The Mouth of Doom (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

***This is a lead-in adventure for a campaign I will be running in FGG Lost Lands setting. The campaign will proceed through a series of modules. The freedom of the players to select their challenges and direct the course of the plot will increase as the campaign progresses.

When the PC's are high enough level, challenges like the legendary Dungeon of Graves, Rappan Athuk, and the Slumbering City of Tsar will certainly loom before them if that is what they choose to face. However, by that time, there will also have been opportunities to become embroiled in intrigue in the City of Bard's Gate. In my experience, this is the best way to add dimension to a hack-and-slash dungeon crawl.

There will be future recruitment threads at different intervals in the campaign, so participation in this lead-in adventure is not required for those who just want to test their mettle against Rappan Athuk later (or some of the other quests and adventures along the way). However, participants in the lead-in adventures will be given preference for inclusion. Plus, there might be some treasure you won't want to miss :D.***

Hi guys, this is an interest check to see if there are enough of you to run a seperate group through a related adventure in parallel to my current adventure "The Wizard's Amulet".

This entry point into the campaign will probably appeal more to people who like some straight up hack-and-slash and dungeon crawling. Of course in the long term the campaign will evolve to be more multi-dimensional.

"core +":

20 point buy. Dump stat as low as 7 after racial is fine. No starting stat above 18 after racial.

*CRB: Everything (Just about. I'm on the fence about crafting. There is a special exception about leadership. More on this later. There may be other things I have forgotten.)

*Base Classes: Cavalier, Inquisitor

*Featured Races: Aasimar, Tiefling, Drow

*APG: All feats, all spells.

*Ultimate Magic: All feats, all spells.

*No Ultimate Combat

*Advanced Race Guide: I don't own this book so I'm not sure.

As for archetypes, I haven't compiled a list yet. I will.

Special house rule: No traits, unless you are a fighter or a rogue. Fighters and rogues get 2 traits. I have to look over the traits but all hardcover ones should be fine.

We are using action points/hero points.

Everyone gets one free bonus feat at 1st level.

Max starting gold, like the other thread?

Will you be allowing the stalwart defender prestige class, or any prestige classes for that matter? I have an idea for a Dwarven tank kicking around...

Yup, you bet. Everything same as other thread, and I'm all for prestige classes.

Interested

Andrea1 it's funny you posted, I saw some advice you gave in another thread about how to use big dungeon crawls properly. It was nothing I hadn't read in so many words in the Necro/FGG books before, but it kind of clicked for me when you said it and my home game has really taken some interesting turns since then.

Intrested, thinking of making a Inquistor.

Inquisitors work really well. Check out the deities, I have them up under the campaign tab.

Thinking magus should be included/allowed too, what do you guys think?

In case you allow Magus I'd like to play one!

In case you are concerned about balance Magus is no more overpowered than Inquisitor especially if you disallow traits.

Well I allow traits via the additional traits feat though.

But no, I left the magus out originally because I think its a shame no one plays fighter/wizard/ek anymore. But I like Magus, I've played one and DM'd for 3.

I'm running for a Kensai right now with true strike from a wand whenever he wants it, he does a lot of damage but no one at the table seems to feel overshadowed or anything.

Were you thinking of any archetypes?

I am interested - what is the starting level?

1st level.

Hexcrafter but not until later obv... and by that time I might have changed my mind. Actually come to think of it Hexcrafter modifies you're spell list so I guess I'd have to make that decision come level 1.

I just mentioned traits for the Magus as it's most ridiculous applications hinge on magical lineage. I actually quite like the house rule that only Rogues and Fighters get traits... As traits are generally only used for optimization purposes (which is not necessarily a bad thing) it puts Rogues and Fighters a bit more on level terms.

Well I allow traits via the additional traits feat though.

But no, I left the magus out originally because I think its a shame no one plays fighter/wizard/ek anymore.

Funny you should say that, because I am leaning heavily on building one :D Though I intend on making him a ranged combatant first and foremost.

And since you used the magic duo of words - Rappan Athuk and Slumbering Tsar - I just had to apply [I will trust that we can survive those places on a 20pt build, after all the nasty things I heard about it ;)]

Crunch is underway - level 1 should be easy to put together - I was planning on using an Archetype for my first level - Ranger (Trapper) - would that be acceptable or..?

dotting for interest with an Aasimar Zen Archer. Crunch is done, trying to write a convincing backstory that ties into the setting.

Uncle Taco, I have said in the past that I prefer western flavored monks, this is not quite true. What I prefer is any monk that does not feel anachronistic in the setting.

Monks that are affiliated with existing faiths in the setting are always welcome.

Also, the Stoneheart Valley has an order of monks at The Monastery of the Standing Stone who are not devoted to any deity. If that appeals to you let me know and I will get some info up about the monastery.

Dotting,

DM Grimmy wrote:

Well I allow traits via the additional traits feat though.

But no, I left the magus out originally because I think its a shame no one plays fighter/wizard/ek anymore.

Funny you should say that, because I am leaning heavily on building one :D Though I intend on making him a ranged combatant first and foremost.

And since you used the magic duo of words - Rappan Athuk and Slumbering Tsar - I just had to apply [I will trust that we can survive those places on a 20pt build, after all the nasty things I heard about it ;)]

Crunch is underway - level 1 should be easy to put together - I was planning on using an Archetype for my first level - Ranger (Trapper) - would that be acceptable or..?

I like the trapper ranger a lot, it fits the feel of the campaign just fine, although I am usually a fan of a little nich protection for the classic rogue...

But yes, we are using UM archetypes so trapper is fine.

I would love to see two gishes, an EK and a Magus, working together so I can see the contrast, I've always been curious about that.

Am I a high enough level to join you on this campaign? I apologize if I made my character wrong I am a noob to the game and have only played twice. Last Saturday was my first game in almost a year.

I've got an idea for a Deep Walker Ranger (THF) that I've messed with for a while. Since this is supposed to be a bunch of dungeon crawls, I figured it fits. Eventually I'd want to get levels in Shadowdancer to augment the style. I saw that you don't have a list of archetypes up yet, so if this one turns out to be unallowed, I can work something else out.

I never got a list of archetypes compiled but in the other thread I more or less green-lighted all APG and UM archetypes, but I appreciate if you run them past me in case I overlooked anything that is a thematic or balance concern.

Unless you allow SLA to qualify for early access into Eldritch Knight I really can't see how it could hold up to a well built magus. Maybe after level 10 or so but before that the Magus just has way better action economy.

Also entry into EK is such a pain in the ass. You need 5 levels of Wizard and loose out on so much BAB by doing so.

Also at level 1 a potential EK is prolly a first level fighter so I don't think the comparison is really all that exciting before level 5 or so.

What campaigns can you recommend for me?

Yeah I meant over the course of the long term campaign, that's why I edited out the comment in case it was confusing.

{ I had mentioned that I would be curious to see an EK and a Magus working together as I've always been curious about how these two gishes compare and contrast. Alex Mack must have seen the comment before I deleted it. }

^__^

Hello? am I too low a level to play or not lol idk if you were dressing me or DM Grimmy @alex mack

Unless you allow SLA to qualify for early access into Eldritch Knight I really can't see how it could hold up to a well built magus. Maybe after level 10 or so but before that the Magus just has way better action economy.

Also entry into EK is such a pain in the ass. You need 5 levels of Wizard and loose out on so much BAB by doing so.

I have mixed feelings about the SLA early entry ruling. Normally I'm leary of rules that are an obvious boon to certain race/class options (that's why I don't use the alternative favored class bonuses, just hp and skill rank). On the other hand I'm a fan of anything that makes prestige classes more viable.

Would you allow the Champions of Purity splatbook? I want to play a Barbarian with the Celestial Totem. He would be an old fashioned warrior with an honorable personality, strong faith, but not the commitment to join up with a clergy or become a local shaman.

Perhaps a Barbarian Invulnerable Rager. I could adjust one that I tried entering into a WoTW game but it never panned out.

Well, s$$#. I didn't realize that Deep Walker is an Ultimate Combat archetype. Alright back to the drawing board! But it's getting late and I've got to wake up extremely early tomorrow. When does recruitment for this end?

Please, call me Taco.

Hmm, there's actually two debuffing grapple builds that make for a fun comparison between EK and Magus.

The bride of hell is a witch that dips monk and goes EK.

The defiler is a witch 2/magus X.

The builds share a playstyle, namely grapple then cast touch spells through the hair. They're both discussed at different levels and if you ever get two people to play them in your game that would be a fun way to compare them. I've made something similar to the Defiler build to annoy a friend who's gone the EK in PFS (because he doesn't get INT to hit, not sure if that's an oversight on Paizo's part or not).

As far as my monk goes, I was thinking about a follower of Freya who's built a personal philosophy around self-reliance. Though if you want to send me additional setting info I'd be more than happy to look at it. Since you put up "The Wizard's Amulet" I've looked into FGG material and am seriously thinking about getting some of their modules for my home group. So this test run will be to both our benefit.

I've been wanting to play a scarred witch that goes eldritch knight, but I see witch isn't one of the classes listed and it is a advanced race guide archetype.

Will put my name in here just no idea what to play.

Am I a high enough level to join you on this campaign? I apologize if I made my character wrong I am a noob to the game and have only played twice. Last Saturday was my first game in almost a year.

Hi, Kazrek, I really enjoy DM'ing for new players and teaching the game but this may not be the best place to start for you, it is going to be very brutal.

"The Wizard's Amulet" might have been a better fit but I'm afraid it has already filled up.

Would you allow the Champions of Purity splatbook? I want to play a Barbarian with the Celestial Totem. He would be an old fashioned warrior with an honorable personality, strong faith, but not the commitment to join up with a clergy or become a local shaman.

I'm sorry, that sounds like great flavor but I'm going to take a firm stance on splats for now. I have a bit of a balancing act on my hands, I am trying to open up enough options to allow for the some of the crunchy goodness that pathfinder provides, but I still want to keep an old-school vibe and feel!

I know old-school is a subjective term and means different things to different people, but it's all about finding people with playstyles and tastes that gel with mine and each others right now.

Unfortunately, I just lost a player because he felt I opened up too many options for his comfort zone, so I'm being a little cautious for now.

Thanks in advance for your understanding. That book looks sweet though.

Perhaps a Barbarian Invulnerable Rager. I could adjust one that I tried entering into a WoTW game but it never panned out.

That looks like a great fit. WoTW is an evil campaign right? Would you want this barbarian to be evil?

No, I'd adjust alignment to classic CN

OK, I'd love to take a look.

As far as my monk goes, I was thinking about a follower of Freya who's built a personal philosophy around self-reliance. Though if you want to send me additional setting info I'd be more than happy to look at it. Since you put up "The Wizard's Amulet" I've looked into FGG material and am seriously thinking about getting some of their modules for my home group. So this test run will be to both our benefit.

^^Just a few words about the Monastery of the Standing Stone. Probably not enough to spark any profound ideas, but they are not devotees of Freya anyway so probably best to save further discovery for the gameplay.

They are located not far from a village that is in decline mostly because of corruption among merchants as well as the disappearance of particularly tasty kind of fish that was once abundant in the lake whose shores they are seated on.

Anyway, maybe your monk would like to visit them some time at least. They are secular (can monks be secular? What I mean is they are atheistic. No that's not right either. Bleh. They don't worship Freya though.)

I've been wanting to play a scarred witch that goes eldritch knight, but I see witch isn't one of the classes listed and it is a advanced race guide archetype.

APG archetypes are go, not using witch for this campaign though.

Also that reminds me guys, i know it's not evident from the original guidelines I posted but things like bloodlines and rage powers in APG are mostly fine, just run them by me in case I overlooked anything that's a concern to me.

Feel free to take a look at the other recruitment and discussion threads where questions like this have been answered, or just ask here.

Basic write up here. I adjusted points for 20 point buy but there is probably some more I need to do.

Yeah, off the top of my head you need to pick a bonus feat. Looks good though, first one in!

I did. I have Power Attack(start),Racial Heritage(Bonus human) and Improved Init(Bonus from your game)

Ah ok, I missed Racial Heritage. A note about ARG, I don't own that book so I was hesitant to use it. Despite the availability of all the info on the PRD's I like to use the books I own hardcover because I've curled up with them and got really familiar.

I see this feat is essential to your concept so let's go forward with it, but from here out can you guys clear anything from ARG with me please?

Also, what can you all tell me about ARG, does it have a good reputation for balance? The alternate racial traits seem like a good way to customize PC's, I was thinking of OK'ing them wholesale.

Actually, it is in the Advanced Player's Guide

LOL, sorry. I'm not usually so rushed when posting, RL is a little busy last few days :)

Hound is in. Thanks for the submission.

Despite my mistake, the question about ARG in general stands, your thoughts are welcome.

Well, s%&~. I didn't realize that Deep Walker is an Ultimate Combat archetype. Alright back to the drawing board! But it's getting late and I've got to wake up extremely early tomorrow. When does recruitment for this end?

I looked up deep walker, it actually would help me a bit with a macguffin. I would like to make an exception for it. Are you willing to work with me a bit to make the macguffin thing work?

Maps up under campaign tab. Credit for hand-drawn overland map goes to Iron Duke of necromancergames old forum.

OK here is a possibility for this game.

though I really like Janna I don't think she would work well in a dungeon crawl.

so here is a link to Klor the dwarven fighter

the thing about klor is I get to use my Scottish random insult generator...