The Great (Pathfinder) Society...in Magnimar! (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Swanson

Shattered Star AP...undertaken by a roving band of misfits...errr scholars...errr...heroes, he he.


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Grand Lodge

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Absalom is an old city and no stranger to murder. Throughout its history, countless men, women, and children have met horrible ends in its darkened alleys, shaded tenements, and abandoned buildings. They choke on their own blood until their bodies surrender up their souls, but they never leave. Absalom’s dead linger. They dance in shadows at the edge of lantern-light. They peer between the cracks of creaking floorboards. Their phantom breath sends shivers down the spines of the living. No home in Absalom is without its haunts, ghosts, and whispers. The sounds of a weeping child from the attic in the dead of night, the moans of a tortured maid issuing from the basement of a crumbling manor, and the croaking rasp of a strangled man just beyond a bedroom window—all are heard for a moment amid a night’s storm and then swallowed up by thunder or silence. Some dismiss them as fancy or imagination, but we know better. The dead lurk all around us, in air and shadow, between the walls and right at your back. They watch while you sleep, and wait, moaning in the dark, united in their tireless hatred of the living.

OK after a long time of being a player in these boards, I have decided to take the plunge and try running a short horror-based adventure based in Absalom on Golarion. Should this game go well, I plan on continuing this campaign with these characters (assuming they survive that is, he he) and eventually move into some pretty EPIC stuff.

What I am looking for right now are just a brief synopsis of your characte, including race and class. A well fleshed background is preferred. I will be working with you to flesh out your characters BG. Keep in mind none of you will know the other characters to start out though.

Ground Rules/Creation Guidelines]


  • This game will start with 4 PCs
  • 1st level.
  • No Evil characters.
  • All PF Core races and classes, plus the Featured Races in ARG (Chapter 2) on DM approval.
  • 25 pt buy
  • 2 traits
  • Max gold at 1st level
  • Max HP at 1st level.

This is NOT first come, first served. I will close recruitment on Wednesday July 4. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Thanks for giving this rookie DM a try out and Good Luck!


Looks interesting. Other than a horror based adventure did you have any concepts of how you were going to start things up, or were you going to work off of the backstories of the characters submitted?


I'll voice some interest in this. I'm a rookie (well, "virgin" would be more apt). I'm not familiar with Golarion, since I've mostly played homebrew games. So I might need a little help as far as background, if that's okay. My concept is a traveling CG halfling rogue who carves and sells wooden figurines and pickpockets when business is a little bad. He keeps a notebook of where he has stolen from and always returns it when he's made enough money.


Hi there. I am quite interested in this I have a quite dark backstory in mind which should fit with the horror style campaign, I am thinking maybe going with a wizard but not sure yet. I have recently started my first pathfinder PbP GM campaign so I know how you feel ;)

Will try and get a character and concept up today or tomorrow.

I can post at least twice a day depending on other people's posting rate of course. :D


I'd like to dot for interest. I'm a long time table top pathfinder and 3.5 player with some experience on these boards (though I ended up dropping out of a longer running game for some personal real life problems)who is looking to get started again.

As for a character idea, I'd very much like to play a disillusioned Dwarven Zen Archer monk of Erastil who's small settlement was slaughtered by giants. After having failed his community, family, traditon's, and God, the archer wandered until he stumbled upon a new community to dedicate himself to, and one that was as haunted and plagued by the past as he was. As an alignment, he'd start as a very committed Lawful character, but a very unsure and doubtful Good one, to be affirmed or pushed otherwise by those who become the most influential to him (most likely the party, but maybe an NPC or two, depending on how important you make them). He'd have a particularly low charisma score to reflect his abysmal self worth, lack of confidence, and guilt, but an especially high wisdom which has helped his perspective, but kept him from committing suicide and pushed him to search out some place he might make a difference with his considerable skills and ambition.

How does that sound? If you like the idea, (or if I find the time any way) I'll roll him up, and find him a name!

Grand Lodge

Oterisk wrote:

Looks interesting. Other than a horror based adventure did you have any concepts of how you were going to start things up, or were you going to work off of the backstories of the characters submitted?

Actually, it will be a railroad event which brings all the characters together. As for WHY you are all together, well discovering that will be the fun part, he he.

Grand Lodge

Signore di Fortuna wrote:
I'll voice some interest in this. I'm a rookie (well, "virgin" would be more apt). I'm not familiar with Golarion, since I've mostly played homebrew games. So I might need a little help as far as background, if that's okay. My concept is a traveling CG halfling rogue who carves and sells wooden figurines and pickpockets when business is a little bad. He keeps a notebook of where he has stolen from and always returns it when he's made enough money.

I would not worry about the background too much, as it is set in Absalom, which actually works quite well with your concept :)

Grand Lodge

TheHairyAvenger wrote:

Hi there. I am quite interested in this I have a quite dark backstory in mind which should fit with the horror style campaign, I am thinking maybe going with a wizard but not sure yet. I have recently started my first pathfinder PbP GM campaign so I know how you feel ;)

Will try and get a character and concept up today or tomorrow.

I can post at least twice a day depending on other people's posting rate of course. :D

Sounds good to me!

Grand Lodge

Dragonserpent wrote:

I'd like to dot for interest. I'm a long time table top pathfinder and 3.5 player with some experience on these boards (though I ended up dropping out of a longer running game for some personal real life problems)who is looking to get started again.

As for a character idea, I'd very much like to play a disillusioned Dwarven Zen Archer monk of Erastil who's small settlement was slaughtered by giants. After having failed his community, family, traditon's, and God, the archer wandered until he stumbled upon a new community to dedicate himself to, and one that was as haunted and plagued by the past as he was. As an alignment, he'd start as a very committed Lawful character, but a very unsure and doubtful Good one, to be affirmed or pushed otherwise by those who become the most influential to him (most likely the party, but maybe an NPC or two, depending on how important you make them). He'd have a particularly low charisma score to reflect his abysmal self worth, lack of confidence, and guilt, but an especially high wisdom which has helped his perspective, but kept him from committing suicide and pushed him to search out some place he might make a difference with his considerable skills and ambition.

How does that sound? If you like the idea, (or if I find the time any way) I'll roll him up, and find him a name!

That is a great background, DS! Feel free to roll him up, 25 pt buy.


Quote:
All PF Core races and classes,

I suppose this means CRB classes only (No APG, no UM, no UC).

Grand Lodge

Belle Mythix wrote:
Quote:
All PF Core races and classes,

I suppose this means CRB classes only (No APG, no UM, no UC).

Ooof, that was not written very clearly. I meant to say ALL PF official material, including the APG, UM and UC


Here's Horven!

Edit: Will add background tomorrow.

Grand Lodge

Horven looks good so far. Only one thing I need you to change is I am allowing only one Combat Trait for each character.

HERE is a listing of all the traits available.


So, it got stuck in my head as I was looking at this thread, but Blackblade Magi have BlackBlades that are all one-handed slashing weapons... So what about that underlooked fellow, the Whip?

Ianthé Jack:

All mercenary companies come home, eventually.. Some get deterred and distracted, dragged further and further from home by campaigns, shifting leadership, and turnover, but all of them come home from time to time. Ianthé had joined the Silver Ribbon Company near Oppara, and just for "seasoning" was sent back with the messengers as a good "training run". The route was established, and she was an extra pair of eyes that were not needed currently, since their last campaign had ended well, and they were two weeks into a lengthy break between contracts.

"Jack" is not her true surname, but neither would she volunteer it either. That she was able to fill out the Company's contract for herself was surprising, and like many, she simply listed "Travel" as her reason for joining. Her accent was rough Taldan, the kind spoken in border inns and the cheaper sections of towns, and the length of her hair reinforced that. She was not a noble's spoiled child, looking to escape the gilded bars of the manor. There was a scar that crossed her eye, angling from the brow to the cheekbone, and most surmised that she was either a maid or a bed-warmer that had decided to get away.

She was known to not joke much, though she was capable of a sharp wit, and bright smiles were something that was never seen. She mostly kept her head down and her mouth shut, looking to get away from that location in Taldor as quietly as possible.


Why wait for tomorrow when I can get it done tonight? Changed the trait and added the background.

Let me know if that's alright.

Grand Lodge

Horven, looks good to me. Nice choice of a trait BTW, he he.


I am interested in this campaign. I have played role playing games for while but am currently unable to find a group in my area that is able to stick together. I have never played a pbp before and interested to learn. This is a character that has been rolling around in my head for sometime. I really think he would be a great character to play in a role playing aspect.

I will make an actual character when I can.

Background:
Ortack is the youngest 15 other siblings, feeling he needs prove himself to his family he no long a baby. He has always despise being treated as the baby of the family and protected by his older siblings. He left his home at a young age to venture out and vowed to not to return until he has proven his worth in world. Believing this journey will bring him honor and respect amongst his kin. With a strong connection to the great dwarven god of Torag, he has dedicated his journey to honor him. He is sensitive about his size and will jump into combat to defend anyone being bullied by a larger person/beast/monster. He is suspicious and brash toward any being that is larger then he is, but that will quickly dissolve over a cold ale.

He carries a dwarven waraxe as his traveling companion which he has named “Linda”. He has a habit of whisper a quick prayer to his axe in dwarven right before combat.


Here is Ortack.


Dotting for interest.

TheHairyAvenger:
Hello........Felisin


Here is a paladin that is so far set in Sandport but either Sandport can be moved to Absalom or the Named NPCs can be in some city there. I can also rename all the NPCs if you wish. I am new to PF and do not yet know the setting very well.

I will have to lose 2 points of con to switch to 25 point buy. The sheet itself is not done yet, but will be soon. Thanks

Mathius


Ok got the character sheet on google docs.

Let me know what you think. It should be all correct I will write the background shortly and get the stuff pumped into an alias of some sort when I get the chance. If there is anything that you don't approve of just say and I will see what I can do :D

Fallen_Mage:
Darius ;)

Grand Lodge

Kimyoufox: Looking good there. I will add Ortack to the list of applicants.

Mathius: Your character is also looking nice. Added to list.

TheHairyAvenger: I assume Ratcliff (he he he) is a native of Absalom? If so then yeah I think that will work nicely


Yeah he will be a native :) I don't know the setting very well so I have done my best here.

background:
Extract’s from Ratcliff’s journal.

My first memory was waking up on an operating table. My...Father had been experimenting, trying to find the perfect mix of Rat and Human. I wasn’t it. He still makes use of me when he is bored an angry, he can take it out on me. That’s good I guess. I like to know that I can help him in some way.

I...I saw what I look like. To other people I mean. I am...hideous. I know now why Father asked me not to leave the house.

Magic!!! I found a book in Father’s study and it contained words that taught me magic. I will read more but he can never know.

Someone saw me!!! I don’t know what to do. She ran screaming and...and I think she will bring people to come and kill me. I don’t want to die.

Father said to run, so I ran. I am in the sewers hiding; I took some books for company and for the magic. Father didn’t come with me I don’t know what happened to him.

Ratcliff’s Father was a strong wizard in the city of Absalom and was well respected and liked. Till the day people found out he had been experimenting with children to create a hybrid of Rat and Human. That day when Ratcliff was seen, a mob was formed that attacked his home and burnt it to the ground. To this day it is still a burned and derelict ruin, small bleached bones have been found in the wreckage. People fear this place and say it is haunted with the ghosts of mutated children.

Ratcliff luckily escaped the mob that burned down his ‘Father’s’ home and even managed to take some tomes of magic which he read and re read. He lived on scraps for years, sneaking out into the night to search the city for food and any books on magic he could find.

One night however he was caught stealing from an old Wizards merchant store but instead of punishing Ratcliff he took pity. Ratcliff still lived in the sewers but now he was able to eat well and was also given a cloak to allow him to hide his features when travelling. Every night he would get lessons from the old wizard Cirdia.

Some years later and Ratcliff was more powerful than he had ever felt before. He stayed with his old friend Cirdia until the day he died. Now he searches the city hidden from site, for a purpose and most importantly for a chance to prove his worth.

This is an initial draft I may change bits here and there but this should hopefully give a decent idea of what my character will be like :)


Thanks Eric, I will get the sheet done soon within a day or two. Can I by weapons and armor for half price if I take training in craft? What if I take skill focus craft?

Mathius

Grand Lodge

Mathius: According to the CRAFT skill, it allows you to create items only. Since the items price includes the price of the raw materials to begin with, I would say that is a no go. Skill Focus just gives you a bonus to your Craft ckeck.

I will allow you to use the Craft skill to earn extra money though once the initial adventure is completed


Here is Gared, because there need to be more Dwarven Archers in Golarian. He isn't entirely finished yet, but most of the important things are there.

I was actually wondering something similar to Mathius, as monks get a very low starting gold piece count, but mighty composite long bows are very expensive, is there a way short of using a feat that I could have had a might composite (+2) long bow to start the game, as my only real piece of equipment of any value?


*raises hand* Um... You missed me?

Grand Lodge

Me'mori wrote:
*raises hand* Um... You missed me?

So I did, my bad. Your concept looks fine, Me'mori


Added an unedited stream-of-consciousness history for Gared, as well as some short prose after arrival in Absalom for perusal at your leisure. I believe he's all ready for play, sans a few details.


DM Eric wrote:
So I did, my bad. Your concept looks fine, Me'mori

Cool. Now to add the slight touch of "horror" to the character.


Dotting for interest. I'm curretnly debating what I should go for, any preference between Gunslinger, Monk, Oracle and Magus? At least one of those will be Half-Drow, because I got the ARG today and thought that looked awesome.


This is TheHairyAvenger's alias. I have a link to the character sheet with everything on. However key info is in the alias. Would you prefer everything to be in the alias?

I couldn't find a nice picture so this is the best I could do :(

Grand Lodge

Ratcliff: Yeah I would like all of your pertinent info on your alias, it makes it easier to look up all of your info, especially things like saves and skill checks, he he.

As for the alias, no worries. Paizo is lagging on the new avi selections, but they are working on it, Heck I am still waiting for an avi for my succubus wizardess, he he.


I have set the HP and AC etc. Up so that it shows along the top next to the name for some reason this doesn't show on the recruitment threads but if you look at the Gender part in the Alias that is what will be there if I get chosen. Saves you opening the Alias every time.

I will still update to have everything in there aswell shortly :) I will get a bit more info pumped into the background when I have the time aswell :D


gonna be busy for bit might not have the sheet ready until mon or tue. Making a building plan takes alot longer in 3.5 then in 4.0

Mathius


I just got my copy of the ARG (after checking two bookstores and having to drive twenty miles to my nearest competent game store). Anyway, I was wondering if I could use the halfling racial trait Swift as Shadows (pg. 62), which reduces the penalty for using stealth while moving by 5 and reduce the stealth check penalty for sniping by 10. It will replace sure-footed (+2 for acrobatics and climb checks), since I haven't really counted it anyway. Let me know if that's okay, Eric.

Grand Lodge

Ratliff and Mathius: No worries man, just work on your profile when you can, the recruitment doesn't close until July 2, so you have plenty of time.

Horven: No problem with that trait Horven.


I'm not entirely clear. What classes do we have so far?

Grand Lodge

OK here is a list of the current applicants:

Character Applicants:

1) Osterik: ?

2) Signore di Fortuna: "Horven Graveltoes" CG halfling Rogue

3) TheHairyAvenger: "Ratcliff" CG Ratfolk Wizard

4) Dragonserpent: "Gared Naught" LG Dwarven Zen Archer Monk of Erastil

5) Me'mori: "Ianthé Jack" Blackblade Magus (?)

6) Kimyoufox: "Ortack Lorestein" NG Dwarf Cleric of Torag

7) Fallen_Mage: (?)

8) Mathius: "Brun Ironbender" LG Human Paladin of Erastil

9) wolfman1911 (?)

Just a reminder: This game is for 4 players only. If I continue with these characters then I can (and will) ask for more players.


Looks to be a good interesting crowd to start with. I'll be looking forward to seeing how the other submissions shape up.


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Mark me down as interested. Current ideas include an alchemist (probably vivisectionist), a fighter/sorcerer, a monk, and a deranged paladin. Let me know if you have any preferences (or un-preferences) from that lot. : )

Grand Lodge

Cynarion: My class preference is whatever the player wants to play, he he. I have no problems with any of your suggestions, but keep in mind this is a 1st level game (no gestalt classes....at least not for this adventure anyway, he he).


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Yep--just giving you an idea as to direction. A fighter/sorcerer is very different to a straight single-classed version of either. : )

Will mull it over while gardening (in the rain) on the weekend. : )


I have a concept in mind, so I'm going to post the backstory now, if you like it I'll have a character sheet and alias tomorow, if not I'll come up with something else. Anyway, the character will be a Lawful Neutral Rakshasa Spawn Oracle.

Ganer Jitesh:

Ganer Jitesh has had an unusual life. He was born and raised in Absalom, but both his parents are Vudrani merchants that were in Absalom to help establish a trading company, and were planning to return at a later time. As it turned out, they did return to Vudra, though they left Ganer behind when they did.

Ganer was always seen as special, from an early age he seemed to know things that he shouldn't know, and seemed old beyond his years. His parents took it as a sign that he was favored by Irori, and so they began taking him to the local temple of Irori for guidence. Ganer was believed to be an Oracle, and was taken in by the temple, and his parents as well. All went well until Ganer's twelveth birthday. Strange marks began appearing on his face and over time, the marks turned into black stripes. At the same time, his skin began growing more pale, and his nose and mouth began rearranging themselves into a snout. When this transformation was complete, Ganer had facial features reminiscent of a white tiger, and skin coloration to match. He was a beastbrood, the Tiefling offspring of a rakshasa. When they saw what had become of their son, Ganer's parents fled from his sight; abandoning him at the temple while they fled Absalom in the night. The temple was no more merciful, they knew that the blame was on his parents' evil deeds and not his, but they also knew that Rakshasa spawn were often as cruel and villanous as their demonic sires. He was not killed, for risk of inviting the wrath of whoever had placed his or her mark on Ganer, instead he was exhiled out into the wilderness, The cleric even apologized as he did so.

After being cast out, Ganer wandered the Isle of Kortos, always managing to stay just far enough out of harm's way to survive, though with his limp, it wasn't always easy. He certainly didn't have it easy, he couldn't really associate with people, because his appearance was off putting, and he couldn't ever seem to pick up any survival skills, he figured that maybe the animals sensed something in him that they didn't like. It went on like this for over a year, and after a particularly bad beating, he was preparing a prayer to Achaekek, offering his soul as payment for retribution, when everything turned around. He was approached by an old man with cataracted eyes. The old man told Ganer that there were better things for him than murder and blood, and then walked past him. When Ganer turned to watch him go, the man was nowhere to be seen, with no corners to duck behind. Instead of the man, there was on the ground nearby a copy of the book Unbinding the Fetters. Ganer read the book, and decided to embrace what he believes is his destiny. He believes that the old man was an avatar or Irori, and seeing him restored his childhood faith.

He returned to Absalom not long after, his feline features hidden beneath a heavy brown cloak. He spends most of his time in the Ascendant Court, going from one temple to the next, perusing their libraries as he pleases. He survives by presenting himself as something of a holy beggar, performing minor services in return for food or money. He has come up with a theory that purity and enlightenment are what seperate Aroden, Iomedae, Cayden Calain, and Norgerber from all the others that have attempted the Test of the Starstone. Ganer has decided that he will spend as much time as it takes to achieve the same enlightenment for himself, and then will take his place among the gods.


DM Eric wrote:


Horven: No problem with that trait Horven.

Okay, I'll put it on my character when I get back from my fun-filled, internet-free family reunion on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Grand Lodge

Wolfman, can you please tell me what book you found the Rakshasa Spawn Oracle in? I can't seem to find it in either the PRD or the ARG.

Thanks!


Got alias sorted for Ratcliff :D

Just need equipment now :) I just wondered whether Ratcliff could use Scribe Scroll before the game starts to use up any extra cash he may have it's fine if he can't just wondered.

Grand Lodge

Ratcliff: I don't see why not. Checking the rules for Scribe Scroll, it looks like it will cost 12.5 gp for a 1st level scroll.


I think I will be going with a Half Elf vanilla Bard involved with the Pathfinders. Depending on party makeup, I might want to go toward Pathfinder Chronicler. I will put together a back story and stat block soon, but I figured that since recruitment is open until July, there was really no rush.


Rakshasa spawn are covered in Blood of Fiends. Interestingly enough, the OGC mentions needing to take the fiendish heritage feat as a requirement to be a specific kind of Tiefling, but that feat isn't even mentioned in Blood of Fiends. Anyway, the relevant information can be found under Tieflings, right here.

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