To shake off the maddening and wearying limitations of time and space and natural law—to be linked with the vast outside—to come close to the nighted and abysmal secrets of the infinite and the ultimate—surely such a thing was worth the risk of one’s life, soul, and sanity! -- H.P. Lovecraft, The Whisperer in Darkness (1931)
fetchling summoner (shadow caller/paracosmist) 5 HPs:38/41 - AC@&: 18|13|16 - Fort:+2@ | Ref:+4@ | Will:+3*@ - Per:+0, Init:+3, CMD:16 *+2 saves vs fear/emotion, @+2 in reach of eidolon, &50% miss in dim light.
Itzaldeimos:
shadow eidolon 6 HPs43/43, AC22|19|19 (cold/electric res 10), F+2, R+6 (evasion), W+4*, Per+9, Init+2, CMD21, *Persistent eidolon: +4 vs ench(compulsion) or spells that take eidolon away from summoner
Looking at the map, I guess Des is too far back to be doing anything useful. Are there cracks in the rubble the shadow can squeeze through to scout, though? If so, it'll leave her and slink past the party to slip through the cracks.
Perception shadow, just in case:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Ahahahha. I guess the shadow isn't very forthcoming in any case.
Something was going on at the front of the line and Broom wanted to see what it was. She squeezed passed the people in front of her so she could have a look in the broken window.
The scene inside actually disturbed her. She had seen plenty of corpses in the last couple of days, but they were for the most part relatively intact or were damaged in such a way that she figure they were conceivably fixable. Even the ones butchered by the doppledoctors were taken apart in a somewhat methodical way. This one however was just a mangled mass of gore and there was no way she could think of to change that.
She paused for a moment, her face going pale as she looked away "Did whatever did that break into or out of the cell?" she asked Xander. After a moment to collect herself she once again peeked into the cell and looked about, careful not to lean into the window.
perception:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Although she didn't see anything in the room or hear the scratching sound she offered a little help "If anyone sees anything inside there, We can use our invisible hand to get it out if it isn't too heavy."
F Aasimar (Changeling) Dread 7 [ HP: 44/44| AC: 23 (26) | T: 17 (20)| FF: 16 | CMD: 22 (25) | Fort +4 (+7)/ Ref +12 (+15)/ Will +8 (+11) (+1 vs aberrations, +2 vs Disease)| Init +6 / Perception +11 (Darkvision 60') ]
karlprosek wrote:
What are people doing? Going through the broken window? Trying to dig through the debris? Something else?
I had thought we were at a "waiting on the DM to reveal the source of the scratching sounds" point, but if not, cool.
There were too many people in too small of a space. And John had called a warning. Reine wasn't going to further crowd the hallway.
"Make room," She suggested to the others, "If there's space to go in through that window, maybe a few of us do that - quietly - if John is still hearing something. The rest maybe back up, in case whatever it is comes through the rubble?"
I had thought we were at a "waiting on the DM to reveal the source of the scratching sounds" point, but if not, cool.
The PCs can't see what's making the noise from here. The shadow will take a round to get through the rubble and a round to come back, so I'll give people more space to do other stuff right now.
Desdemona's shadow slithered away through cracks in the fallen ceiling and hall too small for any person to get through.
Broom couldn't tell whether whatever happened was made by something trying to get in or get out.
DC 12 Perception:
It looks like the window was broken accidentally during a fight and not for the purpose of breaking out or in.
fetchling summoner (shadow caller/paracosmist) 5 HPs:38/41 - AC@&: 18|13|16 - Fort:+2@ | Ref:+4@ | Will:+3*@ - Per:+0, Init:+3, CMD:16 *+2 saves vs fear/emotion, @+2 in reach of eidolon, &50% miss in dim light.
Itzaldeimos:
shadow eidolon 6 HPs43/43, AC22|19|19 (cold/electric res 10), F+2, R+6 (evasion), W+4*, Per+9, Init+2, CMD21, *Persistent eidolon: +4 vs ench(compulsion) or spells that take eidolon away from summoner
Desdemona blinked, appalled. "Excuse me, did you say that the pieces attacked you?!"
Xander mutters, "Might as well get this over with." He begins lightly picking his way through the glass and into the adjoining room.
stealth:1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (2) = 12 The glass seems to make it hard. He looks around. perc:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 wow, some crappy rolls there
Broom answers Desdemona while at the same time watching Xander with concern as he climbed into the room through the broken window.
"Yeah, we found someone who had been crushed under some falling stuff. When we went to investigate, they were undead! At first we thought it wasn't a problem since the zombie thing was stuck under the rubble, but then its hands and head just tore themselves free of the rest of the corps and attacked us, like each part was its own thing and they just happened to be all stuck together by the same body. We think even its guts wriggled out, but We might be remembering that last part wrong. It was all very horrific."
Her eyes still on Xander she asked "Do you want us to clear away the broken glass first so you don't get cut?"
fetchling summoner (shadow caller/paracosmist) 5 HPs:38/41 - AC@&: 18|13|16 - Fort:+2@ | Ref:+4@ | Will:+3*@ - Per:+0, Init:+3, CMD:16 *+2 saves vs fear/emotion, @+2 in reach of eidolon, &50% miss in dim light.
Itzaldeimos:
shadow eidolon 6 HPs43/43, AC22|19|19 (cold/electric res 10), F+2, R+6 (evasion), W+4*, Per+9, Init+2, CMD21, *Persistent eidolon: +4 vs ench(compulsion) or spells that take eidolon away from summoner
"Oh... oh dear." Desdemona swallowed, giving the dead in the room a sidelong glance. Then she fastened her gaze on Broom. Considering attack-intestines was a bit beyond her at the moment.
Should she offer condolences? But surely it hadn't been anyone they knew, inasmuch as they could remember whom they did know... Protocol was so tricky with the undead.
She settled for a quiet, "I'm glad you're all still hale."
F Aasimar (Changeling) Dread 7 [ HP: 44/44| AC: 23 (26) | T: 17 (20)| FF: 16 | CMD: 22 (25) | Fort +4 (+7)/ Ref +12 (+15)/ Will +8 (+11) (+1 vs aberrations, +2 vs Disease)| Init +6 / Perception +11 (Darkvision 60') ]
"I do not remember anything like that," Reine muttered. She kept her eyes on the hallway, hopefully making sure that nothing surprised them from behind.
John didn't find anything in the debris but debris. With a few moments examination he determined it would take a few hours to clear a path through the rubble.
Xander made it through the window with only a little noise and found himself in what looked like a small patient room. These hardly looked like comfortable accommodations. The gore-covered bed, a low table, and a broken chair were the only furniture in the room, and he found nothing of interest in any of them.
fetchling summoner (shadow caller/paracosmist) 5 HPs:38/41 - AC@&: 18|13|16 - Fort:+2@ | Ref:+4@ | Will:+3*@ - Per:+0, Init:+3, CMD:16 *+2 saves vs fear/emotion, @+2 in reach of eidolon, &50% miss in dim light.
Itzaldeimos:
shadow eidolon 6 HPs43/43, AC22|19|19 (cold/electric res 10), F+2, R+6 (evasion), W+4*, Per+9, Init+2, CMD21, *Persistent eidolon: +4 vs ench(compulsion) or spells that take eidolon away from summoner
"If it's the only way through, perhaps we all should follow Xander. If he lays a bit of the cleaner bedding over the glass, it shouldn't be dangerous to climb through," Desdemona ventured.
Xander obliges the others, putting down some bedding or whatever he can find to cover the glass. "Thank you, Broom. I think this will do for now." Having done that, he walks over to the door and listens closely to any sounds that might be coming from the hallway.
percep:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Maybe it's the noise behind him, or maybe the door's really thick, but he doesn't hear much of anything.
There isn't enough floor space for the entire group in the little room, so as people keep coming through the window others have to go through the door. The hallway runs north and south.
To the south are 3 more doors like the one the group had just exited, and beyond them a spacious room with peeling paint and movable curtains in frames sectioning off an area, lit from behind by some sort of light.
To the north two hallways met here beneath a lofty ceiling. High windows, alive with the nauseating fog beyond, gave the space an airy feel. A portion of the western hallway has collapsed, blocking it with tons of rubble. There is a path cleared to the west, toward where the group had heard noise in the debris.
DC 17 Perception hearing:
The noise is louder on this side of the rubble. Something down the hallway to the west is scrabbling at the stone and shifting it around.
Beyond the collapsed hallway were more doors on the left side of the long hallway and a large open space at the end.
F N Brawler 3//Fighter 3 | HP 35/39 | AC 17 T 11 FF 15 CMD 16 | Fort +5 Ref +5 Will +3** | Init +3 Per +8* SM +6*| MFB 2/4 MFS 4/4 Mu 1/1 Stm 5/5 | conditions none
Laura nods and steps up to follow John, her axe at the ready.
Broom gingerly climbed through the broken window. Although Xander had already investigated the contents, she forced herself to look at the mutilated corpse. The sight of it made her feel both ill and an overwhelming desire to at least clean up the remains since their repair was beyond her means.
John's call for silence distracted her from the corpse, replacing her desire to deal with the mess at hand with a curiosity about what he was concerned about.
Once past the patient room and into the hallway, Miniel begins hearing the sounds that the others were warning about. Temporarily pushing out her disdain at not hearing it the first time, she readies her bow while surveying the hallway to the south. Hopefully there would be time to return and pray for the dead, but there are more pressing matters at the moment.
John turned the corner and sees a ghoul scrabbling at the pile of debris, heedless of the damage it was doing to itself as it clawed stone out of the way. From the look of the one-person wide track through the rubble, the monster had been at it for some time.
As focused as it was on its task, the ghoul didn't notice John coming up behind it.
Map is updated. Only the square immediately to G's east is clear. The 2 adjacent squares to the south and south-east are covered in rubble and are considered difficult terrain to move through and will require a DC 15 Acrobatics or Dex check to fight in without penalty.
F N Brawler 3//Fighter 3 | HP 35/39 | AC 17 T 11 FF 15 CMD 16 | Fort +5 Ref +5 Will +3** | Init +3 Per +8* SM +6*| MFB 2/4 MFS 4/4 Mu 1/1 Stm 5/5 | conditions none
Laura readies an action: when the ghoul approaches John, she will five-foot step closer and swing at it with her axe.
The ghoul's head whipped around at John's whistle and it skittered toward him through the rubble, its inhuman gait alarmingly fast. But John was ready and the instant the ghoul was in place he sprung his trap, whipping his sword through the creature's neck like it was made of paper.
Almost as quickly as the encounter had begun it was over and the undead monster lay dead at John's feet.
F Aasimar (Changeling) Dread 7 [ HP: 44/44| AC: 23 (26) | T: 17 (20)| FF: 16 | CMD: 22 (25) | Fort +4 (+7)/ Ref +12 (+15)/ Will +8 (+11) (+1 vs aberrations, +2 vs Disease)| Init +6 / Perception +11 (Darkvision 60') ]
"Unless we're going back to check out the bits we've missed," Reine suggested to Adelar and Desdemona, "you two probably want to go through that window now."{/b]
She gestured at the window, and her body language made it clear that she'd be following the other two.
fetchling summoner (shadow caller/paracosmist) 5 HPs:38/41 - AC@&: 18|13|16 - Fort:+2@ | Ref:+4@ | Will:+3*@ - Per:+0, Init:+3, CMD:16 *+2 saves vs fear/emotion, @+2 in reach of eidolon, &50% miss in dim light.
Itzaldeimos:
shadow eidolon 6 HPs43/43, AC22|19|19 (cold/electric res 10), F+2, R+6 (evasion), W+4*, Per+9, Init+2, CMD21, *Persistent eidolon: +4 vs ench(compulsion) or spells that take eidolon away from summoner
"Yes, of course." Desdemona was quick to crawl through, her dress hampering her only because she refused to draw it up around her knees. She sighed when she found Broom regarding the dead. So much for sheltering the poor woman!
"Come, let's move on," she said gently, resolute in her determination not to give the gore a second glance. With an oblique glance back at Adelar and Reine, she followed the others.
"Did you all find what was making that- oh! Oh," she exclaimed, on seeing the impressive arc of dark spatter that had accompanied the launch of the ghoul's head.
"We're fine" Broom replied to Reine "It sounded like there was something going on out in the hall, but its quiet again. One moment"
Broom headed to the door and looked around the corner to where everyone was standing before calling back "It looks like something attacked John, but its dead now." she paused for a moment as she looked around "That's strange, it doesn't look like it has a head." she said, unable to see the missing appendage.
Miniel is looking the other way when John approaches the ghoul, but the commotion draws her attention, and she looks back just in time to see the head flying away. She gives a nod of approval at the undead's timely death, but keeps her focus on the south hallway, moving over the the middle room and listening at the door.
It looked like the ghoul was trying to clear a path through the rubble- the debris had been moved just enough to let the ghoul through from the hallway to where it had been digging. For some reason the ghoul was trying to go west down the blocked hallway. John thought it would take them a couple of hours to clear the hallway themselves.
Miniel didn't hear anything making noise inside the middle room.
Miniel opened the door to the middle room, where a shapeless mess of sheets and pillows piled atop two plain beds. Bold chalk letters high on the opposite wall proclaimed it to be “Brenton and Debis’s Room.”
Perception DC 12:
There is a pair of carved wooden knights in the tangle of sheets at the foot of the southern bed.
Des, the shadow came back just in time for John to kill the ghoul it was going to tease Desdemona with.
F Aasimar (Changeling) Dread 7 [ HP: 44/44| AC: 23 (26) | T: 17 (20)| FF: 16 | CMD: 22 (25) | Fort +4 (+7)/ Ref +12 (+15)/ Will +8 (+11) (+1 vs aberrations, +2 vs Disease)| Init +6 / Perception +11 (Darkvision 60') ]
"Lets make sure the rooms are clear, first," Reine said to John, as she moved up behind Miniel.
When she looked into the room, her already pale face lost what little color was normally there.
Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
"I remember this one." Her voice was soft. "There's a figure - a knight - in the bed over there." Reine pointed to the Southern bed. "It's important, somehow. We need it. We came here for it, I think. And then..." She trailed off, with a look at Desdemona, then Rostam, and then, Adelar.
Then we ran, and we died. Again. She did not finish her thoughts aloud.
F N Brawler 3//Fighter 3 | HP 35/39 | AC 17 T 11 FF 15 CMD 16 | Fort +5 Ref +5 Will +3** | Init +3 Per +8* SM +6*| MFB 2/4 MFS 4/4 Mu 1/1 Stm 5/5 | conditions none
Laura frowns at Reine's memory and carefully approaches the bed that she indicates. She sniffs the air and squints to see if she recognizes any danger.
fetchling summoner (shadow caller/paracosmist) 5 HPs:38/41 - AC@&: 18|13|16 - Fort:+2@ | Ref:+4@ | Will:+3*@ - Per:+0, Init:+3, CMD:16 *+2 saves vs fear/emotion, @+2 in reach of eidolon, &50% miss in dim light.
Itzaldeimos:
shadow eidolon 6 HPs43/43, AC22|19|19 (cold/electric res 10), F+2, R+6 (evasion), W+4*, Per+9, Init+2, CMD21, *Persistent eidolon: +4 vs ench(compulsion) or spells that take eidolon away from summoner
Assuming no jumpscare for Laura:
At Reine's words, Desdemona peeked into the room... and then carefully stepped inside.
"The toy was for that boy... I don't know if he exists, any longer. However, if he does, I'll not lose a second chance to give him a memory of his family. Not because of... well. There are so many reasons, it's foolish to dwell on them all. But I'll not be terrorized by memory."
Not on top of what the shadows whispered to her.
More scared of the darkness under the bed and in her very mind than even the horrors that had occurred since, she lowered her lantern to the point where she could pretend that was why she could see into the darkness.
Only then did it occur to her that something might be hiding in the pile of sheets, something the darkness hadn't revealed to her.
She picked up the knights, hurriedly tucking them into her pouch one-handed as she left the room, and Laura, behind.
Laura didn't sense any danger in the boys' room and she quickly found what Reine had described- a pair of toy knights caught in the tangle of sheets.
I'll just assume you clear all the rooms.
The southernmost room contained nothing of interest, just a collapsed ceiling.
In the room with the old man who beat the cultists to death, the only apparent item of any value are the dead man's very well made boots.
DC 12 Appraise or Knowledge:Local:
The boots come from Angier’s—a famed shop that holds the royal warrant for leatherworking. If cleaned,
these boots could still fetch up to 200 gp from a buyer.
DC 16 Perception:
In the old man's side table is a gold signet ring with a holly-and-hawk emblem (worth 50gp).
DC 14 Kn: Local after the DC 16 Perception:
The holly-and-hawk emblem is of the Millair family of Redleaf Lake.
John's keen eyes were able to make out that the ghoul had come from the north.
Meanwhile, there was still the large room to the south with the lighted curtain to examine.
Xander continues to keep his eyes open as they rifle through the rooms looking for anything useful.
kn:local:1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 9 + (2) = 22 "Nice boots. Angier's if I'm not mistaken. Apparently, this man was someone of some importance." He's not quite sure how he remembers this. Odd how that information is right at hand but that I have such a hard time remembering where I've been recently. perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 kn:local:1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 9 + (4) = 28
Looking closely at the ring, his eyebrows shoot up. "Oh my, an important person indeed. This crest is from the Millair family. Out of Redleaf lake."any info on the family or the settlement?
Redleaf Lake is a small expanse of water in western Varno, Ustalav, around which the small settlement of Redleaf is located. The lake lies on the border with Versex county and in the northern stretches of the Forest of Veils; the proximity of the forest provides the famous fire-coloured waters of the lake each autumn. The Nicklecross River flows out from the western end of the lake.
The manor houses of the families Adler, Boadely, Druanwiet, Millair, and Vanache circle forested Redleaf Lake. Though the retreat is known for its seclusion and waters that take on the colour of fire every autumn, generations of bad blood among the resident families taint the quiet serenity. While the other four proud estates circle the lake at roughly even distances, Adler Manor rises ominously upon eroding cliffs, visible from any shore and home of the spiteful recluse Damita Adler—though none have actually seen the bitter spinster for years.
More than 80 years ago, Camille Adler was murdered on the night of her marriage to Halister Millair, locking the five families of Lake Redleaf into a prison of misinformation, pride, and suspicion. This old man looks almost that old, himself.
Xander relates all he knows about Redleaf Lake and the nobility who reside there...though he's not sure anyone is listening. see spoiler "Does anyone recognize any of those names?" he asks. (Adler, Boadely, Druanwiet, Millair, or Vanache)
Ladies, gentlemen, sentient beings of all kinds, come to Briarstone Asylum, and prepare to lose your minds.
I will be running the Strange Aeons Adventure Path, and I am looking for 5 more players with 1st level characters to join us. Based on an agreement with another GM, the 6th seat is already filled, by a character yet to be determined.
Rules:
-Post once per day, or give instructions for botting your character if you require an extended absence.
-Bold your speech.
-Don't be a jerk.
Character Creation Guidelines:
-Select your ability scores using a 20 point buy, with maximum hit points at first level.
-Choose your race from among the following: aasamir, changeling, dwarf, elf, gnome, half-elf, halfling, half-orc, human, suli, or tiefling.
-Choose your class, equipment, feats, skills, any archetypes, etc. from any Paizo source, using the optional Background Skills system (for 2 extra select skill ranks per level), and with maximum gold for your class to start.
-Choose 1 campaign trait and 2 other traits (following the standard rule of no more than 1 from a single category). You have the option of taking 1 additional trait if you choose a drawback, but the traits and drawbacks should all be closely tied in to your character's backstory. The campaign traits are particularly important in this campaign.
-Provide a written backstory (it can be as short or as long as you find necessary, but this will be the primary standard by which each potential player is judged) and a character sheet that is readily available online.
What I'll be doing:
I will primarily be providing maps and pictures using links to Google Drive when appropriate.
I will try to post multiple times a day, and to run this campaign until I die or it dies.
I try to stay as close to the rules as possible, please correct me if I am ever wrong.
I would like to briefly provide a little bit of information about what I roll and what you roll. Keep in mind that these rules aren't hard and fast, and I try to give players the benefit of the doubt in all cases.
I typically will roll what might be called "passive" perception checks for all characters upon entering a room or scene, and for what in some previous editions would be called Spot or Listen checks. When you walk into a cave, everyone automatically gets a Perception check to be attentive to what might be in the room (to notice a goblin hiding behind a rock whose foot is sticking out, or to hear the sounds of wailing from deeper in the caves).
What I usually do not roll for is what would have been called in previous editions a Search check. You walk into a room, and with the "passive" Perception I tell you the detailed description of the room, including the fact that you find a chest. It is up to you now to say that you carefully examine the chest for traps.
Another thing I almost always will roll for would be things like Knowledge checks, Heal checks, Craft checks, and so forth, specifically when they are used to know things. You find a corpse; I'm not going to ask you to make a Heal check to determine cause of death, I'm just going to roll it for you. These sort of things seem to speed up the rate of play. I don't want to take away the thrill of rolling from players, but there is still plenty of opportunity for that.
Initiative is the other big one. I see no reason to wait around for six people to get around to rolling for it, when I can just get it done all at once.
Would absolutely love to play Strange Aeons, my favourite adventure concept. Would you be open to the use of Drop Dead Studios Spheres of Power/Might? I'll be applying either way but I think the system is just fantastic.
Would absolutely love to play Strange Aeons, my favourite adventure concept. Would you be open to the use of Drop Dead Studios Spheres of Power/Might? I'll be applying either way but I think the system is just fantastic.
I'm going to be sticking to Paizo published material only for this one.
Here's a submission of a human urban ranger who has come face-to-face with aberrations in the past and is the worse for it.
10 Minute Background:
Step 1:Write 5 background and concept elements that you feel are important to your image of the character. These can be a concept overview, a list of important life events, a physical description, a personality profile...whatever you need to get an image in your mind. 5 is just a minimum...more elements are encouraged!
* John grew up in the city of Caliphas, apprenticed to his uncle Hank as a rat-catcher. He learned about tracking, trapping, and removing all sorts of urban vermin (rats, lizards, centipedes, etc.). His uncle sponsored him into the Rat-Catcher's guild in Caliphas. He parents were small-time alchemists, running their own factory-shop. Neither of them were impressed with John's career choice, but he never showed the aptitude to follow them into their profession. In fact, not long after his tenth birthday, John was banned from their workshops after he caused a small explosion tinkering with their components.
* John was a talented apprentice. He was good at climbing, jumping, tracking and stalking underground in the dim light. From some of the less savory guild members, John learned about safely dealing with traps and opening locked doors. After his apprenticship he began to work full-time alongside his uncle.
* John isn't especially noteworthy in appearance. He has dark hair and green eyes. He is average height and weight for a human man. He is strong and agile, he was a talented athlete in his youth. He wears a patched cloak of animal hides, most of which he trapped himself.
* John and Hank were clearing out a nest of centipedes from a sewer in Caliphas when his uncle disappeared around a corner. John hunted for his uncle for several minutes, finding no trace of him. He turned about to look in a different direction when he saw what looked like dozens of green eyes staring at him out of the darkness. John panicked and ran from the abomination in the sewer before he became its' victim too.
* John hasn't forgiven himself for his uncle's disappearance and neither has his family or the Rat-Catcher's Guild. Noone believes the story he has told about many eyed monsters in the sewer. To escape his guilt he has left Caliphas and traveled, ending up near Thrushmore. He has found it necessary to take up odd jobs to support himself because smaller cities don't have the same sort of vermin reduction needs that a large city has.
* John didn't just leave because of the pressure from the guild and his family. He found himself imagining the many-eyed monsters peering at him out of the dark wherever he went in Caliphas. He's not proud of being scared by the creatures, but he knows they're real and they are after him and he feels that staying on the move is the smartest way to avoid them.
Step 2:List at least two goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.
* John wants to learn what the many eyed monster's are and how to defeat them.
* I want to see John turn into a monster hunter that can face the aberrations on their own ground and defeat them.
* I'd also like to find out what happened to John's Uncle.
Step 3:List at least two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet.
* John told his family and the guild that the monster killed his uncle, but he never saw what happened to him and he fled before learning what happened.
* He also hasn't told anyone about the many-eyed monsters he has seen following him since the incident. He doesn't want people to think he is crazy.
* What John doesn't know is that his uncle really didn't die in that sewer.
Step 4:Describe at least three people that are tied to the character. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile.
* Uncle Hank taught John everything he knows about hunting and fighting. John is devastated that he abandoned his uncle in the sewer and then lied about it.
* Amelia is John's sweetheart back in Caliphas. She is an apprentice seamstress whose family owns a thriving clothing company. Amelia's family didn't think much of John's career as an exterminator before the incident. After the incident, when John was tossed from his guild, her family forbade her from seeing him anymore.
* John met a traveling priest of Cayden Cailean named Bennett a couple months back. The worked as guards together on a caravan for several slow walking weeks. Looking for answers for his life, John converted and took up praying to the Drunken God regularly. John last saw Bennett in an Inn near Thrushmore.
* Gregor Blackbeard is the head of the Rat-Catcher's guild in Caliphas. He doesn't believe any of John's stories about monster's in the sewers and he was the primary force in getting John voted out of the Guild.
Step 5:Describe three memories, mannerisms, or quirks that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
* John wakes up from nightmares where he sees dozens of green eyes staring at him from the dark. Sometimes he thinks he sees them staring out of the dark when he is awake.
* He has been in a depressed funk since leaving Caliphas and traveling around Lake Encarthan. He really needs to find a purpose or he will end drifting off and wasting his life.
* He has taken to praying to Cayden Cailean often, partially as an excuse to take a drink, his hip flask always seems to be running dry.
Given that our characters have lost their memories, according to the Players Guide, do we select partial memories for our backstory, and leave the rest to the GM, or do we write up the whole thing and specify what we recall?
PMed this, but thought getting an answer here might be helpful all round :)
Given that our characters have lost their memories, according to the Players Guide, do we select partial memories for our backstory, and leave the rest to the GM, or do we write up the whole thing and specify what we recall?
PMed this, but thought getting an answer here might be helpful all round :)
Good thought, Placeholder of Doom. I would like everyone to have full backstories, although you only remember tidbits. The background for Grimm John above is a good example of what I'm looking for.
Let me add the relevant bit about the fugue state from the Player's Guide.
"You don’t know how this happened, who or what did this to you, or why it occurred. This may distress some players, but rest assured that you will find the answers during the course of the Adventure Path. When the Adventure Path begins, you have no memory of who you are, but you have a vague recollection of your childhood and a hazy grasp on your early memories. What’s most disconcerting is that the last few years of your life are beyond your ability to recall, as if they never happened. Over time, as you discover more clues, you learn more about yourself and those responsible for your condition and eventually restore your locked-away memories (along with any ugly revelations that may bring).
Despite this condition, you are still capable of performing all tasks normally. You discover that you still know how to use your class abilities. Access to your skills and feats are not hindered in the slightest, and you can inexplicably recall trivial information about the world that you knew before this condition took hold of you.
You might be initially inclined to forsake all other tasks in order to heal yourself of this state, but any attempts are in vain. Due to the unusual and powerful circumstances of your memory loss, nothing short of a wish or miracle can repair this damage, though your actions in future adventures may restore your fractured mind."
I would like everyone to have full backstories, although you only remember tidbits. The background for Grimm John above is a good example of what I'm looking for.
It did seem like a lot of typing just for John to forget it all, but now I know where he came from.
It did seem like a lot of typing just for John to forget it all, but now I know where he came from.
It's a good background. An example of the sort of thing John might recall would be the name Amelia. Or he might recognize the holy symbol of Cayden Cailean if he saw it, even if he didn't know what it symbolized. Or it might be that if he ends up in a sewer or smells refuse, he might have a feeling of familiarity.
Equipment
Earthbreaker (40)
Dagger (2)
Scale Mail (50) +5 AC +3 Dex -4 ACP
Fighter's Kit (9)
backpack
bedroll
belt pouch
flint and steel
iron pot
mess kit
rope
soap
torches (10)
trail rations (5 days)
waterskin.
Feats:Improved Initiative(+4 Init),Weapon Focus-Earthbreaker,
Traits:,Hard to Kill (hen you are attempting a Constitution check to stabilize when dying, the penalty on the check is only half your negative hit point total instead of your full negative hit point total.)
Pugnacious: +1 to attack when threatened by two or more enemies, 1/day increase weapon reach or increase size category for 1 round
Lasting Ferociousness :Increase the number of rounds you can act as disabled from your orc ferocity racial trait to 2 rounds.
Special Abilities: +2 Intimidate,Orc Ferocity Once per day, when a half-orc is brought below 0 hit points but not killed, he can fight on for 1 more round as if disabled. At the end of his next turn, unless brought to above 0 hit points, he immediately falls unconscious and begins dying.Weapon Familiarity Half-orcs are proficient with greataxes and falchions and treat any weapon with the word “orc” in its name as a martial weapon Darkvision Half-orcs can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
Description: Trevor is a very large half-orc that seems somewhat twisted and has a chemical smell to him. His lank hair is tied in a rough braid and his greyish skin is stretched over his muscles
that seem to bulge in odd places. Perhaps his features don't seem to line up right or his hands are too large and legs to knobby at the knees but he certainly doesn't look appealing.
Background: Trevor was an unwanted orphan that was left at an orphanage after his hazily remembered mother abandoned him, no doubt out of shame of his half-breed nature. Never getting adopted, Trevor was tossed
out after he was old enough and having no other prospects, joined the army since at least he would be getting a bed and a meal. Life there was just as bad at the orphanage but at least he had some vague purpose in life. When the offer to sign up for some weird army experiment was given, Trevor joined since he wanted any chance to get ahead.
Trevor had yet to learn that one should never volunteer.
A low ranking soldier like Trevor had no rights and he was subjected to countless drugs and draughts for some sick army plan that might have made stronger soldiers. Trevor never really found out
if it would have worked since his comatose body was hauled out and dumped in a mass grave. Trevor would have died but he was too stubbern and tough to die and managed to drag himself out and staggered off into the dark.
Hmm. I really like this guy, but he was built with insanely high rolled stats and so it might not work with 20 point buy...I'll see if I can convert him. Still interested if I decide not, though I'd have to see if anything else catches my eye.
Will this background work @GM Pendrak? I have gone with someone who wanted to forget.
Spoiler:
Lorn Tilernos was born into a noble house in Lastwall intimately associated with the Knights of Ozem. His older sister Jessa was already a Knight of growing renown, and his father had served until having to cut off his own arm to prevent the spread of a necromantic rot while putting down an undead assault. He was everything expected of a young Knight to be, brave, handsome, strong, until while out riding with his older sister they were captured by orcs.
Jessa fought bravely, but was simply out matched by a full orc raiding party. Lorn was simply no match for the hulking brutes fury, he barely managed to wound an orc before being knocked from his horse and then into unconscious ness as he struggled to rise.
Given over to the orc shaman Lorn was bound and helpless as he watched the creature torture and sully his sister before him. All his dreams of bright valour were relentlessly crushed, as he was beaten and humiliated again and again. Eventually he managed to free himself of his bindings, and drag himself over to Jessa, who could only plead with him with her eyes such a ruin had been made of her, as they heard the orcs returning. Lorn covered her mouth and nose with his hands and by the time he was torn away by the orcs she had passed.
Two days later the Knights came, Lorn had been captive for three weeks, and was a physical and emotional wreck. After months of treatment, and healing he was unable to see in himself the proud young Knight he took his arms and left trying to find some form of redemption, or forgetfulness. Every night he dreamed of Jessa convulsing under his grip, dreamed of her eyes, going from grateful to panicked, he relived her death and the tortures inflicted upon him.
As a wandering warrior he had some small success, saving a village from ghouls in company with the militia, and saving a woman from thugs. But he was ever haunted by his past. Eventually he approached Thrushmore...
Lorn was raised to be devoted to Iomedae, his mother is a Priestess, his sister a Paladin, and his father a devoted Knight. It was never something he questioned until the ordeal with the orcs. Now he is wracked with doubt, is Iomedae worth following, is he worthy of following her?
The Shaman enjoyed testing his magic and alchemy upon his victims and Lorn's torso bears all manner of gruesome burns and marks from such tortures. His face remains completely unmarred, the shaman deliberately leaving it undamaged for some perverse reason.
Lorn's former fiance Kerriyan Maybliss, a few years younger than him, and essentially an arranged Marriage between noble families tied with the Knights of Ozem was deeply in love with him. They had only been courting for a few months before his capture and Kerriyan was heart broken, first when he was taken, and then when after returning he told he he felt he had to go and that she should forget about him. Kerriyan hopes to become a Knight now, though she had been training as a Priestess. Lorn had loved her to, but after his rescue he did not feel worthy of her.
The orcs of the small Screaming Nail Tribe who captured Lorn have been wiped out. Lorn has a burning desire for vengeance, but nowhere to direct it. Truth be told the ease with which the orcs took him down still terrifies him.
Will this background work @GM Pendrak? I have gone with someone who wanted to forget.
** spoiler omitted **...
Yes, that's good. That would indeed make for an interesting character: when he gets his memories back, he may regret it.
Trinam wrote:
...it's a memloss game as an AP.
I. This.
Let me see what I can do. What's your opinion on Summoners?
I love summoners, although there are some archetypes that are more-suited for solo or very specific types of games. Master summoner is more capable than anything I've seen at being able to solo entire books worth of content, and the synthesist is like playing a superhero in the early levels. So I'd prefer you avoided those archetypes, though I'm not strictly banning them from the game.
Sitting with this character from a Strange Aeons game that died. It used rolled stats, so I need to update him, but the Backstory won’t change. I didn’t write up the last four years before the start of the AP, since the GM said not to. Hope that’s okay.
Sitting with this character from a Strange Aeons game that died. It used rolled stats, so I need to update him, but the Backstory won’t change. I didn’t write up the last four years before the start of the AP, since the GM said not to. Hope that’s okay.
Yep, that would be fine. The exact amount of years that are total blanks might vary from character to character, depending upon when the met a particular NPC.
I'm excited to see so much interest. So far we've have lots of people thinking about playing occult classes. I like providing updates from time to time so people don't have to hunt through the entire thread, so these are the builds that have been thus far put forward, however tentatively:
half-orc fighter (mutation warrior)
human ranger (urban ranger)
tiefling sorcerer (aberrant bloodline)
half-orc investigator (questioner)
human psychic (amnesiac)
human summoner
human aerokineticist
human magus (mindblade)
There aren't many places that those of orc ancestry are welcome, particularly not in Ustalav. Still, you can't help the circumstances of your birth. Xander was born in Canterwall, the Palatinate on the border of Belzken, in a little village not too far from Tamrivena. His mother (and her family) never really spoke of his father (though he's managed to pick up some hints over the years).
Early in his life it became clear to him that he would have to be exceptional to gain respect. A small child, born to poor farmers, and obviously not completely human, other children bullied him mercilessly. But he began to notice that they also underestimated him. He was far smarter than they were, possibly smarter than many of the village adults. Yet they didn't have the wit to notice. And though he couldn't win a confrontation through violence, he was talented at manipulation.
In a world of bullies and victims, Xander became a toady. Perhaps not an illustrious position, but it kept him from being a victim. By becoming a trusted lieutenant of someone stronger, he had his own position of power. All it took was the right words whispered in the right ears, and he could have a decent life. When he was old enough, he left his village behind and traveled to Lepidstadt, sure that he could manage something on a much grander scale.
After only a few days in town, he secured a position as a servant in the University of Lepidstadt. Keeping his head down, playing the fool when needed, he found he had quite a bit of free time to read, to study, even to observe some of the classes. He might not have gained the credentials of the Lepidstadt graduates, but he managed a comparable education, apart from some of their alchemical discoveries (alas, that would have been hard to hide).
So few ever even notice those dressed as servants. His position at the University allowed him access to world-class knowledge, and not just the library. It turns out, the rumor-mill at the University is powerful, too. He began to catalog the secrets of those in high positions, at the University, in the city, and in Ustalav. Although he hasn't had a chance to use this information yet, he plans to use it one day to secure himself quite the pleasant lifestyle, indeed.
And here is Lorn, crunch and backstory complete, I will add appearance and personality soon. I might change out exotic weapon prof bastard sword though...
Hi GM Pendrak, I would be interested in playing an Aasimar Cleric of Calistria. To be honest especially the fugue state theme of this AP is great for character building as we are also forced to question our characters actions and emotions much more than usual! ;-)
So I am interested and would post a character concept and background until Wednesday!
I think I made it work! Took a -1 to all modifiers across the board (except strength, which was already at -1 anyways) but all of my favorite mechanics - and therefore the background - are preserved.
Dragoncat here, with his tiefling sorcerer application!
Meet Mach Star: once a devil-may-care noble-born son with a talent for music & good cheer, now a sorcerer with magical abilities mysterious in origin, even to him. He has no idea what to make of his new magic, and it frightens him.
I'm planning to try and make use out of Pathfinder's many touch spells--I wanted to build a mage that was decidedly different in flavour from most other casters.
I started making a character before I read the guide; after a cursory examination I'll go ahead and tentatively pencil in with a Tiefling...Bloodrager.
This is Aipaca, ended up making an Inquisitor, good luck to everyone who submits!
Background:
Benreggun is the ugliest bastard you will ever meet. Wide faced, with ruddy cheeks, prominent ears and a leering mouth, he always looks grumpy. And that is because he probably is.
Raised in an abusive household, the strong and wild Benreggun, who took the brunt of the beatings, ran off into the sewers under his home city. It was there that he learned to survive, clawing and fighting against the dark things there and becoming more and more like them with every passing day. His strength and ferocity drew one of the gigantic serpents inhabiting the sewer to him, and the pair have been inseperable ever since.
That was until he found the shrine.
It was a shrine to Neshen, the Empyreal Lord of penitence, repentance and suffering, and it spoke to Benreggun that day. On that day, he remembered his name. On that day, he had an epiphany, about his birth, and his crimes. He was the spawn of a Qlippoth, a dark and terrible being. This was the reason for the abuse he had suffered, and this was the reason for his strength and survival.
He vowed that day to return to the city above, and to repent for his very existence by destroying the monsters who plagued the people.
Neshen blessed him with a trove of coin, which he used to clean himself up and track down another follower of the illusive Neshen. This follower taught him the ways of the Inquisitor, complementing Benreggun's natural skills, before leaving, never to return.
And so Benreggun began his never-ending quest to rid the world of monsters, one foul being at a time.
It was during this quest that he ended up in the Asylum.
Benreggun, of course, remembers very little of this. Flashes of his abusive childhood, the darkness of the sewers, and the pure guiding purpose of his recent history are the three things he can remember, but what joins these things together he cannot say.
Sitting with this character from a Strange Aeons game that died. It used rolled stats, so I need to update him, but the Backstory won’t change. I didn’t write up the last four years before the start of the AP, since the GM said not to. Hope that’s okay.
Yep, that would be fine. The exact amount of years that are total blanks might vary from character to character, depending upon when the met a particular NPC.
Okay, great. I've updated his stats. If you want to look over it to make sure I didn't make any mathematical errors, feel free.
Now that we are getting more solid builds and backstories in, I'll again summarize:
Builds:
Renlo Tacksa, LN male Varisian aerokineticist 1, the son of a Caliphas bookkeeper, an adventurer, naturalist, and gardener.
Lorien Lightbringer, CG female aasimar cleric (herald caller) of Sarenrae 1, a child of a rich family who was a victim of kidnapping at a young age, an event which led her to the church.
Benreggun Valocet, LN male qlippoth-spawn tiefling inquisitor (sacred huntmaster) of Neshen 1, an abused child who was drawn to the worship of the Empyreal Lord of penitence, and now hunts monsters in the world.
Andrezzi Alazzario, LG male Varisian/Keleshite slayer 1, whose son's kidnapping led to the collapse of life as he knew it, leading him to the worship of Ragathiel and a quest for vengeance.
Mach Star, N male demon-spawn tiefling sorcerer 1, son of a noble family whose demonic blood barely manifests itself visually, though it does so in his aberrant bloodline.
Durril Dragiale, N male Varisian psychic (amnesiac) 1, who came from a poor rural family in Vieland but made his way at the University of Lepistadt.
Lorn Tilernos, LG Chelaxian paladin of Iomedae, the son of a noble family with a reputation in the Knights of Ozem, whose life was shattered when he and his sister were captured by orcs, they were tortured, and she subsequently died, after which he fell on dark days.
Xander Saren, N male half-orc investigator (questioner) 1, whose rise from obscurity in Canterwall to positions at Lepistadt as a servant have made him a keen purveyor of secrets.
Trevor Culexis, NG half-orc fighter (mutation warrior) 1, a Gorum worshipper who has been an orphan, a soldier, and the victim of experiments which have changed him, for better or worse.
Grimm John, NG male human ranger (urban ranger) 1, wrongfully disgraced former ratcatcher who seeks to redeem himself by hunting monsters.
I believe that is everyone who has submitted builds so far. Keep them coming, just wanted to review what we have so far once more, if nothing else then for my own purposes.
A quick note, Renlo is a scribe and secretary by trade, not an adventurer. Gardening is his hobby, and he has no idea how he gained his aerokinetic abilities - or when he got comfortable wearing armor and learned how to fight.
Essentially, all of that is in the few years of the backstory that isn't detailed. I left that open so the GM could decide how he gained his abilities.
Mach's pretty visibly demon-touched, with his tail & claws.
My concept for him would be that his aberrant-blooded sorcerous abilities would only manifest at the start of the AP: he's never been able to use magic before.
I am currently playing Yoon in your "Sun Orchid Scheme" game so you have seen my in-game posting style already. ;-)
I read the player's guide for this AP and I am already excited as this kind of mystery really let's us develop our characters through the joint PC interaction and the connection we build with the NPCs and the world!!
Here is the character background for my Aasimar Cleric of Calistria: Ramin Sang.
Character Background:
Ramin Sang was raised in the city of Kinthargo in Cheliax. He was found decades ago before the rise of house Thrune on the steps of the temple of Calistria, wrapped in blankets, with no name or note of any kind but a golden mark resembling the holy symbol of the Savored Sting on his arm.
Two Calistrian priests, a spy and a prostitute, Sharon and Kollina, had received a repeating vision that showed a Garuda in an immoral union with a human female and a strange golden mark on her arm that was identical to the mark on the child in front of their steps.
Irritaed but obliged to follow this mystical sign the two women cared for the child in an environment not typical for child. They named him Ramin and although the life of Sharon and Kollina was centered mainly on themselves and pleasure came before duty they raised him in the faith of Calistria.
Though Ramin was not the only child in the temple, his innocence and initial lack of social aptitude led to a harsh life in a house where seduction, vengeance and erratic behavior was the norm. Only with time did he stop to fight the church or the prayers to Calistria, The Unquenchable Fire. Although he also saw the good that could potentially result from the faith to the Calistria he also saw the evil that was committed in her name.
But a child his framed by the environment that he lives in and although never comfortable with the full aspect Calistria’s portfolio, it was clear after a while that due to his devotion to Calistria, Ramin was not willing to test the boundaries of the faith and accepted Calistria as his goddess.
It was this acceptance that resulted in the dreams that Sharon and Kollina had witnessed already almost two decades ago to return and visit Ramin ... a Garuda, a human woman, angels, devils, demons ... summoned from their plane of existence. It were these dreams and visions that manifested in summoning abilities that Ramin wielded and that differentiated him from his peers.
The rise of house Thrune and the attack on the Calistrian faith throughout Cheliax led to a disaster that Ramin could not have imagined. In a single night the majority of Calistrian clerics in Kintargo were either killed, imprisoned or pushed into hiding. Although Ramin was already an adolescent at that time it was nonetheless a shock for him when Sharon proclaimed him independent now and left him on his own to leave Cheliax.
Ramin’s survival was not a certainty but he was successful to follow his teachings of diplomacy and subtlety and make a path through Cheliax that led him to Varisia. When Ramin encountered a mysterious figure … oh … what was that again … and here his memories become blurry.
Character Personality
Ramin’ goals as a follower of Calistria is nothing more and nothing less than the freedom to live as he pleases without bothering his environment. He is not wicked, nor even amoral; he simply values the individual’s right to satisfaction, in whatever form that takes. He accepts that one’s actions have consequences, and knows that life is not fair, nor is it good or evil. It simply is, and he is determined to seize every moment together with companions and the fruits that life has to offer.
