| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
So, you’ve decided to walk the Way of the Wicked, have you? Are you sure you have what it takes? Your journey will not be an easy one, and it will most likely end in dismal failure. Still, while you’re alive, the rewards will be great.
DISCLAIMER: This is not your typical Pathfinder campaign. Those goody two-shoes, save the world, Captain America, “For Honor!” types? They’re your sworn enemies. Those awesome Celestials and Good-aligned Dragons that are cluttering up your Bestiaries? You’ll be fighting them.
DISCLAIMER #2: This AP will almost certainly end in a TPK. That’s kind of the point. You’re playing out the story of a group of nameless Mooks who become BBEGs. As such, you most-likely WILL be killed by adventurers. Yes, it will be glorious and well worth it. Plus, if you somehow survive, you’ll have earned some SERIOUS bragging rights.
Campaign Info: The campaign takes place in Golarion’s distant past. Aroden is still alive. The island nation of Talingarde (where this adventure takes place) is located where you’d normally find the Eye of Abednego. The dominant (aka only) Deity here is Mitra. Think of Sarenrae as a LG holier-than-thou type, and you’ll have the general idea. Your characters are heinous criminals who’ve been captured, sentenced to death (or life in the salt mines – a slower, more painful death), and thrown in Brandescar Prison (think Alcatraz). Your sentence will be carried out in three days. Oh, and before you ask: Yes. You actually are the despicable scumbag the Talireans think you are.
Character Creation Rules: None yet. I’m still finishing up prepping, so we won’t be starting for another week or two (at the earliest). However, when I showed KatsuneSage my in-progressive rules, she looked at me like I’m a crazy person. You’re going to be extremely powerful. I’ve thrown out my ban list. If you have a crazy, somewhat OP’d concept, this is your chance to go all-out. Realize that this means I’m throwing off the GM kid gloves. Unlike my normal games, I WILL be trying to kill your character early and often. Good luck!
To start things off, I want a brief backstory and an epic picture of your character. I’ll post the crunchy bits once this is done. I don’t care about balance or “filling party roles” this time, but for reference, Kat will be playing an Arcane caster focusing on melee DPR. In terms of allowed resources, go wild. I’m banning guns, but that’s it. Is there a snazzy 3rd-party class you’re wanting to play? Let me take a look at it. Anything from Deep Magic, 1001 Spells, New Paths Compendium will most likely be auto-accepted, but check with me first anyway. If there’s a 3.5 class you adore, that could work, too. Basically, if there’s something I can reference, it’s a distinct possibility. Also, make sure your character will be okay with furthering the cause of Asmodeus. Because s/he’ll die if that’s a problem. No, I’m not kidding. Have fun brainstorming, and don’t forget the picture!
|
ThinKing on a Tarry Demodad descended Tiefling, NE, sweats constantly and when he does something that would make a normal person sweat his perspiration increases and takes on a black sheen, almost like he's sweating ink. Hedonistic. Probably worships Nocticula to spite his God /Demon hating parents and forebearers.
Edit: Moved.
I'm not saying it's guaranteed approval, but this is a TOUGH AP, so I'm relaxing my restrictions substantially. :-)
What happens if you die? Depends on when. If it's during the end-of-campaign battle of awesome TPK-ness, I'll write up something suitably epic and move to the epilogue. If it's earlier, you can either get him rezzed, bring in a new PC, or tableflip ragequit.
EDIT: @Rysky: As long as your character is willing to work specifically towards advancing the plans of Asmodeus, I'm okay with worshipping a different deity.
A bit more background: Talingarde used to allow the worship of all deities, but the two main ones were Mitra and Asmodeus. About 100yrs before the campaign begins, the Asmodeans were unfairly blamed for the death of the (insane) king, and the island was engulfed in a religious purge. It's now a monotheistic nation. Naturally, Asmodeus is rather peeved at this and is out for revenge. Enter the PCs.
Just remember, art/backstory before crunch. :-)
EDIT: Also, I'd prefer everyone sticks to Core/ARG races. Talingarde's human-centric with a decent Dwarf population. Duergar are severely persecuted. Everything else shows up in small quantities, but there's nothing too unusual.
It's really because I know very little about Psionics. I've played around with a Dread, but that' about it.
|
Elan are the Psionic humans. They can use power points to enhance themselves slightly and they get bonus power points (if I recall correctly). They look like a slightly idealized human because they don't procreate. Candidates are selected and then made into Elan via a very secret process.
Anyway, if you want to look at them, cool. If not I can adapt.
The Vitalist is the Psionic healer. His key ability is the Collective that allows sharing of some buffs and, more importantly, healing. I can transfer any healing that occurs in the party to any other member of the collective (with permission). He does lack in removing conditions, however, which is his weak point. I can also only have 1/lvl people in the collective (not including myself). It's a really cool class that really comes into its own later in the game.
That's the basics. :)
@Choon: I'll give tentative approval to the Elan Vitalist, but keep it simple for me. No archetypes, and I'll probably need you to explain some stuf as it comes up. I'm a fan of DSP but haven't had a chance to observe Psionics in actual play. As long as you work with me, it should be fine. On a related note, I'll be using the Magic/Psionics transparency ruleset so I don't have to rewrite the entire AP. ;-)
Heh heh, this is almost worth bring out the original version of vashti!
But, instead, how about this man, turned to this.
Some men are born to greatness, many follow the path of light, some the darkness. Others fall before they tread either. Leaders are born or made, warriors are forged in fire and death, but order and power are made by the strongest. The weak follow the strong, and I am not weak. I will forge order. I will bring law. My law and my order made with my power.
I am Ekkehardt. You shall know me..
Totally hoping to go with the Variant LE Anti-paladin here!
Unless some one else wants in on it?
Rysky: Tiefling ?
Choon: Elan Vitalist
Silence: ?
Vashti: Human? Anti-Pally
Kat: Arcane Melee (I'll let her reveal herself when she's ready)
...
...
...
That didn't come out right...
Phrasing, my dear, phrasing.
Is this archetype acceptable?
And yes, totally human. I need no strange race to be evil and scary!
Most definitely. :-)
found a Players Guide.
edit, now I found a players guide, doh!
@Rysky: The ? refers to your class/party role.
Slaughterlord is entirely dependent on the rest of the party. If they're okay with potentially dying from your rage, I'm cool with it. That being said, Way of the Wicked isn't really a campaign for loose-cannon PCs, as they tend to die quickly. Smart minions obey the overlord - even if they think it's stupid. ;-)
Regarding the Godling: Tell me more of what you have in mind. The classes are powerful and very easy to break.
Bad rysky, trying to still GM kills even before the game starts!
|
|
Basic idea for a healer among the ranks of Asmodeus' clergy and my character's place. He's probably in prison just because he's a member of the church.
The flame of Asmodeus's power burns bright in his clergy. Wielding negative energy against the Chaos is their specialty, and none are more adept. However, Asmodeus is not so great a fool as to invest all his hope in his clergy, no matter how faithful. That's where I come in. I am ranked among the clergy, yes, but I am of a special role: Healing. Though Asmodeus grants healing magics through his will for the Clerics and Inquisitors, none excel at this niche than I and my brother Vitalists. We are the ones called when a Servant must not die.
|
|
Slaughterlord is entirely dependent on the rest of the party. If they're okay with potentially dying from your rage, I'm cool with it. That being said, Way of the Wicked isn't really a campaign for loose-cannon PCs, as they tend to die quickly. Smart minions obey the overlord - even if they think it's stupid. ;-)
Regarding the Godling: Tell me more of what you have in mind. The classes are powerful and very easy to break.
*scratches head*
I don't have a concrete progression plan but was thinking Mighty Godling and selecting the Divine Portfolio and Mystic Inheritance traits to get differant abilities, subject to GM approval.
play with me big brother! Full metal vibe from the dog.
Oh, my...
Er...well, yes...um...EEk!
Do we have build rules yet?
I'm struggling to find the link right now, but it's either 3.5 or 3rd-party. Basically, it's a Wild Rager on steroids.
Re: creation guidelines - Yeah, they're pretty crazy. ;-)
|
|
Just need build numbers, then I'll get Tolus Soulrender stated up! :)
His method focuses on taking damage from allies and transferring it to foes or to himself in addition to the healing juggling. It should be fun!
By the way, if anyone could get an AOE heal like a channel, that would be amazing.
Note: Vitalists, like Psions, are a blend of prepared and spontaneous. I select from my power list every day and cast from those prepared spells spontaneously.
So, it's basically a Cleric/Life Oracle with Arcanist casting?
Rysky: Tiefling Mighty Godling
Choon: Elan Vitalist "Tolus Soulrender"
Vashti: Human Anti-Paladin "Ekkehardt"
KatsuneSage: Human Secret Class of Mysteriousness "Shinoko"
Silence: ?
Seems to be coming together pretty well. Choon still needs a picture, and Silence needs everything (although he's been PMing with me). Let's start filling in the crunch. :-)
Stats
One stat 18 (focus)
One stat 8 (foible)
15pts spread out among the other four stats
Yes, this works out to a 30pt buy. Yes, you can conceivably have two 18s before racials. No, you can't alter the Focus/Foible (except for Racial stat changes).
You also get a single trait (no drawbacks). This can be from anywhere; Campaign Traits from the Player's Guide are not required.
Gear
None. Not even the standard free set of clothing. You begin the campaign chained to a wall of a maximum-security prison. Animal Companions, familiars, spellbooks, holy symbols, etc have all been killed/captured/confiscated. You do begin with your usual complement of spells/powers memorized/prepared/etc though, so that's some consolation.
Make up an alias and let me know if you have any questions. Have fun! :-)
Its becuase part of this is conflicting with my inner paladin. *lawls* I was thinking evil gnome or halfling, but if narrowing down to human i have ideas... involving piracy or something.
|
|
I have been trying to find a picture for this guy, but nothing I've seen fits the bill so far. I'll keep looking tomorrow.
Edit: . Here we go. Just envision more Asmodeus in the robes.
okay i got it.... hehe any chance we can be guilty of more than one crime? *lawls* hehe i dont want the perks just well the infamy of being that wicked
so I will go with this picture cause i like the smirk. clicky clicky
hehe and ignore my earlier question, i read all of the players guide. I have a plan indeed! When do you need the backstory of doom?
|
|
I'm struggling to find the link right now, but it's either 3.5 or 3rd-party. Basically, it's a Wild Rager on steroids.
Re: creation guidelines - Yeah, they're pretty crazy. ;-)
Rage is common amongst barbarians, but few have as much uncontrollable anger and hatred as the slaughterlord. These berserkers are completely overcome by their fury and so hell-bent on destruction that usually, when they enter a rage, the only way for it to end is after something has been killed. More so even than other barbarians, slaughterlords live for combat and carnage, and the only time they truly feel alive is when they are murdering someone else. Their uncontrollable bloodlust goes beyond a mere primal or animal rage, and becomes something darker, as these warriors truly live for nothing but the kill.
Murderous Rage: A slaughterlord’s rage is even stronger than that of the average barbarian, and can be sated only by bloodshed. Instead of deriving strength from recklessness, she instead allows her animal instincts to take over, allowing her to be even more effective in combat, but potentially causing her to lose control of herself in a wild orgy of destruction and death. When using her rage class feature, the slaughterlord gains a +6 morale bonus to her Strength and Constitution scores, instead of the normal amount. Further, she does not suffer the normal -2 penalty to her AC. At the beginning of the slaughterlord’s turn, if she is raging, she must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2
the slaughterlord’s barbarian level + the slaughterlord’s Constitution modifier) or be overcome by her rage. A slaughterlord that is overcome by her rage must attack the nearest living creature to the best of her ability (she cannot choose to deal nonlethal damage, make a single attack when she could make a full attack, intentionally miss, or choose to sunder or disarm). If multiple creatures are tied for being the nearest creature, the slaughterlord attacks the one that is more obviously injured. If there is no clear distinction of injury, roll randomly to determine which one she attacks. In future turns, unless the slaughterlord succeeds on her Will save and gains control of her actions, she continues to attack the chosen creature until it is slain, even if it is no longer the nearest creature, or if she has to move to reach it, etc. If the creature moves to a place where she cannot reach it (such as by teleportation or flying), she must determine a new creature to attack, using the steps above.
The slaughterlord may make a new Will save each round to regain control of her actions. Until she does so, she may not voluntarily end her rage, nor can she take actions other than moving to pursue her target and attacking her target (this means that she cannot retreat, drink potions, perform combat maneuvers, etc.). If the slaughterlord successfully kills a creature, she gains a +5 bonus on Will saves made to regain control of her actions for the next round. Even once a slaughterlord regains control of her actions, then unless she ends her rage, she must succeed on a new Will save at the beginning of her next turn, or else she loses control again. This ability modifies the rage class feature.
Bloodscent (Ex): At 2nd level, the slaughterlord gains the scent and bloodscent rage powers. Her bloodscent makes it more difficult for her to control her actions while raging, however, and as long as she is benefitting from her bloodscent rage power, she suffers a -3 penalty on Will saves made to control her actions while raging (when combined with the +1 bonus to saving throws provided by bloodscent, this results in a total penalty of -2).
This ability replaces the rage power gained at 2nd level.
Eager Combatant (Ex): Beginning at 3rd level, the slaughterlord’s eagerness to engage in carnage grants her a +2 bonus on Initiative checks. At 6th level, and every three levels thereafter, this bonus increases by an additional +2 (to a maximum of +12 at 18th level).
This ability replaces the trap sense class feature.
Bathe in Blood (Su): Beginning at 6th level, the slaughterlord can rejuvenate herself and awaken her fighting spirit by bathing in the blood of her enemies. This is a full- round action that provokes attacks of opportunities, and requires a source of blood (either a corpse that is less than 12 hours old, or at least one gallon of blood stored by some other means). Bathing in blood in this way cures the slaughterlord of the fatigued and sickened conditions. Additionally, for 1 minute thereafter, the slaughterlord gains a +2 profane bonus to AC, CMD, and saving throws.
This ability replaces the rage power gained at 6th level.
Greater Rage: When the slaughterlord gains the greater rage class feature, the morale bonus to her Strength and Constitution increase to +8, rather than +6. The bonus to Will saves remains unchanged.
This ability modifies the greater rage class feature.
Mighty Rage: When the slaughterlord gains the mighty rage class feature, the morale bonus to her Strength and Constitution increase to +10, rather than +8. The bonus to Will saves remains unchanged.
This ability modifies the mighty rage class feature.
It's from Insidious Intentions 1 by Necromancer's of the Northwest.
@Everyone: Feel free to use the Players Guide for ideas, but it's not required. I don't want your heinous deeds to be limited to whatever trait gives the best mechanical benefit. As long as you did something terrible, I don't care where your trait comes from. It can be Reactionary, for all I care. :-)
I'd prefer the backstory come before the crunch, but you can submit both at the same time if you prefer. I'm just trying to avoid the "flavorless statblock syndrome" that happens every now and then (not that any of you are guilty of this. Good RP is one reason I invited you).