Hello! One of the Rise of the Runelords tables where all the players can only pick cleric levels is in need of reinforcements. Two of our players are either MIA or temporarily unavailable, so we’re looking for two to three players to fill in that gap.
We have two clerics of Sarenrae at the moment.
We will be playing the anniversary edition, so make sure to read the anniversary edition of the players guide which can be downloaded for free here.
Your submission doesn’t require any specific format, but give a fair idea of your character. At least a 3 paragraph background and enough about the mechanics to portray how your character performs in and out of combat.
Level: Character must be built at level 3.
Abilities: 15 pt-buy, nothing below 10 pre-race except for Dex and Con (they can be negative) - This is intended to make players specialize their Clerics.
Classes: Cleric only, all Paizo archetypes allowed. Proposals of 3pp archetypes must be accompanied by a link and an explanation as to why this archetype is appropriate for your character and also not overpowered. That means no VMC and no PrC either.
Domains: All Paizo allowed. Includes sub-domains.
Races: Go crazy! Ahem... except goblins. They're not allowed. Ok, don't go that crazy, stay at a reasonable power level.
Alignment: All non-evil. The same goes for the chosen deity of your character, if they have a deity. If your character is not good, then explain why your character cares about Sandpoint or its people (or the world for that matter).
Background skills: Yes, with a caveat. I'm introducing what I call a quirk skill point. Read about it below.
Feats: Stay within CRB, APG, UM, UC, ACG and ARG. If you want to use a feat outside of those resources, please ask first.
Spells: Stay within CRB, APG, UM, UC, ACG and ARG. If you want to use a spell outside of those resources, please ask first.
Traits: Two unrestricted traits, as long as they are about as powerful as half a feat. Exception: campaign traits other than from the RotR:AE player’s guide are not allowed. Alternatively, you may forgo any trait to make a skill become a class skill for you and also gain a +1 trait bonus on that skill. Make sure to include in your background how you came to become so proficient in that skill. You cannot buy a third trait by picking up a drawback.
Hit points: We will talk about it after.
Starting gold: You will all start with 3000gp to spend as you like as per the Wealth by Level table.
Feat tax rules: We won't be using that.
Other uncommon rules: We will be using the Wounds threshold rule, which can be read about here. Please take the time to read if you're not familiar, it's not a lot - Since it's likely that healing will play a large part with so many clerics around, the wound threshold system can be interesting.
Progression: The AP recommends a fast level progression, which we will follow. The anniversary edition also provides a guideline of about when characters are supposed to level up so we'll be leveling up by the milestone system. This makes my job very easy as I really don't like XP (don't ask). This means that by the game's end, players should be at level 17~18. Special caveat about the progression: Everyone will be a cleric, and no one likes to feel that they'll be missing out on high level spells. So when you get points to spend on abilities (at levels 4, 8, etc...), that point must go on an ability other than Wisdom, but everyone increases their Wisdom by 1. This means that players will effectively get 2 points, one of which is spent on Wisdom. If your archetype changes your spellcasting ability, then this fixed point is changed as well.
What in Nethys' name is a quirk skill point?: It's an extra background skill point that must be spent on Artistry or Lore. And there's more! If all background skill points are spent on Artistry and/or Lore, then you get a second quick skill point! This means that your character can get up to 4 (!!!!) background skill points in any given level.
I prefer players that can commit to the long-term over players that post multiple times a day but will drop out in 3 months. Please consider this before applying.
Group is just entering Thistletop. If you have never played RotR, we can make a small summary of the story so far so you don't feel you've missed out on much.
When I first started recruitment for this game, I promised I'd run Return of the Runelords for both tables when this story was over. This is a promise I intend to keep. So please keep this commitment in mind before applying as well.
We’ll talk about getting your characters into the game once selection ends.
I will be closing this recruitment in a week’s time, so if you’re interested, please provide your submission by 23:59 (Western European Summer Time) of the 22nd of May.
what are the other two clerics specialized in?
I'll give them a chance to tell you, as I'll probably miss the mark. In short, their archetypes are Ecclesitheurge and Devilbane priest, which may help give you an idea.
Dotting in! Felix is a channel-focused Herald Caller of Pharasma seeking to restore balance to... something. He's uncertain what exactly that might be, but he knows the Lady of Mysteries reveals all as fate as decreed.
Hello,
Interesting concept! I have many ideas rattling through my head. Most of them centered around fighting styles with a deity's weapon. Are any of the following feats allowed; divine fighting technique, dervish dance, bladed brush, starry grace, and guided grace? (links and spoilers with descriptions below). None of these feats make or break a build for me I just find them interesting and flavorful but to be clear there are definite mechanical advantages but are quite feat intensive. Thanks in advance for taking the time to look at this.
Divine Fighting Technique (Combat)
Source Divine Anthology pg. 28, Weapon Master's Handbook pg. 10
You have trained in the divine fighting technique of a specific deity.
Prerequisites: Must worship a single patron deity that has an established divine fighting technique.
Benefit: You can use your patron deity’s fighting technique and receive any benefit associated with that technique for which you qualify, as described in the Divine Fighting Techniques section below.
Special: A cleric, inquisitor, or warpriest who worships a deity can choose to give up either the first power of one of her domains or a minor blessing benefit to gain access to her god’s divine fighting technique without having to meet the technique’s prerequisites (including the Divine Fighting Technique feat). In addition, a warpriest can give up a major blessing to gain the advanced benefit without meeting its prerequisites.
Dervish Dance (Combat)
Source Inner Sea World Guide pg. 286, Qadira, Gateway to the East pg. 23
You have learned to turn your speed into power, even with a heavier blade.
Prerequisites: Dexterity 13, Weapon Finesse, Perform (dance) 2 ranks, proficient with scimitar.
Benefit: When wielding a scimitar with one hand, you can use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on melee attack and damage rolls. You treat the scimitar as a one-handed piercing weapon for all feats and class abilities that require such a weapon (such as a duelist’s precise strike ability). The scimitar must be for a creature of your size. You cannot use this feat if you are carrying a weapon or shield in your off hand.
Bladed Brush (Combat)
Source Paths of the Righteous pg. 15
You know how to balance a polearm perfectly, striking with artful, yet deadly precision.
Prerequisites: Weapon Focus (glaive), must be a worshiper of Shelyn.
Benefit: You can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to attack rolls with a glaive sized for you, even though it isn’t a light weapon. When wielding a glaive, you can treat it as a one-handed piercing or slashing melee weapon and as if you were not making attacks with your off-hand for all feats and class abilities that require such a weapon (such as a duelist’s or swashbuckler’s precise strike).
As a move action, you can shorten your grip on the glaive, treating it as though it lacked the reach weapon property. You can adjust your grip to grant the weapon the reach property as a move action.
Starry Grace (Combat)
Source Ultimate Intrigue pg. 92
Your quick and free starknife motions allow you to make deadly dexterous attacks.
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (starknife).
Benefit: When wielding a starknife, you can add your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to that weapon’s damage. The starknife must be one appropriate for your size. You do not gain this benefit while fighting with two weapons or using flurry of blows, or any time another hand is otherwise occupied.
In addition, if you have the panacheACG class feature, as long as you have at least 1 panache point, you gain a +5 bonus to your movement speed on your move action after taking an attack action with a starknife or on your Spring Attack or charge with a starknife.
Guided Star (Combat)
Source Paths of the Righteous pg. 29
The grace of Desna guides your starknife to its target and back to your hand.
Prerequisites: Starry GraceUI, worshiper of Desna.
Benefit: You can empower a starknife with magical power once per day per character level as a swift action. Until the end of your turn, add your Wisdom modifier to your damage rolls with the starknife in addition to any other modifiers you normally add. If you throw the starknife during that time, it returns to you at the beginning of your next turn (as per the returning weapon special ability).
I am the other cleric in the game currently active. I am meant to the the "thief" of the group and a bit of a blaster. I am unarmored and have decent disable device and stealth as well as the fire domain for the blasting spells which I can cast multiple times a day.
So I am thinking bard of course with Evangelist and travel domain
I’m back with more questions.
1. I’ve dug through your game play thread as well as the pathfinder wiki and I would like to make my PC a cousin (or other relation) of the Kaijitsu family. She would have been invited to the swallow tail festival by Ameiko Kaijitsu but unfortunately she was delayed and just recently arrived. Is it okay for my PC to have this relationship?
2. Are we allowed to take inquisitions in place of domains? Specifically I’m looking at the black power and conversion inquisitions (links and descriptions below).
3. I haven’t decided on a deity yet but I’m looking at ones from the Tian Xia pantheon. Just wanted to double check and make sure they are allowed? (I’m also looking Irori too).
Thanks again.
Source Ultimate Combat pg. 52
Deities Any (with GM approval).
Granted Powers: You gain Exotic Weapon Proficiency (firearms) and Gunsmithing as bonus feats. When you hit an arcane spellcaster or a creature that uses spell-like abilities with a firearm attack, that creature must succeed at a Fortitude saving throw. If the spellcaster fails, he takes a –4 penalty on concentration checks for 1 round.
Source Ultimate Magic pg. 41
Deities Any deity.
Granted Powers: You are a powerful persuader. A honeyed tongue empowered by divine argumentation sways the indifferent and adversarial to your side.
Charm of Wisdom (Ex): You use your Wisdom modifier instead of your Charisma modifier when making Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks.
Swaying Word (Sp): At 8th level, once per day you may speak a word of divinely inspired wisdom that causes a single creature to switch its alliance to you. The target must be within line of sight and able to hear you. If he fails his Will save, he is affected by dominate person, except the duration is only 1 minute.
I'll have to get back to you about those feats. About inquisitions, if you can find yourself an archetype that allows for that trade, then it's allowed.
Thanks. As far as inquisitions go there are not any archetypes that specifically call them out rather it a general rule [ultimate magic] that allows all clerics to take an inquisition in place of a domain.
While a cleric or other domain-using class can select an inquisition in place of a domain (if appropriate to the character's deity), inquisitions do not grant domain spell slots or domain spells, and therefore are much weaker choices for those classes. These other classes use the appropriate class level as their inquisitor level for the purpose of inquisition granted powers (clerics use their cleric level as their inquisitor level, and so on).
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I see. Forgive me, then. It's allowed.
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Actually, I just realized I only get the Artifice domain, and don't get an additional one... That makes the forgemaster a bit less inviting... hm.
Well either way, the submission will be the same. A dwarven cleric of Torag, heavy emphasis on blacksmithing, and will function as a front-line tank in full plate and heavy shield.
I'm ok with pre-crafted non-magical non-masterwork items. However, I can't promise long periods of downtime during the AP runtime.
Ok.
Alright, backstory written up! Let me know if you want more details on the mechanics of Felix's build, though some details are dependent on feedback (see end of post). I have played through most of the first book, but our GM had to back out for health reasons and the game folded shortly thereafter.
“Probably a ram, from how stubborn he is!”
“No! He’s soft as a lamb - remember how Gertle slipped and broke her arm last spring and the boy walked her home and she was out in her garden the next day as if nothing had happened?”
“You’re conveniently leaving out how the store where she fell was closed for a week after that little accident. They went out of business, they did, and I just know that he had something to do with it!”
“Or when he helped deliver the Maulkin girl’s twins! Midwife thought all three were goners, but it was the good-for-nothing father that didn’t survive the night instead. Not that I miss the bastard, mind you - not after what he did to my poor cats.”
“Probably just some cheap trick the boy picked up from that travelling priest. Wasn’t she some kind of devil-binder or hex-crafter? Honestly, he can’t learn to leave well enough alone.”
“You’ve got that right!”
The old men would laugh and take another puff from their pipes, the smoke curling around their faces in lazy spirals. “It’s because he takes after his father, you know. Not everyone has what it takes to be a master weaver.”
“You don’t think...”
“No, I don’t think so. It’s downright generous of him to give the widows those black veils after he gives their husbands their last rites. You know as well as I do that he doesn’t make a copper from them. You’re just mad Gertle thinks he’s better looking than you are.”
“Am not!”
---------------------------------
Felix hasn’t heard the gossip in many years, having been caught in the wanderlust that eluded his parents. It led him first to Kaer Maga, where he learned ways to put the dead at ease and tend to the newly-born from the acolytes of the Godsmouth Ossuary. But the City of Strangers is home to more faiths than just Pharasma - he learned drinking songs of Cayden Caelian, how to make solid investments like Abadar, how to see both sides of an issue simultaneously as Nethys does. And yet through each lesson from another faith he learned to see the threads of fate, the tangled skein that weaves not only history, but destiny.
But even the Asylum Stone’s wonders could not hold him forever. After a dispute with a priestess of Urgathoa turned violent, Felix voluntarily left Kaer Maga. He wandered without a destination for a time, trading healing hands and warm blankets for food and a place by a hearth each night. Perhaps this too was destiny. Or perhaps it was merely a coincidence when a fisherman mentioned a new cathedral in the village of Sandpoint, and a festival to celebrate its consecration. Either way, Felix felt himself drawn to the town by a need to return the balance of… something. Trusting the Mistress of Fate, he took the leap of faith and set off the next morning for the western coast.
Questions for the GM:
- Pharasma is the goddess of Fate, yet when she was introduced in the CRB there was no Fate subdomain. Would you be willing to let Felix take the Fate subdomain, or perhaps combine the Herald Caller and Separatist archetypes for one domain at an effective -2 level?
- Are you planning (or at least open) to pass out PFS Chronicle Sheets to players who ask for them at the conclusion of each AP volume?
okay, so Elan is one of the clerics. did the other one pipe up? because two people popped in and described their characters, but i have no clue if they're submissions or the other player.
regardless, i'm curious how you'd feel about allowing a druid domain on a cleric? specifically the mountain domain as i wanted to make an oread theologian cleric of the mountain.
@Smiles-a-lot: Gave a lot of thought to those feats. I'll say yes to Dervish Dance and Stary Grace/Guided Star. No to the other two.
@Felix: Yes to the subdomain. Probably not about PFS credit. You can convince me otherwise in the future if you help me through what I need to learn for it.
Thanks for looking into the feats for me!
@GM Anthorg i'm curious how you'd feel about allowing a druid domain on a cleric? specifically the mountain domain as i wanted to make an oread theologian cleric of the mountain.
edit: also, if i understand correctly, you wouldn't really need to make any decisions about PFS credit until the end of a book (or possibly the AP). there are no requirements that you play a certain way, you just fill out chronicle sheets for the players at the end of things and they can get credit. you might need to get a PFS number in order to do that officially, but that's a click of a button on your account page.
Mountain domain is fine.
Hmm... I have a weird attraction to single class games, and I'm running a campaign right now on the boards that should keep me committed here for quite a long time...
I have a couple ideas off the top of my head but some questions as well:
- Are you allowing the deific obedience feat?
- If not, how does the divine paragon archetype work (is it banned, or an exception that gets the feat even though its not otherwise available)?
- Will prestige classes that are clearly cleric flavored be an option down the road or is it all cleric all the way?
- Are you using/allowing any other rules options from the listed books (like variant channeling from ultimate magic)?
Hi, the feat is not allowed, but there have been submissions with the archetype. I'm not a huge fan (not for the power, but because it makes my life harder), but some have made the cut. As the opening post states, prestige classes are off the table.
Let me know which rules you are thinking of. For variant channeling specifically, I don't have anything against it.
Sorry, I don't know how I missed the PrC clause in the OP. I didn't really have any specific rules options in mind (although I was curious about variant channeling since there will be so many people with channeling already), I was mostly just gathering information.
Additional question(s):
- Are animal companions and/or familiars alright (like with the animal domain, or one of the druid domains that grants a familiar)?
- If so, would you allow the boon companion feat or would it always be a few levels behind?
They're all ok, I think.
Alright last question (since I need to actually start building if I'm going to submit something):
- Which races do you consider to be "a reasonable power level" for this game? I'm assuming 20 point races like wyrwood and kasatha are out, but what about things like aasimar or tiefling that are only a few points higher than the core races? And, is it safe to assume that unusual races with point values at or below core levels (like skinwalkers) are covered by the "go crazy" clause?
I would like to submit Thakus, my half-orc melee cleric of Gorum.
His above-average wits got the attention of the tribe shaman, who, seeing Thakus as a potential successor, taught him the magic of their patron god, Gorum. This helped his standing in the tribe, because he could now augment his subpar fighting abilities with divine magic. But his physical weakness continued to be a point of ire. Being a shaman's apprentice did not prevent him getting his teeth rubbed in the dirt, and there were those in the tribe who resented a chosen of Gorum being such a weakling. Eventually Thakus decided he would rather be a half-orc in the company of humans than a half-human in the company of orcs.
Please consider Glickly as a member of your band. He would probably be leaning half face/half front liner - both a charmer and a brute.
Background:
Glickly is the offspring of a pair of Nagji priest-warriors who came to Sandpoint as part of the Kaijitsu family when they moved to the area. While his family knew Lonjiku well, Glickly only recalls bits and pieces from his childhood. Instead, he preferred to watch others from atop the cliffs and sit in solitude. He is a friendly sort, but was often concerned with his appearance, so clearly different from everyone else. As such, he sometimes resorted to fear and bullying to get his way, and even occasionally magical charms. Still, he has made a few good friends in Sandpoint, and he has always considered it his home.
Glickly’s family are devout worshippers of Nalinivati, the Serpent’s Kiss, and raise the young nagaji in these traditions, including some dabbling into arcane magics and of course, the weapon of their religion.
Alright, I have work this morning but this afternoon I'll be putting together my submission. I think I'm going to go with a Gozren who grew up in Sandpoint. He'll be largely geared towards control with weather-related spells and abilities to help set the terms of encounters and some save-or-suck type individual control spells. He'll also be able to help out in melee a little bit. I'm planning on making him an aasimar (because he'll be a negative energy channeler and I feel like pairing that with aasimar fits really nicely with Gozreh's duality) but if that's not a race you want to include I could easily switch him to something else.
My thought for his immediate background is that after the attack on the Swallowtail Festival he was sent to Magnimar (or some other relatively close location) to report what happened to a superior. Upon his return he heard about the PCs and what they were doing and set out right away to try to catch up and see how he could help.
Alright last question (since I need to actually start building if I'm going to submit something):
- Which races do you consider to be "a reasonable power level" for this game? I'm assuming 20 point races like wyrwood and kasatha are out, but what about things like aasimar or tiefling that are only a few points higher than the core races? And, is it safe to assume that unusual races with point values at or below core levels (like skinwalkers) are covered by the "go crazy" clause?
Aasimar/Tiefling are fine.
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to withdraw my interest. I've had trouble landing on a concept that I'm excited to play. The good news is I now have ideas for a monk, warpriest, and an inquisitor for a Rise of the Runelords campaign.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time out to run this and answer my questions. Best of luck with your recruitment!!
Regards,
This is Giant Halfling's submission. Well, the crunch at least. I have his fluff pretty well done in my mind but my internet has been spotty all afternoon so I haven't gotten it posted yet. I'll have it up before the deadline.
Shoot- some stuff came up for work (and I have no idea when "23:59 Western European Summer Time" actually is), so I hope I don't/haven't missed the deadline, but I'm typing background as fast as my sausage fingers will go and I'll have it posted as soon as possible!
edit: done and posted. I would have liked a little more time to edit and revise the fluff but hopefully its not too late to be considered. Good luck with your selection!
Thank you for all the submissions, I'll get back to you after discussing with the players. Give us a few days please.
I think Johnny Mash is Edelsmirge’s submission, unless he withdrew via PM (or I just missed his post).
Hi everyone, sorry for the delay, clearing up everything behind the curtains. We have our names.
Azadi Freeman and
Thakus,
please post in the Discussion thread to introduce yourselves and we'll discuss anything further among ourselves.
Everyone else, thank you for your effort. I'm sorry I can't bring everyone in, but there might be further opportunities in the future in case drop outs happen again. Please state if you wish to be contacted in this case.