The Children of the Hollow (Inactive)

Game Master Azih

For verisimilitude I will be more likely to pick characters that seem like they would reasonably be in or around Darkmoon Vale.

Resident of Falcon's Hollow or a merchant caravan from close by are two plausible approaches.

Some good reason why a competent individual such as yourself were not able to help with trying to cure the recent outbrreak of a plague.

For my own sanity I will be less likely to pick highly optimized characters.

Once daily. Nothing from me on weekends so I don't expect you to post then either. If I don't think I can post for a while then I will let everyone know to the best of my ability and I hope the rest of you would provide me and your fellow players the same courtesy :)
I will try and push things along though so hope you don't mind being botted :)

This rate allowed us to get through a whole module in about three months. Keeping up the pace is important to keep a PBP from stagnating and dying so I hope to keep this up!

So I gots House Rules! Please give them a look so you can get a sense of the kind of game I really enjoyed running last time. This is only my second time as GM so obviously I'd be surprised if there aren't more tweaks as we go!

**
'Block Initiative by GM'

When required the GM will roll initiative for players and NPCs. The results will be averaged and every distinct group will take their turns according to the averaged result for all the members of their group. Please let me know of any mistakes for Player initiative rolls and it can be retconned.
**
'Passive Perception'

Out of combat/high stress situations your characters will be taking 10 on Perception and any trained Knowledge Skill AT ALL TIMES. I will keep track of these skills and in every new area and will let your character know in spoilers what they see. If there is information that is hidden behind a check that is greater than 10 and lower than 20 away from your relevant skill than I will roll a d10 for you and add it to your take 10. No need to wait a day for someone to make one roll and then one more day for me to respond. On a Knowledge check you'll have to ask the appropriate question though while Perception is always active.

So if your character has a +3 in Kn:Local then I'll just tell the character the knowledge checks that are DC13 or lower when you ask (so if you ask what the name of the mayor is and that's a DC5 then you won't be flummoxed if you roll a 1 on a d20). If knowing the name of the local cutpurse is at DC15 then I will roll a d10 and if it rolls a 2 or higher then I will let you know. This was inspired by a Gumshoe system recruitment on these boards. I think it'll work well and it's definitely worth a shot.

In combat/high stress situations you roll as normal. This includes traps.

Character that have abilities that allow you you to take 10 in even high stress situations (such as Bard Lore Master for Knowledge checks) will enable Passive Perception/Knowledge even in those situations.
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'The Sidekick Takes Over'

In the situation that a player character rolls a skill check and another player rolls an aid another check that has a higher result than the original player's result, the aiding player's result will be the one that applies against the Skill Check DC while the original character's roll will become an Aid Another Roll.

Of course this only applies if the skill check allows other players to aid.
**
'Healing Respite'

Outside of combat don't need to roll die for cure spells. Just take max.
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'No Save. No Die'

No Save or Die spells like Phantasmal Killer, for either the PCs or the NPCs. Just run any new spell you pick up through me and we'll decide if they are Save or Die since it's a bit of a judgment call.

**
'What do you want to do? I don't know what do you want to do?'

A lot of stalling in PBP happens when a decision has to be made not everyone chimes in. So if two people say 'Let's go this way', the party goes that way, and the GM won't wait for the whole group to reach a consensus.

If one person has made a suggestion and no one else chimes in then the GM will go with that after two days.

I don't like feat taxes on martials so I'm using a slightly tweaked version of a popular homebrew to reduce them significantly.

Here are the feat changes:

Martial Mastery and Martial Versatility

Gone. Combat feats like Weapon Focus now apply to weapon groups instead of a specific weapon by default.

Deft Maneuvers (New)

You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when performing a trip, disarm, dirty trick, feint, reposition, or steal combat maneuver. In addition, you receive a +2 bonus on checks with these combat maneuvers. Now a prerequisite for the relevant greater combat maneuver feats.

Powerful Maneuvers (New)

You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when performing a bull rush, drag, overrun, or sunder combat maneuver. In addition, you receive a +2 bonus on checks with these combat maneuvers. Now a prerequisite for the relevant greater combat maneuver feats.

Agile Maneuvers

Gone. A character can choose to add their dexterity instead of Strength to the CMB when attempting a DEFT MANEUVER.

Combat Expertise, Combat option for any class with at least +1 BAB.

Power Attack Combat option for any class with at least +1 BAB.

Piranha Strike Combat option for any class with at least +1 BAB

Deadly Aim Combat option for any class with at least +1 BAB.

Point-Blank Shot No longer a prerequisite for Precise Shot and comes free with it.

Dodgeability Feat

You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. This bonus increases to +4 against attacks of opportunity caused when you move out of or within a threatened tile. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat. (Basically combine Dodge and Mobility into one feat)

Greatly Improved Two-Weapon Fighting

Prerequisites Dex 17, Two-Weapon Fighting, BAB +6. In addition to the standard single extra attack you get with an off-hand weapon, you get a second attack with it, albeit at a –5 penalty. Once your BAB reaches +11, you also gain a third attack with your off-hand weapon, albeit at a –10 penalty. (Basically combine ITWF and GTWF into one feat).

I started playing on these boards nearly three years ago and have really enjoyed it. I've only ever played P&P RPGs via PbP actually. Figured I'd try GMing and see how it went.

It went pretty well I think with my first game. Take a look at it here if you want to get a sense of my style:

http://paizo.com/campaigns/TheBlackscourTaint

Basically in terms of pace I prefer to keep the game moving and if that means botting somone then so be it. I had to bot a PC for the last stretch of the last campaign and it's sad but if that's what has to be done for the good of the game then that's what has to be done.

In terms of RP I really love it when characters post actions and thoughts and dialogue that really tie them into the world and make the campaign seem like a believable adventure. I will try and help with that myself.

I'm always open to constructive feedback as well!

Valenuus Corcus
Male human (Taldan) fighter (aldori swordlord) 1/unchained monk 1 (Pathfinder Player Companion: Inner Sea Primer, Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Combat 59, Pathfinder Unchained 14)
LG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +4; Senses Perception +5
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Defense
--------------------
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +4 Dex)
hp 18 (2d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +1
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk aldori dueling sword +9 (1d8/19-20)
Special Attacks stunning fist (1/day, DC 12)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 16 (17 vs. grapple, 17 vs. trip)
Feats Crane Style[UC], Exotic Weapon Proficiency (aldori dueling sword), Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (hvy blades)
Traits aldori caution, sword scion
Skills Acrobatics +8, Bluff +3, Climb +3, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (engineering) +7, Knowledge (nobility) +4, Perception +5, Sense Motive +6, Stealth +7, Survival +5, Swim +3
Languages Common, Gnome, Sylvan
SQ fuse style
Other Gear studded leather, mwk aldori dueling sword[ISWG], 155 gp
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Special Abilities
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Crane Style Fight defensive pen reduced to -2. When in style, dodge bonus increases by 1.
Fuse Style (2 styles) (Ex) At 1st level, a master of many styles can fuse two of the styles he knows into a more perfect style. The master of many styles can have two style feat stances active at once. Starting a stance provided by a style feat is still a swift action, but whe
Improved Unarmed Strike Unarmed strikes don't cause attacks of opportunity, and can be lethal.
Stunning Fist (1/day, DC 12) You can stun an opponent with an unarmed attack.

Being the third son of a minor noble (really just a glorified merchant), Valenuus's prospects were low. His father shipped him off to an Iori monastery as a boy to curry favor for trade rights with the monastery's control of a major mountain pass. However, Valenuus did not fit well with that lifestyle, so he ran off. First he traveled South as far as Restov where he found the street life more to his tastes. Being cut off from funds from his father, he could not sustain himself there however. Thus he returned to his homeland and headed North to the Darkmoon Vale to try his hand as a hired sword, putting his experiences with the few teachings of the Iori monks and his time in Restov to a more lucrative use. He has just recently arrived in Falcon's Hallow, fortunately missing the plague.

You've seen the man and his dinosaur around town the past couple days, and you recognise him as the man that people refer to as 'that wild man out in the forest.' Either you or someone you know has personally met him out in the wilderness and was helped by him whether it was him protecting them from the dangers inherent to the place, or some other task.

he looks like someone who likes to eat leaves, but he has a nice enough dog.

Javell is a warrior-priest of Desna, originally from Varisia, who stops in occasionally for supplies as he wanders the wilderness. He's helped out a few towns when attacked by goblins.

Javell is a crazy wilderness man, who has no respect for any laws and hates trespassers. He has really sharp knives, so stay away from him.

Benjin Unrow
Male human samurai (sword saint) 2 (
Pathfinder Player Companion: Dragon Empires Primer
,
Pathfinder
RPG Ultimate Combat
18)
NG Medium humanoid (human)
Init
+1;
Senses
Perception +3
—————
Defense
—————
AC
17, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +1 Dex)
hp
22 (2d10+6)
Fort+5,Ref+1,Will+1
Defensive Abilities
resolve 1/day
—————
Offense
—————
Speed
30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee
katana +6 (1d8+4/18-20) or
wakizashi +5 (1d6+3/18-20)
Special Attacks
challenge 1/day (+2 damage, gain DR 1/- vs. target), iajutsu strike
—————
Statistics
—————
Str16,Dex13,Con15,Int13,Wis12,Cha14
Base Atk+2;CMB+5;CMD 16
Feats
Dazzling Display, Weapon Focus (katana)
Traits armor expert, worldly
Skills
Acrobatics -2 (-6 to jump), Climb +4, Craft (weapons) +4, Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (history) +6, Knowledge (nobility) +5 (+6 to checks relating to the nobles or politics of your land), Perception +3, Sense Motive +6, Swim +5;

Racial Modifiers
honor in all things
Languages
Common, Dwarven
SQ order of the warrior

Other Gear mountain pattern armor, katana , wakizashi, bedroll, belt pouch, flint and steel, masterwork backpack
APG, mess kit, pot, silk rope (50 ft.), soap, sunrod (5), trail rations (5), waterskin,
89 gp, 1 sp
—————
Special Abilities
—————
Dazzling Display (Katana)
Intimidate check to demoralize can affect those within 30' who see you.
Honor in All Things (1/day) (Ex)
Gain +4 morale bonus to Save or Skill check.
Iajutsu Strike +1d6/-4 AC (Full-round) (Ex)
Draw sword as strike challenged foe for extra dam, but take
AC penalty for 1 rd. You can use this once per foe, each day.
Resolve (1/day) (Ex)
Your resolve can remove effects or reroll saves.
Warrior's Challenge +2 (1/day) (Ex)
+2 to damage target, -2 AC vs. others when used, DR 1/- against
attacks from challenge target.

Having parents who were mechants helped Benjin to travel the world, he travelled all over Avistan as a young boy. Reaching well out to Tian the great contient of strangers Benjin lived there for most of his
childhood. When his parents moved back to Northern Taldor Benjin and the other Tain that came back with them continued to train in the odd Martial was of the Tian. After many years of careful practice and patience Benjin began to master the ways of the Samuari. Eventually crafting his own blade.

Months ago his parents and the Tian that came back with them were accused to of falsify documents and stealing money. Benjin was send to Northern Taldor with 2 of his Tian friends, along the way the 2 Tian
were captured, Benjin was not because he was of Taldor descent. He continued to flee north till he hit a small logging town.

Valenuus is obviously Human. Well dressed and seems to have money. He has only been here for a little over a week and has been asking around about possible needs for an accomplished swordsman. His blade is an Aldori dueling sword of high quality and speaks of at least a passing familiarity with that school of swordsmanship.

A human with a fancy sword that is not familiar.

The Corcus family is a minor noble family in Brevoy. Valenuus is the third son of the current Patriarch of the Corcus family.

nothing

For many, Falcon's Hollow is considered a dead end or a place to go to get away from the big cities like Magnimar or Kaer Maga.To Joran however, Falcon's Hollow always has been home. Growing up in Falcon's Hollow, Joran's father worked the cutyards while his mother served tables in the local inn. When he was able, Joran himself went to work with his father, although instead of doing the cutting in the cutyards, Joran acted as a runner for the loggers carrying water and supplies for them. However, like many of the loggers or their families, Joran faced the death of his father in a log collapse when he was just becoming a teen. To help his mother and siblings, Joran asked to take his fathers place, doing the cutting. Most wouldn't have considered it for a thirteen year old, but Joran had the height and build of someone older (even if his strength hadn't caught up yet.

Several potential loggers even tried to physically keep him from joining the logging crew, but with his size and raw skill, Joran fought hard, impressing the foreman and gaining a spot on the crew. For two years he was cutting in the cutyards and participating in good natured brawls among the loggers. Like most loggers, he hung out at the tavern between shifts, drinking and relaxing. (He's frustrated at times though, because he never seems to get as drunk as he might want and he doesn't know why.)

Five years ago, his life changed. A cleric of Shelyn was passing through, and her talk of art, beauty and her service captivated Joran. Stories that his mother had told him about their family service to the goddess now made sense. For weeks his work at the cutyards suffered (prompting visits from the consortium's enforcers). While Joran lay injured and barely conscious he felt a calling from Shelyn. His fevered mind saw visions of the former paladins of Shelyn from the Odeber family. They all seemed to be encourging Joran to join them.

When he recovered he found hiself ridiculed and rejected by most of the village. He suffered this for weeks until the cleric of Sheyln returned. When she did, Joran asked to leave with her, and serve the goddess. THe cleric agreed and Joran left Falcon's Hollow to begin training as a Paladin in Shelyn's service. Joran took to the training with intensity and excitement. While he was not as strong as most of the other trainees, he found his agility and dexterity could make up for his shortcomings. Choosing to wield the weapon of the goddess he learned to balance it as if it were a mere sword, and shorten and extend the weapon in defense and attack.

Recently, while getting ready to go into the world and carry Shelyn's presence to others he received word from an old friend in Falcon's Hollow. It seemed that a plague had broken out and his friend needed any assistance he could provide. Promptly heading for what he surprisingly (to him) considered home. By the time he arrived, others had managed to stem the sickness. However, Joran saw it as an opportunity to stay and help in whatever other way he could.

Joran Odeber-Valas
Male human (Taldan) paladin (virtuous bravo) 2 (Pathfinder Player Companion: Heroes of the High Court 12)
LG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +1
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Defense
--------------------
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 18 (2d10+2)
Fort +7 (+2 trait bonus vs. poison or drugs (+4 to avoid effects of alcohol)), Ref +6, Will +7
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee dagger +5 (1d4+1/19-20) or
glaive +6 (1d10+1/×3)
Ranged light crossbow +5 (1d8/19-20)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with glaive)
Special Attacks smite evil 1/day (+0 attack and AC, +2 damage)
Paladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 2nd; concentration +5)
At will—detect evil
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Statistics
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Str 12, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 17
Base Atk +2; CMB +5; CMD 16
Feats Agile Maneuvers, Bladed Brush, Combat Expertise, Deadly Aim, Power Attack, Weapon Focus
Traits iron liver, threatening defender
Skills Acrobatics +1 (-3 to jump), Bluff +4, Craft (sculpture) +5, Diplomacy +8, Heal +6, Knowledge (local) +2, Knowledge (religion) +5, Linguistics +3, Profession (logger) +5, Sense Motive +5, Survival +2
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven, Varisian
SQ bravo's finesse, lay on hands 4/day (1d6)
Other Gear mwk lamellar (leather) armor[UC], crossbow bolts (20), dagger, glaive, light crossbow, 243 gp
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Special Abilities
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Agile Maneuvers Use DEX instead of STR for CMB
Bladed Brush Glaives become finess and swashbuckler weapons. As a move action, can change from reach to non-reach.
Bravo's Finesse (Ex) Use Dex for att with light/1-hand pierce wep. Use Cha instead of Int for combat feat pre-reqs.
Combat Expertise -0/+1 Bonus to AC in exchange for an equal penalty to attack.
Deadly Aim -1/+2 Trade a penalty to ranged attacks for a bonus to ranged damage.
Detect Evil (At will) (Sp) You can use detect evil at will (as the spell).
Lay on Hands (1d6 hit points, 4/day) (Su) As a standard action (swift on self), touch channels positive energy and applies mercies.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Smite Evil (1/day) (Su) +3 to hit, +2 to damage, +0 deflection bonus to AC when used.
Weapon Focus (Pole Arms)

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Human Paladin 2;
Lawful Good Medium
Init: +1 Senses Perception: +1
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17, ( +6 armor +1 shield +1 dex)
hp hp 8 (17-26)
Fort +5 Ref +1 Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
Melee Scimitar +7 (1d6 +4 18-20/x2);
Ranged Javelin +3 (1d6 20/x2);
STATISTICS
Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 16
Base Atk +2; CMB 6; CMD 17
Feats Weapon Focus: blade heavy; Saving Shield;
Skills Heal +4; Perception +1; Sense Motive +3; Diplomacy +10;
Background: craft (Blacksmith) 5, handle animal 0, Appraise 1
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Code of Conduct; Aura of Good; Detect Evil; Divine Emissary; Familiar;
Religious Mentor; Delayed Grace; Skilled; Familiar: Diplomacy checks +3
bonus; Lay On Hands; Smite Evil; Lay On Paws;
EQUIPMENT
If selected

Talia never knew who her mother was, her father, a retired adventurer, was rather tight lipped concerning his past. According to the other villagers he showed up one day with a pack on his back and a baby girl in his arms and bought the old smithy.

She was a gentle girl, but woe upon those that actually managed to anger her, as her father made sure that she knew how to defend herself. But even if she helped her father from time to time with his work, it was obvious that it wasn't the right work for her. It was Lisbeth the wise woman that found the right thing for her, something that fits both her gentle natural and the steel hidden beneath it, she took her as her apprentic, to learn the trade of a healer.

It was after she found a wounded thrush that her peaceful life should forever change. People were starting to get sick, and even old Lisbeth was powerless against it. After weeks the first died, but the same night it became apparent that he didn't stay dead. While they were able to destroy the zombie the village village was in a panic, as the only one that might be able to help, the smith/retired adventurer, Talia's father was among the sick. The next night, after sleep finally found her, she had an ood dream the thrush spoke to her, his plumage shining like the first light of a new day, it spoke of The Dawnflower , of destiny and of a way to save her village. Desperate and with no other option she snuck out, armed with her fathers old equipment, and followed the thrush at the first light of dawn. Her path took her through the forest to the ruins of an old watchtower and the place of a foul rite. After a hard battle against the deranged mage and his minions the justice of Sarenrae prevailed, leaving Talia both elated, as she had saved her home, and horrified as she had taken a live, no matter how much evil he had done,  regardless of what madness he planed to inflict on the world,  she had killed a man.

She returned to the village the same day, carrying the body of the caster. Everyone was quite shocked to see the gentle girl carrying a dead body and it took a wile for Lisbeth to coax the story out of Talia. The relief was great as the health of the afflicted begun to improve quickly.

After the celebration she talked with her father about something that the thrush said to her, about the mission the Everlight had for her and about another nearby village that was plagued by a different mysterious disease. Her father gave her his old equipment and told her that he knew that this day might come and that she should go if she was sure that this was the right thing to do.