Pollexia Invaded (Inactive)

Game Master Darksmokepuncher

Greetings.

I am going to run a zero magic game using pathfinder rules. This game will be run in a home-brew setting, not in Golarion.

All spells, spell-like, and supernatural abilities are removed from this game. Only mundane items are allowed. If you're not sure, please ask.

The Story
The Kingdom of Pollexia is invaded and it's army has thus far been prevented from joining into a cohesive unit. Individual barons work tirelessly to avoid battle and bring their troops together under the leadership of the Lord Marshall. Many have been unsuccessful.

After a crushing defeat under their liege lord, the players scramble off the battlefield. Cut off from their contingents and now deep in enemy territory, they must decide what is to become of them.

You may be a professional soldier, a member of the militia, or a clerk/aid de camp to a low ranking officer. The story is very open and can take a wide array of turns depending on what skill sets are available and what choices are made. Each character should represent a real person in this world and should be rounded enough to be playable in combat and social situations alike. Obviously, some characters will favor one over the other.

Character Creation
Level 2

Max Hp at 1st level, then average.

1000gp in starting gold

Human only

20 Point Buy - No score lower than 8

Only the following classes are allowed:
Barbarian (Vanilla or Unchained)
Bard, no bardic performance or spells
Fighter
Monk (Vanilla or Unchained), no Ki Pool or supernatural (ie. Wholeness of body, diamond body, abundant step etc.)
Ranger, no spells, favored enemy is replaced with the Slayer’s Studied Target ability, Skirmisher is a good choice
Rogue (Vanilla or Unchained)
Cavalier
Brawler
Slayer
Swashbuckler

2 traits (one must be a combat trait) and 1 flaw. I will choose a 3rd trait to help tie your characters to the story.

1-3 paragraphs about your character with emphasis on her/his life outside of war and how he/she feels about war in general. The chosen group will collaborate with me to finalize backgrounds once they are chosen.

Things to know
Pollexians do not have a religion: you are living and breathing or you are mud. Otherwise, morality, honor and so forth exist on a similar spectrum to our own world.

Enemies will include other humans, animals, and the elements. All are held to the same no magic rules as the players.

Technology is closest compared to 12th and 13th century Europe.

Please ask if you have any questions.

Definitely applying.

Time limit on applications?

Number of characters?

Skalds, hunters, investigators and Samurai aren't on that list. Is that deliberate? (even with no spells, I can see these being viable)

You mentioned in your interest thread that you were at least considering expanding herb lore or the like. Any decision on that? I'm considering trying to see how useful a mundane healing sort could be.

I'm interested, but I don't know what source flaws are from. Do you mean drawbacks?

I'm not going to put an end limit on the applications just yet.

I will take 3-5 characters. Probably 4.

The class list is deliberate.

I haven't finished up with any expanded herb lore or anything. Suffice to say that if you've got enough survival and heal skill ranks, you'll be able to handle it.

I do mean drawbacks, not flaws. Sorry.

I am thinking in a Camp Follower. A woman that has just lost the men she was following (family? husband?) and now faces solitude in the middle of the enemy.
Maybe a rogue.

I'm not going to put an end limit on the applications just yet.

I will take 3-5 characters. Probably 4.

The class list is deliberate.

I haven't finished up with any expanded herb lore or anything. Suffice to say that if you've got enough survival and heal skill ranks, you'll be able to handle it.

I do mean drawbacks, not flaws. Sorry.

A couple more questions then I'm done:

1) Any chance you'd consider background skills?
2) No magic items, no alchemical items. Can we buy special materials (mithril being the obvious although at 1k not at character creation :-( unless using some wealth boosting trait.
3) If we have craft skills can we buy items we craft ourselves (assuming can take 10 to hit DC) at 1/3 cost?

I like the camp follower idea. Women characters will bring an interesting perspective to this game, since medieval gender roles basically hold true. Just know that a female character might face challenges a male wouldn't.

I will not however entertain or include overt sexual violence of any kind in this game. At most, someone may mention "having their way" or "being used", etc. But I do want to stay away from that side of things as much as possible.

There will be mature themes and descriptions in this game, but we can try to be tactful about it.

I had not read the background skills rules, but I just did and love them. Go for it.

Steel, wrought iron, bronze, brass, tin, copper, and precious metals (silver, gold, etc.) are really the only metals we'll get into. No need to worry on mithril, cold iron, or the like.

Crafting is fine. Basic things that can be made with your hands and basic tools like a knives or an axes are no problem. Larger woodworking projects or metal work, especially forged steel, will be much harder as those things require specific equipment that will be controlled by the powers that be wherever possible. As the game progresses, depending on the choices made, such things may become easier. Otherwise, normal crafting rules apply.

Ok. I'm working on an Unbreakable Fighter. Fights sword and board. I like background skills, thanks for including them.

Have to work on the actual mechanics and crunch of the character but this is her backstory before the events of this game. her personality, ect.

What about the Generic Classes from 3.5 Unearthed Arcana? (Upping the Expert to D8, and giving the Warrior Heavy Armor proficiency)

NPC classes with no magic are fine. However, we're only using Pathfinder rules.

NPC classes with no magic are fine. However, we're only using Pathfinder rules.

Eh, the Generic Classes aren't exactly broken, or hard to port to Pathfinder, but I get your Point of View.

I don't think they are broken or hard to port. I am very familiar with Unearthed Arcana and usually use it in my games.

This is a special kind of game and I am being purposefully restrictive.

I don't think they are broken or hard to port. I am very familiar with Unearthed Arcana and usually use it in my games.

This is a special kind of game and I am being purposefully restrictive.

OK. Wanted to ask first.

Exemplar Brawler might be a good choice for this; Inspiring Prowess is an (Ex) ability and one of the few non-supernatural means of buffing your party. Think I'll submit something to that effect.

And here's my submission. No magic, no super human stuff. We be normal and real this game!

Just so you know... it's hard to spend even 1000 gp when you have no magic items to buy. Hard, but enjoyable.

Exemplar Brawler might be a good choice for this; Inspiring Prowess is an (Ex) ability and one of the few non-supernatural means of buffing your party. Think I'll submit something to that effect.

On second thought, think I'm gonna go full-hog on being a support unit and make a Battle Herald. Since this is a Human only campaign, would it be okay for me to waive the race requirement on the Helpful trait?

Dot

Gonna dot here. Will start working on a Rogue (Unchained) for the game. I have to admit I'm not super into the human only requirement though.

Edit: I take that back. It will either be a sword n' board slayer, or archer ranger.

I will remove my hat from this ring as I am not a huge fan of games with military themes. Good gaming all.

I am definitely zeroing on my character. He will be primarily a medic with the heal skill (some combat ability, obviously).

There is a religion specific trait that fits him perfectly. Battlefield surgeon. Any chance that you would waive the prereqs for that trait (presumably changing the category at the same time)?

I'd also be willing to take it as a feat. It is probably that powerful in this campaign.

Looking over it, since someone else is already going the sword n shield route, I think I'll stick with the archer idea. Gonna go Hooded Champion, or Freebooter/Skirmisher.

Just so you know... it's hard to spend even 1000 gp when you have no magic items to buy. Hard, but enjoyable.

Not that hard when working with MW weapons, heavy armor, and shield.

Another question for the GM, what languages are available to learn?

I'm interested and will try to post something soon. It's not a problem to do the two level dip in Master of Many Style and stick with Brawler is it? If it is, I'll just stick with Brawler.

Battlefield Surgeon is easily tooled as a combat trait for this campaign. Go for it.

Languages:

Pollexian: This is the national language and replaces common. You all get this for free.

Sepalese: The language of Sepal, a country to the south.

Odish: The language of Odalisk, a country to the south west.

Jocastian: The language of Jocasta, a country to the north.

I have no issue with multi-classing.

Went with slayer, a melee dexterity build.

Mostly just buying equipment at this point

The actually numbers are on the sheet listed in the link below. feats, abilities, backstory, personality, equipment and such will be listed in further detail on the alias.

Link will also be in the alias as well, posting here for ease of access
Character Sheet

Ok. The closest things to completed characters at this point are:

Ashling (Incomplete) and Robert (Complete).

We have some good ideas posted, and I'd like to get started sooner rather than later. To that end, I have decided on a dealine:

All applications need to be submitted and complete by Sunday, January 10th at 5pm PST.

I will then do my best to choose a team by EOD Monday the 11th.

First Draft of my submission Character Sheet, for your perusal...

Gunnhild Josch

I am definitely zeroing on my character. He will be primarily a medic with the heal skill (some combat ability, obviously).

There is a religion specific trait that fits him perfectly. Battlefield surgeon. Any chance that you would waive the prereqs for that trait (presumably changing the category at the same time)?

I'd also be willing to take it as a feat. It is probably that powerful in this campaign.

*throws his ideas for a Gregory House expy into the nearest trashbin.*

@ Darksmokepuncher: It was kinda why I asked about UA Expert.

Time for a new idea/concept.

Here's my rough draft. The crunch is mostly complete, it just needs traits and drawback, and a second language. Those should come as I type up and flesh out his background. Then I'll get the formatting cleaned up. If chosen, I'll create the alias.

Trent Walker, human unbreakable fighter.

If I wanted to go Bard, are there any changes that could be made to the Juggler archetype?

everything should be set now, purchased all my equipment the crunch should be done as well.

You know, I'm actually wondering... How important are our saving throws going to be? The only (Ex) will save I can think of is Terrifying Howl. No magic certainly removes all of the charms/compulsions that usually have you scraping for every possible will save booster in the game. Am I missing something/will something be added that gives me a reason why I have to invest in that saving throw?

Here is my concept for an archer.

I don't see what needs changing for the juggler. They're all EX abilities.

Gunnhild, Trent, Kas, and Ashling look good.

Arachnofiend, you're will affects how easily you can be intimidated...but you're right. Not a huge call for will saves here.

That being said, I'm going to get suspicious if Machievellian plans start flowing from a Wis 8 character.

I'll create an alias for Ganterra if I'm chosen.

Obviously, some of the details are a bit sparse. If I've invented too much of the world in my background or if there is something that you don't like mechanically please let me know and I can change stuff.

Summary: A combat medic accompanied at all times by a leopard, he is competent in combat but is much more useful because of his skills.

I don't see what needs changing for the juggler. They're all EX abilities.

Gunnhild, Trent, Kas, and Ashling look good.

Arachnofiend, you're will affects how easily you can be intimidated...but you're right. Not a huge call for will saves here.

That being said, I'm going to get suspicious if Machievellian plans start flowing from a Wis 8 character.

That works just fine, since the character I was planning on is definitely more suited to being a leader on the field than at the planning table.

Sounds good Arachnofield!

Ganterra looks really good, very well thought out. I like it.

This is cool. Would anyone have a problem with me making a character based (kinda) on Guts from Berserk?

He would start as an Unchained Barbarian 1/Titan Fighter 1.

Also nothing to do with demons and the like of course!

I don't see what needs changing for the juggler. They're all EX abilities.

A few little modifications to Weapons and Armors proficiencies, and of Combat Juggling... of the "Juggle and Throw Anything" types.

Gonna start building my Archer now. Anyone have any preference between a ranger, or Zen Archer?

Related question, would I be able to use the Ki pool for purely non-supernatural abilities like the extra attack in a full attack? If not, I still might pick Zen Archer or Sohei anyway. Zen really kicks into gear at 3rd, but Sohei offers a lot too. And picking Ranger will let me buff the party, and buffs will be exceedingly rare.

About Gunnhild Josch (will make an alias if selected). IMAGE
The life of a camp follower is not easy. Life tends to be brutish, sad, and in most cases, short.
Most of her half brothers and sisters died before they could walk. Her father, a soldier, died in a battle when she was little.
But that didn't made the murder of her mother and sister, at the hands of the soldiers of the victorious army any easier. She ran away, knowing that she could not save them, and unwilling to die with them. But her heart refused to go, and died there, next to them.
She was alone. Utterly. But she would survive, she won't let fate defeat her. She won't let pain bend her knees.
She will hide, run, steal, lie, and even kill to survive. She would find a group where her abilities as a cook and a thief were valued, and use them as a shield, as a place to hide, as a place to be safe.
A place to survive.
A place where she could cry herself to sleep at night, without anybody seeing her.

A few little modifications to Weapons and Armors proficiencies, and of Combat Juggling... of the "Juggle and Throw Anything" types.

If you have specific requests, I will consider them, but I'm not going to change a perfectly valid archetype blindly.

Green Smashomancer, I gotta say no to the Ki Pool as the ability is itself supernatural. Sorry.

I will remove myself from the ring.

Studied Target counts as favored enemy here, right? For the purposes of archetypes?

Yes.

Alrighty then, I'm almost done, but are there any rulings on things like Smoke Arrows, Etc? Otherwise, here's Johnny Riley.

There we are. I can put more detail into the family if you want, but these are the important bits.

Fire arrows are my limit. I may change the nature of their smoking due to the weather in game.

Looks like new applications are slowing down, so I'll start going through applications tomorrow. If you are not complete, please get done asap. I will still stick to my original deadline.

I got Gunnhild Josch equipment... Need to put the values in the Character Sheet.