Perils of Crescent Harbor (Inactive)

Game Master Profession Smith 6 ranks

Full Disclosure: I’m a veteran 3E/3.5 D&D GM who….

• 1. Hasn’t run a game in more than 5 years;
  
• 2. Am just now learning the Pathfinder system;
  
• 3. Has never run a Pathfinder game;
  
• 4. Has never run a PbP game;
  
• 5. Doesn’t have home or mobile internet access and will access the message boards at my local library, hopefully at least 3 days a week (approximately every other day, excl. Sundays and holidays). In the event of a snowy winter in the Northeast, my posting frequency is likely to drop;
  
• 6. Will likely use Roll20 for maps (though I have to learn that as well).

This irregular posting schedule will likely result in a slow—ahem, leisurely—game experience. I’m not sure what type of players (if any) will be interested in such a game—perhaps some newbies, folks who can’t commit to the usual post-a-day (or more) requirement, or maybe a veteran or two from other games who’d like to add a low-stress, part-time game to their gaming schedules and gently correct the GM when he makes mistakes (like using a 3.5 rule when Pathfinder’s updated something). I’m also hoping the players will takes matters into their own hands and make RPing posts when the GM’s in one of his lulls.

Anyone still reading this post? :)

In the off-chance someone still is, let me set down some parameters:
Setting: The city of Port Peril in the Shackles (specifically, Crescent Harbor island, where all newly-arrived ships must make berth for up to a week for inspection, as per the orders of the Hurricane King).
Campaign Type: Hodge-Podge (original encounters, modified PFRPG published stuff, modified D&D encounters; not PFS)
Campaign Info/Background: The campaign begins on the island of Crescent Harbor, where all incoming vessels must berth for about a week for inspection before their crews and/or goods are allowed across the bay to Port Peril proper on the mainland. This restriction has caused a number of “service industries” to thrive on the island: inns, taverns, brothels, gambling halls, eateries, pawnshops, barber shops, and the like. There’s money to be made from quarantined merchants, sailors, pirates, and gullible adventurers…and cutpurses, con men, brawlers, and shady merchants are abundant in the isle’s streets, alleys, and businesses.

Your PC needn’t be a pirate. Perhaps he’s a local street thief, performer, sellsword, or cleric of Besmara (or some other less represented deity). Maybe she got press-ganged at another port but was such a lousy pirate/sailor that she got dumped unceremoniously on Crescent Isle. How about a down-on-his-luck gambler or mercantile type? Or a Mwangi native recently moved from the jungle into the wonders of so-called civilization? He could even be a “typical” adventurer, just arrived in port and looking for some quest worthy of his time and talents.

I’ll pick 5-6 characters from those submitted (assuming I get that many, of course), likely somewhere between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The actual game will start shortly thereafter.

Starting Level: 1st
Level Advancement: Slow (I’ve always preferred low- to mid-level games and like for the players to learn and grow into their new abilities/powers/spells).
Character Creation: 20-point buy; 2 traits; no drawbacks
Starting Character Wealth: average for class
Restricted Alignments: LE, NE, CE. I’m shooting for a Pirates of the Caribbean feel—the PCs shouldn’t be saints but neither should they be black-hearted butchers.
Races/Classes/Equipment Allowed: Core Rulebook…plus. Like I said, I’m just learning the Pathfinder system after a longish hiatus from D&D 3.5, so the closer we stay to Core, the more comfortable I’ll be trying to run the game. That having been said…there’re lots of goodies outside the Core Rulebook. I like what I’ve seen of the Traits system and Archetypes seem simple enough to implement. Beyond that is a gray area, and I’ll take things on a case-by-case basis. I want to learn the Pathfinder rule system…just not all of it at once!

I don’t have the Occult Adventures book, so that’s out. I’ve only glanced at Unchained, and would prefer to learn the basics before jumping into optional/variant rules, so that’s out (probably). I don’t know an eidolon from a Megalon (and am not sure I want to). And no ninjas (Come on—it’s a piratey campaign!) or paladins (problematic in a pirate port).

sounds interesting. as a student also working full time, 3 times a week is exactly my speed. love pirate stuff, though, been working on a concept for a bow-focused pirate hunter (fighter or ranger). Will try to get something up in the next few days.

As for my skill level, i'm not an expert, still learning, but i do try and do my research my characters abilities, skill usage, etc. Always looking for opportunities to learn.

sounds interesting. as a student also working full time, 3 times a week is exactly my speed. love pirate stuff, though, been working on a concept for a bow-focused pirate hunter (fighter or ranger). Will try to get something up in the next few days.

As for my skill level, i'm not an expert, still learning, but i do try and do my research my characters abilities, skill usage, etc. Always looking for opportunities to learn.

A pirate hunter in Port Peril, you say? Sounds like (s)he hit the mother lode! Hope he doesn't bite off more than he can chew!

This concept could work, though, especially if he's in PP "undercover," laying in wait for the arrival of a certain pirate ship or those of a particular fleet...or doing some snooping and information gathering.

I'd love to join this!

I'm a new poster on the boards, I've done lots of 3.5e, and my gaming group recently migrated to pathfinder. I do have a fairly good grip on the system, I think, although I understand 3.5e better. 3 times a week is a really good speed for me, I think, and the other recruiting games I see on here usually have a 1 per day (or 2-3 per day, which I honestly think is a little crazy) requirement.

Anyway, just a little about me. As for character, I think I'd like to play a rogue, if you think you'd allow the unchained version of it.

Alternatively, a sorcerer who's good at making things burn. Might get a little bit repetitive though.

As for character, I think I'd like to play a rogue, if you think you'd allow the unchained version of it.

I'll look through the unchained rogue this weekend and hopefully let you know by Monday.

I'd like to jump on the wagon as well, I'm a fan of piratey things and the posting speed seems just right for me. I haven't played a game in a while and most of the groups on this forum are a bit too professional for my tastes. Character wise I'm thinking I'd like to run as a Whaler trying to find a way out of the trade, looking to carve a new life path out in the unforgiving seas.

Are guns a thing?

I would like to apply to this. Would a gunslinger be ok for this game?

Re: Guns and gunslingers...

I wasn't planning on having firearms in the game (trying to keep things as close to the Core Rulebook as possible), but I'd at least consider such a character if (s)he really seems to fit into the game setting. I'll probably take a close look at the gunslinger and firearms rules this weekend as well.

I would like to apply. My experience with pathfinder is limited, but I am very enthusiastic and love researching and learning new characters. I would be willing to play anything needed in the group, was thinking either a bard or Druid.

Tight, I'm not really worried about guns, my stance on their presence in the game is super neutral. I have little to no knowledge of Golarion as a setting, Just saying, I have a feeling we're all in that same boat though.

I'm thinking Fighter or Ranger, primarily, but leaning more on the melee side. Still kinda grasping at a solid character idea, but Im banking on the haggard whaler idea, probably a harpooner that has had too many close calls for the pay he was getting.

Can Dwarves swim in Pathfinder? I recall there being a weird rule about that in D&D...

Thinking of a Ranger(two handed) barbarian named Noonan who will eventually have a parrot named Pluck who will be the smarter of the two and calling the shots.

Can Dwarves swim in Pathfinder? I recall there being a weird rule about that in D&D...

Yep, dwarves can swim. Just how well depends upon how many points you sink into that particular skill, plus his Strength modifier.

That's fine. I was planning on him being an expert marksman who had run away from family obligations and responsibility to seek adventure and fortune.

If guns are out let me know and my other druid idea I'll work on instead.

I've got an idea I originally had for an NPC to inflict on my players during our Skull & Shackles game - Jolly Roger, the bird-brained bird-man bird-singer. Tengu Bard. Luckless, friendless, clueless; he regularly gets hired on as a shantyman and lucky mascot (as tengu are believed to bring a ship luck), but he's invariably dumped back at port before long because of how annoying he is. He's here for comic relief, of the comedic sociopathy variety.

Also, if you haven't discovered it, d20PFSRD is a wonderful free rules resource.

@TwelvePointFivePercent: While the unchained rogue looks stronger than the NPC rogues I've been statting up in advance of the game, it doesn't look TOO powerful. I'd be willing to allow one.

@GypsyMischief and HighonHolyWater: Too much football and not enough Pathfinder studying yesterday for me--didn't really get a chance to scope out the firearms rules. Still, I think I'd be willing to give 'em a shot. I think that firearms will still be very rare in this campaign, so if your characters use them they'll likely get a lot of notoriety from the locals (good if you crave a measure of celebrity, bad if you want/need to keep a low profile for whatever reason).

@MannyGoblin and The Dread Pirate Hurley: I'm not wholly against unusual characters, but if you submit such a PC, remember that it's a fine line between fun and annoying (especially from the point of view of the other players). I'd have concerns if Noonan were "too stupid to live" and his unwise or unintelligent actions constantly endangered or sabotaged party plans. And while I love the idea of a lucky tengu bard, the terms "inflict on my players" and "sociopath" give me pause.

Thanks! I'll hop right on it.

Good point. Unfortunately, intelligent parrots are a wizard thing.

Without a doubt interested, I don't care all that terribly much about frequency of posting, as long as the game doesn't fizzle. Now you've got my character creation mind going, so I'll do nothing but mentally run through character options for the near future. I'll look to have something in here by Thursday afternoon. Hope that's not too late to make it aboard. Argh! ;)

I'll look to have something in here by Thursday afternoon. Hope that's not too late to make it aboard. Argh! ;)

Not a problem--I don't have any completed characters yet. Plan is for me to pick PCs somewhere between Christmas and New Year's Day.

P.S. -- Extra credit for the correct spelling of "Argh!" (I read in an official pirate book that the 'gh' is silent.)

Definitely interested. I will ponder the variety of piratey concepts I have brewing in my head and put together a fleshed out concept once I find one that calls to me.

Spoiler has stats for Auggh the Unclean. Near drop-out wizard.

here is Jordan Bain, pirate hunter. (Mainer)
@Gm Piratey Steve: Not sure if there's any particular pirates i should be looking for, or if I can build that into the background, which will be completed when i find out :) But stats should all be up to date.

"MendedWall12 wrote:

I'll look to have something in here by Thursday afternoon. Hope that's not too late to make it aboard. Argh! ;)

Not a problem--I don't have any completed characters yet. Plan is for me to pick PCs somewhere between Christmas and New Year's Day.

P.S. -- Extra credit for the correct spelling of "Argh!" (I read in an official pirate book that the 'gh' is silent.)

Excellent! I've got several ideas rolling around. I'll make sure to solidify one of those, and get an alias posted with stats and fluffiness as soon as I can.

sounds interesting, lets see what kind of charakter I will make.

Putting in the beginning of a submission for a druid (decided not to go the gunslinger route). Backstory is being worked on. She will be a storm druid and have plenty of weather and elemental spells to play around with.

Hi,

I've got something bronze dragon-y percolating in my head. Either a bloodrager or something MCing sorceror, I guess. If I develop a coherent character I'll submit him.

If this is going to be a slow-posting game, are you open to persuasion about your proposed slow advancement (as opposed to medium)? I'd be concerned that the two factors are going to compound each other in an unappealing manner.

@The Dread Pirate Hurley, Zohruk says hi. :-D

I want in!

I fall into the category of experienced player/GM willing to offer guidance with rules and whatnot. I'm recruiting right now for a second PbP that I'll be running so something leisurely sounds great! Plus I've had this character floating around in one form or another for a while now looking for the right game for him.

His current form was for a game with a lot of variant rules that didn't end up coming together (because the GM had to bail for work) but I can change around his mechanics pretty easily. Most of his fluff would probably remained unchanged. His core concept is that he was the middle son of a successful shipping magnate, and kind of the family screw-up (a hard drinker prone to brawls)- when his father died he left half his fleet to the eldest son and half to the youngest and Culder just got the one odd numbered ship that allowed the rest to be split evenly. He cleaned up his act and captained that ship til it sank in a storm. He started pirating after that. The only thing he has left of his inheritance is the ship's anchor which is chained to his wrist (and he fights with it). In most versions he's had a parrot familiar that has more knowledge than he does but that's not essential (especially if others are playing with that as well).

Do you have a deadline in mind for submissions? I could start reworking him now, or I could wait until closer to the deadline and look at how I could try to fill any gaps in the applications...

edit: I know you don't want to be overwhelmed with extra rules but there is one rule from pathfinder unchained that a lot of GMs are using- background skills. The full rules are available at that link but the nutshell version is that everyone gets 2 extra skill points at each level but they can only be used on skills that generally have no combat usefullness (like craft, profession, a couple of the knowledges, etc). I've found that it's a good way to allow players to take skills just for roleplaying purposes without unbalancing anything. And in a game like this it allows everyone to take profession[sailor] without cutting into potential the 1-2 skills they might get as a low Int fighter or cleric or whatever.

I've got a cleric all but done. As far as fluff goes, does the deity choice matter terribly? I'm rolling several background ideas around in my head, but I've always wanted to try randomly generating a background and to put together a story from that. It would be all the more challenging. In the end though, I'm thinking of having Aghon be a grunt healer at one of the local temples who is extremely dissatisfied with his work, and longing for an escape... I can ad-hoc some friendships with other characters, maybe because he helped bandage their wounds after a bar brawl or dock scuffle, after we get more fluffy details of the entire crew.

Argh! Adventure ahoy!

Here's my cleric submission, I'll be working on fluff over the next couple of days, and I want to wait until we have a really good idea of who else is along for the ride, so I can incorporate any possible ally relationships in the details. Please look over for errors, or anything that isn't to your liking GM Piratey Steve.

Thanks,
MendedWall

What are your feelings on the Advanced Race Guide? I might be interested, depending on how I feel.

He said he's not familiar with most books outside of the CRB... You should probably be more specific about which thing you want to use...

I haven't drawn up an alias for him yet, but I would if selected along with a more expansive backstory. Thus I present Jarvis Crookrows, Halfling Bard.

If this is going to be a slow-posting game, are you open to persuasion about your proposed slow advancement (as opposed to medium)? I'd be concerned that the two factors are going to compound each other in an unappealing manner.

Good point. I'll keep this in mind as the game starts up. My current game plan is for lots of combat early to get the PCs up to 2nd level ASAP; if things start to drag, maybe I'll change to medium advancement.

Do you have a deadline in mind for submissions? I could start reworking him now, or I could wait until closer to the deadline and look at how I could try to fill any gaps in the applications...

I'll be choosing PCs the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. So far, I've seen: a human ranger, a dwarf wizard, a human storm druid, a human cleric of Hanspur (see below), and a halfling bard.

@Aghon: [Bugs Bunny voice] "Hanspur? Hanspur? Hanspur??!!"[/Bugs Bunny voice] Is this Hanspur included in the Inner Sea Gods hardcover (which I DO own)? If not, can you give me some other reference where I can read up on him (her)?

@Belac93: I've got the Advanced Race Guide at home but am not all that familiar with its content. What are you interested in?

In the end though, I'm thinking of having Aghon be a grunt healer at one of the local temples who is extremely dissatisfied with his work, and longing for an escape...

Ooh, I can help you there. During my game prep, I noticed a couple of things.

1) Port Peril has no obvious source of drinking water. One possible solution I was strongly considering is having some law that dictates that any divine caster capable of casting Create Water must do so multiple times per day at various cisterns throughout Crescent Harbor.

2) Most of Crescent Harbor's buildings are made of wood, creating a serious fire hazard. Another possible solution to the lack of water is that the island's streets and alleys are heavily populated with rain barrels. While these water sources are ideal for dealing with fires, I figure businesses located a distance from the cisterns might use rainwater as drinking water, likely after it's treated with Purify Food and Drinks spells (again, probably provided on at least a daily basis by a grunt priest from some friendly shrine or faith).

There's plenty about Crescent Harbor for a divine caster to be dissatisfied with!

I know you don't want to be overwhelmed with extra rules but there is one rule from pathfinder unchained that a lot of GMs are using- background skills. The full rules are available at that link but the nutshell version is that everyone gets 2 extra skill points at each level but they can only be used on skills that generally have no combat usefullness (like craft, profession, a couple of the knowledges, etc). I've found that it's a good way to allow players to take...

IMPORTANT ADDITION! ALL APPLICANTS TAKE HEED!

Background skills are now IN! Those who've submitted a character should add them when they get the chance.

Unimportant Addition: Bugs Bunny Reference

Well, since you've got at least one person in each major role already I think I'll just build Mister Hargraves however I like... maybe we'll try a barbarian (not like a savage or an uncivilized person, just a guy used to channeling his anger in fights). I'm thinking about maybe taking the breaker or sea reaver archetype- do you have any objection to either?

I'm thinking about maybe taking the breaker or sea reaver archetype- do you have any objection to either?

Nope, they look fine (the sea reaver in particular).

cool. here's Culder the sea reaver.

i think i need to tweak his gear (iirc i have a little bit too much gold spent for this game), but otherwise he should be all done and ready for review!

please feel free to ask any questions

MendedWall12 wrote:

In the end though, I'm thinking of having Aghon be a grunt healer at one of the local temples who is extremely dissatisfied with his work, and longing for an escape...

Ooh, I can help you there. During my game prep, I noticed a couple of things.

1) Port Peril has no obvious source of drinking water. One possible solution I was strongly considering is having some law that dictates that any divine caster capable of casting Create Water must do so multiple times per day at various cisterns throughout Crescent Harbor.

2) Most of Crescent Harbor's buildings are made of wood, creating a serious fire hazard. Another possible solution to the lack of water is that the island's streets and alleys are heavily populated with rain barrels. While these water sources are ideal for dealing with fires, I figure businesses located a distance from the cisterns might use rainwater as drinking water, likely after it's treated with Purify Food and Drinks spells (again, probably provided on at least a daily basis by a grunt priest from some friendly shrine or faith).

There's plenty about Crescent Harbor for a divine caster to be dissatisfied with!

Oh frick that's brilliant! What better way to make a healer bored to tears than to have him casting create water, and purify food and drink all day!!! Beautiful, I'll get that in the background fluffiness, which I plan to work on this afternoon if time allows. If not I'll be putting it together sometime this weekend.

Hanspur is a minor god of the river kingdoms. Located in the Campaign Setting, Guide to the River Kingdoms, and Gods and Magic books. Is that all right? I just figured his domains of travel and water made him ideal to this area of Golarion. Let me know if you want that changed, as I don't care one way or the other.

Edit: Also, about the background skills. Is it all right if I forego those? I don't have the data set for Hero Lab, I don't own the book, and I'm fine with Aghon not using that particular ruleset, if you are?

Hanspur is a minor god of the river kingdoms. Located in the Campaign Setting, Guide to the River Kingdoms, and Gods and Magic books. Is that all right? I just figured his domains of travel and water made him ideal to this area of Golarion. Let me know if you want that changed, as I don't care one way or the other.

Edit: Also, about the background skills. Is it all right if I forego those? I don't have the data set for Hero Lab, I...

Hanspur will work. As for background skills , you can either follow the link or not use them--whichever you prefer.

"MendedWall12 wrote:

Hanspur is a minor god of the river kingdoms. Located in the Campaign Setting, Guide to the River Kingdoms, and Gods and Magic books. Is that all right? I just figured his domains of travel and water made him ideal to this area of Golarion. Let me know if you want that changed, as I don't care one way or the other.

Edit: Also, about the background skills. Is it all right if I forego those? I don't have the data set for Hero Lab, I...

Hanspur will work. As for background skills , you can either follow the link or not use them--whichever you prefer.

Awesome, thanks! I'll peruse background skills, and see what's what.

Yeah, and if you don't have the HL module for Unchained, worst case, just go to the "Adjustments" tab, give yourself the proper number of extra skill points, and just be careful how you spend them.

Here is Jordan Bain back with updated background and re-statted per background skills. Please let me know if anything is missing.

Here is Jordan Bain back with updated background and re-statted per background skills. Please let me know if anything is missing.

The only discrepancy I noticed in his backstory is that his age is listed as 25 but the story makes him appear 32. Let me know which is correct.

Edit made. Actual age is 22. :)

I believe my application should be completely finished. I'd love some feedback once you've had a chance to look him over.

Aghon is fully ready, with crunchy and fluffy bits. I even incorporated casual acquaintance with "Jon Banner" and Culder Hargraves. :) I did use the background skills and took Profession Sailor, and Craft Carpentry, both of which fit perfectly with the back story.

I have to say, I did use the random rolling bit for backgrounds, and it actually helped the background story come to life. I mean, before I even started to write, I already had a pretty clear picture of who Aghon was, and what events had shaped his life. I'd highly recommend it.

I'd also like to say, no matter how casual and slow posting this campaign might end up being, I am stoked about it. Huge thank you to Piratey Steve for getting this going!

See you in the harbor!

** spoiler omitted **...

Aggghhh...Aughh...Aaghh??!! Wait a minute--I get it! You're trying to tell me that your 14 Int wizard isn't very good at spelling, aren't you? :D

Hey, this is GypsyMischiefs submission! The lovely Peony Boffin, peg legged archer lass of Pearl Harbor. i don't have much of a backstory cooked up yet, but I'm putting something together.