ROLEPLAY VS. ROLLPLAY
This Adventure Path is perfect for roleplay-intensive gaming. Per the Player's Guide, all characters must start out knowing each other, all in Roderic's Cove, and all have a reason to protect Roderic's Cove and the region of Varisia from the threat of the returning Thassilonian Runelords. This will be about Character Development rather than min/max power-gaming. I encourage you to download and read the FREE Player's Guide to Return of the Runelords. It will guide you in creating a character.
CAMPAIGN MODE FOR PFS
Paizo has not yet sanctioned this AP for PFS credit, but they're working on it. By the time we're done with this first chapter, I hope they will have developed Chronicle Sheets so we can all gain credit for use in Pathfinder Society Play.
LONG-FORM ROLEPLAY
Am I starting this because I'm locked in my house in Los Angeles with my wife, three teenage boys, a dog and a cat? Well, a little bit. But I've been wanting to play in an AP for a long time and I find PFS scenarios are too short, with little continuity or character development. GM Engleaktigs's ongoing games have provided some continuity. I've played with the same small, rotating band of heroes repeatedly. But this will be about characters and character development. It will be about long-form roleplay. This will be longer.
BUCKLE UP. THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE
Yes. Longer. A full AP can take three, four, FIVE years to complete. I'm in this for the long haul. YOU SHOULD BE TOO. But I recognize that burnout happens. So... I propose that players be GMs also. I'll GM the first chapter, but I'd like another player to step up and GM the second chapter so I can rest and join the party as a PC myself. If possible, we can swap in a different GM for each chapter. This is why I've labeled this game "Secrets of Roderic's Cove" rather than "Return of the Runelords."
MY COMMITMENT
I'm currently in four games and I'm wrapping up one of them next weekend. Because this AP (hell, this CHAPTER) will take a long time, I commit that I will not take more than four games online at a time. While I'm the GM, this game will be my focus.
ROLL CALL OF PLAYERS
So, who is in? Right now, I've got interest from six players. Please respond and confirm that you're "in." Follow that up with a post describing character ideas. Keep in mind that the Player's Guide has specific campaign traits from which you'll need to choose.
1 - GM Engleaktig
2 - GM Engleaktig friend/housemate(?)
3 - Tarondor aka Berosius
4 - Sharton aka Thamius aka Parkhtu
5 - PatheticWretch aka Harrow
6 - Art Severance aka Pribam Pey
This means, if you saw this on the message boards at Paizo and clicked thru, I don't have a spot for you... RIGHT NOW. Please indicate your interest, however, in a short post. I'll keep you in mind if I open it up for recruitment.
Thanks, and I'll see you in Roderic's Cove.
-Derek
aka GM Derek
aka Derek Lane 127
aka Mareq Bolthune
aka Kelvor of the Shundar-Quah
I am in!
I'm thinking of playing an aphorite wizard/chirurgeon from the city of Axis who has been sent to Varisia via Korvosa for additional training. I've built an initial concept that I'll tweak to meet the requirement to have a campaign trait.
Welcome, Art!
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I'm in.
I was initially leaning toward trying a class I've never played before, and I was thinking occultist even before I read that a specific archetype is recommended. I'll have to do more research to see if that's what I want to play. I also really LOVE the investigator class, and it wouldn't take much to persuade me to build one of those instead.
Dan
I'm in.
I was initially leaning toward trying a class I've never played before, and I was thinking occultist even before I read that a specific archetype is recommended. I'll have to do more research to see if that's what I want to play. I also really LOVE the investigator class, and it wouldn't take much to persuade me to build one of those instead.
Dan
Welcome, Dan/Thamius! Investigator sounds cool!
I'm in! Thanks for organizing this. :)
Awesome! Welcome, GM Engleaktig.
Yes! I'm in!
I'm so excited to do something long-term with this crew. I've loved how GM Englaktig has run us through so many scenarios, and have loved developing characters, but I think an AP has even more room for that. I've also loved Mareq's character immensely. This sounds great.
Since we're sharing, I live in Utah, and am a self-employed attorney neck deep in work problems that needs either therapy or RPGs as therapy. I have a lovely wife and four teenagers. No indoor pets, but we do feed birds. I like games, and after my real-life D&D group finally disintegrated after a very long time, I turned to PbP. :)
I'd be fine with swapping in as GM later.
I'll have to look at classes. Initially, I'm thinking either a Medium, Arcanist, Wizard, or Skald.
Yes! I'm in!
I'm so excited to do something long-term with this crew. I've loved how GM Englaktig has run us through so many scenarios, and have loved developing characters, but I think an AP has even more room for that. I've also loved Mareq's character immensely. This sounds great.
Since we're sharing, I live in Utah, and am a self-employed attorney neck deep in work problems that needs either therapy or RPGs as therapy. I have a lovely wife and four teenagers. No indoor pets, but we do feed birds. I like games, and after my real-life D&D group finally disintegrated after a very long time, I turned to PbP. :)
I'd be fine with swapping in as GM later.
I'll have to look at classes. Initially, I'm thinking either a Medium, Arcanist, Wizard, or Skald.
A small house plus bakery sits at the edge of town, on the road from the local boneyard and the Lady's Chapel to Town Circle where marketday is held. The bakery's chimney shows a small line of smoke rising into the sky. A rosy-cheeked halfling woman steps out as you walk by. She is holding a small basket of blackberry muffins, tarts, and confections. She smiles at you and offers you some.
"You better get these quick, before that green fellow comes back and buys the rest of them!" she says.
Julit Freson, the town's gruff-looking middle-aged guard captain, steps out from Blackberry's Bakery, wipes the blue stain from her mouth, and says, "You may not always like my advice, but you should take it now: get some of those tarts! Delicious. And don't worry, Blackberry, if that fella comes back looking for pastries, I'll tell him yer all sold out."
Could we please open the Gameplay for a ghost dot if I delete it? I like keeping all this in one place.
Hmmmm. Gameplay thread is corrupted. I've asked Paizo to fix (it is a known issue). If they don't fix by tomorrow, I'll just create a brand new game and invite you all to that one.
Sounds good! Thanks!
Paizo just fixed it. But all my test posts are still in there. :)
Please dot into the Gameplay thread, everybody.
I’m leaning a bit toward a human wizard, a Thassilionian Specialist whose intense studies of this ancient magic has corrupted him, so that he exhibits the vices associated with the various schools as he uses his magic (envy, gluttony, wrath, etc).
The other possibility is a halfling medium (fiend keeper) that has become the keeper of some evil entity from Thassilon. He has to keep the villain at bay. This would not fill a specific roll, but be a 5th or 6th man that could fill lots of roles.
These are the two I’m most interested in now, though depending on what others are playing, I could switch it up.
I’m leaning a bit toward a human wizard, a Thassilionian Specialist whose intense studies of this ancient magic has corrupted him, so that he exhibits the vices associated with the various schools as he uses his magic (envy, gluttony, wrath, etc).
The other possibility is a halfling medium (fiend keeper) that has become the keeper of some evil entity from Thassilon. He has to keep the villain at bay. This would not fill a specific roll, but be a 5th or 6th man that could fill lots of roles.
These are the two I’m most interested in now, though depending on what others are playing, I could switch it up.
Both sound pretty interesting. Keep in mind, gotta be non-evil. And this AP is, let's be honest, anti-Thassilonian. But a wizard who has dabbled too much and can feel the ink stain of rune magic spreading through his soul... lots of possibilities there.
I am in!
I'm thinking of playing an aphorite wizard/chirurgeon from the city of Axis who has been sent to Varisia via Korvosa for additional training. I've built an initial concept that I'll tweak to meet the requirement to have a campaign trait.
Have you taken a look at the Player's Guide? How do you think you could tie him in to Roderic's Cove? Maybe studying with the local priest of Pharasma? Or maybe learning about corrupt business practices (anti-law at is worst!)? The nearest settlement to Roderic's Cove is the pirate-haven of Riddleport, home of the fantastical Thassilonian artifact called the Cyphergate. Roderic's Cove has a history of struggling with Riddleport influence and corruption.
Both sound pretty interesting. Keep in mind, gotta be non-evil. And this AP is, let's be honest, anti-Thassilonian. But a wizard who has dabbled too much and can feel the ink stain of rune magic spreading through his soul... lots of possibilities there.I’m leaning a bit toward a human wizard, a Thassilionian Specialist whose intense studies of this ancient magic has corrupted him, so that he exhibits the vices associated with the various schools as he uses his magic (envy, gluttony, wrath, etc).
The other possibility is a halfling medium (fiend keeper) that has become the keeper of some evil entity from Thassilon. He has to keep the villain at bay. This would not fill a specific roll, but be a 5th or 6th man that could fill lots of roles.
These are the two I’m most interested in now, though depending on what others are playing, I could switch it up.
Yeah, he wouldn’t be evil. The player’s guide does mention Thassilion Specialist specifically as good archetype. He would mainly be a scholar and fascinated by their magic, and would not fully recognize that it’s tainting him as he practices it. He would recognize the difference between learning of their powerful magic and opposing the rise of their political forces or villains.
I'm in. Thanks for setting this up, Derek!
I'm writing a guide to the 2e wizard so I'd very much like to play a 2e wizard.
I'm also a self-employed and now semi-out-of-work attorney. I'm ensconced in a house in suburban Virginia with my wife and two rambunctious young sons, whom I have been home schooling. I run way too many online RPG's.
Scott / Tarondor / Berosisus
Sounds like an all-wizard party. Which, given the Runelords theme, might be awesome.
I don’t think Return of the Runelords is 2e, is it?
Ooh! Are we doing 1e? I forgot.
Old guy. Getting senile.
Okay, then. I'll play a Transmuter wizard. I -did- write that guide and never got to play one!
I’ve read your guide—it’s very good! Which of the builds would you be?
Three wizards? Oh boy.
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Derek, I rebuilt slightly to drop the extra crystalline dust. In exchange, I picked up the extra trait feat and took Audrahni's Ally. Bramelane probably knows her from Magnimar. I made an error taking the poleiheira adherent archetype with worldseeker, as worldseeker requires a familiar. So I dropped poleiheir adherent and will pick up a familiar. I'll make those changes and then fix my stat blocks on here, probably Thursday morning.
A mulit-wizard party is awesome! I'm here for it!
I’ve read your guide—it’s very good!
Thanks!
Which of the builds would you be?
Not 100% sure yet. Probably a Master Transmogrifist with levels in Eldritch Knight.
I have to admit, the hilarity of the Muscle Wizard is calling to me.
I’ve read your guide—it’s very good!Thanks!
Which of the builds would you be?Not 100% sure yet. Probably a Master Transmogrifist with levels in Eldritch Knight.
I have to admit, the hilarity of the Muscle Wizard is calling to me.
Either one of those would definitely be a strong front-liner even though it's a wizard.
@Arthur: Do you want to clarify what you mean with "wizard/chirurgeon"? Is this a wizard with alchemist levels?
Anyone else want to weigh in on what they want to play?
Anyone else want to weigh in on what they want to play?
Tarandor: Muscle Wizard
PatheticWretch: Wiz/Thassilonian specialistThamius: Occulist? Investigator?
GM Engleaktig: ??
GM Engleaktig +One: ??
Art: Wizard/Chirugeon - Aphorite
I'd like to play a dedicated healer. Someone like McCoy from Star Trek--dedicated to healing, but not (manifestly) desirous of adventure. Of course, he'd never leave the party (his Enterprise) because he's super loyal.
Sounds awesome! Do you happen to know what your friend wants to play?
PatheticWretch: Wiz/Thassilonian specialist - CONTROL
Thamius: Occulist? Investigator? - SKILLS
GM Engleaktig: McCoy - HEALER
GM Engleaktig +One: ??
Art: Wizard/Chirugeon - CONTROL
Tarondor: Wiz/Transmuter - TANK/DPS
I'd like to play a dedicated healer. Someone like McCoy from Star Trek--dedicated to healing, but not (manifestly) desirous of adventure. Of course, he'd never leave the party (his Enterprise) because he's super loyal.
OMG! With apologies to Dickens, "I'm giddy like a schoolboy!"
I just bought the Secrets of Roderic's Cove module on Roll20! It is AMAZING. It's got EVERYTHING. I strongly suggest we move some battles onto Roll20. So cool.
Regardless, we will be using Roll20 for map and token movement, whether we're in PbP or actually playing in realtime via Roll20.
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Art: Wizard/Chirugeon - CONTROL
I'm not sure how much "CONTROL" my guy will be as compared to any other wizard. I"m not real used to thinking in those terms, though.
The way I've built him, he has +15 heal at 1st level, speaks a lot of languages, is very good at spell craft, linguistics, knowledge religion, and knowledge arcana and even a bit better at knowledge planes.
He has a high STR (16) and INT (20). Grants a +4 when aiding on trained knowledge skills instead of +2. Specialized in enhancement (transmutation) school. Opposition schools are evocation and illusion. Arcane bond is a suture vine that stops bleed damage.
I suppose I might end up being more tank/support, sort of like a cleric. I was thinking about taking a bunch of enchantment magic, but hadn't really thought much about spell list beyond taking some obvious healing stuff (positive pulse, polypurpose panacea, and celestial healing). I could go with a bunch of conjurations to augment our ability to tank.
If there's a more primary healer, I'm happy to be backup. And if the other healer is a wizard, too, it won't hurt to have two. We're gonna need a lot!
I do up all the stats this evening. I tried this morning, then lost it and had to start working.
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As for personal introductions, I am a third attorney in the group. My old boss made me an offer I couldn't refuse to move back to West LA from Anchorage to work on recreational boating cases again.
No kids, just a medically-retired husband and two wonderful yappy dogs (who have recently become my coworkers)!
I've played mostly in person and by phone, but I did some PbP several years ago and one game very recently.
It's been a while since I played Pathfinder. I was a 5E regional coordinator for a while and so was focusing on that. I don't really have the time to DM an online game right now, but after a couple of volumes of this adventure path I might be able to be persuaded. I've DM'd a lot in person and on the phone and actually don't play as a player very much, so I'm really looking forward to this.
Kheiron Althus (Tarondor) signing in. This is the start of my Transmuter/Eldritch Knight build.
GM Derek: Do we have any guidance on character creation? I'm guessing 20 point buy? What's starting wealth? Are drawbacks allowed for a third trait? Allowed races and classes?
I've been giving this too much thought. As much as I love playing wizards and like the idea of a three-wizard party, I think I'm going to go with my second choice, a halfling medium (assuming occult classes are allowed).
This character, for anyone who doesn't know how they play, actually fills a completely different roll on any given day. Rather than optimize this toward a specific role, I'm actually wanting to play it as a different class from day to day. This is definitely a roleplay pick over an optimized pick for me, but I like the concept I have for this one, especially on this Thassilion-themed story arc. I should have the crunch done later today (given some guidance on character creation) and then backstory incoming later this weekend.
PatheticWretch: Halfling Medium - WILD CARD
Thamius: Occulist? Investigator? - SKILLS
GM Engleaktig: McCoy - HEALER
GM Engleaktig +One: ??
Art: Aphorite Wizard - TANK/SUPPORT
Tarondor: Human Wizard - TANK/DPS
Any word on our last player? Still in?
Ability Scores: 20pt buy
Core+ Races: Varisia is primarily core fantasy races. Kitsune, nagaji, tengu, and wayang are too rare to be viable. They’d be a freakish sight everywhere they go, stalling roleplay. Horned “evil-looking” tieflings will elicit gasps, fear and roleplay penalties. No catfolk, changeling, dhampir, fetchling, gillman, grippli, goblin, merfolk, ratfolk, samsaran, vanara, or vishkanya. All others, please consult with me.
Classes: Pathfinder Society classes.
Traits: one must be from this AP’s Players Guide. Drawbacks are tentatively allowed. Please consult with me on your choice.
Starting Wealth: 150gp
Good info--thanks! Are we using background skills?
Also, I'd like to propose the Haunted drawback for my character. It's very much in line with this character concept.
Good info--thanks! Are we using background skills?
Yes, I think so. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. This is an interesting optional system that's easy to use and implement. Summary for those unfamiliar: Background skills are the non-adventuring ones. Profession, Craft, Perforrm, etc. Two new skills added, that are incredibly specific - Lore (specific knowledge topic) and Artistry (specific artistic craft). Your normal pool of skill points can be spent on any type of skill, but you get two add'l skill points per level (not modified by Int) for "background skills" only.
List of background skills (all others are adventuring skills):
Appraise
Artistry
Craft
Handle Animal
Knowledge (engineering)
Knowledge (geography)
Knowledge (history)
Knowledge (nobility)
Linguistics
Lore
Perform
Profession
Sleight of Hand
Read more here: Background Skills.
Consult with me if you plan on taking Lore or Artistry skills.
Also, I'd like to propose the Haunted drawback for my character. It's very much in line with this character concept.
Love this. A pretty strong drawback. Great roleplay mechanic.
**Updated**
Ability Scores: 20pt buy
Core+ Races: Varisia is primarily core fantasy races. Kitsune, nagaji, tengu, and wayang are too rare to be viable. They’d be a freakish sight everywhere they go, stalling roleplay. Horned “evil-looking” tieflings will elicit gasps, fear and roleplay penalties. No catfolk, changeling, dhampir, fetchling, gillman, grippli, goblin, merfolk, ratfolk, samsaran, vanara, or vishkanya. All others, please consult with me.
Classes: Pathfinder Society classes
Traits: one must be from this AP’s Players Guide. Drawbacks are tentatively allowed. Please consult with me on your choice.
Starting Wealth: 150gp
Skills: Background Skill system. Please consult with me on any Lore or Artistry skills you choose. **NEW**
I'll update my character later with a campaign trait and backgrounds skills.
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For GM approval:
Ancestry: Human
Class: Oracle
Archetype: Pei Zin Practitioner
Traits: Blessed Touch, Time Lost (campaign trait)
Adventuring Skills: Diplomacy, Heal, Profession Herbalist , and Sense Motive
Background Skills: Craft Alchemy, Knowledge Religion
Bonus skill for human: Knowledge History
Haven't decided on stats yet, there might be another skill.
Hello! I am in -- many apologies for the late arrival.
I would like to play a Hawk Clan Shoanti fighter, with the "Eldritch Guardian" archetype -- so her familiar can hang out with all the wizardly familiars. More soon!
Welcome, Ayita! Any idea what your familiar will be?
Looks good. Your PC's name shows as "Gergory".
Pei Zin Practitioner: cool.
Time Lost = good. I'm defining "once per adventure" as once during Secrets of Roderic's Cove. If this was more frequent, it wouldn't be a trait, but rather a stronger ability elsewhere in the game (feat, special ability, spell, etc).
Welcome all!
I've also been watching for whether anyone can disable device. I can do this 1) when I'm in Trickster form OR 2) I've been thinking of taking a trait to train this skill. If one or two others have it, I wouldn't. I think Thamius was potentially planning a skills character.
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A small house plus bakery sits at the edge of town, on the road from the local boneyard and the Lady's Chapel to Town Circle where marketday is held. The bakery's chimney shows a small line of smoke rising into the sky. A rosy-cheeked halfling woman steps out as you walk by. She is holding a small basket of blackberry muffins, tarts, and confections. She smiles at you and offers you some.
"You better get these quick, before that green fellow comes back and buys the rest of them!" she says.
Julit Freson, the town's gruff-looking middle-aged guard captain, steps out from Blackberry's Bakery, wipes the blue stain from her mouth, and says, "You may not always like my advice, but you should take it now: get some of those tarts! Delicious. And don't worry, Blackberry, if that fella comes back looking for pastries, I'll tell him yer all sold out."
Ayita spots PASTRIES... (she has a +30 on spot pastry)
She tries a blackberry one and an expression of awe appears on her tattooed face. Amazing!!!
The hawk on her shoulder looks at her. ok you can have some! but hawks aren't supposed to like these!