I was hoping for some of these ideas for characters:
The old retired crotchety dwarven adventurer.
The healer, all come to you with fear for the unknown, but they still come for their ailments.
The young free spirited explorer barely old enough to ride a horse proper.
The stalwart friend that is loyal but always leads the explorer to trouble.
The random goblin, it's friendly, right?!
The swindler merchant who just has bad luck. Ready to let someone else have bad luck.
The friendly bartender that needs no bouncer.
The scholar up on the cliff edge, climbing, smoke signals, and a bit strange being all by themself.
No one gets to be the sheriff. Longshanks will be an NPC for good reason.
So I am thinking for Maqan's class so make her either a improvised weapon fighter, or a brawler with the bouncer archtype. While her parents are the owners of the tavern and inn, known to locals as the Duel Dragons, Maqan is a constant sight there. No matter if she's working the bar, cooking, cleaning, or even throwing someone out.
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So the Drunken Dragon's gimmick is draconic things. Their lists of alcohol is all dragon base names I'll list the ones I've gotten in my head now and am open to others to add! Also yes the Dreaming Dragon Inn has the room names of Dragons.
Dragon's Drought (Common ale sweetened with honey)
Chromatic Concoction (Shot of Brandy, Rum, and Whiskey in a Bitter)
Metallic Mead
Silver Stout
Bronze Beer
White Whiskey
Green Grenache
Red Rum
Copper Cider
Black Brandy
Blue Bitter
I am trying to figure out a way to turn the drink Absinthe into a fairy dragon pun but I haven't gotten there yet sadly...
Sounds great, now if you wanted to take the drinks to the next level you could go alchemist but I also like what you suggested.
"Cook-Cook is here! You want noodles?"
Checking in finally, was out of town for the weekend and not really able to make a long post.
I wasn't even sure what Cook-Cook should be as a class just yet, but for now he is probably a commoner. At night though he tends to get his inspiration from something, so I would figure he could become some sort of caster.
I know what this being is, but I'm not giving that one up already.
Hey all! Andreas here. looking to fill the The swindler merchant who just has bad luck. Ready to let someone else have bad luck. role.
I was thinking of going unchained rogue. It offers the broad range of skills needed to pull it off, but can handle himself if someone gets a bit cheeky and tries to make off with some of his wears.
DM: I set it up to leave his wagon full of good away from the town. Maybe its not there... I don't know how to give a PC a wagon full of goods and be balanced with starting gold. Figured I would leave it open for you to play with.
Recovering your good and trade supplies could be a first mission, or at least for some of us.
Character creation will be a little different than any you have done before.
First I want you to decide on what stats you think your character should have.
Then what two stats the character likely is lacking in, these will be 8s or lower if you choose.
Pick one stat that they excel at and make it a 14 or even 16.
Last make all the other stats a 10.
For example from what I have seen from Cook Cook:
Intelligence 8 or 7
Wisdom 8 or 7
Dexterity 16
Then the other stats would be 10.
Pick an NPC class. Only 1 or 2 of you should be nobles, first come, first served. Go ahead and give yourself 2 levels of it. Everyone should have at least one weapon.
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If someone asks you to do a check a simple d20 determines pretty much if you will get it or not.
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The more you do now before we get started gives your character more life and shows what abilities they should have. You also might want to make a post about your daily regime or schedule, likely here in discussion but I know some of you can get it to work in gameplay.
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Thank you Andreas, you did a wonderful job in leaving it open ended for me!
Bonuses:
Filled a role that I asked for.
Good RP
Connecting to other characgters.
Leaving openings for quests: items found, places to see (ruins), wagon of stuff
Posting more than the DM
Posting every day
So, I'm trying to figure out what to make Maqan. She is suppose to be the young tavern keep who is always kind but doesn't take BS from anyone. With how people start out, and even more so with how we're doing the stats. I don't think I could plan for anything M.A.D. so a S.A.D makes more since.
As some might pick up, Maqan is rather graceful and quick in movements. Has a bit of a sharp mind as she remembers all the numbers for how much things cost, and she is one of those people who are always cheerful.
Her family is made up of her father, mother, brother and herself. Her mother works in the back, cooking and heating water for the rooms. Her father handles the inn side of things, keeping a book of names of those staying there and handing out room keys as well as bringing in the water for hot baths. He also cleans the baths and both Maqan and her mother help in cleaning the rooms. Her brother on the other hand works as a carpenter and is actually were the family gets most of their furniture from as he can make it, he is also Maqan's twin.
Father: Urah
Mother: Kyreen
Son: Maqej
Daughter: Maqan
That is quite different indeed!
I must say, it's hard to drop a score below 8, with most of the others starting at 10! ^_^
Will repost intro soon & fill out little more background/routine here as it comes together.
2 Adept seems appropriate for Gryusha, but I'm stuck on what to do with the familiar. She could have a sloth hanging around, always, just grazng, but that's not quite where I was going with her originally, and still I think the closest to the briefly established concept... can/should I otherwise just drop that class feature?
If we can take multiple NPC classes I'd be quite happy with 1 Warrior/1 Adept to lead into my nurturing combat healer.
CN follower of an evil orc fertility goddess, that she is, now.
How are we doing HP?
If someone asks you to do a check a simple d20 determines pretty much if you will get it or not.
As the NPC classes do have skill ranks (if not feats or many class abilities) should we not build skills out yet for in-game utility or background?
I could agree with Dex being highest for Cook-Cook and Int lowest. I'm not sure if I would have put Wis down there as well. He is a gatherer of herbs and a reasonably skilled cook. I would have reckoned his Cha took a hit from his impulsiveness and the fact that he is a Goblin.
I reckon no racial modifiers on our stats then?
I'll give Cook-Cook commoner class levels with a Kitchen Knife as a weapon. Probably works as a dagger for his size.
During the later hours of the morning, Cook-Cook prepares his broth and noodles for the day. Using his makeshift tools for cooking, it's not perfect but it suffices. He's very keen on perfecting his recipes. As long as he has a steady stream of herbs and spices, he could eventually have a great recipe for any dish. Even the dishes that don't contain noodles.
Most of the day he walks around town, offering from his little cart fresh noodles in, for the moment, a herbaceous or spicy broth.
He makes smalltalk with some of his regulars or the ones that try to make smalltalk with him. He's amiable enough, but usually he talks about his God and his noodles. It takes awhile before he opens up more to talk about other things, especially his own past with the Grimtooth tribe up in the hills close to the mountains beyond the dark woods. Strangely enough they couldn't follow him through the forest when they chased him away.
Late in the afternoon he cooks for himself or eats whatever is left of his noodles from the day. It is at that time that he also eats whatever meat he could have scrounged up or caught during the mornings. Rat, mouse, hamster, insects, thrown away chicken bones with meat on it. It doesn't really matter to him, but he knows that the villagers might not agree if they found it in their bowl.
In the evening he stays in a small room in a tavern. If he has sold enough of his noodles to pay rent he does so, though the owner does not require him to do so as he's not a nuisance and even helps out from time to time in cleaning up.
Around midnight Cook-Cook leaves the tavern for a stroll in the dark and sits upon a hill overlooking part of the town. There he meditates and calls upon his Divine inspiration: to him he is the God of Noodles, the one that taught him to cook.
Often this is just a commune with his God, but sometimes this results in him getting a new recipe or preparation skills being taught. He knows how to cook noodles near perfectly now, it is probable that he will learn a new recipe soon.
Varrick will start off in Expert, hoping to one day make him a Wit Bard. Loyal friend who gets you in trouble, that he can do!
High Charisma, low Wisdom and Strength? Kinda saw him as above average intelligence, but he'll be fine for skills anyway.
How we doing hit points? And what about feats? Varrick is almost done.
Man, those starts sure are a tough one to figure out. I am wrestling between the concept of this human merchant and the class I would like to go into with him. Thinking unchained rogue for the skills and the capability to handle himself. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed here for sure.
Starting off with an Expert 2. Weapon is a quarterstaff, but has a couple daggers.
With the skills I did add the human 1 per level. If I should just stick with the 6+int for now let me know.
Appraise:5, Bluff:4, Dip:4, Intim:4, K-Geo:4, K-Local:4, Perception:5, Prof Merchant:5, Sense Motive:5, Survival:4
As I haven't said it yet - thank you GM Wolf for opening up this interesting game & inviting us to play!
If it's helpful, here are most of the current party questions on crunch/character creation (rephrased some & added a few):
- How shall we calculate hit points?
- Which, if any, Racial features should we factor in to start (ability score modifiers, skill bonuses, extra feats, armor/weappn proficiencies, etc.)?
- Are there any parts of the character, given by our starting NPC classes, we should not stat out initially? (mainly looking at our Experts' much needed skills).
- Can we multiclass our 2 starting NPC levels? (i.e. warrior 1/adept 1 for Gryusha)?
- Are there restrictions on material, for when we eventually achieve hero classes? Also safe to assume we will eventually earn those PC classes? :)
Andreas, Unchained rogue sounds like a good call for a merchant, especially with the skill unlocks for flavor/utility. I'd otherwise suggest giving each of the standard rogue & bard archetypes a quick look - I'm not familiar enough offhand for suggestions, but between those two classes I think you're most likely to find something that matches the flavor you're shooting for with some already-matching mechanics (if that's what you're looking for). Many archetypes alter iconic class features enough that we could even have 2 bards & you'd never guess it.
Oh yes the age old question about HP... Max for 1st level and then roll for the second.
Don't put too much stock in your NPC classes as you might find someway to change them soon enough. Though you might find certain bonuses based on your starting classes.
Everyone gets at least one feat. It is up to you if you want to put out the skill points. You could instead follow the path below for skill ease:
Warrior +4 in all class skills
Expert +4 in 10 skills, plus a bonus +2 to 2 skills
Commoner +4 in all class skills
Aristrocrat +4 in all class skills, pick two K skills
Adept +4 in all class skills, pick one K skill
*This is assuming you are taking two levels in the same class. The Class bonus of +3 is already added in, you will need to add the appropriate ability modifier.
Cook Cook, once you have the basic template of your ability modifiers then you may add all your racial modifiers. ;)
Yes you can multi class!
I have had several bards in a group at a time and one had a great sword, so everyone thought he was a fighter until he started doing a jig to enthrall a group of enemies that hadn't turned hostile yet, it was hilarious!
There are certain classes that I don't like but there is no harm in asking. I would like the PC classes to not be multiclassed since we do have 7 players and likely a few NPCs down the road.
If I didn't answer your question please let me know.
Updated Cook-Cook's profile to level 2 Commoner, thankful for the +4 on all class skills, that 1 skill rank per level is brutal.
Might I be able to change Ride to Survival or Profession (Herbalist) for Cook-Cook? He's more of a forced survivalist than a goblin dog rider.
Also switched out his Skilled (Stealth and Ride) racial trait for a Survival-based trait as I found that more appropriate for him.
If you mind those changes GM, please let me know and I'll change it back.
Do we earn traits for our characters later on?
What about Favoured Class Bonuses? Do we get those when we cross into PC-classes?
Yes Cook Cook those are logical changes and sound good!
You all may take one trait now if you wish or you can hold off on it. No favored class bonuses yet.
The young free spirited explorer barely old enough to ride a horse proper. I thought this would be a fun trope to play on where not only is Gavin a 'little kid', he's also a 'little' kid. Gamewise, I figure he is actually the halfling equivalent of about 14, pushing toward 15 (so maybe 21-22?).
The son of a hunter and trapper, I am building Gavin as an expert who will eventually go ranger. I like the straight skill system you propose, and will work with that. Below are my skills, with craft-trap and survival being the most appropriate for a hunter/trapper to be my expert focus skills.
Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft-trap* (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Perception (Wis), Stealth (Dex), Survival* (Wis), and Swim (Str)
For stats, as both an 'adventurous' halfling lad and a hunter, I see him as highly agile and dextrous; I selected 16 to start. He is young, and not very learned, so I went with an 8 for intelligence. I also envision him as the excitable kid brother type, and with the halfling's bonus to charisma still wanted his awkward-excitement to manifest mechanically, so I started him with a 7 charisma. Strength, constitution, and wisdom all started at 10.
Str 10 -2 = 8
Dex 16 +2 = 18
Con 10
Int 8
Wis 10
Cha 7 +2 = 9
Despite being overly excited, Iavin is actually good at helping with a lot of things, so I picked the Race Trait 'Helpful', which allows me to give a +4 on an Aid Another action instead of a +2.
Working on a feat now, as well as fleshing out his life.
So I'm toying with the idea of making the Sárkány a minor noble family that is noble more in name than anything. They prefer to work and focus upon the life blood of the town, putting money into it than tucking it away.
Thoughts?
I know it is debatable and I can see either side of the argument, but do you allow the Weapon Finesse feat to be applied to the Quarterstaff? I am thinking about going primary user of a quarterstaff, but being rogue I would like to use a weapon that falls under Weapon Finesse. I am cool either way.
In trying to figure out my feat, I have to ask, where do you stand on the "Elephant in the Room" Feat Tax rules?
Gotta update the profile yet, 7 int is a bit difficult for both IC speech & skills...
Proposed Initial ability scores:
Strength - 10
Dexterity - 9
Constitution - 10
Intelligence - 8
Wisdom - 16
Charisma - 10
I'm thinking +2 Str for the half orc racial bonus; maybe +2 Cha. Also need to look through the alternate racial traits again, there was one that I liked previously; going to wait on the bonus trait.
Will work out skills & equipment details shortly.
Gryusha is classed warrior for her orcish upbringing in the semi-distant Bloodwrath tribe. It was likely her slight connection to the divine that allowed her to survive. It also attracted the attention of tribal mystics; shamans & witches, who included her as an attendant in all manner of rituals. She was stationed primarily as a midwife to keep her safe and available should the mystics need. Through that time she learned to channel her divine connection into simple tangible effects (adept class). That's when she snuck off with two half orc infants otherwise destined for a doomed life, and made it to Sanctuary.
Looks like we've got a fairly well balanced party!
Maqan, if you're still going melee, you could do warrior/noble for NPC classes. Maqan is following in her parents' footsteps as something of a rebel (taking to martial disciplines), with her parents being established merchants & land owners for a kind of low nobility. just an idea :)
Is "Varrick Buttermaker" too obvious or too obscure as to his visual inspiration?
In trying to figure out my feat, I have to ask, where do you stand on the "Elephant in the Room" Feat Tax rules?
I’ll ask the Elephant in the Room on my end, what is a feat tax?
In trying to figure out my feat, I have to ask, where do you stand on the "Elephant in the Room" Feat Tax rules?I’ll ask the Elephant in the Room on my end, what is a feat tax?
The feat tax is a term used to discribe feats that you take which give little to no benefit and seem to only be there to unlock other feats. For example point-blank shot and precise shot are often seen as filler feats and many people think they should be the wrapped up same feat if they existed at all. Another is power attack, which some people turn it into an action that can be taken so long as you have BAB +1, and the combat maneuver feats which get rolled into two feat one for strength based and one for Dex based.
That's a good idea Gryusha! I think I'll do that!
I like the family Sarkany being a noble family. Your dad isn't the mayor, then again there isn't one but everyone treats your family as the mediators.
Oh I forgot to let you know this will be a no tax feat game. All light weapon and one handed weapons can be used with the finesse feat, power attack is a combat option not a feat, etc. I will get the link up once I find it.
So Andreas, you may take the finesse feat but I would suggest getting a walking cane or other light weapon and get another feat. It is still your choice.
As far as speaking, if you have a 3 intelligence you can speak but only know about 50 words, 4 intelligence 200 words, 5 intelligence 800 words, 6 intelligence 3,200 words, and so on. Having a low intelligence really does not impact speech as much as it has been portrayed in movies merely the complexity of speech and the ability to learn. They can learn it just takes a lot longer and a lot more effort on the teacher. As a teacher I have learned this dealing with typical students and students with special needs.
Thx Gavin for the link!
Then I'll do what Gryusha suggested! I'll put one level in Noble and one in warrior. Which would allow Maqan to fill two sides of the tavern owner who needs no bouncer. As she can both talk people out and punch them out.
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Nice Maqan, it looks like we have the beginnings of a leader!
Please re-post your daily schedules in the recruitment so I have them all together. This is where your extra boosts might come from, there are other sources too but I might miss them if I have to go looking for them.
I'm thinking about Cook-Cook discovering that he's an adept in a bit. Casting a spell that he didn't know about that he could do so.
As it is now, he could only cast 0-level spells though.
For a feat I'm not sure yet. Perhaps Skill Focus (Survival) or Nature Soul (+2 Kn (Nature) and Survival) or Self-Sufficient +2(Heal and Survival)
Too many options still open to Cook-Cook, makes it difficult yet interesting.
Ouch...
Edit: GM, do you mean for us all to repost the daily schedules of our characters into the recruitment thread?
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Also for those who want a giggle, Maqan's family name Sárkány, means dragon in Hungarian! The whole family and business has a theme! XD
I love it!
Varrick Buttermaker = Charlie Varrick and Morris Buttermaker, two roles of the great Walther Matthau! I am daily reminded not everyone loves him in every way.
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Apologies; as noted, that was far too obscure for me, Varrick. Thank you for sharing!
Good also to have the visual reference ^^
Nice, I like the theme Maqan.
Gryusha spends most of her days tending to the women of the community. Originally, of course, expectant mothers, but she's come to hold something of a minor hospice in a small corner wing of the sleeping lodge. With a few temporary in-patients, and others generally in & out for brief stitching & bandaging of field injuries.
Need to post her amazement at the map & stone and her offered aid in the venture.
I know it is debatable and I can see either side of the argument, but do you allow the Weapon Finesse feat to be applied to the Quarterstaff? Thinking of I am thinking about going primary user of a quarterstaff, but being rogue I would like to use a weapon that falls under Weapon Finesse. I am cool either way.
@DM I wanted to bring this back up. Didn't know if you missed it or were thinking on it. Let me know what you think. Stuff like this would lead me to think that it could fall under Weapon Finesse.
Also, Maqan, a very overdo thank-you for keeping the recruitment lively for the few of us that posted a little later :)
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I'm thinking about Cook-Cook discovering that he's an adept in a bit. Casting a spell that he didn't know about that he could do so.
As it is now, he could only cast 0-level spells though.
For a feat I'm not sure yet. Perhaps Skill Focus (Survival) or Nature Soul (+2 Kn (Nature) and Survival) or Self-Sufficient +2(Heal and Survival)
Too many options still open to Cook-Cook, makes it difficult yet interesting.
[dice=Roll HP 2nd level]1d6
Ouch...
Edit: GM, do you mean for us all to repost the daily schedules of our characters into the recruitment thread?
Yes, rather than I having to track them all down.
Andreas you may take weapon finesse for the weapon, it will not be given to you since the weapon is a two handed weapon.
What I get for going warrior first and getting that nice 10 to start....
Here's what I got so far...
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 9
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 10
Feats: Alertness... or.. Suggestions?
Traits: Suspicious (+1 Sense Motive; always class skill)
Surviving her tough upbringing in the Bloodwrath Orc tribe, it was likely her subtle connection to the divine that carried Gryusha through the trials of childhood. Manifesting more noticeably in adolescence, it was certainly the thing that brought her to the attention of the tribe's mystics. She was included as an attended in numerous rituals, and just as talks of her already-maligned fate were just beginning, Gryusha stole away from the tribe one night with two Half-Orc babes who were themselves destined for no better.
Finding sanctuary in the town of the same name, she easily applied her ties to the Dark Mother to midwifery and the treatment of minor ails, avoiding, for another few months, her destiny. Until a group of adventurers stumble into Sanctuary's Drunken Dragon Inn, speaking tales of treasure in the nearby hills...
Debating a different trait to boost Reflex, instead of making Sense Motive a class skill. Dang low save for both classes & a low ability.. hah! Also stuck on a first feat; interesting making the feat choice starting with an NPC class... suggestions appreciated!
Question, DM, for future character planning...
There are certain classes that I don't like but there is no harm in asking. I would like the PC classes to not be multiclassed since we do have 7 players and likely a few NPCs down the road.
What about Prestige Classes, as far as multiclassing? Holy Vindicator PrC OK? I'm looking at a route to that PrC from Warrior/Adept, and it's definitely there (and possibly quite interesting!), but the challenges involved and survivability required make me a little wary...
. . . .
Andreas you may take weapon finesse for the weapon, it will not be given to you since the weapon is a two handed weapon.
Not that it impacts my PC, directly, but I appreciate this ruling (& reasoning) on weapon finesse.
Also the lessening of feat taxes with a few broad adjustments. This'll be my first game with those rules in place
Urdrsk's Profile is up on his character tab. Wolf, give it a look.
I would be fine with holy vindicator.
Normally I never reply this late at night, it is 2 am here, but I'm babysitting for my sister and can't sleep... I hate sleeping in new places...
It is also why I didn't finish Maqan's crunch, as I don't have my laptop and am not about to attempt that via my phone!
No worries, get to it when you can. I try to post at least once a day, but life does get in the way sometimes.
Andreas you may take weapon finesse for the weapon, it will not be given to you since the weapon is a two handed weapon.
I am not asking for a free feat. I just wanted to see if you would allow it to be applied to a Quarterstaff. Also, the Quarterstaff is a double weapon. Effectively like using two weapons at the same time.
Creation question
Racial stuff. Should we go ahead and add that in when creating these level 2 NPC classed characters or wait? ie: Human Bonus feat, +2 one stat, +1 skilled per level, etc...
Second question goes off of my Weapon Finesse question. If I take that at my feat, if/when we get into regular classes can I retrain that because unchained rogue gets that as part of the first level benefits.
Sorry for so many questions, don't want to mess things up.
Also, Maqan, a very overdo thank-you for keeping the recruitment lively for the few of us that posted a little later :)
You're welcome! I do try to engage.
Also HP for her second level, going with warrior.
ouch...
Andreas you may take weapon finesse for the weapon, it will not be given to you since the weapon is a two handed weapon.I am not asking for a free feat. I just wanted to see if you would allow it to be applied to a Quarterstaff. Also, the Quarterstaff is a double weapon. Effectively like using two weapons at the same time.
Double weapons are, by default, also two-handed weapons. I believe the quarterstaff, specifically, can be wielded as either a 1-sided, 2-handed weapon (1.5 Str dmg), or a double weapon (off-hand attack).
Edit;: Could be off on that; I also recall all double weapons applying the 2 handed strength bonus to the primary hand.... also, FWIW, it stands to reason that the need to use 2 hands with a weapon weighs more heavily on the use of finesse than the fact that the 2-handed weapon in question is two-sided.
It's a good clarification, since the "feat tax rules" that are in play grant all normal finesse weapons a "finesse weapon quality." With Wolf's ruling identifying that we still have a use for the finesse feat itself, being applicable to (at least some) weapons that normally wouldn't qualify.