Magnimar Special Investigations Unit One (Inactive)

Game Master Nazard

I'm still working on him, but tell me what you think so far.
I will begin as a Ranger (urban) and work from there. I'll probably take a few levels of Rogue along the way (gotta love that sneak attack) and, if allowed, the skirmisher archetype as well (no spells for me).

Awgin does not talk about the trials of his past, but he remembers.
He does not speak of growing up in the streets of Magnimar as an orphan half-orc, but he remembers.
He does not disclose how he survived the by living as an animal would, but he remembers.
He does not tell of his time as a slave, fighting for his life at his master's pleasure, but he remembers.
He does not reveal that along with the hardships there have been some been kindnesses as well, but he remembers.
Awgin does not dwell on his past, but keeps his thoughts on the future,
because he remembers.

I'm still working on him, but tell me what you think so far.

I will begin as a Ranger (urban) and work from there. I'll probably take a few levels of Rogue along the way (gotta love that sneak attack) and, if allowed, the skirmisher archetype as well (no spells for me).

Awgin does not talk about the trials of his past, but he remembers.
He does not speak of growing up in the streets of Magnimar as an orphan half-orc, but he remembers.
He does not disclose how he survived the by living as an animal would, but he remembers.
He does not tell of his time as a slave, fighting for his life at his master's pleasure, but he remembers.
He does not reveal that along with the hardships there have been some been kindnesses as well, but he remembers.
Awgin does not dwell on his past, but keeps his thoughts on the future,
because he remembers.

Looking okay so far, although you mentioned that he would be a skirmisher, and you put down shapeshifter as his archetype. Can an urban ranger be either?

Also, I notice you put down favoured enemy (goblinoid). If that's for a backstory reason, that's fine, but it won't get much use in this game. Favoured Enemy (human) is an excellent choice (favoured enemy being one of those abilities that's totally dependant on what baddies I throw your way...)

Party make-up so far:

Scipion: Synthesist
Dax (Awgin): half-orc urban ranger
Navior: halfling cleric of Pharasma
Talomyr (Erodel): human detective (bard)
therealthom (Heward): human fighter (polearm master or straight fighter?)
Megan (Calatin): human diviner

We have arcane, divine, skills, and combat all nicely covered. A couple people who will excel at Perception, some at Diplomacy and Intimidation, and some with knowledge of the local scene and nobility. The only thing we seem to missing are feminine wiles (unless Navior has that covered)!

Here's my character so far. She's not quite done, but most of the mechanical stuff is finished. I basically just need to buy equipment and get her background written up. Let me know if there are any problems.

Oh, starting gold: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 6) = 9 x 10 = 90

Alas, there go my hopes of prepurchasing a few scrolls. Oh well.

Laya is looking good so far. I don't know how much money she'll have left after those abyssmal rolls, but since she has scribe scroll, she can have starting scrolls for half cost (assuming she made them herself).

Some things for folks to consider when doing backstories: has your character had any run-in with the law before (or ever worked for them before). Having a "criminal record" won't preclude their being hired, as long as it wasn't too violent. Also, has your character been living in Magnimar for awhile or new to town. Either is fine, but your choice might justify altering your characters' prestige points for one or more communities (see the handout on Player's Notes from the website for more on prestige points. These points are a modifier which track how well known (and how well-liked) your characters are among the locals of each "community", and apply as modifiers to Diplomacy and Disguise rolls, and can potentially be used to buy favours down the road. I know the mechanic isn't the most realistic (somebody who is well-known and liked, say with 5 points, starts ruffling feathers and becomes gradually more unknown as they become less popular doesn't make the most sense, but maybe it's just that the locals lose interest in their "washed out hero"), but neither are most of the number-based mechanics. Tracking renown and public opinion was more complicated than I wanted to go with. For those of you who have played Council of Thieves, I honestly came up with my mechanic long before I learned there was a similar one in that game, so the two probably aren't related much at all.

Awgin a character I'm redoing for your game. That information was old.

Starting gold 5d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 1, 1) = 7 x 10 = 70

While apropos, I don't want to hear any more whining from you, Laya.

Awgin a character I'm redoing for your game. That information was old.

Starting gold 5d6 x 10 = 70

While apropos, I don't want to hear any more whining from you, Laya.

While very appropriate for his background, if you're having trouble getting even the basic gear for Awgin, go ahead and cheat a tiny bit. That roll was insanely bad.

I was able to get weapons and armor. I found that there wasn't much else I wanted for the character, so I had no problems.

Nazard, I was looking at the campaign handout and have a question on the favored community section. Am I choosing specific communities or one (two?) of the groups (ie: Lowcleft and Rag's End or E and F).

Erodel Voralius reporting for duty. No bonuses or minuses to any of the regions as he is a relative newcomer to Magnimar.

Erodel Voralius reporting for duty. No bonuses or minuses to any of the regions as he is a relative newcomer to Magnimar.

It all looks in order, except that maybe your CMB and CMD are one too high? While the official call for adventurers wouldn't have gone out past Magnimar itself, rumours would have spread to places like Riddleport.

I have one last detail to hammer out before starting (we can get a bit of a start before characters are completely finished, as there is some meet the people stuff we can do before your first case actually begins), and that is the matter of pay. It has to be high enough to make it worth while for adventurers to take it, but not too high as to interest anybody past first level. Obviously, it will scale with level (raises), but the starting amount needs to be appropriate. Reasonable living expenses in the city will be covered for you (an abandoned garrison building is being given over to you, which include places to sleep and eat), but you would still get some spending cash. I'm looking at it as soldiers get 1sp per day, which would be 7 per week. 1gp per week is too little, but 10 seems like a lot, so I was thinking of going with 5 gp per level per week. You would also be allowed the spoils of adventuring as per normal, except when the rightful ownership of something you find is obvious (if you're tasked to recover an artifact from the Temple of Iomedae, you can't turn around and hock it instead of returning it to the Temple).

Thoughts?

Awgin, you take favoured communities by the lettered groups, so E and F at level 3, then one more each time you get an additional favoured community.

Erodel Voralius wrote:

Erodel Voralius reporting for duty. No bonuses or minuses to any of the regions as he is a relative newcomer to Magnimar.

It all looks in order, except that maybe your CMB and CMD are one too high? While the official call for adventurers wouldn't have gone out past Magnimar itself, rumours would have spread to places like Riddleport.

Doh! Too much shuffling stats around and I guess that got lost in the shuffle when I had his STR at a 12. Thanks for keeping me honest :)

The pay thing seems fair to me.

The pay seems about right to me.

For prestige, his days as a street ruffian and slave gladiator give him -1 in A and C as well as a +2 in H.

Awgin answered the summons because it was Captain Percival that broke up the illegal fighting ring freed him from slavery. He is very loyal to the Captain because of that.

How many pastries and pies will 5gp a week buy me?

How many pastries and pies will 5gp a week buy me?

Depends on if he cultivates a "special relationship" with a pasty chef.

So folks, I'll put together a game thread and opening post in the next two hours (I hope), and we can get started with meeting and greeting while people finish up their mechanical details.

Looking forward to a fun game.

Game thread. Enjoy all!

...

Awgin does not talk about the trials of his past, but he remembers.
...
Awgin does not dwell on his past, but keeps his thoughts on the future,
because he remembers.

Nice writing.

Nazard, got derailed by work. I'll be on it tonight though.

Okay, so I had a look at the Profession skill, which says you earn half your check in a week of dedicated work. Assume an average 1st level soldier has a Profession (soldier) bonus of 1 rank plus 3 class skill bonus for +4 total, their average should be 14 or 7 gp per week.

This being said, I'm still fine with the 5gp per week, as you also have the option of looting bad guys most of the time, and your housing and meals are paid for. You will also have access to some spell casting services for free and some at a reduced rate, so all in all, 5 gp is just a healthy dollop of gravy.

Feel free to head on over to the game thread whenever you can and make an introductory post. You have some time sitting around in the waiting room to get to know each other a bit.

Hooray, we have a post!

Which reminds me of something I was going to ask everybody. If you want to post your character's inner thoughts, which I as GM love to read to get a feel for the different characters and their motivations, please put it under a

Laya is finished!

Checked out the google page for the campaign. --- Awesome stuff!

I look forward to trying the interview - interrogation rules.

The prestige system based on districts is also pretty cool. I'll definitely be adjusting Heward's rep based on his home and his beat. I was originally thinking that he grew up in Underbridge, but I don't think his family was that hard up. I'll have to read up on Magnimar.

Still waiting for Calatin to check in on the game thread (link is above).

There are even pastries...

Sorry - took dearly beloved (who doesn't drive) to a client site yesterday and owing to his client having been sold a dud computer by the hardware dealer we spent the entire day loading and reloading software in vain attempts to get the darn thing to work properly. Then we came home via a bar and had a couple of beers... and were starving, so getting online kind of... didn't happen.

Scuttling over there forthwith... especially if there's the promise of pastries :)

Heward's updated with Prestige points and almost everything now. He's got a rough background. It still needs a little work. I've only bought him combat gear so he's cash rich. (65 gp left I think) I expect I'll pick up some odds and ends for him soon.

Nazard, I haven't decided if he'll go straight fighter or try the phalanx or polearm archetypes. Is it OK if I put the decision off until 2nd level since nothing changes mechanically until then?

Megan, sorry to hear about the dud computer. I hope the replacement is at least functional and adequate.

Heward's updated with Prestige points and almost everything now. He's got a rough background. It still needs a little work. I've only bought him combat gear so he's cash rich. (65 gp left I think) I expect I'll pick up some odds and ends for him soon.

Nazard, I haven't decided if he'll go straight fighter or try the phalanx or polearm archetypes. Is it OK if I put the decision off until 2nd level since nothing changes mechanically until then?

Megan, sorry to hear about the dud computer. I hope the replacement is at least functional and adequate.

Leaving it to second level is fine. I'd recommend the polearm master over the other two options, however.

Yeah, the tradeoffs are kind of tough.

Straight fighter -- bravery, weapon and armour training were great changes Pathfinder made to 3.5. Especially armour training. I like being able to move my full speed.

Phalanx Soldier -- I like being able to one-hand the halberd while using a shield. I really like that. I don't care for the emphasis on tower shields though. Also, for this party the ability to share AC would be cool, but we'll probably never reach those levels. My least favorite option.

Polearm Master --

Pole fighting -- I feel like most DMs would let me do this anyway (change grip and use the polearm as an improvised (-4 to hit) weapon at 5') It underwhelms me. Although bravery's not that great a feature either.

Steadfast Pike, very nice in a "stop the oncoming enemy" way. I could see this being very useful, but I'm giving up 10' of movement (or 2 feats if I really want that movement)

Polearm training covers weapon training very well. Even trade.

If I may, why do you advise Polearm Master?

Went back to the client today and set up the replacement computer for him, which worked perfectly. Dearly beloved treated to a couple of new saute pans as a reward (he got paid, of course, just that he wanted some new pans so it's a good excuse!). They are already in operation, cooking tonight's curry :)

Yeah, the tradeoffs are kind of tough.

Straight fighter -- bravery, weapon and armour training were great changes Pathfinder made to 3.5. Especially armour training. I like being able to move my full speed.

Phalanx Soldier -- I like being able to one-hand the halberd while using a shield. I really like that. I don't care for the emphasis on tower shields though. Also, for this party the ability to share AC would be cool, but we'll probably never reach those levels. My least favorite option.

Polearm Master --

Pole fighting -- I feel like most DMs would let me do this anyway (change grip and use the polearm as an improvised (-4 to hit) weapon at 5') It underwhelms me. Although bravery's not that great a feature either.

Steadfast Pike, very nice in a "stop the oncoming enemy" way. I could see this being very useful, but I'm giving up 10' of movement (or 2 feats if I really want that movement)

Polearm training covers weapon training very well. Even trade.

If I may, why do you advise Polearm Master?

The -4 penalty disappears over time, however, which it doesn't if you go straight fighter. The flexible flanker is nice too.

Hey Megan, it looks like you're only using 18/20 pt.s for your abilities.

Strength 12 2
Dexterity 13 3
Constitution 10 0
Intelligence 17 7 (I assume this was a 15 before racial)
Wisdom 14 5
Charisma 11 1
Total =18

Also most of your character sheet is still second level. I believe we're only 1st in this game.

...

If I may, why do you advise Polearm Master?

True, and patience is a virtue.

Flexible flanker is also very good. It's just in the stratosphere level-wise.

Sweeping fend is good, but not so much if you use a trip weapon already.

Step aside, nice.

I could use some help coming up with a hobby for Awgin. Right now I have linguistics. He has a knack for picking up languages. Threats and insults carry more weight when they're understood. However, that just isn't quite right. I want something counter to the character. Any ideas?

I could use some help coming up with a hobby for Awgin. Right now I have linguistics. He has a knack for picking up languages. Threats and insults carry more weight when they're understood. However, that just isn't quite right. I want something counter to the character. Any ideas?

Orchids. You never expect the brutish half-orc to be into exotic flowers!

Or, given the presence of both Calatin and Laya, pastry chef might be useful.

If you're looking for a not quite so off the wall answer, what about a sport of some kind?

How about fishing? Could give him a hobby in common with me.

Overview maps of Magnimar showing several locations pertaining to the case are up on the website.

Now that we're starting interviewing people, I should ask the question - do you want me to roll Diplomacy checks for your characters when needed, or ask for them?

I wouldn't mind just rolling for us when you feel it is appropriate. That way it doesn't break the flow, but rather helps you determine the NPC's reactions to our questioning/presence.

I personally don't like rolling and am happy if you do it. I agree with Scipion, asking for rolls can break the mood. It also slows the game: Player post delay DM asks for roll delay Player responds with roll.

On the other hand, when I'm DMing I hate rolling for characters. Looking up modifiers, etc can get time consuming and annoying when you just want to tell the story and might have a small time in which to post.

A hybrid system might be good. As players we should have an idea of when an active roll is needed and post rolls provisionally. (Like if we search a room, just we would just roll Perception ourselves without prompting.) If we miss one, then you could roll. That would help keep the game moving and take some load off you.

I would rather have you roll passive rolls like Sense motive and Perception. Asking us for a sense motive roll in the middle of an interogation would flag the conversation.

What I'll do iscompile a list of everybody's skill modifiers and just copy them into the window. The skillbonuses don't change that often.

Megan, can you put some stats for Tylluan on Calatin's profile? I got +10 for Perception from the general owl entry, but it would be good to have specifics. Plus, while I generally avoid targeting familiars on purpose and hand wave many things like area effect spells and the like, it can happen that Tylluan would come under fire.

Consider it a reward for actually role playing your familiar. Some players have familiars as a mechanical bonus, in which case I don't feel bad at all about trying to blast it, but poor Tylluan is such an integral part of the Calatin character.

Of course. Just finished writing a review, and was considering another, but I'll take a crack at that first.

Of course. Just finished writing a review, and was considering another, but I'll take a crack at that first.

Oh gosh, no rush, no rush at all. Just whenever is fine.

You just caught me as I came here to post the review!

If I don't do it now it might get forgotten...

The punch marks are setting off all kinds of meta-knowledge bells, but I don't think Heward's got any chance of knowing such things at this point in his career. Nazard -- can I get a ruling on a knowledge check or just let it go for now?

Going back a fair way -- Megan, how was the curry? I'm guessing dearly beloved made it from scratch?

Dax -- fishing ?

The punch marks are setting off all kinds of meta-knowledge bells, but I don't think Heward's got any chance of knowing such things at this point in his career. Nazard -- can I get a ruling on a knowledge check or just let it go for now?

Going back a fair way -- Megan, how was the curry? I'm guessing dearly beloved made it from scratch?

Dax -- fishing ?

Good, cause I've got no idea, lol.

Fishing doesn't feel right.
I do like the flowers bit, though, and cooking would be good too.
Any other ideas?

Fishing doesn't feel right.

I do like the flowers bit, though, and cooking would be good too.
Any other ideas?

Dog breeding (or any other animal)

The curry was very nice, a beef pasanda if you're interested. He's a very good cook, chef standard actually! Just as well, I don't have much skill in that area, and since the stroke don't have sufficient use of one hand to be safe in a kitchen.

If Dax decides to cook, Calatin will love him! Or maybe Calatin cooks, although I think he's more interested in the eating than the creating end of the culinary arts.

Maybe Dax collects small pottery animals. Or little puzzles made out of wood and bent bits of metal.

I've decided to go with Midwifery. Actually, gardening has it. Awgin has a green thumb. Thanks for the help.

So I've been mulling over the issue of getting around the city, especially how long it takes. At the moment, it doesn't matter, but layer time may become a factor.

My thoughts are to say that, between the hoursof 8 and 6, the city streets count as difficult terrain for overland movement (though not tactical, and not if you have an ability that lets you ignore such things) due to lots of pedestrians, waiting at intersections for carriage traffic, etc. The rest of the time, unless there's a special event, you move at normal speed.

Seems reasonable, Nazard.

Glad the curry was good, Megan.

Nazard, my parents are visiting this week. (CLeaning up for them was why I was slow over the weekend.) And then I'm on a roadtrip vacation with the family for two weeks. I'll post as able, but feel free to DMPC Heward as you feel necessary.