Hey everyone, here it is!
This is the adventure you’ve all been waiting for. It’s where the Players (yes, you) will eventually become Runelords yourselves!
I will be accepting applications for two weeks. That means that Monday, June 12th will be the cutoff date. I decided to go the route of allowing all classes. I am hoping that there will prove to be enough strong applicants to do the following:
I will open two different tables for this adventure, and one of those tables will be an arcane only table. THIS THREAD will be for ALL CLASSES and Both Tables. As such, more arcane casters will be chosen, as there will probably need to be at least one for the ALL CLASSES group, if not more. No need for you guys to post who we have thus far during the thread, as I will take care of that, to keep it better organized for myself. If there aren’t enough applicants I’m excited about (or aren’t enough at all), then I will only run the ALL CLASSES table.
Please note: Players may apply for both tables with the same character (if they are arcane of course) or they may submit two different characters. However, I will only select one character at most from each player. If you’re only submitting one character that could potentially be playing at both tables, and you have a preference, feel free to note that.
Also, please make sure to read all the spoiler content, because I will be pointing back to it if necessary.
1) I always favor story over everything else, which means character and plot far outweigh any crunch.
2) I tend to err on the side of RAI over RAW.
3) I HATE PvP stuff and will not tolerate it ever. This hasn’t been a problem for me too often, but this adventure can be a breeding ground for that type of thing, so know that I will be watching out. It’s gotta be fun for everyone!
4) I like to work in your own stuff in APs, rather than just follow the prewritten stuff. There will be more room to work that in than is typical. It won’t be an open sandbox, but there will plenty of protag-ing for the players.
5) This will be a reskinning of the Shattered Star AP, so there may be plenty of things you don’t recognize or work differently.
6) I also like to rework some of the things in game (ie items, hazards, monsters, and such) to invoke some uncertainty, as most people are familiar with how everything works and what just about everything does, and if not, there’s Google. I will try to be very communicative if something isn’t working as normal, or simply what it is doing in the first place. Bottom line, don’t assume you can just look up an item or a condition or something and assume you know how it works. You only know what your character knows.
1) Posts will be at least 1/day and 1/weekend. If you’re not able to do this on a consistent basis, please do not apply, as I will need to substitute you for someone else who is willing and wants to be playing.
2) Be communicative with me. Things come up. Real life not only happens but is more important. Just let me know so I can plan accordingly.
3) Be courteous to everyone at the table.
4) Have your character sheets on your profile so that everyone is in the same format. That will keep it nice and neat for me.
Class: ANY Paizo, except summoner. Don’t have a problem with the class, but that makes too many things on the field for this adventure.
Race: ANY Paizo 17 RP or under. If there are any you’re not sure of, please ask before submitting. Also, Race explanations will probably be necessary if you’re playing anything outside of core. If the reason for playing that race is either weak or strictly for a mechanical benefit, I will probably ask you to change your idea or inform you that it is a risky submission. Subraces are also discouraged, unless you can convince me that it’s a more appropriate choice.
Ability Scores: 20pt buy
Level: 1 (We will reach 20th level upon completion of the 6th book, so you can plan accordingly if you’re like me)
Wealth: Class Average
Traits: Any 2
Background Skills: 1/level
HP: Max at level 1, ½ for every level afterward
No Variant Multiclassing; No Templates
Backstory: I’m not really looking for 6 paragraphs of all things that’s happened to you. You're only level one. How much could have possibly happened to you so far? I’m more concerned with getting a feel for your character. Give me some things like: connections they have to people in Magnimar, choices that they may have a difficult time making, a section of dialogue, what their goals are in life outside of this story, what are they afraid of, what things are most important to them, what do they want to change in the world, what do they want to make sure doesn’t change, what troubles them, what do they hate about themselves?
You get the idea…
If you wish to indicate which Sin you are going after, you may. If you’re able to leave that open, that might be preferable, but isn’t a requirement.
If I left anything out or left anything unclear, please don’t be shy.
Dot.
I'll submit an Enchanter (tress) (lust) temptress Human who grew up in a sheltered home in the Andoran Kingdom. She breaks away from her parents who are Clerics of Iomadae to live a more care free life elsewhere. I might start with a Sorcerer one level dip for a Demonic Bloodline to get some more flavor for the Lust portion of the Background i.e. a Succubus somewhere in her family line.
Seth86 is going to submit a sibling, a brother alongside this submission per the interest check.
I might submit a second non-arcane character but right now have no intent to do so.
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Haha! I'm totally doing a Follower of Lamashtu, thinking possibly Oracle of the spellscar mystery.
She will fill either lust or Wrath, both befiting of a follower of the mother of monsters.
Doing a skinwalker of the Crocodile Decent.
But I may also do an Alchemist with this... No I like Lamashtu too much.
Woot! I've been looking forward to this recruitment. I will be submitting a human antipaladin (tyrant), because squishy wizards always need a good bodyguard.
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Quick question: Are arcane spellcasters (wizard or otherwise) expected focus on their intended sin's associated school and/or shy away from its prohibited schools, even if they're not a Thassilonian Specialist?
I've got a decent framework (based on another character of mine) for a witch that probably would be aiming for Envy, but isn't really focused on Abjuration and CERTAINLY would not be willing to give up Necromancy.
Would that be feasible, or should I go for something else?
Do one of our traits have to be a campaign trait?
Damn. I was going to go for a diabolist build, but i dont think so now, because that prc is build towards summoning, and that would just be a hassle. I may go demonaic and go for Bloodrager. Hey william nightmoon, want to do a joint submission, both followers of lamashtu? i have a few fun ideas for sins such as wrath and greed/pride
Would you be okay with a greed wizard/diabolist focused on binding devils (though obviously not until higher levels) or would that be too much trouble? This seems like one of the few campaigns where that sort of villainous character would work, but I realize it may be tricky for you if I eventually have my own squad of devils.
Would you be okay with a greed wizard/diabolist focused on binding devils (though obviously not until higher levels) or would that be too much trouble? This seems like one of the few campaigns where that sort of villainous character would work, but I realize it may be tricky for you if I eventually have my own squad of devils.
Thats what i was planning on, but with sloth. I decided having a bunch of extra minions would be annoying for the gm.
I was thinking about a Dahak-worshipping Kobold bloodrager. There's obvious issues with the idea in a point-but game, I usually prefer to only play Kobolds in a rolled-stat game where I roll really well (this is even more true of a strength-dependent class like bloodrager). But it seems like a good tale to tell, and there's obvious links to envy and pride (both of which are essentially Kobold racial traits) wrath (Bloodrager of Dahak, duh) and probably sloth. I need to crunch some numbers.
Thats what i was planning on, but with sloth. I decided having a bunch of extra minions would be annoying for the gm.
Well, we'll see what GM Tempest says. I was thinking that a character with a bunch of minions wouldn't be too difficult in PbP, since it wouldn't slow things down as much as it would face to face. In any case, if it's allowed and you want to submit a diabolist, I'll come up with something else, as I certainly don't think two characters with hordes of minions would be a good idea.
Ugh, im having way too much trouble coming up with a good concept that works mechanically.
Quick question: Are arcane spellcasters (wizard or otherwise) expected focus on their intended sin's associated school and/or shy away from its prohibited schools, even if they're not a Thassilonian Specialist?
I've got a decent framework (based on another character of mine) for a witch that probably would be aiming for Envy, but isn't really focused on Abjuration and CERTAINLY would not be willing to give up Necromancy.
Would that be feasible, or should I go for something else?
The most important thing is that the character embody what you are going for (in this case, Envy). I certainly don't care about prohibited schools. The choice to abstain from Abjuration, with a possible Runelord of Envy doesn't exactly seem thematic, though I wouldn't hard and fast "No" it. Hope that helps, Veltharis.
Do one of our traits have to be a campaign trait?
No. Any 2.
Dotting in. I may submit two, but I'll have to see if I have time to.Two questions. First, if we plan on going Eldritch Knight, can we make the first level Fighter, with the idea that after that levels would be Wizard into EK, and still get into the arcane only group, or should wizard levels come first?
Two, can we choose campaign traits, and if so, can we choose them from other APs?
EK: Wizard first if you're submitting for the Arcane group.
Traits: Only 1 Campaign. I don't mind if it's from another adventure as long as it is appropriate.
GM tempest, Should i go for a primalist bloodrager, would you allow me to get beast totem without picking lesser if i already got claws from my bloodline? Otherwise i would have 2 abilities that give me claws when i rage, which would be redundant.
Also @william Nightmoon, i plan on a tiefling or skinwalker Primalist Rageshaper abyssal bloodrager of wrath, who worships lamashtu, so if you wanted to do a joint submission as i mentioned earlier that could be fun.
Thats what i was planning on, but with sloth. I decided having a bunch of extra minions would be annoying for the gm.
I don't have a problem with Conjurers or Druids that summon. I just have to draw the line somewhere, and based on previous game experiences, a Summoner tends to be a little bit more than I want to deal with in a large group. It may seem a trivial difference, but there it is.
@Guy St-Amant
Answers to your questions
* Races: any 17 RP or under, does it mean we could, in theories, "uplift" what we pick? No
* Traits: does one of them have to be a Campaign Trait? Also, Drawback for Extra Trait? Any trait. No drawbacks.
* Background Skills: aside for the 1/level, does it work like Pathfinder Unchained? Good question. It's going to be working as original rule book, just granting more to help flesh out more backgrounds. This is especially for classes that are kind of skimped skill points.
* Ability Scores Adjustments by Age Categories, CRB or PFS style CRB
* Young Characters? If you're committed to this concept, you can try, but I'm already inclined to say no for this type of game, so I would have to be blown away.
GM tempest, Should i go for a primalist bloodrager, would you allow me to get beast totem without picking lesser if i already got claws from my bloodline? Otherwise i would have 2 abilities that give me claws when i rage, which would be redundant.
Unfortunately, I think I have to say no. Slippery slope. If it were a character replacing another character of an existing campaign, I may feel differently about it. Not sure. But if I say yes, especially this early on in the submission, it's likely that someone else is going to see that and stretch other boundaries, and so on. It is unhelpful for your concept, but I'm afraid I have to say no in this venue.
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William here, this is the alias for the Tengu Samurai I'm making. He's gonna be a foriener from Tai Xan.
I was wondering if I could take the Daring General Archetype and replace the Samurai's last stand instead of the Supreme Charge?
The samurai possess the rest of the Abilites except for Tactician, which isn't replaced rather Than used different.
Or perhaps I could just keep the Last stand and leave the Supreme Tactician out of it
Unfortunately, I think I have to say no. Slippery slope. If it were a character replacing another character of an existing campaign, I may feel differently about it. Not sure. But if I say yes, especially this early on in the submission, it's likely that someone else is going to see that and stretch other boundaries, and so on. It is unhelpful for your concept, but I'm afraid I have to say no in this venue.GM tempest, Should i go for a primalist bloodrager, would you allow me to get beast totem without picking lesser if i already got claws from my bloodline? Otherwise i would have 2 abilities that give me claws when i rage, which would be redundant.
I see your point. The reason i asked is if i do have to take it, its a wasted rage power, and it means i get pounce 6 levels later if you allow retraining, otherwise i guess it doesn't set it back.
EDIT: NVM, forgot about the extra rage power feat, speaking of which would i be allowed that as a primalist? would having rage powers from that count as the rage power class feature?
Should our characters start as members of the Pathfinder Society, as in standard Shattered Star?
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Hmmm...a rather curious premise. I have a character in mind, a bit "retrofitted" for the campaign, though I've been away from the boards for quite some time. Could you point me towards an example of the character sheet formatting you're looking for? I'm fairly certain mine aren't formatted as such; I had my own habitual layout for the longest time.
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I think I have a character in question - a witch with a focus for Illusion/Necromancy. If asked about schools, she'd probably giggle, then patronisingly pat the wizard asking the question.
Hoping for the arcane table, but in general, I wouldn't mind the other, either. And, seeing as someone also mentioned another necromancy focused witch - I'm not sure which one I'd be devoting to.
Alternatively, I think I've got a spare Spellslinger lying about, a man of cold logic and hot fireballs.
I'm just going to dot in- Not sure what, if anything, I'll submit yet, but I do want to keep this in mind.
Storyteller Shadows' Submission.
Her dreams led her to begin the study of magic, on her own of course as her parents wished her to be a Cleric. As the next few years went by her magic did grow, what was odd was that the spells she studied very little or not at all were the ones that she excelled at.
As a young adult she asked her brother to aid her in fleeing. She had been paying a merchant to squirrel her funds away in Magnimar, a city that she could truly live life in. Life has been a struggle thus far, besides the free drinks she gets from her “dates”, she has been trying to find work as a Researcher to gain access to further her Arcane Knowledge and add spells to her spellbook. Her specialty as a Researcher is obscure facts and knowledge and she is given to believing and trying to prove or disprove conspiracy theories.
Genevieva grins, "A lady who spills secrets to just anyone is no lady. I have many talents, a patient man may discover them. Are you a patient man Brenn?"
”I have never been accused of that no...” Brenn says with a mischievous grin of his own before letting the cleric take the lead in the conversation.
Cadoc, Brenn’s friend, gives Genevieva an appreciative smile and Brenn a sympathetic sideways glance that seems to say, "Better you than me," before plunging right into the lion's den. "So m'lady. What...er...How? Oh you're just going to knot up my words aren't you?" He sighs, "What do you do then for a living?"
"Things that would make a pious young priest such as yourself blush", Genevieva replies with a wicked grin to Cadoc.
Gen laughs at Brenn's response, "So what have you been accused of? I hope a superior swordsman…” She replies looking at the sword on his belt suggestively.
Gen fears nothing but being forced to live the life that she once led.
Gen’s Sin is Lust. She pursues sexual encounters, with men women and anything else with a passion that only a Succubus could match.
Gen would be afraid to learn that she is not a Mage. She does not know she is a sorceress nor does she know that her own families’ past dealings with Demons that leads her to seek out what it is she seeks out. That would make her feel not in control of herself and she would hate to think she is not in control of her own actions!
Her low Wisdom signifies her lack of ability to think all the way through thoughts entirely (risky and impulsive behavior). Her low strength is as a result of growing up wealthy and lazy. High intelligence due to her studies and her practice at manipulating people which also reflects her high charisma which dovetails into her good looks.
William here, this is the alias for the Tengu Samurai I'm making. He's gonna be a foriener from Tai Xan.
I was wondering if I could take the Daring General Archetype and replace the Samurai's last stand instead of the Supreme Charge?
The samurai possess the rest of the Abilites except for Tactician, which isn't replaced rather Than used different.
Or perhaps I could just keep the Last stand and leave the Supreme Tactician out of it
If you want to swap it out for Supreme Tactician, that's fine. It is at level 20, so we'll only be having the final encounter there. Not too big of a deal at the point, I guess.
Should our characters start as members of the Pathfinder Society, as in standard Shattered Star?
Very excellent question. I knew I would forget something important.
As part of the reskinning of the AP, I am going to virtually eliminate the Pathfinder Society from the story. They would certainly have a presence in Magnimar, as with any city, but this adventure is not going to have them as a focus. The role of Sheila (if you are familiar with the story) will be quite different, but what specifically will depend on the connections that the PCs have.
A Thassilonian Specialist Wizard (flexible on which Sin but Evocation would work very nicely thematically) and taking a dip in slayer to go for Hellknight Signifier. Possibly with a twist logic of only the Runelords could bring order to Varisia, I will become a Runelord, I will bring Order! Probably a native of Varisia (most likely Korvosa) who draws inspiration from Ancient Thassilon and the Hellknight Orders.
Order of the Nail (as the most local branch) or Order of the Gate.
Could you point me towards an example of the character sheet formatting you're looking for? .
The Genevieva submission above is a very good example of formatting.
Speaking of which, Genevieva, looks good. The spellbook request is granted.
A Thassilonian Specialist Wizard (flexible on which Sin but Evocation would work very nicely thematically) and taking a dip in slayer to go for Hellknight Signifier. Possibly with a twist logic of only the Runelords could bring order to Varisia, I will become a Runelord, I will bring Order! Probably a native of Varisia (most likely Korvosa) who draws inspiration from Ancient Thassilon and the Hellknight Orders.
Order of the Nail (as the most local branch) or Order of the Gate.
Makes sense. Look forward to seeing everything sketched out.
Could you point me towards an example of the character sheet formatting you're looking for? .The Genevieva submission above is a very good example of formatting.
Speaking of which, Genevieva, looks good. The spellbook request is granted.
Great. Thanks DM.
The only other thing I have to do is flesh out her appearance a bit more but that's just fluff I can work on if she gets selected.
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Quick question: Are arcane spellcasters (wizard or otherwise) expected focus on their intended sin's associated school and/or shy away from its prohibited schools, even if they're not a Thassilonian Specialist?
I've got a decent framework (based on another character of mine) for a witch that probably would be aiming for Envy, but isn't really focused on Abjuration and CERTAINLY would not be willing to give up Necromancy.
Would that be feasible, or should I go for something else?
The most important thing is that the character embody what you are going for (in this case, Envy). I certainly don't care about prohibited schools. The choice to abstain from Abjuration, with a possible Runelord of Envy doesn't exactly seem thematic, though I wouldn't hard and fast "No" it. Hope that helps, Veltharis.
Helps a bunch, thanks. That said, not really abstaining from Abjuration either, just not making it the sole focus. Kind of a dual Abjuration/Necromancy thing, with a modest spread of others schools for utility, but in terms of "sin", Envy would be the primary motivator. I'll try to convey that in the backstory, once I get around to writing it.
The character's heavily based on a character concept I've had for years, but never really statted up, so things might shake out a bit different than I expect.
Also planning on going with a Changeling with the Witchborn trait, assuming that's alright, though I can make it a Human easily enough if needed.
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I have a character coming together, yet it keeps changing as I answer questions, leading me further and further from my original idea.
Character creation...always fun, amirite?
It's a kitsune sorcerer--a Varisian one. Trying to go for a bit of a twist that might make it a more interesting candidate, but I keep running into fluff vs. crunch conflicts that I just can't abide. This must be how programmers feel...
I'll work through it, though; it should be up before too long.
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Blargh...Had a mechanical concept in mind, then second guessed it, changed it to make more sense, then second guessed it again, now finally settled on something new I've found...
Aaaaaaand now I can't seem to write a solid backstory for S#!%. It's full of holes no matter where I look. Damn I've really lost my touch...
I know how you feel daynen, you keep having good ideas but you second guess them, cant find a way to due a good backstory, or cant find a way to mechanically make the concept you want. Anyway, here is Zarkoth Warthol, Ragebred Skinwalker Primalist Rageshaper Bloodrager of Lamashtu, and possibly future runelord of wrath(Holy crap that's a long title). I only wrote really a summary backstory, i can expand if neccesarry.
Are Unchained classes allowed? Specifically Rogue? If so, skill unlocks too?
Dotting for interest. Thinking of making a dhampir sorcerer with the sanguine wildblooded bloodline. Eventually going either bloatmage or souldrinker and aiming for gluttony.
Dotting; for some reason this thread isn't appearing in the recruitment topics for me, so hopefully this will fix that.
What year does the campaign begin in?
I'm dotting in hard for this - thinking an Arcanist, or maybe a plain ol' Wizard.
Tempest - thoughts on the Spellslinger? (The archetype that shoots spells from a gun)
Another pair of questions:
1) For background skills, do we get 1 per level, or 3 per level? In character creation, it seems like the former, but in your reply to Guy St-Amant, it sounds like the latter.
2) Are alternate racial traits allowed? Ie, swapping the skilled trait for the various 'Heart of' traits for a human.
I'm already playing a conjurer and will be playing a diviner in a few months. Hm. That leaves Abjurer, Enchanter, Invoker, Illusionist, Necromancer, and Transmuter. Or I could do a sorcerer. Options, options, options.
Background skills are 2 per level.
Tempest has stated in the character creation rules that he's allowing 1 background skill per level.
Dotting. Working on a Riddleport pirate of some sort.
Ok. Big list of replies so I'm just going to throw them all here:
@Zarkoth - Entry noted.
@Monkeygod - Unchained classes yes (except summoner which I have of course nixed for this adventure). Skills unlocks? No.
Alternate racial traits are fine, including the one you mentioned.
@Monkeygod & Raltus. Background skills are indeed 1/level.
@The Tick in the Barrel - 4712. The adventure starts just after the completion of the Rise of the Runelords AP, as the Runelord (I will spare the name from spoiling, in the off-chance that there is a person out there who doesn't know who that is) has just been defeated.
@Hedwick - Spellslinger is good with me. I've played one before and I didn't feel like I was as powerful as other wizards, but that could have just been my build. It was really fun though.
Dang, so if I took unchained Rogue, what would I replace them getting skill unlocks with?