Rennick's Shadows of Faerun Campaign (Forgotten Realms PFRPG) (Inactive)

Game Master Rennick

Haha, no worries, I'd rather hear my players gripes, I won't always agree but I'd definitely rather know about it then pull an "I'm DM my word is law!" (EVEN THOUGH IT IS)

and yeah shoot me an email there, it'll help

One thing to say, that I think was mentioned way back when, is that I'm not fair across the board for every thing, but I will be fair for everyone.

What I mean is someone might get a trait that's got more beef to it, something will happen along the way for everyone else to balance out, some people (well actually the two originals we still seem to have) have started with their signature weapons, a personal favorite of mine, but everyone will get some cool swag and more importantly some high powered stuff (literal or figurative) that's important to their story.

And Arikor's right, you were supposed to leave at night, I forgot when I decided to push you out the door, my bad. (But really... wouldn't it make more sense to travel in daylight if you're worried about Drow...)

Thats cool the dm trust thing is always touchy when you don't know each other but i'm happy to leave it as is if you like :D

Edit: Although i would love the extra skill points :P as a player i always like more skill points it's my once gripe with PF over 3.5

Allepo can you roll me your stealth check for your shadowy goings ons. (you should be able to take 10 on it for this turn if you would like)

also may as well roll that perception check you mentioned.

Imzel is going to be written off stage, and I am opening up the game for submissions for a new player.

Here are the edited traits:

knife in the Dark - For years you've seen The darkness that lies in men's hearts... and just how powerful a tool that this can be. Years above back alley dealings, tavern room strong arms, nobles left dead in their own solars and other "messages" have given you skills few others have. Gain a +1 to Stealth and a +1 to intimidation skills. Your training has also given you an almost preternatural ability to stay hidden and to confuse your opponents. Once per day you may add 1d6 to your sneak attack.

How far does the apple fall? - You are a Cormaeril. A Family of nobility, wealth, prestige and most importantly, power. One of Cormyr's oldest families; yours is the blood of Kings and Kingmakers. Your family tree revered by all around, at least until many of your kin attempted a political coup and Regicide. With your lands stripped and the majority of your family exiled from the Kingdom, your name still holds sway among many of the nobles within Cormyr and other lands as well. As such you have been educated in a variety of subjects that are not always available to those of lesser stature. Gain 3 extra skill points and you may choose one extra skill to be considered a class skill.

Just to keep you guys on the up and up, Right now I am prepping for auditions for grad schools, filming an audition tape for one school overseas and ending my time teaching abroad in Korea. That's this week and change. On the 21st I'll be going on a trip to Japan (expect a week long hiatus for that) then I'll be visiting my girlfriend's family in her part of Canada (honestly it's a small town, expecting a fairly regular posting speed, but if not this is why) and then I will be home for the summer and things will be much less hectic.

Cool beans on the rewrite. One minor question:

Your training has also given you an almost preternatural ability to stay hidden and to confuse your opponents. Once per day you may add 1d6 to your sneak attack.

Does this mean I can increase my sneak attack damage by 1d6 for a single attack? Or for one round (potentially applying to two attacks with two-weapon fighting)?

I've added the trait and have chosen skills i thought suited nobility (Knowledge Nobility, Survival (for hunting), and Perform-wind (because every noble should play :D)

Thanks, those few extra skill points helps me think of him as a noble. If it's ok i'd also like to add something like a set of simple rude pan pipes to his equiptment that was given to him by someone he and Sir Kaidan rescued as a bit of backstory i can flesh that out more or leave the details up to you if so. :)

As to the delays in the game thats fine as long as we know they are coming its not a problem if push comes to shove we can always entertain each other with long stories from our characters past while camping.

Hi all. I don't know if I can continue to participate in any games on here, because I'm becoming extremely stressed out right now with everything around me.

I'm having difficulties progressing with my studies, and I need to re-assess my priorities. I will be reposting this in all of my games, since it is accurate and reflects taking responsibility for my action or inaction.

I really want to continue, but it does not look good for me now. I wish you all the best, and will try to return soon - because I'm in need of a stress-release, and I can't give you my best when I'm not at 100%.

Cheers.

And then there was one... original player that is.

No worries Arikor, I completely understand how it is with Real Life decides to take over everything and have been there a few times myself. I will ambiguously write your character off in the next few posts in a way that should you feel you are able, you'll be able to come back into the game. Good luck with everything buddy!

Fatespinner - Only for one attack a day, I feel like being able to add 2d6 in a round could be too unbalancing in early levels, and by the time it isn't, it won't really matter anyways.

Now that I have some word on how things are going, expect me back in about two-three weeks. Classes will slow down at least, and my next set seems easy enough.

So, a temporary absence - I'll be back after this semester, since it wants to go OMNOMNOMNOM on my time.

See you after February!

Greetings all--

I'm excited to be here and hope for an awesome campaign.

Take a looksee at my character and let me know if you have any questions.

-Kyson

Kyson, I'm re-posting this for your consideration before we start you in the game.

On The Church of the Nine

The Church of the Nine is a relatively new faith, if it can be called that, that arose after the Spellplague as the deities involved banded together to aid the mortals of Toril. Since that time many have come to worship the Nine collectively, offering thanks or praise to a particular deity when in relation that that Deity’s place within the Nine. Churches still exist devoted solely to single gods that are within the Nine, though most will acknowledge their God’s allegiance with the other Gods of the Nine.
The Nine are:
01: Lathander – The Father, God of the Morning and the Sun, Lathander is the leader of the Nine and the most widely revered. Represented by the color Gold (Or)
02: Selune – The Maiden, Goddess of the Moon and paramour of Lathander. She is worshipped by the young, especially maidens, and travellers. Represented by the color Purple.
03: Chauntea – The Mother, Equal in strength and worship to Lathander, Chauntea is the Goddess of Life and the Earth. Represented by the color Green.
04:Torm – The Warrior, Patron of just warriors, paladin and martial strength in the defence of Good. Torm is represented by the color Silver (Argent)
05:Sune – The Lady, Goddess of love, represented by the color red.
06: Oghma – The Scribe, God of Knowledge and scribes. A patron of scholars and travellers alike, Represented by a color of light grey.
07: Gond – The Smith, God of creators, smiths and craftsmen, Gond is represented by the color Bronze.
08: ---- – The eighth seat of the Nine has always stood empty, but the Gods have made it clear that such a seat does exist and does stand empty.
09: Kelemvor – The Arbiter The God of Death and the underworld, Kelemvor is not an evil deity and shepards souls to their proper place in the underworld. Actual worship given to him is rare, but he is acknowledged as one of the Nine. He is represented by the color Black.

Clerics of the Nine each hold one of the Nine as their patron. Robes of the Priesthood are pure white with markings, at the most basic a single stripe across the shoulders and chest, of their deity’s color.
It should be noted that the Nine are not the only religion that exists in the Realms. Far from it, many deities still claim power and worship, the Church of the Nine is merely a newer way with which the people of the Realms may pay their worship.
There are some schools of thought that believe that other good deities act under the guidance of the Nine. There are others who feel this thinking is heresy. The Gods themselves have kept surprisingly quiet on the matter and in fact, a Cleric of Tymora who feels she is a part of the Nine’s court will still receive his God’s favour, just as a cleric who believes his god Tymora acts alone.

On The Church of the Nine

Yeah, I saw this when browsing this thread after I created my character. It's new dogma to me...I hadn't seen it before.

One of the traits I wanted my character to have was sort of a crisis of faith in that he sometimes believe that his luck is running out and that fuels some of the decisions he is making.

He sort of believes that he has used up his luck in surviving so long...and now questions some things that he believes.

I'm open to changing deities (if that's what you are suggesting), but feel comfortable with my choice as it stands. That said, I have an equally compelling Priest of Oghma that I could create.

Whatever works best.

-Pain

well, you wouldn't have seen it before, I wrote it for this campaign.

Tymora works fine, she's still a God and what not, as the article states, maybe gods retained their power. The Nine are just the "dominant faith" in much of Faerun's human dominant societies (The Dalelands, Cormyr and Waterdeep as an example)

well, you wouldn't have seen it before, I wrote it for this campaign.

Lol. :)

Then I stick with Tymora.

Let's talk about traits...something to help me with UMD or overcoming the SR of outsiders, mayhaps?

-Pain

Welcome aboard :)

And we've got Jack Ketch as our new Gunslinger!

Alright so, traits for our new players.

Kyson:

Tempered in Hellfire

Lots of people in this world think that they know fear. You know better. You have seen the armies of Hell march across snow covered plains. You have seen Infernal beasts descend upon you and your allies time and again, unleashing horrors from which death would be a release. You have Hunted Devils and Demons, and what's far worse. They have hunted you. First and foremost this experience has tempered your soul. some would say you are strong, others would say you've simply seen too much. Gain a +2 to knowledge checks regarding outsiders or the planes. Any time you fail a will save roll in relation to fear you may choose to reroll. You must take the second roll.

Jack:

The Quick and the Dead

You've been in your fair share of seedy situations. Bar room brawls, back alley meets, and all other forms of lawlessness and thuggery. It's made you quick on the draw, and fast on your feet.

gain a +1 to ref saves and 1 grit point.

Kyson:

Tempered in Hellfire

Lots of people in this world think that they know fear. You know better. You have seen the armies of Hell march across snow covered plains. You have seen Infernal beasts descend upon you and your allies time and again, unleashing horrors from which death would be a release. You have Hunted Devils and Demons, and what's far worse. They have hunted you. First and foremost this experience has tempered your soul. some would say you are strong, others would say you've simply seen too much. Gain a +2 to knowledge checks regarding outsiders or the planes. Any time you fail a will save roll in relation to fear you may choose to reroll. You must take the second roll.

A'ight, updated my profile with new trait.

I'll get my first post out on the morrow.

Demons! Why'd it hafta be demons! ::rolls on back, stares at sky::

Demons! Why'd it hafta be demons! ::rolls on back, stares at sky::

haha, Actually complete coincidence. I'd had the dretch and Succubus picked and statted before I picked your character, :p

So I thought that since we only have one of our original players left at the moment, that it would be a good idea to talk (read: rant) about my hopes and ambitions for this campaign.

Where I stand on running D&D games right now: I love DMing, it's my favorite part of D&D and I have a blast with it. That said, over the past two years, I've been DMing very neophyte groups. While fun, this ended up with a lot of railroady plots because they just weren't used to RPing enough to go off on their own. I'm tired of this and want my players to have more freedom.

That said, storyline is my favorite part of a game. I have no interest in runnning a dungeon crawl. That said, in the past I would devise a basic plot line and try and guide my players along it. This time, I'm working a basic plan for what my bad guys will do if no heroes oppose them. How and whether you react is up to you.

It's a world of HIGH magic: We just had a cataclysm of magical energy. people chuck lightning bolts and fireballs,and islands float in the sky. This isn't medieval history with pointy ears. This is fantasy. It's a philosophy I take from Eric Mona and his Ptolus setting. The D20 rules aren't really designed to run games that don't acknowledge these (though I do believe it can be done) So this world is a fantastic one. City guards aren't amazed when they turn the corner and see a giant spider web, they're annoyed because they have to clean it up. Wizards teleport around across the globe in minutes and dragons fly through the sky! This isn't to say that everything is mundane. I hope you get the idea.

I want this to feel alive, not like it's a movie: Just as the world will live and move around your characters, I want your characters to feel like they're alive as well. Yes they go tromping through dungeons and kill drow and save the day. But they learn and grow. they make friends, fall in love, maybe start families. Join knightly orders or found their own. I want them to have their own goals and ambitions. Some of these will have seeds planted by me (IE: What of Blackstaff Tower? Will Ruhk claim it for himself, will he move it away from Waterdeep?) and some you will probably come up with on your own (Hey Rennick, I'd love to start my own fighter's guild!" and some will probably just come out of the game.

This game will touch on heroism, war, desperation, fear and many other things. It's going to be a dark and mature game (though not grotesque by any means)

that's all I can think of at the moment, here's hoping this all works out.

Thanks, Rennick. I'll update Jack with the new trait and be ready to go shortly.

Awesome statement of goals, theory, and purpose.

Awesome.

I try to aspire to be the kind of player that will push your world and this game as far and as well as we can take it.

This will be different and I'm looking forward to living up to your stated desires and framework.

-Pain

Just realized, reading over my little rant: Ptolus is the property and creation of Monte Cook, not Eric Mona.

:p For any young whippersnappers who may wonder why that name sounds familiar, go dust off your 3.0 DMG and look at the name on the cover.

Just realized, reading over my little rant: Ptolus is the property and creation of Monte Cook, not Eric Mona.

:p For any young whippersnappers who may wonder why that name sounds familiar, go dust off your 3.0 DMG and look at the name on the cover.

Lol whipersnappers i started a full 2 editions before that and dabbled in basic (i played an ELF not like the elves you see these editions :P)

Just realized, reading over my little rant: Ptolus is the property and creation of Monte Cook, not Eric Mona.

:p For any young whippersnappers who may wonder why that name sounds familiar, go dust off your 3.0 DMG and look at the name on the cover.

I was going to correct you, but then remembered, here, on these threads, you are the *LAW* and if you say Mona wrote Ptolus, I wasn't going to argue. ;)

I played a very small portion of Ptolus, loved it.

As for my whippersnapperism, I call that into question as I'm surely an old snapper and ye better remember that lest I beat you over the head with my first edition Monster Manual, circa 1977 along with my #8 Dragon magazine.

I'm old. And, after re-reading my post, apparently, cranky and snarky.

Wut Bertious said: let's go back to 1e, I'll go F/Mu/Thief.

-Pain

Wanted to give you guys one more update but it wasn't in the cards.

The game will be on hiatus for a week at least while I've travelling Japan, plus a day or so for Jet lag and what not.

See you guys in a week and a bit!

Rennick, I updated Jack with the new gunslinger info, which mainly means he loses one pistol and gains the gunsmith feat.

DM Rennick:

Just wondrin' about the deliberate pacing of our threads, and recognizing your other endeavors, is it your intention to continue this campaign?

Thanks.

-Kyson

Definitely still continuing this campaign. I tend to not update games on weekends and my travel time yesterday went over what was planned by about 6 hours, hence no update. But yes this game is still going to continue.

the above being said, I have a huge audition tomorrow and don't want to half-a$$ any of my posts or it, so I'm going to wait a day to update. sorry folks.

Game's been updated and I'm hoping to get us back onto a regular schedule again. post up folks!

Game's been updated and I'm hoping to get us back onto a regular schedule again. post up folks!

Excellent!

I'll resume checking on a regular basis and I'll ping Aleppo when I see him online.

Thanks for the update, Rennick.

Off topic:

Ruhk, your "Derek Keegan" is busting my #@@% up in the other group.

Keep it up.

-Pain

I am travelling this weekend, probably won't be posting until Tuesday because of this.

On top of this I was accepted to an international grad school today... kind of been a shellshocked whirlwind of a day, hence no post today, sorry folks.

I'm back, game's updated!

Hi guys.

I want to apologize for my vanishing act, though I don't recall if I left a post here about my stress levels. It didn't help my school was falling behind, and it compounded.

On top of that, I was in a car accident, and the details can be found in another thread, which I might c/p later. It caused a memory malfunction, to put it lightly, and I forgot a lot of the paths I wanted to go with most of my characters should I return.

On another note, I'm back as my Arikor, and I look forward to inspiring us to better ends, as Rennick has told me I'm welcome to return, and I can only promise you my best in my current state, and beg forgiveness for my inadequecies(sp?).

With that said - let there be Arikor!

Arikor will be rejoining us, though he's got a bit of an adventure before he does. *evil grin*

Arikor, I think the best way will be to start a new PbP thread for you in the PbP board here. We'll use it until you're at a point to rejoin and then transition you back to the main thread. For brevity's sake we'll share the OOC thread.

Glad you're alright buddy, car accidents can be devastating, I know. Hope you're back to tip top shape soon man.

Alright, then I will be watching the PbP thread for it - and continue working on that other project in the meantime!

This brings us to our first level up. Everyone goes up to lvl 2.

Levels don't happen magically (well except the magic stuff) which is why we take time between adventures and all that, and I'll make sure levels come between adventures as best I can.

Right, so, what's the deal with Hp? I'll start updating my character with a level as wizard (probably Transmuter) as soon as I know.

Standard PFRPG, max at 1st lvl and roll for the rest,

1d10 ⇒ 2

Jack will spend the downtime practicing his sleight of hand and quick drawing skills, becoming more and more comfortable with his pistol. He'll also probably fabricate some more gunpowder and bullets; he's going to need them.

1d8 ⇒ 8

Kyson will engage in a solemn night of prayer as he ponders the path before him. As always, asking Tymora for luck and guidance.

Tonight's night of fasting and prayer will be met in the morning with something that Kyson has never felt before: strength and understand a bit above the meager insights that he has had before.

The in game stuff belongs in the game, the crunchy goes here.

When writing these little blurbs try to keep in mind all parts of the level up. I'm poking at Kyson because he's the one I'm looking at right now. :p

What about skills? you gain new points at each level which means you improve, Kyson in fact gets a fair number. Going off what's written above I would gather that these come from prayer? Is this the best choice? I mean yes spells and magic come from gods (or arcane) but does knowing more about your church come from that, or is it that he studied his church's bible? Say he puts skills into ride. Does Tymora make him a better rider or did he practice? If the answer is yes then what happens if for whatever reason Tymora stops answering?

I am not trying to tell anyone how to RP, or make anyone feel like they aren't doing a good job. I did say I was going to push for this game to be detailed and to feel like these characters were alive and well rounded, which is the major point of these level up blurbs. (Because otherwise it'd take a week to RP things like "I hacked at the wooden dummy with my sword... DM: Your BaB goes up)

You totally are welcome to pick on and push me. Of course, I feel this is a "what does he want from me" situation than anything else. Our first time leveling, it's going to take some time to figure out what you're looking for.

As for the spells and saves, yeah, I think that is Tymora having more faith in Kyson. She's finally willing to give more of her divine essence and trust him to use it correctly. Or maybe he can now handle more.

Now the skills, are more interesting. I put points it the following:

Diplomacy:
Know (religion):
Know (planes):
Perception:
Sense Motive (2):

I certainly can and will accept training in Religion and Planes and heavens knows the elves can provide it. I think the increase in Diplomacy and Sense Motive comes from being more confident as Tymora is trusting him more and therefore he believes in himself and his judgement more.

Training in Perception? Hmm. I think that's just him learning more.

He'll accept training with his BAB (it's now +1), but that's hardly his focus or forte.

Does that give your more of what you seek? More questions?

For personal reasons I will not be updating my games tonight. I apologize for the delay.

I think I'm going to take the opportunity to bow out of this one, guys. I've been a little out of the loop lately (no internet at home and have been sick from work for most of the week) and just can't find the momentum to get as involved as I should be here. Feel free to carry on without me and I wish you all the best.

said some stuff

What I want is an interesting question, and I guess the simple answer is to take the oportunity to be creative. I've said before that I want these people to feel like they're really (or as close to real as they can being fantasy). What I don't want is for it to feel like a video game. You beat a boss, twirl your sword and pose, heroic music plays and ding! you're stronger.

As an example, Kyson's training in perception... Maybe Kellendel or one of the other elves took him hunting, his newfound skill grew out of learning to keep up with the Elf's keen eyes.

Don't worry too much about this stuff either, in the end it's another oportunity for you to flesh out your character a bit more, but it should still be fun for you.

Aleppo - I'm really sad to see you go, but I understand. Thanks for the heads up man, good luck with life.

I'm going to make Aleppo and Daen NPCs. The three remaining are going to need some help and I don't want to put some new PCs in right away or stall the game.

Also I'm going forward with the game, Kyson if you'd like; post your lvl up post and I'll respond to it as a "this is what happened" post.

Arikor: I haven't forgotten about you! I was going to start your game today but I had one of those lightbulb "Oh god that would be so awesome!" ideas for it that will tie it into the main plot, but need just a bit of time to flesh it out. Your side-game will start tomorrow, promise.