Deep within the lost city of Tsar, the evil sleeps. When it wakes, the world will never be the same again. Years ago, the army of Light set out to cleanse it. After mighty battles that gave rise to the Desolation, a land of death and madness that surrounds Tsar, the army of Orcus managed to escape towards the infamous Rappan Athuk. The army of Light set out in hot pursuit, leaving a trusted elite to take over Tsar. But those who entered the city were never seen again.
Now Tsar sits undisturbed, protected by the Desolation. And deep within Tsar, something is stirring. Who will be strong enough to fight evil in its own lair?
You were all born lowest of the low. All could see your disgrace as your blood corrupted by one of your ancestors left visible traces on your body. But your soul was your own and you’ve struggled against all odds to keep it pure. You’ve fought the voices both in your head and outside, urging you to embrace the dark and to join Orcus armies and you’ve succeeded.
In the last month you’ve been plagued by dreams. Dreams of a dark city looming in the horizon. Dreams of a dark cloud of evilness seeping from it to conquer the world. And the voice, hoarse and deep, challenged you to stop it. Was it a true mission or another plot to lure you? The dreams turned more precise, directing you towards the shoulder of a small hill, north of Bard’s Gate and just one day south of the hovel called the Camp. The sun is setting as you eventually reach it and a fire has already been set up…
But who are you to meet such a challenge?
To make up for a mix of missed PbPs and to make use of the big beast of a book I’ve just brought, I’m planning to run a Slumbering Tsar PbP. For those not aware of the campaign, this is a Greg Vaughan massive campaign with a long and tortuous publishing history. It is now out and published by Frog God Games. The campaign info will be put on the campaign page as well as the recruitment requirements.
The campaign will be run as written with a few minor modifications. However, as it is highly lethal and to make it more fun, I will run it with specific character creation rules. It is planned to bring up characters from level 7 to past level 20. With the rhythm of PBP campaigns, I do not expect to finish it but only to have fun running. Now let’s go back to the basics.
All the characters are 25 pts point based 7 level Tieflings with rare heritages.
Please take time to look at the alternate Tiefling heritages on the OGL databases where you will get all the info on the spell ability replacement and the bonus skills. To be clear, the Tiefling Racial Skill Bonuses will be replaced by the alternate skill bonus, the tiefling Spell-Like Ability (darkness 1/day) will be replaced by the Alternate Spell-Like Ability.
As a bonus, you can make two rolls on the Variant Tiefling Abilities table and select a single bonus ability.
All the characters must have a good alignment.
Class wise, all the standard classes/archetypes are allowed (PFRPG core, APG, UM and UC). However, there are no firearms so no gunslingers/gunbased characters and no oriental classes (no samurai or ninja).
Each character can have two traits from any Paizo source.
No 3PP race, class, feat or trait. Do not bother to ask.
Remember this game is lethal, so build your characters appropriately.
One more point, to select the characters, I’m expecting to see a post under the player alias (not the character) with basic info on the build: Race, Class, Archetype, Alignment, Stats, main Feats/Domains/Style of fight/interaction skills, and anything that will determine the character role in an encounter. Do not bother with skill levels/equipment yet. I’m also expecting a description and a background describing the motivations of the character to answer the dream call (see the campaign page for the campaign background).
The selection will be made along two axes: my interest in seeing the character into the Tsar Saga (based on background) and the necessity to have a functioning team. I’ll be looking for 5 characters and will end the selection on the 6th of July (12 PM, GMT time) and announce the results the 8th to let people finish their characters and start at the beginning of the following week or earlier if possible.
I’m obviously looking for committed players but, as I will not post from work, I’m not expecting more than a post a day during week days.
One last thing, I’m not a native English speaker even if I’m almost fluent with it. So I hope you’ll forgive my mistakes.
Any other questions, please ask. But please first go and read the informations on the campaign page.
Would you allow the Hell Knight PrC? Thought it be cool to be a devil spawn Tiefling, that focused on the lawful side of his devil blood.
Dotting for interest.
Thinking...
So either Demodand or Rakshasa, am I understanding right? I'm not sure whether I should also roll the d100, but in case:
You can manipulate any armor, gauntlets, or shield you wield, causing them to grow spikes. These spikes last only as long as you wear your armor. instead of the spell-like ability?
Dotting for interest. Do we need to know much about this world (because I don't)? Related to that question, can we just make up city/country names, or just keep things generic?
EDIT: Oh, do you allow options from the Advanced Race Guide?
Can we use the Alternate Racial Traits from the Advanced Race Guide?
Would you allow the Hell Knight PrC? Thought it be cool to be a devil spawn Tiefling, that focused on the lawful side of his devil blood.
It looks fine to me. You'll have to tie the Hellknight order to the world and maybe find them a new name. That's extra background work but I have nothing against the mechanism of the class of the feel.
Dotting for interest.
1d10
1d100
1d100
@psychicmachinery and misroi
I may not have been clear enough in my post: You do not need to roll for the tiefling racial heritage: you can chose one. You get the linked SLA and skill bonus instead of Darkness and +2 stealth and . And then as a bonus, you roll for an additional ability twice and chose one.
Alright will go work on all for.
Dotting for interest. Do we need to know much about this world (because I don't)? Related to that question, can we just make up city/country names, or just keep things generic?
EDIT: Oh, do you allow options from the Advanced Race Guide?
No, nothing from the ARG. I don't have it yet. For the world building apart for the names in the introduction, and the links to the gods in the campain background page, you're free to add anything. Make up countries and names as you will.
1d100
1d100
I'll go with the ventriloquism.
Just so we're clear, the vanilla tiefling is not an allowed PC race?
I will make an attempt too. Although surprised to see a good-only alignment requirement for an all-tiefling party.
Thinking about a Rakshasa-spawn summoner. Rolling for the bonus ability:
2d100
Going to pick 72.A question - since the campaign is higly lethal, are you going to allow re-rolling characters, or will you be recruiting alternate players?
The all good option is the reason why the characters have been brought together. If they have resited to their blood calling till now, there is a chance to do it. The out of game reason is that there are multiple occasions in this campaign for characters to fail and as it is a sandbox and a PbP, I want to have a very strong party unity from scratch.
You'll be allowed to come with new characters if you want.
Just so we're clear, the vanilla tiefling is not an allowed PC race?
Nope. I know this goes quite well with rogues or wizards, but I like the rare heritage feel and there are good alternatives.
Here is my rolls:
Heritage
Variant
dice]1d100[/dice]
I submit Titus Vect
Will take the roll of 9 for a +2 charisma
Titus will be a Paladin 5/Vivisectionist Alchemist 2
Titus will probably take a level of rogue so he can find and disable traps and get the second d6 of sneak attack, but then will remain in paladin.
Titus is a Demon Spawn (Pitborn) +2str,+2cha,-2int
Alignment is LG Favored Class Paladin
that ability on herself.
Stats
Str:18 (16+2racial)
Dex:12
Con:12
Int:13(15-2racial)
Wis:7
Cha:20(15+4racial+1level)
Discovery Feral Mutagen
Feats: Fey Foundling, [spoiler=Armor of the Pit]Advanced Race Guide Your fiendish traits take the form of a protective scaly skin.
Prerequisite: Tiefling.
Benefit: You gain a +2 natural armor bonus.
Special: If you have the scaled skin racial trait, you instead
gain resistance 5 to two of the following energy types that you
don’t have resistance to already: cold, electricity, and fire.
Skills: Perception, Acrobatics, Disable Device, Use Magic Device, craft alchemy, Diplomacy.[/spoiler]
Titus grew as the other children. He would run and play, but one day his demon heritage started to show. This did not go over well at all. His long time friends now scared and forbidden to play. The friendly neighbors and merchants now shun both he and his parents. Titus's only refuge came in prayer. He learned to not ask why he was like this, but to ask that he have the strength to stay pure and to help those that now turn on him, for they need help the most. Through strength of prayer Titus soon found himself with holy powers and the call to fight the evil in the world. Though as he got older his demon side came out even more. Titus grew to be somewhat monstrous, an appearance he learned to hide with heavy armor.
Titus made a trusted friend in his travels. A crazy old hermit. The man dabble in science and with his instruction Titus learned a way to tap into his demonic heritage with a formula. Now plagued with recent dreams of the coming evil, Titus knows his purpose is to travel and stop this. He packs up and heads out for yet another adventure.
I found the reference here http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/fiendish-heritage
Is there a better place to look for some better material on the Heritage.
.... +2 Wis is awsome
Hey, Llaelian, it's great seeing you run the game. I will apply with Pitborn - probably a combat-oriented bard or a paladin perhaps. Here are my rolls:
1d100
1d100
Nightflier, I knew I would catch your eyes with that. You're more than welcome to apply.
This reference: Tiefling shows the different skills and spell-like abilities.
+2 CHA for me. Hmmm, options...
I submit Titus Vect
** spoiler omitted **Stats
Str:18 (16+2racial)
Dex:12
Con:12
Int:13(15-2racial)
Wis:7
Cha:20(15+4racial+1level)Discovery Feral Mutagen
Feats: Fey Foundling, ** spoiler omitted **, Power Attack, Boon Companion
Skills: Perception, Acrobatics, Disable Device, Use Magic Device, craft alchemy, Diplomacy.[/spoiler]
** spoiler omitted **...
I've registered your application. Thanks for applying. Just one comment, please do not use feats from the ARG. One other question, how do you reconciliate your paladin and vivisectionist classes?
For ease of reference, I'm going to put the list of completed applications in the campaign page.
I'll make either a grimspawn wizard (white necromancer, diviner or conjurer) or a shackleborn seer oracle of heavens (mainly healing and divinations)
Hmmm. Do you have Blood of Fiends? And if so, can we use options from that?
Hmmm. Do you have Blood of Fiends? And if so, can we use options from that?
Yes I do and yes you can :-)
I will probably submit a straight cleric. Is good a must or can we be neutral.
Consider me intrigued, som sort of druid to follow.
One other question, how do you reconciliate your paladin and vivisectionist classes?
Are you asking how he deals with the internal struggle of the beast coming out? He uses the science to focus his demonic rage to combat the evil he spawned from. He uses the strength of his demon side as a means to help. I guess more of an anti hero type like Blade.
OK I can replace the feat with weapon focus claw, are you ok with the favored class option from ARG or no?
I will probably submit a straight cleric. Is good a must or can we be neutral.
Good is a must.
OK I can replace the feat with weapon focus claw, are you ok with the favored class option from ARG or no?
As I said before, nothing from the ARG, please. I understand it limits the favored class options, but I don't have the book.
One other question, how do you reconciliate your paladin and vivisectionist classes?Are you asking how he deals with the internal struggle of the beast coming out? He uses the science to focus his demonic rage to combat the evil he spawned from. He uses the strength of his demon side as a means to help. I guess more of an anti hero type like Blade.
Ok, that's clear for me. Thanks.
If I choose a Sorcerer, is it OK if the Sorcerer bloodline and the Tiefling heritage don't necessarily match (e.g. Daemon bloodline, Div heritage)?
If I choose a Sorcerer, is it OK if the Sorcerer bloodline and the Tiefling heritage don't necessarily match (e.g. Daemon bloodline, Div heritage)?
You can, but if you do, you won't get the +2 cha bonus included in the fiendish sorcery.
You can, but if you do, you won't get the +2 cha bonus included in the fiendish sorcery.
I was under the impression fiendish sorcery only worked with the Abyssal or Infernal bloodlines. Is that what you are referring to, or are you saying it linked more via heritage then (e.g. Daemon heritage with Daemon bloodline, Div heritage with... Genie(?) bloodlines, Kyton heritage with Shadow (?) bloodline, etc.)?
EDIT: Sorry for all the questions. Just want to get this right.
I am definitely intrigued, and will ruminate before landing on a final choice.
Variant Ability Rolls:
- Once per day as a standard action, you may suppress your unusual tiefling physical features for a number of minutes equal to your Con modifier, thus appearing human.
- You gain an additional +2 racial bonus to your Wisdom score.
Hmm - I'm thinking either Qlippoth or Div spawn at present.
Balasiel Valo.
Balasiel had a very rough childhood. He parents were follower of Set, the God of Evil. He was forced from an early age to watch the rituals that were performed because he was born a Tiefling, which many in the sect saw as a blessing from Set. They wished to make him the leader of the cult when he had grown old enough. Balasiel's life would of went down a darker road if not for followers of Muir that saved him from this horror.
When he was four years of age Paladins of Muir attacked his the sect his family was part of. They killed all of the members until they got to Balasiel. The leader of the Paladins could not slay a child even one tainted with devil's blood, so he decided to take the boy to a Temple of Muir to see what should be done with the child. At the Temple a Priest of Muir told the Paladin leader that he should raise the child so he may over come his dark blood. Seeing this as a blessing from Muir the leader took the child to his wife.
The Paladin leader known as Neso. He had been married for many years but was not able to have children. Taking Balasiel was to allow him a child of his own. His wife listened to his story as she looked at Balasiel, at the end she started to cry for both the chance to have a child as well as what the poor boy had to go through. They named him Balasiel, and with that Balasiel became their child. They raised him with a strong belief in Muir, changing his out look as well as how he treated things. Along side this his new father taught him, swordsmanship as well as to ride.
This went on for many years until Balasiel joined the church of Muir but along fighting evil he focused his energy into stopping those who went against the law. No matter what though he could not call on the divine power of Muir. Seeing this Neso, knew his son could not become a Paladin as he had done but he had heard of a group that fought against chaotic forces as well as evil forces similar to how Balasiel felt with this Balasiel could still serve Muir well. They were known as the Knights of Order. There was sub sects of this order and one he knew of followed the teachings of both Thyr, and Muir. Balasiel and Neso both set off to find the order, after a long journey they found the Sect they were looking for who called themselves The Faithful. After speaking with the leader Balasiel was able to take the test to join the order. The test was to best a demon in combat. Balasiel followed an expedition who were after demon worships and there he slew a demon proving his worth. Allowing him to join the Faithful.
It was some years after he had joined the Knights of Order, when he started to have odd dreams of a city. Knowing that evil could not be allowed to take over the world as well as throw it into chaos he set off with his Justice to the city he saw in his dream.
Class: Cavalier/Knights of Order(Hell Knight)
I am using the Standard Bearer archetype for Cavalier.
Race: Devil Spawn +2 con, +2 wis, -2 cha. The extra racial ability I took was +2 to perception checks.
Stats:
Str: 17 (16 base + 1 level adjustment)
Dex: 14 (14 base)
Con: 14 (12 base + 2 racial)
Int: 10 (10 base)
Wis: 10 (8 base + 2 racial)
Cha: 14 (16 base - 2 racial)
Feats:
Power Attack
Iron Will
Weapon Focus(Falchion)
Toughness
Combat:
Balasiel will try to defend his allies by forcing the enemy to attack him. He will also try to buff his allies in combat so they will be better protected. He will have skills to get to the truth of things as well being able to talk his way out of things instead of just fighting.
I changed their name to Knights of Order. I also changed the slay a devil to slay a demon because I felt that made more sense. The Order I am going with his based off of the God Claw, so they follow both Muir and Thyr. I also changed them a bit so they fight evil as well as chaos.
Feel free to ask questions.
|
Okay, after an hour of rummaging through my books, I've decided on going with vanilla Paladin. I realize that a lot of people will propose the Paladin as their character choice, but what the heck.
But, I do have some questions:
1) What are your thoughts on Leadership feat?
2) What about the gods of the setting? Thyr and Muir are options, I suppose. If I remember correctly, the priesthood of Thyr uses hammers and those of Muir bastard swords, right? Is it perhaps possible to replace Muir with Iomedae or to somehow combine the two? Purely from practical standpoint, there is a lot more stuff for Iomedae and there will be even more when the Knights of Inner Sea are published.
Ohh. This mighty tome sits on my shelf. Don't have any plans on running it, but as a collector it was a must have. Now just waiting on my Rappan Athack book to complete the old "Necromancer Games" collection :-).
I'm thinking about a Rogue of some sort. ON the road right now, but HeroLab should be able to help me with the concept.
I'm fairly settled on a Qlippoth spawn Druid (Ape Shaman) with a Baboon companion. Will throw it up when I've got all the details together.
I shouldn't...
Qlippoth-Spawn Fighter (Two Handed Fighter) wielding Scythe
+2 Str, +2 Wis, –2 Int
Class Skills Escape Artist, Survival
SLA blur
You are invisible to all unintelligent undead. This is a supernatural ability.
Once per day, you can use inflict light wounds as a spell-like ability.
Feats: Power Attack (1), Cleave(F1), Furious Focus(F2), Weapon Focus (Scythe)(3), Weapon Specialization (F4), Combat Expertise (5), Vital Strike (F6), Felling Smash (7)
Traits: Killer (Combat) Weapon Bonus to Criticals,
Prolong Magic (Race) SLA is extended
Ability: Invisible to Undead
In Combat:Will focus on hitting hard, and tripping. Will use single attacks when he can (Power Attack, Overhand, Furious Focus, Vital Strike with Felling Smash)
Background: All his life he was bullied, picked on, and feared. All he wanted to do was be normal, but he wasn't. Born strong he joined the military and learned to fight, hoping to do enough good to be accepted. He was never accepted so struck out on his own. While trained in many weapons, he took to the scythe as a natural and continues to use it. He heads to the hill hoping to prove himself once again and hopefully be accepted