I’m looking to start a mid-level medium-length campaign based around some of the Eberron stories printed in Dungeon. I don’t mind if you’ve read them as long as you are fine with keeping that information separate from your character’s point of view. If you can guess which three part series the thread title refers to then you know where this storyline is going and can decide if you know too much for your own enjoyment. I’ll take the first five people who are interested and willing to commit for at least the first third of the story-arc and are able to post at least every other day. Given the rate of pbp I’m guessing the first third will run around four months or more. When we wrap that up we’ll see where we are and decide where we are going.
So here's the drill:
- Five players
- 32 point buy
- 5th Level
- Max hp, then roll. Take ½ of each HD if you roll below that.
- Standard starting wealth (9000gp), No more than ½ on a single item
- Sources- Core, Complete, PHII, Eberron & by request. No psionics and no Book of 9 Swords. They might be great, but I don’t own them and would need to if I wanted to include them.
The premise for this storyline will be that the characters are the staff of an Inquisitive Agency in Sharn. At least one of you will be the owner of the business, if not all of you. Non-partners will be employees of the owners who round out the staff of the Agency with the exception of your secretary.
- All characters must have at least one link to another character. You’ve been working together for anywhere from a month to years depending on your backstory. Not looking for a band of 5 isolated loners for this one ;)
- For each point of charisma bonus a character has, they get one contact within the city. They represent information, not favors. These can be criminal, mercantile, law enforcement, professions, gangs, (some) dragon marked houses, religions, etc In nearly all cases the contacts will be npc classes (commoners, experts, warriors etc). Some organizations will be off the table, but we’ll just go case by case there. If it is a group that survives based on its closed nature or thrives on secretiveness then it’ll get a no. (Includes House Sivis, Phiarlin, & Thuranni for non members as well as religious cults like the Blood of Vol for example.)
- Player’s will need to name their business and decide how ramshackle or respectable it is. Cost of a business front: Poor (2d4 x 100gp), average (2d4x1000), or upscale (4d8x1000). I suppose only the business partners will want to pay this, but it can be split any way you guys want to do it. No roll for this. You’ll just choose and we’ll place it within the city in a location and state of repair reflecting its cost.
- You also get to pick a standard of living as you'll all be semi permanent citizens of Sharn. Renting: Poor 1d4 gp/month, Average 1d4x10 gp/month, Upscale 2d8x10 gp/month. Buying a place is also an option if you are so inclined.
- The Last War was a huge world changing event stretching on over a century and it’s been less than two years since the end of hostilities. What was your character’s experience of the war?
- Every character should include in their bg at least one person from outside the group of PC be it family, a war buddy, an ex, an old employer, a rival or enemy or what have you. Just an idea that you have a history as an individual and people care if you live or die.
Okay… So anyone like the sound of that?
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I think I'll bite on this. I have read two of the three adventures but I don't think I'll have a problem (besides I haven't looked over those for months and don't recall every detail). I have not read the last one of the three. I'd be pretty keen on doing an Eberron urban campaign.
I am currently running a pbp so I check these boards regularly. Re character concept off the bat I'm toying with playing a beguiler or rogue. Probably human. The concept would be a bit of a scholarly type who dabbled in espionage during the war. He could be running a printing shop as a front. I'll have to think a bit more about the concept to put it in focus but that's where I'm learning towards.
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Ithuriel, this sounds cool – and I very much like the adventure trilogy in question! I’m good at separating player knowledge from character knowledge, but given that this one seems very much a mystery solving game, it might lose some of the fun to know “whodunit.” And I’m probably in too many pbp’s (and Eberron ones at that) as it is…
For now I’ll say good luck with the game – and suggest to anyone out there who hasn’t read the adventures that this one looks like a really fun one to play!
Hi Ithuriel - this looks like a lot of fun. I'd like to play. I'm in 2 other PBPs and can post daily. I haven't read the adventures.
Character will likely be ex-military; possibly acting as a bodyguard for one of the partners; possibly bought in as a partner himself if I can work out where the money came from.
How much do I need to know about Sharn and its organisations? Where can I read more?
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I would like to get on this one. I currently am in two other pbp's and think I can do one more. I am able to post most days as I am a stay at home mom and also work from home. My only posting issues would be if we leave town on the weekends. If you are ok with me jumping on board I will get some info ready in the next few hours. I am thinking of a changeling rogue. I will have to think of a shop type. Thanks
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Art, info on Sharn can be found in the Eberron Campign setting book and the Sharn City of Towers hardcover. Aubrey has also outlined some useful Eberron info (including a small section on Sharn) in this thread:
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/community/gaming/playByPostDiscussion/ aubreysOtherEberronCampaignDiscussionThread
Art, info on Sharn can be found in the Eberron Campign setting book and the Sharn City of Towers hardcover. Aubrey has also outlined some useful Eberron info (including a small section on Sharn) in this thread:
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/community/gaming/playByPostDiscussion/ aubreysOtherEberronCampaignDiscussionThread
Thanks Mothman - yeah there's plenty on Aubrey's thread to get me thinking and whet the appetite.
Itheriel, let me know if I need to buy any books, otherwise I'll go on Aubrey's write-up and pick the rest up in context during the game.
This is what I have setup right now and I will work on a background once we get all of the characters figured out.
Hey Ithuriel, I'd like to play. I'm currently DM'ing for my f2f group and would like to get some PC action going. If you allow NPC classes I'd like to play an Aristocrat 1 / Sorcerer 4 (human). If you don't allow NPC classes I'd like to play a Rogue 1 / Sorcerer 4 (human). Let me know if you have room and I'll do up a character.
Later
Ithuriel, let me know if I need to buy any books, otherwise I'll go on Aubrey's write-up and pick the rest up in context during the game.
You'll be fine as long as you have at least the standard 3.5 PHB. Looking through Aubrey's guide will give you a good idea of general politics and powers that be. But the storyline won't depend on any specialized knowledge of the Eberron setting. I would recommend at least the sections on Sharn and Dragonmarked Houses in Aubrey's guide though.
Art, info on Sharn can be found in the Eberron Campign setting book and the Sharn City of Towers hardcover. Aubrey has also outlined some useful Eberron info (including a small section on Sharn) in this thread:
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/community/gaming/playByPostDiscussion/ aubreysOtherEberronCampaignDiscussionThread
Or here.
Thanks for the link to the guide guys. It's so detailed I fully intended to point people towards it if they needed setting info :) And it was Aubrey's Sharn that really turned me onto the setting in the first place so thanks for that too!
and I very much like the adventure trilogy in question!
Me too... I waited for ages thinking maybe I'd have a chance to play in it, but eventually decided to take it on from the other angle. So here's to it!
I need to know if you are ok with me going as a Changling Rogue/Urban Ranger. This is what I have in mind at the moment just let me know if you have any questions. Thanks
If there was any setting where Urban Ranger would be appropriate I'm thinking Sharn would be it. Where is it printed though so I can once over it? I'm okay with the class, just want to see the details.
EDIT: I found it in the SRD.
Hey Ithuriel, I'd like to play. I'm currently DM'ing for my f2f group and would like to get some PC action going. If you allow NPC classes I'd like to play an Aristocrat 1 / Sorcerer 4 (human). If you don't allow NPC classes I'd like to play a Rogue 1 / Sorcerer 4 (human). Let me know if you have room and I'll do up a character.
Later
Aristocrat is fine with me and interesting as well...
Okay, here's where we are so far-
Current line-up and intial thoughts:
1. B_Wiklund - possibly human, beguiler or rogue
2. Art - likely muscle
3. Nani Wahine - changeling, rogue/urban ranger
4. Mercy - aristocat/sorceror
5. open
I can take one more player and once people are settled on concepts they like we'll draw the links between the players.
I should note that I'm in Europe. I have significant overlap with posting in the US, however the later it is in the day for you, the less likely I am online. That shouldn't be any kind of problem, it's just to let you all know when replies from me are unlikely.
Works for me. As long as he or she is sociable or motivated enough to run a business with the others it's good.
So that rounds us out at 5. Once you guys are fairly settled on concepts- or even before if you like, you can work out how you all met or know each other, and decide on a name for your Agency.
Have any questions? Ask away.
I am all for B_Wiklind's idea for the print shop as for my background since I am a Changeling I figure that I would have been used in the war as a spy. I figure that Phia doesn't talk about what she did or what side she was on but rather that she seems to watch her back a lot.
So where in Europe are you? I am nestled up here in Montana, US with my two little girls and my hubby who is Dreamweaver on the posts. IT happens to be snowing yet again and it keeps us at a nice 2 feet of snow on the ground any given day. I can't wait for Spring!
Phia>>
I'm in Athens, Greece these days. From Arkansas (Little Rock) most of my life, though I was living in Brooklyn before arriving here. I enjoy some snow, but there is none to be found here. Two feet for ages might be a bit much...
For the print shop idea... are you guys are thinking a fake business front where jobs come to you only by referrals or your crew seeking them out? You are basically private investigators. If you want to operate behind a front, that's perfectly fine, but you'll need to figure out how people know to hire you. Maybe you take cast off jobs from more established offices? Maybe you have an arrangement with a Dragonmarked House or law enforcement agency? It's your business so however you want to set it up is fine by me and we'll run with it.
Oliver>>
Noted sir. You are first of any alts.
Phia>>
I'm in Athens, Greece these days. From Arkansas (Little Rock) most of my life, though I was living in Brooklyn before arriving here. I enjoy some snow, but there is none to be found here. Two feet for ages might be a bit much...
For the print shop idea... are you guys are thinking a fake business front where jobs come to you only by referrals or your crew seeking them out? You are basically private investigators. If you want to operate behind a front, that's perfectly fine, but you'll need to figure out how people know to hire you. Maybe you take cast off jobs from more established offices? Maybe you have an arrangement with a Dragonmarked House or law enforcement agency? It's your business so however you want to set it up is fine by me and we'll run with it.
...and I'm in New Zealand, so its the middle of summer. I'll try to post before heading to the beach ;)
I'd like to run an honest and open Inquisitive Agency, with an office in a nice upmarket part of town. I don't see the point of hiding from our customers. If we can get work from the nobles and the houses, then it should pay much better than work from commoners.
I guess it depends partly on what sort of contacts we have available.
Brendan, its possible that our characters met during the war. Anyone else have a military background?
...and I'm in New Zealand, so its the middle of summer. I'll try to post before heading to the beach ;)
I'd like to run an honest and open Inquisitive Agency, with an office in a nice upmarket part of town. I don't see the point of hiding from our customers. If we can get work from the nobles and the houses, then it should pay much better than work from commoners.
I guess it depends partly on what sort of contacts we have available.
Brendan, its possible that our characters met during the war. Anyone else have a military background?
Ahh the beach sounds so nice right about now. I guess I shouldn't complain after all it has been getting into the 30's F lately .
I am up for pretty much anything as far as the shop goes. I figure that I could use my background from the war as a spy, to have met one of you in a random encounter and realize that I could do this as a "real" job. Thus I would be either an employee or we could go as far as to say that I met one of you at the end of the war and we decided to open the business together and go from there. Anybody else for ideas??
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Phia>>
For the print shop idea... are you guys are thinking a fake business front where jobs come to you only by referrals or your crew seeking them out? You are basically private investigators. If you want to operate behind a front, that's perfectly fine, but you'll need to figure out how people know to hire you. Maybe you take cast off jobs from more established offices? Maybe you have an arrangement with a Dragonmarked House or law enforcement agency? It's your business so however you want to set it up is fine by me and we'll run with it.
Ahh... I think I misunderstood your initial write-up when you described the business as a front... Ah well nevermind my earlier post re the print shop (unless we want to go with the front idea. May be with a front people coming to hire us don't worry about being found out. And there would be certain advantages in gathering info when we're not known as bona fide inquisitives) That said if people want let's go for a straight up agency. I'm inclined for it to be a little bit more on the ramshackle side (give it that more hard-boiled noir feel, Sam Spade struck me as the kind of guy who was always hard up to pay the rent) or more middle of the road. But open to ideas...
Re my character so I'll go for a human beguiler, Issac Vale. An antiquarian scholar, linguist turned spy. I still need to a full write up to flesh out the detail but my thoughts were that he specialized in stuff like cryptography, theft. He uses his facade as an unassuming 'bookworm' type to blend in. Throw in a dash of John Steed as he's fairly adept with a rapier. After the war he decided to go into this line of work as he savoured the puzzles and honestly thought he could do some good in the city. Do you want us to post the character in our profile or send it to you via email?
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...and I'm in New Zealand, so its the middle of summer. I'll try to post before heading to the beach ;)
You have no idea how appealing that sounds. I've just gone through a week of -50 celsius. (I live in the yukon)
I'd like to run an honest and open Inquisitive Agency, with an office in a nice upmarket part of town. I don't see the point of hiding from our customers. If we can get work from the nobles and the houses, then it should pay much better than work from commoners.I guess it depends partly on what sort of contacts we have available.
Brendan, its possible that our characters met during the war. Anyone else have a military background?
As posted earlier a straight up agency works for me as well. Re knowing each other perhaps you helped my character out in a sort of behind enemy lines kind of thing or a job that went a little south. (Ahh yes those two days hiding in the sewers. What wonderful smells we discovered.) Phia perhaps we also met on the same mission? Just throwing out ideas. Radavel, my brain is running dry, any notions?
Hello All,
I’d prefer a straight up business. Some suggested names; Sky Finders, Sharn Inquisitive Agency, Discreet Investigations, or Watchtower Investigators (all lame I know but it gets us started).
Here’s my characters general background (I’ll need to beef it up a bit after we figure out how we all met)
I’ll be playing Durel Winthorpe (Aristocrat 1 / Sorcerer 4; male human) the 7th son of a minor Breland noble. Being a patriotic Brelander I joined the army at 16, against my father’s wishes, and was promptly captured, so I spent the majority of my war years in a pow camp. I’m not sure who Breland was fighting at the end of the 100 Years War, so I don’t know who I was prisoner to. Does anybody have a suggestion? My father disowned me and so after the war I made my way to Sharn and begin working in the “Inquisitive Agency.”
I’m willing to kick in 2000 gp for the business front and will be renting an upscale place for 80 gp/month.
It looks like the easiest connection for Durel would be with Art’s muscle PC.
Later
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As posted earlier a straight up agency works for me as well. Re knowing each other perhaps you helped my character out in a sort of behind enemy lines kind of thing or a job that went a little south. (Ahh yes those two days hiding in the sewers. What wonderful smells we discovered.) Phia perhaps we also met on the same mission? Just throwing out ideas. Radavel, my brain is running dry, any notions?
If your character was in the military during the last war, it's possible we met while you were assigned in the Karnrnathi front. My character is a member of the Deathguard and was among many members of the order sent to investigate the use of undead by Karrnath.
Perhaps, you even thought my character was among the undead that you were supposed to fight because of his appearance. But after you saw him destroy the undead assaulting your position, your opinion changed. I remained with your unit as an unofficial civilian observer, i.e. mascot.
After the war, I helped in the establishment of the agency, i.e. provided some seed money. I use the agency as a place where I gather information regarding the undead threat as well as the Blood of Vol and the Order of the Emerald Claw, a fact that I have not shared with my partners lest they be drawn into a fight they do not wish to involved in.
BTW, Ithuriel, considering that scimitar is the favored weapon of the undying court, is it possible to consider aereni elves, regardless of class, to be proficient in its use, rather than the longsword? I'd rather not spend a feat or spell to be proficient in its use. Let me know. Thanks :D
First thoughts around Var - Barbarian (2) / Fighter (3).
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Var was born on the plains and raised to a life of war in the rage and bloodlust of his people. This was Var's life for 18 years. Life changed when his clan served as mercenaries, attached to the Breland army. Living and fighting with professional soldiers, Var saw the rewards of discipline and the power of ordered method.
He took opportunities to learn, becoming first a bodyguard to, and then aide and friend to, a senior captain. He also discovered that he had a talent for logistics and organisation.
After the war Var's life, as everyone's, changed yet again. He invested the spoils gained from a lifetime of war wisely, and is now in partnership with a number of acwuaintances from his war days. He is the organised one, keeping case notes and accounts; and his contacts in the military and knightly orders have already been useful.
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Stats and equipment to come. As aide to a ranking officer, Var could have had contact with almost anyone, so we just need to decide who and when. Also happy to contribute 2k gp. If we all do, that gives us a enough for a moderately nice place with money left over for business / group investments (high level divination spells / outside help / equipment and potions etc).
B_Wiklund>> Yes, I'd like it if everyone could create an alias profile for their character. It's very handy to have your sheet accessible by clicking on your post.
Isaac and Phia were both working as spies in the war, although from different angles- a natural impersonator who is a skilled warrior and a linguist/cryptographer with an ability to cloud peoples minds. You could have a history as a very effective pair of operatives who worked together if you like. Or friendly rivals. Or maybe you didn't know each other at all and met after the war. Just throwing things out.
Mercy>> You'll want to throw an ir into your name to represent that aristocratic blood. You'd be Durel ir'Winthorpe. Unless of course you consciously omit it day to day as you have been disowned. I hadn't imagined the group going for such a nice office space, but with an ex-noble in the group it does make sense. Also I'll look in a minute for who might have had you as a POW. I think Cyre is most likely, but you might have been obliterated by the Day of Mourning. Alternatively you may have been far enough from the epicenter (close to the border) that you had to fight or sneak your way out of the Mournland after your captors fled. If so you've seen some pretty horrific things even given your limited involvement in the war. If you want to go for the tie to Art's character he could have been part of a recon group operating behind enemy lines when the tragedy struck. You could have joined his group of survivors and made your way out. Again- I'm just throwing out fodder.
Radavel>> The longsword for scimitar switcheroo is fine by me.
It looks like all of you were involved in the war in one way or another. All from Breland's side?
I'm going to go ahead and squeeze Oliver in making it a group of six. Since it looks like you guys are shaping up into a more successful/established business than I had first imagined, I think it works.
I'm going to go ahead and squeeze Oliver in making it a group of six. Since it looks like you guys are shaping up into a more successful/established business than I had first imagined, I think it works.
Well, if we all chip in 2000 gp, then yes we can afford a nice place. Bur that means we're all giving up the equivalent of a weapon +1, or an Amulet of Natural Armor.
Is everyone happy with that? Otherwise we could downgrade and have a ramshackle old office in the slums instead of that nice marble building with the statues. Still, I do like statues...
I am fine with tying Isaac and Phia having met in the war and now have both come to Sharn and are working together. I have updated my background and I will still need to edit how we meet and also all of my inventory to coencide with what we need to pay for the business. Let me know how you want to meet.
Am I the only one of us that is in the states?
It's true, 2000gp each is a substantial portion of your wealth at this point. Up to you.
I'm not sure who all is in the US. It might be just you. :) Oliver, Radavel(I think), Art, and I are scattered across the world. B Wiklund in Canada should be in a similar time zone with you. Not sure about Mercy.
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I'm not sure who all is in the US. It might be just you. :) Oliver, Radavel(I think), Art, and I are scattered across the world. B Wiklund in Canada should be in a similar time zone with you. Not sure about Mercy.
I'm in the Philippines.
EDIT: BTW, B_Wiklund, do you like my suggestion regarding our characters' first meeting above?
For the POW backstory>>
For the last 8 or so years of the war Breland had ceased hostilities with Thrane, but were alternately fighting with with Aundair (who was severely weakened), Cyre, Droaam(formerly part of Breland, inhabited by monstrous humanoids), and Karrnath (who tried a disastrous naval invasion of Sharn 5 years before the end of the war). As far as my suggestion about fighting your way out of the Mournland- scratch that. Anyone within the phenomenon was pretty much insta-killed. You could have been a prisoner of Cyre, but in lands outside the country that they were occupying at the time (parts of Valenar, the Talenta Plains, & Darguun).
Isaac and Phia were both working as spies in the war, although from different angles- a natural impersonator who is a skilled warrior and a linguist/cryptographer with an ability to cloud peoples minds. You could have a history as a very effective pair of operatives who worked together if you like.
I think this will work fine for how we know each other. As far as the POW we could say that he was a POW in Karrnath and that Issac and Phia were both stationed at the camp where he was kept and they both helped him escape so now he has come to work with them in Sharn. This way at least three of us are tied together so far. Let me know what you think.
I am amazed at how we all literately have covered the world by where we all live. So here is a breakdown since I am procrastinating on getting work done tonight.
Dm: Greece
Phia: Montana, US
Mercy: Kansas, US
Art: New Zealand
Radavel: Philippines
B_Wiklund: Yukon (assuming close to Alaska, right?)
Oliver: Germany
POW Background >> I'd prefer to go with being held by Aundair, but if it's needed story wise Karrnath is ok.
Agency Price >> I put 2000 gp so we could be in an Average plus range. I'm certainly willing to spend less as long as we start in an Average Plus place.
Agency Name >> Anybody have more suggestions?
Equipment >> Is there any equipment you want or suggest Durel should have?
I should have Durel built either tomorrow or the day after. When is the planned start date?
Later
I am alright changing the POW camp to Aundair, perhaps near Cragwar. I figure that Isaac and I could have been in the camp the day of Mourning and stage a large escape in the chaos.
I can put up 2000 gold for the shop also so we should have a pretty nice place. I am also renting an average place for 30 gold/month for now, hoping to move up soon.
DM Ithuriel
I am alright changing the POW camp to Aundair, perhaps near Cragwar. I figure that Isaac and I could have been in the camp the day of Mourning and stage a large escape in the chaos.
I can put up 2000 gold for the shop also so we should have a pretty nice place. I am also renting an average place for 30 gold/month for now, hoping to move up soon.
DM Ithuriel ** spoiler omitted **
Here's Var. Still working on description, contacts, mundane equipment and stuff. When we have a final decision on cost of our shop-front, it would be nice to each include a description of our office. You can tell a lot by how someone keeps their work-space.
Var is currently living in a low-rent building largely occupied by other war veterans. Its about a 45 minute run to the business, but that just helps him keep in shape.
Shop summary:
An average office ranges from 2000-8000. Upscale ranges from 4000 to 32,000. If everyone puts in 1000 you would be on the upper end of average, or just barely in an upscale shop.
Phia(Nani Wahine), Durel(Mercy), & Var(Art) were all willing to go up to 2000 each. Oliver was willing to be a contributor as well. I don't think Radavel has stated a preference. Isaac (B_Wiklund) was more in favor of the classic film noir PI's office.
I imagine we'll start by the end of the week as long as everyone is good to go.
Art>> I noticed Var has an unusable rage ability due to his lawful alignment. There is an alternate class feature in the PHII called Berserker Str that replaces rage. It's very close to the same thing, but you have no control over it. It kicks in every time you drop to (5 x barbarian level) hp with no limit on times per day. It grants +4 Str, +2 saves, DR 2/-, and -2 AC. If you like the idea of your character falling back on his brutal tribal style when he is desperate maybe this would be a good sub for you. There may be other alternate class features for barbarians in other books.
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Shop summary:
Phia(Nani Wahine), Durel(Mercy), & Var(Art) were all willing to go up to 2000 each. Oliver was willing to be a contributor as well. I don't think Radavel has stated a preference. Isaac (B_Wiklund) was more in favor of the classic film noir PI's office.
I'm willing to set aside 2,000gp for the office, just so I can be an equal partner.
maybe this would be a good sub for you.
Coming back to this later I realize this is a choice that will completely get you murderized since the threshold it isn't increasing by level for you. At 10 HP you'll be wanting to fight intelligently more than ever, and get that potion down. So please disregard my rambling... :)
maybe this would be a good sub for you.Coming back to this later I realize this is a choice that will completely get you murderized since the threshold it isn't increasing by level for you. At 10 HP you'll be wanting to fight intelligently more than ever, and get that potion down. So please disregard my rambling... :)
It would be a great sub, and would really suit the character. But you're right: tacticaly it would end up being suicide in very few levels time. Shame, it would work if it was baed on character level, but that's probably overpowered.
I could change alignment, but I really like the idea of an ex-barbarian who gets up at the same exact time every day, runs the same route to work as exercise in the same time, has the same lunch every day, spars 3 times a week against the same opponent, and is the firm accountant... in other words has completely fallen in love with order.