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Who can stand against the son of the dragon?
The Aspodells shook with the thunder of ten thousand screaming hobgoblin soldiers. From the phalanx emerged a single champion. One by one the tribes fell silent as the warlord rose up, blue scales gleaming on his shoulders, horns swept back from his head. A hundred bright banners stood beneath him, each marked with a great red hand. He stood upon a precipice and raised his arms.
"I am Azar Khul, Son of the Dragon!" the warlord bellowed. "Hear me! Tomorrow we march to war!"
In preparing for a solo game, I've come to the decision that I also want to run a public game of Red Hand of Doom. There's a general clamoring on the boards for gestalt games, there's been a lot of games not getting off the ground, and even then, a lot of people who haven't gotten into the scant few that did. I figure we need a few more games run.
As for the backstory, you've been approached by one Commander Gerregne, of the Andoran army, who has handed the party the deed to a place called Vraath Keep, in Isger. He wants the party to head over there and re-establish the keep, using funds you're to liberate from the vault of the place. It's a bit of a clandestine operation, as Isger acts as a sort of demilitarized zone between Cheliax and Andoran; Cheliax keeps their troops within one mile of the northern trade road, and Andoran keeps their military and operations out of the country entirely.
Once you've set things up, under the pretense of having inherited or bought the deed to the place, Gerregne wants to use it as a base of operations from which to gather intelligence on the borderlands.
Character creation guidelines.
-Starting level 5, gestalt.
-30 point buy.
-Standard wealth by level.
-Max hp at first level, average rounded up at subsequent levels.
-Two Traits.
-Variant Rules: Commonplace Guns, although advanced firearms can only be bought in cities. A good few years has passed, and the musket is now the weapon of choice for foot-soldiers in large-scale conflicts. At least, that's the case in civilized lands. Expect most enemies to try to stab you regardless.
-Material allowed: Anything paizo official. Most 3pp material, if its accessible online. No 3.5e material though.
-Specifically allowed 3pp classes: Mystic, Stalker, Warder, Warlord (All from Path of War.), Dragonrider.
-Specifically banned 3pp material: DSP Psionics, including the Zealot, Harbinger.
-Regarding alignment and backstories: I'm down with people running what they want to. That said, you're hired by Andoran military high-ups, who are reasonably certain you'll be loyal to them, and keep who hired you secret, at least to a point. Beyond that, the adventure assumes you're willing to be embroiled in a long and bloody, dangerous war to save the people of Isger, instead of running off to relative safety across the border. If you can make that fit into a chaotic evil character, by all means submit that guy.
I think we might hit 12th level, when all is said and done.
Given the close proximity to Cheliax, and other factors, Outsiders(Lawful) or (Evil) might not be a half-bad idea either.
Beyond this, Magical Beasts Humanoids(Giant) and even Undead are going to make decent choices as well.
Why must you tempt me like this dragon... Don't you know I'm trying to finish getting ready to run my own high level mythic gestalt game?
I'm probably not going to apply... If I did, given your set up, I might think about a wizard [spellslinger]/magus [myrmidarch]... but I probably won't...
Dotting for me and a friend, are you allowing the new occult classes? I've been wanting to play a mesmerist since I saw the new book
Dotting for me and a friend, are you allowing the new occult classes? I've been wanting to play a mesmerist since I saw the new book
Sure, they're allowed.
I'm Pathfinder Zoey's friend, and I'm curious about what more we as characters would know about the upcoming war?
I'm most interested in playing a Kineticist, and I'm -very- open to which element I play (as I love every single one of them.)
The problem, then, is trying to come up with something that fits, and for that, I need more information. :)
Dotting. I will be back with a character pitch.
Dotting for interest
Any race restrictions?
Standard WBL?
Dotting for interest. ;)
I'm Pathfinder Zoey's friend, and I'm curious about what more we as characters would know about the upcoming war?
I'm most interested in playing a Kineticist, and I'm -very- open to which element I play (as I love every single one of them.)
The problem, then, is trying to come up with something that fits, and for that, I need more information. :)
You, as characters, probably don't know anything about the upcoming war. Cheliax (probably) doesn't know, Andoran doesn't know.
Relations between the two remnants of the great empire are tense, but then again, they're always tense.
If your character is the type to take an interest in that sort of thing, you might know that a dragons have been seen flying south in general recently, which is strange.
Alternatively, if you have lived in Isger recently, you might know that hobgoblin banditry out of Chitterwood has been unusually low the last couple of years.
In general, as far as you know, this is either a mercenary job, albeit one that allows you a keep of your own, and the knowledge that you're doing a good thing, or perhaps you're officialy in the Andoran army and has been ordered to partake in this mission.
Any race restrictions?
Standard WBL?
Yes, Standard WBL. As for races, nothing overly monstrous. Even then I'm somewhat flexible, but you're supposed to be the good-ish guys.
Sounds cool. Where do I post my character?
Either make an alias and post with it to this thread, post the background and stats in a spoiler in this thread, or link to a myth-weavers sheet. (or similiar)
I'd like to apply with an Arcanist/Dragonrider that will prestige into Arcane Archer at level 7. How long do you plan to keep recruitment open?
Thanks much. Given the ties to Andoran, I'm leaning towards Fire. I mean... look at that flag, if nothing else. :)
I'd like to apply with an Arcanist/Dragonrider that will prestige into Arcane Archer at level 7. How long do you plan to keep recruitment open?
Sounds like good fun.
As for recruitment, I plan to close it when I have enough good characters to put together a versatile four-man party with backstories I like.
At the latest, I'll close recruitment in two weeks, tuesday the 8th.
If I want to close recruitment before then, I'll tell you guys a day beforehand so that you have a bit of time to finish up characters.
Settling on a Skinwalker Bard/Ranger.
What are you looking for with backstory length?
Are we allowed to use the Rogue Genius Games archetype packages 3pp material (blacksnake, cloakfighter, etc.)?
How many characters are you accepting?
Settling on a Skinwalker Bard/Ranger.
What are you looking for with backstory length?
Are we allowed to use the Rogue Genius Games archetype packages 3pp material (blacksnake, cloakfighter, etc.)?
How many characters are you accepting?
Yeah, the archetype packages are fine.
Regarding backstory lengths, I don't have a set length that I need to see. I'd like for it to give me a good feeling of the character, and perhaps show how the character fits into Golarion.
I'm currently planning to pick up four characters. Ideally there'd be at a primary arcane and a primary divine class among the four, but that shouldn't be a problem with gestalt rules in place.
Dottity-dot-dot.
Dragon: Any restrictions on crafting? Wondering whether or not to consider it when coming up with a concept.
Please comment on my build. Is there anything you are looking for specifically? Also, how optimized should the builds be. I have more optimized builds than this one if it is going to be very hard.
Honestly, I really dislike comically stupid warrior characters.
The battles will be sorrounded by roleplaying, and having a character who lets the other people do the thinking and can't interact at all socially is going to be a bit of a drag.
As for the build, it's probably fine, albeit your will save is a bit on the low side. Don't worry about optimiztion so much - I'll tone the encounters up or down depending on party strength, except as it relates to the other applicants. That said, having more than one capability will be good. Face smashing is only relevant some of the time, and it's not always relevant in combat either.
You do seem to have spent too much money though:
1500 plate armour
1000 cloak of resistance
8320 greataxe
And the outfit, which is free.
Comes to 10820 all in all, and you only start with 10500.
Dragon: Any restrictions on crafting? Wondering whether or not to consider it when coming up with a concept.
Time will be against you. I'd probably take only a single of the crafting feats, if you go for it at all. Depending on what you do, you might only get a week or so of crafting done.
As for pre-game crafting, I'll let you "earn" up to 2000gp extra from pre-crafted items by having the feat, but you have to have crafted items worth double the amount gained.
Grukk was raised with a simple philosophy, the bigger the weapon, the better. He has carried this with him through his life and has sought to have to the biggest weapon. He knows nothing but rage and brawn and has been forced to fight all his life. He does not have a brain to call his own, and the best plans involve smashing and cutting. He is not diplomatic at all and strangely is poor at intimidating people. Despite his chaotic and unruly nature he does try his best to do good, even when it conflicts with authority. Though he is very loyal and is happy when someone else does the thinking. As he blundered through life he recieved a job to do what he was trained for, take things forcefully.
You may consider trying to add some utility to your character, seeing as this is gestalt. Focusing entirely on face pounding is a bit of a waste. I'd also say that full plate is probably a waste of gp on a barbarian.
Please comment on my build. Is there anything you are looking for specifically? Also, how optimized should the builds be. I have more optimized builds than this one if it is going to be very hard.
First impressions?
1. If you're not using an archetype, any reason you went original Barbarian vs. Unchained? (I know the Unchained Summoner is a ridiculous nerf on the class, but the others are supposed to be "improved" compared to the originals. I've only glanced at barbarian, but it looks solid...
2. Full plate on a plain barbarian? Look up the Armoured Hulk archetype.
3. Dex 15 seems wasted, unless you're aiming to get some mithril plate sooner or later. I'd scale it back, up your Int a touch, and get some more skills, which you are seriously low on.
You may consider trying to add some utility to your character, seeing as this is gestalt. Focusing entirely on face pounding is a bit of a waste.
Unless you're really really good at face pounding... However, if you're only 10% better than a level 5 Fighter or Barbarian, that is a heavy investment for such a modest increase...
Concept wise I'm not sure which way to go...
Given the details of the setting put out in the OP, I'm considering some sort of long range sniper type, in the modern sense of a sniper. Good at sneaking and scouting, either ahead of, following, or paralleling the group when travelling, covering with accurate long range Rifle (Advanced Firearm) fire. Of course, I don't know how practical such a thing is in Pathfinder... I've seen a few attempts at it, but the builds always look rather lack-luster (Range Sneak-Attack is really hard to make work, and might even be better omitted from the build). I'm curious however to see if a Gestalt character might have the resources to get it done. Commonplace guns also means that the Gunslinger class itself is not necessarily essential, which might provide more flexibility.
Give me a bit, and I'll see what I can tease out.
You may consider trying to add some utility to your character, seeing as this is gestalt. Focusing entirely on face pounding is a bit of a waste.Unless you're really really good at face pounding... However, if you're only 10% better than a level 5 Fighter or Barbarian, that is a heavy investment for such a modest increase...
Indeed, especially since this campaign seems to benefit a lot from a party with a good amount of noncombat abilities.
Considering going with a trapfinding Rogue, gestalting with brawler and/or stalker :)
Concept wise I'm not sure which way to go...
Given the details of the setting put out in the OP, I'm considering some sort of long range sniper type, in the modern sense of a sniper. Good at sneaking and scouting, either ahead of, following, or paralleling the group when travelling, covering with accurate long range Rifle (Advanced Firearm) fire. Of course, I don't know how practical such a thing is in Pathfinder... I've seen a few attempts at it, but the builds always look rather lack-luster (Range Sneak-Attack is really hard to make work, and might even be better omitted from the build). I'm curious however to see if a Gestalt character might have the resources to get it done. Commonplace guns also means that the Gunslinger class itself is not necessarily essential, which might provide more flexibility.
Give me a bit, and I'll see what I can tease out.
If you allow for GM advice, something I've always wanted to do is a to take a gunslinger and use a martial initiator (the path of war classes) on the other side of the gestalt. I think it'd be really powerful combination. It allows for single shot per rounds to be fairly effective.
An alternative idea would be to grab alchemist, fast bombs, and that thing that lets you apply bombs to ranged attacks. This one lends itself more to volley rifling though.
Paladin is also a powerful option, again for volley attacks.
I'd also allow Arcane archer to work with a firearm, if you want. Or you could steal Nate's Myrmeidon build. This would let you fill multiple roles, should you desire to.
I'd love to participate in this! I'm kinda feeling a Heaven's Oracle//Sorcerer, though with path of war allowed it's hard to resist thinking of the possibilities. Maybe I'll go with a multiclass mishmash including paladin and warlord (and maybe oracle and swashbuckler too) on one side with Sorcerer on the other side? Which idea do you like the best?
Are you allowing the path of war expanded disciplines?
dotting.
I'm just really hoping this goes somewhere. So far every gestalt game I've jumped on seems to be dying in the womb. :(
I'd love to participate in this! I'm kinda feeling a Heaven's Oracle//Sorcerer, though with path of war allowed it's hard to resist thinking of the possibilities. Maybe I'll go with a multiclass mishmash including paladin and warlord (and maybe oracle and swashbuckler too) on one side with Sorcerer on the other side? Which idea do you like the best?
Are you allowing the path of war expanded disciplines?
Hmm. I evaluate characters more based on how interesting they are than their mechanics. No opinion on that one. I personally dislike playing oracles, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying it, eh?
And yeah, those are allowed. I just happen to dislike the Harbinger in particular, the rest of it is fine. The Zealot is only disallowed because it's psionic.
dotting.
I'm just really hoping this goes somewhere. So far every gestalt game I've jumped on seems to be dying in the womb. :(
I promise to disappear after a week of recruitment, don't you worry: this time I tricked you by changing the point buy.
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SO I am thinking, an ex-monk, grew up in a monastery as his mother couldn't afford him, was trained by the monks but eventually left (lifestyle didn't suit him, but he took some things with him)and joined military. He rose through the ranks to a standing of small stature as a "gets things done" kinda guy. While he rarely partakes in open battle now, he is often used in "diplomatic" missions as protection, or, even as the diplomat himself due to his ability to defend himself with not a weapon in hand. He is often overconfident, loud, and seems very "in your face". However, on jobs that require more finesse, or subtlety he is diplomatic as, well, a diplomat. I plan on him picking up minor/major magic in game through RP, as he often envies those with magical abilities and desires to have some of his own one day.
One question though, would you allow the rogues finesse (Dex to damage instead of strength) to affect the Dragon Style feats? If not, that is fine I suppose, There are other styles that would work well too.
Also, would you allow armor enchants to be placed on non-armor clothing? I ask because, while not optimal really, I like the Idea of this guy going unarmored as well, however I would also like the dueling enchant which would take up the "shirt" slot item, we could count it as armor bonus so it wouldn't stack with bracers or just a +bonus. I am building him assuming you will, but it can be changed.
I'd prefer not to change dragon style around.
Anyway, I'll allow enchanted clothes, on the condition that if you wear them, any bracers of armor ceases to function or vice versa.
It'll cost you 150gp for alchemical inlays and stuff to prepare the clothes for enchanting, though.
If you want to get a cortiers outfit or something, you can factor the price of the outfit into the 150gp.
I promise to disappear after a week of recruitment, don't you worry: this time I tricked you by changing the point buy.dotting.
I'm just really hoping this goes somewhere. So far every gestalt game I've jumped on seems to be dying in the womb. :(
Ah, good to know the status quo is maintained around here. :P
In any case I'm thinking Oread Geo-Kineticist/UCMonk. Feel like getting my Tremor on.
Thing of note: I'm currently helping some friends finish off the final bit of this big module with a Ranger. Not really paying attention though I basically built a lawnmower to cut the grass so they can get the glory.
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So that's a no go on the dragon style giving my dex 1 1/2 to my unarmed strikes. Coolio.
and for clothing I was just thinking of a slightly fancier looking explorers outfit. sort of like a mix between it and a courtiers outfit.
also, since half-elves select two classes to use as a favored class, do they gain the favored class benefits of both if gestalted?
Classes: Rogue(unchained) 5/ Monk (MotIM/MoMS)2/ Fighter (brawler)3)
Race: Half elf
FCB: +3 hp, +2 bluff and gather info checks
Ability Scores:
Str: 10
Dex: 20 (22) +1 level 4, +2 race
Con: 14
Int: 13
Wis: 14
Cha: 14
Vitals:
HP:50(3d10+2d8+18)
AC: 21 T: 19 FF: 14(10+6dex+2wis+1NA(monk)+1armor+1dodge)
Saves:
Fort:+7 (4base+2con+1resistance)
Ref:+10 (4base+5dex+1resistance)
Will:+9 (4base+2wis+2feat+1resitance)+2 vs enchantments and mind affecting effects
BaB: +4
Offense:
Movement: 30ft
Melee:
Unarmed Strike: +14 (4bab+6dex+1WF+1close combatant(fighter)+2brawling enchant)
Damage: 1d6+11 (6dex+3close combatant(fighter)+2brawling)
Offhand: 1d6+8
Feats:
1- Iron will, weapon finesse (rogue), skill focus (bluff)(race), Dodge(Fighter)
2- Snake Style (monk), Improved Unarmed Strike (monk), Stunning fist (monk),
3- Toughness(monk), Snake Fang(monk), combat expertise
4- Weapon focus Unarmed strike(weapon training), Improved Feint
5- Crane Style
rogue Talents:
2- Coax Information
4- Weapon training
Rogues Edge:
Skills: 8+int/level (9/level)
Perception: 5 (+12)
Bluff: 5 (+15)
Disable Device: 5 (+15)
Sense Motive: 5 (+12)
Stealth: 4 (+13)
Disguise: 3 (+8)
Acrobatics: 3 (+12)
Sleight of hand: 3 (+12)
Climb: 3 (+6)
Swim: 3 (+6)
UMD: 3 (+8)
Know. Nobility: 3 (+7)
Know. Local: 2 (+6)
Know. Religion: 2 (+6)
Linguistics: 2
Ride: 1
Gear: Gold left: 273 (rounded down)
Misc. Items:
MwK backpack, belt pouch, grappling hook, 100ft silk rope, signet ring, holy symbol, waterskin (3), rations (10), fishing hook, flint and steel,
Magic Arms and Armor:
+1 Brawling Clothes(4150gp)
Cloak of Resistance +1 (1000gp)
Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2 (4000gp)
Magical Consumables:
Smoke Pellet (Smog) x10 300gp
Wand of CLW (50 charges) 750g
Grrr... I'm still not going to apply... But I have wanted to play a gunslinger/alchemist gestalt for a loooong time... and exactly the way you described with explosive missiles...
Grrr... I'm still not going to apply... But I have wanted to play a gunslinger/alchemist gestalt for a loooong time... and exactly the way you described with explosive missiles...
I have cookies, should you change your mind.
So that's a no go on the dragon style giving my dex 1 1/2 to my unarmed strikes. Coolio.
and for clothing I was just thinking of a slightly fancier looking explorers outfit. sort of like a mix between it and a courtiers outfit.
also, since half-elves select two classes to use as a favored class, do they gain the favored class benefits of both if gestalted?
** spoiler omitted **...
I'm going to say no on the favored class thing. Max one per level.
Your build looks interesting though.
@TarkXT, I'm fine with you having some advance knowledge, so long as you don't metagame with it too much.
ooh. Interesting. Gotta think on this one.
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I figured, just I was looking at it and wondered.
yep, I think it will do well as both a front liner and skill monkey. It fits the character fairly well as well, both representing his monastic training as a child, and his experience in the military, add in his specific style of dirty fighting and viola. I need to pick his traits still, but that's about it.
It'll be pbp here on the forums.
You're most welcome to apply with your elf :)
Thanks for the advice Dragon, I'll definitely take it to heart. Actually, I am well aware that Alchemist and Gunslinger synergise obscenely well, but... that is also exactly what I have put forth in my submission to rorek55's game. If for whatever reason I didn't get selected there, I would love to play the concept, and would love to apply it here, I'm just not sure how to hedge my bets on that one...
Speaking of other gestalt games, it's kind of funny seeing the same handful of applicants migrating from one recruitment to another.
We happy few, as it were.
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Please comment on my build. Is there anything you are looking for specifically? Also, how optimized should the builds be. I have more optimized builds than this one if it is going to be very hard.First impressions?
1. If you're not using an archetype, any reason you went original Barbarian vs. Unchained? (I know the Unchained Summoner is a ridiculous nerf on the class, but the others are supposed to be "improved" compared to the originals. I've only glanced at barbarian, but it looks solid...
While I agree on most of the others, specifically the armored hulk (which imo, would work VERY well with a fighter)
unchained barb, was, nerfed.
Many of the bonuses you got from rage turned into stances (such as powerful swing for extra damage, the reckless abandon that lowered AC for +to hit, and the one that added Dodge bonus to AC, which means only one is active at a time)
Rage now gives static bonuses, while this is a wash, or, even slight buff for two weapon barbs, two handed barbs get shafted since now they only gain the flat damage bonus, instead of 1/2 their new strength (while its small, 1-2 points of damage only) its still a nerf there.
although, unchained barbs have less of a habit of falling to "suddenly dead" syndrome.