Hello everyone. I'm new on the boards, so I'll include a small introduction. I'm an experienced Pathfinder and 3.5 player and about half a year ago I started DM'ing an adventure. I like it and I'm having a wonderful time with my group, but I would like to increase my DM experience a bit. Since Pathfinder has become my favourite, I came here and I'm looking for a group to play Council of Thieves.
So, I'm looking for 4-5 players to get this adventure started. I'll be closing submissions next week (Sunday December 9) and make a final selection 2-3 days later.
DM Houserules
- Pace: I have a demanding job myself and I won't be able to play every day, so I won't ask that of you either. 3-4 posts a week is fine.
- Storytelling: Given we don't have that much posts, make them count. RP, immersion and character discussions are important for me (as you'll realise later on), if you have suggestions to improve them, don't hesitate.
- Absence: I'm very happy if you tell me about expected absences, I don't even need a reason. If it's unexpected and I don't hear from you, I'll provide a "godmode" solution from the moment it blocks the other players.
- Game Rules: As said in the intro, I don't have much DM experience. It is possible I will forget rules. Either you accept that, either you tell me in the OOC discussion so I can think about it a next time. But don't let it interrupt play, we go slow enough already. I'll be very careful that no game-breakers come in.
- Critical Fail: A backfiring effect, in danger whenever you throw 1. Applied to players, monsters and NPC's on skill, attack and saving throws. Like a critical hit, it will need to be confirmed (next throw needs to fail again in order for the effect to happen) and don't worry, I won't kill your character because of it. Expect yourself to funny and embarassing situations instead.
- Let's be adults, but let's be decent as well. I'm quite tolerant there but the moment you cross a line I give you a clear warning. Next time you cross it you're out.
Your Submission
- Lvl 1, 20 point buy. 2 Traits of whom 1 Campaign OR Regional if you're character isn't from Westcrown.
- Races: Standard + Any race from the Advanced Race Guide. Just be aware, the more exotic, the more effort I expect of you to blend into Westcrown.
- Classes: As listed in the PRD.
- 3rd Party Content: Feel free to propose something and convince me with an excellent Westcrown blend and story.
- Psionics, don't try. Unfortunately for you I have a personal dislike for it so it will be near impossible to convince me there. Just warning you in advance.
- To make sure you blend well into Westcrown, here is the Player guide.
- Story: I want "grey" characters with strenghts and weaknesses. I want you to tell me their motivations in life and get an impression on how they look, how they behave. I want to know how they got in Westcrown and how their life in the city looks like. I would also like you to describe 1 other person you know in the city. Give me all that and we'll have a wonderful game.
Don't feel obliged to create your entire character sheet, I'm looking for character concepts. I'll be selecting characters mostly on story and how your character blends into Cheliax and Westcrown. After selection, you will have some time to finetune your character. At this stage, I will also work out with you a personal quest, unknown for the others. Here are some detailed guidelines:
The Party
- I don't have experience with Evil parties, so I stick to Good & Neutral so far just to be safe.
- I won't be checking party balance during selection. If four Gnome Wizards turn out to have the best stories, I'll pick them and I'll provide possibilies to balance the game during fights. But sometimes four Gnome Wizards just make for a better story as the usual combo, and this is exactly what I'm looking for.
One of a handful of players here who were just part of a Council of Thieves game that made it to essentially the first encounter before the DM (wisely) had to drop the game to focus on some other ones. So I am dotting to submit with this character, to which I may make some adjustments for your game specifically.
I should encourage some of the other players to find this thread, too.
I am interested in making a character. I am thinking about making a kitsune trickster. An infiltrator/espionage type. Would you allow the kitsune?
Interested...am I able to combine he social trait "Rich Parents" with the Campaign Traits with "Child of Infamy" to get an extra 1200gp?
Posting to note interest; I have a ranger/rogue I've tossed around in my head for a while, I'll get stats and background up for him shortly and create an alias if accepted.
I was one of the players in the group with Shannon. My concept is a little odd, but it seemed to really work well in the other game so I was hoping to reprise it.
Mechanically, I'm a pretty simple and straightforward dex-fighter.
Thematically, I'm a masked vigilante out to right the wrongs of the city. Think a combination of Batman and the Joker and you'll have a pretty good idea of Killjoy's style and of his morality.
Let me know if you have any questions about how the idea works.
I'm interested in this one. I'd like to play an either a half-elf arcane duelist bard or a half-elf wild caller summoner. Which one would you prefer?
@Shannon: Congratulations for your character, the way you included Cheliax lore into your character description is most appreciated.
@Grand Mof Vixen: Yes I would consider them, depending on how good you are in blending them in.
@Gilthanis: I do consider the trait, but where do you find 1200?
Pathfinder PRD: "Rich Parents: You were born into a rich family, perhaps even the nobility, and even though you turned to a life of adventure anyway, you enjoy a one-time benefit to your initial finances—your starting cash increases to 900 gp."
@Odea: I'd be happy to consider your character, but I hope you could tell me more about him/her before I pick the party?
@Killjoy: I think I understand, I'll make sure to look in to it during the upcoming days.
@ Amaranthine Witch: Depends on which class you can give the best story ;-)
dotting. when will you be closing submissions?
Also I'm currently running a CoT game. Though I'm aware that GM's almost always have their own twist on things that can provide vastly different experiences. Will this be a problem?
@TarXT:
I'll be closing submissions next week (Sunday December 9) and make a final selection 2-3 days later.
About running a game yourself, I don't consider that a problem. Looking forward to your character :-)
What is the starting gold?
I'm definitely interested. This sounds like a great deal of fun. I've only participated in one PbP game and that has just collapsed.
How about a Tiefling Inquisitor of Luck?
@Amaranthine Witch: Average starting gold for your class please :-)
@Kisrana: Welcome, looking forward to see the character!
Dotting
@Grand Mof Vixen: Yes I would consider them, depending on how good you are in blending them in.
When you say blending in, do you mean for the PC to be able to do business in the city with no issues? Or am I missing something?
@Magnauk: Were you dotting for interest or is this the character you'd like to submit?
@Grand Moff Vixen: No, I mean making up a credible story for your character to be in the city of Westcrown specificly, in line with customs and traditions in Cheliax. To be short: the more exotic your character, the better story and RP I'm expecting.
@Magnauk: Were you dotting for interest or is this the character you'd like to submit?
@Grand Moff Vixen: No, I mean making up a credible story for your character to be in the city of Westcrown specificly, in line with customs and traditions in Cheliax. To be short: the more exotic your character, the better story and RP I'm expecting.
i.e. former gladiator from Egorian: credible. Tengu monk from Minkai: might want to explain thyself.
Playing in Baldwin's awesome CoT game and I suggest using Maptools and Dropbox for mapping duties
Tark, you can't play because you are DMing so you know everything. ;)
Would you be looking for a full write-up and character sheet?
@all: Happy to see your interest :-)
@TarXT: Thanks for the example, exactly that.
@Andrea1: Thank you for the tips. I didn't know Maptool yet, seems like a great addition to a digital campaign. Is it "newbie-friendly" or will I need to take some time to get used to it?
@Kastarr Eunson: I'm happy with a concept for the character sheet (no need to calculate attack, defense, skill ranks, ... in advance), but the description of your character, his background and his reason to be in Westcrown (his story) are vital points for me. This is what I'll be basing my choice on when selecting the party to play with.
I haven't used it myself but have gotten good feedback on it. It does have a tutorial you can view.
Looking at the "Pathfinder's Exile" Campaign Trait it seems to fit very well with the Lore Warden fighter archetype. Its not in the prd, but would you consider a submission using it?
@Magnauk: Were you dotting for interest or is this the character you'd like to submit?
@Grand Moff Vixen: No, I mean makdoing up a credible story for your character to be in the city of Westcrown specicly, in line with customs and traditions in Cheliax. To be short: the more exotic your character, the better story and RP I'm expecting.
Dotting for interest this will be the guy bit need to rework to match your requirements. will post when he is fleshed out.
child of infamy gives me another 300gp from the campaign triats
I am very interested in joining a story heavy Adventure Path. I will work of a profile with the concept and story for you soon.
I'm another of the players from the campaign Shannon was playing in. I've taken a liking to this character Ronwn - she was the salt-of-the-earth local gal in contrast to Shannon's high-flown Chelaxian Opera lifestyle.
Please let me know if there are any modifications that might be required, or questions I can answer.
Submitting my Tiefling Rogue (Roof-Runner): <Kip Tialak>
Are we using regional languages? If so, and if we're Wistcroni, do we start with Chelaxian or should I take it as a bonus language?
I've taken Diabolist Raised instead of Infernal Bastard, though I'll take that trait if GM wishes it.
A purple-scaled tiefling with reptilian features. His fiendish heritage is extremely apparent. The pupil of his eyes are a mere black vertical slit surrounded in a pool of yellow. Leathery demonic wings sprout from his back and his mouth displays his sharp teeth. He has clawed hands but no horns.
He has a lithe frame and a toothy grin. The predatory stillness he adapts is a complement to the speed and grace with which he moves.
He isn't afraid to commit unsavory acts but prefers to avoid it when he can. His only principles concern his own survival and freedom: to each their own until it threatens him.
Kip spends most of his time on rooftops, at home with the height. He likes admiring the view, especially at nighttime, and avoiding the crowds below.
Kip's birth and earlier years is unknown to him. His earliest memory is of servitude to a Chelaxian merchant in Westcrown. He performed labor for him and was eventually entrusted with carrying parcels and messages to his correspondents due to the merchant's distrust and paranoia that what he sent would be intercepted. The tiefling preferred running on the rooftops of Westcrown rather than traversing the streets, avoiding the people there who would look at him with suspicion. Above, he was safe. Most of his deliveries were done by rooftop.
Most of his life was spent under the merchant's service, mostly as a courier and as general labor. The work was constant, but the merchant was fair, at least in comparison with most masters. He generally treated him well as long as Kip did what was asked of him without question.
It is only recently that, when the merchant died, and Kip became free, that the tiefling explored what else life had to offer him. He discovered that he was not particularly adventurous and while he liked lazing about, boredom was horrible. He sought for work to occupy him but none would hire him due to his heritage and appearance; most were wary of him at best.
A close friend of his former master, Chauncy Tigan, hired his services as a courier one day. Pleased with the activity and the job, Kip agreed and continued working with several of his former master's acquaintances and some new clients.
He spends his days between safe roofs, visiting clients, delivering packages, and watching the people below as they go about their business. He particularly enjoys it at night, when it is more quiet and he is safe to observe the city. He also has the hobby of exploring the city's rooftops.
Had an idea for a human ranger, the son of a guardsman who quit to start his own private security company (bodyguard, bounties, etc.) Favored enemy would be native outsiders, lotta Tieflings need beatings in Westcrown.
@rashly - I believe current clarifications on languages cite Chelaxian as 'Common', with a more flavorful/current Chelish language as Abyssal. I don't know what they GM's current take on it is though.
I am thinking of a soldier just home from the wars inNidal, of an old Chelaxian family that's survived so far by keeping its head down, but this soldier is a scout and tracker disgusted with the Hellknights and the idiots in charge and is readily to do so meshing about it.
Ranger, favored enemy humans.
I'm working on a half-orc monk. The background, personality, and appearance should be ready on Sunday.
Working up a Tiefling Urban Barbarian that I should get the backstory up for tomorrow.
This is Mythril Dragon submitting a character story. I plan to write him up as a human ranger (urban archetype). I think the Conspiracy Hunter campaign trait fits best and for the other trait Child of the Temple to represent his former life. He would be chaotic good (reluctant), and is struggling with his inner demons. Depending on the role play I could possibly multi-class him with Paladin, that is if he can find his way again. A short background is on the profile page, let me know if you have any questions about the background or how I plan to roleplay him.
@Andrea1: Thanks!
@Deylinarr: Lore Warden is fine, depending on the story ;-)
@Magnauk Hailstraum: Thanks to make that clear, looking forward to see more.
@Gilthanis: As a famous celebrity would say... "D'oh!" Can't believe I missed that in the first place, thanks for pointing that out. Anyway, to asnwer your question: I will not allow it, because my interpretation from the Rich Parents Trait is that your starting gold is 900gp, not that it raises with 900gp.
@Ronwn DeDhaen: Welcome :-) I had a first read trough the story and I much appreciate it. I'll have another read during the upcoming days and should I have any questions, I'll get back to you about it.
@rashly5: Thanks for your character! Yes for regional languages, I follow the Inner Sea World Guide, which states that the language of Cheliax is Common (Taldane). For other regional languages, check Pathfinder Wikia
@Devastation Bob: They sure do ;-) Can you give me a draft of the story of your character (background, description, history, ...) in a week?
@Diego & @Ozer Taskker (Mythril Dragon): Thank you for your character! I'll have a thorough reading during the upcoming days and I'll ask, if I have any questions.
@tomtesserae and @TarkXT: Looking forward to it :-)
Dotting for interest! Thinking about planning a character that starts out as a Master of Many Styles monk and then moves on to a Lore Warden Fighter. I want to double check some rules and such, otherwise I might just stick to pure Lore Warden.
Diego is planning on Westcrown Firebrand as his campaign trait, and Armor Expert, from his military training (-1 to armor check penalties).
A disaffected soldier knows how to fight, and is ready to do so.
@Deylinarr: Lore Warden is fine, depending on the story ;-)
Story is done, took the angle of the 'smart fighter' to start and hope to explore the Society possibilities at future levels. Also thinking that multitasking with Archaeologist would be a good fit for the concept, but thats getting a bit ahead of myself isnt it?
Hope to have alias with character stats up within the next day or so, but for now.......
When he was not filling his head with as much knowledge as possible he was listening to tales of adventure read from the orphanage's prize possession: a large storybook. Fairy tales really, pure escapism from the drudgery of day to day life, but the young Del listened to every word over and over again as the heroes discovered lost treasures and defeated mythical beasts. Even as he approached manhood he still loved the stories....until the dottari came and seized the book. Seems that the book had been outlawed a few years before as 'dangerous and seditious'. Del watched from a window as the squad of seven rode away, confused by how a book could be against the law. As with everything else he had ever encountered, he yearned to learn more.
But that would have to wait. Two minor houses were having a dispute and started combing through the orphanages to bolster their ranks. Del was given a suit of mail and a sword and sent into battle. He learned much over the next few days. He learned that the heavy weapons he was using to rend his enemy's armor could just as easily rend his armor. He learned that even the strongest warrior could be felled by the smallest wound. And most importantly he learned the folly of chaotic mindless battle.
He survived the battle, even managed to earn a few coins. Anxious to leave the orphanage behind he started telling people that Del is short for Delkaneth. With a new name and a bit of a new life, he did what he always did: he started looking for things to learn. He studied history, geography and even the nature of magic. And of course, warcraft and tactics. With everything else, he just did it on his terms. He started wearing lighter armor, adopting a more mobile fighting style, ignoring heavier blades to focus on handaxes for close quarters combat and throwing at distances.
The more he learned the more he came to love knowledge, starting to chafe under the inflexible order of the House of Thrune's policy of surpressing thought and ideas. And of course, that thirst for knowledge and the freedom to explore it led him down several dangerous paths: studying the ways of Irori, diving into the stories of the urban ruins around him including the Delvehaven, and even going as far as to reach out to the Pathfinders.
Del is not exactly sure where the future will take him......but he cannot wait to learn.
You asked to have one other person described, how much detail do you need and what type would you prefer? Loved one, opponent, mentor, family?
Here is my submission let me know if you need anything else or if I have done something that does not meet your criteria.
thanks
Do you allow this feat from the Inner sea world guide?
Do you allow the agile magic weapon special ability?
Also, will we be able to take leadership?
Here's the application for Zavran di Chenlain. Planned as a Summoner(no archetypes.) I think I hit all your prereqs (background, appearance, 1 other person.) It will be also in the profile, but here it is for convenience.
Master Chenlain (as he prefers to be called) is an aged man, who has seen better times. His graying hair and pale skin is a contrast to his dark green-on-black robes, which represent his once-noble lineage. In the present, he can be found calling old favours to get by. He does so with an hint of anger, which is easily explained by how he used to live.
Zavran lived a decreasingly-comfortable life, and was often seen walking around the aged manor he inherited from his late parents. That is, until it was reposessed through an ancient agreement, which Zavran was not privy to see for himself. In an instant, his life became what he would have considered "destitute." No home, no servants, no wealth. At least they couldn't take his marriage from him.
His wife, Elenor, was excluded from the reposession. Zavran loves his wife dearly, as she is one of the last remaining reminders of his history. She is a Chelish/Taldane mix, with flowing black hair and tanned skin. She is far kinder than Zavran is, and is often what reels him in from trying to "go vigilante" against the city that took almost everything from him.
Submitting the background for my entry:
James Franklin Billingsworth III
--Appearance--
24 yrs old; 5' 5"; 155 lb; pale skin, brown hair, green eyes.
--Personality--
James is a former soldier from the armies of Ustalav. He has experienced first-hand the dangers that lay along the roads, in the forests and that creep in the darkness of Ustalav's night, and he has learned how to fight against them. The army was too strict and regimented for James, however, who is more of a self-serving spirit. He has taken to using his skills as a hired thug or mercenary; but he was forced to flee Ustalav rather than be imprisoned for desertion. He has moved to Westcrown in hopes of using his connections with criminal organizations to earn his living and use his skills for himself.
--Background--
The Shining Crusade was a famous Taldan expedition to end the reign of the Whispering Tyrant several hundred years ago. Most think of the army by its known name and remember paladins of Aroden with their shining shields and lances and magic horses. Few remember that those paladins can't sneak worth a damn. The forward guard for the crusaders was made up of regular soldiers, and just as there are paladins still trained to prevent the Whispering Tyrant from returning fom his sleep, there are still many people trained to fight the not-so-lawful-good fight using stealth in the darkness. James was one such trained soldier. After his training and short service in the military (James did not get along well in the military and eventually deserted because he did not "get along" well with his superiors.
He was trained as a scout, and used his stealth and deception skills to land work with the criminal element in Ustalav after his desertion. Word came through that James was wanted for his desertion, and so he called on the few friends he had to get himself out of Ustalav and to somewhere far, far away where he might continue to ply his new trade. He was directed to Westcrown, and given an "introduction" to a contact there who might be able to find him work as a mercenary thug. He's not met many people in town, and among those he has met, most don't want to give their names to a hireling. He only really knows the man he works through, Shelton Hearly. Shelton runs a small knick-nack shop in a poorer part of town, near the closed-up pathfinder lodge, Delvehaven--from which he fences or ships out the few stolen goods that enter his hands. Shelton is only a small-time fence and is convinced that James will do better as a mercenary than as a thief (the profits are higher and the risks not much less--Shelton knows what happens if the Hellknights catch a theif) and has tried to direct James to those sorts of jobs. James' income thus far has been pitiful, he has only been hired for a few jobs guarding empty buildings at night (which have, thankfully been uneventful) and one job to guard (and guide) a salesman from out of town using what little knowledge he has of the area. But James has plans to make it big--he's heard rumors about truly powerful figures who control the underground of Westcrown, and if he can find his way into the employ of one of these masters (or better yet, become one of them!) he's sure he'll be set for life.
He's starting as a Trapper ranger with an owl that helps him scout at night, but will be taking levels in rogue from then on out (at least as far out as I've planned).
Here is Alastor Minoreth. He is a bard and fights with an elven curve blade. The background is in the profile.
@Garabott: Interesting concept, looking forward to see more :-)
@Diego Sullarotti: Thanks for the update. Don't forget to put it in your profile, otherwise I might miss it later on.
@Deylinarr: Thank you for your character :-)
@Big OM: Minimum a few phrases so I can understand how the NPC is related to you and what his or her role in Westcrown is. I don't have any preferance, but chances are high I will use that NPC in the campaign.
@Magnauk Hailstraum: Thanks for the character and congratulations on your writing!
@Amaranthine Witch: I'm ok with the feat but I prefer you would pick a Wiscrani noble in that case. As for the Agile magic weapon, I'm not sure I understand 100%. If you are talking about the enchantment and if you want to know if it will be available during the campaign, then yes. If anything else, please explain.
@Zavran di Chenlain: Thanks for the character and congratulations for the story: refreshing to see an adventurer with a family :-)
@Odea: Thanks for the character and nice writing :-)
It seems the choice will be tough, I already saw several great stories. In other circumstances I might be tempted to try two parties, but this would be too much to start with, especially with working hours that could get ugly. Anyway, congratulations to the characters so far, I enjoy reading your stories.
I wasn't sure if you would allow for a character to be from a major noble house, so I made him a Mironeth, that are a minor aristocratic family beholden to the Grulios. But if Alastor can be from one of the major houses, I'll make him a Phandros.
I was talking about the enchantment.
No, minor is fine, I just tought I'd mention Wiscrani instead of non-Westcrown or even non-Cheliax nobles ;-)
I have added the NPC to the profile. Is what you asked something like that?
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Here is my submission for Erodel, Cleric of Shelyn.
Name: Erodel Alazario
Race: Human Male
Class: Cleric, Luck Domain, Chaotic Good, worshipper of Sheyln
From: Absalom
Story: Eroden great grandfather, Rutilus, was of Chelish decent from Westcrown. He shunned all things Cheliax and worked hard to blind his family to his life before Absalom. Eroden's childhood was spent helping his family make ends meet by doing odd jobs, often at the Sheyln Temple. Truth be told, the clergy didn't really need his help but Erodel's family often refused economic help from the church because of stubborn pride - a family trait. So the church often overpaid for Erodel's services. Eventually Erodel figured this out and he began to admire the religion. No doubt Erodel was influenced by the sermons he would hear as he bustled about the temple. He felt drawn to the place of worship and he began attending functions there regularly. Eventually he dedicated himself to the clerics of Sheyln.
When an assignment became available to travel to Westcrown and aid the budding Sheyln movement that was developing there, Erodel could not resist. This was a chance to find out where his family came from and why his grandfather always kept their family history secret. When he arrived he began to face a life of hostility, oppression, and abuse from the locals because of whom he served. However, he was able to draw strength from his goddess and from a fellow worshipper of Sheyln called Korva - an elderly priestess who was often blunt, quick witted, and had a very sharp tongue. She often offers him guidance and wisdom and in a way serves as a parent figure to him. His duties have kept him busy and he hasn't had much time to ask around about his family history.
Appearance: Average build. He is slightly taller than the average Chelishman. His hair is reddish brown and he has green eyes. He is clean shaven and has cropped hair.
Behavior: He is only serious when it matters. Often he hides emotional discomfort or uneasiness behind a joke or a sarcastic quip. He seldom loses himself to his anger, but when he does his personality changes dramatically. His pride often gets the better of him. He would probably wouldn't play pranks on his friends but he would certainly laugh if he or his comrades were at the receiving end of one. He enjoys playing pan pipes, although, he isn't very good at it.
Disclaimer: I have never played in a PBP group but I read them often. I DM a group once a month out of my home.