Probably just middle aged. While with this feat/flaw system means he won't have such sucky penalties to his physical stats, I also don't want to give him more than one flaw.
Since we're going with Golarion, I too can have my PC come from Kyonin. Thinking he's probably hunted various enemies of Darklands, and has possibly made allies with various pockets of resistance, even if they are made up of just a few or even one people.
So I have been doing some internet scouring in terms of golarion and adjusting it to this campaign, or vice versa at least lol. How about this:
Dammerhall = Highhelm. (dang it, Yorick beat me to it... probably appropriate as he is the DM and all lol)
3 remaining Duegar city-states
Janderhoff in Varisia
Kraggodan in Nirmathus
Kravenkus in Taldor (Probably near Maheto on the Taldor map)Those are three existing sky citadels that still exist supposedly. We could even cut the sky citadel part out entirely and say they are all located in mountain ranges that are connected in the Nar-Voth and are relatively close to entrances to the surface world. But seeing as the Duegar have isolated themselves, they don't allow much in the way of outside visitors? I don't know about that part, but I got excited when I was able to link geography.
This makes great sense if my character was an ambassador from Kyonin. Leaving Kyonin, he would have travelled all over Avistan visiting dwarven communities and refugees, as well as regularly visiting all of the Duegar city-states, even as they dwindeled in number down to three.
Sound reasonable?
That all sounds great to me! I'll start getting it all up in the Campaign Tab today. And yeah, the Duergar are very much 'on their own', which isn't doing them a whole lot of good, either.
Will the traited darkvision have light sensitivity to go along with it? Just curious...
Good question. No, getting Darkvision via the trait would not give Light Sensitivity. I had thought about removing Light Sensitivity from the Duergar, but I think that having a larger range of Darkvision might be a big help, and that light sensitivity shouldn't be much of a hindrance.
So if I use the aging variant you proposed... I would have 4 flaws, and 4 extra feats? I want to make sure I am reading that right lol.
If so, here are my 4 rolls... if not, I will adjust as needed.
Jesus that's a lot of flaws / feats. Tell you what - Choose 2 of the flaws you want, and I'll choose the other 2, just in case you try to get off too easy. :P
Monkey: Where you're only taking 1, choose it yourself but I may rechoose.
Getting an extra feat, or in KDinIN's case, four feats is no small thing, so I want to make sure that there is definitely some kind of tradeoff for them. A lot of these are pretty brutal, though, so it should work out.
^_^
Now that the Duergar is ready you say that...
What the hell, you can used the stat variants for the Duergar, too. They are after all, still Dwarves.
Hey this is Zach, I'm definitely playing a dwarf, and reading this thread has given me a lot to think about while fleshing out this character.
I will post later tonight once I know more about this nameless dwarf.
Excellent!
This will be a nice assortment. A dwarf, couple elves, couple duergar, and a svirfneblin. I am pleased, and very excited. :)
are there stat variants for the svirfnevlin :)?
are there stat variants for the svirfnevlin :)?
Technically no, but what the hell.
I want you to play a race for fluff reasons, not because the stats happen to work in your favour, so rule of thumb for all of these: If there's a penalty that really hurts, we can change things a bit. I'm definitely not into min-maxing or optimisation, but I'd rather you play what you guys want to and not be penalised for it.
I'm cool with what I've got. Judging by the dwarf alternatives, there is something of a downside to these choices, which I would have to work into the character; at this stage I don't think I'd want that.
In terms of alchemical weapons, I was looking at 3 flasks of acid and 2 flasks of alchemists' fire. These are only backups in case I run out of Bombs, so they probably won't get used, but it kinda fits the character to have alchemical substances and they should be craftable in a few days, IIRC.
Oh, and I'm cool with the changes to his back story.
Will the traited darkvision have light sensitivity to go along with it? Just curious...Good question. No, getting Darkvision via the trait would not give Light Sensitivity. I had thought about removing Light Sensitivity from the Duergar, but I think that having a larger range of Darkvision might be a big help, and that light sensitivity shouldn't be much of a hindrance.
I went ahead and took the Darkvision racial trait. My assumption is, that he has spent so much time underground, he has naturally adapted to the Nar-Voth environment. The racial trait comes with light sensitivity, which kind of sucks, but I will deal lol.
So if I use the aging variant you proposed... I would have 4 flaws, and 4 extra feats? I want to make sure I am reading that right lol.
If so, here are my 4 rolls... if not, I will adjust as needed.
Jesus that's a lot of flaws / feats. Tell you what - Choose 2 of the flaws you want, and I'll choose the other 2, just in case you try to get off too easy. :P
Monkey: Where you're only taking 1, choose it yourself but I may rechoose.
Getting an extra feat, or in KDinIN's case, four feats is no small thing, so I want to make sure that there is definitely some kind of tradeoff for them. A lot of these are pretty brutal, though, so it should work out.
Actually, I molded him as best I could around the flaws, so I will go ahead and keep them if you don't mind. The only one I wouldn't mind trading off would be the hit to my Init. rolls, maybe trade that for the poor reflexes save? I will let you decide on that one though.
If it makes you feel better about me having 4 extra feats, they are almost all social feats lol, so its not like I am going to be a heavy hitter in battle or anything lol.
- Breadth of Experience? (+2 on all Knowledge and Profession skill checks)
- Voice of the Sibyl - +1 on Bluff, Diplomacy, Perform (Oratory) (10 ranks or more, bonus goes to +3)
- Persuasive - +2 on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks (10 ranks, bonus goes to +4)
- Antagonize - Cause an enemy to want to harm you
- Magical Aptitude +2 on UMD and Spellcraft Checks (10 ranks, bonus goes to +4)
This might change as I get his character alias put together, and as I get some feedback on the guy, but so far, leaning heavy in the direction of social skills. I think I am also going Archivisit alternative as well.. though that one is still up in the air a bit.
Well, we know we got a face!
Here you go. A work in progress.
You guys being so accustomed to the Underdark is making me have to rewrite the first ten pages or so of the adventure, not that I mind in the slightest. But that coupled with work today being not great means that I won't have all the information added to the Campaign Tab until later tonight, or even tomorrow.
I went ahead and took the Darkvision racial trait. My assumption is, that he has spent so much time underground, he has naturally adapted to the Nar-Voth environment. The racial trait comes with light sensitivity, which kind of sucks, but I will deal lol.
Yeah, a big part of why I left the extended Darkvision on the Duergar and kept them having Light Sensitivity is because they literally just don't spend any time above ground. Again, I wouldn't worry about Light Sensitivity. It applies to "bright sunlight" or a "daylight" spell. The first you will almost never encounter, and I can't imagine most people in the Underdark are going to cast a spell that blinds them, too.
Actually, I molded him as best I could around the flaws, so I will go ahead and keep them if you don't mind. The only one I wouldn't mind trading off would be the hit to my Init. rolls, maybe trade that for the poor reflexes save? I will let you decide on that one though.
If it makes you feel better about me having 4 extra feats, they are almost all social feats lol, so its not like I am going to be a heavy hitter in battle or anything lol.
All of those feats look great, and I'm relieved that you aren't going hardcore combat with all four of them, I was nervous for a bit, haha.
Unless I'm mistaken, that puts you at having: Nemesis (Someone will be favoured against you), Noncombatant (-2 Melee Attacks), Unreactive (-6 Initiative), and Wizened (Lighter Load). Given how brutal it is and the feats you got, yeah I'm definitely all for swapping out Unreactive. Poor Reflexes sounds good to me.
Here you go. A work in progress.
Oooh, Dwarven Druid. Neat. QUEEN OF THE UNDERDARK.
I'll keep an eye on it as you add things!
Would it possible to change Eternal Grudge to apply to Drow and something else appropriate to the setting? My character definitely does not have anything against Dwarves, though Orc might still be a good choice.
As for the flaw, I think Nemesis works for the concept I am going with. The feat I would take would be Attuned to the Wild(Underground).
Edit: If I take Weapon Finesse, does that only let me use Dex to damage with the non-finesseable weapon? Or can I apply it to light weapons as well?
Also, dangit but none of those campaign traits seem to apply to my concept!
OK, Gumar's ready.
Looks good!
Would it possible to change Eternal Grudge to apply to Drow and something else appropriate to the setting? My character definitely does not have anything against Dwarves, though Orc might still be a good choice.
Sure, that seems reasonable. I have no idea if Orcs will come up, but you can keep those around. Dwarves aren't really much of a threat these days, so it makes sense not to have them. Drow are actually still just the Elf subtype, which is an interesting direction for your character to lean.
As for the flaw, I think Nemesis works for the concept I am going with. The feat I would take would be Attuned to the Wild(Underground).
That certainly works for me.
Edit: If I take Weapon Finesse, does that only let me use Dex to damage with the non-finesseable weapon? Or can I apply it to light weapons as well?
Ah, sorry. Yes. It applies to all light weapons, and it applies to one non-light finesseable weapon. This is my attempt to make finesse builds less shit, because I love them so. I also am attempting to make the monk less shit, so I kinda hope someone plays one.
Also, dangit but none of those campaign traits seem to apply to my concept!
Throw me some more information on the concept and I'll whip another couple up!
Hey guys, sorry I haven't gotten my guy finished up. We had a snow day today so we had the kids at the house and I couldn't get away. I hope to get him finished up sometime tomorrow.
Can I use Weapon Finesse and gain my Dex to Damage with an Elven Curveblade? I'm gonna guess yes, since in the description for the weapon, it says you can use Weapon Finesse with it, despite being a two-handed weapon.
Not sure I'll go that route, or which combat style I'll pick next level. Two-Fighting is nice especially with the Weapon Finesse buff, but I am a fan of archery as well. Hmm.
Also, I am now torn between the Eternal Grudge and Lightbringer racial traits, as both replace Elven Magic.
Oh, KDinIN, are you taking the Envoy racial trait? I feel it really fits your character concept.
Hey, Yorick, do you know what's happened to Katataban in the kiingmaker game? Last post made was jan 30 anywhere on the boards.
Edit: If I take Weapon Finesse, does that only let me use Dex to damage with the non-finesseable weapon? Or can I apply it to light weapons as well?Ah, sorry. Yes. It applies to all light weapons, and it applies to one non-light finesseable weapon. This is my attempt to make finesse builds less s$@*, because I love them so. I also am attempting to make the monk less s%*@, so I kinda hope someone plays one.
Kinda makes me wish I'd built a TWF Rogue, or gone with my monk. Can I have 2 characters, lol.
Hey guys, sorry I haven't gotten my guy finished up. We had a snow day today so we had the kids at the house and I couldn't get away. I hope to get him finished up sometime tomorrow.
No rush!
Can I use Weapon Finesse and gain my Dex to Damage with an Elven Curveblade? I'm gonna guess yes, since in the description for the weapon, it says you can use Weapon Finesse with it, despite being a two-handed weapon.
Not sure I'll go that route, or which combat style I'll pick next level. Two-Fighting is nice especially with the Weapon Finesse buff, but I am a fan of archery as well. Hmm.
Ah shit I forgot that weapon. Yeahhhh I think that should be fine. I'm not sure I can justify you getting 1.5x dex damage using it two-handed, though. Unless you have some explanation for it?
Hey, Yorick, do you know what's happened to Katataban in the kiingmaker game? Last post made was jan 30 anywhere on the boards.
No idea, but to be honest, his style of GMing seems to be "copy and pasting paragraphs out of the book and doing nothing else" so I'm not really bothered.
Kinda makes me wish I'd built a TWF Rogue, or gone with my monk. Can I have 2 characters, lol.
No. :P But there's still time if you want to come up with a couple different concepts and see which one you like the most! Nothing is set in stone yet.
Hey Gav, the Gray Disciple(Monk archetype) for the Duergar is pretty cool.
I'm tempted, but where would you guys be without my Alchemist?
Oh, KDinIN, are you taking the Envoy racial trait? I feel it really fits your character concept.
I am taking the Envoy racial trait, as well as the darkvision racial alternative. Looking forward to it. Currently I am trying to decide on the Archivist bard alternative or not, almost done with the details of the character, so I will post him soon I hope.
Any thoughts from all involved on the Archivist?
[Edit 1]
Yorick, question on the Archivist and how one of its abilities works.
Magic Lore (Ex)
At 2nd level, an archivist gains a bonus on Spellcraft checks to identify magic items or decipher scrolls equal to half his bard level and may take 10 on such checks. An archivist can use Disable Device to disarm magical traps as per a rogue’s trapfinding ability and gains a +4 bonus on saves against magical traps, language-dependent effects, and symbols, glyphs, and magical writings of any kind.
This ability replaces well-versed.
I was trying to figure out how this would work, specifically with the trap finding element ... so here is the rogue entry:
Trapfinding
A rogue adds 1/2 her level to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device skill checks (minimum +1). A rogue can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps.
Here is my question... I get the the ability the 1/2 level bonus on disable device skill checks... however, with the rogue, Disable device was a class skill.. not so much with the bard. Should an archivist have disable device on their class skill list, only after level 2, or sucks to be you? Just curious how to handle it as it will effect my distribution of skills lol.
Alright, here is Dietrich Storyteller, not finished (need to finish up his backstory and appearances, but the crunch is there.
1 Question though... languages, I get one more language and I can't decide between these four, Gnomish, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan. Any thoughts on which one would be beneficial for an elven ambassador and diplomat to have? I am thinking Orc, but I am uncertain.
Will have her finished tonight
So, what do we have:
Is that correct?
If we are too spell-oriented I might go Barbarian instead...
KDinIN, Svirfneblin speak Gnome, I believe, so that would be a good option, in my opinion.
If we are too spell-oriented I might go Barbarian instead...
KDinIN, Svirfneblin speak Gnome, I believe, so that would be a good option, in my opinion.
I thought they spoke Undercommon?
Svirfneblin begin play speaking Gnome and Undercommon.
So if I have undercommon already... I should be good in terms of svirfneblin?
Yorick, question on the Archivist and how one of its abilities works.
Magic Lore (Ex)
At 2nd level, an archivist gains a bonus on Spellcraft checks to identify magic items or decipher scrolls equal to half his bard level and may take 10 on such checks. An archivist can use Disable Device to disarm magical traps as per a rogue’s trapfinding ability and gains a +4 bonus on saves against magical traps, language-dependent effects, and symbols, glyphs, and magical writings of any kind.
This ability replaces well-versed.I was trying to figure out how this would work, specifically with the trap finding element ... so here is the rogue entry:
Here is my question... I get the the ability the 1/2 level bonus on disable device skill checks... however, with the rogue, Disable device was a class skill.. not so much with the bard. Should an archivist have disable device on their class skill list, only after level 2, or sucks to be you? Just curious how to handle it as it will effect my distribution of skills lol.Trapfinding
A rogue adds 1/2 her level to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device skill checks (minimum +1). A rogue can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps.
I have heard - and someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I'm going to do what I want anyway - that when they were originally planning out Archetypes, they didn't want to have any Class Skills change, or alternatively that they didn't want to Bard to be better at it than the Rogue, or even that they were limited on Word Count.
I don't know if any of those cases are true, but they are all bullshit. There's no good reason that someone should get Trapfinding and not get Disable Device as a Class skill. The Archaeologist Archetype is the exact same way and I hate it. Absolutely add it to your Class Skill list for Level 1.
So if I have undercommon already... I should be good in terms of svirfneblin?
Most of them will speak both Undercommon and Gnome. A few of them will even speak Common.
Alright, here is Dietrich Storyteller, not finished (need to finish up his backstory and appearances, but the crunch is there.
1 Question though... languages, I get one more language and I can't decide between these four, Gnomish, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan. Any thoughts on which one would be beneficial for an elven ambassador and diplomat to have? I am thinking Orc, but I am uncertain.
From a fluff standpoint, Sylvan seems incredibly reasonable. You travel around a lot on your own. I cannot say for certain whether Goblin or Orc or Sylvan play any kind of role in this campaign.
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Well, I speak Dwarf, Gnome, Goblin, Orc and Undercommon. I don't understand this topside language you call 'com...on' as there were no slaves among the Drow that used it much. Plenty of Orcs and Goblins, as well as some Dwarves and Duergar, and many spoke Undercommon.
But I doubt that an Elf ambassador would expect to be sent to Orcs or Goblins, so it is more likely they would learn Gnome or Sylvan. Of course they may be times when negotiating with Orcs or Goblins may be needed, so you could have learned one of them.
well isn't it great that I want to be a Dwarven Monk or Stonelord, I have to flesh out the concept but that's the idea.
this is monkeygod's brother btw
I can see a Dwarf Stonelord with a quest to go on being the glue that holds this group together, if played right.
Hold up, I'm officially super confused.
So, what do we have:
Dwarven Druid - Mark
Elf Bard - KDinIN
Svirfneblin Alchemist - Gavmania
Elf Ranger - Monkeygod
Something - Zach
Duergar Wizard - Me Is that correct?
I just read back over this and I have no idea why we have six submissions. Let me work through this, as I have a really hard time with names in general, and the fact that all of you now have three doesn't make this any easier.
- Brutus is KDinIN. He is playing Dietrich Storyteller, Elven Archivist Bard.
- Drombar is Gavmania. He is playing Gumar, Svirfneblin Alchemist.
- Vorik is MonkeyGod. He is playing an Elven Deep Walker Ranger.
- Aetherni is Walter. He is playing either a Wizard or a Barbarian.
- So_AMaven (Zach) is playing some kind of Dwarf, likely a Monk or a Paladin?
That's five, plus Mark. I see that he posted a character, the Dwarven Druid, but I, uh, am not sure who he is? Am I forgetting someone (oh god how awful)? or did someone invite him? I thought it was just the Drow War team and Monkeygod's brother.
I only looked at the alias and assumed it was one of you guys!
At least I'm not completely crazy. >_>
[EDIT] Yeah. You be you, and I'll be me.
"Master! What is your will master?"
Okay, that huge block of info for the Campaign Tab is coming tomorrow, so that you guys will have everything you need to be able to work on your backgrounds. No rush for those who are still working on coming up with their character ideas / builds.
Work was nuttier than I expected it to be this week, (and I had to invent a new character archetype for a different game I'm in) so I wasn't able to write the few THOUSAND WORDS that this thing needs.
But it's coming.
Invent a new Archetype you say? Hmmm....
Alright, well I finished Dietrich Storyteller up tonight... Fluff and Crunch, I think it is all together.
Just wondering, I am looking at either the Skirmisher or Trapper archetype which gives up spellcasting. Rangers get spells at I believe 5th level(Maybe 4th), could I wait awhile before deciding if I want either archetype?
Sorry for some reason I thought I'd posted in a recruitment thread rather than Ooc. Never mind, sorry for interupting
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Sorry for some reason I thought I'd posted in a recruitment thread rather than Ooc. Never mind, sorry for interupting
I am definitely playing the stonelord, have the character pretty much stat'd out, but need to spend time writing up a backstory. I'll have time this weekend. I'm excited; this quest with be most glorious!
"Quest? glorious? we're all going to die, more like."
Sorry for some reason I thought I'd posted in a recruitment thread rather than Ooc. Never mind, sorry for interupting
Oh! No problem I was just super confused.
Invent a new Archetype you say? Hmmm....
Right here, definitely open to critique. I'm playing it in a fantastic Western Steampunk kind of game.
I am definitely playing the stonelord, have the character pretty much stat'd out, but need to spend time writing up a backstory. I'll have time this weekend. I'm excited; this quest with be most glorious!
Okay excellent, looking forward to it!
Just wondering, I am looking at either the Skirmisher or Trapper archetype which gives up spellcasting. Rangers get spells at I believe 5th level(Maybe 4th), could I wait awhile before deciding if I want either archetype?
*Looks them up* Yeah, neither actually gets anything until 5th, so sure, you can wait a bit.
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Right here, definitely open to critique. I'm playing it in a fantastic Western Steampunk kind of game.
I know nothing about gunslingers, so... But this does look like Roland Deschain...
I think that's a good thing? haha.
Okay guys, new draft of the Campaign Information is up. I think I addressed everything that we had talked about, but the possibility exists that I've forgotten something, so let me know if that's the case!
I am definitely playing the stonelord, have the character pretty much stat'd out, but need to spend time writing up a backstory. I'll have time this weekend. I'm excited; this quest with be most glorious!"Quest? glorious? we're all going to die, more like."
It doesn't take long for the elder elf to address Gumar's skepticism, "Aye, we might all die, but at least we be dying for a purpose, a cause, rather than wasting away, enslaved to someone or something else. No, it is better to die free than live in chains."
Okay guys, new draft of the Campaign Information is up. I think I addressed everything that we had talked about, but the possibility exists that I've forgotten something, so let me know if that's the case!
Looks good!
As I was reading it, and saw the commentary on the elven reaction to the dwarf problem, I had a thought. Dietrich was 255 (give or take...) when he left the service of the elves. Say nothing was heard from him in Kyonin while he was traveling in the human realms. Fastforward to the time he shows back up on the scene, 325 give or take, and lets say for the last 30 years, he has every year on the same day left a letter on the boarder of Kyonin calling the elves to action, to help restore the dwarves to the place of prominence and necessity? (Loss of culture aside, if we are being completely pragmatic here, the dwarves at one point stood between the surface world and the growing drow threat. It is growing because the dwarves are no longer there to rule the Nar-Voth.)
That could explain the change in reaction for the elves, and it would give a nice lead in to monkey's elven character. An invitation to Fasturvalt could have been included in every letter? Sorry, just trying to think of ways to make the early game connections... If I am overstepping, feel free to use your DM stick and whack me with it lol.
If that doesn't gel with Monkeygod's character, we can find a different way to introduce him, but I absolutely love this idea and want to go forward with it.
I do have one problem with it, and that's that it seems to be cramming to issues into one letter. If you're urging the elves to help the dwarves, inviting them to a small svirfneblin town seems kind of odd. There are no dwarves at all living in Fasturvalt.
It may make more sense for your letters early on to have focused more on the dwarves, but for that to have shifted to more of a "hey since you idiots didn't help the dwarves like I asked, the drow threat is growing". I really like the idea of the svirfneblin asking you to get in touch with your people because more and more of their burrows are falling.
It also inadvertently makes your people partially responsible for what happens to Gavmania's character, Dumar. Perhaps if the elves had helped years ago, a large population of the svirfneblin wouldn't be enslaved. I definitely can't pass up the opportunity to add that complication in.
Obviously I don't want inter-party PVP, but man, all of you have a great reason to hate each other, and I'm really excited to see how it plays out.
I love the complications!
The humans are looked down on by the elves for manipulating and taking advantage of the dwarves. The elves are looked down on by the humans (and every other short lived race) for not actually doing anything to help the dwarves, the dwarves could care less about anything other than just getting by, and the Duegar hate everyone. This will be interesting lol...
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It doesn't take long for the elder elf to address Gumar's skepticism, "Aye, we might all die, but at least we be dying for a purpose, a cause, rather than wasting away, enslaved to someone or something else. No, it is better to die free than live in chains."
"Dead is dead, and the world won't care if it was in pursuit of a purpose. And don't lecture me about being enslaved - I know all about being enslaved. You wanna fulfil your purpose? Then live. Don't die. In the underdark, the unwary get killed. The wary just might live to fulfil a purpose."