Lords of Taldor: Reviving the Empire

Game Master Divinitus

Or, I should read the fine print, and work it up 2 steps/size increase. 4d8 or 4d6. Well then. Thank you again Lessah!

Np =)

@Roonfizzle Garnackle: I am fine with Craft Crystalline Focus. I am equally fine with PC cohorts crafting magic items. I will allow downtime crafting, should PCs wish to spend parts of their downtime crafting items personally. It also does not bother me if PCs have crafted items for each other at some point, so long as they can explain when it was and such.

I know it's a lot to read through but any feed back on what I have so far for Franz? And anything you feel is missing or want more clarification of?

Also, would you rather me keep breaking down his background or would you want a full story biography?,

Combining magic items is core.you take the highest price at 1.5 and add it to the lower price

The guidelines allow this, "at GM discretion," and suggest only allowing players to do it for a few items, with the reason of "don't get too crazy with it, limited slots exist for a reason."

My personal feelings on item crafting is that it could be nice, being surprisingly wealth-starved at this level (since there's some essential but expensive items, like a Phylactery of Channeling and Horsemaster's Saddle), but I figure any wealth the party gains on the roads to higher levels might be crafted by somebody's cohort, which would dwarf whatever we're starting with.

The above is true, while my cohort was intended to be a mostly non-combatant whether or not he was allowed to craft, its just a bonus for me. Only reason I took leadership was for story/rp purposes :3. Then wham. I'm giving a treat by the gm haha

As for mixing, I've always allowed it with one guideline. No item can go over a combined CL of 20. (Adding base levels together)

@Karl: Holy Jeebus that's a long bit of background! I am liking what I see thus far. Feel free to expand on it to whatever extent you desire!

@thunderbeard: I have absolutely no problem with combining magic items, using the pre-established guidelines for doing so. Limited slots DO exist for a reason, but if PCs are willing to hemorrhage that much gold into double items, I see no reason why not to allow it.

I think I'll back off on his strength and work on rounding him out with a shortcoming or two to give him a little more believability and character.

Wow, so last time I checked, there were a little over 50 posts...

So, just a quick clarification: we can craft items for our characters to use as starting gear, right? Or do you want us to only craft items once the campaign begins?

Ooooh, I didn't think of that!

Tossing Velius in here as my application.

I'll probably do a few editing passes and tightening up the story as I have more time.

I'm missing a trait at the moment...looking to see what campaign traits we may have!

I probably would have asked about crafting items earlier if Magi weren't so feat heavy already. And, you know, have so few spells that are actually useful for crafting :-P

You know, you don't actually have to know the spell to craft it. You can just hire somebody else to cast it for you.

So, in case anyone's still working on their characters: I don't believe we've had any proposals with trap-finding yet (though this could be solved easily with a trait or 1-level dip, and may not be important in a grand campaign). There also seem to be fewer characters based on wisdom than any other ability. The lack of spell support doesn't seem to be a huge problem, as several of the proposed characters have access to some sort of group healing, and many of the martials use classes/archetypes that boost everyone.

For people still working on characters, here's what I've seen so far (I leave it to the DM to decide if this is helpful or not):

Arcane Casters:
-Alynthar the Unchained (Alynthar12), Tiefling Wizard (Necromancer, CG? of clouded morality, knowledge skills)
-Belain Felaris (Cap'n Crunch), Human Sorcerer (Imperious)/Evangelist of Iomedae (LG, religiously driven, seems focused on buffs and dazing spell support, social skills)
-Enothai Lantherion, Elf Wizard (Enchanter, CN, seems focused on charm and attack magic, knowledge skills)

Martial/Damage-Focused:
-Eldeor Thornfist (JohntheVast), Elven Barbarian (Superstitious) (CG, dexterity-focused, leadership, survival skills)
-Gaius Coranatus (Phylotus), Sylph Magus (CG, melee striker, buffs and battlefield control spells, knowledge and mobility skills)
-Velius Kross (LordLuke), Human Monk (LN, zen archer, fights equally well at melee range, mobility/stealth/perception skills)

Path of War (Martial+Tactical Support):
-Karl "The Dragon" Franz (rorek55), Half-Elf Warlord/Dragon Fury (CG, throws down various morale bonuses, leadership->crafter cohort)
-Meredith Mulberry (Angelpalm), Elan Warder/Cryptic (NG, dex-focused, some cool-named powers that I don't understand)

Martial+Healing/Buffs:
-Sir Darren Carter (thunderbeard), Human Cavalier/Cleric (CG, religiously driven, teamwork feats and boosted channeling, social, disguise and perception skills, lyre of building)
-Scipio Arnisant (drbuzzard), Human Fighter/Mighty Godling (alignment unclear, various debuffs, full channeling, knowledge/social/perception skills)
-Esterh Pennycoat (Algar Lysandris), Aasimar Fighter/Oracle (Wood) (social skills and stealth, spells/alignment unclear)

Interested, no crunch:
-Bane88 (Inquisitor of Iomedae)
-Divinitus (Warlord)
-Lessah (Myrmidarch)
-Michael Riter (Veiled Illusionist)
-Tirion Jörðhár (Mammoth Rider)
-CommandoDude (Cavalier)
-Roonfizzle Garnackle (Ulfen Guard/Psychic Warrior who gets real big)
-William Nightmoon (Necromancer)
-Dragonflyer1234 (Dwarven Warpriest)

@Alynthar42 true. The question comes up because Karl's built with this idea in mind. In theory, we could each take Leadership (and each have a cohort craft-o-matic.) If we can start with crafted items, then anyone not taking this option is going to be horribly underpowered. I built under the assumption that we can't start with crafted items, though I know a few people built under the assumption that this was allowed. I don't want change my character if those people assumed wrong, but I also wouldn't want to go into this with effectively half wealth...

@thunderbeard's comment, the leadership feat is from changes I started to make in order to receive crafted items, and is dependent on this being allowed.

Oh, guess I forgot to put in alignment- LN. Like his dad.

@Elddeor—he mentioned it was fine (within reason, at least) when another character asked.

@drbuzzard—right, forgot the whole "Son of" thing. We've then got proposed characters driven by three very different strong faiths (Holy warrior of Cayden, Evangelist of Iomedae, Guy-who-claims-to-be-a-legit-god)

to be fair the cohort item crafter was a surprise boon :3 He was originally there for fluff purposes and some spells in combat. As well to RP the voice of reason to Franz's more outrageous...gambits.

Also,Franz was meant to be NG.

Thunderbeard: Thank you. I sat down to do that a few hours back, before going to work on dinner, and my list has far less on it than yours. (Though I think we're over 26 people interested at this stage)

For clarity, my plan was Aegis/Ulfen Guard, not Psychic Warrior, but in the long run, that's pretty much the basis. If I pick up leadership, I'm leaning towards a Vitalist (Wisdom/healing), and at most 1-2 craft feats. My crunch is at the napkin math stage, but for AL, I'm definitely thinking LN, and open to coordinating backgrounds if anyone else wants to tie in based on the story I left on page 2.

And with that, I'm off to sleep.

Really? So I can craft my items? Like, all of them?

@Alynthar42: that's just what I'm asking. It's clear that we can craft items once we get into the campaign. What's less clear is if we can have all of our starting wealth put into crafting. It's fairly normal to allow crafting, but crafting before the game begins is unusual from what I've seen.

@thunderbeard: sorry, but I can't find the post that explicitly allows crafting before the campaign begins.

I am aware I can hire other people, but I would think that generally would put it at about the same price as it usually is (cause I assume we generally buy them from crafters anyway)

How many players are you looking for?

@ Gaius: Except that you don't hire cohorts to my knowledge. The question remains: can your cohort craft an item (or in fact, most of your gear) before you even begin the game?

@Thunderbeard my character is very much a trap finder. And I actually get trap making. Not to mention that I can use MY MIND to disable devices........AT RANGE!!!!

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/k/kinetic-legerde main

And with these insights like quick trapsmith and fold trap I can pretty much be the Batman.

@Thunderbeard my character is very much a trap finder. And I actually get trap making. Not to mention that I can use MY MIND to disable devices........AT RANGE!!!!

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/k/kinetic-legerde main

And with these insights like quick trapsmith and fold trap I can pretty much be the Batman.

Which Batman? The 1990s batman? Or the 2000s Batman?

Elddeor, my response was to Alynthar42 about hiring people to cast spells, though looking at my response I misunderstood what he said

Angelpalm wrote:

@Thunderbeard my character is very much a trap finder. And I actually get trap making. Not to mention that I can use MY MIND to disable devices........AT RANGE!!!!

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/k/kinetic-legerde main

And with these insights like quick trapsmith and fold trap I can pretty much be the Batman.

Which Batman? The 1990s batman? Or the 2000s Batman?

The only one that matters....Adam West lol

I went ahead and add all the info for Meredith's abilities so you guys can have a clearer picture of what she can do. That gun kata class ability owns my soul. Hrm, I guess it would make me the Bale batman since he was in Equilibrium.....

Okay, now that I've got some time to sit down and think about this, I'm going to try to start coming up with a concept. I'm not completely ditching Cavalier (I don't want to make a total copycat of a previous character I made) but I'm looking at the War Master class right now, with the idea of maybe taking Leadership to employ a Gold Dragon.

What is the limit on the backstories we can write? My character essentially wants to dedicate himself to Princess Eutropia and see her take the throne to reform the empire. So sort of like a Ned Stark sort of fellow (noble type, idealistic - playing the kingmaker)

*eyes commandude* perhaps we could work towards a common goal?.

Elddeor, my response was to Alynthar42 about hiring people to cast spells, though looking at my response I misunderstood what he said

My bad. I thought you were responding to me, and I wanted to make sure my question wasn't assumed answered. :)

Okay, now that I've got some time to sit down and think about this, I'm going to try to start coming up with a concept. I'm not completely ditching Cavalier (I don't want to make a total copycat of a previous character I made) but I'm looking at the War Master class right now, with the idea of maybe taking Leadership to employ a Gold Dragon.

That would be pretty awesome. Admittedly, I'm more familiar with 3.0 than I am with pathfinders: would there be a way we could use your dragon as transportation for the entire party? Even if it meant shoving us into an extra dimensional space. Most such items/spells I've seen have either been rooted in place or required they be open so everyone inside could breathe.

Not a problem, I should have made it more clear who I was speaking to :-)

I'll be dropping out. Too much work on my plate.

Sorry about inconsistencies, everyone, I was just summarizing.

I'm looking at the War Master class right now, with the idea of maybe taking Leadership to employ a Gold Dragon.

Err... you can't ever actually get a gold dragon cohort (it's Cohort Level 19 minimum). I'd recommend a Dragonne, as the only rideable dragon-ish cohort you can get right now.

The only way I know of to get a gold dragon in Pathfinder is to be an Order of the Beast Cavalier (or Samurai), and then it's just a polymorphed horse. There's also a Dragon Rider 3pp class, but that's Super Genius (like War Master, actually), and I don't believe that's been approved by the GM yet.

Question: Is there a magical carriage/wagon that is bigger inside than on the outside?

Question: Is there a magical carriage/wagon that is bigger inside than on the outside?

the Cardis?

Baba Yaga's hut. (ok, it's not a cart)

Toying with the idea of also providing armed escort and delivery using Meredith's unique skill set to see to it that packages make it to their destinations. Maybe add a bit of smuggling to that as well. I can picture her sneaking out important political figures to the likes Merciful Bay so that they can get on their ships safely and in style.

If you're smuggling, you don't want a cart. That's conspicuous, and people might search it. You want a really big bag of holding, or a portable hole, and then an insanely high sleight of hand to hide it on your person.

Also, access to some form of long-range teleportation (Boots of Teleportation), as well as a short-range one (Cape of the Mountebank), which you have some way of hiding all these magic items when you get close to your destination (a wand of Magic Aura + a high UMD score would do the trick). Of course, being an arcane caster would also settle things nicely.

Why hire an armed courier with a clunky wagon for the really *important* packages, when you can just teleport them there, with a bit of skilled smuggling and disguise on either end?

Err... you can't ever actually get a gold dragon cohort (it's Cohort Level 19 minimum). I'd recommend a Dragonne, as the only rideable dragon-ish cohort you can get right now.

You can if you boost up your leadership score high enough. War Master has a special ability that boosts leadership, add in charisma, character level, and reputation modifiers - you can go pretty high.

*eyes commandude* perhaps we could work towards a common goal?.

Maybe? I'm not sure if the GM will let lots of characters ALL taking Leadership, but that could be pretty cool.

That would be pretty awesome. Admittedly, I'm more familiar with 3.0 than I am with pathfinders: would there be a way we could use your dragon as transportation for the entire party? Even if it meant shoving us into an extra dimensional space. Most such items/spells I've seen have either been rooted in place or required they be open so everyone inside could breathe.

I...don't think so, a young dragon is only large sized. I'm not sure how you'd fit everyone on.

If you're smuggling, you don't want a cart. That's conspicuous, and people might search it. You want a really big bag of holding, or a portable hole, and then an insanely high sleight of hand to hide it on your person.

Also, access to some form of long-range teleportation (Boots of Teleportation), as well as a short-range one (Cape of the Mountebank), which you have some way of hiding all these magic items when you get close to your destination (a wand of Magic Aura + a high UMD score would do the trick). Of course, being an arcane caster would also settle things nicely.

Why hire an armed courier with a clunky wagon for the really *important* packages, when you can just teleport them there, with a bit of skilled smuggling and disguise on either end?

I actually believe there is a bag of holding that does just that. I forget what it is called, but you're supposed to be able to put things in there, and when you close the bag it closes off the extra-dimensional space and can only be opened again with a command word. Otherwise it just looks like a normal bag when you open it.

If you're smuggling, you don't want a cart. That's conspicuous, and people might search it. You want a really big bag of holding, or a portable hole, and then an insanely high sleight of hand to hide it on your person.

Also, access to some form of long-range teleportation (Boots of Teleportation), as well as a short-range one (Cape of the Mountebank), which you have some way of hiding all these magic items when you get close to your destination (a wand of Magic Aura + a high UMD score would do the trick). Of course, being an arcane caster would also settle things nicely.

Why hire an armed courier with a clunky wagon for the really *important* packages, when you can just teleport them there, with a bit of skilled smuggling and disguise on either end?

Lol naw man, I want to be able to take people places as well, not just items. Trying to match the actual flavor of the game and not trying to turn this into Star Trek with me magicing stuff and people around. I mean is magic that common place in this world that anyone can just kick over a bucket and find a wizard there to teleport them to the other side of the world?

But besides that I wanted a cute little carriage that we could all snuggle up in. <3

Bottle of air+portable hole= smuggle people device.

I warn you, I am a bit chilly to snuggle with. Constant breeze following me, and all that :-P

Hrm maybe a boat would be more fun to have. And it would make a nice base of operations. Of course I am awaiting everyone to tell me that boats are "clunky" and that we should all just zip around in magical Aegis powered skinsuits or some other nonsense.

It's like you guys don't even know what style is......

Before modifiers (via reputation) Karl has a leadership score of 18. :3.

The problem with a cart (or boat) which is bigger on the inside than outside is that it requires the creation of a permanent demiplane, which is a very high level spell.

I admit the notion has style and all, but it's just not practical under the rules given our level (not to mention the level of commonly available casters).

Naw, the ship is just going to be a ship if I choose to go with one.

But it's weird to me that you can make a bag of holding, but you would have a hard time adding an extra room to an existing structure. There honestly isn't a magical item that does this?

IDK.

As an aside, I am working on finishing up my cohort (wizard, divination (scryer)) I've only taken the spells allowed for leveling up and focused him on mostly as I see him. The guy that keeps Franz from being killed :3. Or in other, words, a wizard specializing in mostly divination magic or similar things.

This is the pic I am using for my character btw