I'll be doing the mulling over the applications during downtime at Pacificon, publishing the accepted roster on either Monday 9/7 or Tuesday 9/8, and starting the campaign within the following week.
Gravy!
I do have another problem/question. The character I'm working on isn't some sort of gun savant or engineer (just your regular old dwarven gun enthusiast), but without Gunsmithing or Grit I can't see any way to clear a misfire. I'm not talking about a crazy fast in-combat one, just... in general. By the campfire, during downtime. Is there a way we could incorporate that? Would this trait (or something similar) work?
Ok. I think I have a solid set of mechanics, working on a three-trait backstory now.
Is there a limit to how many archetypes we can stack on a character?
@Tomato:
Archetypes: As long as they don't step on each other's toes, no, but if you make the build super complicated, I'm liable to misinterpret at times.
Clearing without gunsmithing: I suppose you're kinda stuck here. Only other option is craft to repair. Which is infeasible in terms of time needed, cost, and likely skill point allocation. I guess the Dwarves all know how to use their guns but trust that someone with the proper training will usually be handy if they really need to clear the broken condition.
@Leander:
I take it the build side of things isn't complete yet? The backstory is almost perfect. My only squabble would be the nature of the "Gray Foxes." If I can speak out of game for a moment, the organization drafting you now is the only one within the Federation that operates around deniability. I might suggest changing the Foxes to a sort of Tier One group within the military structure of a region or city state. Notably, halflings are driven to the frontiers by their wanderlust, where they often form the bulk of the initial inhabitants of a new settlement, and I'd already toyed with the ideas of halfling militiae being a joint scouting force/border patrol. Something that's like a more militarily-regulated version of that might work.
I think it should be pointed out that Ostia doesn't really have a royal army. There's a king, yes, but he's basically a puppet, and each city-state keeps its best soldiers and resources in a local military force. There are treaties between the states to the effect that each city must contribute to a joint standing force for defense of the Federation overall, but it's got about as much bite as UN forces today compared to the hometown armies. It takes quite a bit to get a city to field their full armies. A smaller team, though? Might be some traction there.
@Shadoo:
First thing's first. Gestalt doesn't let you double up on features. You just choose the best progression, and I'm not so naive as to consider "Unchained Sneak Attack" sufficiently different from regular ol' sneak attack to justify taking both, nor will I allow trying to stagger the levels so you can get an extra die during rogue's even levels.
Are you pre-including your martial flexibility feat in your list of feats? If not, where is improved feint coming from?
Story-wise, I need to know what your character did that got him marked for possible recruitment by the agency assigning this first mission.
Hi Jamesui!
Thanks for the feedback. By double up the features, you mean the accumulation of Sneak Attack? I'm sorry... I was under the impression it would, and the fact I built my sheet in Hero Lab didn't help much either. My levels in Brawler are actually mostly for the "feint as I move" ability of the Snakebite, that I think is very interesting. The extra sneak were a nice addition. If you allow, I might multiclass the Brawler side later on in something else (maybe fighter, or ranger...) :)
I apologize - I put one feat too much. The character was adapted from a previous E6 game that we gained feats every level - I took out the "Gang Up".
In terms of story, I imagine invading Lord Ephariel's house (and his following "patronage") is what got him marked for possible recruitment. Should I develop more?
I can actually almost work with the idea that this Lord had something of an in and recommended him, but it wouldn't make sense to do so right out the gate. Something a bit more impressive than getting caught would be preferable. If you want basically the perfect example, Leander hit it out of the park.
@GMsui - thanks for the feed back and yes the build side is a work in progress which changes almost daily. Actually I could use your input, I usually make a background first and then decide what class the character is, with gestalt I have way to many options since you have read his background what classes jump out at you. For me it is slayer and rogue I like the idea of getting slayer and rogue talents, but there is some overlap with saves and sneak attack. I really liked the advice you gave owl with lore warden/investigator. If you have any insight it would be appreciated.
Is your character supposed to be more flexible than specialized? i.e. he can use whatever tools he finds or is told to use to get a job done? You might consider going a similar route classwise to Shadoo, but build towards flexibility rather than towards one feat chain. So, like Shadoo, unchained rogue for skill points, free finesse (And, in this homebrew, the accompanying dex to maneuvers), and brawler for unarmed proficiency, a couple of bonus feats, and the flexibility to tailor your feat loadout to any situation.
Need to use a gun? You can grab the proficiency (If you pick up all martial weapons later, commonplace guns in a setting makes firearms martial). Need to lock down a corridor? Combat Reflexes. Need to do more damage? Piranha strike or deadly aim. You can even forego expertise as a prerequisite for the usual martial flexibility feats (i.e. Improved [Maneuver]) if you wanted. Basically, you use your permanent feats to fill the common prereqs and flexibility to explore the feat tree further. Conveniently, you get the two-feat flexibility by L6.
If that is not a correct interpretation of your intentions, then I'm too tired to recognize the truth and a build idea to accompany it.
You are not tired you pretty much nailed what I was trying to do.
Hi Jamesui! Thanks for the feedback. Shadoo is now updated - I hope you like the improvements I made to the story :)
Totally updated: Made suggested changes to background and went with your Brawler idea. Incredibly versatile! Went with Scout &rake archetypes. Suggestions?
Have fun a Pacificon!
Just storywise blood of dragons is not happening as a treat. I defy you to justify it in backstory in a setting sans dragons. Rest is good, though you should be aware of the following:
You gain a +4 bonus on Intimidate checks if you are larger than your target, and a –4 penalty on Intimidate checks if you are smaller than your target.
Sorry for the delay. I overestimated how much free time I'd have at the con. We've only three vetted players (OWL, Leander (pending sorting out that one trait), and Shadoo, so with them we'll start. I'm leaving signups open, though, as even in the live campaign I took care to write things so that it was relatively to add a party member either between missions or even during as a sort of field commission. If anyone is still or becomes interested in playing, you may write up a char and then we'll work on integration privately.
Opening Discussion and Gameplay threads. Use the former for now to ask any specific settings questions you want answered before waltzing in, and maybe dot or RSS the latter. Expect first gameplay post Friday or Saturday.