I want to run a homebrew I’ve been developing and running with my gaming group for over a year now. It’s an Old Western flavored fantasy world with some Steampunk for seasoning. And it was inspired by things like Stephen King’s The Gunslinger, Firefly, Fallout New Vegas, The Magnificent Seven, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
You might be thinking, “Hey, this isn’t original!” And to that I say, Duh. Everything in here is a trope from somewhere or something. This is a collection of stuff I love put into a blender and frappéd with gushing, geeky, fanboy love.
We’ll be using Pathfinder as our rules set, so no one needs to learn anything drastically different. GP will still be the currency, because, screw it, I don’t care. There is a not-too-big-I-hope document full of campaign stuff, but it’s not like there are going to be any pop quizzes. All you have to do is find a niche that speaks to you, and have fun with it.
That is my goal, here. Fun.
I’d like to run a fast-ish kind of game. Players would be expected to post 1 to 2 times a day. Even if it’s just to say, “Busy with RL stuff. Back tomorrow.” My focus will be on moving the story forward, and I will GMPC as necessary. So make note of that going in.
I’m looking for 4 players, but will roll with just 3.
And now we come to submissions. I will say this in bold. Please, please, please, do NOT make a profile. It pains me to see folks build a character, make a profile and then not get picked. If you build one anyway, that’s fine, but it won’t affect my decisions.
Submissions should just be race, class, name (If you got one yet), and a basic idea for a background and personality. Once players have been picked, they can use the Discussion section to iron out details like equipment, feats, background, relationships, etc.
For those of you who are still interested, this is The Scorched Lands.
Deadline for submissions is Dec. 5, 2013, EST.
Anyone, who isn’t interested in playing, but would like to comment on the material, please feel free to do so.
I'm super interested. Wondering if you might allow the Advanced Classes from the playtest? I'm proooobably going to submit a Gunslinger or Ranger, but wanted to know of the possibility of trying out the Swashbuckler before I did.
I'm super interested. Wondering if you might allow the Advanced Classes from the playtest? I'm proooobably going to submit a Gunslinger or Ranger, but wanted to know of the possibility of trying out the Swashbuckler before I did.
Yeah I was thinking bloodrager or arcanist myself.
If not, then im thinking paladin, cleric, wizard, or vivisectionist alchemist.
Consider me intrigued.
I'm thinking gnome summoner with a mechanical steam-powered eidolon.
I'll put some more thought into the concept, but the setting sounds like would be fun to explore.
This looks particularly interesting. Lots of Deadlands memories coming to the surface, though unfortunately 9 times out of 10 we just sat around and talked about playing Deadlands rather than actually playing it...
Magic works essentially as is? Kicking around a couple different magus ideas if so. Playtest classes ok or no? I think a slayer bounty hunter could be seriously badassed in this...
Along those lines, any clue on what sort of adventures we're going to be going on? Curious if a grizzled frontiersman or some sort of top hat wearing tenderfoot would be better.
Got about a thousand character ideas running rampant through my head right now...
Starting level?
Well, this sounds like fun. Though, now that you've mentioned Firefly, I'll have to steer my brain towards actual character concepts and not just "okay, so I wanna play Jayne..."
I have a character I am working on that needs a home with a GM interested in working with me on making constructs/golems/clockworks. Please let me know if this character/topic interests you.
Marie Holland
Race: Halfling
Class: Gunslinger/Spellslinger/Eldritch Knight
Personality: Tinker/Steampunk Heroine
Race: I have been making her for Kingmaker and so she is currently a broken android (Inner Sea Bestiary) based on a gnome instead of a human. She can be any race really, but halfling or non-fey gnome seems best.
Class: I hadn't planned on her being a paladin or anything. She's an inventor. My vision is a large/huge golem with a firing platform on top of the head. This is a simply horrible picture, but I don't have time to draw one right now and it gives across the basic idea.
Crunch Concept: She will be rifle oriented with Create Magic Arms and Armor, Create Wonderous Item and Craft Construct. I'd like to work on rediscovering the old 3.5 wizard spells in-game to repair constructs. She would make additional constructs, probably tera cotta soldiers and then use her rifle in combat.
So, as you can see, there are a lot of things I want to do where the rules may need to be interpreted where they are not clear. Since your whole campaign concept is outside the box, I thought maybe you'd be interested in a character who is similar.
Anyway, that's the character. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Hey, tropes are tropes for a reason: people love 'em. So embrace them, I say!
Hehe... a December 5th deadline and I'm betting you'll be totally swamped with interest within the first day. Personally, I've been wanting to dabble in something steampunkish for a good while, but haven't been able to convince the local GM with a "one century too early for that" world to flex.
"E" (that's a dot in Morse code... this is an Old West telegraph-era scenario, after all!)
I'll wait to read up and also see some of the questions answered before getting too attached to any character concepts. But I can see a really bad/cheesy traveling/sideshow truthteller/psychic as a cover for someone who really is a psion (if 3PP were allowed, for example). Or an alchemist type crafted into a doctor/mad scientist sort. Or, or, or... lots of tasty possibilities, even without tapping the obvious River Tam kind of vibe.
Off to read the background material,
Dux
P.S. Heh, I thought that name looked familiar... never know what you're gonna find when you go alias-chasing! :o)
Well, guys, I gave it some thought, but I decided in the end not to allow classes from the ACG Playtest. Sorry. Some of them feel like they would fit right in. But they also feel like they need some tweaking.
I kind of want to stick to Paizo specific material, MPCampbell. I've had really bad experiences integrating third-party 3.5 stuff. They tend to mix like two un-mixy things -- that explode. Granted that was as much the fault of the particular player who did it being a bit of Poopy Head. But still, it's an uncomfortable precedent.
But GM Fanguar's idea for a steampunk golem that works off the Summoner could work with no problem. I'm cool with goofing with flavor stuff, so long as mechanically it works.
So, MPCampbell, if you can submit a way it could more or less work within Paizo framework, I'll definitely consider it.
By the way, I have to say how touched I am people got intrigued by this. I submitted this right before I went to have dinner with the in-laws. I came back, and kind of had a moment. So thank you all.
PS: Zup, Tuich. :-)
PPS: It's worth noting that I've never played Dead Lands. But I am highly intrigued by it. And would love to try it some day.
Race: Human
Name: Artemis
Class: Forsight Wizard
Background: Artemis is a carpetbagger and a con artist who goes from town to town and uses his magic to trick people into believing he cant grant wishes such as bringing back dead relatives or by making people beleive he can predict the future, wether that is something he actually does through his own magic or by making them come true afterwards. He uses his ill-gotten funds to help his research and arcane training.
Race: Human
Name: Winnifred Sands
Class: Ranger(Guide/Skirmisher)
Background:(as told by RJ "Ears" Clapton)
"With everyone being set on civilization, and the demands of "modernity", there are some that just want to get away from it all. Winnifred -- trust me, only her close friends call her 'Fred, and never "Winnie"-- liked being surrounded by nature, rightly thinking that the city was a different beast altogether. I can't conjure what she sees in it, but then again, most things aren't often my business. I hear tell that she just enjoys the silence. (sniff)"Can't blame her for that, some of these engines are darn loud."
"Hm? her family? Well, 'Fred's 'Pa was on the railroad teams. Laid a right fair amount of track. He went where the lines went, which could 'splain some of her wanderlust. He's done since retired, an' both he and her Ma have a stake in one of the hotels in one o'the towns. Polite whisperins say that her 'Ma may have been a madam in one o'the bigger towns a while back. If'n you want one of the best guides that knows the lay o'the land, you ask for her, or leave a message. When she's back in town, she'll find ya."
I kind of want to stick to Paizo specific material, MPCampbell. I've had really bad experiences integrating third-party 3.5 stuff. They tend to mix like two un-mixy things -- that explode. Granted that was as much the fault of the particular player who did it being a bit of Poopy Head. But still, it's an uncomfortable precedent.
But GM Fanguar's idea for a steampunk golem that works off the Summoner could work with no problem. I'm cool with goofing with flavor stuff, so long as mechanically it works.
So, MPCampbell, if you can submit a way it could more or less work within Paizo framework, I'll definitely consider it.
I don't understand. I didn't mention 3rd party material. I did mention researching new spells, which you can do in Pathfinder based off the spellcraft skill. The spells I would eventually be interested in would be "Cure Light Wounds" that repairs an object for 1d8 hit points and the related chain of spells.
I'm not looking at complicated 3rd party stuff. Everything I've listed is in the SRD at d20pfsrd.com.
Holy Koan! I have a Dwarf Monk I'd like to submit. Just a wondering monk in the West a la Cain from 'Kung Fu'.
No worries on the lack of Advanced Class Guide Playthrough. I can definitely make due. :) Adapting an existing character from a game which fell apart because of GM's real life issues. Had her in my mind for years, haven't been able to make a proper go of her yet.
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Class: Gunslinger (Buccaneer / Pistolero)
God: The Hangman
Gabriel took his wound as a sign that it was time to retire from their old life and make an honest living. No more holdups, no more thievin' folks. Growing up, Mallory was infatuated with the stories of his old life, and while he dramatised the gunslinger life for her amusement, he was always sure to explain the importance of having honour, something her father never had. He would tell her how important it was to look after your crew, because they were all you had.
When Mallory was in her early teens, Gabriel became ill and passed away. Since her mother wanted something different for her, she pulled strings to get Mallory hired at a local bar, serving drinks and entertaining travelers. Eventually Mallory was able to leave home, serving with a bandit crew for a few years. After a bad job left them destroyed, and her lost in the desert, she ended up becoming a bounty hunter.
Vignette
(This is an excerpt from a Vignette I was writing, in which Mallory is already an established bounty hunter, and finds a teenaged boy who ran away, and is trying to decide what to do with him. At first she intends to take him back, but then sits him down to talk to him.)
Mallory opened her mouth to say something, and then stopped. A few minutes passed in silence, and then she tried again. “You know what a barmaid is?” she asked, and the kid shook his head. "Towns bigger 'en the one you're from... they get a lot of travelers passin' through. Lotta respectable types. Growin' up without a daddy, I had to start working, early and often, and that was all I could do."
"The days were long, and it often felt like bein' a slave. I was tied to any man who came through, singin' for 'em, playin' viola, and tryin' to get 'em to drink more, to talk. Some just wanted comp'ny. Others, well, there were girls more skilled than I for that kinda work."
"Once, I was maybe a lil older than you are, we had a man come by, refused to pay, but thought that because he was a man, he was still entitled to whatever girls he wanted. Town was big, but we still didn't have a law man, and most folk didn't care what happened, especially not to girls like us, without privilege or status. An' so he just meant to take us, one by one. They’s screaming and crying but didn't matter none to him. Like nothing we did mattered, cause we didn't matter. He was halfway through the secon' one when I took my uncle's sword and ran him through.”
Mallory paused for a second, pulling a few apples from her satchel, and passing one to the body. He bit right into it like he hadn't ever eaten before. Taking the knife from her thigh, she began slicing her apple up, eating the chunks slowly.
"Those damn fool people,” she continued, “ain't care none about a whore gettin' raped, figured she had it comin'... but murderin' a rich man passin' through, killin' the hope of him investin' some money in the town, of him bringin' more people? That just don't sit right wit ‘em. So I did what you did, I ran. Learned enough to make my way. I knew how to talk, an' how to listen. I knew how to survive."
The kid swallowed a bite of his apple, and looked at the girl sitting next to him for the first time, as she stared out at the sand dunes on the horizon. Her long red curls fell down past her shoulders, framing her lightly tanned face. Green eyes shone out like emeralds. At a guess he’d put her in her early thirties. She was still attractive, but not like she’d once been. The hard life was chipping away at her bit by bit. She looked back at him, her eyes studying his face. “You seem like a smart kid, and you've got some of that magic in you. Where’d you learn that?”
He stammered, “I-I dunno, ma’am. I just kind of know it. I know how to make air into water, and, and I can make people hear stuff ain't real.”
Mallory chewed on a slice of apple and thought for a while, her brow furred. The kid knew that she was trying to make a decision, but he wasn't sure what was going through her head, or what he could say in his own favour. When he finally opened his mouth to try, she cut him off.
“You've cost me plenty already, makin' me chase you all over this damn desert, and if I want to take you back it’ll be a lost day, too. Ain't gonna get the law after me on account of your scrawny ass.”
The kid looked down, and Mallory thought he might cry. Wouldn't that just be the perfect ending to this day, making a little kid cry. She followed his gaze to his feet, cracked and bloody. Swollen, with at least one broken toe. He had been so desperate to survive that he’d run too hard, too far, knowing anything would be better than what waited for him there. Mallory remembered how she'd felt, and sighed.
“Listen, you wanna stay with me, make it worth my while. Teach me what you can about magic, how to fight it, 'nuff to survive, and ride with me a while. You managed to fool me earlier. Risky as hell, but smart. Could use someone clever watchin' my back. Gonna be a lot of work, I get into a fair amount of trouble. Ain't always gonna be good livin', but it’ll be livin'.”
His eyes lit up, and he promise her that she wouldn't regret it, that he’d stay with her for as long as she'd have him. She smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile, and somehow he knew it. She dressed his wounds, and brought him to the local tavern where they could stay the night. He lay down on his side, facing away from her, and she watched him curl up like a child. 'Another lost little dog'. she thought.
She drifted off to sleep with the satisfaction of knowing that he would never leave her side. Loyalty like that was the most important thing out here. She could teach him to survive, they could watch each other's backs, and maybe she'd be able to get through a few more years, and she'd leave something of value behind when she finally went.
That thought turned to ash less than 2 months later, when she emerged from a crossfire with a few more scars, and the kid was dead.
The spells I would eventually be interested in would be "Cure Light Wounds" that repairs an object for 1d8 hit points and the related chain of spells.
Mending is a cantrip but takes 10 minutes. Make Whole is a 2nd level spell. It seems that a CLW equivalent (assuming you want a d8 with a standard action casting) might be a bit unwieldy. I imagine it would be high level. Is there a source you could quote me that uses something like that?
My personal recommendation would be to consider the Artifice Cleric Domain. That allows you to cast Mending at will, which is a big deal. They also get some very not bad spells. The Construct sub-domain might also be something yo might dig.
A Gunslinger/Cleric combo feels like it should work mechanically as well. But the obvious downside is that it wouldn't help you bag Eldritch Knight, so that could complicate your multiclassing a bit. It could also complicate the requirements for crafting certain golems.
Anyways, just a recommendation. Also, don't certain golems heal from elemental damage?
Wizard (Spellslinger) for a couple levels and then Cleric would work for getting to Eldritch Knight, which is what I think MPCampbell had in mind. Though I'm not sure taking Gunslinger is worth much, given how much it overlaps with Spellslinger.
Hrm...I like the plan. Western makes me think of gambling and there's a character concept I've been trying to get off the ground.
Race: Human
Class: Magus(Myrmidarch)
Background: Grew up on the street and developed a history of gambling, using various magic tricks to ensure he always got a favorable outcome. Used proceeds to help family/friends/others who needed it. Got caught stacking the deck one too many times and had to fight his way out. Throws card's as his main weapon (look at Deadly Dealer feat if you're wondering how lol).
Personality: Alignment is Chaotic Good. Obviously he's not afraid of skimping the rules now and then if it serves his purpose and helps out someone who needs it. A bit of a flirt but never seems to do it very well.
First off, Yoricks, awesome job there. And I forgot that he mentioned Spellslinger.
Also, I might not have been clear on something. Non-gunslingers can use Guns, but they still must adhere to the Way of the Gun or else they face the same consequences as gunslingers. Guns are as much mystical as they are mechanical.
I added that to the campaign guide. So you could be a fighter or a bard or a whatever who uses Guns, but you would still need to adhere to the Way or else they wouldn't work for you.
Iol is a Dwarf Qinggong Monk. He wanders from town to town spreading the teachings of enlightenment and righting wrongs. He will stay a monk his whole level path. He doesn't carry a gun because he uses words and... KUNG FU!!!!
I'm ridiculously interested and would love to toss my hat into the ring for consideration. I'm all about gushing and geeky fanboy love, so this sounds right up my alley.
Name: Freyda, just Freyda
Race: Human
Class: Urban Barbarian/Alchemist/Fighter (Stackin' those dexterity buffs, yo)
Freyda grew up in a moderately sized nomadic tribe of savages who made their living wandering the wastes of (insert place here), following the herds of (Insert migratory beast here) as they migrated across the landscape. Her clan had made a name for itself across the wastes for their fondness of using magical mutagenic stimulants when in combat with beasts of rival tribes, and Freyda follows the tradition proudly, abusing, er, I mean, utilizing a powerful stimulant that aids her greatly in her archery. At the age of 17 she fled her tribe for undisclosed reasons and began to forge a life for herself in the great wide world
Sorry if I went overboard, got excited.
First off, Yoricks, awesome job there.
Oh thank you!
Zup, Vyk. :o)
Rather than have you guys invent fantasy gibberish names, please feel free to use something a little bit more inspired by movies, TV and historical figures from the Old West.
Ya know, when I read that and started to think about names, I also found myself thinking about the characters to which they're attached. And it occurs to me that tapping one from The Wild Wild West might be workable.
Artemus Gordon might be a bit too much on the nose (plus there's already a candidate named Artemis in the queue, which might get confusing). But then there's Dr. Miguelito Quixote Loveless (not the wheelchair-bound Loveless from the Will Smith movie; I'm thinking of the "little person" doctor from the TV series, played by Michael Dunn).
It seems a perfect fit: He's a "scientist" (more an inventor/chemist type) who, in his first episode alone, shows proficiency with both a crossbow and a walking cane (staff-like Bludgeon, Trip with the hook, etc.) And he has a peashooter (blowgun). With a telescopic sight. And explosive glass pellet ammunition!
You're disallowing evil characters, but based on his first exposition, I believe he can be cast as CN early in his career:
Politicians and generals? What kind of peace can you expect from the likes of them? They're vermin! They ought to be exterminated, every one of them.
Above said whist in the process of rescuing a drowning fly from his cup of tea!
Taking a half-step farther outside the box, dialing in a bit of Count Carlos Mario Vincenzo Robespierre Manzeppi -- the other recurring nemesis -- could add a splash of magic to the mix.
How best to reflavor existing gear to line up with the TV character will take some thought (and I should probably drop you a PM with what I'm thinking to make sure you consider it equitable). But I think it can be done without disrupting anything.
Heh... even if I don't get in, designing the character will be fun!
I'm happy with the character. There are a couple of ways to heal constructs. That wasn't really what I was meaning to start a conversation on however, so I think I must have been typing too quickly.
What I was asking was if Wicked-Raygun was interested in working with me to use the Pathfinder rules to play a character built around making constructs.
I've looked at the matter quite a bit over the last few months. Most of the rules are fairly clear cut. Some of them are a little confusing and I don't know how any of them balance. I may come across rules that need to be interpreted and if so, I want to ask the GM if that is okay ahead of time.
I am not looking to use any 3rd party products or make up any new rules. There are plenty of rules out there.
I made test version of the character as a straight magus, as a metal oracle, as an artifice cleric as well as an alchemist, surprisingly the worst class at making constructs.
I made test versions with halflings, gnomes, tieflings and even the Android, an official Paizo race. I went with halfling as they seemed closest to what you were looking for in your world.
I'm not looking to make up new spells or rules right now and don't need anything interpreted right now. I was only really asking if you were willing to work with me somewhere down the line if it was necessary. Pathfinder does have a system for making new spells, magic items, effects, whatever and I just wanted to see if you were open to that kind of thing, if it becomes necessary somewhere down the line.
Some players are completely story driven and love to play it by ear. Some players like old school Fighters, Mages, Healers and Elfs and want to stick to vanilla right out of the Core Rulebook. I personally am somewhere in the middle and so just wanted to find out what kind of play you were interested in doing.
I don't want to be difficult. I hate being difficult. I just like to be creative and have fun. 8)
Dot for interest! I won't be able to post a character til Monday, though. Family weekend.
I am thinking of a martial class, though, likely elven or half-elven or human. A no-good rustler, come from a mysterious past to an uncertain future.
Edit: DM, would you be willing to allow Open Design's Gunfighter fighter archetype? (From the Expanded Gunslinger)
OK, I stayed up a bit longer than I should have, but here's my concept:
Name: Benjamin Alderly Löwenwal
Race: half-elf
Class: fighter (gunslinger?)/magus (kensai)
Folk did bad things to survive the bad old days of the Great Collide and the death of the named gods... everyone knows that. But what my family did... Hangman, forgive them. And forgive me.
A no-good rustler who made his name in The Big Drop with an elven curve blade (and a rifle? of rare accuracy), a merciless manner and the plain gumption of a man who's got nothing to lose.
"He ain't much to look at, at first glance; just another dusty road-rider in a grey poncho with his hat pulled down low. Oh, sure, he's got the looks them elf-folk always got, with dark hair an' green eyes an' them pearly whites what ain't never felt a man's fist, but that ain't what brings him to your attention. It's the _sense_ of him, if ye ken me right, an aura of doom that he brings with him like a damn cloud o' buzzards. But he's sharp - ain't nothin' escapes his eye. An' when he looks up, an' sees you lookin' right at him - well, best you have a quick draw hand, friend."
i am interested
DM, would you be willing to allow Open Design's Gunfighter fighter archetype? (From the Expanded Gunslinger)
I prefer not to use non-Paizo stuff, so probably not. But assuming I picked you, you could easily PM me and plead your case for something specific. If it's not something that feels too game-breaking, I might allow it.
But your gunslinger is noted. I liked the back story you added. Also, brownie points for using the word "ken." It doesn't get used anywhere near as much as it should.
***
Some players are completely story driven and love to play it by ear. Some players like old school Fighters, Mages, Healers and Elfs and want to stick to vanilla right out of the Core Rulebook. I personally am somewhere in the middle and so just wanted to find out what kind of play you were interested in doing.
I tend to dot a landscape full of plot bunnies, and then wait to see which one draws the players' eyes. I draw the most fun from letting players drive the plot.
The things I house rule are usually stuff like item crafting, so yes you could focus on building magic weapons and golems. Generally, I lower build times to something approaching sane.
I have read the rules on making custom spells. Which is why I'm guessing a CLW for constructs would be expensive (spell-level wise).
Mending and Make Whole should handle most of your problems with fixing automatons. And most of them are pretty hard to hurt anyway.
I made some sample constructs yesterday. They are pretty straight-forward and somewhat reasonably priced. I think the character is a go if selected. I'm thinking a Wild Wild West vibe to the character - kind of a light-hearted adventurer rather than an angsty one.
Sorry, Truin. Core races only. Check out the campaign guide for more info. Appreciate the interest.
Alternative Race Traits are okay. I reserve final veto power on that, but, in general, it shouldn't be an issue.
The point-buy is 20 points. Only one score can go below 10, and can go no lower than 8. The details are in the campaign document here.
I think I'll go with her for now:
Name: Bellis Aleste
Race: Halfling
Class: Ranger (Falconer)
Personality: Shy with most new people, but soon grows rather affectionate. On her best moods, she tends to act like she doesn't seem to quite grasp the concept of personal space.
Name: Dr. Miguelito Quixote Loveless
Race: Lava Gnome
Class: Alchemist (Grenadier)
The old man lounging in front of the general store slowly pushed the brim of his hat up to get a look at who would ask such a question. "Loveless? Miguelito Loveless? What'n tarnation you askin' 'bout him for, son?"
His chaw temporarily forgotten, he looked the questioner up and down. "Naw, I'll tell you rightly, you best ain't gettin' mixed up with that polecat. He's a mean ol' rip and an odd stick ta boot."
"Thing is," he said conspiratorially as he leaned forward to let his chair land back on all four legs, "he don't show it, just jawin' with him. Seems right upstandin'. But get him riled, and I'd say you best skedaddle. 'Septin' by then it'd be too late."
He laughed at the next comment, leaned back in the chair again, and resumed the attack on his wad of tobacco. "Yep, I guess that'd be a good thing in a fight if'n he's on your side." The old man's eyes narrowed. "But see, there's tha thing. With Loveless, yer never gonna know fer sure if he's on yer side."
"What? Oh, shore nuff he's smart; brightest 'round these parts. Maybe anywhere, I reckon. Watched him whip up all manner of geegaw and medsin on the spot, and I seen some mighty fine things he's made in his workshop, too. But he ain't..." The man paused, searching his memory. "Stable, that's tha word. Thinks the guvmint stole a big parcel of land from him, and he aims to get it back. Keeps ramblin' on about turning it into a big happy place for chilern."
He leaned forward in his chair again. "Now I ain't got no beef with that, but this parcel he claims is his, it butts up agin what usta be the foothills of Tanguska, if'n ya get my drift. And anywhere near Tha Scar ain't no place for man nor beast, let alone little chilern. How he can be so smart and nigh onta crazy tha same time's beyond my ken, but that's Loveless fer ya!"
"Naw, if you got a lick a' sense about ya, you'll pull in your horns and head back the way you come. But if'n you're sure ya want ta ride the fast rail to Perdition, he's got a room in Miz Lizzie's boardin' house up the way."
"But do me a favor, son," he said as he pulled his hat brim back down and laced his fingers across his belly. "Don't be tellin' him I sent ya."
Wow, I really got inundated with Replies quick. I seems I might have to cut off the date very soon. Possibly tomorrow, Dec. 2.
Really, I thank everyone for replying with ideas. Whittling this down to 4 players was impossible. So I'm now trying to bring it to at least 5. And even that feels really hard.
Name: Duncan Steelblade
Race: Dwarf (with the craftsman trait instead of greed)
Class: Cleric of the shooter (Forgemaster)
Personality: Duncan is very reserved and holds the teachings of the shooter very high.
Well then, I had better get a more formal concept together...
Name: Leland Stanford
Race: Gnome
Class: Summoner with an eidolon(quadruped) in the form of a steam driven contraption.
Rough Background: Leland is an agent for the gnomish railroad. His job is to investigate threats to the railroad and to be on the look out for resources or new possible expansion sites.
Personality: Standard lawman persona. Courteous and polite. Disapproving of the lesser vices. Anything that might be a threat to the rail system or those who use it, is met with no remorse and deadly violence. He believes that both his powers and the eidolon are blessings from the Brakeman.
Wait... No one has claimed Roland of Gilead?!
DIBS!
Name: Roland Deschain
Class: Gunslinger
Race: Human
Female Gunslinger 1
Caitlynn Browning
NG Small Female Halfling / Humanoid (Halfling)
Init +3; Senses Perception +6, Keen Senses
==DEFENSE==
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+3 armor, +3 dex, +1 size)
hp 10 (1d10)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +0
Armor Studded Leather, Light
Defensive Abilities Adaptable Luck (PFARG 62)
==OFFENSE==
Spd 20 ft/x4
Ranged Musket +5 (1d10) 20/x4 Misfire 1-2 (5 ft)
==STATISTICS==
Str 8, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 17, Wis 10, Cha 12
BAB +1, CMB -1, CMD +12
Feats Armor Proficiency (LIGHT) (PFCR 118), Gunsmithing (PFUC 103), Point-Blank Shot (PFCR 131), Rapid Reload () (PFCR 132)
Skills Craft (alchemy) +7, Craft (armor) +9, Craft (firearms) +7, Knowledge (arcana) +4, Knowledge (engineering) +7, Knowledge (local) +7, Linguistics +4, Perception +6, Spellcraft +4
SQ Practicality (PFAPG 21)
MC Deeds (PFUC 10 - 12), Gunsmith (PFUC 9), Gunsmith (PFUC 50), Musket Rapid Reloader (PFUC 51)
Traits Magical Knack (Magic) (PFAPG 329), Reactionary
Languages Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, Halfling, Thassilonian
Unfortunately, her first level is a one level dip into Gunslinger. Her 10 level plan would be:
1. Gunslinger (Musket Master)
2. Wizard (Spellslinger)
3. Wizard (Spellslinger)
4. Wizard (Spellslinger)
5. Wizard (Spellslinger)
6. Wizard (Spellslinger)
7. Eldritch Knight
8. Eldritch Knight
9. Eldritch Knight
10.Eldritch Knight
The next oldest child, Mary Caleb, married a hardworking business acquaintance of her father's and was rapidly raising a halfling horde of her own. Her father was very proud of her and the family house was always hopping on holidays.
The third child, Wyatt Browning, trained in The Way of the Gun and was a successful sheriff on the frontier. No one was prouder than his father when Erasmus captured the notorious bank robber Two Gun Pete, getting his picture on the front page of the newspaper.
Jasmine Browning had always had a way with a brush and color. She was currently touring across the sea in the Browning family's traditional homeland where her shows were drawing the rich and famous throughout the Old World. Her father, extremely proud, bragged of his second daughter constantly.
Erasmus Browning entered the church upon his sixteenth birthday. Instrumental in establish religious settlements and converting the heathen goblin tribes of the south to civilization, he has rapidly made a name for himself as a man of peace, for which his father is extremely proud.
The youngest of the Browning brood is another daughter. Caitlyn combined James's skill as an inventor, Mary's love of family, Wyatt's skill as a shooter, Jasmine's love of life and Erasmus's care for those less fortunate.
On her fifteenth birthday, friends and family alike ate her cake in her absence, the young girl having run off to join the circus the night before.
Returning two years later, the third Browning daughter served as the county teacher down at the school for three whole months before running off to the World's Fair in the capitol.
Caitlyn returned home later that year, in a giant flying balloon, piloted by the mad gnome inventor Silas Green. The young halfling girl spent all that evening at the table regaling her family with Silas's exploits while the geriatric gnome blushed crimson over his starched white collar. Leaving that very morning, she hugged her papa before scampering up the rope ladder of the dirigible.
Jeb Browning watched his daughter go with a tear in his eye. A solid halfling man, he found it difficult to approve of his youngest daughter's life. Despite scampering around the countryside, avoiding responsibility and ignoring decorum, he may have loved his youngest more than any of his other children. And yes, Jeb Browning was proud of them all, even his pint-sized whirlwind, for her zest, for her bravery, and for her need to always live life to the fullest.
I present Caitlyn Browning, a halfling wizard/inventor. I've been building sample constructs and have worked out most of the kinks in Pathfinder's system for making them. I've explored the different ways of repairing them and I think she's all ready to go.
Looks good, MPCampbell.
***
For everyone else... I'll be selecting the five players tomorrow afternoon.
Sounds like an interesting concept. Here's my idea for your consideration.
Name: Godwyn Ockside.
Race: Elf
Class: Luring Cavalier with Amateur Gunslinger feat first level (or maybe not, depending on discussions go). He'll be part of the order of the land.
Background: My idea for Godwyn, I'm not gonna lie, is derived straight out of True Grit. I'm imagining an old, angry bastard of a man with an eyepatch and a grating attitude. I'm thinking more along the lines of the Jeff Bridges interpretation than the John Wayne one, but he'll definitely be toned down so he could interact with a party. I'm thinking of him being something along the lines of a marshal. That's just the basic premise.
Well, here's a last minute submission for you to look over. Hopefully it isn't too late to be considered. He'd be mostly focused on buffing and other such antics, but he has given up his spontaneous healing spells and the first level of channel, so don't expect that sort of support coming from him.
Also, you should note that I took the subdomain of Heroism. Is this all right? I think it fits, considering Ira interprets the Hangman as a wholly good deity.
32 years old.
Deity: The Hangman
Male Human Cleric (Evangelist) 1
LG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init: +2 Senses: Perception +7
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Defense
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AC: 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12 (+2 Armor, +1 Dex)
HP: 10 (1d8 +2)
Fort: +2 Ref: +1 Will: +5
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed: 30ft.
Melee: Morningstar +0 (1d8/x2), Dagger +0 (1d4/19-20/x2/10ft.)
Ranged:
Cleric Spells Prepared:
1 (2+1/day) Shield of Faith, Cure Light Wounds, Summon Monster 1
0 (3/day) Detect Magic, Read Magic, Guidance
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str: 10 Dex: 12 Con: 14 Int: 13 Wis: 16 Cha: 14
Base Atk: +0 CMB: +0 CMD: 11
Feats: Spell Focus (Conjuration), Augment Summoning
Traits: Seeker, Arcane Temper
Skills: Diplomacy 1+5, Knowledge (religion) 1+4, Perception 1+6, Perform (oratory) 1+5, Sense Motive 1+6.
Appraise, Craft, Heal, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (history), Knowledge (nobility), Knowledge (planes), Linguistics, Profession, and Spellcraft.
Languages: Common
SQ: Aura, Domain (heroism), Orisons
Combat Gear: Morningstar, Dagger, Leather armor, Backpack, Bedroll, Trail rations x5, Canteen, Silver holy symbol, Spell component pouch, Cleric's vestments, Mule, Cart, Feed x6 54GP 8SP
Total Weight: 29 (on person), 76 (on cart - Trail rations, Feed, Cleric's vestments and Bedroll)
Background
"Been a long time since I been called down to the Drop. Don't know quite what the wind is whisperin' to me, but to be sure it carries a promise of something on its breath. Knowin' the Drop, I'm sure it ain't anything of good import. But the Hangman's nudging his far-reachin' elbow into my side, and I ain't one to deny Him. Never led me astray yet, and I don't anticipate Him startin' now. P'raps something's abrewin', and if it is... well, the Drop's going to need His justice before it's all said and done."
Ira Kerrigan was born on the southward edges of the Big Drop, son of Oscar and Hattie Kerrigan. Oscar was a rancher who had inherited the ranch from his father, but that was about as far back as the business went. His parents had been relatively successful, breeding some of the finest thoroughbreds in the area, and they typically brought in a fair amount of money from sold horses and cattle meat. Ira didn't find much interest in it - his interest had been mainly focused on his studies from a young age, being a prized pupil of the local schoolteacher and priest. The most prominent of the New Gods worshiped in the area was, of course, the Rancher, and that was who it was expected Ira would pledge himself to when he came of age.
When he was fourteen, Ira was sent on a mission to the R.S.P. It was here that Ira found himself slipping from the cozy lifestyle and the proud, forthright gods that were commonly worshiped back home. Here, he found all gods in abundance, but this allowed for some, such as the Whistler, the Grizzly, and the Rustler in common worship. These he found astonishing, so far removed were they from the 'civilized' gods of his home. Of course, he had known of them... but they had always been spoken of with distaste and a little fear.
But all was not foreign in the States of the Phoenix. The Hangman and the Madam and the Shooter were all in worship here, and these had always been deities deserving of respect. The Shooter less commonly, but it was always quietly and with some slight awe that the townsfolk would tip their hats when a gunslinger came through town.
In his time in the States, Ira came to find comfort in the presence of the Hangman. He was a god who all respected; an arbiter of fair and precise rulings. It was not always with respect that Ira was met with when he introduced himself as a follower of the Rancher - many seemed to find him a soft god. But preachers and holy men of the Hangman walked free and unmolested, and even the roughest of men would go to them for justice.
Ira began to look into the teachings of the Lone Star, and found it to his liking. Justice was a prevalent theme, but always mediated with mentions of impartiality. It was a god for those who valued structure, who wanted to make sense of the confused world they lived in. Ira found himself drawn to it, and he came home a converted man.
But home was not all that receptive to his new found faith; while the Hangman had their respect, he was not the sort of god one welcomed into their home. They had long found their problems not the sort that the Hangmen dealt with, and it was not often that they found him a recipient of their prayers. Eventually, Ira left home. It was simpler this way, and both him and his family breathed easier when there was no discussions of what path he should be following. He had gotten their blessing as he walked out the door, and that was all he needed.
For sixteen years Ira has wandered Rethe, learning from the most well-regarded holy men of the Hangman he could find, and mediating when he came upon those in need of it. He preaches the good word of the Lone Star with an impressive fervency, and sometimes it seems a holy rage takes him over. He speaks to crowds and lone men both; any who will deign to listen get a message, that the Hangman is here and He is uncompromising. Ira went in and out of the Drop at times, but mostly kept to the Risen States and the Republic of Iron, but never to the Lotus Empire. The mere mention of the place made the hair on the back of his neck rise.
Now, inexplicably, he feels the call of the Hangman bringing him back to the Drop, and so he follows it. Clattering down dusty roads in an old cart pulled by an old mule, it is with both trepidation and worry that Ira returns home.
Appearance
Black hair flecked with gray covers most of Ira's head, though it recedes somewhat from his forehead. This is despite being a fairly young man, and its effect, combined with the lines creasing his face near the nose and corners of the mouth, is to have many think him older than he actually is. He wears a coat of supple leather, with pants and over-shirt of soft cotton. His collar is high, denoting his position as a priest. A dagger and morningstar hang at his right hip, within easy reach. His holy symbol, a silver noose, hangs openly at his neck.
I'll post something later today.
Grom is a wondering initiate of the Hangman. Brash, but heroic. Tasked with delivering the final words of those passing on. Ever on the watch for those who poses a heroic spirits, he hope to watch a glorious death or two.
Grom
Half-Orc Cleric 1
LN Medium humanoid (human, orc)
Hero Points 1
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +3
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Defense
--------------------
AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +2 shield)
hp 10 (1d8+2)
Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +7
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 20 ft.
Melee heavy shield bash -1 (1d4+3/×2) and
. . bastard sword +3 (1d10+3/19-20/×2) and
. . spiked gauntlet +3 (1d4+3/×2)
Special Attacks channel energy, gentle rest
Spell-Like Abilities
. . 6/day—gentle rest
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +4):
1st (2/day)—magic weapon, deathwatch, obscuring mist
0 (at will)—detect magic, create water, light
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10
Base Atk +0; CMB +3; CMD 13
Feats Intimidating Prowess
Traits brute (apg), indomitable faith
Skills Intimidate +12, Knowledge (religion) +4, Sense Motive +7; Racial Modifiers +2 Intimidate
Languages Common, Orc
SQ aura, domains (heroism, repose), hero points, spontaneous casting, touch of glory
Other Gear Hide armor, Heavy wooden shield, Bastard sword, Spiked gauntlet, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Blanket, Flint and steel, Masterwork tool Death Mask (Intimidate), Trail rations (7), 20 GP, 9 SP
--------------------
TRACKED RESOURCES
--------------------
Cleric Channel Positive Energy 1d6 (3/day) (DC 12) (Su) - 0/3
Gentle Rest (6/day) (Sp) - 0/6
Touch of Glory (6/day) (Sp) - 0/6
Trail rations - 0/7
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Aura (Ex) The Cleric has an aura corresponding to his deity's alignment.
Cleric Channel Positive Energy 1d6 (3/day) (DC 12) (Su) Positive energy heals the living and harms the undead; negative has the reverse effect.
Cleric Domain (Heroism) Associated Domain: Glory
Cleric Domain (Repose) Granted Powers: You see death not as something to be feared, but as a final rest and reward for a life well spent. The taint of undeath is a mockery of what you hold dear.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Gentle Rest (6/day) (Sp) Melee touch attack staggers target for 1 rd.
Hero Points (1) Hero Points can be spent at any time to grant a variety of bonuses.
Spontaneous Casting The Cleric can convert stored spells into Cure or Inflict spells.
Touch of Glory (6/day) (Sp) Grant +1 to a CHA-based skill or ability check.
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Pathfinder® and associated marks and logos are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC®, and are used under license.
Oh dear, two cleric of the hangman! I'll replace mine.
Again, I want to thank everyone for their submissions. Really, I feel absolutely touched. In a perfect world, I could pick everybody here, but alas that cannot be. I narrowed the list down to 5, but, man, was it down to the wire. There were more than a few character concepts that broke my heart not to be able to include.
But without further ado, here are the players, in no particular order:
1) Yoricks Requiem - Human Female Gunslinger
2) GM Fanguar - Gnome Male Summoner
3) DonJonDux - Gnome Male Alchemist
4) Proioxis - Male Human Cleric
5) Caitlyn Browning - Halfling Female Gunslinger/Spellslinger
Again, everyone who wasn’t selected, I’m really sorry. But I have your information. And in case we need new players for whatever reason, I’ll be sure to contact you. Again, really wish I had the wherewithal to run more people, but it’s just not feasible. Sorry.
For everyone else, here is the Campaign thread. Please head to the Discussion Tab and introduce yourselves. From there you all can coordinate on final build choices, shopping, back stories, etc.
As of now, recruitment is officially closed.