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When the last man dies, and those drifted ones born just beyond the closing threshold, changed, gather at his obsequies, mutant sons and daughters with new souls, new eyes, and strange tongues, what songs will they sing in elegy? Will it be music in scales we might ken, or shall they have transcended melody to some new communion, these aftermen? Shall the changelings even mark our passing? Did we mourn the last Ancient, or were we heedless in our proud surpassing as we erased our soul's progenitor? When new eyes wake, heirs to a holocaust, can the fresh, raw world know what has been lost?
Welcome to returning posters and to those new ones as well. This is a recruitment for a campaign based of themes and concepts presented in titles by FromSoftware (primarily the Souls series and Bloodborne) along with Shadow of the Colossus.
Characters will be taking the roll of Inheritors, powerful heroes, warriors, scholars, and magi who have, for one reason or another, come to the forbidden lands on behalf of a dying world. This campaign will feature strong concepts of isolation as well as a good deal of combat and some exploration. On that note, Roleplaying through interaction with NPCs will certainly be present but is not a major focus of this particular game. I like to play things fast and loose when it comes to economy, diplomacy, and bartering to help keep things moving.
Now, let's get to the nitty gritty:
That's everything I think. I'm looking for 4 players total and I'm not committing to any strong timeline for recruitment at the moment. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
GM Spooks, while I will later be applying, I first want to express my admiration for an exceptionally well thought-out and comprehensive game and structure. Hope you don't mind, but I know I'll be using some of your handbook if and when I run my own campaign incorporating DS elements.
Hey, no problem friend. In the interest of full disclosure a good deal of the content I am presenting is pulled from various sources across the net and even a few on the forums here. Without those people I wouldn't have been able to put anything forward. It'd be pretty rotten of me not to make those things available again, for the sake of prosperity at the very least.
Question, since you said 3pp would be looked at; would you be willing to allow my homebrew? I wouldn't mind playing as a Primal Warrior, seems a good match for the Hunter campaign trait.
Okay, I've been burned by this before, so please be honest. Should I bother applying if I'm not familiar with the original source material? I had to leave a game after they said that it was okay and then the game relied heavily on specifics of the world that was supposed to be an "inspiration".
That is indeed comprehensive. I have always loved the Souls series. Now the only problem is do I play someone like Solaire or a hunter from Bloodborne. The Uncahnied Rogue can be pretty tanky with that bleed heal.
Do spheres of power overwrite casting or add to it?
GM Spook I was thinking about playing a Chaotic Neutral Human Magus with the Eldritch Archer archetype, I have a rough construction here under the name Jacqueline Grimshaw. Please note I have not rolled my ability scores; this is just a rough idea of my character.
That is really, really interesting. Count me in.
Edit: Are guns going to be availible? A stalker with a sword and pistol combination sounds like fun to me right now.
In that regard, it's a bit of a shame that there's no high dex, high faith spread availble - although I might be able to make something work with the hunter spread, maybe? It's not ideal. Likewise, feeling the lack of a Str=Cha>Con>int=dex=faith spread, it'd be nice for a warlord or a paladin. I'll figure out a combination that works.
Question, since you said 3pp would be looked at; would you be willing to allow my homebrew? I wouldn't mind playing as a Primal Warrior, seems a good match for the Hunter campaign trait.
Hmmm, I'm not so sure. If I were being honest it doesn't seem like a very good archetype. I could be wildly mistaken so I'd like to hear some more of your thoughts on it. Perhaps there is something I could suggest to better serve your concept?
Okay, I've been burned by this before, so please be honest. Should I bother applying if I'm not familiar with the original source material? I had to leave a game after they said that it was okay and then the game relied heavily on specifics of the world that was supposed to be an "inspiration".
I'm sorry you have been burned by this in the past. While this game draws heavily from FromSoftware titles and Shadow of the Colossus thematically, it does not officially share any material with the two. Of course, for those who have played any of those games will be able to pick up on a multitude of winks and nods throughout the document. In short: no you do not need to know anything about the games to participate.
There is one slight caveat, and that is the way in which those games are presented. Dark Souls relies heavily on implied information and an ambiguous overworld/plot to tell its story. For example, one of my favorite NPCs, Alva the Wayfarer, was once a knight who searched many lands for a cure for his patron saints "sickness". Upon learning of his dedication a witch attempted all manner of tricks and deceit in an attempt to ruin Alva, but ultimately stood by his side. In the end, Alva failed his mission and relinquished his knighthood though he eventually found new purpose with the aid of the witch who once tried to ruin him.
It's a delightful tale, but the really cool thing is that it's told in two paragraphs:
"Set worn by Alva the Wayfarer, a knight who searched many lands for a cure to Saint Serreta's sickness, yet ultimately failed and relinquished his knighthood. Alva himself was eventually seduced by Zullie the Witch, which could explain why he failed to find a cure for Saint Serretia's illness, possibly due to Zullie taking his attention away from the matter with her cunning and trickery to ruin his life."
"Veil worn by Zullie the Witch, seducer of Alva the Wayfarer. Boasts excellent magic defense.
When Zullie the Witch learned of Alva's dedication to Saint Serreta, she used all manner of tricks and deceit to ruin him, but in the end she would spend her life with him, supporting his endeavors.
Characters and players will need to rely on a comparatively small amount of world lore which could be difficult for someone brand new to the concept.
That is indeed comprehensive. I have always loved the Souls series. Now the only problem is do I play someone like Solaire or a hunter from Bloodborne. The Uncahnied Rogue can be pretty tanky with that bleed heal.Do spheres of power overwrite casting or add to it?
All characters who receive the spell casting class feature are required to use the modified Spheres of Power instead of the traditional Vanician casting.
Do you know of Valtr the Beast Eater from Bloodborne? Sounds like he'd be right up your alley.
GM Spook I was thinking about playing a Chaotic Neutral Human Magus with the Eldritch Archer archetype, I have a rough construction here under the name Jacqueline Grimshaw. Please note I have not rolled my ability scores; this is just a rough idea of my character.
That concept is acceptable, though obviously it isn't complete yet. Please remember that we are not using alignments in this campaign (explained in more detail in the "Covenants & Devotion" section of the handbook) and that you will need to add the Sphere Magus archetype to your character.
That is really, really interesting. Count me in.Edit: Are guns going to be availible? A stalker with a sword and pistol combination sounds like fun to me right now.
In that regard, it's a bit of a shame that there's no high dex, high faith spread availble - although I might be able to make something work with the hunter spread, maybe? It's not ideal. Likewise, feeling the lack of a Str=Cha>Con>int=dex=faith spread, it'd be nice for a warlord or a paladin. I'll figure out a combination that works.
Guns are available as normal for Pathfinder rules which is Emerging Guns. Characters with Gunsmithing are allowed to craft advanced firearms at creation.
I think the Hunter array would be excellent for a DEX/FTH character. Using a +2 +2 -2 you could get both to 16 before applying any magic items which certainly seems workable.
STR/CHA/CON could use the Hunter or Bandit and both be effective.
I apologize, there are two additions to my opening post that I need to make:
GM Spook I was thinking about playing a Chaotic Neutral Human Magus with the Eldritch Archer archetype, I have a rough construction here under the name Jacqueline Grimshaw. Please note I have not rolled my ability scores; this is just a rough idea of my character.
That concept is acceptable, though obviously it isn't complete yet. Please remember that we are not using alignments in this campaign (explained in more detail in the "Covenants & Devotion" section of the handbook) and that you will need to add the Sphere Magus archetype to your character.
Can do as I said the idea is still under construction, so I can make the proper adjustments. Would just add the Sphere Magus Archetype to the archetype I already have or to the standard Magus?
Here is what I could find on the archetype.
This replaces the spells class feature.
Spell Pool: The sphere magus gains a small reservoir of energy she can call on to create truly wondrous effects, called a spell pool. This pool contains a number of spell points equal to her level + her Intelligence modifier (minimum: 1). This pool replenishes once per day after roughly 8 hours of rest.
Magic Talents: A sphere magus gains 1 magic talent every time she gains a caster level.
Focus Sphere: At 4th level, the magus selects a sphere and gains an extra talent from that sphere and +1 to their caster level when using abilities from that sphere. This replaces spell recall.
Spell Combat and Spellstrike apply to sphere abilities rather than spells.
(http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?392982-Spheres-of-Power-All-C lass-Conversions).
Characters and players will need to rely on a comparatively small amount of world lore which could be difficult for someone brand new to the concept.
Yeah, this sounds similar to some games I've seen before. I think I'll pass this time.
Can do as I said the idea is still under construction, so I can make the proper adjustments. Would just add the Sphere Magus Archetype to the archetype I already have or to the standard Magus?Here is what I could find on the archetype.
** spoiler omitted **...
Whenever you need to refer to content for Spheres of Power, please use This wiki. It is the most accurate resource for those of you who may not possess the books, to the best of my knowledge at least. The sphere magus is available here.
You would apply your Eldritch Archer and Sphere Magus archetypes to the vanilla magus. So you would be a Eldritch-Archer-Sphere-Magus.
Yeah, this sounds similar to some games I've seen before. I think I'll pass this time.
Well I appreciate the interest anyways. Good luck and well wishes, friend.
Ok, looks almost exactly the same to the one I found, so I'll just use the Sphere Magus on spheresofpower.wikidot.com just in case there are any differences at higher levels.
Can I ask what your issue with it is? It's reasonably straight forward; it swaps Barbarian Rage and Rage Powers for Druids' Wild Shape, a domain and ranger casting. I believe it's fairly balanced.
If still no, I'll keep looking around.
Can I ask what your issue with it is? It's reasonably straight forward; it swaps Barbarian Rage and Rage Powers for Druids' Wild Shape, a domain and ranger casting. I believe it's fairly balanced.
If still no, I'll keep looking around.
According to the document you can only wildshape 1/day and you're limited to a small or medium animal. You also get slightly better then ranger casting, but trading away all of your rage and rage powers seems like a poor deal.
1/day but for four hours, and there's ways to cheaply make it better. True, slightly better than ranger casting as you get a domain's spells at a ranger's rate, plus the impact of spherecasting which I don't know much about yet.
I'm willing to make the trade, would you allow it?
Hrmph, I'll ask you to consider using the Feral Hunter instead. Otherwise, if you are absolutely set on using the Primal Warrior, then I will allow it.
Feral Hunter lacks the BAB progression and hit dice of Barbarian and I'm not hugely familiar with the hybrid classes so I'd quite like to do Primal Warrior. Very kind of you, thanks, I won't forget it. I'll get to work on some very fine backstory.
Name: Thak Val Zsing
Race: Male Human (Frejan Ethnicity)
Class: Barbarian (Primal Warrior)
Demi-Gestalt: Medium (Champion Spirit)
Ability Scores: Knight
Trait: The Hunter
Starting Gift: Pendant
Covenant: None
Backstory: Marked at birth to be the vessel for the hero animal-spirit Zsing, Thak struggled when young with the yoke of his destiny, particularly when Zsing forced him to join a cross-tribe honor-bout. While away fighting, his closest friend Elokai was killed. He still carries a pendant they found together while scavenging middens in a long-dead town. Eventually, he struck a bargain with Zsing- the completion of his destiny or his death in trying, and in return, to be left alone for the rest of his life. Following this accord, Thak has left his tribe and struck out on the path of the hunter-hero.
Personality: When unbloodied- solumn, loyal, resolute, quiet, lonely. When bloodied- vengeful, hedonistic, raging, animalistic. Never so animalistic as to pose a threat to his tribe.
Description: Bald, grey stubbled head and chin, black leopard-spot tattoos over face and arms and legs, wears a leopard-pelt loincloth and cape, brown leather bandolier across chest with pouches, brown eyes, thickset, less than average height, long and jagged fingernails and toenails.
Sheet to come
Looks good so far. Excellent job keeping with the tone of the game.
It is easier than usual; DS contains a good few different settings and countries, just with the joint nature of having come to die over and over. Noble paladins, fancy duelists, animal-tribals... easy.
Three questions, based on my statting
-Ignoring the variant heritages, do we get a +2 to any ability score on top of the offered stat arrays?
-Do we get a normal trait in addition to the campaign trait?
-How is wealth working? You explained how souls work, but nothing about how many we start off with, etc.
It is easier than usual; DS contains a good few different settings and countries, just with the joint nature of having come to die over and over. Noble paladins, fancy duelists, animal-tribals... easy.
Three questions, based on my statting
-Ignoring the variant heritages, do we get a +2 to any ability score on top of the offered stat arrays?
Yes
-Do we get a normal trait in addition to the campaign trait?
One campaign trait, one other trait of your choice, and a third if you take a drawback.
-How is wealth working? You explained how souls work, but nothing about how many we start off with, etc.
Exactly like normal. Any unspent gp is carried over into gameplay. Everyone will be beginning the game with 0 souls.
Alright, I think I have my sheet done.
According to your document you have to take a Domain for your nature bond, it appears you have taken an animal companion instead.
Huh; fine point. I'll grab Animal domain and grab Boon Companion in place of Spirit Focus.
Hello, this is Sach's character from the interest check.
The sheet still needs to be cleaned up, gold needs to be spent, and descriptions need to be written but the broad strokes of the character are there.
I'll have it all cleaned and fully submitted tomorrow!
Hello, this is Sach's character from the interest check.
The sheet still needs to be cleaned up, gold needs to be spent, and descriptions need to be written but the broad strokes of the character are there.
I'll have it all cleaned and fully submitted tomorrow!
It looks good so far.
Oooh... Doing a beast hunter would be fun... But so would a beast... Hmmm. I'm thinking picaroon Demi-gestal gunslinger TWF with a pistol and sawtooth saber...
Just started Jacqueline Grimshaw's character sheet. I should have it uploaded hopefully later today at the earliest along with changes to the alias.
Just started Jacqueline Grimshaw's character sheet. I should have it uploaded hopefully later today at the earliest along with changes to the alias.
By this, I mean the final draft of the character sheet because I did the rough draft in pencil instead as a spreadsheet.
As long as it is easily accessible and readable when youre done.
Do you have a character sheet style preference? Like a Doc or mythweavers or something like that.
This alias is set up like my preferred sheet layout as it is close to how bestiary creatures are presented. Other sheets are acceptable but I need to be able to access them easily from your alias.
I will dot while I work on something to submit, heavily leaning towards a Children of the Light covenant, Knight Ability scores, Cleric/Fighter multiclass (Enough cleric to get me some nice miracles, but with a heavy combat focus).
But first and foremost, both the game premise and the amount of effort you put into the PG are outstanding. You, good sir, are a gentlemen I would jolly cooperate with. You have my respect.
And just out of curiosity, will we be seeing weapons that work using Faith/Intelligence/Charisma as the ones on DS?
Would this 3PP archatype be allowed?
Sorry, I got super busy yesterday, so I wasn't able to do much with the character sheet. I'll try to have a link posted some time today if all goes according to plan.
I will dot while I work on something to submit, heavily leaning towards a Children of the Light covenant, Knight Ability scores, Cleric/Fighter multiclass (Enough cleric to get me some nice miracles, but with a heavy combat focus).
But first and foremost, both the game premise and the amount of effort you put into the PG are outstanding. You, good sir, are a gentlemen I would jolly cooperate with. You have my respect.
And just out of curiosity, will we be seeing weapons that work using Faith/Intelligence/Charisma as the ones on DS?
Mental stats for attack and damage is dangerous ground to walk. I won't state outright if I'm working on them or not.
Options available at character creation include Guided, Guided Hand, Elven Battle Focus, and Kirin Strike by 9th level. The Harbinger class from Path of War also receives a bonus on attack rolls equal to their INT.
I am quite interested in this one.
I had an idea for a fallen blood hunter seeking a better way in the world.
With that in mind I'd like to play an Archaic alchemist with the Beastmorph and vivisectionist archetypes. (Man is that archetype pile-up ever going to be fun to write on my sheet.)
It seems to fit the idea I have in mind rather well.I had a few questions on that though.
How would the Beastmorph archetype interact with the "Hunter" trait and Beasthoood?As it was not changed would I be correct to assume that Mutagens will be staying the same for this game?
As this build encourages bleed damage I'd like to know if you would be alright with me selecting Flensing strike as a feat once I qualify for it?
As you are playing an Alchemist you will be required to apply the Archaic Alchemist archetype.
Beasthood and Beastmorph are both polymorph effects and would not stack at the same time. I apologize for the confusion. Mutagens are unchanged, however.
I have no qualms with flensing strike. Do note you'll only be healing 1 hp each time you land a sneak attack with bleeding attack.
Would this 3PP archatype be allowed?
No. Spellbooks function differently with SoP and would be difficult to integrate with this archetype. I would suggest using the Wandslinger archetype instead, using Pyromancy in place of the Destruction sphere.
Can we choose not to take a Demi-Gestalt or do we have to?
I can't really understand why you wouldn't want to, but yes it is technically required for the sake of consistency at the very least.
Then, in that case, I think I will have Hunter be my Demi-Gestalt. Any restrictions on what I can choose as my animal companion?
Not any beyond what are already present from the class.
This all looks very interesting.
Yeah I'm going for it. You've pushed all the magic happy buttons. "path of war", "Spheres of power' and "Dark souls".
The character sheet is finally done!
Here is the character sheet for Jacqueline Grimshaw and her animal companion, (see here). I decided that I like the name Katarina Grimshaw better, so that is why the name is different. Other than that, there should be some things that seem familiar.
Sounds pretty interesting. I think I'll make a Martial Artist or Brawler, with a Barbarian demi-gestalt.
Alright, my sheet is in a better working order and I've spent most of all the money I could.
A question - are healing potions ok, or do I need to buy something else?
You can purchase healing potions.