wish, even if you are not one of the PCs.
Character Creation:
I advise you do not work too hard, and not to plan for the future too much. This will not be an epic in length, unless things go really, really well, and we get an awesome team with good synergy and come up with good plot hooks.
With my college semester winding down, come two weeks, I will have a LOT of time on my hands if things go well and we decide to continue, but, if not, I would be happy to end the game after 1-2 levels with material I have ready to customize to the party.
Any alignment and goal. You can have the goal of backstabbing your allies for the heck of it. However, it would be considerably more cool if you want to do it for some awesome reason, so try and come up with one to make a cool story with which to console your mourning fellow players. :P
All races. You may use any ability score modifier (by which I mean, +2 to any stat, or +2 to a phys and ment, and -2 to another) for any race, and any race may use another race's favored class bonus if it makes sense in a mechanical sense. No fluff explanation required, but it could be cool. Custom races are fine, just give me a good easy to read analysis on if you think that's cool.
You may apply templates to yourself, so if you want to be an advanced half-fiend Barbarian 1, god help whoever gets hit by your 36 strength modifier.
Level 3
All classes have all entry restrictions dropped except..
If the class requires a certain amount of some class feature, then you must have that class feature. If it requires sneak attack dice, you must have at least 1d6 sneak attack dice. If it requires spellcasting, you must be able to cast at least level 1 spells of the required type. If it requires skills, you must have at least one rank in at least half of the skills required. If it requires BaB, you must have at least 1 point of BaB.
I may vet specific cases (such as nerfing your shadow slightly (str damage from 1d6 to 2 if you go Shadowdancer 3) presuming someone gets perhaps a particularly troublesome ability from their prestige classing with this.
Anything from Paizo on d20pfsrd is fair game (presuming there isn't something in serious and obvious need of errata), and any 3rd party sources can be cleared by me and I will probably give you the go ahead.
Your Ability Scores are whatever you think you need to pull off your build. If you set your scores far above the other players, I will give them boosts to compensate.
10,000 gold to start, any choice of items. (aka, you can spend your entire budget on one item.)
No traits, unless you get that feat that gives you 2, in which, anything is fair game, stack and take multiple of the same category to your hearts content. No requirements on any trait.
The only thing I ask as far as background/personality/ext is "why is your character interesting (to us and to the Count)", "why did your character accept", and anything else is just gravy. If you want to keep your things a secret, PM me.
IC: That is the idea, my lovelies! HAHHAHAHEEEHHEHEHOOOOOO!
Sooooo, I want to play an Mature Adult Silver Dragon. Up for it? You did say all races. :P
Stat generation? Dice rolls? Point-Buy? (if so, how much?)
Well, if you managed to make your CR 3 or less with templates, that would be alright, but, I don't think there ARE that many negative templates. :P
~~
Stat generation is whatever you think you need, you have.
If you think you need 18, 18, 14, 14, 10, 10, that is what you have. Just note that I'll boost the other players or tailor challenges for you if you set up 18's all the way or such. :P
... never mind about stat... just noticed a line I missed...
Diminutive Fey?
I worked up a race from the race builder that I think would be perfect for this. I'll roll up the Schrodinger's Catgirl in a day or two.
Ah! The Shrodinger's Catgirl! A luck based class, or perhaps a time-thief? At least, those are what immediately pop into my head based on what you say.
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Playing as a monster race has a cost in levels equal to the CR of the monster. Monsters with fractional CR will be judged on an individual basis. In other words, yes, diminutive fey are in. :P
They're a 15 point half-undead poisony/darkness mishmash adaptation of catfolk. I pretty much tried to cram as many racial ability references to being a cat trapped in a box that may or may not be dead due to poison as I could.
Well now, won't that be fun?
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I wonder if, perhaps, my Minor Dragon would be a good fit for the game? Don't know what class yet though... maybe something freaky like the Host Alchemist(homebrew made here on the boards).
Ah! The Shrodinger's Catgirl! A luck based class, or perhaps a time-thief? At least, those are what immediately pop into my head based on what you say.
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Playing as a monster race has a cost in levels equal to the CR of the monster. Monsters with fractional CR will be judged on an individual basis. In other words, yes, diminutive fey are in. :P
Yay, I'm gonna play a Sprite.
I might throw up the crunch for Jimmy Jims, the world's friendliest strangler in a moment.
Minor Dragon, yah, that'd be fine.
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Sprites are A OK, no CR penalty.
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Soulbound Doll.
So, basically, compared to the bestiary version, you trade away (Not subject to ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, energy drain, or nonlethal damage. 3 hit dice, DR 2/magic) for two character levels.
The class seems significantly powerful, free 2nd level spells, the host of goodies that come with being a construct, but at the same time, all the penalities of being a construct.
It would be madness to allow it. Thus, it is allowed.
No, you don't need to give up two levels for it. I was comparing the bestiary vs the version you gave me there.
Remember folks, to not put too much work into your characters. The missions will be quite unmerciful.
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If you just want to be a size smaller, then, by all means, be a size smaller.
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Awesome. I have the rough outlinings of a some ideas here so tell me what you think-
Name: Sir Rodney Whifflebottom
Race: Soulbound Doll
Class: Wizard
Alignment: LN
Backstory: Turned into a doll, an inconvenience he refers to as a 'frightful bore', Sir Rodney seeks to return to high society and resume the scheming, politicking and socializing that all well-bred gentlebeings breathe like water.
Description: Rides his mount, Bertie, a well-trained hawk, usually letting out cries of 'Tally-ho!' and 'Onwards and upwards, good fellows!'
IC: Excellent. A fine addition to the Court of Madness! If you survive your day of entertainment...
Sounds wacky and fun. Meet Nianju, Nagaji Zombie Child Assassin.
Nagaji Assassin 1 Ninja 2
LE Small Undead
Hero Points 1
Init +11; Senses darkvision, low-light vision; Perception +10
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Defense
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AC 22, touch 18, flat-footed 15 (+1 armor, +7 Dex, +1 size, +3 natural)
hp 30 (3d8+12)
Fort +3, Ref +11, Will +2; +4 vs. channel
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4; DR 5/magic or slashing; Immune cold, electricity, magic missile, undead traits; Resist fire 10
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee (M) Rat's Tail +8 (1d6+11/18-20/x2) and
Slam (Zombie, Juju) +4 (1d3/x2)
Special Attacks death attack (dc 11), ki attack speed, sneak attack +2d6
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 24, Con —, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 16
Base Atk +1; CMB +0; CMD 17
Feats Combat Expertise +/-1, Improved Initiative, Piranha Strike -1/+2, Toughness +3, Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +13, Bluff +9, Climb +12, Disable Device +13, Disguise +8, Escape Artist +11, Fly +9, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +10, Sleight of Hand +13, Stealth +17, Swim +4 Modifiers ki jump (running start)
Languages Common, Draconic
SQ hero points, ki movement, ki pool, ki stealth, ninja tricks (finesse rogue), poison use, resistant, serpent's sense
Other Gear Masterwork Silken ceremonial armor, Rat's Tail, Thieves' tools, masterwork, 685 GP
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Special Abilities
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Channel Resistance +4 +4 bonus to save vs. Channel Energy.
Combat Expertise +/-1 Bonus to AC in exchange for an equal penalty to attack.
Damage Reduction (5/magic or slashing) You have Damage Reduction against all except Magic or Slashing attacks.
Damage Resistance, Fire (10) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Fire attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Death Attack (DC 11) (Ex) You can kill or render a target helpless for 1d6+1 rounds with a prepared sneak attack.
Hero Points (1) Hero Points can be spent at any time to grant a variety of bonuses.
Immunity to Cold You are immune to cold damage.
Immunity to Electricity You are immune to electricity damage.
Immunity to Magic Missile You are immune to magic missile.
Ki Attack Speed (Su) By spending 1 point from her ki pool, a ninja can make one additional attack at her highest attack bonus, but she can do so only when making a full attack.
Ki Jump (Running Start) (Su) Jumping is always counted as being at a running start.
Ki Movement A Ninja can spend 1 point to increase her speed by 20 feet for 1 round.
Ki Pool (Su) You have a ki pool equal to 1/2 your monk level + your Charisma modifier.
Ki Stealth A ninja can spend 1 point from her ki pool to give herself a +4 insight bonus on Stealth skill checks for 1 round.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Piranha Strike -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage with light weapons.
Poison Use You don't accidentally poison yourself with blades.
Resistant (Ex) +2 racial saving throw bonus against mind-affecting effects and poison.
Serpent's Sense (Ex) +2 racial bonus on Handle Animal checks against reptiles.
Sneak Attack +2d6 +2d6 damage if you flank your target or your target is flat-footed.
Undead Traits Undead are immune to death effects, disease, mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, phantasms, and patterns), paralysis, poison, sleep, stun, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects
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Nianju was the scion of one of Goka's many criminal factions when his father was betrayed by an underling to a rival group. He and his father had their throats slit and Nianju was dumped into the bay. Such was not the end for Nianju however; a strange mystic from across the seas took pity, fishing his body out of the bay, and reanimated it through the magiks of Wendo. Indebted to the mystic Ragongi, and no longer with a father of his own he bonded to the strange Mwangi man.
Despite the strange peace he found with Ragongi, his father's spirit continued to call out to him for vengeance. After a year he picked up his lapsed training as one of the ninja, and began to infiltrate a group of assassins who had participated in he and his father's murder. During this time he managed to sneak into his enemies' home and steal one of his father's blades, the Rat's Tail, leaving behind the Snake's Tooth (a katana too large for him to weild).
He had just achieved a place within the ranks of the assassin's--his true nature disguised from them--when he received the invitation to the Court of Madness. Seeing an opportunity to secure the aid he required to avenge his father he accepted, and was transported to the strange realm.
Dotting.
Alrighty!
First off, hero points are not in this game! As much as they might lend to amazing feats, I have yet to learn how to use them. I'd rather play at least one game featuring them before trying to DM a game featuring them.
Other question, what is the Rat's Tail? I'm presuming it's a +1 agile something with 18-20 crit.. but what exactly?
And, once those two things are addressed, I believe you have yourself a party member, sir. :P
1 Mythic tier only adds 1 CR, right? :P
Ah, again, I am not familiar with Mythic such and such. Read the PDF, but only practice makes perfect.
And we wouldn't want weird and unbalanced rules messing up our loverly balanced and sensible game now would we?
All good.
And I'm called Nigel now.
Pip-pip!
Backstory, appearance and the like added to profile.
Sheet added.
Alrighty!
First off, hero points are not in this game! As much as they might lend to amazing feats, I have yet to learn how to use them. I'd rather play at least one game featuring them before trying to DM a game featuring them.
Other question, what is the Rat's Tail? I'm presuming it's a +1 agile something with 18-20 crit.. but what exactly?
And, once those two things are addressed, I believe you have yourself a party member, sir. :P
Ahh yeah, like I said, I just pulled that straight out of hero labs before work, where hero points is ticked as a default setting.
Rat's Tail is a +1 Agile Wakizashi. It's also medium sized, so he weilds it two-handed (due to being small)
Awesome!
EDIT: Bah! There are neither any good ninja pictures (there are two pictures of females) or any Nagaji pictures.
EDIT2: and just to clarify
25 point buy
2 levels of Ninja
1 level of Assassin
Juju Zombie template (+1 CR)
Young Template (-1 CR)
Also cheated on Combat Expertise (do not have the required 13 Int)
Well don't worry, you'll be around the Abraham Lincoln doll and the Mad Hatter wannabe!
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Things that would be nice to have written in your character sheet, Sir Nigel,
You are cross-blooded Sorcerer, Arcane Fey, yes? That'd be nice to have written somewhere. Also, if you are one, your will-save is a bit high, given a base of 3 for 3 levels of sorcerer and a -2 penalty for cross-blooded.
Also, I am unable to find the trait world walker.
Also, HP is max first level, average or roll other levels.
Also also, I wanted to say also, some more.
Heh, indeed. Well I've updated the character sheet, need to buy some additional (mundane) gear, and some potions and such. Think I got rid of the Hero Points references.
Ok, piranha strike/agile only works on light weapons, aye? Yet you're not using that wakazashi as a light weapon, you're using as a oversized light weapon to be used as a two hander?
I'll allow it, but just note, I don't think that would normally fly.
Hmmm, yeah you're right, Weapon Finesse specifically says 'made for a creature of your size category' :p Didn't even really think about that, I just thought it was a cool concept to use his father's sword (he only actually needs to weild it one handed too, since it was light.)
Oh, and a minor correction: It is a +1 Agile Mithral Wazkizashi (lighter and I believe counts as silver for overcoming DR)
Wouldn't that make the weapon more than your entire budget though? I don't remember, how much does a Mithral weapon cost?
500gp per pound of the weapons weight.
Light armor +1,000 gp
Medium armor +4,000 gp
Heavy armor +9,000 gp
Shield +1,000 gp
Other items +500 gp/lb.
Wakizashi 35 gp 1d4 1d6 18–20/×2 — 2 lbs. P or S deadly
2 lbs = 1000gp (which includes the masterwork cost) +8000gp for the +2 enchantment +35 for the wakizashi.
I can change it if you want, but it feet with the theme of the weapon making it lighter.
Ah, seems in order, I thought the wakazashi would be heavier.
I think I'm shelving the Schrodinger's Catgirl idea for now as the final product would have ended up remarkably similar to Nianju. So I've been considering other sources of cheese from playing with templates. There are certainly some interesting options available, ripe for the cheesing. The problem there is making it hilarious as well. Unfortunately, the Faerie Dragon Ravener would end up being slightly too high of a CR (as well as patently illegal by the Ravener "true" dragon requirement, but it would be SO funny.) Kobold grave knight, likewise, doesn't quite work out from the template requirements. That means I might have to end up rolling up a Giant Goblin.
Ah, seems in order, I thought the wakazashi would be heavier.
Mmm, me too, but it is a light weapon, and thus a fairly small blade.
I think I'm shelving the Schrodinger's Catgirl idea for now as the final product would have ended up remarkably similar to Nianju. So I've been considering other sources of cheese from playing with templates. There are certainly some interesting options available, ripe for the cheesing. The problem there is making it hilarious as well. Unfortunately, the Faerie Dragon Ravener would end up being slightly too high of a CR (as well as patently illegal by the Ravener "true" dragon requirement, but it would be SO funny.) Kobold grave knight, likewise, doesn't quite work out from the template requirements. That means I might have to end up rolling up a Giant Goblin.
Whoops! Sorry :s
Faerie Dragons are funny; there's a great audio podcast group I listen to called the strand gamers, and there was an awesome depiction of a faerie dragon by the GM in one of their campaigns who became a recurring NPC :)
Goblins are also great.
Do not be afraid of making another Nianju-esque character. We need some more frontliners, and the undead have a host of handy resistances.
Unless, of course, Belle comes through with a melee-oriented sprite.
Which, under this set of rules is actually not that hard to pull off, I've found.
I think he was more refering to the Catgirl being a sneaky ninja-type than being undead :)
Ho hum, you may be correct. I suppose there must be some clunky lumbering giants to draw attention away from the spellcasting flying dolls, sprite, and ninja zombie assassin children.
Well it's a giant goblin, so it's actually just normal person sized :p
Hmm so since goblins have fast movement, would you have 40ft speed?