The year is 570 CY and it is nearing the end of the month of Coldeven and Spring is starting to see the winds change from the north to the south and the cold air turn to warm air. There are three more days of Coldeven and the start of the Festival week of Growfest to bring on the Spring. With it comes the warm winds and rains from the Southern Seas making the lands of Southern Keoland a vibrant green and washing away the brown of winter. The winter has been harsh in many places as the Black Plague has taken a monstrous toll on the population of humans and demi-humans for the last five years it appears the winter seemed to have slowed the deadly plague and with it hope seems to be building. The Southern Keolands and especially the Viscounty of Salinmoor has not seen the horrible effect of the sickness like so many places have due in large part to the Viscount ensuring that leadership took care of the sick and didn’t allow them free access into those towns until they were healed of the black sickness. Rumors and news have passed along from many of these places telling of dark witchcraft, possession, and demons running wild throughout the plagued cities and towns. People tend to distrust strangers and more often now and more than ever they tend towards violence when it comes to the lone stranger wandering into town. Churches have sent missions to many towns and cities with inquisitors, clerics, as well as companies of war priests looking to end the plague (both the sickness and the black arts). With the plague has also come profiteers and those willing to make their fortunes on the sufferings of others. Slavers, smugglers, pirates, and bandits alike have increased in numbers so that even the healthy are not safe. Humanoids, giants, and other foul monsters seem to sense the change and have also begun closing in on the once civilized communities. The roads and seas are no longer as safe as they once were, and a hired sword is far more important now than ever before.
You are veteran of conflict and adventure in a world that is in the midst of a plague and the danger that has infested the land. It has lasted nearly five years with the winter ebbing many hope it also brings an end to this foul plague. Death has overwhelmed so many places and with this death has come other things in the night feeding off the agony and misery of those in suffering. Some are supernatural, others are of the living bent on profiting from the misery. You are in between jobs and looking for something new to quench that thirst for adventure.
You find yourself in the town of Burle in the Viscounty of Salinmoor. Each of you has come to the Fallen Oak a local tavern at the northeast outskirts of the town and staying at one of the many lodgings surrounding the large tavern.
Story Background for Recruitment
You are walking from your lodgings in Burle to the local tavern called the Fallen Oak when, without warning, something soft and light drops from the sky and lands on your head with a "plop." You look up to see a crow 10 feet overhead. If crows could smile, you'd swear he looks
very pleased with himself. Reluctantly, you raise your hand to feel
the top of your head. To your surprise, it is dry. The crow laughs raucously and turns off toward the east. Looking down, you notice a rolled parchment tied with a stout cord. Picking it up, you break the string and read it.
WANTED
BRAVE ADVENTURES
Are you bored, listless, unappreciated?
Looking for just the right quest to suit your finely honed talents!
PLENTY OF GOLD AND TREASURE FOR ALL!
See Demetrious the Sage.
One and one-half miles east of Burle just outside the town proper.
Apply in Person!
No magic messsages accepted!
Greyhawk Campaign Google Drive
Greyhawk Old School Campaign
You can find many important documents that you will need to submit a character for this campaign:
House Rules (JUL2018)(PLEASE READ AND UTILIZE FOR CHARACTER CREATION)
Greyhawk Deities and Religions (Greyhawk Deities and Religions)
Greyhawk Modern Races
Fighter Variant Class (replaces core fighter)
NPC Classes (replaces core NPC classes)
Greyhawk Languages (a reference to all languages (ignore game rules on this doc and use rules in the HOUSE RULES DOC))
Greyhawk Calander
Network of Contacts for Rogues(addition to class)
A Modified Guide to the Viscounty of Salinmoor 570 CY
Greyhawk Flora and Fauna Notes 97
Player Creation (See House Rules Doc)
Make sure you use the HOUSE RULES as there are many changes in things that you will need to be aware of so make sure your character conforms to them.
Character Creation:
Point Buy: 25 points buy – no attribute can be below 9 and no attribute above 17 before racial adjustments. These are exceptional and heroic individuals in an epic fantasy setting. Well-rounded characters will survive much longer.
Two additional Racial Traits are allowed. No other traits or flaws will be used in the game. The traits are drawn from Pathfinder material as well as homebrew traits tied to the campaign.
Alignment: Any Good (Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic) and Neutral (Lawful).
Classes and Archtypes: All Paizo Core and Hybrid classes (see House Rules for details) or allowed. If a class has an Unchained verison it is to be used. Only the Alchemist, Cavalier, Magus, Unchained Summoner, and Witch are allowe from Base classes. Archtypes are allowed with DM’s permission. (Please make sure you check the House Rules)
(I am specifically looking for at least one FIGHTER (variant), one CLERIC (see house rules), and one ROGUE (see house rules). Multiclass is an option and a good one if you don't want to use the Hybrid classes.)
Hit Points: 1st level and 2nd level you receive max hit points per hit die + CON bonus + FAVORED BONUS HP (if taken). Every level thereafter is ROLL HD + CON modifier + FAVORED BONUS HP (if taken). Reroll all 1’s once, second roll you keep what you roll.
No Favored Classes: Instead you receive a FAVORED BONUS each time your character takes a new level in the form of 1 HP or 1 Skill Point or 1 additional Hero Point for all races.
Background Skills: Each player gets 2 skill points for either Craft, Knowledge, or Profession at 1st level. These are considered class skills. These can be used on one specific skill or on two individual skills. No additional background skills are awarded past 1st level.
Caster Bonus Spells: For all casters with a list of ‘known’ spells: Bonus spells gained from high ability scores, apply to both number cast per day (normal), and known spells. Despite the versatility of the spontaneous caster classes, the number of spells per day and known, is a little low in my opinion. A slight bonus to known spells for characters with a good ability score is a relatively minor gift.
(Note: Clerics now use Prayer books and Druid/Rangers use Ritual Books see class descriptions for details)
Hero Points: Hero points are in use with these caveats. At creation the character receives 2 Hero Points and at each level 1 hero point is gained as well as an extra if you take one as a FAVORED BONUS. DM can award Hero Points as well.
Rules for Hero Points – see D20PFSRD: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/hero-points/
Exceptions – Characters can have no more than 5 hero points at any one time. Excess hero points are lost.
No Hero point feats, spells, or magic items are in use except of the Elixir of Luck or Luck Potion as some call it.
Cantrips/Orisons (O level) spells: O level spells now receive an Ability Score bonus for number of spells known/cast per day and the table below is amended to show this change. This gives the spell casters more low level spells to utilize during the day. (See Table in House Rules)
Money & Equipment:
9,000gp to outfit your character. One outfit, two weapons and if spell/prayer/ritual book need they are free. Please check House Rules on Armor and Shields.
Age & Experience:
All players are young to middle-aged for their race. They have life and good deal of adventuring experience and are from common, artisan, or merchant class stock.
Make sure you understand the rules for Wound Threshold and the changes in Poison (hint we are in a marsh for the entire module - part of it is a wilderness (outdoor).
Big reduction in FEAT TAX please make sure you review that in the House Rules.
A good example of Character setup:
Character Setup Note the Wound Threshold addition.
Rules (as they are):
Have fun. Seriously let us have fun. I don’t like dealing with rules lawyers and anyone out to simply to cause problems or make life difficult. I will give a warning once and then you are gone. I am willing to listen to any suggestions and I am pretty open-minded. I believe the game is ours, not mine.
I expect three to four posts a week (meaningful posts related to gameplay). In the event you must take some time off please let me know when and how long in advance (if possible). I can bot your character for a brief time (1 to 2 weeks maximum). In the case of being botted, you only receive 50% of the total experience during that period if it lasts one week or more. Otherwise, you will receive full experience as long as it is not a repetitive thing.
In the event a player stops posting and I am not contacted I will remove their character from play by role-playing them out of the storyline. This way it doesn’t disrupt game play or interfere with ongoing threads. I don’t want to hurt the players posting due to a no-show/poster.
Writing
I don’t expect us to all be experts in writing; if I and the rest of the group can understand what you are writing I am good to go. I am not a great writer and I have published several books (albeit technical) and editors were often my best friends at the time. Use the guidelines for In Character, Out of Character, Thoughts, and the use of different languages. As long as we are all consistent it will streamline the story. Personally, I love PBP because of the depth of the role-playing you can get in the story with both the PC’s and the NPC’s.
Maps
I prefer to use Google Drive and Google Draw and will keep maps in a folder on the Campaign Google Drive. Combat maps we will simply have one map.
I will have one file that allows us to post the party images, NPC’s, and such.
Experience
I plan on this being a moderate experience rate and at the end the party should have advanced to 8th to 9th level.
Any questions feel free to PM me or post in the recruitment thread.
Party Notes
I am going to give this two weeks so you can work through the house rules. I plan on picking characters July 27th (Friday). I am looking for 6 to 7 characters of 6th level (36 to 42 character levels). Looking for a well-balanced party with a good deal of martial skill (At least two martial types).
If you would like to see an example of my DMing you can go to my currently running campaign - Saltmarsh Campaign 570 CY
SD
Dot...
interested
I guess I make three. Looking to play a Human Monk.
I think you neglected to mention the starting level in the Character creation section. Is it 6th?
Thanks Hustonj, Jovich, and Oceanshieldwolf.
Looking forward to your submissions. Especially since you guys having gone through the house rules and are in the current game.
6th level is correct.
SD
This game looks very interesting. I'll definitely be giving this some more thought. With the fighter, am I correct in assume he can still use the Advanced Weapon Training and Advanced Armor Training as normal?
This game looks very interesting. I'll definitely be giving this some more thought. With the fighter, am I correct in assume he can still use the Advanced Weapon Training and Advanced Armor Training as normal?
Correct.
I am definitely interested. I have 2 characters I need to flesh out to level 6, a slayer and a multiclassed cleric that I'd like to submit. That is, if 2 character submissions is ok. I think either one would be fun, so I don't have a personal preference.
I don’t mind multiple submissions at all.
I may submit a Paladin 2/Monk 4. Will have to comb the Houserules doc for possible issues.
Dotting for interest - old school Greyhawk who can resist.
Am thinking of a Baklunish (Wolf Nomad) Cavalier/Sorcerer. May need to rethink if there is little opportunity for mounted combat.
Will give the house rules a good read through and pull the build together.
Not adverse to a "joint submission" if anyone wants to tie in backstories (should ALLENDM be okay with that).
Will rework him into a fighter...I think.
Dotting for interest - old school Greyhawk who can resist.
Am thinking of a Baklunish (Wolf Nomad) Cavalier/Sorcerer. May need to rethink if there is little opportunity for mounted combat.
Will give the house rules a good read through and pull the build together.
Not adverse to a "joint submission" if anyone wants to tie in backstories (should ALLENDM be okay with that).
No issues on my part with it.
Since we roll for hit points past level 2, I'll post those rolls in here. Assuming they are not all max (wouldn't that be nice!) do you allow retraining of hit points with the costs coming out of the 9K starting allowance?
Since we roll for hit points past level 2, I'll post those rolls in here. Assuming they are not all max (wouldn't that be nice!) do you allow retraining of hit points with the costs coming out of the 9K starting allowance?
Max first two levels; reroll a 1 once after that you keep whatever you roll.
No retrain. You do have the option to use your favored bonus on 1 hp a level. That would give you 6 additionl hp’s at 6th.
uh-oh. At the full mercy of the dice. Luck, be a lady...
@Black Dow: after rereading the Campaign House rules and Human section, I was already toying with a Bakluni background (I'm playing a Flan in AllenDM's other game) so if you are still going that route I'd be happy to work out some history.
As I posted upthread I was planning on submitting a Monk or even Paladin/Monk. Thinking tribal ascetic type, champion of self discipline.
We could be the Odd Couple - some past intra-cultural friction that the rest of the party hs no knowledge of but that keeps us verbally sparring - caste/class/clan differences rivalries etc...
Or we could just be siblings and get along famously.
Right now here is a list of potential applicants:
Jovich - Elven Fighter?
Oceanshieldwolf- Palidin/Monk of human Bakluni origin?
Licitus - two submissions (multiclass cleric and a slayer)?
Black Dow - Baklunish (Wolf Nomad) Cavalier/Sorc?
Rikash - ?
Dotting for interest - old school Greyhawk who can resist.
Am thinking of a Baklunish (Wolf Nomad) Cavalier/Sorcerer. May need to rethink if there is little opportunity for mounted combat.
Will give the house rules a good read through and pull the build together.
Not adverse to a "joint submission" if anyone wants to tie in backstories (should ALLENDM be okay with that).
This module; the majority of the events are in the swamp and dungeon settings. There might be few opportunities for a traditional cavalier.
@ALLENDM: Cheers for the clarification - might need a rethink.
@Oceanshieldwolf: Sounds a plan, the inter-tribal/caste rivalry might be a good hook. Caveat: Will need to have a think on my character concept if traditional cavalier is off the menu (Bakluni are pretty tied in with their horses - hence the cav angle)... Mmm. Food for thought - will have a mull o'er the weekend on this one.
@ALLENDM: Alright - given some more thought to my pitch (especially after reading through the body of houserules and flavour docs). Current thinking is Phaelzuur Byoth - an Oeridian Cleric/Fighter (Variant) of Hextor. He'll be a LN follower of the Scourge of Battle whose embraced the security and order that his religion brings - something noticeably amiss in the chaos and woe that blights Salinmoor.
Would a warrior-priest of Hextor be permissible? (please note - won't be playing him as LE in stealth mode). If you get a slew of Fighter subs can easily rework as a "pure" Warpriest (but the multi-classing has more of an old-school feel so would prefer that route to be honest :)
@Oceanshieldwolf - could still very much be part of an "odd couple" (perhaps even moreso now) - adventurers whose philosophies may well differ immensely, but have forged a mutual respect through the trials and adventures they have shared in the past?
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I have no issue with that Black Dow.
Sounds like a very interesting character.
I am looking at a half-elf, and I want to confirm how you play the Adaptability racial trait. It is listed in the standard d20pfsrd racial traits, but it is also listed in the alternate racial traits in the House Rules. Does Adaptability come standard with being a half-elf? Or does it need to be selected as one of the 2 additional racial traits?
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@Black Dow: yup I could see mutual respect if not happy buddies from two warriors of holy paths. Still going to push ahead with Bakluni, though one who has rejected the mounted style and been disparaged because of that choice by his/her peers. Still looking to find the right deity to follow...
@AllenDM - would this treatise on Xan Yae be considered canon? It appears to be written by Erik Mona...
I am looking at a half-elf, and I want to confirm how you play the Adaptability racial trait. It is listed in the standard d20pfsrd racial traits, but it is also listed in the alternate racial traits in the House Rules. Does Adaptability come standard with being a half-elf? Or does it need to be selected as one of the 2 additional racial traits?
It is part of the alternate traits.
I cleaned up Half-Elf
Standard Racial Traits per D20PFSRD.
---Elven immunities, Low-Light Vision, Elf Blood, speak Common and Elven, keen senses.
Plus: pick 2 alternate racial traits from below or request one from an alternate source.
(any trait that is also in the D20PFSRD is considered a replacement)
They can also pick 1 trait from any of the elf lists (that will be their elven ancestry).
Adaptability becomes an alternate trait.
Thanks for the clarification.
@AllenDM - would this treatise on Xan Yae be considered canon? It appears to be written by Erik Mona...
If you consider it is acceptable, I'm thinking a monk/paladin disciple of Zuoken/follower of Xan Yae, searching for the disappeared manifestation of Zuoken.
@Black Dow: yup I could see mutual respect if not happy buddies from two warriors of holy paths. Still going to push ahead with Bakluni, though one who has rejected the mounted style and been disparaged because of that choice by his/her peers. Still looking to find the right deity to follow...
Perfect - am seeing some interesting cultural, philosophical and theological debates taking place between our characters!
What Gods Do You Pray To? - Conan & Subotai
I have no issue with that Black Dow.
Sounds like a very interesting character.
@ALLENDM: Like Oceanshieldwolf I'm reading some old school articles on Greyhawk pantheon - came across the following on Hextor, The Herald of Hell. It mentions his Crusader's being known as the Scourges of Hextor, who are the church's most militarily powerful branch.
As such might go vanilla cleric but with the Crusader archetype to add that martial flavour if permissible? (appreciate this is a totally sub-optimal route compared to fighter dip/multi-classing but I've never been one for uber-optimised concepts over cool flavour).
@AllenDM - would this treatise on Xan Yae be considered canon? It appears to be written by Erik Mona...If you consider it is acceptable, I'm thinking a monk/paladin disciple of Zuoken/follower of Xan Yae, searching for the disappeared manifestation of Zuoken.
I am ok with it.
We can set up Al-Akbar and the four elemental forces and Xan Yae.
SD
This sounds like an awesome Campaign! I was reading through the House rules and I think I could get behind them!
I was thinking of a Hill Dwarf Wizard (!) who is sea-based. I know this breaks the typical mold of a dwarf, and to be honest I am not sure if this fits in with the style of your campaign, but I figured why not ask :)
HERE is his Paizo profile page, for reference purposes. Let me know if this concept works for you, or if I need to rework him differently.
EDIT: Oops, I see wizards are a prohibited race. Maybe a Half-dwarf sorcerer would be acceptable?
This sounds like an awesome Campaign! I was reading through the House rules and I think I could get behind them!
I was thinking of a Hill Dwarf Wizard (!) who is sea-based. I know this breaks the typical mold of a dwarf, and to be honest I am not sure if this fits in with the style of your campaign, but I figured why not ask :)
HERE is his Paizo profile page, for reference purposes. Let me know if this concept works for you, or if I need to rework him differently.
EDIT: Oops, I see wizards are a prohibited race. Maybe a Half-dwarf sorcerer would be acceptable?
Eric,
I am using the old racial class restrictions in Greyhawk but not the level restrictions. Half-dwarf sorcerer will work. There is a group of Dwarves that are sea-based in Keoland.
From Sea Cliff Dwarves
"The Viscounty of Salinmoor has but a single colony of seacliff dwarves, numbering some 2500 individuals. Located just shy of the border between the Viscounty and the Duchy of Gradsul, the community of Waverock perches on the only significant cliff face between the outlets of the Javan and Sheldomar Rivers. The seacliff dwarves of Waverock are a community of smiths, especially noted for the quality of their tinsmiths. All of the limited mining that occurs in the Viscounty of Salinmoor is dominated by the dwarves of Waverock. Contrary to popular mythology, seacliff dwarves are not natural sailors and the dwarves of Waverock rely upon their good relations with the seacrest gnomes when they find a need to put to sea. Like their cousins in the Principality of Ulek, the seacliff dwarves of Waverock enjoy excellent relations with their human neighbors."
I have made changes to this and you will want to review the Viscounty of Salinmoor doc in my files.
I would not have an issue with your Half-Dwarf being sea based.
SD
Eric,
I am using the old racial class restrictions in Greyhawk but not the level restrictions. Half-dwarf sorcerer will work. There is a group of Dwarves that are sea-based in Keoland.
From Sea Cliff Dwarves
"The Viscounty of Salinmoor has but a single colony of seacliff dwarves, numbering some 2500 individuals. Located just shy of the border between the Viscounty and the Duchy of Gradsul, the community of Waverock perches on the only significant cliff face between the outlets of the Javan and Sheldomar Rivers. The seacliff dwarves of Waverock are a community of smiths, especially noted for the quality of their tinsmiths. All of the limited mining that occurs in the Viscounty of Salinmoor is dominated by the dwarves of Waverock. Contrary to popular mythology, seacliff dwarves are not natural sailors and the dwarves of Waverock rely upon their good relations with the seacrest gnomes when they find a need to put to sea. Like their cousins in the Principality of Ulek, the seacliff dwarves of Waverock enjoy excellent relations with their human neighbors."
I have made changes to this and you will want to review the Viscounty of Salinmoor doc in my files.
I would not have an issue with your Half-Dwarf being sea based.
SD
OK sounds good! I will rework him as per your House Rules and post an updated profile of him.
It is. I might bump out the deadline one more week. It is not a hard date at this point. I am getting ready to go on vacation this Friday July 20th until August 6th (Monday) but I will be posting as I have time each day.
Thanks.
@ALLENDM: What say you on the Crusader Cleric archetype chief?
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Black Dow.
I see no problem with it.
[dice=Hit Points 3rd]1d10
[dice=Hit Points 4th]1d10
[dice=Hit Points 5th]1d10
[dice=Hit Points 6th]1d10
[dice=Hit Points 5th Reroll]1d10
Jovich,
So total HP is 6d10 = 44hp without any additional bonuses from CON, Favored bonus, or feats?
SD
Black Dow.
I see no problem with it.
Perfecto.
Here's my Crusader of Hextor's placeholder profile - will work on getting the crunch filled in as I conjure up Bynoth's backstory in more depth. Having a lot of fun with this concept - from the grandiose Oeridian name downwards.
Update on current submissions.
Jovich - Cerilis SilverTree: Elven Fighter?
Oceanshieldwolf- Palidin/Monk of human Bakluni origin?
Licitus - two submissions (multiclass cleric and a slayer)?
Black Dow - Bynoth Phaelzhur; Oeridian Cleric Crusader of Hextor.
Rikash - ?
Eric Swanson - Half Dwarf sorcerer (Sea Cliff Dwarves)
I am working on a Town of Burle Handout and will have it in the folder in a few days. Finishing up a few of the NPC's and flavor.
SD
This is Eric Swanson, officially submitting Heirang aka 'Harry'. Still working on his crunch and also need to rework his background, but just wanted to give you an update!
Thanks Eric. Let me know when he is all completed.
Black Dow.
I see no problem with it.
Perfecto.
Here's my Crusader of Hextor's placeholder profile - will work on getting the crunch filled in as I conjure up Bynoth's backstory in more depth. Having a lot of fun with this concept - from the grandiose Oeridian name downwards.
Thanks Black Dow. Let me know when he is completed.
OK I have finished up Harry's crunch here. I still need to work on his background though.
Could you please look over his profile, to make sure I didn't miss anything in your House Rules?
Thanks!
Been very busy over the last several days with the move. Finally have most of the unpacking done. I hope to have some time to finish the character tonight.
