The Shackles of Freeport on the Razor Coast - DM VoV's Piratey Jaunt (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

News on the work front... I have some! Will be mobilising offshore (to an oil rig) on Sunday for anywhere up to 3-4 weeks. The role should continue on and off through till the end of May - which gives a bit more stability to me here (plus means I can get paid again ;).

What it might mean though is that I suddenly drop off the contact map. Until I get offshore I have no clue what their internet filters are or aren't going to pick up... so while I'm hopeful Paizo is still accessible it isn't guaranteed. As long as I can get online I'll pop up a quick howdy - but again given it's a new job and I'll be landing right in the middle of ongoing operations it might take a few days before I get meaningful downtime.

So ultimately smiley face followed by pensive face which is hopefully followed by tired yet professionally satisfied visage.

Hope it works out great all around VoV, but if you wind up getting forced to take a break, we definitely understand!

That's great news! Glad things are turning around. My own work situation has definitely been crazier than anticipated (I've dropped most of my PbP's on the boards to keep up), I can definitely appreciate how busy you're going to be in those first few weeks. Keep us posted though! Hopefully you can still check in. :)

Had a chat elsewhere on the boards with DM VoV. There's good news and bad news on the work front--to the good, he's got connectivity on the rig. To the not so good (for us), he's thoroughly sandbagged with work, and figures he won't have time to devote to GMing before he's ashore again. Which is to say, sometime in the next 1-6 weeks or so.

Indeed - the main issue is not being able to consistently get sufficient time. As a player it's easy enough for the game to carry on without you - but as a DM it makes it a mite more difficult.

So for the forseeable it'll need to remain in pause mode unfortunately.

No worries. Keep it paused and good luck on the rig VoV!

so start again in- (weeks: 1d6 ⇒ 4)?

no worries, we all know it is hella more work to run than play.

There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around...

Have put a couple of posts up in thread - will attempt to keep things burbling along at slow pace whilst offshore this trip... but can't guarantee I'll be each and every day or whatnot.

Saw in another game that DM V is going to be lacking usable Internet access until May.

-Posted with Wayfinder

As you'll realise I'm still in the weeds of doing a 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off rotation on a platform with very little internet access. It's likely to continue on for another 1-2 months at least before I get a change back into (hopefully) an office based role.

So this'll be on hold for that period at least as I'm not really going to be able to get continuity until I'm back in the office. Apologies again, but there's not much I'm able to do about it.

Thanks for the update, mate. Glad you're back ashore.

No worries VoV. Sounds like we'll be kicking back in right around Gen Con. Take care till we're back at it!

No worries VoV. Sounds like we'll be kicking back in right around Gen Con. Take care till we're back at it!

Speaking of Gencon, are any of you guys going? My friends and I are playing in the four horsemen qualifier (pathfinder tourney) on Thursday at noon. It was the most fun I had at Gencon last year. It's a great mix of RP and combat and the GMs pull no punches. Top three teams qualify for the finals on Friday. My team won last year and had lots of fun and got great swag as prizes. We need one more player (it's five man teams) and some (very reasonably priced $12) tickets are still available. Let me know if you're interested and I can give you more info.

Sounds like fun, but I'll be Tier 1 GMing for Paizo in the Sagamore.

Ok... looks like I'm potentially onshore for a longer period of time now - can I get a roll call and statement of continued interest?

Still here, at least until my work gets hairy.

Quillin just snorts, but Smudge flaps up to a yard arm to declare, "Still Here! Still Here!"

Bloody Bek's player has vanished from another PbP I'm in with him, though he may be prepping for a local con coming up in two weeks to the exclusion of all else.

Sadly, I will have to bow out. Too many commitments, not enough time. :-(

Completely understood Mr Rackham - I wish you well.

Well - it's 2/5 at the moment... will give it a bit longer for Twigs and michaelane... but if it's only 2 then it's more likely going to be a bit easier with a half-reboot than a continue?

what do you mean reboot? if we were on our way to Freeport, might as well get there and take on a couple others. I'm not really interested in starting over again.

Sure--resolve the current set-to as is (nothing odd about that coffin, nope nope), send us on to Freeport, and take it from there.

That's kind of what I meant by 'half'-reboot. As in move it forward and start 'afresh' with a new plot thread rather than continue the coffin / sahuagin shenanigans.

Or... what Tipene said :P

I'll give it till Monday and then send out a feeler or two for fresh meat - if you've anyone in mind then I'm more than happy to approach direct as well.

Recruitment post is up now - and I'll look to do a generalized wrap up post in the game thread shortly also.

Sick kids and a work busy wife have been sucking away my spare and available time unfortunately - I'll get the summary post up in thread at some point this weekend though.

If you've got any feelings one way or the other on the submissions - please feel free to drop me a PM.

So here we finally are - with a few more folks for the purpose. Please check in (and throw up a dot on the main thread) and then I'll cast a jaundiced eye over the character sheets in more detail for clarity and confirmation. The game thread will (finally) be updated in the next couple of hours and then we can set to looking to make introductions and whatnot.

Ahoy me hearties! Tordek checking in here (dotting the GP thread soon). I've got him equipmentless at the moment. I figure once we work out how Tordek ends up with the others, I can work out his load out. Also, how do you want the HP for the three levels to shake out? I put in what his absolute max would be, and will adjust down to suit. :)

For HP either take a roll or average round up for levels 2 and 3.

The glue to put the disparate parties together will play out in thread obviously - but assume that you're in Freeport and essentially unencumbered by plans and wandering about the city.

Good deal. I will go ahead and acquire him some gear then. :)

HP2: 1d8 ⇒ 8
HP3: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Checkin in

Good to see that we're all present and accounted for and that the game thread's been tagged.

I will get all the fresh faces involved in the action quickly and shortly based on where Quillin and Tipene end up being headed first. While it should hopefully be partially organic... there may need to be a bit of railroad acceptance - as there always is when it comes to new group members. Will be plain enough when it plays out though.

A quick by the way - I'll be off on a wee travel jaunt for my son's rugby down to Malacca starting tomorrow for four days. Outcome means that I'll be down to just my phone, and will be intermittent and less verbose than usual.

Anything on the poker chips?

Worth a bit of in thread discussion on the next step - as it'll have a fair impact on what happens moving forwards...

i actually acquired a Besmaran Tricorn earlier on and kinda miss it. might I have that back as part of my 3rd level loot?

But of course.

First day in a new (office-based) work placement - so will be heads down bum up in an attempt to make a good impression :P

Will post tonight after the apartment Halloween do.

Lacking any additional input - I'll assume you're all happy following Quillin along t'wards his lemure blood acquisition.

Just a reminder that the game only really works when we have more than just a couple of us playing? I know Quillin is here and engaged, and Tipene is as well (though a bit busier hence the silence)... but we need to get more engagement from the newly arrived if we're going to make something here.

A number of different things have happened in thread for you to react to:
The dead guy in the bar
The stack of casino chips with him
One of your party has gotten a hint that you're being followed
One of your party just dealt a back room deal for devil's blood

Any of these could be used to react to, or you could ignore it and go off in another direction... all things are possible - but it needs engagement.

Ask questions (in character), query, express interest, express disinterest, choose life!

Sorry about the absence, had a big week in both work and school.

As an aside - if you guys would prefer to bug out of Freeport and jump on a boat, I can roll with that.

This game isn't planned months in advance, it's written out in response to what you guys engage with and dig down deeper into. If you'd like to hang around in Freeport that's cool (it's a funky town) - but if you'd prefer to get waveborne, then that can also work. Either as middling crewmembers, or if you're more adventurous there's parties that will lend to you at 'attractive' rates and you could try and set out as privateers in your own right.

Tordek would prefer being on the waves. I don't care one way or the other.

It likely makes sense to find the gambling house, see if we can't cash out some chips. Possibly even see if some lost in his cups schmoe is willing to put his ship on the line for a bet (only 80% joking about that bit). Also, gambling houses are usually good hives of scum and villainy that could be profitable for individuals of our unique talents.

Tipene is thinking in terms of likely ships we could run to if things go pear-shaped while we try to find out why the late gentleman entered, stage left, dying. After all, the key has to open something, and it might be treasure.

Is scurvytown still non-human unfriendly?

Yes - but the gambling house is relatively neutral ground. So long as you move in close to opening you won't cop any flak.

I am just as good in town as on a ship. However, it's much easier being a pirate on a ship :)

How long until opening? sounds like we have time to hit the docks first.

Yep - more than enough time to scope things out.

Bedtime for me, but will chuck up a denouement tomorrow.

Blergh - crazy weekend, will get a post up come morning sometime.

I know the feeling. My weekend was the good kind of crazy, though. I was at an SF con, and only had phone access. My daughter won Best in Show at the masquerade, though, and we're all pretty chuffed about that.

Going a while back now I started up a pirate PbP looking to crib from all the sources that I have on hand - which covers Paizo content, Razor Coast and lastly from Freeport. Unfortunately after getting into it... I had a work change that meant I had to put a 7 month pause on the game. The work change has changed back now though - and I've got the time and inclination to get things going again!

However (as would be understandable given the time lag) I'm down a few piratical souls. I've got two sailors still salty (a Bloodrager and a Conjurer), and am looking to give them another three friends. That's where you come in :)

The party will be landed up in Freeport - which is where the new recruits will join the party. Build rules are relatively relaxed - 3rd level, 20 pt buy, 2 traits... pretty close to PFS standard... however more important is a general idea of what you'd be looking to play. I'm fairly grognardy when it comes to races though (I'd prefer PF / RC / Freeport core) though Aasimar and Tieflings are on the table as well.

As to the campaign - it'll be a mix of seafaring, island hopping and grungy city adventuring through the combined world of Freeport, Razor Coast, the Maelstrom and the Shackles.

Any questions or queries please let me know.

Definitely interested.

Gonna have to rewatch Black Sails to get some real good inspiration :-)

Hmmm... My other games have slowed down considerably at least one of which looks like it is dying. Piratey fun sounds good for my finesse fighter type of style. I will submit something shortly.

Questions:
1)starting wealth?
2)Drawback allowed for extra trait?
3)hit point method?

Any Alignment Restriction?

Hmm... Tentatively interested.

I do have a couple of concepts that could work, either a Swashbuckler or a Fighter with options from the Weapon Master's and Armor Master's Handbooks.

Still, I do need a bit of time to think about it. A question: How fast or how slow a pace are you expecting to keep?

Galahad - starting wealth would be standard for 3rd level, no issues with drawback for extra trait and hit points are either rounded up average or rolled - your choice.

Radavel - alignment is Pirate? - as in, shades of grey rather than black or white.

F. Castor - about once a day for weekdays is the aim.

Ok. N to CN then hehehehe

Survivor from Freeport Companion is allowed, right?

How do you feel about Spheres of Power ? I ask because you mentioned relaxed build standards (though "close to PFS standard" right after). You may remember me from 3+ of your previous games, so you know I'm not up to shenanigans.

I've an idea that fits great IMO with a pirate campaign. A bit of a storm mage type. Depending on the nature of the party and campaign, i could lean more druid-y or more wizard-y. In game terms it would almost certai ly be an Incanter.

As for race, I am picturing Human unless there is a more common race, which I might then consider.

Hi DM! Nice to see another pirate game :) Definitely interested, since the other game I'm in is fairly slow right now.

Bonus is to get in a group with Galahad, a good personal friend. @DM, he's a good player to have around and a good RP'er!

Are goblins fair game? ;)

Radavel - Survivor is fine... but in the latest edition of the player's companion (which is the one I'm using / referring to) it was changed from a whole class to a Fighter / Monk archetype.

Tenro - I've a relatively open mind for any 3PP that's freely available on the web (like Spheres is), but would judge it more on how it's actually put together and functions as a complete whole.

The Chess - Goblin would be a fairly difficult sell. While they are in Freeport... they're also likened to roaches and rats. I'd prefer not to.

Alrighty. I should have some time in the coming days to put an idea together.

Which version do you think would be more suitable to the setting, campaign, and party? The more scholarly mage with a penchant for lightning bolts, or the nature-worshipping sort who might heal as often as harm?

I'll have to re-read source material for Freeport, is there a place you recommend I start?

Reading up on Freeport isn't necessary - you could be just as easily from the Shackles and recently arrived.

I tend to not give any guidance on preference with characters one way or the other - just put forward whichever you'd prefer to play.

Very cool looking! Would you be open to Path of War and the various maneuver classes? It is all available for free at d20pfsrd.com.

DM Voice! I definitely like the idea of a pirate game, and I definitely remember enjoying your games before things exploded in my life and I had to leave the forums behind. No idea what I'd want to play, but I'm definitely interested.

I was, among others probably, Ignac Takacs, the graveknight armiger in your Envoy of Geb campaign. I just got back onto the forums, actually. Been a few years.

Edit: I'm pretty sure I remember you, Tenro, from a few campaigns as well.

Greetings DM VoV.

The idea of a seafaring, pirate adventure is appealing. That being said, I would like to submit Lysandra Eventide, a Sea Singer Bard, as a potential recruit.

I would certainly have to change a few things on the build, as she is currently built as a 1st level character that was originally made for a Skull and Shackles game.

Tanner - open, yes - though KISS principle applies. Ie, as long as it's fairly straightforward to understand.

Edgar - welcome back... I kind of didn't leave :P Though I can understand the life exploding side of things.

Talomyr - no need to update the build at this point assuming you'd keep it single classed?

I believe that would be the plan.

Radavel - Survivor is fine... but in the latest edition of the player's companion (which is the one I'm using / referring to) it was changed from a whole class to a Fighter / Monk archetype.

Gonna submit a monk on musha shougyo instead. Don't have that update.

Sounds good. I'm going to make a ranged Stalker, focusing on Solar Wind maneuvers. He will go into the Phoenix Champion PrC in a few levels.

Praise the Sun!

Heya - I like nautical adventures! I play in a couple games with @Talomyr above, so I might do something that ties in with his character in some way. I'm currently leaning toward something fighter/rogue-ish - should have a build up in a day or two.

I love the pirate thing and I would really like to build towards the Master of Storms prestige class. I bring the thunder. Mechanically she will be specializing in evocation and conjuration.

Regina would need to be reworked a little. I gotta lose some levels and loot. I do not know much about Razor Coast or Freeport so she would defiantly be from somewhere else.

The rough of my idea for her is that she was a student in the Acadame In the city of Korvosa but she was never able to grasp the lessons. To flee the money she owed for her schooling she stowed away on a ship. She kept them from throwing her overboard by promising to use her magic if they got into trouble and that she would clean. That ship was heading to Freeport.

As to for her reasoning for being willing to join with pirates is that she is rather young and very impulsive. Piracy is also rather lucrative and she is in need of gold. The idea of sailing the seas and doing as she pleases sounds like the ideal life. I am sure she is in for a hard awakening but that is part of the fun!

She is a generally happy and very energetic person. Overly enthusiastic and slightly naive.

Um, Mark, is the One Ring still existing in this Freeport? You know the bare-knuckles, no holds-barred tournament area.

Radavel - yep, One Ring is still present.

Great. Already have a concept and the stats to go with it. Just a matter of copying the stats from one of my aliases and editing it to conform with the rules :-)

Working on a rogue :) very piratey one.

If Dreamscarred Press is potentially on the table, is Dreamscarred Press Playtest material on the table? If so, I've got a gnarly Dwarven poisoner psychic warrior that I think would fit pretty well, with a little fiddling. I can get you a link to the playtest document when I get home tonight.

also, what is your stance regarding Campaign Traits? I'm not dying to take any of them specifically, but I was wondering if you were looking for their use or if any of them related to Freeport/Shackles/etc would come up.

As for my character concept, I am leaning towards making Besmara a central theme and going very heavily with that flavor. Everyone loves a Besmaran on ship and Besmarans love to be on ship so that makes things very easy and natural.

I've been toying with a Dwarven Besmaran Cleric build for a while now, let me see if I can get her fleshed out a bit.

I'm submitting Mahlugul for your consideration.

BEORN THE DIVINE STEPPING UP FOR ADVENTURE ON THE HIGH SEAS! DUE TO A RATHER UNAPPRICIATIVE AUDIANCE BACK IN CHELIAX THAT DID NOT LIKE HIS SATIRE ON THE THRUNES, I HAVE FOUND MYSELF EXPANDING MY HORIZENS IN OTHER LOCATIONS.

Hey Beorn! I remember that game. :)

My home pirate game died months ago and I LOVE pirate themes!
I'll put together either a Bard Sea Singer or a Skald. Or maybe a Shark Shaman/Druid

Welcome welcome one and all and all and one, as a frame of reference I'll probably have this open until at least early next week before locking down and starting to scratch my head over the whos and whats.

Campaign traits are not really on the table as they tend to be tied to specific adventures which won't be what we're doing.

Dreamscarred will be considered.

It looks like the playtest document has been updated, with the archetype I was planning on using completely having been removed. How unfortunate. I'll spend a bit of time figuring out another concept, since I don't really anticipate poisoning being (for me) fun nor particularly reliable enough to focus on otherwise.

However, I think I've found a suitable alternative, in the Cannoneer archetype for Marksman. Swinging around a Culverin as a greatclub, when I'm not blasting it in the faces of my enemies, sounds perfectly pirate-y to me, and I've got some ideas for backstory rattling around in my head. I'll get an actual submission together in the next day or so. Whether I'm chosen or not, I'm already liking the sounds of this character.

is there a lot of ship to ship combat?

Deaths - not really no, there will be abstracted combat potentially - but I haven't yet found an easy way to integrate ship v ship combat into a party focused PbP.

So it'll be there, but I wouldn't build a character around it.

Ok then. I was in a live S&S game that has died and the ship to ship combat was long and brutal. We tended to avoid it. I am will being going with the sorcerer I posted with earlier.

Elik Hulu, Mwangi native-turned pirate post-colonialization, and his trusty sidekick, Belcher, ready and willing(sans a more detailed background, which I'm workin' on now), I believe.

I'll have my character put together tomorrow most likely, it'll be a Besmaran/Gozren (superstitious old salt more than divine worshipper) pirate-mage focused on weather effects, some lightning, water manipulation, and I will try to fit some trickery in there since INT and Human race will give me a decent amount of skill points (and I'm not going classic Wizard where I have to fill in all knowledge skills).

- What is the standard climate/weather for the area we will be in?

- What do you see our city:ship ratio to be? 50:50? 25:75?

Background, though somewhat meager, I feel, has been added! Still have a few ideas to incorporate Belcher with, since he's been left woefully neglected.

Tenro - tropical and a mite bit swampy would be predominate, and the initial chunk of PbP will be in and around Freeport before setting out a sail.

Where is Freeport going to be located in relation to Sargava, the shackles, etc? Will black powder weapons show up from time to time, or are pirates more inclined to use crossbows and bows for ranged engagements?

Talomyr checking back in. Lysandra is pretty much ready to go, with the possible exception of any minor background tweaks that may occur should Jesse Heinig submits something that would have some background pieces in common with her.

I submit Bron Morgan for your consideration.

I still need to do equipment. If permissible, I will do that upon selection.

Elik - it's all in a wibbly wobbly circle around the maelstrom.

Guns shall exist though rarely.

Alright, just wanted to make sure a Culverin wouldn't be hugely out of place to begin with.

One last question: Would you be willing to allow for an alchemical cartridge specifically made for the culverin, priced somewhere around 4 times the cost of a regular alchemical round? As-is, culverin requires 4 doses of black powder and 4 handfuls of pellets.

Hectic weekend. I will put my character up this evening.

I'm definitely interested, and thinking of making a hydrokineticist/druid, most likely an undine if that would be okay. I'll either have it up later today or tomorrow.