Im game. Up to you DM.
Okay. So everyone seems game to have another player or has no strong feelings about it. I like the mix of the group as it is but I think the right concept can join in easily enough so I am willing to give it a go.
STR Ranger mock up a character and let me have a look see.
Build yourself at level 2 with the following:
20 point buy
2 traits
Max hp at 1st level; roll for subsequent lvls, min 1/2 hit die (ie, if your class uses d6, and you roll a 1 or 2, you get 3 hp + your bonuses)
For gear assume average wealth by level of 1000gp. Please be sure you are outfitted in a sane manner, I would not appreciate your character coming in with 2 magic items and no clothes. ;-p
So here is my *thing* and it is why I have been a little reluctant. I threw my hat in the ring to run this game because of two reasons:
1. No dedicated group deserves such crazy turnover in the way it happened.
2. As you have noted in your own desire to join the read is good and the characters are rich and interesting.
So my message to you is build accordingly. Concept first mechanics second. If you want to build an Invulnerable Rager or a witch go for it, but pick something you like and something you think will jive with the narrative. We have a couple of locals and some out of towners so you can be a known (if poorly remembered until now) quantity or you can ride in on your horse cloaked in mystery.
I prefer characters built with some hooks so I have some things to consider in making the game more focused on the players, I think everyone in the thread now has left me a juicy tidbit in their playing or in their histories that I can run with. If you have any ideas for inserting yourself into the game I am open to hear them.
Let me know if there are any questions.
Awesome. I'll be back soon.
Click on the Avatar to meet Toshio.
I gotta go do a 12hr shift now. I'll get a build for it tonight.
Basics: 2handed katana master.
Gonna Aim for Dazzling Display, Shatter Defenses, Conugan Smash(if you'll allow it) and Deadly Stroke. I'm trying to go for the whole Samurai Swordmaster bit.
Click on the Avatar to meet Toshio.
I gotta go do a 12hr shift now. I'll get a build for it tonight.
Basics: 2handed katana master.
Gonna Aim for Dazzling Display, Shatter Defenses, Conugan Smash(if you'll allow it) and Deadly Stroke. I'm trying to go for the whole Samurai Swordmaster bit.
Interesting. I like the concept though I have some reservations.
I would be curious to know what you are hoping to represent by hammering his CHA through the floor other than system advantage. Keep in mind that you are middle aged (Middle age is 35 for a human and you would need to be at least as old as you are for your concept to work, I only care what the points add up to now) which means that you are implying that Toshio once had a Charisma score of 6 earlier in life...so I think the charismatic equivalent of a troll or some other monstrous humanoid.
I will not require, as it is simply not my style, but I will recommend that you might rethink your stats and consider being not as optimal in some capacities and get your charisma up a little bit. (I for one think that a strength of 15 will treat you just fine.) One must wonder why this group would hope to partner with Toshio if his ability to express himself socially is so hindered, his name alone wouldn't necessarily get him in the "door" as it were.
On a side note you will probably find that number crunching will not garner as a rich a reward - as RotRL specifically, and I as a GM in general, tend towards trying to construct a scenario where social elements are integral (Sandpoint is and remains important as do the people and your relationships with them). Now, most social interactions don't require rolling but I want all the cards on the table since we don't have a face to face opportunity to talk about this.
The feats and progression sound fine. Cornugon Smash is interesting and though it is in the Cheliax book I see no reason why a group of warriors based on things like intimidation (which Toshio is surprisingly bad at?) such as Samurai would not have developed such a technique. (Or maybe you stopped off in Cheliax for a while, whatever you like). I think with the right opening Toshio could get to the group relatively quickly.
Sorry to ramble on about the charisma thing, its come up a lot in my gaming history so I am always pretty verbose on the topic.
Can I ask what time zone you are in?
Australia (gmt+10) I work a rotating shift but at a minimum have a smartphone on me at all times so I can check-in alot.
Time zone shouldn't be a drama.
I forgot about the age rules. Just wanted him to be old enough for the story to work. I'll review his age and probably drop STR a bit and bump CHA if you like (I was gonna go with skill Fcs:Intimidate)
I'll check back later
Australia (gmt+10) I work a rotating shift but at a minimum have a smartphone on me at all times so I can check-in alot.
Time zone shouldn't be a drama.
I forgot about the age rules. Just wanted him to be old enough for the story to work. I'll review his age and probably drop STR a bit and bump CHA if you like (I was gonna go with skill Fcs:Intimidate)
I'll check back later
Age is good and we will "count" your points -after- the adjustment to 20. So just assign as you like, just remember that not too long ago Toshio remembers being stronger and more virile than he is now ;-)
Australia? Well we are working on a pretty broad band of time then. With Vidar in Europe and the rest scattered across the US we are quite a mix.
Re-did his scores.
I'll be pumping skill points into intimidate and diplomacy, rather than having a higher charisma. I see Samurai, as being so wrapped up into traditionand honour it (an all or nothing mentality) that it wouldn't exactly endear people to him. He'll rely on Maxing out intimidate and diplomacy to handle social awkwardness.
Putting him together now.
Thinking:
Reactionary, Sandpoint trait
1-H-Power Attack, Wpn Fcs: Katana
2-(Dragoon Level) Mounted Combat, Skill Fcs: Ride
Putting him together now.
Thinking:
Reactionary, Sandpoint trait
1-H-Power Attack, Wpn Fcs: Katana
2-(Dragoon Level) Mounted Combat, Skill Fcs: Ride
Mhmm can't take Dragoon as a Samurai, Dragoon is a fighter archetype and Samurai is built on top of the Cavalier.
Oh wait...I see you are multi-classing Samurai/Dragoon?
Edit: Mhmmm you might rethink the Dragoon part. Honestly this AP features a couple of decent overland sections buts lots of mixed terrain, city, interior and "vertical" sections (like mountains) when I am not sure dramatic focus on a horse will serve you well. I want you to feel like Toshio is contributing to full extent and I am worried that if being on a horse is his thing you might be disappointed a fair amount of the time.
Yeah, that's Cool.
I'll either sub in a normal fighter level or Tactician or Unbreakable.
I was gonna go straight Samurai, but rereading the samurai weapon expertise ability I wasn't sure if you would require a fighter dip so I can Chase Gtr Weapon focus. I've had DM's go either way, so happy to err on the safe side of raw.
Yeah, that's Cool.
I'll either sub in a normal fighter level or Tactician or Unbreakable.
I was gonna go straight Samurai, but rereading the samurai weapon expertise ability I wasn't sure if you would require a fighter dip so I can Chase Gtr Weapon focus. I've had DM's go either way, so happy to err on the safe side of raw.
Hmm I see what you mean. What a weird way to handle/word that ability (the power itself not your choice).
I guess it basically opens a bunch of door for fighter feats at the cost of your capstone...which is not a terrible choice given that how many people play to 20? Or is it intended to allow for very martial focused Samurai to multi-class with ease?
I did about 30 minutes of reading on this and my search-fu is pretty strong. the community seems pretty divided on this and there is no official errata or FAQ on the subject.
At the end of the day I am more "yes" than "no" as a DM so I am going to rule that the intent of the power is to allow easier multi-classing/reflect the martial focus of the class rather than force some sort of crazy dip into fighter for a level for those feats.
No worries.
I am happy with that. I'll take lvl1 Samurai and 2nd level will be unarmed fighter archetpye.
Works well cause as much as I have no intentions of unarmed fighting, I can't thematically not see a samurai who isn't good with his fists.
I'll take my style feat as dragon style.
Gives me a couple of good save bonuses and lets me ignore difficult terrain and allies when charging or running (a big pain for most melee dudes.)
1st level die max=10
2nd level Crap. You said min 1/2 though so 5.
I believe I'm finished.
Feel free to check over my Char and see if I missed anything.
On your advice I dumped Dragoon for Unarmed Fighter. Everything is assigned and I think I'm ready to go.
Pretty sure I met your gear requirements. (ie. Not showing up with weapons and armor and nothing else. I did spend 400gp on My Masterwork Cold Iron Katana. Base price 50gp, doubled for cold iron, then add 300 for masterwork. )
Chewed 40% of my budget if that's ok, still pretty sure I covered all gear standards and still had 20gp left. :)
I thought that would be ok, given the whole Blade of my Ancestors bit (I'm gonna have it be the last gift his Great Uncle 'gave' (still paid out of budget) him before returining home.
If you are happy with what I have let me know. I'll wait foryou to write me in....
(P.S. Took a Sandpoint trait but had to reword it. If no good I'll look for another.)
Things looks good.
I like that the Samurai is carrying a Swiss weapon though...aaahhhh RPGs! :-p
I'll probably insert you in the morning, which may be a day or two IRL depending on the questioning.
Toshio: I noticed you have skills with 4 ranks in them. At 2nd level, you can only have 2 ranks in a skill. Unless those are the class skills and you are including the +3 class bonus in the ranks. That and the total ranks don't add up to what is listed at the top.
Yes, that has to be it. If I assume all the 4's are 1 Rank + 3 Class Bonus, then the total is 11 which matches.
Welcome Sir Samurai to Sandpoint...
You are correct. All the skills with 4ranks are class skills (bolded).
Cheers
I'm begining to like this whole bully aspect of Vidars personality a little too much, I better try to restrain myself a bit more haha.
Wait till your learn Baleful Polymorph, you'll be able to make good on the threat of turning people into frogs....
Last Change, dumped unarmed fighter archetype for straight fighter.
Feats are now
Skill Fcs:Intimidate, H- Wpn Fcs,
Power Attack
(Intimidation is his thing)
This group is moving further towards being the intimidation mob... :)
Just because the good is good aligned doesn't mean we can't be scary as hell :)
FYI guys I have a monster post coming but I apologize for the delay.
As I have been charting Joyuk's responses I have been keeping us in a normal dialog pattern because so much depended on what you asked and how, now that he has pretty much been broken down, him explaining everything would take forever so I want to synopsize it so we can move on. This single day in Sandpoint has taken up quite a bit of time and while there may still be things for you to ask after I don't want to chew up the rest of the IRL week getting it out there. I'll hopefully get it out in the morning but it will be up tomorrow for sure.
Very nice story Devon!
Indeed - I'm glad we kept after him; I know if I had that kind of backstory put together for an NPC, it would be eating me alive until I could finally share it with the party! Well done!
A. Glad folks liked it.
B. I make a lot of notes for NPCs. The advantage of this AP is that the notes are so robust for most of the town/encounters that I have to add just a dash of things to make them mine. That leaves me with a lot of time to flesh out the other folks I bring in to throw out plot hooks and fiddle with the world...I mean...to create characters for purely interesting narrative reasons O:)
Toshio awaits in the dark of night. Ready to wuxia stab evil. :)
Just letting you know, I swapped out skill fcs:Intimidate for Persuasive feat instead. Thought it would be ok, since Toshio has not been seen yet.
Hey, I was still unsure about the fighter dip being required or not. I asked the question in the 'Ask James Jacobs' thread
Page 240,
33ish post
NO class should require multiclassing to work as its own class. That's a fundamental philosophy of Pathfinder's design.
When we say: "The samurai levels stack with fighter levels," that's the same as saying, "For the purposes of meeting the prerequisite for feats like Weapon Specialization normally only available to fighters, the samurai treats his samurai levels as fighter levels.
Thus, a 4th level Samurai can take Weapon Specialization without multiclassing.
So if it's cool, I'll update in the next hour so Toshio is full Samurai.
Hey, I was still unsure about the fighter dip being required or not. I asked the question in the 'Ask James Jacobs' thread
Page 240,33ish post
** spoiler omitted **
So if it's cool, I'll update in the next hour so Toshio is full Samurai.
Edit away.
Hey guys FYI I took a second job (which I am posting from real quick)that had me temp on Fridays through today before I switch to Saturdays next week. I should have mentioned it before. I probably won't get any serious posting in until tomorrow, sorry.
righto
No concerns here, thanks for taking the time to let us know.
What a weekend. Sorry for the delay, this sort of outage should not be a regular occurrence.
Hey guys,
Sorry I dropped out on you like that; you are a great group and didn't deserve to have another GM bail. I've been catching up and really love your character development. I'll be keeping an eye on the threads to see how thing pan out.
Devon,
Thanks so much for stepping up and taking over. If you have any questions on something I did or need help with anything let me know.
Sorry Again,
Evan Whitefield
Hey guys,
Sorry I dropped out on you like that; you are a great group and didn't deserve to have another GM bail. I've been catching up and really love your character development. I'll be keeping an eye on the threads to see how thing pan out.Devon,
Thanks so much for stepping up and taking over. If you have any questions on something I did or need help with anything let me know.Sorry Again,
Evan Whitefield
I appreciate the offer, I will keep it in mind is something dredges up from earlier on (and it usually does). I think for the most part I have done my best to note the shifts from DM to DM and just accept them as canon...and then come in a wreck everything ever since ;-p
Hey guys,
Sorry I dropped out on you like that; you are a great group and didn't deserve to have another GM bail. I've been catching up and really love your character development. I'll be keeping an eye on the threads to see how thing pan out.Devon,
Thanks so much for stepping up and taking over. If you have any questions on something I did or need help with anything let me know.Sorry Again,
Evan Whitefield
Hey, there! This is just the game that won't die. I think Devon's done a great job stepping and I, for one, greatly appreciate it. I know you had indicated that you had some significant changes in your life, so it's not like we can hold it against you - the game can't come first.
Is all well with you?
Gonna try to avoid coming back every Monday with a sob song but this is the silly season and I have a toddler. The weekends are proving difficult but I will be sure to check in as best I can, sorry for the delay.
Completely understandable. I'm currently sitting in a dark hotel room trying to use my laptop while the infant and toddler still sleep. Once one of them wakes up, there goes my available time for the day. :)
FYI the crud my kid had has spread to my wife. Posting may be spotty for me this weekend but I'll try to get in and move us along as much as possible.
I stated earlier that I was going to put together a list of all the "loot" that we acquire and put it on my profile. With the sudden influx of stuff, I went ahead and put up what I have. It is in the spoiler at the very end of my profile.
I am still planning to go through the entire campaign so far and see what I have missed, but I just haven't found the time.
I'm also planning to put up a timeline and history for the game in my profile, but I'm still looking for the time to do that as well. :)
Cool. Because I was going to ask if anyone had done a loot tally as I have not been able to keep up with that.
I was looking to do that too.
No matter who gets to it first I will put the timeline and such on the campaign info along with some NPCs of note because going back through things I realize each DM introduced various people and I have been trying to keep it straight but its hard when you are interacting with an entire locality.
Did Kerrec get a "gift" from Foxglove as well?
Yes. There was the crossbow he received with the original contracts.
Yeah...and its nicer than everybody elses ;-p
So in February Paizo should be releasing Skull and Shackles the new AP about pirates. I love me some pirates so I most likely will have to try to play that AP but I think I will probably run it here on the boards too. Rather than do an open recruitment my intention is to limit the field to the players that I currently play with and see if I can cobble together a group from folks that I already know I enjoy playing with.
Anyway, there is some time yet but I wanted to let you know and you can get back to me if you think you might be interested. Ahoy!
Let me think about.... YES, YES, Pick me!!!!
And I have a couple of offline friends that have dipped their toes in the boards here and might be interested if you need more bodies to fill the ranks. I won't mention it to them unless you want me to.
Pirates? Hmmm, sounds like a good idea for me to get out that improvised weapons master idea I've been playing with. Should be plenty of tankards, Bellying pins, bits of chain and oars to bash people’s heads in with.
Oh yes, and I won't be here to post until Monday most likely, so bot away of needed.
Vidar is in a sulky mood, he probably won't say much anyway.
I have definitely been looking for another AP to get into as a player. This one sounds really interesting... Count me in. I won't have time until at least January to work on a character though. But with the module not coming out until February at the earliest, that's probably not a problem. I'll have to do some thinking on my spare time (Ha!) to at least think up a character concept.
Is there going to be a player's guide for it?
Are you going to have the time to run two PbP APs? From my own experience, it is a lot of work to run one. Let alone two.