When a mysterious experiment draws together the Plane of Shadows and the Plane of Negative Energy, strange things are born, and a world begins to unravel |
The country is called Vologna, and it found on the northwest part of Ibalnd (a small island continent off of the West Coast of Emalia). It is a place of windswept mountains, deep mysterious valleys, and treacherous bogs.
The Town is called Connie’s Bright, and it is a coastal town of the Bay of Mericalnd.
The Tavern is called Two Barrels, and it is near the pier, a stone’s throw from the flat wall that extends out into the bay where Connie’s Bright Lighthouse sits.
The Barman is called Nigel. The barmaid is called Holly, and there are three patrons in the bar tonight
Nathaniel Boote, a Halfling, and a man of the law.
Tessrimea Neissomat, a Gymnagaopthian priestess, from the north coast, a land called Drasbia
Paulina Southmiller, a Dwarven woman, from across the sea, a place called Holdandun
These three sit separately, quietly, and each is deep in thought
Four people have been murdered in the last three weeks. Their bodies found just outside of town, to the northwest, near the Shadow Moor. The Shire Reeve of Connie’s Bright will not talk about the murders beyond saying, the people were not locals, but were all travelers, and that they were all strangled to death, and their bodies defiled.
How about an Open RPG? Create a first level character, with an 18 point build, no restrictions, 150 starting gold, any race (from the PRDs), any class. Enter the tavern of Two Barrels and talk to the people who are there. You’ve just arrived, on a ship from the south or the east. The mountains to the north of Connie’s Bright, are rumored to be rich with ruins filled with treasure, or so you’ve heard, but something dangerous prowls the nights. Can you help the town end the reign of terror of the Strangler of the Shadow Moor?
Male Halfling Paladin/3 | Init +2, P +2 | HP: 16/25 | AC 19, T 13, FF 17 | F +8, R +7, W +6 | CMD 14 (Wisdom currently 9)
"Good Evening, Sir. I don't believe we've met. My name is Nathaniel Boote, but my friends call me Artegal," the Halfling says with a smile.
“I am a bit off, today, sir, a bit off is an excellent way of describing it. You see, it all started a week ago, but wait, where are my manners, please, have a seat and tell me your name and what brings you to Connie’s Bright. I, for one, hold on,” he leans away from the table and calls to the maid of the tavern.
She is a young red haired woman, a human girl, with a thin frame, and square shoulders. Her eyes are golden brown, and she has a wide warm smile that she flashes when Artegal calls her name.
”Holly, Holly, can we have a bottle of wine here, please? So, where was I? Yes, Connie’s Bright. I come from Eshia, to the west. It is a small country of Emalia, and I came here looking for my brother, but there seems to be no sign of him here and I was thinking of setting off for Basconde, then I heard about these murders, yes, friend, murders. Something awful plagues this town.”
Male Halfling Paladin/3 | Init +2, P +2 | HP: 16/25 | AC 19, T 13, FF 17 | F +8, R +7, W +6 | CMD 14 (Wisdom currently 9)
”Awful is an understatement, Edward. You see it’s like this. You don’t have to believe me. Ask around, find out for yourself. I’ve heard some people say that as many as ten people, all newcomers to this town, have been murdered. Their bodies found out near the moors just to the west of town. So, naturally,” Nathaniel leans back in his chair and crosses his arms, “when I heard about this I went right to the Shire Reeve, a woman by the name of Allyson Docker, and offered my assistance in the search for the killer, but,” suddenly he leans forward and points a finger at Edward, ”You tell me what reason she would have for this. She told me to stay away from the moors, and keep muyself locked in at night. She told me, basically, to mind my own business, and that she didn’t need any more strangers causing trouble in her town. Think of that, refusing help, when there is obviously something out there that is killing people. It just makes no sense, you know, unless, unless she’s hiding something, protecting someone. I’ve recently begun wondering if it could be the work of a cult. Maybe its ritualistic, or something like that. Maybe, maybe someone in this town is pacifying an evil and that’s just not right.”
Male Halfling Paladin/3 | Init +2, P +2 | HP: 16/25 | AC 19, T 13, FF 17 | F +8, R +7, W +6 | CMD 14 (Wisdom currently 9)
"It is late, and she will be at home, I imagine, and I don't know where that is. Also, I've had, ahem, a difficult time dealing with her, so perhaphs you should go alone, or ask someone who hasn't already spoken to her to go with you. But, Edward, please, be careful. The tavern keeper here is a friend of the Inn Keeper next door, and helped me secure a room while I'm here. Don't be out in the dark alone, please, be safe.If you are willing to wait until morning, the office of the Shire Reeve and jail for this town is a tall wooden building next to the Town Hall, across from the Temple, the one made of white stone. It is in the center of the town, just to the northeast of here, you can't miss it."
I'm assuming Android is allowed. They even talk a bunch on this thread about the race!
A person walks into the tavern. They walk fluidly, but there is a noticeable mechanical element to their movement, always stepping in perfect tempo and arms moving at a precise distance from their lithe body every time.
Their skin is pale and strange circuitry-like markings that look like faintly glowing tattoos are all over their body, most noticeably at the right side of their neck and in circles around their arms. Two bandoliers wrap around their chest and a large metal contraption that some may identify as a musket is strapped to their back.
The person stops. They turn their head, looking at the room. Their hair is a bright artificial red and a metallic sheen covers their blue eyes; their gaze passes from person to person before they rest on the barman.
They approach.
"This unit requires accommodations for this night," they say, words smooth and direct. Their voice is androgynous, like the rest of them. "Direct this unit to the nearest lodging."
Gawd, gawd, gawd, I am so tempted to have the Barman say in as gruff a voice as possible, "hey, we don't serve their kind in here, your droids leave them outside...but no. Yeah let's see where this goes.
”Welcome to Two barrels,” Nigel says to the strange “man” like person. ”Sure thing, stranger. I’ll send Holly over to the Blue Roof and see if they’ve got any rooms left. While you wait, can I interest you in a drink, perhaps? Whiskey, ten years in the wood, straight from southern Eshia, or I’ve Basconde’s finest wines, and beer by the pint, or quart if you’ve a mind for that.Make yourself comfortable.”
“The name is Parker, Ma’am, Parker Andersen,” The short man in the long, dark coat said as he extended his hand. “I was told you needed someone with my skills. I’m not often ready to take a job for the IRS, but this fellow that works for you, Sandin, was his name, seemed awfully serious, and mentioned a large figure, six figures, in fact. So, what’s the story?”
Her name, Margaret Band, was printed in bold letters on the badge she wore hanging on a lanyard around her neck. She was a tall, Elven woman, with sharp features, a set of dark green eyes, and blond hair pushed back behind long slender ears. She smiled, and Parker liked her smile, he liked her look, he liked her shape, and maybe, when the deal was worked out, he’d ask he if he could buy her a drink, but as she was a ranking officer in the Interplanetary Relief Society, he didn’t get his hopes up.
“Mister Andersen,” She said, as she opened a sealed memory carrier on her desk, “We have received a transmission form a field operative, a scout living among locals on a protected planet in the Candle District. According to my sources, you’ve visited this world on more than one occasion, twice without proper licensing or permits, and in both those cases you somehow managed to get a suspended judgment. Now I see here,” she said looking at a holo-sythidoc on her desk, “that in both of these examinations, the examiner was later involved in a romantic situation with you, one of these women ended up leaving her post to follow you to the next system, where you set her up as an imports and exports credit conversion auditor for Express Services Limited, a company you are a partner with, is this correct?”
Parker did not take offense to the accusations. She had it pretty much dead to rights. He looked her straight into the top pair of her four eyes, and faked it.
“Now, that’s far enough, Missus Band. Did I come here to be arrested? Are you holding a class nine warrant, because if you aren’t you can just,” he said tightening the muscles in his neck.
“No, sir, not at all, although,” she purred, “I should tell you that as a Captain in the IRS, I don’t need a class nine warrant to hold you, sir. I can have you detained for up to ninety standard terran days, simply to watch your hair grow. But I have no intention of arresting you, and it’s Misses Band. I’m not married.”
Parker grinned. It was one of his best moves. He removed his fedora, an ancient garment, a hat they called them. Something he purchased twenty years ago from a vintage collector travelling through Lighthouse when Parker was still working as a beat cop, patrolling the lab districts.
“I need you help Mister Andersen,” She went on, and then opened the memory carrier. She took the small cylinder and placed it on the reader on the corner of her desk. A Thermo-vid image began to play above the reader. It showed what looked to Parker to be a regular pub, or perhaps a tavern, the interior, a few patrons sitting at tables minding their own business. Then, sure as space is cold, into this old world style pub walks a centuries old Class II M.A.R.V.I.N. unit, carrying what looked to Parker like a very old black powder rifle.
The M.A.R.V.I.N. unit spoke to the barman, and then took up a conversation with what appeared to be a local. The translators of the Memory cylinder were working slowly, and the words these people were saying were being slowly displayed, with some minor errors of syntax, across the bottom of the scene.
“So,” Parker leaned back and folded his arms, “You telling me that a class II android, from what, two maybe three hundred years ago, is active on this protected planet, and I’m guessing it’s not one of yours and you want me to find out how it got there. Is that it?”
“No, Mister Andersen, we pretty much know how it got there. Are you familiar with the crash of the Hospital Ship Contagion?”
“Sure, I’ve read the novelization. I’ve seen all the movies they made about that, but didn’t it crash on Hamth? Wait, are you saying the world in the Candle System you want me to go back to is Hamth, and you want me to go there, why exactly? To shut this thing down? Any one of your cadets could pull that off. Why do you need me?”
“If you are familiar with Hamth, Mister Andersen, then you know that black powder weapons do not function on that world, something about a powerful wish tied to a source of magic that is the reason for this world's protected status, but our agent has filled this report, and confirmed that this weapon does not come from the wreckage of the Contagion. If it functions, as we suspect it does, and it would be consistent with three other reports recently filled from this world, then something has changed. Something very serious has changed on the world of Hamth. And we want to know what that is. We have nineteen field agents living on Hamth, but no one with your experience and contacts. Currently, where this report was filled, there is some kind of local disturbance taking place, one we, naturally will not get involved in, but it could be the perfect cover for you. I’d like you to take this job. I’m prepared to offer you four hundred thousand now and another four hundred thousand if you find the source of this change in the world’s normal patterns. I have a contract, and because I was feeling particularly confident you’d say yes, I took the liberty of having Miss Shelly Danvers review it for you. I’m sure you trust her expertise.” She handed Parker the contract.
“Shelly, you say,” he laughed. “Boy I miss her, she was something special. I really need to get back around to that system someday.”
Ibalnd, Vologna, Connie’s Bright, Two Barrels Tavern, Night (approximately 9:00 pm)
Nigel speaks with Holly. The young girl smiles, and then looks passed Nigel, at the strange looking man, and her brow wrinkles but she quickly regains her composure and smiles toward the three men.
Holly wipes her hands on her apron and cheerfully bounds off through the door into the night while Edward introduces the strange man to Nathaniel.
Hands are offered all around, Nigel brings a pitcher of water to the table, and just as he sets it down there is a blood curdling scream from outside that echoes through the tavern.
The dwarven woman jumps from her chair and dashes for the door. The beautiful Gymnaga girl sways to the side, and lowers her torso down so that her arms are only a foot above the floor and then she slithers quickly behind the dwarven woman.
male Wayang Eysterlun Shadowcaster 4 | AC 21*, T 15, FF 19* |HP: 23/23 | F +3, R +3, W +3? | Init +2, P +4 |CMB 0 CMD 12| 1/4 Void Points
As Captain Curnow and MARVIN exit the tavern, a strange wind, which seems to momentarily numb without chilling, sweeps across them from the direction of the sea - which is strange, because the wind hadn't been coming from there. They look out into the sea beyond the pier and see an odd spectacle something like this.
Staggering onto the edge of the pier is a small, gaunt, very dark man in the garb of some strange foreign land, nonetheless unmistakable as aristocratic finery. He eventually manages to halt himself, and his eyes meet theirs in the dim light: Though vacant and seemingly not at all well at first, a spark rises in them as he mouths the words: "Sasithorn Xuwicha Thaang Loom."
His face then abruptly brightens, almost, it would seem, at the somehow-necessary expense of what little light is around him, and he leaps in a flamboyant about-face, looks over the ocean and into the sky, and makes a rude gesture toward the heavens.
"Sasithorn Xuwicha Thaang Loom, and DON'T YOU FORGET IT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!"
Suddenly remembering eyes behind him, he reverses his facing once again, makes a small bow (more of a 30-degree tilt, really), and extends his left hand toward the two in front of him, even though they are several feet apart.
"Sasithorn of Storied House Thaang Loom, at your service, I represent the Wayang nation, how do you do?" A strange look, bearing just a hint of inner distress, crosses his face, almost like a trick of the light. "Umm...where am I?"
Here is a link to a Drop Box folder that shows the Encounter. The blue outlined boxes are supposed to be water, the brown outline boxes are buildings and the black outline box is a sea wall, you can walk on the top of it, that extends to the Connie's Bright Lighthouse. The Barmaid is the blonde surrounded by strange black creatures with huge mouths and many tentacles. Let's call it Round 1, and have everyone roll for Initiative
A Halfling fellow, carrying a Pole Weapon of some kind, with a leather guard laced over the head of the weapon, shouts to the dark stranger calling himself, Sassithorn
Nathaniel Did you hear a scream? What direction did it come from?
Anyone else interested in joining, just jump right in...
Once everyone has gathered in the street, Nathaniel turns to the pretty Dwaven maid and says, ”You and I should go this way” (he points to the west),” and the rest of you should go that way” (he points to the east)
The Gymnaga woman rises up to stand on her knee bone and looks worried for a moment.
Marvin:
You are almost certain that the scream from behind the building on your right, facing the Tavern. There is an Alley there
Monster initiative:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Monster Info:
These monsters are a unique creature that draws life from the Negative Energy Plane and the Shadow Plane. They share some traits with Undead Creatures, though they are not technically Undead Types. They have the following pertinent information| Str 12, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Chr 14| HP 10 (2d8 +2)| Melee, 4 tentacles +3, Damage d4+1 + grab, + Paralysis (Fort DC 12)
”We have an advantage in numbers and the disadvantage of not knowing what we are up against. Should we separate? I think we should stay together. Don’t you?” She looks at Marvin, and then at Edward, and then glances over her shoulder toward the shadowy figure by the sea. ”Should we trust that one?”
"Position calculated with negligible loss of accuracy," MARVIN says. "The sound originated approximately forty feet northeast from our current position. Previous data concludes origin to be the alley behind the building facing the tavern."
male Wayang Eysterlun Shadowcaster 4 | AC 21*, T 15, FF 19* |HP: 23/23 | F +3, R +3, W +3? | Init +2, P +4 |CMB 0 CMD 12| 1/4 Void Points
Sasithorn's gaze meets Tessrimea's. "A shadow follows my shadow...Tessrimea! How splendid to see you!" He abruptly blinks. "We know each other, correct?"
"Are you mad, sir? I've never seen you before in my life." The Gymnaga woman exclaims.
"Please, Sir, I did not learn your name," she slithers up next to Edward. "Take who, exactly? Do you think we should follow the instructions of this curious speaking foreigner? Is there some menace you are aware of? I don’t see anything.”
Finally she turns to Marvin and exclaims, ”Oh, yes I understand now what you are saying. The sound came from over there,” she points to the alley.
male Wayang Eysterlun Shadowcaster 4 | AC 21*, T 15, FF 19* |HP: 23/23 | F +3, R +3, W +3? | Init +2, P +4 |CMB 0 CMD 12| 1/4 Void Points
Sasithorn's face is blank for a moment as Tessrimea's words register. He takes a moment to look back out at the sea before running up to join the others.
Thaang Loom, he thinks to himself. This is what we do. This is what we are....
”Do you think this strange being with the coppery hair can see in the dark? By the way, I am called Tessrimea, or Tess for short. I saw you talking with the Halfling earlier, he’s been here for a couple of days but is mostly a quiet fellow, you know I…”
She stops and screams when suddenly a strange black shadowy shape comes into the alley toward the north.
It is about the strangest think you have ever seen. It has no legs, to speak of, nor any kind of real body. Even in the dim light of the moon and stars you can see that it is semi-spherical, a round shape that seems to have undefined edges. It rolls, or actually a better description would be it bops across the ground as it moves by dragging itself with tentacles. You do not see any eyes, but it definitely has a mouth. As the thing rolls and bumps up and down over its own legs you see a gaping maw filled with small sharp teeth for a moment and then the thing is rolling again, and it is coming toward you.
Knowledge(whatever Applies):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Move 6 squares to A8 and attack the one in front of me Attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 for Damage:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Male Dwarf Stone Oracle/Fighter(Weapon Master) 1/3 I AC 18, T 17 I FF 17 I HP 40/40 I Saves F: 4, R: 2, W: 3 I Init: +1, Per: +1
*Hearing a commotion behind his new favorite bar in town, a dwarf covered in furs of the northern lands approaches the scene, seeing the tentacled thing he yells out*
"Back to whatever hell you crawled out of"
If possible I will move within range of the group and cast bless and wait for a token of my bad self to be put on the board
I've had a really busy week and got put on a project to design and build an automated robotic bar code reader for 55 gallon drums, just been swamped, but I will get back on this game this weekend.
Edward rushes headlong toward the strange apparition and is surprised when the thing shoots out three thread like tentacles that attack his legs trying to trip him up
AoO, Melee Slam+Trip:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 Damage From Slam if >16:1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 CM, Trip versus CMD 14:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
The tentacles slap at Edwards legs raising welts that sting and pulse with something unnatural. He stumbles in his headlong rush and falls prone to the ground right in front of the monster
Edward – takes 5 points of non lethal Damage, and is prone in B,7
Just as Edward falls to the ground, Marvin steps around the corner and fires a shot from his musket aiming at the body of the strange creature. The bullet strikes the body and appears to pass through the shadowy substance that is part real and part miasma of night, pulling some of the creature’s body away as it exits the other side.
Marvin, please make a Perception Check, you are trying to beat a 13
Meanwhile
the other two monsters drag away the body of the fallen bar maid, moving slowly
move 10 feet to where Holy is at –E,7
The monster that tripped Edward, turns and begins to flee
moves to –D,6
Sasithorn runs toward the commotion from the pier and throws a bolt of pure shadows at the fleeing monster. He has a gut feeling that the monster is somehow connected to the plane of Shadows, and immediately begins to regret attacking it with essence summoned forth from the very same plane where this creature may originate, luckily he misses, and has time to rethink his strategy.
Tessrimea steps around the corner and reaches down to the ground to collect a few pebbles while she begins casting a spell.
Tess – casting magic Stone
Paulina and Nathaniel run around the west side of the building and encounter another Dwarf
Paulina, Nathaniel, and Xor are behind the Tavern, and just now see two shadowy, tentacle blobs coming from the east side of the tavern, and headed toward them, the monsters are 30’ away from Xor, who I have not placed on the map yet, but will be at –E,-1
This will be the Discussion Thread for the adventure
“The Strangler of the Shadow Moor”
Here I’ll share details about the setting, and explain things that are happening in the Game Thread if there is confusion.
It would make me smile if the Players would use this thread to get to know one another’s characters, and talk to one another about questions they are thinking about.
Male Elf Cleric 4 | AC (17), T (12), FF (15) |HP: 29/29 (0 NL) | F +4, R +4, W +7 | Init +3, Perc +7 |CMD 16
Checking in. The player's Helio, and the character's Diarmal Illsutra.
Diarmal's a wandering priest of Desna. He's more of a noncombatant, support-type priest, who just seeks to bring a bit of peace and calm to an otherwise dangerous world. I imagine this gets him wrapped up into all kinds of trouble, of course. He's a little bit of a pacifist, and extremely loyal to his friends and family - he'd toss himself in front of the proverbial bullet for them.
Gameplay-wise, he'll probably focus on support spells and actions in combat, maybe dipping into teamwork feats that other people will find useful. If he actually does need to hurt something, he's got a bow. But with that poor strength score, I wouldn't hold out much hope for that.
@GDM: Does the elven goddess have a name? Even if we keep her mechanics the same as Desna for simplicity's sake, I feel really bad misnaming an entity in your setting. As someone who likes to write in their free time, I feel like I'm committing a crime!
I know I’m putting out a lot of nonsense here, please forgive me. My first goal with this game will continue to be to keep it light, and somewhat silly, but I realize some players like a bit of detail with their silly, so…
Drasbian Deities (this is a short description of the three Elven(Drasbian) Gods most commonly worshipped by “good” Drasbians)
Tarclughlin – the Older brother, Chaotic Good – the Hunter
Darvroan Nirish – the Younger brother, Lawful Good – The Hearth Master
Shailo Aisling* (or simply Aisling the Wise) – the young wife, Neutral Good – the luck winner, the secret keeper
*pronounced somewhat like “Ashley”
Also – everyone in this setting would be familiar with at least one Beauvingian God, and her name is Moloween Sonumb
There is a possibility that a Beauvingian or two will be around – they are arrogant, racist, and prideful. The Beauvingians see themselves as the most civilized people of the whole world (they can claim, rightly, that their empire is the oldest). They are built, in game terms, using the rules for “Half-Orcs” but there are no actual Half-Orcs as a player character race in this setting. (If you wanted something of the flavor of a Half-Orc without all the contentious “rape” references, you would be playing a Beauvingian).
Moloween Sonumb
also called:
The masked goddess
Keeper of secrets
The dream bearer
She who brings forth the truth
Justice
The uncontrolled heart
Punisher of the unfaithful
About Moloween:
Among the Gods, Goddesses, and other spirits worshiped on the world of Hamth, Moloween Sonumb is seeing the end of her power and influence drawing ever closer as people turn away from the old Gods to embrace the new.
Moloween is one of the truly ancient Goddesses, and some say perhaps the second oldest Goddess. Images and cultural references to the Dream Bearer are nearly as old as those of Hamth, the Mother Goddess of the world.
Moloween is normally portrayed as a female of perfect form, tall and imposing, but with facial features that are always changing depending on her mood. In art she is rendered as a Beauvingian woman, a “Zavarian”, or even at times a Human woman, with a billowing dress, and wearing either a mask that makes her appear beautiful, or hideously ugly. In her right hand she holds a rod, that signifies her aspect as a bringer of justice, and her left hand is swirled and obscured in a misty grey cloud.
She is seen as the entity responsible for dreams, both delightful, and painful, and in more primitive times when it was believed that the truth of a person’s convictions were revealed through their dreams, she was worshiped as the deity responsible for visiting upon folk who lied, cheated, or otherwise caused harm, the painful dreams of a guilty conscious.
She is also seen as the spirit who brings dreams of lust and desire, though she should not be confused with Whuloriel, the Goddess of Love (altruistic or true love). In some stories Moloween is portrayed as a lover scorned, or a woman who upon telling a great secret, usually her greatest desire, is betrayed, and as the story unfolds she is seen transforming from an innocent victim to a powerful enforcer of justice, not ultimate justice as seen in the forms of Haglod, the God of Death, but a form of justice in which the guilty is locked away from all human contact, or shunned. Sometimes the form of justice, or punishment she metes out takes the form of causing the guilty to become invisible, which at first appears to the guilty as a boon, but becomes a terrible burden as they realize that if no one can see them then they can never convince anyone they really exist (the story of Yamil and Theline is a story using this theme).
It is believed that there are still places where Moloween is revered as a protector, but mostly people invoke her name when they speak of bad or portentous dreams.
Hello! Here is Rydwen Illsutra, elven hunter of a highland clan. She is second cousin to Diarmal...though instead of his wanderings she feels it's only acceptable to remain with her "village" and do their will. Her branch of the family is remote and isolationist, and as a result her accent is even thicker than normal.
She is a swamp ranger specializing in bogs and other rainy/muddy "Scottish" places. Her affinities have some limited extension if the party ever finds themselves dealing with the oceans or water in other forms.
A proud hunter, she uses two-weapon fighting with some combination of her shortspears, net or dagger. She prefers her missile weapons thrown and feels bows and fireballs are cheating; she looks down upon things that do not take effort, particularly muscle effort. She wears wooden armor and a kilt; much of her gear looks barbarian style, except for a few random bits she scavenges here and there. As a Drasbian elf in GMD's Hamth she currently excels in swamp and mountain terrain, but does not yet have much sway in forests as traditional elfs do (just wanted to warn y'all!) Her country is one of unforgiving beauty.
She is rough, somewhat boisterous and very quick to anger. In fact, between her temper and her pride, she can easily get into a bad situation. She is not smart, but has wisdom about the natural world...or how she *thinks* others are supposed to act. While never blasmphemous, she feels Tarclughlin is the only god who "gets it" between his chaotic nature and his skill at the hunt.
I like to level by the dictates of the story, but the rough plan is that she'd gain feats, class talents and any spell selection dealing with 1) swamp terrain 2) net debuffs 3)animals, and the Intimidation there of. She sees hunting as a challenge, and herself as a winner: she's not the type to befriend a bear as much as, er...punch it in the face? Arm wrestle it?
Welcome Diarmal and Rydwn (hey Rydwen, I am a little touched at how seriously you are absorbing the setting, it makes me smile! And Diarmal, nice way to keep things within the setting while "borrowing" material useful and familiar to a lot of players, well done!)
Each of you can join the game now whenever you are ready, but please be patient with the rest of us if we are a bit slow. I am not pushing for people to post often, and I will post as well as I can to keep up with you, but you may have to cool your heels at times.
Okay?
Edit: Oh and one more thing. The Class Level box on your alias displays under your alias in the game threads, so a lot of players use it to keep important statistics handy for the DM. I like to see it filled out with this format
(class)/(level) | AC (x), T (x), FF (x) |HP: (full)/(current) | F(x), R(x), W(x) | Init(x), P(x) |CMD (x)
What does T (x) stand for? I'm going to feel foolish once I hear, I know it.
FF (x) is for flat-footed? Is this the positive total without dodge, or the negative its loss tacks on? (ie, FF 13 or FF -3) I ask because I also know it penalizes both the AC and the CMD.
T = Touch AC, FF is your Flat Footed AC, calculated with all relevant modifiers, should I catch you in a surprise round or some other situation where a monster attacks you before you've had a chance to act in the "combat" which is sometimes a bit awkward to pin down.
Being FF does not, at least the way I understand it, effect your CMD, but I'll do some home work on that one.
P is your perception bonus
EDIT: That was easy, in the PRD in the combat section, under CMD, it states that you do not add your Dex bonus to your CMD when Flat Footed, so list your standard FF AC, and your Standard CMD, and if the two come up at the same time, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
I'm going to jump over here and address Rydwen's comments in the game thread
Dice rolls - sometimes they are a bit wonky, but it usually does work out that whatever you put down, the first time, in a post, it is going to stay that way, so yes, you can get in the habit of "Previewing" your post, see what the roll will be, and then add text to describe how you would react to that roll. I do it all the time, and only on rare occasions am I surprised because something goes wrong.
Typically, you shouldn't need to worry about making any rolls unless you really feel you need to, because I will ask for them when it matters the most.
I will try to get a very basic map up (one that we used for the battle) tonight. Maps will always be a link set below the header of the thread, right after the short description of the game
Ribat is a fighter detailed by his clan to transport their darkwood exports. He tries to project an aura of confidence. He is rather unsure of himself, though, because the elders of his clan sent him out on this mission even though he hadn't finished his training (his predecessor, Krok, had well, you know, croaked ;)). He gets somewhat defensive when people compare him to Bullywogs. In combat, at least for now, he works with a kukri and a net.
As for the future, Ribat is going to multiclass into some kind of divine caster. Probably druid, since I see his religion more as an animistic, pantheist kind of thing than a formal, theistic thing (though, if what happens in the campaign gives him a reason to "get religion" in a more traditional sense, then cleric or inquisitor isn't out of the question).
@GDM Thanks for explaining! Also, I just bumped up my saving throws. I'd put them down for my class, but forgot to add the ability score bonus.
@Sarpadian Forgive my introduction entry here, I posted it before we spoke. I replaced Net Adept with "natural healing rate doubles in swamp." Huh. Wait. Actually...
@GDM I hadn't thought about that. Do you know how that feat might work in your campaign? (Anything is fine, as I need it as a pre-req for swampy things down the road lol)
Whoops, sorry! :D I took a look back and couldn't find what I thought I saw; it must have belonged to a different game I was checking out. In it, instead of the normal sleep/rest rules for natural healing, the players healed like 1 an hour or something. I wasn't sure if my feat would change that in a swamp, but that was another game entirely!
By the way, a simple map is at the top of the page now, and if you all promise not to make fun of my poor skills, I'll post a hand drawn map of Ibalnd, done when I was 15 years old.
Male Dwarf Stone Oracle/Fighter(Weapon Master) 1/3 I AC 18, T 17 I FF 17 I HP 40/40 I Saves F: 4, R: 2, W: 3 I Init: +1, Per: +1
Generic Dungeon Master wrote:
let me adjust the map.
By the way, a simple map is at the top of the page now, and if you all promise not to make fun of my poor skills, I'll post a hand drawn map of Ibalnd, done when I was 15 years old.
Thanks, that's hilarious. Is that your DeviantArt page? I am Victorletophoro there, but I haven't submitted anything in years, as I am not any kind of artist (and stupidly thought it was a place where fiction writes could get some criticism).
No, I have hundreds of maps of my campaign world. Most were made when I was a teenager, and they suit me, even if they are crude.
Can everyone see the images linked at the top of this thread?
This adventure begins tucked up into the top of the Bay of Mericalnd, I'll try to find an old map of the bay and scan it in. It does look like Africa, doesn't it? Only it is much smaller.
Jazz - would you like to join in the game now, or would you like to wait a little longer?
Well hello there! Just checking in while I work on the post to bring Felicia in. This is my impulsive druid from the sands of Wuingnomoska. Shes here to help/get someone to talk to her for hours on end.
I'm going to be posting a long winded one, though I would love to ask, everyone who was on the boat have a problem with Felicia having made an effort to talk to them? She's a curious sort who wouldn't leave a stone unturned. It's for my post and I didn't want her to just be like 'oh I know you!' without at least checking in. Maybe even know a name or two?
Well, I think I was throwing out too many things at one time, I'm sorry for the confusion, Felicia, but yes, Kyjzta is a hot desert place, but I think I told you that when I did not realize you were a gnome, Gnomes are definitely not from Kyjzta, but it could be that you just came from there on your "world tour".
Male Warrior Android Analyst Witchwarper 3: Spd:25, AC:19, HP:34/34, Fort:6(Constructed), Ref:8, Will:7, Perc:7, Darkvision, 1/1 Focus Point
Generic Dungeon Master wrote:
This adventure begins tucked up into the top of the Bay of Mericalnd, I'll try to find an old map of the bay and scan it in. It does look like Africa, doesn't it? Only it is much smaller.
Jazz - would you like to join in the game now, or would you like to wait a little longer?
I want to join when you think it would be the proper time and place to add my character into this, as I would enjoy a great roleplay introduction of my character. Just pm me when you do.
Hi Felicia, I had originally posted my boat jump before the newer folks were finalized. So I've just been playing it like I was too absorbed in my own thoughts to notice anyone approach on the ship. Ryd's on a special mission from her clan to track down Diarmal and deliver a message to him, so I've just been spinning like she wants to do it as fast as possible so she can head back home. I'm actually pretty good with anything that happens to come up, though! I used to do this sort of thing in a real time chatroom back in college, and I never knew what someone was going to do next haha
Haha, I figured, the post is finalized (unless GDM would like me to change anything, still trying to get the lore down so hang tight while I get it all in working order!) so I think it's safe to say the intimidating one managed to slip by her ever questioning mouth!
We've had some great introductions. Let's see if we can ease the new characters into the situation as it is unfolding in the tavern.
Oh, and I would like to suggest that players try to make sure they are clear about who they are talking to in the game thread, with so many PCs and a few NPCs about, it could be tricky and one misunderstanding could lead to a dialog that goes the wrong direction. I hope I can keep up with the rest of you
Any questions?
Edit: And one more thing - the game might look crowded, but honestly, right now there are only 7 active Player Characters (and there may be three more joining soon) but that's not an awful lot. The most I ever ran at a table game was 13
If anyone feels as if I have overlooked something about your character, or if anyone feels they are being ignored or stepped on, please send me a PM and I will try to fix the problem. Most importantly, try to have fun.
Hello everyone! Sorry if I'm late for the check-in. I rely on my RSS feeder to tell me about updates in the games I'm in and I forgot that I never placed this discussion forum on my list in the first place.
Greetings all and I hope we enjoy this game and all its strangeness.
Anyway, M.A.R.V.I.N. here! Android gunslinger. Feeling utterly responsible for the Sci-fi in the game, which went tongue-in-cheek with the game's initial not-very-serious atmosphere. I'm glad the GM decided to take this character on anyway, even if they have complicated the setting.
If you have any questions for how I treat Marvin, feel free to ask. As Marvin's information may be corrupted or incomplete, what they are saying may, in fact, be incorrect or utterly wrong. That is to say, GM trumps anything Marvin says.
By the by, GM, are we required to take the third trait and drawback? Because if so, I have my eye on taking the Paranoid drawback. So I can be Marvin the Paranoid Android.
Additional note is that I usually take my sources from the PFSRD/OGC rather than the Paizo PRD, because the PRD lacks certain resources and because the PFSRD is easier to reference. For example, the Android race is located in the Inner Sea Bestiary which isn't included in the PRD but can be referenced in the PFSRD. I keep my choices limited to Pathfinder sources rather than 3rd party, however, and can reference the PRD instead if it exists there. If you prefer, I can limit all my sources to the PRD. One trait I took isn't in the PRD (Called, which I just searched) and can switch it out if you prefer.
I am not immediately opposed to pfsrd stuff, it is just that of the various machines that I use to post here, one of them does not "like" that website very much, making it harder for me to do my game homework. I think you character is well balanced for this adventure, so keep things the way they are, and add the third trait and drawback only if you want to.
I am about to throw out what will be the biggest, maybe most complicated encounter I've ever tried in a pbp game.
I hope I don't screw it up, and I hope everyone will be patient with me and each other as we try to give everyone a chance to do something heroic.
I'll be introducing two more PC's (if they are ready) so hold onto your hats.
Also, help an old school guy understand a rule better if you can. If I have a monster that can channel negative energy, can I channel one round to heal creatures with negative energy affinity and then in the next round channel to do harm to regular enemies?
Yes. Channeling energy works by either healing or harming and can only do one of those at a time (unless you're using a variant channel or something).
I sure hope we can handle it. I have bad experiences with anything channeling negative energy. Near-TPK experiences and one of my characters died from it.
I think channel neg in an enclosed encounter area can be very deadly, I'm hoping the outside setting will mitigate some of the serious danger, but ack! I'm giving too much away
I just put up a link to a map called "Scarry map for players only" this shows the "Horde" of monsters now about to cross the creek into Connie's Bright. None of you can see them, yet, but once outside of the Tavern you can hear a low distant droning sound coming from that direction, an updated combat map will be linked above when it is time to roll initiative.
Try not to Metagame too awfully much, think of it as me taking a bunch of miniatures out of my "tote" and setting them up and telling you, as players, "you don't see these yet."
Sorry, meant to say on my Perception check that I'm using hearing only, not trying to see in the darkness. Ryd assumes it's some natural bug swarm instead of any alien teleporty things.
male Wayang Eysterlun Shadowcaster 4 | AC 21*, T 15, FF 19* |HP: 23/23 | F +3, R +3, W +3? | Init +2, P +4 |CMB 0 CMD 12| 1/4 Void Points
About that magical "void:" My magic (you can refer to pages 109-111 here) is fundamentally different from other forms. Depending on the precise nature of whatever's going on there, might it react differently?
Since this is my first post on the discussion tab, I'll also say:
Hiya, folks! I'm your resident Deeper Magic from Before the Dawn of Time.
Each group of people on the world of Hamth strangely believe that their "understanding" of magic is deeper and more correct than any other (The Authorities of The Church at Ses Theeth even actively work to control how other people use magic, which some say is none of their business).
The Practitioners of "Shadow Magic" are no different.
However, all magic, fundamentally, works through certain underlying principles that are common on Hamth. The first of which is that creating effects on this world that would be called "magical" is done by taping into the fundamental material of certain outer and inner planes and drawing that material onto this plane. Divine casters do this through prayers and rituals (and the "casting of spells") that is, in a way, "Authorized" by the inhabitants of those planes, while Arcane casters do this through study, memorization, and mastering technical correctness (and the "casting of spells") that allow them to draw forth the necessary magical energies (materials of other planes) without the authorization (and often the knowledge that it is even happening) of the beings of these other planes.
What each caster who tried to "Detect Magic" just experienced was a very brief disconnection from their normal awareness of the magical transference from pne plane to another that creates magic on this world, and a very brief sensation that this connection they are familiar with was broken.
male Wayang Eysterlun Shadowcaster 4 | AC 21*, T 15, FF 19* |HP: 23/23 | F +3, R +3, W +3? | Init +2, P +4 |CMB 0 CMD 12| 1/4 Void Points
@Jazz Kraz: Word for the wise - your character needs a melee weapon (my attitude has always been that every PC should have both a melee and ranged weapon no matter their specifics, but in the case of a Magus, it's non-negotiable). I'd trade in the longbow for a shortbow, and reduce your trail rations to 2-4 (netting you 48 or 49 gp, plenty to buy most any light or one-handed martial weapon). His Intelligence is honestly too low - Sulis don't make the best Magi, needless to say, but what I'd do in this case is lower your Dexterity to 14 in order to raise your Intelligence to 14.
