So, this would be my very first time GMing a PbP, I am unsure as to whether it will be easier or harder than real-life, I can see both sides being true, but I guess I'll find out.
I don't have a WHOLE lot of this campaign ironed out at the moment, but I have used this world in 2 other games I ran, I will be updating the Campaign Info within the next couple of weeks or so, but to start you off here is a short description:
The planet name is Archeon (pronounced Ar'kay'on).
Prologue-type thing:
Thousands of years ago struck the first war of the elements. Air and Earth collided amongst the material plane, waging war against one another. Water allied itself with Earth, Fire with Air. The battle lasted for decades. The land was in turmoil, many innocent lives taken from collateral damage. It was the most destructive battle ever fought on Archeon. Earth eventually triumphed and peace was once again restored. The people of Archeon prospered and returned to their normal lives throughout the years. Legends were told of the massive war, and scholars and explorers sought out to find answers about these elementals.
400 years passed before Air initiated yet another attack on Earth, provoking the Second Great Elemental War. This battle did not last as long, Air and Fire overpowered Earth, who at the time was unable to receive aid from Water. Though it was still very devastating, it did not leave as much destruction as the previous war. Even so, it still found its name in the historical archives of the world, and sparked even greater curiosity from humans and the like. Wizards finally found a means of bridging a connection between the planes and summoning elementals, though they could not get answers out of them. Some dedicated their lives to researching and understanding the elementals; some even allied themselves with the elementals, learning along side them and learning the powers of the elements.
It has been over 3000 years since the Second Great Elemental War, and prophets and oracles are beginning to foresee yet another war. Rumors are spreading that the time has come when the Elementals will once again walk the earth and create chaos across the land. Most of the world has near forgotten these legends and see them as just that, legends, but there are some who know what is to come. The elves prepare themselves, as do the druids of the forest, and the warriors of the churches. The end is near...
This is an epic tale, and you will be epic champions (whether heroic or villainous)
A couple of things about me:
I am an advocate of fairness and equality, but I also understand the importance of player-spotlight. This is an exciting and eventful journey for very important people, there is plenty of reason for every one of the party to survive and prosper and succeed in their journey. With that said, I will not continuously pull punches or stave off deaths. I am more than willing to fudge stupid and random rolls that could mean the end of your characters, unless you would like a different character, which I am okay with letting you make.
I strongly encourage roleplay, you are playing roles, not a video game. Combat is fun and it's exciting to use your abilities and feats that you have worked so hard to fit into your character concept, and you will believe me you will. I would very much like to see each character evolve into something more than they started off as. So play your character as you originally pictured it, and let the ideas and interactions from the other PCs influence yourself and get along, that is all I ask.
I love feats. I love them, I love them, I LOVE them! Feats are my all-time favorite aspect of any RPG, ever since I was a kind playing KOTOR, I have always enjoyed the addition of new abilities by choosing feats. Thus, I will be rewarding many many feats as the story progresses, no limitation beside what I feel may be too much (most likely something around 1 per level) I will also be rewarding other abilities such as Supernatural/Spell-like abilites, constant effects such as darkvision or arcane sight, templates, taints, evolutions, infections, etc. Play the story and aim for your character's improvements and they will most certainly get them, I like seeing my players fulfill their ideas and aspirations.
Be respectful please, I am laid-back and enjoy constructive criticism, but I am also biased toward Rule Zero, please don't argue with me. The more you player under me, the more you'll realize how lenient I am, I will mostly stick to the rules for consistency, but I will make a few alterations, I do not have a list of houserules but I will try my best to foreword them to you before they become an issue.
Now enough about me, on to you guys!
Character Creation:
Ability Scores: You will have a pool of 20d6, reroll 1s and 2s; assign 3 dice to each ability score and total them up. Use the remaining 2 to increase any of the following (only 1 dice per option): HP, Fort, Ref, Will, BAB, Skill Ranks, or gain spell slots per day of levels totaling up to your die result. (except 0-level)
Classes: Any Paizo, 3rd-party case-by-case. We will be using Gestalt rules as well.
Race: Any Paizo (If you choose a race above 15 RP only roll 18d6 for ability scores and knock off 1 gestalt level, and also run it by me first, I may change the penalty depending.)
Alignment: Any. NOTE: I will not tolerate Chaotic Stupid, if you want to play CE that is fine, but you will refrain from randomly killing/raping/pillaging or there will be major in-game consequences. Also I will not tolerate PvP (this includes harmful-yet-not-violent acts such as stealing or indirectly sabotaging.) You must be able to get along with the party and be a team player, if you cannot do this I will remove you from the game, I am dead serious on this issue. If you are gonna be a virus, I will be the vaccine. Traits: Choose 2, drawback for third.
Hit Dice: Max first, roll after (reroll 1s and 2s)
You will start at level 1, max starting gold. Also, you will begin with one +1 regular material weapon.
Some other points:
Maps: I am most likely going to be using roll20 for maps.
Posting Habits: Any interested must be able to post at least thrice a day, I work 50+ hours a week and I can manage 5+ per day, most of you shouldn't have any excuse. I will usually only be able to post in the mornings and late at night.
Format: I don't particularly care about the format of your character sheet, as long as I can read and understand it and it is well organized is all I ask.
Welp, that's all folks! Sorry if this is a bit long, but I have high expectations about this game:
Deadline will be April 30th, so you have plenty of time to work out your character concepts, If I find enough people that really interest me I may begin earlier, but I will let you all know if I decide to do that.
I'm very interested! I was thinking about a Bloodrager/Paladin, but I know that elementals in Pathfinder are typically neutral. Would that pose a problem for a paladin in this game, as I'd hate to play one who couldn't smite anything.
Rolls:
Stat Rolls:20d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2, 3, 5, 3, 5, 6, 3, 2, 4, 3, 5, 3, 2, 1, 3, 1, 4, 4) = 70 Rerolls:5d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 3, 1) = 14 Rerolls on my Rerolls:2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8
So
3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3,
4, 4, 4, 4,
5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
6, 6
Not spectacular, but certainly not too shabby either.
@takesh, unfortunately I will have to say no to psionics mostly because it would make the party unbalanced. That being said I may allow characters to gain psioniclike abilities. But no psionic classes. Also yes take as many rerolls as needed. So ur second result is applicable.
@dragonflyer1243 go ahead and change 2 3s to 4s. Also the plot is circumferenced around the elemental war but u will be fighting much more than elementals. A paladin is definitely a viable class and will make use of its abilities thoroughly
How do I mark this for interest? I have to rewrite my character to fit your creation requirements.
You already have. Commenting in a thread automatically "dots" it so that when u choose "focus" on the main forums page it will only show your dotted and recently viewed threads
@alynthar42 this is a gestalt game. Meaning you will be playing 2 classes in the same character. You may want to think about having a martial class as your other, you don't have to though and if it comes down to it and you choose 2 fullcasters. I will think of something, though no matter what even if your a fullon caster a +1 crossbow is totally useful.
EDIT: especially if u focus one side (most likely wizard side) on crafting. You can get a brilliant energy, shocking crossbow. You now effectively shoot lightning bolts
Sounds awesome. Totally going druid/monk Spellcaster focus. This is screaming druid at me :3 a character that remembers the other wars... Passed Down in his circle generation to generation.
Sounds awesome. Totally going druid/monk Spellcaster focus. This is screaming druid at me :3 a character that remembers the other wars... Passed Down in his circle generation to generation.
** spoiler omitted **
That gives me..
18, 16 15, 14, 12, 09
Additional dice
[Dice=BaB] 1d6
[Dice=spells] 1d6
So you have the following options (in case anybody is confused how the bonus spells work): five 1st; three 1st/one 2nd; two 1st/one 3rd; one 1st/two 2nd; one 1st/one 4th; one 2nd/one 3rd; or one 5th
EDIT: Also, in your case I would like to clarify that you are literally treating your BAB as if it was (in this case) 6 points higher. so Congrats! You have 2 attacks @ 1st-level (3 with flurry of blows) Flurry of blows (which I believe works the same way per gestalt rules) will use either your BAB or monk level (whichever is higher) which in your case is BAB, so you're flurry Attack Bonus would be +4/+4/-1 and would accrue accordingly.
If anybody else has questions regarding my unusual character creation process, feel free to ask me.
I think for now, I will rule it as a kind of Innate Reservoir of Magical Knowledge/Aptitude, meaning that you can freely choose from those available options each time you prepare spells, so if today you wanted to prepare 5 extra 1st level spells and then tomorrow decided to prepare an extra 2nd and 3rd instead, you can do that. As long as the added spell levels of you extra spells per day doesn't exceed what you rolled.
@takesh, unfortunately I will have to say no to psionics mostly because it would make the party unbalanced. That being said I may allow characters to gain psioniclike abilities. But no psionic classes. Also yes take as many rerolls as needed. So ur second result is applicable.
Totally understandable, thanks! I'll have something else together soon.
@trawets71 don't worry about the penalties, those were mainly meant for races like centaurs or driders
Cool, thank you.
A general campaign question. Does one element or elements have a reputation as being the bad guy or are they seen more as all being neutral?
Great question! So it is not common knowledge so no metagaming, but the alignments of the Elementals are mostly neutral. Earth and Air are both N, water is LN, and fire is CN. If you are a spell caster or have studied planar magic, a DC 20 knowledge (planes) check would be required to know an elemental's alignment, just an FYI
Dotting. I am thinking Cleric/Something. Perhaps someone whose deity wishes him to get involved in the war.
What is the general take of the gods on these Elemental wars?
The Gods have removed themselves from the quarrels of the elements. I should also state than many of the golarian gods are not applicable to this world, run your deities by me as I do not have a complete list of available gods, also the godless route is the most popular one in this world. You may even wish to worship one of the elements as some have chosen to do, I will add more to that later.
Thinking either human or Oread.. though Oread would clash with the whole "storm lord/caller" Thing I think he will have... but.. It could open up a nice opportunity to show off the human aspect of himself.
well..the thought I had in mind for my druid was for him to be from a druidic circle whose intent was to "balance" the elements and had no side to pick. I suppose I could easily have him shifted to represent air/water but eh.
note- I am really excited about this haha. It seems like it will be a well-paced blast.
@Divinitus I wouldn't handle it, that would be on your part. I encourage freedom of choice, as long as their is mutual understanding among the party. Having an advocate of each of the four elements would definitely make things interesting once the war arose, especially if any of them wanted to participate or pick a side.
I would like to mention this now: As I have stated the main plot of the campaign, which is the Great Elemental War, it is not the only plot in this campaign, do not feel as though your character needs to follow an elemental theme, there will be a LOT of events going on at once, each one different yet related to the others, some unrelated completely.
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT box your imagination into the boundaries of the elemental planes. Design your character however you would like and base it off any theme you would like.
I'm interested, but before I roll, would you accept 20d4 adding 2 to each result instead of rolling...and rerolling...and rerolling...etc. The results are the same (a value between 3 and 6), but it is just quicker and easier.
I'm interested, but before I roll, would you accept 20d4 adding 2 to each result instead of rolling...and rerolling...and rerolling...etc. The results are the same (a value between 3 and 6), but it is just quicker and easier.
I would prefer you roll d6s and do the rerolls, this way both you and I can see the numbers plain and simple, without keeping track of hidden variables. If this were face-to-face I'd probably allow it, but that's not the case here.
I was thinking of making an (angel blooded?) aasimar but was hoping to roll on the Variant Aasimar Abilities table to replace the spell-like ability.
Would that be allowable?
AH! STUPID ME, I forgot one very important houserule I use, because to me it makes sense. For all casters who prepare spells per day, I allow spellbook reference under non-stressful situations if you have the time.
Basically, If you have access to your spellbook or familiar (for witches) and you have the time to read it, or commune you may cast any spell in your spellbook not just your prepared ones, though it still uses a spell slot of the corresponding level for that day. Furthermore, you can cast any spell from your spellbook or spell's known without expending a spell slot by spending an hour undisturbed making a concentration check (DC = 15 + spell level). This resembles taking the time to collect your energy and concentrate on releasing the magic effortlessly. You may take 10 on the concentration check, but cannot take 20. Taking 10 adds 10 minutes per spell level of the spell you are trying to cast.
I was thinking of making an (angel blooded?) aasimar but was hoping to roll on the Variant Aasimar Abilities table to replace the spell-like ability.
Would that be allowable?
Do you mean playing one variant aasimar but with the alternate spell-like ability from another variant?
I also had a similar question, if we choose aasimar or tiefling, and wish to choose to roll on the table, can we choose the ability or must we roll d100. They vary greatly in quality, and if I rolled something like 'talk to insects' I would probably just jump into a volcano.
I also had a similar question, if we choose aasimar or tiefling, and wish to choose to roll on the table, can we choose the ability or must we roll d100. They vary greatly in quality, and if I rolled something like 'talk to insects' I would probably just jump into a volcano.
Ah I see what you're asking now, yeah you don't have to roll, you can pick whichever you like.
I also had a similar question, if we choose aasimar or tiefling, and wish to choose to roll on the table, can we choose the ability or must we roll d100. They vary greatly in quality, and if I rolled something like 'talk to insects' I would probably just jump into a volcano.
Ah I see what you're asking now, yeah you don't have to roll, you can pick whichever you like.
if we pick the feat, do we roll then?
I am having such a hard time picking things :( half-elf's are like, my fav race along side an aasimar, ugh.
I will be basing my character around nature/elemental balance, because my view of druids has been heavily influenced by 2 things- WoW, and nature hippies lol.
I also had a similar question, if we choose aasimar or tiefling, and wish to choose to roll on the table, can we choose the ability or must we roll d100. They vary greatly in quality, and if I rolled something like 'talk to insects' I would probably just jump into a volcano.
Ah I see what you're asking now, yeah you don't have to roll, you can pick whichever you like.
if we pick the feat, do we roll then?
I am having such a hard time picking things :( half-elf's are like, my fav race along side an aasimar, ugh.
I will be basing my character around nature/elemental balance, because my view of druids has been heavily influenced by 2 things- WoW, and nature hippies lol.
No rolling is necessary, if you wish to you can, but you can just pick which ability or heritage you would like.
I was thinking of making an (angel blooded?) aasimar but was hoping to roll on the Variant Aasimar Abilities table to replace the spell-like ability.
Would that be allowable?
Do you mean playing one variant aasimar but with the alternate spell-like ability from another variant?
There are multiple aasimar variants.
One is to choose differing origins for te aasimar: agathion, angel, archon, azata, garuda, or peri.
These each have their own alternate ability modifiers, alternate skill modifiers, and alternate spell-like ability that replaces the standard aasimar abilities.
This option is from the Advanced Race Guide. It can be found on the Pathfinder PRD.
The other is to roll 1d100 on a chart for an ability as a replacement for the spell-like ability.
This option is from the Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of Angels. It can be found online in the d20pfsrd.
In general they are roughly the same strength as the spell-like abilities but with more flair and, IMO, some are stronger.
So, basically I was asking if I could choose one of the origin options and then replace the spell-like ability of that option with a roll from the table. No big deal either way but I thought it would be neat to do.
Apparently tieflings require the fiendish heritage feat to get those alternate heritages and abilities. But aasimars do not. Either way i will not require the feat. Feats are precious and are supposed to add to your abilities not just change them.
So if you want to choose a heritage and alternate abilities that is fine. No need to roll for them just choose which one you want
