Alkenstar was once a place of wonders. Technology here advanced far beyond anywhere else in the world unhindered by the dangerous and and destructive practice of magic. With guns and ingenuity taking the place of sword and sorcery Alkenstar was a neutral and arrogant rock in the madness of the Mana Wastes.
Then something awakened within the heart of the wastes. And Alkenstar was punished for its arrogance.
Spell storms ravaged across the land once more, ripping apart reality, raping the laws of nature, and murdering thousands the first spell storms brought magic back to Alkenstar and fear back into its citizenry.
Yet there are still souls willing to fight for it. Whether for money, power, or as part of a good calling there are many who have come to Alkenstar to fight and many who have died already. Though the guns of Alkenstar are blazing brighter than ever it may be the flicker of a candle before the horrors of the wastes.
Welcome to the Wastes is a pathfinder game starting at level one.
FIRST READ THE INFORMATION PACKET BEFORE APPLYING
Second here are some additional requirements for consideration to eb selected.
1. You must have a character history. I'll take an incomplete sheet with a good story over a well done and finished sheet with no story any day.
2.I want at least one post a day. I want this to move along fairly quickly and will push things, forcefully if needed, to get the game along. It will not be a nice push.
3. Despite being a desert full of guns and mutants this is not Borderlands 2 or Fallout:New Vegas. This is more S.T.A.L.K.E.R. So please keep that in mind before putting in your application.
4. I am selecting a mere 4 characters to walk into the wastes. I want to keep a fair character balance as a result of this so be warned.
5. I'm using the guns are everywhere rule. So guns are cheap, fairly easy to use (simple weapons for early firearms, martial for advanced) and quite ubiquitous.
6. Recruitment ends a week from when this post is made. Make the most of the time.
7. Forget everything you know in meta terms about monsters. Practically nothing you'll encounter will be found in a books as I describe it.
8. Lastly I'm allowing the machinesmith to be used in this game plus all its ogl material.
How would the sheet look like? I like idea of a waste area. Machinesmith or gunslinger. Or combination of two later :-)
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I am intrigued. I would be interested in playing a mysterious stranger gunslinger. If it is okay, I will PM you the back story. (What good is it being a mysterious stranger if everyone can see who you are?)
As a side note, Google could not find your first link for the information packet. This could be a side effect of the firewall here at work. I will try again from home, so my submission will be delayed until I can access it.
Woot! Let me look everything over and I will get an app in.
Just want to make sure, only humans? Or other races?
Never mind. Missed that part.
A quick background, just to get off the mark, and hopefully get some input.
Fleet footed, desert runner elf.
Female.
Her family and herself lived in the desert, always moving, never staying in one place. Nomads.thats how they lived, how they enjoyed life. The vastness of the desert their only concern, always exploring. Till the storms hit. It came out of nowhere. They were nearly trapped in it, nearly killed, like so many others. Their saving grace? They knew the land, and found shelter just in time. They suffered effects from the storm, but none of their family was killed. Now, their home they knew well, changed over night. Yet, it just gave them more reasonto keep moving, exploring the land as it changed.
In this life, she began to tinker with objects left behind or destroyed, she built things, magical things, mechanical things. It helped them in the desert. She grew in knowledge of these things. Later she discovered what people called her, a Machinesmith. Curious, she began to explore the stories, searching for others like her, so she grew more. Always exploring the machines and their powers
I'm very interested in this game, but I'll admit some concern about the line on party balance. Seems like everyone so far wants to play a gunslinger or machinesmith (which admittedly were my first thoughts), and I'm not sure how eager someone would be to play, say, a wizard or sorcerer in a setting that basically wreaks havoc on magic.
That said, I think I'm going to look at a Grenadier Alchemist (possibly with any other archetypes that might fit), with either Mercenary or Touched by the Wastes.
By "two traits, one campaign" do you mean two traits total, or three total (two normal traits and a campaign trait)?
One normal trait one campaign trait.
Also in regards to the party balance concern bear in mind my thoughts on it may differ from yours.
That being said, yes magic is unreliable, but given that nearly every class casts magic in some form (including the machinesmith) it's a problem most classses will have to face. Also the affects of the wastes aren't always detrimental, in many cases they're either neutral or even beneficial to the spell caster. The only real rule behind them is that the areas change constantly (especially after spell storms).
Contrary to the many gunslingers and machinesmiths, I'm interested in playing as either a paladin or inquisitor of Abadar. Especially now that magic works again, or at least it might, it seems like's it time for servant of order to try and tame the Wild, Wild Wastes.
EDIT: And now I've got Bad Company stuck in my head. Rogues and fighters and bards... the gunslinger seems almost boring in comparison!
I am intrigued. I would be interested in playing a mysterious stranger gunslinger. If it is okay, I will PM you the back story. (What good is it being a mysterious stranger if everyone can see who you are?)
As a side note, Google could not find your first link for the information packet. This could be a side effect of the firewall here at work. I will try again from home, so my submission will be delayed until I can access it.
Seems to work okay for me. IS anyone else having this issue?
Oh this looks good.
Looking at:
Human Ranger with the Skirmisher and Trophy Hunter archetypes {I am not big on either spells or pets}. Taking the Deputy Shield marshal trait and a background involving a small community wiped out by an anomaly.
Full background and crunch to follow soon.
{edit} Link works fine for me. Suspect firewall. {/edit}
If anyone has any questions regarding the document or the requirements feel free to ask. It's a lot to take in and I'm aware the document has loads of spelling and grammar errors as a result of my fevered insomniac typiing spree.
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Seems to work okay for me. IS anyone else having this issue?I am intrigued. I would be interested in playing a mysterious stranger gunslinger. If it is okay, I will PM you the back story. (What good is it being a mysterious stranger if everyone can see who you are?)
As a side note, Google could not find your first link for the information packet. This could be a side effect of the firewall here at work. I will try again from home, so my submission will be delayed until I can access it.
As an update, I think it is related to my workplace. I was able to pull up the pdf outside of work just fine.
This sounds awesome! I'm in love with the Touched by the Waste trait from a story perspective, someone caught out in the wastes during the first spell storm. Rolling now to determine my mutation as that will have a huge impact on character history.
Sloughing skin eh? There's a lot of angles I can take for that one, just got to figure out which would be funnest now...
I am working on a character for this. I thought I saw the character creation guidelines at one point but am having trouble finding them again. I've never seen S.T.A.L.K.E.R. but did check out the website. I'm a big Ravenloft fan and so I think I will like the setting.
Despite the mechanosmith's availability, and my interest, I am currently gripped by a different inspiration and so am leaning toward it.
I'm not certain how you feel about alignments and so will make him whatever you allow that seems fitting for Geb. I've been looking at different classes and am seeing a Spellslinger Wizard or Spellslinger Wizard/Sorcerer. I've also been looking at the Myrmidarch Magus, but with the same concept. My vision for this characters crunch is an arcane caster who channels evocation and necromantic debuffs through his rifle.
Personality and background-wise, I'm kind of looking at a Clint Eastwood Pale Rider/Mysterious Stranger type. I'm basing his look and stats on Val Kilmer's Doc Holiday from Tombstone although I'm a bit nervous taking the constitution down too far.
This picture is another inspiration I'm pulling from, although I've never played the game. I think this is the feel you are going for. If I'm wrong however, please let me know.
How does the "Guns Everywhere" rule interact with the non-gunslinger gun-wielding archetypes (e.g. Holy Gun, Spellslinger, etc.), assuming anything changes at all?
I know Gunslingers swap out Gunsmith for Gun Training @ first, but it looks like the designers may not have considered the other archetypes in such a campaign.
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Dotting and rolling for "touched by the waste"
8. Arcane Foci: You seem to have become a local center for arcane power. Though minor in your influence strange things still occur in your presence and it’s unmistakable about who is the cause though with some concentration you can control the effects yourself. You again Prestidigitation as an at will spell like ability.
Interesting... This would explain a few things.
@ DARK I'll handle those on a case by case basis. Not everyone is getting gun training but I don't want to put the work in for an archetype or class that won't be in the game.
@Hilde: Seems okay. Can't wait for the full sheet!
Just a note I'm considering a slight change in the way advanced fierarms work. NAmely allowing them to resolve touch attacks only within the first range increment. This will very likely have little to no impact since they usually have good range increments anyway but it does give a few better options to those who want to wear armor and stay viable against gun wielding foes.
Rolling for my elf.
If we are allowed to use 2 campaign traits, i will take touched by the waste as my second... otherwise I'm not taking it :-D
I'm a glow stick!
TEchnically no. Sorry.
Oh well :-P then engineering prodigy. Will look at other traits later
My character concept is evolving and I have started the packet. I will have something by Sunday.
My character concept is evolving and I have started the packet. I will have something by Sunday.
My character is complete excepting equipment and her spellbook. I have a question which I will cover in the spoiler. She can be found here.
The only actual problem I ran into was her firearm. Gunslingers/Spellslingers receive the feat Gunsmithing which gives you a free musket that sells below value. However, the Guns Are Everywhere (GAE) state of the campaign removes that feat as it's no longer really appropriate. I assume this gives her Scribe Scroll back, as that was replaced by Gunsmithing.
The problem is then starting money. A musket costs 150 gp and is considered an antique under GAE. This is too expensive for her to purchase and seems unbelievable considering its status as an antique. A rifle on the other hand costs 500 gp, way more than she has.
A normal gunslinger gets a 1500 gp musket for free but it only sells for 4d10 gp. I'd like to recommend that she get the 500 gp rifle for free but that it still sells for only 2d10 gp. She would then get Gun Training I for free as per Ultimate Combat since Gunsmithing is no longer used with Advanced Firearms.
I'll update her character sheet to reflect this when I purchase her equipment if she is selected for the campaign. I'm rather surprised that there haven't been more applications and am going to tell a friend about the campaign this afternoon.
Well. Damn.
I think the change itself is mean to replace the gunsmithing feat itself. To this end you can still get the broken firearm as per the class feature but you will also get Scribe Scroll back. Hope that helps.
A note about Guns are everywhere, starting gold, and the Gunsmith feature: I'll still allow characters to start with the broken firearm portion of the class feature but they still lose the gunsmithing feat in replacement for something else to be determined on a case by case basis.
They talk about the Gunslinger but don't mention everyone else. I'd rather get the Gun Training feature as I can take Scribe Scroll later as a regular feat, but it's really your call. I just wanted to bring the specifics to your attention. 8)
Doomed Hero here,
This is an old character from a game that died that seems to be an excellent fit for your game concept, Tark.
Please take a look and tell me what you think. There are a few mechanical tweaks that will need to be made to rework him to your guidelines, but the basics are all there and ready for critique.
Edit: Looks like Ashara beat me to the punch as a Spellslinger submission, so I wanted to add that I have no problem with the idea of having two spellslingers in the party (if that was something you'd consider). I've always found that having two characters of the same class in a party can actually be very complimentary and make for interesting role playing experiences.
Aaaand I just looked at the machine smith. I think I'm in love.
I'll have a secondary submission ready to go on monday night.
VAnce will need to select a campaign trait.
As far as two spellslinger submissions. Things may change but you may want to reconsider with as few people as I plan on taking. I really want to avoid doubling up if at all possible.
Can't decide between a machinesmith and an alchemist of sorts. I'll probably stat up both and decide which I like better...
DH, which Greatwork are you looking at, so that I don't overlap on you too much if I make a cool machinesmith? It seems a varied enough class that you can take it in a lot of directions.
I'm definitely interested in a vivisectionist/internal alchemist sort, who has the touched by the wastes or mercenary campaign trait. He basically believes that it's an amazing place to study all sorts of individuals (both creature and more intelligent) and really work what he considers to be a much safer form of art. He's trained for years in preparation of this exploration. If I go with the touched trait, he'd have been caught out in one of the spell storms (thinking he'd be safe). Well, that's obviously not the case.
I think Vance is going to take Deputy Shield Marshal. I may end up keeping Vance's backstory and just changing his class to Machinesmith.
As for the Great Work, I'm not sure yet. This weekend is really busy for me, so I'll have to make that decision on Monday.
I present Mumbar, a half-orc druid.
I am wavering on a the feat choices.
I am hard pressed to decide between several feats.
The default is Endurance, BUT in priority
1)Exotic Weaponry(firearms all): If basic guns are considered Simple weapons Simple Weapons mastery should open up access to those guns.
2) Amateur Gunslinger: Gives me one gun-deed, 1+wisdom bonus grit points but no proficiency.
3) Desert Dweller or sand-walker
I am fine tuning this a bit.
So, quick run down of submissions so far at the half.
Completed Sheets:
Mumbar - Half Orc Druid
Ashara - Spell Slinger
Vance - Spell Slinger
Interest + Ideas Expressed:
gresch 55 - mutant hermit
Poor Wandering One - Spelless petless ranger shieldmarshal
Shadowyfox - Alchemist
Doomed Hero - Second Submission for Machinesmith
Seth86 - Machinesmith
drayen - Mysterious Stranger Gunslinger (fine wiht you pming me backstory)
Dread Pirate Hurley - somethign of abadar.
Interest:
Bilbo Bang Bang
Only three sheets turned in so chances are still really high for anyone who can finish an app.
Edit: Looks like Ashara beat me to the punch as a Spellslinger submission, so I wanted to add that I have no problem with the idea of having two spellslingers in the party (if that was something you'd consider). I've always found that having two characters of the same class in a party can actually be very complimentary and make for interesting role playing experiences.
Despite my paying a lot of attention to crunch, it's not my main focus, especially in PBP. Background, personality and role are what I focus on. Ashara is meant to be a sniper and I looked at Magus Myrmidarch, Spellslinger/Arcane, Spellslinger/Divine and Gunslinger/Rogue to get there. The Gunslinger/Rogue concept would work really well as a companion to Ashara and would not overlap as she isn't much of a skill monkey. So, if someone else wants to play a sniper, there are non-overlapping mechanics that will give you that.
With that said, if there are only four finished applications on deadline day, I can easily swap Ashara to a Gunslinger/Rogue and keep my entire character concept intact. It would be worth it to me to have another sniper to play with.
I want Ashara to be a sniper. What class she is doesn't really matter to me. 8)
Playing around with Mumbar. Druid works well. Ranger(warden) works even better match for concept and background. I just might swap the class out, all else is minimally affected. (+2 skillpoints, lose the spells and familiar, gain terrain mastery(vs favored enemy) and oh yeah larger weapon selection.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGzghUQRVk8
I found this today. It reminded me of this campaign so I thought I'd share.
Gonna be a little later with submitting my character then I had planned, but should have him done by tomorrow night.
Withdrawing my hat from the ring.
The game looks awesome but time she is a cruel mistress.
I'm probably not going to get Vance 2.0 the Machinesmith up tonight. Real life has reared it's ugly head. I'll try to get it in tomorrow.
gresch555 here. May I present Rani Kobad, Spellscar Oracle and former Gunmarshal of Alkenstar. Still have to finish the back story, but he's mostly done.
So far I have 5 completed submissions. With me only takign 4 chances are still good for others if they finish a submission before tommorrow night.
Vance 2.0 ready to go.
His background is exactly the same, but both the Machinesmith version and the Spellslinger version are included. They both fill similar party roles, including disable device. I'd gladly play either version, but I prefer the Machinesmith.
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That is one sweet write up Rani. A good background that provides lots of hooks. Now I want to expand and expound on mine. Probably will. The framework is there begging for it.
And Vance I liked the idea of the two spoilered versions. Just did it with Mumbar. Stealing that idea for future uses. Kinda curious to see how the machinesmith will work out.
Ashara, Curse you for the link. It does add a flair. Now I am adding a new set of videos to watch. Like I have time for that.
That is one sweet write up Rani. A good background that provides lots of hooks. Now I want to expand and expound on mine. Probably will. The framework is there begging for it.
And Vance I liked the idea of the two spoilered versions. Just did it with Mumbar. Stealing that idea for future uses. Kinda curious to see how the machinesmith will work out.
Ashara, Curse you for the link. It does add a flair. Now I am adding a new set of videos to watch. Like I have time for that.
Whatever you do. Don't looks for their character sheet. You are likely to burst into tears.
Whatever you do. Don't looks for their character sheet. You are likely to burst into tears.Ashara, Curse you for the link. It does add a flair. Now I am adding a new set of videos to watch. Like I have time for that.
I was in advertising and web design for twenty years before starting medical school, so the character sheet isn't really all that difficult. I pretty much do them all that way and have for about ten years or so.
The only part that was hard was the girl in the tank. She was covered in quills like that planar race in 3.5 (who's name I have forgotten). I had to repaint a good deal of the picture to remove them but even that wasn't too hard. It's kind of a blurry, swishy piece of art to begin with and so Photoshops smudge tool went a long way.
It took me maybe thirty minutes for the picture and four-ish hours for the character sheet total. The writing takes the most time although I do it all in one go. I also let the writing take me wherever it wants rather than plotting it out. I like the surprises that it gives me sometimes.
Any word on when we get to see the final selection?