I'm thinking of an epic perspective for the campaign, which PbP is well suited for. What I mean by this is that characters can go their own way, in different directions, and several scenes can happen simultaneously. Because of this, there can be more than one party active at a time, and there is no need to limit to the number of characters that come into play, until it reaches the point where my head explodes.
Some thoughts on house rules and such:
The campaign will follow the e6 rules. Ravenloft's mood of terror and corruption is better served by a comparatively low powered game.
Fear, Horror and Madness checks are NOT will saves. Fear checks are wisdom based and are modified by anything that modifies saves against fear-based effects. All classes treat them as "good" saves. You aren't adventurers because you're chicken.
Horror and Madness checks all use the charisma modifier, and are treated as "bad" saves by all classes. As with other saves, there are feats that give a +2 or traits that give a +1 to these checks.
I favor character-driven narrative over tactical simulations, so I'm looking for players who will engage in this as a storytelling project. I will reward good storytelling with xp, bonuses on rolls, etc.
Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff in particular get bonuses and penalties based on the play. "I try to intimidate him" will get a pretty hefty penalty, but a good description of how you try may rate a bonus.
I don't use battle maps, and will try to rule fairly on things like area of effects, cover, flanking, etc. Description is your friend, here.
My tastes runs to 'boss' monsters that are frequently far above the PCs pay grade, but with significant weaknesses that can be exploited once they are discovered.
Magic items are extremely rare, but make up for in potency what they lack in frequency. Crafting magic items is not likely to be viable. Potions/oils/scrolls are notable exceptions.
The wider world is Ravenloft. You are all natives of Ravenloft, and have not heard of anywhere beyond Ravenloft. For the purposes of this campaign, there is nowhere else. Familiarity with the world of Ravenloft is helpful, but not required. There will be many changes made to suit my tastes. Darklords are not a thing, the mists themselves govern the closing of domain borders.
What domains will the characters be in initially? The setting is 'classical' Ravenloft, correct? Just some initial questions to get the creative juices flowing. I used to DM a Ravenloft game, so having inside knowledge will not be a problem, will it?
This sounds fantastic. I'd love to play.
I'll hold off on coming up with a concept until I see an actual recruitment thread, or a description of the type of campaign it will be, but I will say that I have a big soft spot for castlevania-style monster hunters.
What domains will the characters be in initially? The setting is 'classical' Ravenloft, correct? Just some initial questions to get the creative juices flowing. I used to DM a Ravenloft game, so having inside knowledge will not be a problem, will it?
The setting is my version of the Ravenloft presented in the 3.5 PHB and DMG. I like to put my own particular spin on things. I'm not sure that answers the classical question, but I think the answer is yes.
Inside knowledge won't be a problem. A certain amount of player familiarity is inevitable when you use published material, so as long as your character doesn't become a mouthpiece for player knowledge, I'm not bothered about it.
The story begins in Borca, but it's reasonable for your characters to be from anywhere in the Core.
This sounds fantastic. I'd love to play.
I'll hold off on coming up with a concept until I see an actual recruitment thread, or a description of the type of campaign it will be, but I will say that I have a big soft spot for castlevania-style monster hunters.
Yes, I'm really just looking for interest at this point. Though with two of you on the hook, I'm almost ready to begin....
I'm going for something fairly gritty and story-driven, and I'm attempting to create a campaign that has a really horrific feel, heroes struggling against darkness, etc. As opposed to a dungeon crawl with a horror skin.
One of the things I love about Ravenloft is it's one of the only D&D settings where evil has tangible consequences, and that'll be a strong component of the game.
There is a free PDF made by RL fans here on the Paizo forums called Mistfinder that boosts up Half-Vistanis, Calibans, PrCs, feats, ect., up to Pathfinder power levels. Just thought that you would be HIGHLY interested in this. Also, you know there are Ravenloft traits in one of the newest Quoth the Raven free net-zines from the Fraternity of Shadows website, right? All of these things could help in making things be 500% more awesome!
And by e6, you're referring to Epic 6 rules right? Just making sure of this before I set a character to paper (Well, profile,)!
If you have links to these, that would be awesome.
|
I suppose you're using Outcast Ratings when it comes to races correct? Due to this I'll probably play a human character and a Ravenloft native. Where will this game be based in Ravenloft so that I can create a viable background for the character and decide which class will best fit the character. In addition what Point Buy are we using?
I will try to get the links up, I am on my cellphone. Forgot my power cord to my laptop before I went to college so I was like WHAAAAAAAT?!!!! when I got here!
http://www.fraternityofshadows.com/Library.html
Links to all the fan-created RL e-books on FoS. They're really good! I think Quoth the Raven 12-17 have Pathfinder compatible material. I know at least 3 do, though which ones precisely I have no idea.
http://www.mediafire.com/?o00rq0fx5rng3u5
Download link for Mistfinder. Thank Strahd for these people finally fixing Calibans Sorceror issues!
Yep, epic 6 rules rock in RL!
And by Core nationalities, is that exclusive? No one from, say, Souragne or Paridon? I am fine with Core only, I just had an idea for a few characters from other places in RL.
Also, can our characters start out already having failed a power check? Just curious.
|
I want to play. I have the PHB and DMG for Ravenloft from 3.5. I have been wanting to play some good Horror for a long time. Never heard of e6, but I will try and read stuff to get an idea for what it is.
From reading the link it looks like it is just a way to keep people at level 6, I'm down.
As for character, I suppose I would wait for the actual recruitment thread, although I am leaning towards Bard.
Anyone should feel free to read this, it's just spoilered because it's a bit long.
No failed powers checks to begin with, but feel free to damn your (character's) soul immediately upon starting play. Acts of ultimate darkness are autofails on powers checks, so... Bear in mind that the dark powers (aka, me) will be determining the effects of your failed powers checks according to their own dark purpose.
All the clusters and islands may come into play, but I'm looking at starting the game with inexperienced characters, so if you want to start off with a character from (say, Souragne) he would need to get to Borca by "ordinary" means. That is, not grabbed by the mists for mysterious purposes and spat out somewhere far away. So let's say, if you can get to the Core via a single Charted Mistway, and walk/ride/crawl the rest of the way, yes. I think that gets most of the relatively civilized islands and clusters.
@ Aconyte - You have the basic idea. E6 is just a way of keeping things gritty, without the power explosion that comes at higher levels, and to my thinking it's ideal for Ravenloft. Hard to do good horror RP when you can one-shot vampires without spilling your tea.
@ Darkfire - Yes, I am using outcast ratings, and as this will be a roleplay heavy game, it will make a difference.
Now there are four of you on the hook, a bit of introductory fluff AND the character creation info are in the Campaign Info tab.
My plan is to keep recruitment open, adding new players (and possibly new characters from established players) as they come in. Later additions will start at first level with 0xp, just like everyone else did.
I'm up in the air about opening a new recruitment thread or just keeping this one live, so if anyone has any thoughts, they're welcome.
|
At the moment, I'm thinking about either a rogue or a ranger...a hunchbacked small man, possibly with considerable strength (hey, rolls are what they are... ;)) who keeps to himself a lot...is thought to be mentally crippled (but hopefully won't be!) so that people tend to disregard him and speak in his presence. He'll respond well to any act of kindness, and be quite resourceful...good natured, as a rule, but not the 'heroic' type, per se.
I have not come up with most of the "Meta-crunch" yet, but the outline of the character is there. Gnome Bard Bliznap is ready for a once over. I will look at his options soon to get some of the Details ironed-out (such as feats, traits, and skills).
I don't have my books in front of me, so I can't exactly put down where his parents are. For the sake of simplicity, they live in the closest gnome settlement to where the adventure starts.
Let me know what else is needed.
@ Eldon ... it sounds like a good start.
@ Bliznap ... do you mind rolling your stats in the thread?
Will reroll below (and update after posting):
EDIT: Stats updated in character. This is Aconyte BTW.
Will you consider the 'alternate humans' from Legacy of Blood? I was thinking maybe a distant Boritsi cousin of Ivana's, who styles himself as the 'quintessential Bocan noble', which I'm sure you have an idea of what that entails. ;)
@ SilverPrince: It sounds like a great idea, but as I don't have Legacy of Blood (or almost any other splatbooks) I can only consider such a thing if you break it down for me. Without having seen that breakdown, I can suggest:
You could play an Alchemist or a Rogue (Poisoner) and get Poison Use at 1st level.
I'd also give poison use as a alternate racial trait for a human, replacing the bonus feat.
@ EldonG ... Very nice rolls indeed. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Let me see what the dice have in store for the character!
These digital dice hate me! Every single campaign I try online that requires rolling for stats, the rolls SUCK!!!
Now, let's REROLL!
Are you SERIOUS?!!! *Sighs* Guess I won't be playing in this campaign...
Can I do ANOTHER reroll?
Now I feel stupid! :D
Will do the CORRECT rolling in a little while!
If you want any info on cities in Ravenloft, just let me know. Got ALMOST all the books from 2.0, AD&D, 3.X, and fanwork!
Just post where you want to originate and I could help you. :)
If there is some region that is known for having a strong Artistic and cultural background that would nurture musically inclined folk, that is most likely where my Character came from. Or some bordering region with a strong Gnomish population.
Also GM, will we be venturing outside of Borca any? I was thinking of possible side story ideas.
Bliznap, there are a few regions that fit that description. Do you have any preference for either art or music? What about culture?
Bliznap, here are a few ideas.
1. Kartakass, a heavily forested backwater area filled with monstrous wolves. The native populace absolutely LOVE music, having grand events such as the Meistersinger competitions.
2. Borca, where we are starting out in, is like Renaissance Italy, Venice in particular due to reasons I don't want to spoil for Ravenloft newbies.
3. Darkon is essentially a Tolkien-esque land where the 'fantastic races' congregate in large numbers.
4. Dementlieu is, in all honesty, Enlightenment-era France filled with even more political intrigue. It has a fairly high number of artists and musicians.
5. Ghastria is a pastoral French-ish land where art is held in high regard and most of the food produced on Ghastrian soil has no taste.
6. Liffe reminds me of early America, split into small 'states' and featuring the largest bardic college in Ravenloft. GM, more info is in the Nocturnal Sea gazetteer if you want to confirm.
7. Souragne has a very 1800's New Orleans feel mixed with supernatural elements, complete with music/dancing traditions, voodoo, and various swamp monsters.
8. The Carnival is completely awesome! Think traveling circus that has a way of subtly shifting the forms of those who linger too long into forms that match their inner personalities. This is without a doubt one of the 'brightest' places in Ravenloft, but it has it's own hidden horrors.
Man it all sounds awesome, kartakass sounds cool but Borca sounds even more interesting. I think I will go with that. Thanks for the info!
Looking forward to this even more now hehe.
Let's see what I come up with.
Dex
Strength
Con
Int
Cha
Wis
Dex
Strength
Con
Int
Cha
Wis
Dex
Strength
Con
Int
Cha
Wis
Dex
Strength
Con
Int
Cha
Wis
Seriously? Sheesh.
Dex
Str
Con
Int
Cha
Wis
Looks Like-
Str 13
Dex 16
Con 16
Int 12
Wis 12
Chr 10
@ Vorthos - awesome ... character creation info is in the campaign info tab.
@ EldonG - The story starts in Borca, near the city of Levkarest. [url=http://www.gryphonhill.com/borca/playermap.html]Here's a map.[/map]
@ Doomed - obviously the dice didn't want you using Dex as your prime.
@ Bliznap - thanks for the tweak. Borca's pretty ideal for your guy. There aren't a lot of non-humans there is the only downside, but that's balanced by the campaign starting there. I can definitely see possibilities for your character's role there, struggling to be taken seriously as a musician when most people see a tiny man and expect a clown.
@ Silver Prince - many thanks for your help, though I am more inclined to use the rough outlines as they appear in the books and develop things in my own way. So this will not be Ravenloft as published.
I am poring through the Fraternity of Shadows page, though, which rocks.
Don't know about Carnival, but the rest of your summations on the domains are spot on.
P.S. Yes, if the campaign goes the way I hope, the whole world of Ravenloft will likely come into play. Not every single domain, maybe, but many.
Doomed Hero here. I swapped my concept and immediately got a set I can work with. ;)
Sergei is carrying the shield that is the mate to Strahd's Bane, his brother's sword.
Sergei is looking for the sword (which could be anywhere), and trying to bring a little light into a very dark world. Eventually I'd like for him to become an actual, honest-to-goodness paladin (yes, I know how much of a can of worms that is in Ravenloft)
Please tell me what you think. If this character isn't right for the story you want to tell, let me know. I have a few other ideas.
This is not to say that I plan to be a prick about it, but that I will be strict. I won't set you up to fail, or put you in Catch-22 fail situations, but there will be sacrifices. There is no room for moral relativism, cheap alignment workarounds or psychopathy masquerading as righteousness. Well, there is plenty of room for the last, but not for a paladin. For a paladin, the ends don't justify the means.
Also, in your background, is there anyone left, or has everyone he's ever known been killed?