Alright folks, here's where we'll hash out character stuff when we don't feel like talking/texting, or that you want to put up for discussion. I hope to have a full campaign page up over the weekend.
So far I know that for character ideas we've got a stage magician (possibly from the continent), and either a gunslinger or a mountain man.
In brief, the first adventure will take place in the Finger Lakes region of update New York in 1875. Characters can be from anywhere you like; they've all gathered for the funeral of a mutual acquaintance who named them in his will.
If we decide to keep playing, the campaign will make it's way further weirdwards and westwards with each adventure.
I figure leveling at 2 or 3 times on first adventure, then 3-5 times each adventure after that. Leveling will occur when I deem appropriate; I won't be keeping tabs on xp points per kill or anything, so you shouldn't feel the need to "get xps" during play.
I haven't given it much thought yet at all but my initial thought is to go with a rough and tumble frontier preacher.
That sounds like a fine idea. Campaign blurb is up.
Campaign tab updates: Added links to the base classes, as well as a list of Pathfinder skills that will replace D20 modern skills listed in those base classes. Will also note that we're using the Pathfinder version of class skills - so we won't be using the skill point multipliers for base classes, nor will we be using different max skills ranks - you'll just get a +3 class skill bonus to any class skill you put a rank in.
Will continue to update with the d20 modern skills we will be using, mainly Craft and Knowledge skills.
Must go to bed now.
After giving it some more thought, I believe I'll be making a bookish inventor from New York City. A former student of Professor Pallaver and most recently an apprentice/employee of Thomas Edison (for a short time before leaving for the funeral).
He'd be a smart hero, good with a number of knowledge and craft skills (and probably disable device if that's a thing). Early on he'd likely largely be sort of the fish out of water type (unless a surprising amount of the campaign takes place in libraries and urban cafes), but as he grows accustomed to travel and develops some inventions with practical applications relevant to adventuring he'd become more useful beyond answering questions.
Put up modern craft and knowledge skills. Most of the Sidewinder occupations are just d20 Modern occupations renamed to their historical equivalent, i.e. "Idle Rich" instead of "Dilletante," or "Outlaw" instead of "Criminal," so I'm not going to bother typing all those up. Just pick from the Modern list and put in a 19th century context.
I'll try and get up some example Advanced Classes over the next couple days.
If you have any questions let me know!
I'd like to try something a little different for this pbp to help move things along in combat. Borrowing an idea from 4th ed DnD I'd like to remove reactive rolls, i.e. saving throw rolls and reactive skill rolls. Instead your saving throws and skill bonuses would be added to 11 to generate a target number that an effect would have to beat, and any such effect your character generates would be rolled by you against an opponent's target number. An effect's bonus would be equal to it's normal DC -10.
For example: if normally an explosion would cause you to make a Reflex save at +6 to your roll against a DC of 15, instead the explosion would effectively roll a Reflex attack at +5 against your Reflex "AC" of 17.
This way all necessary numbers are generated by a single post, and we don't have to waste time waiting for a response post, and then a response to that response, etc. It can just be:
The bomb explodes! vs REF 17 x 1/2 = damage as your reflexes save you from the brunt of the blast.
The same would apply for passive/reactive skill checks like Perception and Sense Motive; I especially like this for Sense Motive, as instead of having people fairly randomly deciding to make Sense Motive checks and being largely aware of whether they've succeeded or failed based on their roll, I can just roll Bluff checks without explicitly telling you and work the results into my posts.
ho. ly. sh!t.
i was just looking at avatars and found this gem...
now I really want to scrap my idea and make Abraham Lincoln Jr., a strong hero invested in combat martial arts and face skills...
I'm not actually going to do that
No. No they shouldn't.
I don't know if I'm getting way ahead of myself or if everyone else is working on their characters but just haven't posted yet... Either way, here's my profile; I'll start updating it soon with background and mechanics.
Also, this face seems too surly but the options for humans in even vaguely appropriate attire were very limited (I may change it though).
i've (finally) started adding info to my profile. this is a busy week for me but i'll try to find time to get it done. according to the wealth rules we roll every level to see if our wealth level increases... for second level are we going to actually roll that check at some point? or are you going to handwave it as we all pass or all fail? or everyone who would make it by taking 10 passes (there's a fair chance that would be everyone)?
Also have been super busy last week/end. I'll take a look at 2nd level wealth and post here and in campaign tab. I'll also reach out to our two "quiet" players to get character info from them. Hoping to start play the first week of April.
Am I one of the quiet players?
Am I one of the quiet players?
Nope.
Hey Mark, welcome.
We'll just say that for 2nd level you take 10 on your Wealth check and get whatever that gives you.
Ok, background is up. Most of my crunch is up- I need to calculate/type up HP/AC/saves/etc, and I need to buy gear... most of the purchasing will be pretty easy but I remember we were talking about how starting purchases were going to work, but I don't remember what you said specifically?
Everything up except background and equipment.
Ok, I think basically everything is up now. Once you post how you're handling starting purchases I'll probably add a couple more things and/or maybe upgrade a couple things. I'm definitely planning to start with some kind of (never been fired) firearm.
So, any thoughts on actual start date?
Hopefully by the end of the month at the latest. As I mentioned on the Runelords game, I'm very busy this month, plus Brian dropped out and I'll have to walk his replacement through character creation. Our third player is still working on his concept.
Mainly it's me though. Once I get the new guy's character made I'll press the other guy for a finished character and we'll go from there.
i could make, or help make, a character for someone if that would be helpful?
lol- wow.
Jessie, are you one of the other players or are you just checking up on us? If the former, what are you playing?
Nate, for purchasing starting EQ, just assume Wealth check results of 11 on the die.
I believe you're looking for a hunting rifle; stats for a popular model of the time are:
Sharps Rifle .44 2d8 dmg (20/x2), Range 90', ROF 1, Mag 1(internal), Reload 1 Full round action, Size L, Wgt 9.5, Purchase DC 16. Can be designed for either percussion cap ammunition or metal cartridge; I'd suggest metal cartridge.
I'll try to get up a list of common items for purchase tomorrow.
Thanks, I guess what I was really wondering though is what (if any) effect starting purchases have on our wealth? According to the normal wealth rules (as I understand them) there are several situations in which a purchase reduces your wealth (like if you buy something with a purchase DC above your current wealth, or anytime you buy something above DC 15 IIRC)... So I'm wondering if we need to do that in order to start with a gun or similarly priced items?
Yes, all other normal purchase rules apply. So you pick everything you want that doesn't reduce your wealth, then start getting the items that do.
are you using the prices from d20 modern (which are available from their srd) or do we need to wait for your list? obviously, not all the gear on there will be available (like uzis and grenade launchers) but are these fairly accurate for the revolvers and whatnot?
Looks like the handgun pricing is a bit high. I'll post up a [poorly formatted] list of equipment tonight.
also, if we happen to be an inventor/crafter is it ok if we start with one or two custom pieces? I was thinking maybe a hand-cranked flashlight and possibly another one that I haven't figured out yet?
As promised, campaign tab has been updated with poorly formatted equipment/services list with purchase DCs.
I'll take a look over crafting/invention rules and let you know about the hand-cranked flashlight, I don't see any immediate problems. You'd have to have a limited supply of bulbs, as they'll have to be hand-made by you for the device and not have a terribly long life (due to both relative crudity and high fragility.) I suppose you could have provided the plans and custom ordered them from somewhere, in which case you could have a backup supply of several hundred, but you'd probably have to have left most of them in storage in NYC somewhere and would have to send for crates of replacement bulbs.
Wow, some of those prices are dramatically different than in d20 modern- like the mechanical/electrical tool kits... In modern you can choose from basic or deluxe (with different mechanical benefit) and the deluxe version is about what these ones costs. I'll need to find time to go back through everything and either change some gear or calculate how much wealth I've lost.
Seeing if I can figure out this alias posting, and if I can squeeze in under the wire for Ed's campaign prep.
@Nate: Yeah, most of the kits are cutting edge technology with little to no application for the general public in 1875.
@Jessie: Good stuff; I'll get with you on the Pallaver bonus and figure out your final adjusted Wealth bonus.
@All: I'm going to try to get the intro gameplay post up tonight. The Uncle has never used paizo, so he'll be making a profile for himself and his guy over the weekend. I'm not too concerned with the minutae of character stuff, we can work that out in the first couple weeks; I just want to get this show on the rails!
My current idea is to have the gameplay thread only include in character dialogue and actions, with ooc die rolls and mechanics included. Questions, whether general or specific to current circumstances, will go in the Discussion thread, along with general ramblings/musings on the game.
So, is this like a private game or something?
I'm afraid so, Olaf. Trying out PbP with our gaming group due to incompatible schedules; apologies if my description was misleading.
If we move this discussion to the discussion thread the game will stop popping up where people see it...
Regarding tool kits- I get that; I'm just thinking that even at my wealth level if I spent (the equivalent of) thousands of dollars on tools I probably wouldn't have brought them to what I presumed to be a fairly typical funeral.