Shadow over Riddleport

Game Master Joana

Was just about to get to you, hustonj, when I had to take a break and go get some stuff done IRL. Either of your concepts are workable in-game and have different things to offer a party. At this point, without knowing who the other party members are going to be, it's hard for me to give a nudge to one or the other. To me, the burglar sounds like more fun to play, but the wizard sounds more party-friendly? The best advice I can give you is just to keep turning them over in the back of your mind and see if one of them comes to life in your imagination more than the other over the next day or two. Remember, I'm not going to be concerned about actual mechanics until I've picked characters; I think it will be easier to put an actual build together when the players can see where the party will be strong and where it needs shoring up a little.

Calon, will get back to you in a bit. Sevenarches is new to me (I'm not very familiar with the River Kingdoms), so I'd like to take the time to go read up on it before commenting on your backstory.

Alexander Callow, sent you a PM.

ZetaGilgamesh, I see that Tendal was written up for a RotRL game. I need to ask: Are you familiar with the plot of Burnt Offerings, or are you still avoiding spoilers in the hopes of getting in a game? I have some ideas about tying Tendal to Riddleport, but I don't know how much detail I'm allowed go into when I PM you. :)

Check. Home game tonight; yard work tomorrow morning. I'll see what's in my head after that, then.

I most certainly do understand needing to meet external obligations.

** spoiler omitted **

Josh Shrader, Air Elemental school is approved.

Deter Leoni, Detective archetype is approved. Also, I sent you a PM with a few questions about your backstory.

i'm sorry, im not that familiar with the map of Golarion. anywhere with a decent body of water and where orcs roam pretty much. ever since logan was little swimming was his escape from his fathers drunken rages, and after he threw his father out he took to the sea as a worker on a trade boat, until they were attacked by pirates. as for the 'disease', it's actually foreshadowing to logan becoming an oracle with the 'wasting' curse. his body will literally be dying. did i cover everything? sorry for not being detailed enough

@Logen, not so much a matter of achieving a specific level of detail; I'm just asking some leading questions to get a better idea of your PC. Everyone's getting a bit of feedback as I work through, but most of them I'm sending by PM. You seem to have your PM option turned off, however (which is fine!) so I replied in thread. :)

I'm putting a list of submissions up in the campaign info tab to keep track of them. Don't worry if you're not there yet; I'm adding people up as I've taken a look over the character and given some preliminary response.

'Ugh, trees, trees and more trees, as far as the eye can see. Briars and nettles, swamps and bogs, bugs and animals and more things that want to suck or slurp my blood. Not to mention the constant threat of the Drow, an enemy no one in their right mind would want to encounter on their best day.' Yet these were the constant facts of life Daynadryin had been forced to deal with growing up in the so-called 'city' of Crying Leaf in the Mierabi Forest. ' 'City', ha! Not even 800 souls to call the place home. Hardly more than a flyspeck of a village you ask me. And so dreary! Everyone all the time so deadly focused on regaining Celwynvian. Why?? The place was dead, destroyed and overrun with Drow! By Calistria's bosom, why would anyone want such a place?? No, no, thank you very much, but enough is enough. No more choking on dirt and swatting bugs. A City life, in a real City, now that's the thing for me! Riddleport, now that is a City. Filled with intrigue and danger, excitement and vice, women and wealth and barely an elf or tree in sight! Heaven! Yes, my decision is made, I leave today!'

And so, mind made firm and packing quickly done, without even bothering to say bye to anyone, the young Elf was off on the very first solo adventure of his life. 'Folks have enough to worry about what with running town and all. They won't miss me. After all, one young Elf won't make a difference in the taking back of Celwynvian. Maybe I should have left a longer note though? Oh well, I'll probably come back for a visit in 50 years of so, it'll be like I was hardly gone at all!' Thoughts on the road ahead, Dayn fails to notice that the simple note he had left "Mom, Pop, love ya! Off to see the world! Starting in Riddleport! Say bye to everyone for me!" is blown under a cabinet by his closing of the door.

Knowing what kind of response his abrupt departure might elicit, and not wanting to deal with any of it, Dayn uses his not-insignificant skills to leave town unnoticed. After a long, interesting and sometimes dangerous journey towards Riddleport, he is one of the very few to enter the famous city through one of it's little used Northern roads. Grin plastered on his face, neck craned as he looks all around, the ecstatic young Ranger thinks to himself 'Now this is a place I could get to like!'

pathfinder wiki

For Logen

I have a half-elf ranger build that I've wanted to run for a while now that I would like to submit. I'm thinking of using the Freebooter archetype, combined with another archetype (such as Skirmisher, Battle Scout, or Trapper) depending on group needs. Here's a brief bio of him.

Calathis has never really "fit in". The son of a human ranger and an elven bowyer, he was constantly harassed as a child by the other elven children, and would spend weeks away from the city on hunting and scouting expeditions with his father and mother as soon as he was old enough to hold a bow. Learning the fine art of bow-crafting from his mother and wilderness survival from his father, Calathis disappeared on the same trip that saw his parents killed by a marauding band of orcs. He discovered an affinity for the sea during his travels, and signed on with a ship at the first port he came across. He proved an able seaman, and the game he caught during periodic port calls was well-received by most of the crews he served with.

Unfortunately, his most recent vessel has run into some money troubles, leaving him and the crew trapped in the town of Riddleport until and unless those troubles are solved. To that end, he has begun looking for ways to earn his keep during the enforced exile.

Corel the Clever – on a Quest for Coin and Cleavage

Corel knows nothing about his birth or early childhood. His first memories are of the streets; he was a slum kid in the metropolis of Egorian. He remembers no parents; like the other street kids, he lived on what he could beg or steal. When he was about seven, he was taken in by an old man named Sekelshen Mat. Old Sekky was a fagin; he taught children to steal, and lived off the loot they brought home. Corel was lucky, in that Old Sekky was a kind master and an honest thief. Corel became fairly good at picking locks and pockets, and an accomplished "second-story man." He loved to climb buildings on the job or just for fun. Because he was bright, agile and inconspicuous, Sekky used Corel mostly as a messenger and spy. By the time he was 15, Corel knew the city like the back of his hand . . . its roofs as well as its alleyways. That saved his life. One night, Corel awoke to find the house in flames. When he and his "family" tried to escape, crossbow bolts flew from the darkness. Someone meant for them to burn! As the flames rose higher, Corel took refuge on the building's roof -then, with a terrified leap, he made it to an adjoining building, and vanished from sight. He was the only survivor. The old thief who had been father and mother to him, as well as all his "brothers," died in the flames. Corel soon learned that the city guard had finally learned of the whereabouts of the den of thieves and had decided to root them out in a decisive manner and making an example of Old Sekky and his band of boys. Having narrowly escaped Corel took a long hard look at what skills he possessed and decided that entering a legal profession was not an option to acquire the lifestyle he desired. Cheliax was obviously not the safest place to apply his skills and so Corel took off and eventually ended up in Riddleport.
Corel is now 18 years old. He is small and not strong - and sensitive about both these things. But he is quick, wiry and fairly good with weapons. He loves to boast of his exploits, and tends to embroider the truth a little. He lives by himself in a third-story garret in the Wharf district, rented for a few pieces of silver from a drunken old couple who sell carpets down below. He makes his living by stealing (and occasionally does an almost-honest day's work, acting as messenger or go-between). He takes chances, but he has so far managed to stay alive - and that's all. Though he refuses to touch drugs or alcohol (he has seen too many people kill themselves that way), he manages to waste his money almost as soon as he steals it. He wants to be rich, famous and feared - but he also wants to have a good time, and that often takes priority over any grandiose plans he might have.

Joana, Corel is a (former) Chelaxian human rogue seeking to find the finer things in life in Riddleport. I plan to explore a straight rogue build if there is a place for him in the campaign. :) Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

Intelligent, methodical, persistent and ruthless. If Braddon Hurst had possessed any of these qualities, he might have made an excellent bounty hunter. Instead, he accepted a contract on an escaped slave girl from his native Cheliax, then was unable to fulfil it. Finding the girl had been easy enough but when she pleaded with him, and said she would do anything if he let her go, something stirred inside him. While certainly not love, Braddon kept his word to her, covered her... trail and then fled the country for the furthest destination he could think of- Riddleport.

Corel the Clever, on a Quest for Coin and Cleavage

Corel is scraping by down by the Wharf district, eager for 'get rich quick' schemes, high risk high reward ventures...

Joana, Corels stats are below, I went for a rogue with the Rake Archetype from APG if that is ok by you.

Calon, Sevenarches is an interesting area. I'm glad I went and read that. :)

Wander, are you considering any archetypes for Sarien? It's okay if you haven't really thought about it yet.

Should be able to give everyone else's submissions their preliminary read-through tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!

Wander, are you considering any archetypes for Sarien? It's okay if you haven't really thought about it yet.

I've been thinking about a few of them but haven't decided one way or another yet. Those I'm considering are: Acrobat, Investigator, Knife Master or Swashbuckler. I'm not at all sure if it's a good idea to give up Trapfinding, though. The Knife Master is from Ultimate Combat and the others are all from the APG, I think.

I'd certainly be open to any suggestions.

Hey Joana, is it ok if I give Charlton the Lotus Geisha archetype? It's kinda funny giving it to a non-Tien male character, but it fits him so well.

Very interested in this campaign. I'm headed to an all day event presently. I'll put together a fully fleshed submital as soon as I can.

I'm working on an escaped slave built as either a cleric or oracle. I think witch doctor is the closest parallel, but I'm looking to avoid that cliche.

Alright so ya now you get to meet my character, nooo.. its not a core class I know don't turn away just like that though... Oh and it's also kind of an uncommon race. Please take it into consideration? ^^

So ya I am a level 1 Gripplis Alchemist. Indruck Niule

I have a little more info on my profile if you would like to check out.. however this is fairly more detailed and summarized anyway let me know? what you think? hope you don't mind all the reading.

ZetaGilgamesh, I see that Tendal was written up for a RotRL game. I need to ask: Are you familiar with the plot of Burnt Offerings, or are you still avoiding spoilers in the hopes of getting in a game? I have some ideas about tying Tendal to Riddleport, but I don't know how much detail I'm allowed go into when I PM you. :)

I am generally familiar with the flow of Burnt Offerings. I had been considering running it at several different points IRL as well as PBP, so don't feel that you are going to spoil it from me. I feel that I can separate my personal and character knowledge pretty well, so don't sweat it.

What do you want to do?

Ah you guys are in for a treat. I'll keep my eyes on this campaign. :)

Here's the new version of Aban.

Basically, he has more skill points than the previous version, and his Cleric domains are Thought and Trickery.

Hi, Lore!

ZetaGilgamesh, sent you a PM.

Meditation, I think you've given me a clear picture of Isaac. Thanks.

hoogie, I've sent you a PM.

Quiche Lisp, as with most posters on the Paizo boards for whom English is not their mother tongue, your mastery of the language is excellent. I've sent you a PM.

Sugar! I wish I had seen this when Joana opened recruitment. You lucky players are in for a good time, I do believe.

All the best for the game.

Have you now reviewed all of the applicants, Joana? And those who weren't mentioned are not accepted?

Not at all, Maverick; still working my way down the list. The submissions I've listed on the Campaign Info tab are the ones I've read through and asked for further information on, if I need it. The final party will not be selected until Monday, at the soonest.

And thanks for the kind words, therealthom! :)

Replied. Thanks for the concern. :)

Not at all, Maverick; still working my way down the list. The submissions I've listed on the Campaign Info tab are the ones I've read through and asked for further information on, if I need it. The final party will not be selected until Monday, at the soonest.

Phew! "One in a million??....So....you're saying there's still a chance! Whoo!"

Not at all, Maverick; still working my way down the list. The submissions I've listed on the Campaign Info tab are the ones I've read through and asked for further information on, if I need it. The final party will not be selected until Monday, at the soonest.

Happy news, then. :) I've noticed that occasionally, my posts tend to be overlooked (maybe due to the lack of an avatar), so I thought I would ask. This sounds like a very interesting campaign, I'm looking forward to seeing how it progresses even if Calathis is not accepted.

By the way, since I'm still new to the forums, would one of you kind folk mind explaining to me what "dotting" a thread entails? Most forums offer an option to subscribe to the thread so that you can see the replies, but I can't seem to find one for the Paizo boards. Am I overlooking the option some where?

When you look at the "messageboards" or "online campaigns" or other thread groupings, you will see a small black dot next to threads in which you have posted.

So to dot a thread, you post in it.

Ah, okay. But the thread still has to be visible, so if it's not on the front page (say, among the most recent dozen or so threads in a given group, like Recruitment), there's no easy way to track them? And there are no email updates or the like for the Paizo forums?

Thanks, therealthom, I appreciate your assistance. :)

Maverick, if you use the Focus button on one of the main messageboard screens, it will give you a list just of threads you've posted in and threads you've read that have new posts since your last visit. That's the easiest way to use your dot.

Count Buggula: Oh, you were in that game with Gornak Elf-Toes! I loved him! "That is an imp-goblin, goblin that looks like imp. Just like owl-bear is owl that looks like bear." PM sent.

Lil B: What alignment are you thinking about for Dorian? Neutral to match with Sivanah?

DIMSDALE: You've provided a very complete background. Glad you've enjoyed the Jade Regent game.

Josh Shrader: Sent you a PM.

sorry i've been trying to figure out the problem with my profile and PMing. in case i missed anything, was there anything else you wanted me to do?

Maverick, if you use the Focus button on one of the main messageboard screens, it will give you a list just of threads you've posted in and threads you've read that have new posts since your last visit. That's the easiest way to use your dot.

Thanks, Joana!

@Maverick: You can always "Favorite" or "Bookmark" the thread you want to follow as well. That's what I use to do with threads I wanted to keep up with just to avoid posting in them.

Just my 2 cents.

I tend to play more NG than true Neutral, so I was planning on that.

Maverick, if you use the Focus button on one of the main messageboard screens, it will give you a list just of threads you've posted in and threads you've read that have new posts since your last visit. That's the easiest way to use your dot.

Count Buggula: Oh, you were in that game with Gornak Elf-Toes! I loved him! "That is an imp-goblin, goblin that looks like imp. Just like owl-bear is owl that looks like bear." PM sent.

Lil B: What alignment are you thinking about for Dorian? Neutral to match with Sivanah?

DIMSDALE: You've provided a very complete background. Glad you've enjoyed the Jade Regent game.

Josh Shrader: Sent you a PM.

Joana, noticed that Corel the Clever was not on the list. As he is such a charming fellow (in his own not so modest eyes), he is very confident that you will not turn him down... :)

Logen Baccus, you can turn on private messaging from your account page. Click on My Account at the top of the page, enter your password, and scroll down to Privacy Settings on the left side. Check the top box which says "Members of paizo.com may send me private messages."

Khaladon: Son of Eviana, eh? My RL group liked her. PM sent.

Maverick: Sent you a PM.

Glade: Just worked my way down to Corel. :) Nice backstory. Rake archetype is approved. No questions right now.

Pryllin: Sent you a PM.

Thank you, Javell. That's what I'd been doing, but I was hoping there might be a better way. And you guys and gals have been most helpful in assisting me in finding one. :)

Khaladon: Son of Eviana, eh? My RL group liked her. PM sent.

Ha! Wow! What are the chances that your RL group would have run into the leader of a small elvin town in the sparsely inhabited North Western coast of Varasia?? Fate? Kismet?? ; )

Just promise not to snitch to Dayn's mom where he is and what he's up to and we'll get along just fine ; D

Sorry I didn't post much previously, a few things came up. A little more about Calon:

His low Charisma comes not from a lack of personality. He is quite friendly and outgoing, but seems to always say the wrong thing and end up putting his foot in his mouth! His tendency to become easily distracted doesn't help matters, as any new creature can send him running off in mid-sentence, muttering about having to examine "unstable metamorphic tendencies" or "multiple redundant organs". He has spent his whole life either out in the wilds with his parents, or in a school full of academics, so he is by turns plain-spoken or expounding on topics incomprehensible to the layman.

He is a little lost at the moment, his whole family having been wiped out, and is hunting down the one who warned the authorities more to find a reason why than anything else. He is not sure what he is going to do when he finds him, but he knows he must if he is ever going to get on with his life.

I have played in a few other PbF games over on RPGGeek.com, but I have never been in a game on these forums before. My posts have usually been fairly short, at most a paragraph or two, but I am eager to try creating longer stories.

Thank you for considering me for the game! It sounds interesting, so I will probably follow it even if I don't make the cut.

I spent a little time doing a background for each concept. Not really much for either, but enough to get some feel for what I have in mind, I think. They are both tailored for this campaign offering, not adaptations of something I already had ready to use.

Please, let me know what you think, Joana.

The Ruckus, I read your backstory, but I'm sticking with my core-races-only restriction. A grippli in the party just doesn't fit the feel of the game I'm aiming for.

Calon, thanks for the further notes on your character.

hustonj, I'll have a better look at your concepts tomorrow and update my submission list.

Everyone else, I have a quite sufficient group of PCs to select from right now, so I plan to close recruitment within about 24 hours. Please make your character pitches by then if you plan to. Remember, I'm not looking at any statblocks yet so you don't have to have the numbers down.

Joana, would the Lotus Geisha archetype be ok? Fluff doesn't match, but the mechanics fit perfectly to the character's being.

Oh! Just saw this! I'm really slow at making new characters, so although there are already a couple of other bard submissions -- even another detective -- I'm going to have to go with this one that I made awhile back and then never submitted anywhere. (A rough draft is already statted out in Hero Lab too, FWIW.) Just a few slight tweaks to the background... ah, there we go. The focus shifts between the two brothers in different paragraphs, but the submission is Conrad: a NG bard (detective) of Chelaxian descent.

It's not that he was born to bad parents; it's just that he was born in Kaer Maga. Where a country boy might grow up running through forests and fields with his dog, Conrad Blaze grew up running through alleys and marketplaces with his gang, the Chandler Street Militia. (Which wasn't all that militant, and didn't even spend that much time on Chandler Street. The Pastry Stall Clique would've been more accurate, though less impressive.)

All in all, Conrad had a fairly typical Kaer Magan childhood, marked by the occaisonal petty theft (mostly pastries)... until Dani disappeared. She was cute, smart, funny, and nice -- and both Conrad and his older brother Jefferson were smitten with her. But how they reacted to her disappearance couldn't have been more different. They both began putting together information networks; but at least Conrad cared about the consequences of his actions.

Jefferson, on the other hand, became increasingly ruthless. The budding crime lord built an organization to funnel money and influence to himself, justifying that he needed it to find Dani; and if some people that he didn't know and didn't care about got hurt along the way, then they should've been smarter... like Conrad. In a way, he was kind of proud of how his kid brother was the only person clever enough to see through his webs of intrigue.

Then one day, Jefferson disappeared, to Conrad's consternation. Oh, he wasn't worried about his big brother like he was about Dani; he was worried for whatever city the nascent criminal mastermind had chosen to prey on. It took him calling in all of his favors with all of his carefully cultivated contacts in Kaer Maga, but the young detective finally managed to track Jefferson to Riddleport. Sure, there was always the possibility that his devious sibling had planted false clues on purpose; but it was all that Conrad had to go on, so he went with it.

And besides! Maybe Jefferson had finally found a lead on Dani...

i believe i fixed the pm problem

Here's the dry backstory for Phillip, my Halfling Inquisitor. I'll hope to have the appearance and personality up early tomorrow - but this should give a taster.

I'd love to play in this game, as the thought of role-play heavy noir appeals to my inner rogue. As it stands, I could easily fulfill any roll this party needs, but I'll submit four basic concepts [holding out on the bulk of fluff and stats] for you to review. Should any appeal to you, I can further flush them out as I have many ideas in my head. The first two are roleplay-heavy and jovial in nature (more fun sounding to me anyhow), the latter two are for if the setting and group are planned to be more realistic and serious.

Starting gold? My weekends are quiet, so I'd rather tweak his gear now, even if I don't get picked.

Okay, so I've developed two character concepts. The first is Ka'yeth'ri, a wendifa (i.e. juju oracle) from the Mwangi. The juju oracle revelation is from Adventure Path #39, "City of Seven Spears", so I'll understand if you don't want to allow it. The alternative is Malkith, a Varisian Harrower (i.e. oracle of lore), utilizing the Harrowed feat from the Inner Sea World Guide (as well as the spell and prestige class if/when the time comes).

"Name, and point of origin?"

Name and point of origin? 'Oh, well, I'm not sure, you see...' No, that never went well. And they wouldn't happily leave their pages unmarked; no, they never did that. It would really have been better to drop over and swim ashore. Might have been questions, but they wouldn't be official questions. But then there'd be the damp clothes, and-

"NAME, and POINT of ORIGIN? Yes, YOU, with the staff."

"Ah!", he said, in false surprise, patting flat-palmed at his tunic front. "I haven't any papers. Well, I've a whole book, but that's not the same thing." He blinked in apparent confusion, and listened, a heartbeat, to the waves. "What was it, that you needed?", he asked.

"Name. And Point. Of Origin."

"Oh!" The Origin is the Center. The Center is the Balance. The Center is the Heart. "A... Absalom?" The scritch of a pen answered the question. Absalom would do, it seemed.

"Name."

"Mrm...", he sounded, looking over his ashen staff at the scritchener. "Gristav."

"Merim Gristav.", the pen scritched behind the words.

"Yes?", he answered. It was his name, afterall. Or, close enough.

"What?"

"You called?", he asked, the very picture of expectant cooperativeness.

"MOVE ALONG."

He nodded, agreeing, "Yes, of course. Thank you!"

Starting gold? My weekends are quiet, so I'd rather tweak his gear now, even if I don't get picked.

Oh, gosh, I don't know. Personally, I like rolling just because I like dice. Shall we say you can choose either to take average starting gold or to roll the dice and take your chances?

Will get to the remaining submissions shortly. Thanks for your patience!

Sure! I feel lucky... 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 3) = 10 x 10 gp = 100 gp. Almost exactly average; could've been worse!