I'm okay with adding to the group.
Guys, not sure about my plans for the weekend. POst if you like. I'll answer if I can.
Radavel, thanks for the note. Posting was a little slow today so I felt no need to DMPC Inigo.
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So for those of you celebrating fathers day how did it go? One of my gifts was a $50 gift card to the FLGS. I have had my eye on some Iron Kingdom mini's for awhile now. I don't play that game, but many of the mini's would look cool as various PCs in any fantasy setting. Time to clean up the desk and get my paints out again.
Father's Day was good for me - I got to spend it with both my little and my father, as well as my brother, who is a father-to-be.
Mr. DM Tom - what's the plan for getting is into the CotCT proper? No pressure, just curious.
Mr. DM Tom - what's the plan for getting is into the CotCT proper? No pressure, just curious.
Meta-gaming for a moment:
The plan is this: you guys have to work out what happens with the thugs, the ship and key pieces of its cargo in which you have an interest. The field is clear for you all to make all the decisions. Whatever you decide will be pretty much fait accompli for any NPCs.
If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them here if prudent, or in character, where you have some good sources of information.
Just a small spur: this group of thugs is connected to the first mini-adventure in CoCT.
I will work out the aftermath and summarize the next day or two depending on the group's plans.
So on creating my spellcaster... Wizard, Sorcerer, or some other? What level? I see its stats, plus roll up gold. Extra Feat from Pathfinder products. Pathfinder rules?
So on creating my spellcaster... Wizard, Sorcerer, or some other? What level? I see its stats, plus roll up gold. Extra Feat from Pathfinder products. Pathfinder rules?
Welcome to the discussion, mittean.
We're playing 3.5. First level. Any sort of caster within the core books would be great. Sorceror, Wizard, Druid, or Cleric. You don't have to play arcane.
Radavel may correct me, but his cleric character, Inigo, strikes me as an aggressive tank of a cleric, not a party-boosting healbot by any means. Wicht's Jeorik is a solid looking figther. Billzabub's Keliwyn is an elven rogue. TheOcho's Darthen an urban ranger. The party has a great melee punch. Super skill mix.
They could take on almost anything, but there are a couple of scenes in CoCT which scream spell power is needed. Not so much in the first book, "Edge of Anarchy", but in the later ones.
fair. then i think... either enchanter, or perhaps a necromancer. true necro. i was thinking eldritch knight, but this is more spell casting
fair. then i think... either enchanter, or perhaps a necromancer. true necro. i was thinking eldritch knight, but this is more spell casting
True necro and eldritch knight are both PrCs, no? I have a version of True necro from "Tome and BLood"(?)
I should add I don't like evil PCs. Bad for party unity. Hard to see why they should bother with this adventure when there's easier ways to get what they want. Radavel is stretching me with a LN cleric worshipping a LE diety, but, based on playing with him, I really trust him as a player and look forward to seeing him make it work. I suspect he will stretch the group too. Not saying you can't go true necro, just that you'll have to provide some really good rationale.
i totally understand. i view necromancy as not a necessarily evil thing. or should i say my character would. nuclear power is dangerous, even catastrophically so, especially in the wrong hands. but one could argue the beneficial aspects of nuclear energy in the right hands. your call. i like playing shades of gray, struggling with morals and views and expectations. i tend to dislike evil characters, and don't play evil as lex luthor villains. early 007 was NE or LE. :)
i totally understand. i view necromancy as not a necessarily evil thing. or should i say my character would. nuclear power is dangerous, even catastrophically so, especially in the wrong hands. but one could argue the beneficial aspects of nuclear energy in the right hands. your call. i like playing shades of gray, struggling with morals and views and expectations. i tend to dislike evil characters, and don't play evil as lex luthor villains. early 007 was NE or LE. :)
Rant warning:
I see necromancy, at least certainly the undead creating portion of it, as evil. I put sanctity of life on the good side of the balance. (Not 100% sure how consistent this is with kill 'em and loot 'em, but that's a game mechanic too well established to reverse.) The necromancer is drawing into the world that same power that enables vampires, wights and wraiths. They are creating a void which cannot be sated and hungers to consume life on a raw primal level. So in one way creating undead is every bit as bad as summoning and consorting with devils and demons. Even if you do it for a "good" reason, I'm not sure the ends ever justify such means.
I do agree it is a rich role-playing area. But if such roles are played fully can the party cleave together? I'm playing in Fakey's False Hope PbP. The Eldritch Mr. Shiny is running a CN maniac of a ranger, Keegan Cawley. He's utterly brilliant, but would any group of people ever keep him around? The party's all alone out in the woods so we've got to stick together, but, unless something amazing happens beforehand, when we get back to town how does my middle-class craftsman of a gnome rationalize staying with the group? Keegan seems almost as likely to knife him in his sleep and play marbles with his eyes as say "Good Morning".
I'd also argue nuclear power is a bad analogy. Most technologies face the weapon/tool dichotomy. A better analogy is genetic engineering, or maybe even nanotech. The gentic engineering debate has a strong moral, ethical, or religious component which is going to color how people see it. Nanotech doesn't have that moral, ethical, religious component, but the unintended consequences of the technology have not been thought through.
007. LIcensed and governed by sanctioned authority. Evil methods. Neutral motivation. An intriguing thought.
You could similarly debate about Jack Bauer.
Lol. precisely. And yeah, those would be a little more fitting analogies. It's okay, though. I think I found my girl. She is a sorceress, human. 3.5, not Pathfinder rules, correct?
welcome aboard, mittean. :D
Lol. precisely. And yeah, those would be a little more fitting analogies. It's okay, though. I think I found my girl. She is a sorceress, human. 3.5, not Pathfinder rules, correct?
3.5, yes. Looking forward to seeing her.
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Thom,
RE: Motivation for Curse of the Crimson Throne. Assuming Jeorik's Uncle still has some need to clear his name, Jeorik would be interested in hunting down Lamm in the interest of both Justice and familial pride. When he finds out that Lamm is one of the culprits behind whatever shenanigans were going on, he will need little additional motivation in bringing the man to justice.
Thom,
RE: Motivation for Curse of the Crimson Throne. Assuming Jeorik's Uncle still has some need to clear his name, Jeorik would be interested in hunting down Lamm in the interest of both Justice and familial pride. When he finds out that Lamm is one of the culprits behind whatever shenanigans were going on, he will need little additional motivation in bringing the man to justice.
Cool, that will work very nicely.
Motivation - Keliwyn is somewhat distraught, lost, and angry over losing his lady friend, and probably a little reckless. He'll just get caught up in what's happening with his friends.
Also, cool, Billzabub.
Guys, I'm excited about starting CoCT too, but I think you're looking past a great opportunity here for group interaction. Just a reminder of what others are expecting of you:
Darthen:
Inigo:
The grandmaster is almost certainly leaving in disgrace. What good are his orders? And what was the point of isolating the ship?
The opportunities for advancement are good. Handle this well are Inigo will end up in a position I think he will be very happy in, although it might not be where his ambition would take him.
Jeorik:
Keliwyn:
I'm still planning on carrying the gold off the ship, but I think I basically have to leave last, so to speak... as for the mirror... It will be interesting how a cleric of Asmodeus manages to convince a devout follower of Erastil to just hand it over. :)
Well, yes it will. Perhaps others may add a persuasive tongue.
mittean, how's the character coming? If she's ready before the group sorts out their situation, we can RP part of your hook, but I need to know what that hook is.
Guys, I won't be posting much IC, I'm writing the intro scenes and first chapter of CoCT. Will respond if queried in the IC thread. This is a good opportunity for ya'll to interact without my interference.
Just so everyone knows, I saw in another thread that Radavel is swamped with RL work.
Bil, thanks for the post.
Thom, pls. npc Inigo. Still have a lot of work to finish.
No time at work today. I'll try to post tonight. Leaving tomorrow for a long weekend. If I miss tonight probably won't post til Monday.
Here is my character. Any questions, let me know. Just tell me where to go from here. :) Pleased to meet you all.
Here is my character. Any questions, let me know. Just tell me where to go from here. :) Pleased to meet you all.
Mittean,
you've made some interesting choices.
a couple things --
Practiced spellcaster. Can you give me the source and full description of the feat? I might have missed it but can't find it in my (3.0) core books or the SRD.
Can you tell me how you allocated your skill ranks? I'm probably missing something in the math, but it's not adding up for me.
You still have a pathfinder bonus feat to choose, unless you decline. From either the ROtRL or CoCT players guides. For CoCT you don't have to accept the associated story hook.
I do need a hook to tie you to Gaedren Lamm.
Questions and comments on background:
Regarding your falling out with Sabina. 3 years is a little too recent for me. Sabina's been a full time very focussed career girl for at least 4 years. I picture her as about 23-27 years old. At 20 I can't see her making that kind of spiteful petty move. I would change that falling out to 5 years ago. Probably fits better with your character's age too.
Student: The Academe is described as unwelcoming of sorceror types. Theumenex (Spelling?) College in East Shore is a good place for a sorceror still struggling with her gift. Or you can be self-schooling in the arcane and a student of the mundane at Korvosa University.
Let me know your thoughts.
Pleased to meet you all.
Likewise.
{spoiler]
She is a student at Korvosa University, studying politics. She is dealing with her "powers" on her own, and hasn't told many people. Her family is hoping to marry her up to a noble family, as she is from a wealthy merchant family, but is not nobility.
Practised spellcaster is from Complete Arcana
Pre: Spellcraft 4 ranks
Your caster level for the chosen spellcasting class increases by 4. This benefit does not increase your caster level above your current HD. (i.e. a 6th level character, 3rd level Sorcerer, 3rd level fighter, would have a Caster Level (spell effects, etc) of 6, (3+4=7, max of 6th level). A 5th level Sorcerer 5th level Fighter would have a Caster level of 9.
This does not increase your spells known or spells per day.
I adjusted my stats, and added Harrowed (since Acadamae Graduate is Wizard's only, :(, unfortunately)
What are the things that have been chosen for Lamm? So I don't want to pick that same as another unless we coincide stories, possibly.
[/spoiler]
She is a student at Korvosa University....What are the things that have been chosen for Lamm? So I don't want to pick that same as another unless we coincide stories, possibly.
[/spoiler]
Mittean, I replied at length last night, but the post monster consumed it. I'll repost tonight.
TT, I thought I had posted Darthens next action, but I must have only hit preview instead of posting it. I will get his next response up tonight. Sorry about that.
No biggie.
She is a student at Korvosa University, studying politics. She is dealing with her "powers" on her own, and hasn't told many people. Her family is hoping to marry her up to a noble family, as she is from a wealthy merchant family, but is not nobility.
Fine. Your family knows Dorman Vander's. The Vanders are well-respected, and one-time prosperous merchants. Dorman was something of a philanthropist. In the last year or two they've fallen on hard times. They lost two of their four ships, had to borrow heavily and now the last two ships are well overdue. The family is being sued by creditors (legal loan sharks) who Vander must have been desperate indeed to deal with. Dorman is a widower with 4 daughters . The eldest about your age. I'll get you more information on them soon.
Practised spellcaster is from Complete Arcana
Pre: Spellcraft 4 ranks
Your caster level for the chosen spellcasting class increases by 4. This benefit does not increase your caster level above your current HD. (i.e. a 6th level character, 3rd level Sorcerer, 3rd level fighter, would have a Caster Level (spell effects, etc) of 6, (3+4=7, max of 6th level). A 5th level Sorcerer 5th level Fighter would have a Caster level of 9.
This does not increase your spells known or spells per day.
Thanks for the writeup. Interesting choice. My arch-conservative gut reaction is 4 levels seems a lot. Still this is very interesting. The feat would increase spell range, duration, damage, and area of effect, but would not affect spell save DC. Is my analysis correct and complete? Are there power-gamer ploys using this feat I need to know about?
You are giving up any immediate benefit.
Practiced spellcaster is provisionally approved, provided my analysis is correct.
I adjusted my stats, and added Harrowed (since Acadamae Graduate is Wizard's only, :(, unfortunately)
Unfortunately, I misspoke somewhat. The extra feat I was referring to was the "Feats of Varisia" (like big-game hunter or city-bred) from RotRL Players guide, or any of the bonusses associated with the "Traits" from CoCT. You need not couple one of the CoCT bonusses with a story hook.
What are the things that have been chosen for Lamm? So I don't want to pick that same as another unless we coincide stories, possibly.
Speaking of story hooks. The other characters will have their own reasons for taking on Lamm. He's behind some trouble for them now. The NPC Darvyl's brother was a Lamm drug-addict. Darvyl will be looking for revenge, but please feel free to use that one also if it appeals.
Thanks TT.
It's not a power gamer ploy, just reflects that even though she is "cross-classed", she is a skilled arcane user. If I remember correctly, the DC's are unaffected. I don't think she'd going True Necro, though. Perhaps a enchantress type, using Charisma to move her components. She'll tell me as we grow, lol.
I'll get that feat sorted, then. Sorry.
Hook... hmm... her tuition at the college was paid for by a mysterious benefactor, as she didn't want to rely on her parents paying it. (Self-reliant). When she found out who owed the money... she realized the jam she'd got herself in. Say, she owes him... 80% of tuition costs. Has none. Oops. Welcome to college, lol.
Let me know.
Thanks TT.
** spoiler omitted **
Creative idea for a hook. Although it makes Lamm sound almost benevolent.
A little more homework. Where's Heather living now? Please give me a 3-5 sentence sketch of three contacts, teacher, friend, mentor, social group whatever and Heather's favorite hangout.
Also, can you break down how you spent the skill points for me please?
Her family lives just south of the palace, in Clifftop, I think its called. She actually owns an apartment (3 story nice one with two servants) they purchased over by Korvosa university. But she has rented an apartment with her own money (independance, again) in the newest section of the city, the south west (I don't have the map on me, sorry.)
Her professor that she was the friendliest with was an older woman, a half-elf of Shoanti decent, named Madge Beldan. She taught ancient history, and the subject fascinated her.
Being a bit of a rebellious sort, Heather liked spending time at the leftovers, talking to travelers, and watching the people.
For the Skill Points, I spent four points in each of her Class Skills (Concentration, Bluff, Kno (Arcana) and Spellcraft, and four Cross class points (yeilding 2 Skill Points), in Diplomacy and Sense motive. The other two I spent two Cross Class Points in, yeilding one Skill Point. (Kno (Local) and Gather information.
I also am seeing her relationship with Lamm as something he was "investing" in. i.e. the Departed. She is a rich daughter, rebelious, and couldn't afford it on her own. He paid tuition, knowing he'd have someone marrying into nobility soon on his dime. She was naive.
For the Skill Points, I spent four points in each of her Class Skills (Concentration, Bluff, Kno (Arcana) and Spellcraft, and four Cross class points (yeilding 2 Skill Points), in Diplomacy and Sense motive. The other two I spent two Cross Class Points in, yeilding one Skill Point. (Kno (Local) and Gather information.
I also am seeing her relationship with Lamm as something he was "investing" in. i.e. the Departed. She is a rich daughter, rebelious, and couldn't afford it on her own. He paid tuition, knowing he'd have someone marrying into nobility soon on his dime. She was naive.
Heather's looking good. Some things: Harrow needs to be swapped out for a CoCT trait bonus or a RotRL "Feat of Varisia". I make it +4 total for sense motive. You have 6 "useless" skills points left to spend to help flesh out the character's background. A great example was Inigo's choice of Profession(Chef).
Hey everyone. I've been thinking about Know(Local). Mittean's choice of it has kind of crystallized my ideas. In this game, Know(Local) is always a class skill and can be tried untrained. Roll results will be modified by where you were brought up, or where you've lived for a long time if deemed appropriate.
Okay, let's go with a missing little brother, named Nikhil. He is 13.
This makes my Sense motive and Gather Information Class Skills.
Guys,
visiting my parents July 8-13th. Definitely no internet available there.
I will be posting this weekend.
Please have agreed on a plan for what to do with the mirror by the time I get back. Whatever you decide to do, I promise a quick summary-type wrap-up to this prologue, and the beginning of CoCT proper.
Okay, let's go with a missing little brother, named Nikhil. He is 13.
This makes my Sense motive and Gather Information Class Skills.
good. plus know (local) is now a class skill for everyone.
Guys,
got back late last night. Completely wiped out. Then work dropped on me today. I'll post tomorrow, probably in the evening.
I'll try to summarize what happens next. Give ya'll a chance to respond then we'll start Crimson Throne Proper on Thursday or Friday.
Good?
C for Crimson Throne!
It's come up with Jeorik and Inigo so for anyone who doesn't have the Guide to Korvosa:
DMs Note: The Pantheon of Many is in South Shore, well away from city center. Most (17) of the civilized gods have shrines there. Of the 20 major Golarion dieties only Abadar, Azmodeus, Erastil, Shelyn, and Pharasma have their own temples in town. Strangely enough the dead god Aroden still has a shrine in Old Korvosa.
Mittean, just a few days now, probably Friday, maybe Thursday night. Then I'll introduce Heather to the party.