GM Fuzzfoot's 1940 era Mummy's Mask Campaign

Game Master PJP

Welcome - please feel free to discuss rules, out of character comments, etc. here.

Very cool GM Fuzzfoot, Thanks for the invite. I have a lot of questions, and will try and work on a list so as not to throw random stuff at you.

I like the fact Cheliax is the main 'Axis' power. When I talk about the world of Golarion to my wife I always refer to Cheliax as nazi Germany because of the devil worship.

Have you thought about where the other countries might represent? Are doing a direct comparison country to country, if so could you elaborate.

Also, the idea of a shoanti 'brawler' was just off the top of my head. I would like to develop an 'Adventurer' from one of the free countries. I don't want it to be an 'occupied country' or he would feel the need to return home and be a freedom fighter.

Still thinking about the class.

Would definitely keep the bar brawl meeting the librarian. The question becomes where...

This is RH's Adventurer, Class still to be determined.

I initially thought my character would be from the north. I’m thinking instead, someone who grew up in Katopesh, specifically the Stonespine Island, in the town of Okeno. What was centuries ago a haven for slavers and pirates has become a reputable port and a melting pot for many nations. My character will be Lucian Brachtarna, of Absalom, Katapeshi and Andorian descent.

Backstory
His Paternal Grandfather Akorian Brachtarna was a Captain of a merchant ship from Absalom. Grandpa met a beautiful Katapeshi girl, named Khismia here in Okeno. After they were wed he resettled on the Island, over the years captaining several ships that called the port home. Akorian and Khismia had seven children, Three boys and four girls.The oldest son Onnello became a ship's captain like his father. The second born son, Ureste went a different path, wanting to become an architect. He went to school In Andoran at the University of Almas, where he met Lucians mother Ionnia who was studying to be an archeologist like her parents, Menas and Adula Ustradi.

Ureste and Ionnia’s romance burned hot and short. Wed curing college Ureste and Ionnia moved to Okeno where Lucian was born. Soon, jobs offers started pouring in for Ureste and he was off designing and building bridges throughout the world far away from home. Ionnia, done putting her career on hold, went to work with her parents at the dig they were working on in Osirion. Lucian grew up there on the Island of Okeno as his parents grew apart. When he was old enough he would spend time with each of them. With his father, wherever the next bridge was being built. With his mother at a dig in Osirion.

After years apart his parents divorced. Lucian still spent the majority of his time in Okeno, running the streets there with his many cousins. Splitting the rest of the time with his parents. His mother at a dig. His father at some far away place in southern Garund with his latest mistress and new contract. Time with his parents at their jobs game him plenty of opportunity to explore, learn the local languages and get into trouble. Often fighting with local boys his age.

By the time Lucian was a young man His father had settled in Port Peril founding a construction company and his mother had taken the position of Curator at the museum of history and antiquities in Taldor. As he came of age Lucians parents insisted he continue his education, while Lucian’s wanderlust called to him, craving a life of adventure.

Giving in to his parents he enrolled at their alma mater, the university of Almas. Lucian was able to make it two years, never settling on a major he took general classes. Eventually at the end of a dismal second year he wrote letters to his parents explaining that he could no longer endure the boredom of school. Sending the letters off as he boarded a steamer towards Katapesh. Once in the capital he boarded a train to Sothis

I apologize in advance for the list of questions :)

Character building questions:
Are we using a 15 or 20 point buy?
Are we using two traits? Does one of them need to be a trait from ‘Mummy’s mask’
Are we using background skills?
Are all of the ‘Human alternate race traits’ in play?
You posted no ‘spell casting classes’ at first level. Are classes that have spells at 4th level allowed? If not can we take ranger archetypes that replace spells?

World building questions:
So are the countries a specific reflection of WWII era countries? Or a general reflection? IE would the guns, cars, manufactured items, uniforms be the same in Cheliax as in Germany. I’m thinking specifically about weapons. There are a lot of guns available floating around. so if Germany = Cheliax, Asolom = Switzerland, Andor = France, Taldor = Britain, then the weapons and weapons manufacturers would be from those countries. Curious where you would put USA and Canada….

Speaking of weapons. There are no rules in pathfinder for fully auto weapons fire. Are we considering adopting rules from another game, or just saying that ‘they don’t exist here.’ Even if the fully auto weapons were severely restricted, unless we assume they don’t exist, some of the soldiers we could potentially fight would have them.

I’m assuming that ‘guns are everywhere’. Will we be making a list of firearms appropriate for the 1940’s? What pathfinder has listed under Advanced Firearms is very limited.

Just because I have a thing for lists
Which role do you want to submit for?
RH: I would play any of them. but I would prefer the adventurer first then the Muscle. But even the 6th wheel is doable; play a local guide that becomes part of the team like Ardeth Bay or Sallah.
@Robert Henry - I do like the concept. Could fit easily as the adventurer or sixth wheel, so if it came down to it, I would consider the same character for either role! I don’t see at this point that it will be an issue, though, so let’s proceed as if the adventurer role.

BelacRLJ: I'm thinking actually dex-based, with over time 4-5 levels of uRogue in addition to mainly barbarian/fighter levels, possibly with a brawler/MoMS dip. He'd fill the muscle role with intimidation/hand to hand combat, but also be all about the dirty tricks/feinting. Preferred weapon would likely be various forms of knife (dagger, kukri, etc), and would possibly add on an appropriate fighting style (I enjoy Snake Style but would have to find a way for it to work with knives).
@BelacRLC - Nice jumping in with some “in character” response. I like it! And I can see where you are going with the crunch - that all sounds very reasonable.

Captain Generica Either the librarian or the sidekick, probably in that order. Bard is my favorite class; I like making the party murder machines tick more efficiently.
@Captain Genrica - Yes, this is a great concept for the librarian. Not sure why, but I laughed when I saw the simple line “Her favorite color is purple.” It just sounds like something she would day in the middle of some lecture or interview. I would go with it.

chillblame: The equipment manager sounds fun. Or maybe the sidekick.
@chillblame - I like where you are going with the equipment manager. Either Ralph or Crapgame would be perfect for that role.

So it sounds like:
Robert Henry: Adventurer
Captain Generica: Librarian
Chillblame: equipment manager
is BelacRLJ more 'muscle' 'side kick' or '6th wheel'?

The explorer: You do this for a living. Action and adventure are your reason for being. Your starting class is likely a Gunslinger, but could also be a Rogue, Brawler or even Investigator. Perception and disable devices are among your best skills, and you need to be decent enough in melee combat to survive a fair number of tussles.

So with perception and disable device being key. Are we using the traits from ‘Mummy’s Mask’? Trap Finder would simplify the need for a class with Disable device. I'm leaning towards slayer or ranger (a couple possible archetypes, including urban ranger to get Disable device.)

Are we using a 15 or 20 point buy? 15. I think I might give boosts every 2 levels instead of 4, though.

Are we using two traits? Does one of them need to be a trait from ‘Mummy’s mask’
Are we using background skills? 2 traits, yes - you are welcome to use one from Mummy’s mask but not required. I am ok with Background skills.

Are all of the ‘Human alternate race traits’ in play? I already also had an ask to play a dwarf. I am thinking this is best to leave as no. I think a yes here opens a whole can of worms...

You posted no ‘spell casting classes’ at first level. Are classes that have spells at 4th level allowed? If not can we take ranger archetypes that replace spells? Yes, this is acceptable. We may even allow some spell use deeper in, but certainly nothing to start.

So are the countries a specific reflection of WWII era countries? Or a general reflection? I almost made a list, but decided against it - although every one you listed was what I had tagged for inspiration.

Firearms: Yes, to Guns are Everywhere. I am thinking this: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/weapons/firearms/modern-firearms/
Firearms are considered simple weapons, and the gunslinger loses the gunsmith class feature and instead gains the gun training class feature at 1st level.

I think everyone is likely to carry a revolver.

If I hadn’t said it before, we will use Hero points. Everyone will get one per level at a minimum, and 1 anytime you roll a Nat 20 for something that matters. I will occasionally award others as well.

Are we using a 15 or 20 point buy? 15. I think I might give boosts every 2 levels instead of 4, though.

Cool.

Are we using two traits? Does one of them need to be a trait from ‘Mummy’s mask’

Are we using background skills? 2 traits, yes - you are welcome to use one from Mummy’s mask but not required. I am ok with Background skills.

cool

Are all of the ‘Human alternate race traits’ in play? I already also had an ask to play a dwarf. I am thinking this is best to leave as no. I think a yes here opens a whole can of worms...

Ok, I was thinking things relating to humans not things that altered the species:

Wayfarer Humans maintain the largest trade networks on Golarion and the farthest-reaching civilizations, putting them in contact with a huge number of cultures. Humans with this racial trait gain a +2 racial bonus on Survival checks to avoid becoming lost, Knowledge (geography) checks, and Knowledge (local) checks. Whenever these humans gain a rank in Linguistics, they learn two languages rather than one. This racial trait replaces skilled.

But I can live without.

You posted no ‘spell casting classes’ at first level. Are classes that have spells at 4th level allowed? If not can we take ranger archetypes that replace spells? Yes, this is acceptable. We may even allow some spell use deeper in, but certainly nothing to start.

Ok, This has become less relevant for my character, I'm thinking slayer, possibly with the sniper archetype

So are the countries a specific reflection of WWII era countries? Or a general reflection? I almost made a list, but decided against it - although every one you listed was what I had tagged for inspiration.

Only curious due to the weapons manufacturers

Firearms: Yes, to Guns are Everywhere. I am thinking this: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/weapons/firearms/modern-firearms/

Firearms are considered simple weapons, and the gunslinger loses the gunsmith class feature and instead gains the gun training class feature at 1st level.

I think everyone is likely to carry a revolver.

A revolver....hmmm was hoping for a 1896 Mauser broomhandle Remember by WWII most military side arms were semi automatic and submachine guns were common military weapons. Though 'assault rifles were unheard of, and only America used a 'semi automatic rifle. The semi automatic pistols would statistically be the same a revolvers, only magazine fed with 7 -13 rounds. The submachine guns (which may not be available to the public?) would have fired on full auto, therefore useing the Automatic Weapon Quality. I would assume that whichever weapons manufactures firearms we purchased the damage/stats would be the same as the weapons on the modern firearm page.

So would military style weapons (submachine guns and machineguns) be purchasable? Remember Ardeth Bay was toting a lewis gun for a bit :)

Also how are we doing money, is 'paper money' based on a gold standard? so we would carry coins or paper money worth 5, 10, 20 or 50 gold pieces?

Howdy! So despite my best efforts, I can't find a way to get rid of first level bard spellcasting. I'd be happy to just not use my spells at all, because I'd really like to keep those bardic features, but I could find another class as well if that's what would be preferred

Howdy! So despite my best efforts, I can't find a way to get rid of first level bard spellcasting. I'd be happy to just not use my spells at all, because I'd really like to keep those bardic features, but I could find another class as well if that's what would be preferred

What about going a different class first level then, picking up on the bard class on second level (or whenever magic kicks in?

I think I'd rather end up manifesting a bunch of weird magical power and keeping the bardic progression normalized, I'm not really all that attached to the spell side of things.
Is variant multiclassing allowed? I don't know if I'd use it, but I like knowing if it's an option

@Captain Generica - I am not so sure about variant multiclass - never tried it before. Have you looked at deadly courtesan? It's meant for another race, but I think I would allow it for humans here.

@RH - I am not thinking to get too deep in specifics on guns here. If you want to flavor yours different ways, that's fine. I am also not opposed to tweaking a few things, like adding magazines to a revolver to make reload easier. I'll have to give this more thought.

Money will be gold coin value, but most governments will have a paper equivalent. Again, just a reflavoring - I don't need more paperwork keeping track.

@RRh Human alternate race traits are ok. Just not ones that emulate other races (Like Adopted).

I think I'll go for the phantom thief rogue architype, hopefully that fits in well to the librarian role? I was thinking about whipping up some mundane healing as well, unchained heal becomes very effective very fast, and once the magic comes online I'd pick up the feat healer's hands...
Considering I'm planning on gutting my wis, and being int focused, should I take both Clockwork Surgeon and Precise Treatment to get my int to my healing done off of heal checks, or does precise treatment alone allow me to do so?

Oh! Are we using drawbacks for a potential 3rd trait?

@RH - I am not thinking to get too deep in specifics on guns here. If you want to flavor yours different ways, that's fine. I am also not opposed to tweaking a few things, like adding magazines to a revolver to make reload easier. I'll have to give this more thought.

I was just thinking making the weapons more time period appropriate. The guns in the 'modern firearms PFSRD are from RoW and are WW1 weapons.

I'm assuming that if someone wants a 'Wembley' revolver instead of a Nagant, or a Mauser rifle instead of a Mosin-Nagant, or a Lewis Machine gun instead of a Madsen, we just rename it keeping the same stats.

The semi auto pistol would alter from a revolver a couple of ways. Quicker to load (Magazine or clip) a couple more shots but miss-fire 1-2.

I'm happy to help with the descriptions if that would make things simpler. Again, only trying for the flavor of the period, not an 'advantage'

Would fully automatic weapons be 'martial' since they are military weapons?

@Captain Generica - I didn't really approve a drawback for a third trait, but I think its ok. Keep in mind, though, I WILL play up on your drawback. Those two traits are independent, so you can take either or both as you like. But Precise Treatment does use your Int rather than Wis here.

@RH - Happy to have the help. I think you are on the right track. We might even tweak a few stats if you can show me the justification. And I agree - military weapons would make sense as martial weapons. It just means a small negative to hit for those not proficient, which seems appropriate.

Thanks for running and inviting.

Are we starting at level 1?

I should have an alias over the next couple days.

Also, looking at traits: (1) I wanted to take a campaign trait, and the only one that really fits is Resurrected. Would that be OK?

(2) Blade of Mercy is 3.5, but fits an intimidate build with the Enforcer feat. Would that be OK as well?

Also: Would you allow me to eventually take the Violent Display feat?

Thinking nvm on Blade of Mercy but Violent Display would really help the intimidation cycle concept.

Yes, I think that feat would be acceptable. And yes, level 1.

Captain Generica checking in with a finished Librarian! Hoping to upgrade to a revolver from a pistol when money allows, but it is still an expensive piece of gear at 400gp! Check the profile for the complete sheet, I do hope you won't be disappointed!

I was going to ask about the cost of 'modern weapons.' Started looking for actual cost of items in the 30's but have not had a lot of luck locating the prices for firearms.

BelacRLJ here. My Muscle is almost finished.

Just need:
1) GM: I asked you a couple mechanical questions over DM, I will finalize traits and immediate background based on that.
2) Would it be possible to have acquired some sort of Masterwork Tool that gives a bonus to Intimidate checks to demoralize? Grisly war trophy or similar? Based on your answer to that I will spend the rest of my starting gold accordingly.

TBH all, I had not watched Where Eagles Dare until signing up for this recruitment. I just did last night. It is really good, and very D&D in the plotting and the structure of the battle scenes. However, I do have

Ok, now I gotta go watch it again and make sure I've got all the names straight. I've seen it at least a half dozen times, but not for probably fifteen years.

I don't know that it actually provides all the 'why's' sometimes the answer is 'that's how the script was written' :)

Don't feel the need to optimize too much... once there is no chance to fail, it no longer is a game... So no on the masterwork tool for intimidate - at least not to start.

Yah, I finally finished it last night. I enjoyed it, but somehow missed who killed the first guy... so that confused me for a bit.

Regarding the helicopter, I was under the impression that it was a brand new thing, so they might not have had any clue how to operate it.

I did have to pay more attention than usual, but that makes for a good movie in my opinion. Considering it was made months before I was born, it had held up better than me!

OK, crunch all done, thanks for your guidance. I will write up a more detailed/consolidated background.

Sorry, didn't realise the discussion was active

My character is named Card Shark. Well, his actual name is Lucas, but very few know him by that name.

I am finalising the character and will post it soonish (24 hours)

This is cardshark in basic

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you...

Ok, it looks like the first four are close to being ready.

GM Fuzzfoot, Working on a google doc with a few weapons options. The rules on the modern firearms page discusses loading firearms with Internal magazines and reloading devices like magazines and clips. I'm going to assume a submachine gun does the same damage as a pistol, but has the automatic weapon quality. The distance would be longer because it has a stock and is a two handed weapon, but should not be nearly as far as a rifle. Which is a little confusing since the 'modern firearms page has both the revolver and rifle at 80ft. I don't know if we want to make the revolver less or the rifle further or leave be.

The price of modern firearms is prohibitive. Due to modern manufacturing, I would assume a firearm would be comparable to other steel weapons. In modern terms an inexpensive pistol, shotgun and some rifles costs about the same as a 'functional sword.' If we don't alter the price (or gift a couple firearms) none of the players are going to have modern firearms.

Is there any 'modern gear' you want to look at creating descriptions for? Thinking thinks like flashlights, compasses or radios? I'm assuming were more like Indy or Rick and Rachel than soldiers.

Correct - you are explorers, not soldiers.

Costs, I think, are going to be something I am not too concerned about. After a level or two, the amount of money have access to just won't make any gun out of reach.

I was thinking more flavor, would we start in Egypt in the 1930's with a flintlock or a greatsword? At least make older single action guns (think westerns) cheaper. Or let everyone start with a 'gift' firearm, that fit's their style.

Edgar shrugs. “Don’t need guns. I’ve got a knife for every situation. Or an axe.” He draws one of his kukri and, absentmindedly-seeming, cleans under his nails with the tip. “Fighting’s done proper face to face. Best to see the light leave your man’s eyes, if you’re going to close them.”

OOC I’m also not super concerned, unless we’re going to spend a lot of time at 1st level.

Ok Edgar, your not helping....

worst case scenario, we have plenty of 'lock experts' I may change one of Lucians traits to rich parents and use 400 to purchase a revolver.

edit
or two

I'm also assuming we can stylize leather armor as a heavy double breasted leather vest or wear an 'armored coat' that looks like a trench coat or something.

I actually quite specifically avoided being able to do any sort of lock expertise, figuring that was more the explorer's role to shine in. I also strongly considered rich parents to get a revolver, but I decided that since I already was not particularly competent at combat, a pistol would do for the moment.

Card Shark has a revolver (pistol) at the start, as per his archetype. something bigger might be nice

You all seem to think your preparing for war... remember, you are an archaeology team, not a hit squad. For most of you, any weapons you carry to start are pretty much just personal protection from thieves. It wouldn't surprise me if half or you didn't even start with a weapon.

Yeah, but we're an archaeology team patterned after action/horror movies. You told us to build characters like the ones in 'Indiana jones' 'the mummy' and 'King solomon's mines' not a national geographic documentary on Finding King Tut's tomb. Even Jonathan had a derringer...

Edit:
Also started thinking a little about real life vs. adventure movies...
If someone started a dig and it became both profitable and dangerous they wouldn't purchase guns. They would hire people who knew how to use guns to defend them. Most of the people I know who would be willing to carry guns to defend themselves already own guns and are familiar with their operation.

Last edit:

For most of you, any weapons you carry to start are pretty much just personal protection from thieves.

Your completely correct. The only reason we would have weapons is for self defense. Possibly hunting weapons if that was in someone's backstory. It is not in Lucians. He will carry weapons for self defense based on his extensive travels. A semi automatic pistol, a boot knife, a sap and a heavy walking stick that he will use as a club.

I was thinking I was one of those there to defend the operation. Perhaps to evaluate the quality of the hires/supervise them in some way.

Certainly to keep Olivia out of trouble, which task I’d only trust a countryman of hers to do right, not some brash adventurer from the Shackles.

Who's a brash adventurer from the Shackles? I didn't see 'Cardsharks' background yet. Does he have it posted?

edit:
Hey GM what's your opinion on drawbacks?

Apologies, I was misreading the time Lucian spent in Port Peril.

I plan to play Edgar as having a bit of a friendly rivalry with the men of the group, one more about braggadocio and one-upmanship than any real conflict.

LOL, just messing with you :)

Friendly rivalry and one-upmanship, count me in :)

Fuzzfoot, can you give us a little bit of information about the world at the moment? A timeline of the last few years, who is at war with who at the moment, and in the past. You mentioned that Andoran has been conquered and Varisia is fighting Cheliax.

This would help me characters back story. At the moment he is a refugee from Andoran, handed to a boat in a desperate beach evacuation, and has never seen his family again. Left in Absalom, he fell into crime, was caught and deported to Osirian.

There he managed to get an apprenticeship with a gunsmith/alchemist for a few years, but his master was then killed in either a bombing raid (if the war is there) or a gang war (he was collateral damage).

Case one: On the street again, Cardshark joined the local military, getting in as a supply clerk. He soon made a sideline business for himself.

Case two: On the street again, Cardshark joined the gang opposing the one that killed his master, making guns for them and acting like a quartermaster. He also learned to smuggle guns around as the local authorities were not impressed by the sudden upsurge in violence. The gangs were broken up, and he found himself impressed into the local military. He soon made a sideline business for himself.

He got his nickname due to his incompetence at card games. It started as a joke, but he liked it. After all, that's not how he makes his money.

Cardshark comes off as very mercenary, everything has a cost and a price. He believes in completing contracts and tries to distance himself from others. Oddly, he does become rather loyal to customers, trying to find them the best deal, and he acts as a go-between a bit.

He hates Chelaxians. A lot. A chelaxian unit called the Devils Own regiment chased down and killed his parents.

By the war, I found this interactive map of Golorian online

map

Indy had a revolver, as did Alan Quartermain, of course he was a big game hunter and had much bigger guns. Sure, the military was certainly using more advanced weapons, but if you were going to buy a gun for some personal protection, I don’t think you were going to an arms dealer.

And the support characters didn’t tend to have guns, unless picking it up in a fight. Sure, Marion had one behind the bar, but Sallah didn’t appear to carry a gun.

You can get what you want, of course, but I just would think revolver are going to be very common among non-military people.

As far as drawbacks go, I will use them if you take them.

Cool, I'm looking at drawbacks. I like Righteous indignation But kind of hard to claim to be raised in the slums then have your parents give you lots of money.

So considering Overprotective I would work a paragraph into his backstory, where a cousin he was supposed to be watching drowned near the docks. The 'in game results' are pretty straight forward. It would also effect his personality, I would play him off as a loner, the back story lends itself to that. He would be a little less likely to 'join up.' But once he was involved, so to speak, or took a job, he would be all in.

I dropped the 'sniper' archetype which put 'tracker' back as a class 'special.' I may work another paragraph that he went big game hunting with his father to explain "tracking". I'm basing the father on the Val Kilmer character in "Ghost and the Darkness."

I agree revolvers would be very common amongst non military people. If your good with us having firearms that we imagine our character having then I will try and leave the conversation alone.

Obviously the guns available and used by civilians varied from location to location. But remember in the states, fully automatic military firearms (like the Browning automatic rifle and the Thompson submachine gun) were for sale unlicensed to civilians until 1934. It was their use by the criminal elements that caused the laws to become stricter.

Anyway, the pistol I showed the picture of, a stripper-clip fed semi-automatic "Broom handle" mauser was designed in 1896. It was considered 'out-dated' by the beginning of WW1, because it was clip fed instead of magazine fed. But was still very popular in the private sector. (It was later altered to 'magazine fed' and full-auto. But that's not the gun I'm interested in.)

I was going to have his grand father gift it to him. Something he had purchased to defend himself with when he was still a ships captain. Or maybe buy a used one like grandpa's in a pawn shop in Almas. Either way I will subtract it's value from the 900 gp. for 'rich parents'

And if your a 'Mummy' fan you'll note that it was the pistol carried by all of the Medjai when they attacked the river boat. Oh, and a heavily altered prop version of one was carried by Han Solo :)

Rifles were fairly common, mostly in rural areas. Shotguns as well.

Ah, my point was that I can't even afford a revolver! I'm using an archaic pistol!

I feel like it would fit Olivia’s character to use a well-preserved, antique, bit of obsolete technology. She could probably tell you the complete history of the gun, including the quirks of all its prior owners.

Ah, my point was that I can't even afford a revolver! I'm using an archaic pistol!

No reason you cant 'stylize' it as a single shot breach loading derringer.

Sure, but I guess my point is, as the librarian, why would you even have a weapon to start? Although having a relic might be an interesting touch...

@chillblame - I was typing last night while you were asking your questions, so I missed them until now. Guess I better get to creating some history here...

Is everyone ready? (I am avoiding my taxes today, so looking over characters... please let me know if you are still working!)

Also, I have created the gaemplay thread with some history. Continue to post questions here. Once I have reviewed your character and given it the "ok", then you can post in character in Gameplay.

My crunch is ready, and my background is in my head/messages to you, but not consolidated.