So a recent recruitment for this AP got me really excited and I did a bunch of research after I was unfortunately not accepted for that game. With the posting rate of my other games here on this forum I know I can handle 1 more game and have decided to do this one with a slight alteration...
You have finally made it to the safety of the manor after trudging through the moors for hours trying to avoid the patrols searching for you. They search for you for you are the escaped criminals of Branderscar, destined for execution there. But not only did you escape, you killed every last soul that tried to stop you, looted it for all it was worth then burned it to the ground. A pyre of defiance to spit in the face of Talinguarde and Mitra.
The servants lead you away where you are able to eat, drink, rest and heal away what the prison did to you and enjoy the rich freedoms of the world again without any of Talinguardes rules to stop you. You find the food and drink magically restores your health. After several more hours allowing you to relax and change into clothes more befitting of your station, the woman, Tiadora, leads you to a beautifully appointed office, richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestry. Sitting in a leather high-backed chair is a devilishly handsome fellow who smiles as you enter. "I believe you to be the first to ever escape from Branderscar Prison. Well done! Of course, you had help from the outside," he says with a wicked smile. "But enough with the pleasantries. You must be curious as to why I’ve helped you. Rest assured this is no random act of altruism. I have brought you here for a reason. My name is Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. I am the last high priest of Asmodeus left on the island of Talingarde. Once the Prince of Nessus was rightly revered alongside the other great powers. Now, the king of Talingarde has become a puppet to Mitran fanatics who wish to destroy any religion that does not bow to their insipid sun god. For their blasphemy, I will see the same people who imprisoned and condemned you suffer. I understand what you went through for I have faced it myself." With that, he pulls down the sleeve of his robe and reveals his own runic ‘F’ brand, the same as each of you were given on entry to Branderscar. "I am going to burn Talingarde to the ground and from the ashes I will build a new nation that knows its rightful master. I cannot do this alone. I seek servants worthy of our Infernal Father’s majesty. Have I found them in you?" He rises and his eyes flash with hellfire and divine purpose. "Join me! Serve me well in this holy endeavor and I will raise you up in the eyes of gods and men. I will make you princes of the new Talingarde. Today, swear fealty to me and to Asmodeus. Put aside forgiveness and I shall give you vengeance. Put aside mercy and be made powerful. Put aside peace and become my harbingers of war. What say you? Will you swear your allegiance or will you burn with the rest of the blind fools?"
As you accept, Cardinal Thorn smiles. "Excellent. Let us make it official. Signing in blood is traditional." He brings out a quill, a silver ritual knife and two copies of a contract written on some unidentifiable leather and written in dark red ink – the Pact of Thorns. He lets you keep one copy of the contract. The other, he takes. "Well done. Your first command: prepare yourselves. Stay within the manor. You are still hunted by the Talirean soldiery. In three days we begin your training."
Behold on this day __________ in the eighth age of this world a perpetual Compact is made between Cardinal Adrastus Thorn (hereafter the Master) and those who would be bound to him as his acolytes (hereafter the Bound). Both the Master and the Bound shall hold fast and true to this Compact through all trial and tribulation. By blood and soul the Bound commit to the Compact and swear that it shall never be undone. The Bound shall know and understand the Four Loyalties. The First Loyalty is to their patron and god – mighty Asmodeus, first among the fallen, prince of the nine hells, our father below. They shall do all that can be done to further his worship and his glory. The Second Loyalty is to their master – He who is called the Cardinal Adrastus Thorn, High Priest of Asmodeus in Talingarde. They shall do the Master no harm and obey his every commandment as long as those commandments do not clash with their First Loyalty. The Third Loyalty is to their companions – the other Bound who serve alongside them. The ound shall deal with each other fairly and honorably as long as doing so does not clash with their first or second loyalties. All treasure, wealth and reward garnered in their exploits will be equally shared with all of the Bound who aided in its acquisition. The Fourth Loyalty is to themselves – for Asmodeus is the Lord of Ambition and all who serve him should strive to become great and powerful in his service as long as doing so does not clash with their first, second or third loyalties. By their weakness, ye shall know the unworthy. The Bound swear that they cleave to and uphold the Four Loyalties even in the face of death and damnation. The Master swears that as long as the Four Loyalties are upheld, he shall reward the Bound as they deserve for their deeds. Thus it is written, and thus it shall be. We being of sound mind and free will do so swear and let they who violates this Compact know all the wrath of Hell unending. Signed, _________
And so we will be skipping over the first section of the campaign. This would be the ideal campaign for those who have joined a game before and not gotten very far before your game failed for whatever reason. You can apply with any of those previously played characters bringing their memories of escaping the prison and continue on. Or you may create a new level 2 character following the below rules but I would caution that if you have never played the first part of this AP before (and it is rather fun trust me) that this might not be the game for you. But if you want to throw caution to the wind who am I to stop you. You're evil and you'll apply where you please. I will choose between 3 and 6 players and this recruitment will go until Sunday the 8th of January(monday for me in Oz), just over 1 week from now. I am into reading more 3rd party resources and may accept some of them into this game. I'm most familiar with Psionics and some Path of War so those will be the easiest for me to consider. I am also trying out some feat tree/tax removing house rules to help you villains be truly, epically evil.
Level 2nd. Successfully escaping the prison has forced you to learn a thing or three about yourself.
Races All Paizo. If it's unusual or 3rd Party ask. No custom built races.
Classes All Paizo. It it's 3rd Party I will look at it and consider it with no guarantees.
Multi/Prestige Class You can only ever go into one of these but you're only level 2 so don't worry about it for now. No VMC.
Favoured Classes Choose whichever races favoured class bonus that takes your fancy.
Stats 18, 8, 15pts to distribute among the other 4 scores at 1:1 ratio (rolling dice is great but it also isn't)
Hitpoints Max hitpoints each level for villains
Traits 1 crime, 1 other
Skills +2 per level AND background skills
Crafting Pre-game crafting is banned. Crafting later will be possible but won't net an increase in wealth(custom items not possible without).
Wealth 1,000gp (the Cardinal has Tiadora sell off your loot from Branderscar after signing the Pact)
Magic Items Automatic Bonus Progression is in play from level 3.
Free Feat Must be a non-combat or item creation feat.
Free Feats (if you meet the prerequisites) Power Attack, Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Deadly Aim, Combat Expertise(no 13 int pre-req), Agile Maneuvers, Improved Shield Bash, Point Blank Shot, Improved Counterspell, Spellfocus(ONE), Heighten Spell
Consolidated Feats (if you take the first one it upgrades automatically once prerequisites are met) Two-weapon Fighting, Improved "Maneuver", Vital Strike, Dodge/Mobility
Story Feats are 'mostly' lame or ridiculously specific. Change one slightly, or not at all, or create a new one, then tell me why your character should start with that feat.
Spontaneous Magic 1 bonus spell known per level. Access next spell level 1 level earlier for full casters.
Prepared Magic 1 bonus spell known per level.
Aren't I missing something... Aren't you powerful enough by virtue of your evility? <-- it's a word ok.
Of course not. Evil always seeks more power than it should. Thus I relent with custom gestalt rules for completing your villain.
Gestalt Choose a second class.
BAB Use the best progression of your two classes.
Saves Use the best progression of your two classes.
level 1st. This is your secondary class and is 1 level behind your previously chosen primary class.
If I have forgotten anything or you have questions I will put all the rules here into the campaign tab and update that as we go as necessary. So if you aren't sure about something, don't double post a question, check the campaign tab for the updated rules in case you missed one of my posts somewhere.
In my previous recruitments I made backstories more important than character sheets and that is still mostly so. I'm going to ask for more ways to mess with you (I mean, make you feel more connected to the world) than is usually revealed in a couple paragraphs. So in addition to said 2 paragragh overview of your character there are 5 steps to further detail your character.
Step 1 Write 5 background and concept elements that you feel are important to your image of the character. These can be a concept overview, a list of important life events, a physical description, a personality profile...whatever you need to get an image in your mind. 5 is just a minimum...more elements are encouraged!
Step 2 List at least two goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.
Step 3 List at least two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!
Step 4 Describe at least three people that are tied to the character. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
Step 5 Describe three memories, mannerisms, or quirks that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
Posting eith alias so you can see my idea. Will make a new alias for the game. But idea is similar. Ratfolk gunslinger/rogue
Question. If i finally get a feat that would allow me to avoid AoO for firing when im adjacent to an enemy, do i lose the ability to get grit or not?
You definitely cannot regain grit if you do that. It even states that in the Daring Adjacent Shot ability text.
Edit: It's probably still worth it as you can still gain grit from killing enemies.
No problem then =^^=
Lucky would only be a problem much later. But not any more. Just needed to make sure. Will post a build soon
So, just to clarify, this is a Gestalt game, but one of the classes is run at a lever lower than the other for the purposes of its class features, but not BAB/Saves/HD? So a Gestalt 2 Rogue/Paladin would have all good saves, +2 BAB, 2 d10 HD, and a Rogue talent but not Divine Grace, assuming the Rogue half is chosen as the primary one?
No that's not what I meant. To clarify, everything in the secondary class will be 1 level behind.
Emerging guns? Or common place?
Also. How do we determine Hp?
So it would just be looking at each individual class (Primary at current level, secondary at level -1) and taking the better stats of each of those? So in the above example, the saves would be +3/+2/+3, 2d8 HD, and only a +1 BAB? Then at level 20, they'd have a +19 BAB (since Paladin 19 BAB is higher than Rogue 20 BAB)?
I will be going with emerging guns. If you eventually want advanced firearms you will have to find a way to craft them.
Exactly right DasGovernator.
Since I edited, repost.
How do we do Hp?
You are villains so you get max hp each level.
Beads
Ratfolk gunslinger (gulch gunner, pistolero) 2/rogue (unchained, sniper) 2/gestalt 2 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide 134, Pathfinder RPG Advanced Race Guide 152, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 3 231, Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Combat 9, 51, Pathfinder Unchained 20)
NE Small humanoid (ratfolk)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +11
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Defense
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AC 21, touch 18, flat-footed 14 (+3 armor, +5 Dex, +2 dodge, +1 size)
hp 24 (2d10+4)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +4
Defensive Abilities evasion, nimble +1
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Offense
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Speed 20 ft.
Melee dagger +6 (1d3+2/19-20) or
. . mwk tailblade +7 (1d2+2)
Ranged mwk pistol +9 (1d6+3/×4)
Special Attacks deeds (flash and shock, gunslinger's dodge, quick clear, up close and deadly +1d6), grit (6), sneak attack (unchained) +1d6
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 20, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 8
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 18
Feats Agile Maneuvers, Combat Expertise, Deadly Aim, Extra Grit[UC], Gunsmithing[UC], Inerrant Justice, Piranha Strike, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload, Weapon Finesse
Traits murder, unblemished barrel
Skills Acrobatics +10 (+6 to jump), Appraise +7, Bluff -1 (-5 to affect animals), Climb +5, Craft (alchemy) +10, Craft (weapons) +10, Diplomacy -1 (-5 to affect animals), Disable Device +10, Disguise -1 (-5 to affect animals), Escape Artist +10, Intimidate -1 (-5 to affect animals), Knowledge (dungeoneering) +7, Knowledge (engineering) +7, Perception +11, Sense Motive +9, Stealth +14, Survival +9, Swim +5; Racial Modifiers +2 Craft (alchemy), +2 Perception
Languages Aklo, Common, Goblin
SQ cornered fury, gunsmith, rogue talent (combat trick), unnatural
Combat Gear reagent, black powder (10), reagent, black powder (10); Other Gear mwk studded leather, bullet[UC] (40), dagger, mwk pistol[UC], mwk tailblade[ARG], paper cartridge[UC] (20), alchemy crafting kit[APG], bandolier[UE], belt pouch, canteen[UE], fishhook (2), flint and steel, masterwork artisan's tools, masterwork backpack[APG], powder horn[UC], powder horn[UC], sewing needle, signal whistle, thieves' tools, 2 gp, 1 sp, 6 cp
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Special Abilities
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Agile Maneuvers Use DEX instead of STR for CMB
Combat Expertise +/-1 Bonus to AC in exchange for an equal penalty to attack.
Cornered Fury +2 melee attack and AC if no conscious ally in 30 ft.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Deadly Aim -1/+2 Trade a penalty to ranged attacks for a bonus to ranged damage.
Deeds Use Grit to perform special abilities with your firearms.
Evasion (Ex) If succeed on Reflex save for half dam, take none instead.
Grit (Ex) Gain a pool of points that are spent to fuel deeds, regained on firearm crit/killing blow.
Gunsmith At 1st level, a gunslinger gains one of the following firearms of her choice: blunderbuss, musket, or pistol. Her starting weapon is battered, and only she knows how to use it properly. All other creatures treat her gun as if it had the broken condit
Gunsmithing You can use a gunsmithing kit to craft/repair firearms and ammo.
Inerrant Justice (1/day) Maximum weapon die for dam when hit unaware foe.
Nimble +1 +1 (Ex) +1 AC while wearing light or no armor.
Piranha Strike -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage with light weapons.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Precise Shot You don't get -4 to hit when shooting or throwing into melee.
Rapid Reload (Pistol) You can reload fast with one type of Crossbow or Firearm.
Sneak Attack (Unchained) +1d6 Attacks deal extra dam if flank foe or if foe is flat-footed.
Unnatural -4 to CHA skills vs. animals, +2 Dodge AC against animals. Animal starting attitude one step worse.
In regards to the story feat, he feels that he wishes revenge on the people that serve Mitra, her government and faithful followers, he wants to see them dead for putting him in prison
Hope this suits your build requirements
I forget, is WotW supposed to be set on Golarion, or in another world entirely? Asking for Backstory reasons.
Not offcially. Can be anywhere, so i believe its on the GM to say where it happens
This is actually not Golarion and what is outside of Talinguarde doesn't matter so you can be quite free with backstory reasons for coming to Talinguarde and what sort of place you are from if originating outside Talinguarde.
Good to know. Will write the 10min backstory and post it =^^=
Beads
Step 1:
Black furred ratfolk. Deep, dark green beady eyes.
Likes guns. Likes alchemy. The two together? Booom!
Runaway slave
Doesn't like authority due to his previous life as a slave
Quick, wise, smart. Sometimes too mich for his own good
Step 2:
Build a better gun. (Continuous)
Master the gun. Learn all the secrets of this technology
Eliminate those who wish to lord over him. He wish to be forever free
Step 3:
He murdered someone who tried to capture him, when he tried to steal food for himself
His sister is living somewhere in Talengarde, and she is a highly skilled Alchemist
Step 4:
Sister (Location unknown)
Rulership of Talingarde
Step 5:
Months running around between warrens trying to avoid capture
The smell of black powder filling the tunnels as he fended off intruders
The terror and humiliation of being forced to work and serve humans
The thrill, excitement, the exhilarating feeling of pressing a gun to his assailant’s stomach, grinning, and pulling the trigger
Also, for "15pts to distribute among the other 4 scores at 1:1 ratio", does this count stats starting at 8 or 10?
doooot. I may just reapply with my alchemist....
would you prefer more comic booky Villains, or more realistic ones?
This is pathfinder so your other 4 stats start at 10.
Was my idea for the story feat okay? Or do i need work on it?
I may submit a tengu rogue. He would be renowned as, the crogue!
Question about a 3PP archetype for druid - Ossuarite- would it be allowed?
TLW, a crow and a rat walk into a bar. Noone survives. *epic explosion as they walk away... then they start to run*
Seth86 It was an idea. It could be a little more detailed and contain some mechanical elements. I will work with people to help get their feats finalised.
thelizardwizard Both types of villains are ok, or a combination, whichever.
Rhal, the Styx Boatman It seems quite interesting. I will allow it. I'm wondering what you will combo it with.
Much thanks for the effort and hard work to run an AP. Especially gestalt. I take it story feat managing can happen after selection or before?
You don't have to focus on it straight up. I may end up creating them for people if they can't think of anything.
Okay thanks. I just really like the outcome, completion, bonus. Once per combat. =^^=
Speaking of selection. Till when will recruitment be?
Nice! I just applied with Dante to a previous WotW campaign. I will update him to your custom rules and hope to be considered for this game. He is definitely primary Ranger, secondary Summoner, as the pact which bound the devil to him occurred on the eve of his arrest.
Want to know, can I get sneak attack with my guns if i take this feat?
secondly, with having a tailblade, and I am adjacent to an enemy, along with an ally, will i be get sneak attack then, since i am flanking, and i am threatening, since i have a melee weapon?
Dotting with Kelvar Mylan. I played him through the escape from Branderscar (which was successful), but the game died shortly thereafter. I'll need to adjust his backstory and stats to fit the requirements, but this is who I'm applying with.
A question, does the "1 bonus spell known per level" apply to spells per day, or spells in a spellbook? Also, does that include 0-level spells?
Dotting, I'm going to refit my Cleric/anti-paladin for this.
Way of the Wicked, the perfect AP for my usual Christmas mood.
First thing I would need to say is I have never played through that initial part of the AP, but my Dark Lord would punish me if I were to pass on the opportunity to expand his influence in the Material Plane.
As I've seen that third party is allowed via GM approval, I will try first to explain my concept -mostly because while the third party I will request fits the theme perfectly, I can also make something fitting without it.
Anyway, I'll present you the base concept and after you have answered me I will return with an appropiate submision.
Jerome Strauss, a travelling scholar who happened unto certain strange knowledge and arcane tomes during his travels. After that event he found himself assaulted by nightmarish visions and dreams, yet he found them appealing and answered the call. He dug through tome after tome, finding enlightenment in the end... and losing his reason.
Some consider him a madman, a doom prophet... and in fact they are right, as he is insane. But so would be the rest if they had pledged their souls to Those Who Slumber beyond the veil of the Planes.
His crime would have been Heresy: gathering likeminded individuals, dreamers and lunatics and proclaiming the False Gods eventual demise when the Stars Align.
He is a teacher, but he isn't big on sermons: flames and broken bones teach better lessons.
As you can see I totally did not base my concept on Lovecraft, neither I am trying to bring ruin to humankind so the Elders can awake.
Now to the crunchy part. The lower level gestalty part of the build is fixed: an Oracle with the Dark Tapestry mystery. Is simply too appropiate for the theme. It's eldritch, bizarre and means he is getting powers beyond normal humankind from his Dark Lords.
But I was thinking what could his other part of the gestalt be and I found one of the Warder's -from Path of War- archetypes: the Fiendbound Marauder. And I thought to myself "If the GM allows me to reflavour the demonic claws into non-euclidean claws and tentacles -or clawtacles as I like to call them- that would be exceedingly awesome."
Plus there's the fact that the disciplines you get with that archetype deal with cursing, confounding and plainly meddling with other's using eldritch evil powers.
So if that's A-okay, I will return soon. If not I will probably maintain the oracle part and choose other class that fits the theme of tough and insane cultist.
Dotting for interest
Dot
Okay, I think I've got everything changed and updated, pending the answer to my question. GM, let me know if anything needs to altered or anything.
I'm also assuming that we would need to have a character that would have signed the contract?
Also, do style feat chains fall under the preview of other chains like vital strike? Or do you need to invest into each style feat
If a class ability grants us one of the free feats, do we just lose out, or can we select another feat (subject to your approval)
Alright, I think I got everything into my profile here. I have another idea for a character if the party wants to be slightly less serious, but I'm still working that one out.
Oh, I still want to play my Sith apprentice idea. Soulknife/Psychic Warrior. I'll Modify Talia to fit the game
Oh my gosh, it's yet another gestalt WotW. Heheheh.
Can I submit a too-high-level character from another game, and de-scale him if selected?
Dot... Maybe I'll finally get to play what happens after we break out the prison :P
Gonna submit a monk/rogue with a high likely hood of Multiclassing out of one after level 4/5
I'll be reapplying with a swashbuckler/rogue, though I may readjust him to be a swashbuckler/gunslinger or something along those lines. I'll have him up here later tonight.
Seth86 It would seem to consider you as flanking even though you aren't. You would be flanking in your second example too.
Kelvar Mylan Read it again. 1 bonus spell known per level. Including 0 level spells too but who would choose a cantrip over a 1st level spell though?
EmissaryofTheNorth You can flavour the look of your grip/claws as eldritchy.
thelizardwizard You start this campaign having just signed the contract as described in the campaign intro above. No, style feats are not included. If you are given a wasted feat talk to me and we'll sort something else out.
Talia Fireskin Sith apprentice is ok. I would probably create 'jedi'(good psionic characters) for her to come up against.
thunderbeard Yes I have a bit of a thing for gestalt. You can descale another character if you like. I'll at least want to know the classes and what they plan to do in and out of combat.
Kelvar Mylan Read it again. 1 bonus spell known per level. Including 0 level spells too but who would choose a cantrip over a 1st level spell
Okay. Then it won't apply to me since I'm a divine caster. My submission is complete.
Alright, here's thunderbeard's previous gestalt-wotw character (there's enough of those around that I think he's been in two of them IIRC). For feats, at least, I wrote the level I took them at, so that they should be easy to undo (though I'd need to rebalance ability scores, etc). Marvin is a brawler/magus who strangles people with his beard.
Also, with the "1 level behind" gestalt, is it also 1 level behind for the purpose of BAB and saves?
I added a couple of banned items. For now it's only the leadership feat and summoners who aren't unchained.
Yes, the second class is 1 level behind for everything that class gives you.
Thanks =^^=
okay, I figured as much on my questions, just wanted to be sure though.
And I'm talking about weapon finesse as a rogue, since rogues now gain weapon finesse for free at level 1. I was thinking maybe getting something like Nimble moves/step up/some non-combat feat or Something along those lines, useful but not overly so. If not thats fine, it seems like we are getting lots of free feats anyway :P
I got all the crunch figured out, I'll have his fluff all adjusted by tomorrow :)