Ha, love it! I'll be sticking with Marduzi and I doubt Ruhk has changed his mind, he's having a lot of fun with that character. He'll be very disappointed if you all turn out to be men in character :)
Robert presents his new bard. I thought this was going to be a brief version of Kelistra's background, but...
When Kelistra's parents died shortly after they arrived in Sandpoint, their infant daughter was found and taken in by Koya. Kelistra loved her adopted family, especially her big brother Sandru. Sandru was kind and caring to little Keli and spent lots of time with her, at least until he grew up and started adventuring. Then Sandru went off to have his big adventures with Ameiko and the others. Oh, how Kelistra wanted to be off seeking fame and fortune with her big brother. If only there was some way she could be the one singing to him by the campfire instead of Ameiko. Then Kelistra remembered the old mandolin.
Koya had been saving the instrument for the girl. Koya didn't know who the mandolin belonged to, but it was the only valuable item she'd found in the hut Kelistra's parents had died in. Everyone said Kelistra had a pretty singing voice. All Kelistra had to do was learn to play and she'd be adventuring with Sandru! Soon the girl could be found any place in Sandpoint where musicians played, pestering the performers for lessons. By the time Sandru and Ameiko returned to Sandpoint as "retired adventurers", Kelistra had become a decent performer.
Completely unaware of the jealousy that motivated Kelistra's musical studies, Ameiko started teaching the youngster. Ameiko realized that Kelistra wasn't just a talented musician, but had the makings of a true bard. Eventually, Kelistra learned how to weave magic through her performance.
Over the last couple years, Kelistra has been the one who stayed at home to care for Grammie Niska while Koya joined Sandru's caravans. Now that Grammie is dead, there's no reason for Kelistra to stay behind. Sandru's heading out with a new caravan. This time he and Koya are going to be gone a long time as they travel to very distant lands. Even Ameiko's going with him. Well, if Ameiko's going, Kelistra's going too!
Nice work on the background Kelistra. Marduzi will know her from Niska and Koya too. He was in and out of Sandpoint while growing up, but loved his time with Niska and made the same promise to look after Koya. BTW, we're starting hunting goblins that have been harassing the area with newly discovered fireworks. Not sure if GM Will is going to have you meet us in the marsh or back in town.
Hey everyone, I'm going to be away from the internet for a day or two. It would be great if everyone had a character ready to go over that time frame. Please take the time to skim the existing game thread if possible - I did some good writing and it shouldn't go to waste :)
When we are all ready, I will bring everyone together quickly in one or two posts - I'm not a fan of split groups and spoilers and so on, they make my brain hurt. All the characters are Sandpoint locals and will know each other at least a little anyway.
Happy character building!
Paladin of Abadar (Warrior of the Holy Light). I still need to clean a few things up on the profile, but here is Malcolm's background.
Malcom was born into a Varisian merchant family in the town of Sandpoint in Varisia. His parents' business was always moderately successful even though they chose to live in a small town due to the caravans that frequent the area. As a result, Malcolm was known and came to be known by most people in and around Sandpoint, but his focus was always upon the object of his infatuation - Ameiko, the proprietor of the Rusty Dragon. In his youth, Malcolm would always seek every opportunity to ply the wares of his parents at the inn so that he could catch a glimpse of the intriguing and beautiful Ameiko. As he grew older, he would frequent the establishment to see his heart's desire perform. He knew that the time would soon come when he would have to make his deepest thoughts and dreams known to Ameiko, but so many others had tried and failed. Malcolm only hoped that he would not be another such spurned suitor.
As he grew to adulthood, Malcolm was equally touched by a desire for something beyond the weapon training and environment that dominated his youth. His family had always worshiped Abadar, as did many merchants. He was singled out at worship by the head priest in Sandpoint due to his recognition of something extraordinarily devout about Malcolm. As a result, Abstalar Zantus took him under his wing for mentoring that expanded his theological approaches to life.
Malcolm was a quick study of the teachings of Abadar, and Abstalar saw in him the makings of a great warrior and enforcer of the law on behalf of the deity. The new temple would need protection, and Abstalar could think of no one better to serve as a Warrior of the Holy Light. The hopes of the protection of the faith in Sandpoint would rest partially upon the shoulders of the young Paladin. Malcolm had received the calling, and now can feel the deity at his shoulder as he takes on his role as a Warrior of Holy Light for Abadar. Malcolm is confident that his faith in Abadar will also guide him in his pursuit of the perfection that is Ameiko.
To summarize then, we are at:
Marduzi Lovarya, Human Cavalier.
Kelistra Drav, Human Bard.
Malcolm Cavendish, Human Paladin.
(Chainmail’s unnamed) Wizard or Warlock.
Ruhk, Human Ranger.
(David James Olsen unnamed) Wizard or Cleric.
(Merck unnamed, unspecified).
Given that, I am leaning toward Rommin Hawkridge, a humble elven militiaman. I would be taking fighter (archer) instead of ranger, leaving that role solely to Ruhk. I’ll work on developing the specifics on him.
So James, markofbane, Dax and Malcolm are all in.
Was that me? Just checking because at first I thought you were referring to someone else!
Worth pointing out that Ruhk is going for the Eldrich knight build, so he won't be THAT "rangery".
So James, markofbane, Dax and Malcolm are all in.
Was that me? Just checking because at first I thought you were referring to someone else!
Oops! Yes that's you, David. Reading-comprehension-fail-2012. Sorry!
Right, I'll be gone for the next 24 hours or so. On a boat.
Malcolm is complete and ready to go.
Worth pointing out that Ruhk is going for the Eldrich knight build, so he won't be THAT "rangery".
Thanks for the heads up. I'll take another look and perhaps go that way more strongly then.
With that line up, I'll go with the witch. He can add arcane support with some healing.
Also, who is everyone connected to? I'd rather have each of the NPC's have a connection than to have everyone knowing Koya.
Is an Aasimar cleric acceptable? I'm thinking a merciful healer cleric. Need to find the right deity with the healing domain.
Malcolm's connection is Ameiko, in the event that you have not read the background.
Also, who is everyone connected to? I'd rather have each of the NPC's have a connection than to have everyone knowing Koya.
To spell out the trait in case you haven't read my stat block. Kelistra has taken the "Younger Sibling: Sandru" campaign trait. She was adopted by Koya, but her emotional focus is on spending time with her uber cool big brother Sandru. This also leads to a slight(?) case of Ameiko envy just for fun.
It looks like Marduzi has taken Friend of the Family: Koya, and Ruhk and Malcom are crushing on Shalelu and Ameiko respectively. (Another Ameiko fanboy. What's she got that I don't. Other than exotic Tian beauty, that weird bit of blonde hair [bet she dies it], and curves I'd kill for...)
LOL! Ahhhhh...Ameiko...my heart is aflutter. Then again, after I am spurned like all others, maybe Kelistra can console me as I will need a shoulder to cry on?
Not bad coverage of the NPCs so far. Since Sandru, even though unrelated, might be too big brother for Kelistra, might not hurt to have a Sandru love interest. Course Kelistra might be going there anyway in which case any more love interests = rivalries. Really haven't decided where Marduzi is going to fall in all of that yet. I'm sure some other NPCs will pop up too.
Is an Aasimar cleric acceptable? I'm thinking a merciful healer cleric. Need to find the right deity with the healing domain.
I was considering that same class/archetype, but I am actually already playing it in another game and having a lot of fun with it. You may want to consider Milani or Irori. You can learn more about Golarian dieties with the healing domain here at the Pathfinder wikipedia.
Really haven't decided where Marduzi is going to fall in all of that yet. I'm sure some other NPCs will pop up too.
Oh, I think its pretty clear. Don't be coy; everyone's seen the looks Marduzi and Koya have been exchanging... ;)[/ooc]
I was considering that same class/archetype, but I am actually already playing it in another game and having a lot of fun with it. You may want to consider Milani or Irori. You can learn more about Golarian dieties with the healing domain here at the Pathfinder wikipedia.
From the player's guide suggestions Milani may be a good choice. Much to think about. (and need to start putting it together and get past the thinking)
LOL! Ahhhhh...Ameiko...my heart is aflutter. Then again, after I am spurned like all others, maybe Kelistra can console me as I will need a shoulder to cry on?
Are you saying I can't do any better than scrounging for Ameiko's discards?
Not bad coverage of the NPCs so far. Since Sandru, even though unrelated, might be too big brother for Kelistra, might not hurt to have a Sandru love interest. Course Kelistra might be going there anyway in which case any more love interests = rivalries. Really haven't decided where Marduzi is going to fall in all of that yet. I'm sure some other NPCs will pop up too.
As I understand it from the Player's Guide, we establish a friendship or rivalry rating for every major NPC when we meet them. The romance thing comes into play if we get our rating high enough with a specific NPC. Once a romance between a PC and an NPC is established, the NPC is "exclusive" to the PC for romance only.
With a party this large and only four starting NPCs we will have some overlap with the character trait links.
Are you saying I can't do any better than scrounging for Ameiko's discards?
No way...just that Malcolm would likely be interested in you if it were not for his infatuation with Ameiko. he obviously digs the Bard ladies. LOL!
Merck, you'll have to go back a page to see it, but you're in. Will is away a couple days and hoping everyone will have characters ready when he returns.
Merck just PMed me; thanks for the spot.
Do we have traps covered? With the ranger going to eldritch knight, is the bard on the hook for the traps? Thoughts right now are a human evoker. Thought of adding some Varisian tatoos for flavor (and of course +1 caster level).
Didn't realize I was on any hook, guess I'm trapped already. ;P I'll make some slight tweaks to the build to cover traps.
Edit: Changes made and posted to the profile. The Vagabond Child trait makes a little more sense than Starchild with the background as written anyways. Hadn't written the "revelation from Desna" into the story and I'm sure Kelistra would have been paying attention when Sandru told her about the clever ways he dealt with tricky devices.
Halvor Lumbar, merciful healer of Irori. Should be basically done
Took the rescued by Koya trait and blended in the birthmark trait with that. Going for the best healer possible. Has vowed to never use a weapon against any living creature other than his own body and spells.
Shalelu's adopted younger brother.
Wizard evoker (someone has to handle the swarms)
Background coming. Raised by gypsies at a young age and abandoned with the strange tattoos left by his human parents.
I may vow never to use a weapon against any creature too :-)
Not me! :-) Vowing to never use a weapon...pure cxraziness!
Yesterday when i was checking the builds it looked like we were missing a roguish type and some ranged dmg. After checking the thread today I am not so sure but...
...Here is my roguish Alchemist focused on ranged dmg. Still a work in progress.
Malcolm, you planning on going mounted when you can? May be some devastating chafes between him and Marduzi down the road.
Irathlynash - I'm going to be doing some double-takes on that avatar. I use the same one for a Kellid Oracle of Life in Carrion Crown.
Possibly or may do the sword bond instead. Definitely no spells for this guy. Warrior of the Holy Light special abilities replace spell use.
Irathlynash - I'm going to be doing some double-takes on that avatar. I use the same one for a Kellid Oracle of Life in Carrion Crown.
I just love the "green" quality of it. Looks like the guy drank absinthe, a lot of it.
I think the intimidation factor of our avatars alone is massive!
Kelistra reminds me of the youngest Brady with her pigtails. But I would think her friendly appearance is frightenening in that she has to be some badass to hang out with the rest of us.
Anybody know if Will is planning on using the Caravan rules from the Player's Guide, or is he hand-waving that?
Caravan rules haven't come up in discussion yet. Good question though.
Yesterday when i was checking the builds it looked like we were missing a roguish type and some ranged dmg. After checking the thread today I am not so sure but...
Since you're way better at disarming traps and stuff than Kelistra, I may work up another revision of skills and traits.
I just love the "green" quality of it. Looks like the guy drank absinthe, a lot of it.
Yeah, enough absinthe to bathe in. :D
I think the intimidation factor of our avatars alone is massive!
Kelistra reminds me of the youngest Brady with her pigtails. But I would think her friendly appearance is frightenening in that she has to be some badass to hang out with the rest of us.
At first glance the pigtails and girly face give a "cutesy" impression, but I love the slight smirk and raised eyebrow she has. It's like she's going to say, "You're trying to intimidate me? Seriously?"
I took rescued by Koya too.
I'm interested to see how the caravan rules work.
I took rescued by Koya too.
Looks like we'll have the healing side covered between us
Yeah. I suspect I won't be a powerhouse but will be able to help with healing and arcane casting.
Awesome! Looks like everyone is largely done. We have:
Ruhk the Dandy - human ranger
Marduzi Lovarya - human cavalier
Kelistra Dav - human bard
Jordan Andesano - human wizard
Malcolm Cavendish - human paladin
Halvor Lumbar - aasimar cleric
Romain Hawkridge - elf fighter
Azmythe - elf witch
Irlynash - elf alchemist
I've at least glanced through all the characters and I'm happy with everything I've seen. Nice to see some non-traditional builds :)
I haven't made a firm decision on the caravan sub-game yet. I'm minded to use it because I like strategy and options, but I have some conchs about whether it might bog down a pbp game by requiring endless discussion. I expect we will try it.
OK. Tomorrow we commence with the chaos!
OK, this was a totally unexpected development. Since Irlynash has stepped up to be our trap meister and does a better job at it than Kelistra, I deleted the skill point. I figured I'd catch Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive when she levels as they're important parts of the bard's social portfolio. I made a little spreadsheet (the curse of being an accountant IRL) to see which of those skills needed immediate attention. The result: Keli's taken a rank of Intimidate.
To repeat: "You're trying to intimidate me? Seriously?"
That also freed up a trait since Vagabond Child was taken to get Disable Device as a class skill. I looked for something to boost bard as party face and picked Charming. I am so glad I'm playing Kelistra PBP instead of face-to-face.
Yeah. I suspect I won't be a powerhouse but will be able to help with healing and arcane casting.
I will certainly be able to help as well, albeit in a minor amount, there with advancement of Lay on Hands.
This is especially for Will coming off of RPG Superstar, but some of the rest of you may be interested as well. The newest Open Design project has just been announced:
Midgard Tales
The work coming out of Open Design has been top-notch and one of the best parts of participating in the whole project is you get a chance to influence the design. At higher tiers of pledging, you also get a chance to get your own experience with game design. I've been a participant in the projects since Tales of the Old Margreve and just started getting my own design experience with Journeys to the West where I will have two monsters, one magic item, one NPC, and island, and an adventure in the final compilation.
Midgard Tales is pure adventures. Thirteen of them, set in Midgard, but undoubtedly many will be easily transferred to Golarion or the homebrew of your choice. The Kickstarter won't close until May 21, but some of the levels have limited backers, so if you're interested in writing an adventure, don't wait. I highly recommend it.
Halvor Lumbar - aasimar clericI've at least glanced through all the characters and I'm happy with everything I've seen. Nice to see some non-traditional builds :)
If you want to stick to core races I don't have an issue with going human
Won't be a very long read for this one Rommin :) A little time in town, strange beasts in the marsh, a snake and then the false warden.
We do have to decide who is going to wear that cloak of resistance.
Character sheet ready.
Nice stuff everyone!
Right, apologies first. I'm heading off on a hike tomorrow that leaves me without internet for two nights. After that I will be much more settled. Sorry to be away so close to the start, but no help for it. You'll just have to keep talking amongst yourselves :)