Tales of the Royal Archaeological Society, Group 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Doomed Hero

All expeditions fully supported and funded. Wages based on potential danger, as determined by pre-survey Divinations. Professionals and qualified experts only. Apply within.

The Game

This game will be a series of classic dungeon crawls. Your characters will be professional dungeon-delvers hired to survey and clear various ancient ruins.

The dungeons will be randomly created by This Program, and then edited by me to create an interesting archeological concept for what the ruin is and why it was built.

The general feel and culture of the setting is loosely based on a fantasy version of early renaissance england. There are ruins built on ruins and much of history has been lost or is poorly understood. The crown has managed to unify the land under one rule and and the Royal Archeological Society has been founded to uncover and document the many mysteries of the past.

The story is set in a "generic" low-magic fantasy world. All the standard fantasy tropes are included, but there are no "magic marts" or fully stocked "adventurer walmarts."

Instead, loot will be based on what is randomly generated by the dungeon.

In addition, between dungeons, I will randomly roll for what items have been recovered from other ruin sites that are available for player purchase.

In spite of the randomized nature of the game, I plan on attempting to narratively connect the dungeons based on the character's actions. Recurring themes and villains are definitely going to be included, though none have been determined yet.

It is my hope to create a narrative organically as the party discovers more and more about the ancient history of the setting.

Recruitment will be open for as long as it needs to be to create a solid four person group.

The Characters

20 Point Buy

Non-Evil

Core Races Only (going for a more classic feel)

Any Class

3rd level

2nd Level starting wealth

Divine Characters: This game is not set in Golarion, so we will not use the Golarion gods. Instead, being that the setting is loosely based on Britain, we will use Norse, Celtic, Roman and early Christian mythology as the foundation of our cosmology. Instead of picking a god, simply pick domains appropriate to your character' concept, and we'll fill in the appropriate god at a later point.

Being an explorer/ruin delver/treasure hunter/archeologist/bodyguard/historean or something of that nature is a must. Your character is a professional. They have to want to be there. This game will not be creating motivations for you. The story hook is that this is your job.

Please do not create ties to other characters until after selections have been made. Character ties will be discussed in the discussion thread.

House Rules

No Item Creation feats.

Anyone with a BaB of +1 or higher may attempt Combat Maneuvers without provoking Attacks of Opportunity.

Reposition: The caveat about not being able to move people into danger with this maneuver is removed. (seriously, why else would you want to do it?)

Power Attack and Combat Expertise are granted as bonus feats at +1 BaB. (These are things that everyone familiar with weapons knows how to do.)

Dervish Dance is weapon-specific (like weapon focus) may be used with any Finesse-able weapon. This feat may be taken more than once, but applies to a different weapon each time. (dex-martials deserve some love)

Anyone proficient in Martial Weapons may use a spear of any kind in one hand.

Reach Weapons use the 3.5 Exception (letting them threaten on diagonals) and do not use the ranged weapon soft cover rules.

Magical Mishaps: Spells don't "fizzle." Anyone that fails a concentration check doesn't simply lose the spell. Instead, the Scroll Mishaps rules will be consulted to see what happens to the magical energy when it is interrupted.

The Plan

I've been thinking about a game based around short scenarios with a "rotating cast" for some time. This would allow people who cannot commit to years of gameplay to try their hand at PBP games, and would allow new players to get some experience. It would also create a "guild" atmosphere where characters would come and go from the overall narrative.

This is going to be my attempt at creating that game.

In the event of character death, I will be returning to the Recruitment thread and Private Messaging a suitable replacement. Players who's characters die are encouraged to make new explorers, but may need to wait for a slot to open.

I'd like to do one small dungeon over the course of 3 to 6 months. Then I will re-open recruitment for a new team for a new mission. Characters from successful missions will be able to re-apply, but are not guaranteed a position in the next mission.

Posting

This game will be written in 3rd person narrative. I'd also like players to keep out of character commentary in the Discussion thread. OOC text is reserved for clarification of actions and information directly related to gameplay. I'd like the posts to flow from one to the next as much as possible. If we do it right, it will feel like a novel, which makes things very fun. I believe that immersion in a play by post game is mostly dependent on quality writing. I will absolutely give special consideration to people who's writing engages me. Posting in text-speak is grounds for a sudden, localized cave-in.

I post daily during the week and when I can during the weekend. I'd like players to be able to keep up with me. I am not a tyrant, but if you go more than a day or two without posting or notice as to why you are missing, I reserve the right to NPC your character. If it happens more than once, there is a good chance your character will suffer a tragic accident and have to be replaced.

If this game runs as smoothly as I hope, I may open a second game that will run concurrent with the first, and may even be taking place in another area of the same dungeon (a different team in the same general area). Character cross-over and interaction is likely.

Will get to work on a character or this later today.

Will get to work on a character or this later today.

Glad you're interested Mark. While you're doing that, how about you post in Clarion Quietus! :)

Will do.

Interested... give me some time with this as I want think this through. IF it was Britain (its not) what era would you say it is, 500AD (Arthur post Romans), or 1000AD pre-hastings? Or even the 1400s?

Edit: Oh it IS to be England. Cool. So then Flemish, Spanish, French, German or Scandinavian etc Characters are cool. Wunderbar. OOooo... or even a Moor!

Slayer or War Priest etc classes from the Adv. Class Guide Playtest doc allowed?

Interested. Will work on character later today.

Firearms?

Interested, will work on a character concept.

Are there guns in this setting? (Not necessarily thinking of using them myself, just curious how common they would be to come across)

Very interested! I will submit character tomorrow.

Very interested, been meaning to play a rogue-ish alchemist for a while now, and this sounds like a great opportunity to do so, will get something mocked up soon.

Definitely interested - I love random dungeon crawls, especially when there is some story with them.

What are you looking for as far as applying? Full-on character sheet or just some base information?

Must. Not. Join. More. PBP!

Ugh, never mind, I'm gonna roll up a character for this.

It's not exactly England.

The setting is to 12-1400's England what Hyboria (Conan) is to actual 50,000 bc.

Hopefully that makes sense.

So yes, there are analogues for actual European countries, and the cultures and religions will be easily recognizable, but they do not have the same names and aren't quite in the same places.

This is an "England" the way it might have been if wide-spread use of magic, religious wars involving actual gods, and real roving monsters might have altered history. Hopefully that gives everyone a better grasp on the setting.

Honestly, the setting is intended to be "loose" so that the blanks can be filled in by what the PCs uncover.

Early Firearms are fine, but the technology is very new. Any gunslingers will actually be innovators in the field who are using payment from successful exploration to fuel their innovations. No firearms can be purchased. They must all be built between adventures. It's very possible that if a PC builds a Hackbut (for example) that it will be one of the first guns of that design in the world.

What are you looking for as far as applying? Full-on character sheet or just some base information?

A full sheet please. Once celections are made I'd like to be able to jump in with both feet.

Also, even if you don't make the first cut, there's a good chance that I will be sending you a private message at some later point to replace a fallen or missing character, so I'd like everyone to be ready to go in that event.

Very fun idea, Doomed Hero! I'm toying with a mixed-blood Celtic highlander mercenary type. (Half-orc Slayer)

I'm sure you're surprised by the character type. :)

Playtest Classes:

I'M not very familiar with the ACG classes, but I'm willing to give them a shot for this game. Worst case cenario, I decide something about it doesn't sit right with me and ask you to make a new explorer for the next dungeon. I'm a pretty permissive GM so I don't anticipate a problem.

I will probably not choose more than one ACG class per group just for the sake of keeping things as familiar to me as possible. So, be aware that while ACG classes are allowed, submitting one might diminish your chances of selection.

Fair enough. I think the Slayer is one of the less intrusive ACG classes, but I can respect your position.

How do you want to do HP?

How do you want to do HP?

Do'h! There's always something I forget.

Let's do max 1st level, then hit dice average +1.

Playtest Classes:

I'M not very familiar with the ACG classes, but I'm willing to give them a shot for this game. Worst case cenario, I decide something about it doesn't sit right with me and ask you to make a new explorer for the next dungeon. I'm a pretty permissive GM so I don't anticipate a problem.

I will probably not choose more than one ACG class per group just for the sake of keeping things as familiar to me as possible. So, be aware that while ACG classes are allowed, submitting one might diminish your chances of selection.

Would you be more willing to accept a bloodrager if I provide a decent backstory?

Multi-classing okay?
Also, this is not my character for this campaign, fyi.

Upon thinking more about it, I'll just play a sorcerer with the Infernal bloodline. He'll be of the not-British upper class and does this for fun.

Would you be more willing to accept a bloodrager if I provide a decent backstory?

Backstory isn't the issue with ACG classes. It's lack of familiarity on my part with the rules governing those classes.

I'd be willing to deal with one ACG class in a group and use it as a learning experience for me, but I'm concerned that more than one would be too many potentially unknown variables for me to deal with.

Nice setting. Rogue-like dungeon. And extra motivation to play debonaire melee characters. No clue what class, race or personality I wanna play. But I do know I want in on this :D.

Edit: I have chosen a half-orc master summoner. Will start building shortly.

Even after all the noise over the Rogue? I'll be submitting one. A dwarvish one even.

Dvalin is a dwarven cleric in progress.

Question: Any traits and drawbacks?

Even after all the noise over the Rogue? I'll be submitting one. A dwarvish one even.

Just wanted to make sure you knew that Trapfinding is now a trait so if that's your angle, you can do it with any class you want.

Dvalin is a dwarven cleric in progress.

Question: Any traits and drawbacks?

Two traits as standard. No drawbacks.

I'm very interested in your campaign. I'll be submitting a character either Thursday or Friday.

Here is my one - I'll get him a profile if I am chosen.

Hallvarðr, the 3rd level Norse Dwarvish Rogue (and so of course, very good at spotting stonework traps to boot). He's a crafter of traps even so has some familiarity with it. He is a professional explorer of the deeps and has some knowledge of Engineering and History to back up his impressive portfolio.

I've taken some liberties and called Norse common (thats the language of his homeland) and bought 2 ranks in Linguistics to get 'English' (which is likely Old English at that point) and Latin.

He's a very warlike dwarf and no slouch in hand to hand combat, using a battle axe in hand to hand and using a throwing axe or heavy crossbow if not. His skill at moving in armour means that even in his master crafted mail shirt he is extremely stealthy.

Helaman wrote:

Even after all the noise over the Rogue? I'll be submitting one. A dwarvish one even.

Just wanted to make sure you knew that Trapfinding is now a trait so if that's your angle, you can do it with any class you want.

Yeah but I'll have a crack at it anyways as a Rogue. You get access to trap sense and trap spotting that way and as of level 4, my bonus will be +2 as opposed to the trait granted + 1.

I may well multiclass after level 4 but I like him as is. He's not optimised up the yin-yang but is a solid generalist.

That's a solid and dependable looking dwarf. Kudos.

I also approve of the interest in the old norse flavor. I didn't think I'd see that, though with a dwarf it seems natural.

Your sheet looks good. I'd say you're done.

Stay tuned for selection once we have a few more submissions.

DM Doomed Hero, what is your take on using archetypes in the game?

DM Doomed Hero, what is your take on using archetypes in the game?

Knock yourself out.

So thinking of either a Lore Oracle or Archeologist Bard

Actually will go with both, Acheologist who on one of thier early adventures touched an artifact that opened access to the Akashic Record, becoming an Oracle of Lore.

Will put together soon, there's actually a pretty cool synergy between the classes.

Thirteenth Warrior Style:

"I will be the first pregen to go!"

I always play pregens because we power game too much.

I used this profile to play Quest for Perfection, so I think that if level one is good, it's all set, but if you don't want me to have a wand of cure light, I think I'll be strong enough to press on without it.

Basics so far, will add details later today

Cigar chomping Dvalin is almost done. Equipment & fluff are incomplete.

This is what I have so far: Half-Orc Summoner.

Will make an alias out of it shortly.

<-- This would be that Alias. IP of course.

The Eidolon mostly acts as lookout and bluff-blocker and to carry his stuff for him. Ulrich was never very astute.
I have taken the half level from Lesser Eidolon to mean he won't get his second HD untill lvl 4. Correct me if I am wrong.

Bladud (still considering the name) is a tall, athletic, fire-haired, kilt-wearing, tattoo-covered highlander. His tall, long-limbed and well-muscled stature--coupled with his nearly-black eyes, sharp features, and fiery disposition--are signs of the Old Blood mixed in his veins. Like many of his highland brothers, he's a tracker and sellsword... though you could easily add thug, thief and brigand to the list if you ask around enough. Recently, Bladud's become an "explorer", selling his services as a tracker, guide, bodyguard, blade, and--when necessary--porter to the expeditionary teams seeking secrets and stashes among the forgotten ruins of the Isles.

I used Half-orc to represent him having some “Old Blood”… Formorian, Tuathan de denaan, or whatever. He’s a tough, black-hearted fella who’s good in a fight. He’s dependable and good-natured if you can get past his brutish, blunt nature.

Also, for languages, instead of Common and Orc, I went with Gaelic and English. Seemed to fit the paradigm.

Love to hear your thoughts.

Here is my half-orc (raised by dwarves) cleric ready for exploration of dungeons.

Cigar chomping Dvalin is ready for exploration.

cheers

Many people had the idea of playing a half-orc apparantly.

Here's my submission :
Cadeyrn Griogal, Scottish Half orc of the orc clan Griogal.
For as long as he remembers, he has been living with a curse. His body seems to be slowly wasting away. It was seen as an ill omen by some of the clan shamans. They wanted to sacrifice him to the gods to show their devotion, but there was one of the older shamans, Eógan, who protected the kid and proclaimed that he was certain he could cure the affliction. Several years went by in which Cadeyrn was experimented on by the old shaman. Ritual tattoos, elixirs, physical combat, tests of wit. Everything was tried, nothing succeeded. Eventually, Eógan died of old age and Cadeyrn was exiled from his clan, only to return if his blight had been healed.
Cadeyrn traveled the country getting hired as a bodyguard by those who could look past his sickly exterior. Through one of his employers he came into contact with the Royal Explorer’s Society. Learning of what they do, Cadeyrn now works solely for them in the hopes of recovering something that can rid him of his curse, so he can finally return home.
When out in public he tries to hide his facial features with a big hood, not to scare people.

If needed I can add links for traits/feats/archetype & add info of how much I payed for what.
Hope you like the idea :)

Dungeoncrawling campaigns tend towards half-orcs, dwarfs and if allowed the outsiders and such. It's good to have darkvision.
I also kinda expected an elf or h-elf toting a twohanded elfblade with dervish dance.

Personally went with half orc because I want to play a summoner. Ya know, someone who actually summons things. And one orc only feat in particular is quite good for that.

I also kinda expected an elf or h-elf toting a twohanded elfblade with dervish dance.

How would one do the twohanded elfblade with dervish dance? It might be finessable, but I thought one needed a free hand for dervish dance?

"You cannot use this feat if you are carrying a weapon or shield in your off hand."

Hmm, you are right. And adding extra arms doesn't change that an off hand is carrying a weapon.
Though it depends on how you read it I guess. Is the off-hand carrying it? Or just adding leverage when you swing with your main hand, who is holding the weapon.
Given how you can release one hand from a twohanded weapon as a free action for spell-casting one could see it either way.

Cigar chomping Dvalin is almost done. Equipment & fluff are incomplete.

Another sturdy-looking dwarf. For a cleric, he's quite the bruiser. I approve. Looks good.

Thirteenth Warrior Style:

"I will be the first pregen to go!"

I always play pregens because we power game too much.

I used this profile to play Quest for Perfection, so I think that if level one is good, it's all set, but if you don't want me to have a wand of cure light, I think I'll be strong enough to press on without it.

Sarenrae isn't an appropriate god for this setting. If you want to play something similar, you're going to be distinctly foreign (some kind of moor or a saracen analogue).

I have no problem with the stats as they are laid out, but I'd like to see some backstory and a bit about who she is, personality wise.