Rangers of the Empire--HOMEBREW!! (Inactive)

Game Master Chainmail

'Many are called, but few are chosen' (religious text)
'The Rangers are my eyes and ears' (King Horace)
'I was destined to be ranger' (Wil)

This is an interest check for a homebrew campaign loosely based on a popular set of Australian novels and my extensive camping and canoeing trips over the best parts of the US this summer. It will also allow two classes, the Slayer and Hunter, to compete with druid, rogue and ranger. It will feature chases on foot and canoe. Tests of stealth, smarts, and courage will abound.

King Horace and Head Ranger Wil are old heroes, best friends, and run one of the most influential Kingdoms in the world. All characters will begin as commoners attending the Trials--an open competition to compete to be chosen as a Ranger. Rangers are the kingdoms group of elite woodsmen--the eyes and ears of the Kingdom. Commoners will need to prove their worth during the Trials to be called Ranger Apprentice (Level 1). So anyone can compete in the Trials (unlimited PCs).

Those that pass will be considered Rangers Apprentice. Wil (I) will select the best 4-6 to go on an elite mission for the Kingdom. Other rangers (hunters, slayers, rogues, and druids), will have to wait for other mission from other GMs.

What is a commoner? He is a 15 point build with 4hp+CON bonus and 2 skill points+INT bonus+1 if human. Other CORE races besides human are allowed, but rare--the majority of the kingdom is prejudiced against humans as they tend to be hostile. A commoner has no equipment--ranger trainees are provided all they need.

Do I need to have read any source material or the Advanced Class Guide? No--druids, rangers, and rogues will do fine and the events take place 40 years after any of the popular novels.

If still interested, let me know.

I would be interested. I can throw together a character for this. Do we get ranger class skills as our class skills?

There is not so much interest. I may just start a Wrath of Righteous Campaign.

Rangers may not be that popular.

If looking I would be willing just let me know.

Rangers are great but the problem may have been the holidays.

don't give up so easily. I'll watch and see what develops, maybe join as a ranger/bard

what do you mean by "The kingdom is prejudiced agains humans"? did you mean the opposite of this or is the kingdom made up of non-human races?

Sorry kingdom is prejudiced against demihumans or nonhumans.

I love playing rangers, and would like to get involved in such a game...if you are still running it, that is!

Well, let us see how much interest evolves.

If not enough, we will convert to a Wrath of Righteous AP with all the bells and whistles (UE, UM, UC etc.)

Well that would be fun as well....do you want me to roll up a ranger, or commoner character for this game?? or wait and create one for Wrath of Righteous?

We will wait. If we start this you start as 0 level commoners.

There is not so much interest. I may just start a Wrath of Righteous Campaign.

The boards have been pretty slow the last few days, since most of the American users are celebrating Thanksgiving / Black Friday. I'd give it a few more days to see if anything comes up, once the boards get back into the swing of things.

Since I love playing rangers, this sounds like a very interesting setup. Color me interested!

What books are allowed? (Not that commoners have options other than feats and alternate racial traits.)

Plan will be all books allowed.

Players will eventually pick a class.

I draw some inspiration from the O - level old school Treasure Hunt module. I can't find it, but remember the good parts.

Ken Rolston reviewed Treasure Hunt for Dragon magazine No. 125,[4] calling Treasure Hunt a "fine example" of the sub-genre of "low-level adventures in which the characters are stripped of all their game-mechanics resources and forced to improvise with their wits". Rolston complimented a few of Allston's design choices, including having player characters graduate from zero-level to 1st level with the DM tracking their progress, providing explicit staging for the DM, and displaying flexibility with interpreting the AD&D game rules.

Wikipedia Treasure Hunt module

i am deftly interested ranger is my favorite class

Ok--I think we are getting enough to make this happen.

Commoners will get all their racial abilities--remember, people do not trust nonhumans. But all core races are allowed.

15 point buy (yes, you are a commoner)
hit points=4+CON bonus
Skill points=2+INT+(1 if human)
Whatever you put your skills in count as class skills. Perception and stealth are recommended choices.
Campaign will add the following Skill:
Prof(Canoeing)--familiarity with small craft and whitewater. This skill is modified by Wisdom.

As you don't need to know the books to make a background--anyone can be a ward of the state. During the dislocation and chaos the Kingdom adopts many young children from lands near and far. These foundlings do not always remember their homelands, only that they need to be apprenticed by age 18. The ranger trials is a good place to do this.

Here are the nations of the world, their modern counterparts, and their attributes.

Your Kingdom Medieval England ◾Powerful king, strong government
◾Longbowmen
◾Island nation

Arrida Fatimid Caliphate (Northern Africa/Arabia) ◾Desert country
◾Large trading ports
◾Powerful military

Celtica Medieval Wales ◾Minor nation on island
◾Good relation with neighbor
◾Fairly weak army

Hibernia Medieval Ireland ◾Customs similar to Medieval Ireland
◾Unsatisfied populace
◾Hibernia is Latin for Ireland

Picta Roman and Medieval Scotland ◾Tribal chiefdom
◾Superstitious religion
◾Blue woad face paint and tattoos

Skandia Medieval Scandinavia ◾Similarly armed soldiers
◾Powerful raiding fleet
◾Similar politics and titles (i.e. Jarl)
◾Similar religion(Loki is mentioned in the BrotherBand Chronicles

Temujai/Eastern Steppes
Mongol Empire ◾Powerful horse archers/cavalry
◾Large Empires
◾Local titles and similar names

Nihon-Ja Samurai Dominated Japan ◾Customs similar to Medieval Japan
◾Feudal system same as Medieval Japan
◾Language based on Japanese

Gallica Medieval France ◾People speak French
◾Country split up between factions
◾Good wines and cooks

Toscana Roman Empire ◾Fighting style like the Romans
◾Ranking works similar
◾Export of olive oil
◾Italian/Latin language

Iberion Medival Spain ◾Many sailors
◾Use hired assassins
◾Spanish names/language

Sonderland Greenland ◾Both large islands
◾Similar terrain

Aslava Russia ◾Slav is in the name Aslava
◾Slightly similar histories

Still interested!

I would like to offer Lance as my submission will add a background tomorrow

I would like to join this but I just want to clear a couple things up. You start out as a level 0 commoner and if you pass the initiation you become a "Ranger" as in a title right? With Rogue, Ranger, Hunter, and Slayer as actual class choices. And the 15 points for attributes does that assume you start at base 8 or base 10? Look forward to the answers and hopefully getting in on this!

Also is there a Germanic Tribes equivalent i could use for character background? :D thx

Here is drayen's submission. A few questions:

Do we have any starting money?

I have taken Craft (bow). Can I start with my own longbow and arrows?

Do we use traits? If so, how many and are there any restrictions? Are there any campaign specific traits?

(Mikel Roho)Couldn't wait. Made Ascan. Hope he makes it, I enjoyed making his backstory, a lil dark but I like how it turned out.

Characters will choose their level 1 class if they are worthy.
15 point buy and no one is turned away at the Trials.

Here is the attribute costs.

7 = -4
8= -2
9= -1
10=0
11=1
12=2
13=3
14=5
15=7
16=10
17=13
18=17

I'll open the discussion to ALL interested soon.
No starting money!

Still very interested, thinking about trying Slayer class, should the character be deemed as "worthy". Should have him ready by tomorrow latest. No starting money means no equipment, so that simplifies some things also. Being a Slav myself, will probably aim for the Aslava character. Is there any "mechanical" difference, or is it simply fluff?

Here is my submission for the game. I will create an alias if chosen.

Name Jonah Wing ................................Race Human
Classes/Level Commoner 0 ......................Gender Male
Campaign Homebrew ......Homeland Hibernia Medieval Ireland
Alignment Chaotic Neutral .......................Deity
Size Medium .....................................Age 18
Hair Brown .....................................Eyes Brown
Height 6'0" ................................Weight 190 lb.
Skin Tan ..................Languages Common, Giant, Gnome

Character Traits

Poverty-Stricken Your childhood was tough, and your parents always had to make every copper piece count. Hunger
was your constant companion, and you often had to live off the land or sleep in the wild. You gain a +1 bonus on
Survival checks, and Survival is always a class skill for you.
Vagabond Child You grew up among the outcasts and outlaws of your society, learning to forage and
survive in an urban environment. Select one of the following skills: Disable Device, Escape Artist, or Sleight of
Hand. You gain a +1 trait bonus on checks with that skill, and it is always a class skill for you.

Offense

Init +2 Base Attack: +0 CMB: -1
Weapon Wooden Stake attack bonus -5 critical *2 type P range 10 damage 1d4 (Sleight of Hand 21)
Weapon Club attack bonus -1 critical *2 type B damage 1d6
Weapon Quarterstaff attack bonus -5 critical *2 type B damage 1d6/1d6
Weapon Sling attack bonus -4 critical *2 type B range 50 ammunition 0 damage 1d3 or 1d4
Weapon Unarmed Strike attack bonus -5 critical *2 type B damage 1d3

Defense

HP 3/3(4-1)
CMD 9
AC 10, Touch 10, Flat-Footed 10
Fort Save: -1, Ref Save: +0, Will Save: +6
Spell Failure Chance 0%

I own Treasure Hunt (I've run it a few times), wish I could make it available to you. But, I can give you some details about the class assignment points system used in the module. When I get back home I'll dig it out.

What about using Genius Guide to Apprentice-Level Characters? It is a great (and cheap) PDF which handles "0-level" characters by class. It is really good (I have used it in the past)

I own Treasure Hunt (I've run it a few times), wish I could make it available to you. But, I can give you some details about the class assignment points system used in the module. When I get back home I'll dig it out.

I will be restricting this campaign to five classes, so I will not be using the Treasure Hunt system but draw inspiration from it.

Discussion thread is up. Anyone wishing to compete in the trials can post in the discussion thread. Once characters are approved, you will be cleared to the gameplay thread.

No feats but two traits to start. Humans will get their bonus feat. A half-elf would get their skill focus. No equipment--you will be issued what you need.

Dwarves, gnomes, elves, halflings, and half elves are rare. A rash of demihumans born to human parents caused some consternation. Some of these offspring were executed, others fled to live with others of their kind.

I'm thinking a Fae (elf) found in Hibernia . . ..

Feel free to use alternate traits but not to rebuild races beyond that.

Crunch

STR:14
DEX:16
CON:10
INT:10
WIS:15
CHA:10

Race: Human

Ranger Rogue type

More later

All alternate traits permissible from Paizo no third party.

So am I good to go? (minus the feat, that is)

You've mentioned twice that alternate racial traits are allowed, but not whether traits are allowed. If you are allowing traits, do we get the standard two traits?

Standard two traits---sorry. Saves have use just stat bonus.

Friday I will move those from discussion to gameplay if we have enough.

No comments in discussion means you are good.

Just popped into the discussion and want to remind people to defer to GM's attribute point table, just all want to be on same page. With that said GM, do we get the +2 to an attribute besides the points due to race?

Racial adjustments after point buy.

Humans/half elves +2 to your choice.

hustonj's submission, fleshed out a little bit. Hopefully enough for the contest.

Still accepting ranger applicants.

Name: Hubert Knickertwist
Homeland: Your Kingdom Medieval England
Race: Human
Class: Commoner 0 (hereafter abbreviated as Cmn)

Ability Scores: STR: 10 (+0), DEX: 14 (+2), CON: 10 (+0), INT: 16 (+3), WIS: 13 (+1), CHA: 12 (+1)

Hit Die: 1d6 (Cmn) +0 (Con)
hit points: 4

Base Attack Bonus : +0
Melee Attack Bonus : +0 = +0 (Cmn) +0 (Str)
Ranged Attack Bonus: +2 = +0 (Cmn) +2 (Dex)

Fort Save : +0 = +0 (Cmn) +0 (Con)
Ref Save : +2 = +0 (Cmn) +2 (Dex)
Will Save : +1 = +0 (Cmn) +1 (Wis)

Traits: Quick Learner, Tactician.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: club, no armor, no shields.

Feat: Point-Blank Shot

Languages: Common, Aklo, Sylvan, Tengu.

Skills:
6 ranks = 2 + 3 (Int) + 1 (Human)

Acrobatics : +2 = 0 (ranks) +2 (Dex)
Appraise : +3 = 0 (ranks) +3 (Int)
Bluff : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Cha)
Climb : +0 = 0 (ranks) +0 (Str)
Craft (weapons) : +7 = 1 (ranks) +3 (Int) +3 (class skill)
Craft (X) : +3 = 0 (ranks) +3 (Int)
Diplomacy : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Cha)
Disable Device : -- = 0 (ranks) +2 (Dex)
Disguise : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Cha)
Escape Artist : +2 = 0 (ranks) +2 (Dex)
Fly : +2 = 0 (ranks) +2 (Dex)
Handle Animal : +5 = 1 (ranks) +1 (Cha) +3 (class skill)
Heal : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Wis)
Intimidate : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Cha)
Knowledge (X) : -- = 0 (ranks) +3 (Int)
Linguistics : -- 0 (ranks)
Perception : +5 = 1 (ranks) +1 (Wis) +3 (class skill)
Perform (X) : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Cha)
Profession (canoe) : +5 = 1 (ranks) +1 (Wis) +3 (class skill)
Profession (X) : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Wis)
Ride : +2 = 0 (ranks) +2 (Dex)
Sense Motive : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Wis)
Sleight of Hand : +2 = 0 (ranks) +2 (Dex)
Spellcraft : +3 = 0 (ranks) +3 (Int)
Stealth : +2 = 0 (ranks) +2 (Dex)
Survival : +2 = 1 (ranks) +1 (Wis)
Swim : +5 = 1 (ranks) +0 (Str) +3 (class skill)
Use Magic Device : +1 = 0 (ranks) +1 (Cha)

Equipment: Peasant's Outfit, club, sling, waterskin, burlap sack, stale bread, piece of jerky, hunk of cheese.

Light Load 33 lb. Medium Load 66 lbs. Heavy Load 100 lb. Lift Over Head 100 lb. Lift Off Ground 200 lb. Drag Or Push 500 lb.

*************************************************************************** *****

Quick Learner

You’re skilled at learning the feel of a particular weapon after a few swings in combat.

Benefit: After your first attack with a weapon in which you are not proficient, the non-proficiency penalty decreases by 2 (to a –2 penalty). This effect lasts only while you have the weapon in hand; you must “relearn” the weapon each time you pick it up.

Tactician

You know how to take advantage of enemies who are unprepared for your assault.

Benefits: You gain a +1 trait bonus on initiative checks. In addition, once per day when you make an attack of opportunity, you gain a +2 trait bonus on the attack roll.

Intro post up. We will see who checks in.

as an fyi I am interested in this but I'm not sure if you are still accepting applicants or what not. If yes I can have something up later tonight (I am on U.S PST) say in 4-5 hours. Any more room?

I can not speak as to whether Gm Tribute will turn you away or not.

We just started today. And I mean JUST.

He indicated that our group consisted of 10 characters. 7 characters posted in the Discussion thread. 5 have posted in the gameplay thread so far. More than 10 have posted in this thread, but several did not provide a character, not that I noticed.

I'm willing to bet (but can't prove) he's waiting to see who all actually posts in the gameplay thread because he's not sure who's really going to give it a go, either.

Follow the instructions and post in discussion first.

Off topic here but where can I add a picture for this alias? I found where to do it for my primary account but not for this one, any tips?

Off topic here but where can I add a picture for this alias? I found where to do it for my primary account but not for this one, any tips?

under my account is an alias section, edit the alias and it will give you an option to pick up an avatar like the last time when you're did your main account.

Kiana pops over, see's things have started, and wishes the GM great luck with his game!

Does it make sense to have these languages or are some of them inappropriate for this world?: Common, Kingdomspeech, Halfling, Goblin, Tengu