Yep, he sent me pretty much the character concept and stats and everything. It's a Preservationist Alchemist.
Here it is:
“Doctor” Septimus Smythe
Neutral Human (Varisian) Alchemist (Preservationist) 1 [Worships Pharasma]
Strength: 11
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 17
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 12
Description
Name: “Doctor” Septimus Smythe
Neutral Human Alchemist (Preservationist)
Age: 27 Height: 5’9” Weight: 150 lbs Eyes:Brown Hair:Black
Languages: Common, Varisian, Elven, Dwarven, Draconic
Favored Class: Alchemist (+1 skill rank)
Background (Teacher’s Pet):
It was all downhill from there, in retrospect. The spellbinding lectures that made time’s heart itself seem to stop beating. The months buried in the basements of half-forgotten libraries, dredging up lore on creatures that even the old wives’ tales no longer mentioned. The late nights down at the Bloody Cup, listening to the old man’s stories, half drunk on ale and half on knowledge. It all seemed so much more interesting than simple medicine. Simple, safe, respectable medicine. Damn you, Professor Lorrimor. Damn you!
Tonight, Septimus Smythe sits in an altogether different tavern, far removed from the comfortable halls of Lepidstadt, drinking his way through another week in another provincial town. To the common folk here he’s a doctor, sure. Until someone catches a glimpse of the makeshift lab in his room, that is. Until someone smells formaldehyde above the stench of sour wine. Until someone looks a little too closely at his papers, and sends word to the University. After that he’s not a doctor anymore. Oh no. He’s a crook. A swindler. A few months back, one of these backwater simpletons even had the temerity to call him a pervert!
It’s not Septimus’s fault. If Professor Lorrimor hadn’t been the Vebernsk Visiting Lecturer of Natural Sciences the fall semester of his final year at the University of Lepidstadt, it all would have been just fine. He would have been a doctor, a real doctor, like his father. He would have had a nice townhouse in a nice city with nice cobblestone streets. Instead, Lorrimor enraptured him. And worse yet, that cursed old man took Septimus under his wing, aiding and abetting him in the study of his newfound passion for strange and exotic creatures. Aided and abetted him straight into failure, more like. Five years later, Septimus has little to show for his studies but a long history of nearly being run out of various villages on rails, minus appendages, or with non-consensual aviary accoutrements affixed to his person.
Yet, over yet another mug of frankly rancid porter, Septimus Smythe can’t help but feel himself tearing up a little as he reads the battered letter. The old man – dead? Being a man of no fixed address, Septimus is hardly surprised to see that the news has reached him late. He’s more surprised, in fact, to find himself named specifically, to find that his presence has been requested. To find himself mulling whether a trip back to (relative) civilization might actually be worth it. Honestly, what does he have to lose? If nothing else, maybe old Petros left him a few coins. It couldn’t hurt to find out. Besides, his cover here is getting a bit thin. Perhaps it’s time to pack up the old lab again…
Statistics: Str 11 Dex 16 Con 14 Int 17 Wis 12 Cha 10
Base Atk +0 CMB +0 CMD +3
Init +3, 30 ft move
Starting Statistics – 25 Point Buy: Str 11 (1 point used) Dex 16 (10 points used) Con 14 (5 points used) Int 15 (+2 human) (7 points used) Wis 10 (0 points used) Cha 12 (2 points used)
Defense: AC, Touch, Flat-Footed
HP: 10/10 (1d8+2 con)
Fort +4, Ref +5 , Will +0
Feats: Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Brew Potion, Throw Anything
Traits:Teacher’s Pet (+2 trait bonus to one knowledge skill, skill considered a class skill), 1 other TBD
Skills: Craft (Alchemy) +7, Disable Device +7, Heal +4, Knowledge (Arcana) +7, Knowledge (Nature) +7, Knowledge (Dungeoneering)[class skill per trait] +9, Perception +4, Spellcraft +7, Use Magic Device +5
Racial Traits:+2 to one ability score (intelligence), Medium size, Normal speed, Bonus feat, Skilled
Class Features: Alchemy (2 extracts/day, 5 formulae known), Bomb (1d6+3, 4 splash, 4/day, Ref Half DC 13), Brew Potion (as bonus feat, brew potion of any formula known up to 3rd level, alchemist level as caster level), Mutagen (+2 natural armor, +4 alchemical bonus to physical stat at expense of -2 to mental stat, takes one hour to brew, last 10 minutes), Throw Anything (as bonus feat)
Extracts:
1: Disguise Self*, Enlarge Person*, Polypurpose Panacea, Shield, True Strike
Equipment:105 gp worth - TBD
Original Equipment and Encumbrance:
Dice:
Hmmm... not sure I have much to add on the pros/cons of bringing in Lem's friend. I have at least three minds on the subject. :)
On one hand, I'm a firm believer in networking with good players, good story contributors, and trying to give PbP newbies a good first experience. And I do like the Smythe colour. Would an alchemist come in handy in this kind of adventure? Quite possibly.
On the other hand, as folks have mentioned, eight is a large group... though Cyn seems to be juggling it pretty well. Although, as we progress in levels, juggling this rogues gallery may become more of a task. :)
On yet a third hand... I'm loath to stand in the way of a DM's decision. If Cyn feels like Smythe would be a good fit and he has confidence that the additional character could be juggled in successfully, I wouldn't object.
Hmmm... not sure I have much to add on the pros/cons of bringing in Lem's friend. I have at least three minds on the subject. :)
On one hand, I'm a firm believer in networking with good players, good story contributors, and trying to give PbP newbies a good first experience. And I do like the Smythe colour. Would an alchemist come in handy in this kind of adventure? Quite possibly.
On the other hand, as folks have mentioned, eight is a large group... though Cyn seems to be juggling it pretty well. Although, as we progress in levels, juggling this rogues gallery may become more of a task. :)
On yet a third hand... I'm loath to stand in the way of a DM's decision. If Cyn feels like Smythe would be a good fit and he has confidence that the additional character could be juggled in successfully, I wouldn't object.
Hey there, I'm the man behind Septimus. I'm ultimately agnostic as to whether I join in or not. I've PbP'ed before (just not on these forums), so I'm not a total newbie, and I feel like the character is pretty strong. But that said, I agree that 8's a lot to juggle, whether in real life or on the internet.
As an X factor, I also do feel kind of bad having read that there were 28 submissions for 4-6 slots! So if the preference is to go back to that well, have at that path! I'm just happy to step in if needed, and if not, will gladly keep pace for my own edification and entertainment as an avid reader/observer. Kudos on the game so far, it's been a fun read.
Oh, I do love bacon...
I've always believed that the way to a gaming group's heart is through cured pork products. It's my secret weapon.
I'll throw my two cents in.
Original Submissions
I don't feel the need to go back to the original submissions for three reasons: (1) that ship has sailed--many of the characters I would have considered as a replacement have moved on to other PbPs and aren't available any longer; (2) I can't be sure whether someone I approach asking to join is going to stick around, but I'd like to think jadony/Septimus would be in it for the long haul as he approached us instead; and (3) I don't feel the need to fill Flori's slot. I have plenty of engaged players as it is, so I'm in no hurry to fill the roster back up again.
That being said...
Why I'd be happy to have Septimus along
1) Sure, eight characters is a lot, and juggling multiple conversation threads especially has already been challenging, but adding one more back in is not that much of a stretch. The incremental effort on my part is negligible.
2) I know I've said there's no need for us to 'cover the bases' as far as party roles go, but an alchemist does give us a weapon we don't otherwise have: someone who is built to craft potions and can deliver buffs to other party members via potions or infusions. That might free some of Karrik's skill points up if alchemy isn't a key part of Eben's plans for him, and could allow the other magic-users to be more focused in their specialisations. (Of course, I don't know what jadony's long term plans for Septimus are, but the opportunity is there.)
3) Septimus has a rather unique relationship with Professor Lorrimor that I believe would make for a great story arc--add in the fact that he's a drunkard and there are great opportunities for characterisation and intra-party conflict.
4) To a certain extent, eight players just means 'double everything'. Seven players means 'multiply everything by 1¾', which is harder to do on the fly.
Potential barriers
As well as the basic 'where did that guy come from?' (which I believe I can overcome and which jadony has done a good job of obviating already, although I would prefer a minor tweak to the character's background which I'll get into if you all say yes), there's the issue of a new character upsetting equilibria that have already been reached. But that's a decision for you folks to make.
Why I refuse to have the final say
While tradition calls my role the Dungeon/Game Master, in reality my role is to facilitate your enjoyment. People who talk about fabulous GMs/DMs they've played with are, I feel, missing the point--the a GM is only ever as good as the material he/she works with and the players who bring that material to life. If the players are passive and the GM is just telling a story, that's not an RPG experience--that's a novel-reading. Which can also be cool, but isn't what I want.
What has made this campaign such a success so far--to me, anyway--are all the little details that would not have come about were it not for you guys and the work you've put into PC backgrounds and characterisation. Let me list a few of my favourite moments so far:
- Walter's first post, showing how vulnerable he is
- Dragomir tries his best to be eloquent at the funeral
- Walter's vulnerability coming to the fore again
- Raj tries to deal with an upset Kendra
- Karrik gets a bit overexcited tending the fire...
- ...which leads to Lem's solution...
- ...and Karrik's rejoinder
- The fact that Raj & Karrik caused me to write a description of the entire Lorrimor residence when I hadn't originally intended to bother...
- Raj assesses the defensibility of the house against assault, and finds it lacking
- Two of my favourite lines of Walter's:
"If it's Urgathoa, it's going to be undead," Walter said. "If it's Zon-Kuthon, it's going to be worse."
...
[Walter] thought of what Rajuna might say. "I can't abide by people hurting my friends. I... especially can't let people make Kendra cry."
- The fact that your collective enquiries turned Iona from a bit-player into her own NPC with her own motivations...
And a few more recent ones:
- Theron admonishes Walter to grow up
- The AVDM banter in the crypt
- Rose learns about the Piper of Illmarsh
- Rose's developing relationship with Kendra
- Rose's resurfacing memories--I have probably been somewhat remiss in paying attention to Rose, actually, now I reflect on it
- Theron and Raj going along with my sneaky enchantment-wielding shopkeeper
None of that would be possible if it weren't for all of you playing along.
So no, I won't impose a decision on you--I'll listen to what you have to say and we'll go with whatever you think will give you the most enjoyment. : )
--Mike
I've always believed that the way to a gaming group's heart is through cured pork products. It's my secret weapon.
How does that quote go?
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."
Now fetch me some crackling. ; )
When she isn't looking at him, Raj rubs at the wound on his arm and winces. I hope Lem's got some magic for this. Hurts like a son-of-a-b~!&#!
Seriously, awesome work man. You are bringing Kendra to life in so many unexpected ways. Although I find the word to be overused, I think it's appropriate here: kudos.
Thanks! FWIW, I think this is an ensemble effort. Originally, I didn't expect Raj to have half this much 'air time' or speak the volumes that he has. He's taken on a life of his own.
I sincerely hope that I'm not hogging the spotlight. This is way more attention than my norm and I'll happily to step off-stage if any of my fellow players feels like I'm in the mix too much. Guys, feel free to PM me if that's the case. You'll find, I'm pretty hard to offend.
Regarding Smythe...
Considering Cyn's thoughts on the subject, I'm for bringing him in.
Yep - I definitely want the player (seems cool) and want the Character (Also Cool) - my only concern is that the Preservationist is a summoner type of Alchemist. Not sure if thats gonna be a 'thing' or not.
So far NOTHING has been a 'thing' but just covering that - then again we don't have a ranger or druid or summoner so we aren't brimming with animal companions and the like.
He turns the scabbard horizontal and holds it at belt level, "Some people carry a blade sidewinder - either along their belly or across the small of their back. It makes for a quicker draw and is pretty comfortable. But it also says that the fellow is ready to carve on a body as may be... or that the fellow thinks he's a bad man with a blade. Folks will look at you twice for doin' that. And some knife-fighter might get it into his head to test you."
LOL - thats how Dragomir carries one.
Just waiting on the Sheriff interaction now, right?
Just waiting on the Sheriff interaction now, right?
Glad to see you can make it online! How was the flight to China?
I think the Raj/Kendra scene will finish up by tomorrow morning (in around 16 hours or so). The Walter/Vesmera one has a bit to play out yet, but I am happy to have other things going on at the same time. So yes, either tomorrow morning or the next morning, I'll open up the dialogue with the Sheriff. We'll run the afternoon research session on the Mosswater Marauder either concurrently with the Sheriff conversation, or afterwards, if people would rather wait until everyone reconvenes.
Can't stop rolling good. EDIT: 11.8~ avg across the PBP so far. Go, Walter! Reach for the stars!
I like the character. I feel he's different enough from Karrik, Kendra and Walter (the most similar characters) to add something to the story.
Polypurpose Panacea
.
At least the good "doctor" is honest about what he does. He's not addicted! He can not prepare it any time he wants! :P
I used to work out of China for a couple of years so I have made the Sydney to Shanghai run many times... this time was one of the worse... Delays in Shanghai due to weather, followed by more waiting on the tarmac. Didn't hit the hotel until 3am.
Good news is I may be here for 3+ weeks instead of 10 days.
[Walter] noticed [Vesmera] wasn't comfortable right away.
...
It was obvious to Walter what had happened. Someone had noticed her talking to him, and ... thought that they could find out something, ... and use it, and they were trying to have Vesmera do the talking for them.
Ah, it was fun being deliberately misleading in order to force these two teens into a real conversation. ; )
Can't stop rolling good. EDIT: 11.8~ avg across the PBP so far. Go, Walter! Reach for the stars!
I like the character. I feel he's different enough from Karrik, Kendra and Walter (the most similar characters) to add something to the story.
Polypurpose Panacea.
At least the good "doctor" is honest about what he does. He's not addicted! He can not prepare it any time he wants! :P
Ha! Yeah, any character that sacrifices what could otherwise be a useful 1st level extract for one that ties in with his background gains extra points in my book. : )
I used to work out of China for a couple of years so I have made the Sydney to Shanghai run many times... this time was one of the worse... Delays in Shanghai due to weather, followed by more waiting on the tarmac. Didn't hit the hotel until 3am.
Yikes! Hope you got some sleep somewhere in between all that.
Good news is I may be here for 3+ weeks instead of 10 days.
That's good news? Or did I just miss the sarcasm over the miracle of the interwebs? I know I have trouble staying away from my family for more than a few days at a time; more than three weeks isn't worth contemplating.
Eesh. I have to agree with Cyn. I'm a bit of a homebody, though, so I guess it's not much of a surprise that an extended work travel would drag me down.
About Jadony/Smythe: If Cyn isn't concerned about the additional player, and the general consensus is that they like the character, I'm in. He certainly sounds interesting. And I do love me some bacon.... well, as a friend
Good news is I may be here for 3+ weeks instead of 10 days.That's good news? Or did I just miss the sarcasm over the miracle of the interwebs? I know I have trouble staying away from my family for more than a few days at a time; more than three weeks isn't worth contemplating.
I worked away from my Family for 4 years... 3 months on site, 2-4 weeks with my family and then back to China. I'm sorta used to it.
The 'good' news is that I am back with the operation that I built from the ground up and many of the team I started with are still with the company (albeit in higher roles - which is good) so its sort of like seeing my 'other' family. Visiting at 10 days I was booked solid with client stuff/Work stuff and whatever time I had left was dinner/drinks with my old team and so on. It was pretty intense.
Add another 10 days and I get to enjoy the experience - its almost like a holiday.
Hey all. I'm completely willing to abide by the group's thoughts on the matter of bringing me in. I've just sent Cyn a PM detailing the proposed change to Septimus's background (which is minor and makes perfect sense with my view of the character's story arc). I've also got a few mechanical tweaks in the works. Don't worry, Polypurpose Panacea isn't going anywhere. It truly pained the min-maxer in me to put that on my formulae list but it's so perfect for the character I couldn't pass it up.
The other thing I've got to do is make sure I'm fully caught up on both the discussion and gameplay threads, which might take me another day or two. While doing this I'll be thinking about how I plan to mechanically "grow" the character. Yes, Preservationists are "summoners" in a small way. However, the only things this summoning capability replaces is Poison Use/Immunity (not a great fit for Septimus anyway), and the admittedly pretty powerful Persistent Mutagen at Level 14. However, I figure that Septimus is going to make fairly sparing use of his Mutagen and will be more of a multipurpose buffer/backup healer/bomber (with a goal of getting access to different energy types to negate the nasty DR and immunities we're likely to see from our future foes).
Thoughts or concerns?
Well, Smythe seems like a really good character, and it seems like Cyn likes the idea of inviting him in, so I'm all for it :D
I'm still trying to figure out just how much the 'good doctor' is going to sketch Theron out... this will be fun, haha.
I have to say though, whenever he uses his 'Bottled Ally' ability I'm going to have to resist having Pokemon battle songs go through my head ;)
Yep, it reminds me of Pokemon and old-school power rangers "Make my monster GROW!"
So in terms of where to proceed for right now, are we agreed that we are going to split up with half seeing the sheriff and half researching? If I got one of these wrong let me know, but I think this is where we stand (provided we do split up):
Research:
Lem
Flori
Sheriff:
Theron
Walter
Dragomir
Undecided:
Rose (probably lead Researcher?)
Rajuna (probably Sheriff after getting healed ;-) )
Kendra (researcher?)
Karrik (researcher?)
Is this good?
Raj is going to do research and my roll is already posted, although if the timing is good, he'll tag along to the sheriff's place.
We trying to piss the sheriff off or actually get some help from him? :)
I guess Karrik will go researching.
Research.
Also sorry for not posting too much. I'm paying attention, but trying to drat a post hasn't been too easy (Audit at work and some family problems). Friday my scheudle lightens up though (knock on wood). I'll throw up a roll for now just to get it up there to do with as we will later.
We trying to piss the sheriff off or actually get some help from him? :)
Do I have to choose? :)
I think Kendra was planning to visit the sheriff, though I have to wonder if she's up for it.
So, question, just how much are we going to share with the sheriff? We're at the very least going to have to hint that we believe that the professor was murdered, right?
There's also the question about if we should tell the sheriff about what that V means. He might get suspicious of us if he realizes just how much research we're doing, and that we're looking into Harrowstone. Then again, he's probably going to find out that we're making expeditions there (once they start).
Btw, Raj, I can heal you if you meet up with us on the way to the sheriff, lol. Your character would probably know that some inquisitors can do that.
Lol. I meant that Karrik should go researching so that he wouldn't go piss the sheriff off.. it wasn't supposed to be a commentary about the rest of the crew going to see the sheriff.
Sorry for the confusion.
Lol. I meant that Karrik should go researching so that he wouldn't go piss the sheriff off.. it wasn't supposed to be a commentary about the rest of the crew going to see the sheriff.
Sorry for the confusion.
Lol, I just realized that and edited that out... and then I saw your new post. *edit fail*
It turns out we have Walter as the team diplomancer anyway ;)
Yep, it reminds me of Pokemon and old-school power rangers "Make my monster GROW!"
If only enlarge person could be cast on monsters/animals, then I could totally see a preservationist letting a monster loose and then yelling "Make my monster GROW" while UMDing a staff/wand ;)
For reference, I've updated my profile with my current build (a few minor tweaks and mechanical reminders). Cyn or others, please do let me know if you'd like me to format it differently. I tried to stick pretty closely to what I saw. My only problem seems to be getting a hang of posting dice tags in spoilered segments.
If things go well, I can post at least once a day or so for the next week and a half, and after 4/21 should be able to post multiple times a day (though probably mostly after 5pm central time).
Any other questions, etc. I can address? Otherwise, I'm off to catch up in the gameplay thread!
Wait, we are trading in delicious pork for Nick Cage?!?!?
Dude, I've been ROBBED.
and you chose the Nic Cage image, sweeeeeet!
Edit: ninj'd by Raj?! How embarrassing...
If only enlarge person could be cast on monsters/animals, then I could totally see a preservationist letting a monster loose and then yelling "Make my monster GROW" while UMDing a staff/wand ;)Yep, it reminds me of Pokemon and old-school power rangers "Make my monster GROW!"
I'm going to try to be as un-cheesy as possible by taking care to depict the terrible and nauseating nature of said preserved creatures twisting and bending into shape as they spring forth from a jar of the Golarion equivalent of formaldehyde.
I find that Nic Cage and delicious pork are often interchangeable (see: any and all Nic Cage films).
How dare you, sir! The Rock was awesome family fun!
I don't mean it negatively! No one can completely own the screen with sheer ham-per-square foot better than Mr. Cage.
Ba-HA!
Set and match, sir.
First, we have to establish which pork product we are comparing Nick too.
Nick vs. Honey-baked, store-bought Ham... Nick wins
Nick vs. what passes for Bacon in most chain stores... again, victory Cage
Nick vs. Thick-sliced, apple-wood smoked Bacon... Bacon by a mile
Nick vs. Iberico Jamon sliced thin from the bone in a charcuterie is Sevilla... Nick isn't even in the same stellar system.
"The Rock" is a fun film BUT has the most soft-skulled American President evah. I don't know how he spent more than a nano-second debating whether to torch 20 tourist hostages versus the certain chemical deaths of 2 million San Franciscans... and let's not forget that the wind currents could have blown the chemicals back at the Rock... taking out those same tourists.
Welcome, Septimus! You realize that any time you use your mutagen I will picture you as Ghost Rider now, right? ;-)
Cyn, I'm going to make the AA rolls for me and Flori for brevity's sake. If you'd prefer to roll for her, please ignore the roll.
Lem--Know (Local):
Flori--Know (Local):
Ok, here's the updated list:
Research:
Rose (Lead Researcher--said she was going to roll, but I didn't see it)
Lem (AA successful, +2 to Rose)
Flori (AA successful, +2 to Rose)
Rajuna (already rolled, AA successful, +2 to Rose)
Karrik
Sheriff:
Theron
Walter
Dragomir
Kendra
Gone in 60 seconds:
Septimus
Looks good?
SEPTIMUS: Put the bunny back in the box.
Hey folks. I'm working on a Kendra post but am finding it rough going this morning after the kids were up all night.
Sorry for the delay; should have us all moved on, and with the Sheriff conversation started, by this afternoon sometime.
Don't worry about it, Cyn, I'll be happy to write Kendra's bit for you. :)
How do you spell 'Heaving, sweaty bosom'?
Gone in 60 seconds:
Septimus
It is going to be so hard for me to resist dropping choice Nic Cage quotes in-character but I will persevere (or perhaps just preserve).
For when it's useful: KNowledge AA .
Don't worry about it, Cyn, I'll be happy to write Kendra's bit for you. :)
How do you spell 'Heaving, sweaty bosom'?
got that for ya...
G - A - G