Journey to the East - Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master Severed Ronin

Character Submissions: I don’t mind players building mechanically sound characters. In a number/rules heavy game like Pathfinder, it just comes with the territory. However, I am one of those fellas that espouses Quality over Quantity; Fluff over Crunch; Role-playing over Roll-playing. As such, characters that strike me as painstakingly min/maxed will likely get passed over during the application process. I’ve found a good rule of thumb is to come up with a personality concept before deciding on the mechanics, though I will not presume to sit in judgment of whatever creation methods works for others. Just get me something that’s fun to play and fun to watch being played. If the most your character brings to the table is high damage yields, I’m not interested.

Posting Frequency: One post every 48 hours or so is plenty for me. Assuming an agreed-upon penchant for longer posts in general, I’m perfectly fine with actions dragging on a little longer than in other threads. So long as momentum is maintained, I will be content. If action begins to stall, I’ll simply wave my authoritative wand and get things a’scootin’ further. Just give a heads up for any prolonged absences, and I’ll try to let the pace of the game dictate itself (different strokes for different folks and all that). If the honor system doesn’t work out well, I’ll draw a harder line in the near future.

Writing Style: I would prefer well thought out and longer posts as often as possible. Terse posts are not necessarily a bad thing, though I would like to see thought processes and as many descriptive words as possible when players post. I do not have a ton of interest in posting styles that fall squarely in the realm of ‘perfunctory’.

Starting Level: 1st

Alignment: Any non-evil; I am willing to adjust requirements for those seeking to take feats, classes, etc. that require the prerequisite of an evil alignment (for example, Red Mantis Assassin) providing it does not drastically change the game.

HP: Max for 1st level; after that, you can either roll upon leveling up or take the average. This is a decision you will be locked into upon character creation (and will be applied to each level thereafter, so consider well your choice)

Classes: Any Paizo products. No third-party or custom stuff please. Balanced party recommended.

Firearms: While Varisia is far from Alkenstar, I will provide some options for you if your concept falls within this category. In general, guns are considered Emerging.

Drawbacks: I will be allowing Drawbacks.

Retraining: Allowed.

Submitting a Character:
Create a profile/alias and include relevant information and mechanics inside. I’m going to be asking that character submissions follow the bestiary stat block format for ease of use. If you utilize a character generator like PCGen or HeroLab, you can post the stat block available from said programs. As long as it’s not a nightmare to read and the information is all there, I’ll be content.

Be sure to include the following in your profile, preferably at the bottom and in spoilers:

1. Description
2. Personality
3. Background

And now, onto the extras—

(The Basic Package)
Abilities: 20-Point Buy OR Roll 4d6 six times, drop the lowest down-the-line (no placing).
Starting Wealth: Average wealth OR roll for starting wealth.
Races: Core only
Alignment: Any non-evil
Traits: 2 (one must be a Jade Regent campaign trait)

(The Bonus Package)
The Bonus Package is for those willing to go that extra mile when it comes to creating a character. A variety of benefits will be available to those who put more effort into their character's concept such as personality, description, and background among other things. This package is an all-or-nothing package. In order to utilize it and thus win the benefits, you need to fill out all of the information listed. Otherwise, please refer to the Basic Package.

To drastically change your guise (Pick any Pathfinder Society sanctioned race [this includes racial boons; Goblin not allowed as it conflicts with the area]): Explain your heritage, forebears, and why someone of your kind is tolerated. Convince me. Varisia, for the most part, has a higher tolerance for the less savory races than others, but you’ll need to anchor your character to the region accordingly to buy into those graces.

To qualify for superior training (25-Point Buy OR Roll 4d6 seven times, dropping the lowest and placing where you will): Delve further into your character’s origins and backstory; explain where you received your training or what has influenced your character in such a way to stand above and apart from the typical adventurer.

To earn higher grade gear and belongings (Maximum starting wealth): Expand upon your character’s Personality section—I’m looking for descriptors with explanations (Example: Hard-Working; Emileah was born to a family of laborers, and knows what it means to put in a hard day’s work).

For a reward above and beyond what is provided above (???): Write a story or compose a ballad about your character. This story or song can be about their past, their present, or their future. It can be exaggerated or factual. This is your chance to jump off the rails and strut your stuff—rewards will be proportional to the quality (not quantity) and vary greatly.
[/spoilers]

[spoilers=House Rules]

I will be utilizing/allowing several additional systems created by Paizo, many of which are outlined in Ultimate Campaign. While most of these items contain information that you as players will not always be privy to, I wanted to inform you that these systems will likely present themselves throughout the campaign. A couple of these (Caravan and Relationships) are directly listed in Jade Regent as systems built into the Adventure Path. As such, I will list these systems first and expand upon it as needed.

Caravan: Early in the adventure, you will gain access to a caravan which will grow and expand with you on your journey. Details about how this will work are outlined in the Player's Guide for Jade Regent. We'll discuss this system further when the time comes.

Relationships: No villain ever seems to understand that when he threatens a hero's family, things go south for him. After all, nothing gives the beleaguered champion one last surge of strength like the sight of a loved one in peril. Relationships are the cornerstone of all that heroes are and can be and will play a significant role as you travel with fellow members of your caravan.

Backgrounds: If you wish to utilize the Background Generator (Page 16, Ultimate Campaign) for your character, you are welcome to do so, but you will not receive any of the benefits of the Bonus Package for doing so. Refer instead to the Basic Package.

Story Feats: These will be allowed if your character meets the prerequisites. Meeting the prerequisites can be done either throughout the Adventure Path or by having it as part of your background. If chosen as part of Background Generation, see 'Backgrounds' above for certain limitations.

Downtime: The use of the Downtime system will be situational, but certain aspects of the campaign may see its utilization as a necessity.

Companions, Contacts, and Cohorts: As you travel throughout the Inner Sea, you may come across certain NPCs with whom a prolonged relationship could prove beneficial.

Honor, Prestige, and Reputation (and other similar systems): Your character is unlikely to remain Adventurer Snuffy for long. You and your party's actions will affect the world around you. Whether that effect is a boon or a bane for you remains to be seen. Will you be famous or infamous?

Investment: That 'Dungeon Dash' game those retired adventurers came up with is going to be the sport of the future! Investing your money can be a good or a bad idea sometimes as the market for certain products is always in flux. This system, like downtime, will be utilized situationally. It could be a failed year for the sport or this could be the year that 'Dungeon Dash' shines! ('Dungeon Dash' is used merely as an example.)

Crafting: While crafting will be allowed, please remember that one must have enough time put into the cation to successfully craft. I am also a fan of Talismanic Components and for those looking to craft (or have something crafted), you can expect to see these new crafting tidbits in the game.

Hero Points: We will be utilizing Hero Points as outlined in the Advanced Player's Guide. If a player elects instead to not to use Hero Points, they will be granted an extra feat at character creation as outlined under 'Antiheroes' in the same sourcebook.

The day was great save one thing: the goblins. The crazy little things seemed to have gone even more off the wall recently, and Arias has been tracking the few that sneak off as best he could to figure out why.

His blonde hair stuck to his face, blood lightly sprayed upon his legs and boots. The blasted little thing had leapt out from a copse of trees, and Arias had just moments to react. His Elven Curve Blade, Ansravel, practically leapt into his hands, and in one fluid motion the goblin no longer threatened him. Even in death, though, it never lost that sadistic smile.

"Something has them riled up. But what is it?"

He slowly resheathed Ansravel, kneeling to close the goblins eyes.

"Have to find out. If it's something big, the whole region could be in danger." Memories of the goblin attack on Sandpoint just a few years earlier came forth. Those songs, so happy as they slaughtered and set fire to everything.

BOOM.

Arias' eyes shot to the west. A strange multi-hued cloud of smoke slowly began dissapating.

"What the..."

A hissing noise slowly began to fill his ears. What was it? A snake? No, he'd heard this sort of hiss before, but how the goblins had gotten...

He dove to his left as a firework rocket shot past. His eyes followed the smoke trail to find two sneering and laughing goblins, their dogchoppers already being raised.

The elf leapt to his feet just as one of the foul little beast got to him. Nearly falling to his feet once more, he pulled a dagger from his belt to parry the goblins thrust. From the corner of his eyes he saw the second one working it way past him.

'Trying to flank me Have to end this quick.'

The goblin before him swung wildly, his body spinning as the weight of his weapon pulled his body far to it's left. Easily sidestepping the goblins arcing swing, Arias sank his dagger deep into the goblins side. A horrible gurgle mixed with a laugh of disbelief left the wretched thing, as it crumpled to the ground.

"You killed Eartwist! Me kill you, longshanks!" The second goblin leapt forward, anger filling it's eyes. Arias spun, grabbing the still dying goblin by the scruff of the neck and putting him in the way. The second dogslicer bit deep into the green flesh, and the second goblin's eyes filled with confusion as to why his friend had gotten in the way.

Arias left him no time to continue it's contemplation, as he kicked forward, his foot catching the now definitely dead goblin in the back and forcing the other to ground. Using the moment to finally draw his blade, he whispered a quick prayer of thanks to Desna, and let Ansravel's tip sink deep into the chest of the final goblin, a yelp of pain and fear leaving it.

Breathing heavily as the rush of battle began to fade, Arias bends down. The first goblin had something on it's back. And it looked important.

~~~

"Fireworks?" Sheriff Belor looked at the small rocket with near disbelief. "Now where did they get these?"

Arias, still covered in mud, blood and sweat, shook his head.

"I'm afraid, good sheriff, that I don't know. Maybe a caravan from Magnimar they attacked, or maybe some crazy alchemist in or near the swamp was making them. I wouldn't put to much faith in them making them themselves, though they are clever little thing."

"Clever?" Belor looked at the elf with a cocked eyebrow.

"Clever, yes. Intelligent? Not so much. Give them some metal and leather and you're giving them a new weapon. But show them some tubes, string and powder, and they probably will eat the powder, gnaw on the tubes and put the string through a hole in their ear and call it fashion."

Belor let out a deep laugh, but nodded his head.

"If they have fireworks, I agree, they are a lot more dangerous."

"I wouldn't say that, good sheriff." Arias turned towards the door.

"And why not?"

"Because, all it makes them is more reckless. And a reckless one is easily dispatched. Now if you excuse me, I need to find some people..."

Of course, that was long ago and now his friend had been interned in the earth, in a pretty spot. Mukluk offers kind words of remembrance on her grave. He was too late to attend the funeral.

"Ah Niska, I am too late to see your last walk, wasn't I dear. I'll miss you, Lass," Mukluk says as a tear runs down his cheek into his golden beard. "It was you who taught me the way of the open road, and the beauty of this land. I owe you still. I'm sorry to see you gone and hope the Lady Pharasma finds you to poppy fields of Nirvana. You deserve nothing less."

Mukluk slumps to his knees, his head bowed in silent remembrance.

"You taught me what I already knew, didn't you? That the road is the only place for me. You've always had a gift for seeing the obvious that others couldn't see. So yeah...it's been what, 20, 25 years? And I'm still a rambling rock. You showed me...you got me out of the clan and got my feet moving. And I'll never forget that gift, Old Niska. Never."

Mukluk pauses to unstrap the buckler on his left arm, allowing him more freedom and implicit permission to relax.

"Have I told you where I've been? The answer is pretty much everywhere on this side of the world. I spent a few years in Absalom, too. And Korvosa, near the Mages Academy. Other than that, been up in the mountains and down to deserts. Did you know that there are a lot of elf tribes in the woods of Nirmathas? Sheesh...they ran me out pretty quickly, I tells yeah. Hawhawhaw. Reminds me of that time we caravan'd into the Shoanti wastes. I don't know how we got out alive, but I remember."

Mukluk sits in silence for a moment and looks around the graveyard.

"So this is where they buried you, huh? You chose to stay here, in Sandpoint, huh? Not such a bad place. It's pretty, no doubt. And that lighthouse is old. Older than your bones, old woman," Mukluk teases with a smile. "I can see this place being quiet...and maybe a nice place for your daughter, Koya. I'll go speak with her on the morrow. I made you a promise, Old Woman, and I'll go check to be sure that Koya isn't going anyplace...then I'll be rambling on. Ain't nothing for me here, is there?"

Mukluk rises to his feet and adjusts his leather armor. He checks to make sure his heavy pick hasn't fallen out of his belt (like it sometimes does) and that his buckler is stowed before walking out of the cemetery.