GM Treppa's War for the Crown

Game Master Treppa

I'm delighted to be running the politicking and influencing-heavy AP "War for the Crown" for you guys! Let's get this show on the road and start discussing the game and characters.

Background:

As the political scene in Taldor explodes into chaos, players take on the role of agents, advocates, and saboteurs working for Princess Eutropia to help secure her claim to the Imperial throne and prevent the Empire from collapsing in on itself in civil war. Along the way, the PCs must uncover hidden secrets of Taldor’s past—many deliberately hidden—and grow from relative nobodies to powerful politicians and spymasters in the deadliest political arena in the Inner Sea.

Player's Guide

Arenas
Since this was available to purchase in Roll20, we'll have a mapping/combat website there. We will also have a wiki because of the number of characters and non-combat challenges in this AP. I see not many have tried this as a pbp, so I'm hoping we can make it work by being creative and flexible. A lot of the GM threads mention what a blast their group is having with the AP, so be innovative and flexible and have fun!

Prequel
I'm going to start with a quick prequel adventure with very short scenarios. This will help you learn about Taldor, flex your characters, get used to working as a party, and become acquainted with some of the major NPCs in the AP. Combat in the prequel is short, so it'll be easy to do in pbp.

Live sessions?
As we get rolling and into bigger dungeons, I was wondering if you are open to scheduling a dungeon-delving session on Roll20/Discord so we can move through large dungeons in a timely fashion. We can start in pbp and decide as we see how well combat rolls. Since I've purchased the Roll20 packages, it'll be very easy for me to run the combats relatively quickly on Roll20. Keep it in mind and we can decide later. I hate to schedule a weekly session because there's so much RP in this AP, but I can tell you when a big dungeon is coming up and we can decide if we want to schedule an online session when convenient for everyone. Even 2 hours can make a huge difference to the pace of the game.

Builds
Paizo classes, archetypes, and prestige classes allowed. Archives of Nethys will be our general source for what's allowable. No guns or third-party products, please.

Races: Core and planar/planar-descended

Build your character at first level with a 20 point buy, full hit points (of course), max starting gold.

Your character should have two traits. One can be selected (as appropriate for your character) from Paizo products. The other should come from the campaign traits in the pg. If none of those work for your character, we'll come up with something together.

Your backstory should agree with the conditions in the PG, though you do not have to work Martella in. The intro will help things fall together organically.

Skills: Use background skills. This takes some of the skills out of the adventuring group and gives you two extra skill points each level for them.

Hero Points: We'll use them. Start with 1. Hero Point Reference

Planning: This AP is scheduled to move players from L1 to L17.

Advancement: I plan to let you know when to advance your characters, depending on the needs of the AP. I will try to be certain you get enough experience in (combat or skills or RP) to justify the level-up.

Posting: I'd like to generally get one post in from each PC daily during the week. I know weekends and holidays can be tight, but please try to post, especially if we are in combat, so it doesn't drag out too long.

Formatting:
"Character dialogue."
Internal thoughts.
Out of character

Woo-hoo!

At the moment, I'm heavy into the idea of a Virtuous Bravo Paladin of Arshae -- that is to say swashbuckling paladin of the Spirit of Abandon.

So, frontline melee (with style and panache) and probably good diplomacy (and not much else, her, 2+ level)

Oh, thank you for the reminder...

Style/flavor: (or flavour, if you're so inclined.) I once started a swashbuckling pbp with the idea that it be very much like The Three Musketeers. Though it crumbled quickly (on me), this AP is dead on what I had envisioned for the plot and style of that game. You'll be low-level operatives (who may or may not be degraded nobles, sekrit royalty, or have agendas of your own)dabbling in high-stakes politics, with a kingdom at stake.

I'd still love to run this with a very Three Musketeers atmosphere. The list of good target classes/archetypes for the AP bolsters that Dumas feel for me:

• Celebrity bardUM
• Cleaner slayerACG
• Court bardAPG
• Court fool bard (Pathfinder Player Companion: Heroes of
the High Court)
• Courtly hunterUI
• Daring infiltrator swashbucklerACG
• Exemplar brawlerACG
• Falconer rangerUC
• Free hand fighterAPG
• Guerrilla rogue (Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea
Intrigue)
• Hidden priest cleric (Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner
Sea Magic)
• High guardian fighter (Heroes of the High Court)
• Honor guard cavalierUC
• Infiltrator inquisitorUM
• Investigator rogueAPG
• Majordomo investigatorUI
• Mastermind investigatorACG
• Mindchemist alchemistUM
• Monk of the seven forms (Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Combat)
• Provocateur bard (Inner Sea Intrigue)
• Relic channeler mediumOA
• Sandman bardAPG
• Sensate fighterOA
• Spy rogueAPG
• Storyteller mediumOA
• Swashbuckler rogueAPG
• Tinkerer alchemist (Inner Sea Intrigue)
• Virtuous bravo paladin (Heroes of the High Court)

So don't shy away from the royal/noble backgrounds, even if you're operating as guards or mercenaries at first. Let me know in PM if you want to work something into your backstory, and we'll get it in play!

I suspect, based on the background, the choice of deity (and thinking of a decadent decaying empire), that's it's likely that my character will have a few rich and powerful patrons.

One question - it's about gear -- I don't want to end up needing to sell every weapon in the world to buy something weird/unique -- but at the same time, I was thinking I'd go sabre as it seems appropriate to the character type (though sabres are just scimitar) -- if that's a bad idea, I could stick with a rapier and have us all fighting over them. ;)

No need to go with a particular weapon or fighting style. The Musketeers had pistols and rapiers, but fought with whatever necessary (Porthos was quite a brawler). I'd rather go with the high-hearted, irreverent feel of Dumas than try to shoehorn you guys into a specific build.

It was more concern that all the snazzy rewards/treasure would be not suited for one's hand and require being sold and traded for another thing we *can* use (well).

But I'll not worry about it for now.

The idea I worked up was for a swashbuckling (of course) cleric of Cayden, with either the Child of Oppara or disgraced noble trait (leaning towards Disgraced Noble).

Excited for this game!

What is the point buy?

20 point buy, full starting gold. The prequels will put a bit of cash in your pockets, too.

Of course, if you're staying true to Dumas, that will be spent within a week on cheap wine and good clothes.

Of course, if you're staying true to Dumas, that will be spent within a week on cheap wine and good clothes.

I know a certain swashbuckling cleric who is fond of both.

Well, one does need to take time to enjoy the pleasures of life.

Heeeey, nobody told me those two were playing!

...

In other news, I'm kinda eying the vigilante. Never tried one before and they seem rather (extremely) niche, but I'm thinking this AP just might let one work.

Just not a magical child pleeeeze.

Heeeey, nobody told me those two were playing!

Someone's got to make sure you're sufficiently irritated. ;)

DM, Tilnar is provoking me!

(I hadn't seen or heard of the Magical Child archetype, but before I look at it, yes, that looks quite suitable... ;))

<Peeks into thread>

Do I REALLY want to get into another game?

Silly question, of COURSE I do!

BETTER question, CAN I MANAGE another game?!? ;P

Hello fellow devotees of nerdism and sleeplessness! :D

Just not a magical child pleeeeze.

You heard her folks!

She wants ALL of us to be Vigilante/magical Child Archetypes! :)

DM Treppa wrote:

A magical child pleeeeze.

You heard her folks!

She wants ALL of us to be Vigilante/magical Child Archetypes! :)

That's what I heard.

Y'know, that's fine. And once the party of magical children dies off in a tragic birthday party clown/balloon animal disaster, we can start over with new characters. :P

Y'know, that's fine. And once the party of magical children dies off in a tragic birthday party clown/balloon animal disaster, we can start over with new characters. :P

But that can't happen. Tuxedo Mask will save us!

Y'know, that's fine. And once the party of magical children dies off in a tragic birthday party clown/balloon animal disaster, we can start over with new characters. :P

Of course. How ELSE would a group of magical children go out?

Hey, Everyone KNOWS that CLOWNS are EVIL.

E V I L !!!!!!

And that was LONG before I had ever heard of "IT".

Ever heard of 'Killer Clowns from Outer Space'?!? ;P

But you are Tuxedo Mask, and you're being murdered by clowns with animated balloon animals!

OK, so we have so far (tentatively):

Oladon: Vigilante?
Tilnar: Virtuoso bravo paladin of Arshae
Celestial Healer: swashy cleric of Cayden?
Rags also has a couple of swashy Cayden clerical builds he's been considering.

For your build and decision-making information, here's a list of skills actually used in book 1. You'll be going to level 3-4 in this book, so you have some advancement available.:

There are other non-skill checks which can impress or disgust important NPCs, and lots of challenges that don't involve skills.

I offered to build a healbot NPC, but you'll have tons of divine power. If you want me to build a skill-heavy NPC or look for another player, I can do that. I want you guys to play a character you want to play. I mean, if there are 2 clerics of Cayden, is that really a problem for anyone? Heck, Rags cleric of Cayden games both folded rapidly, so maybe he'd prefer a different class altogether. :)

What do you guys think?

I've got nobility and Diplo as class skills and have taken them - also have sense Motive, but with my wisdom, well...

As for NPC - it kind of depends on what flavor of Vigilante we get.

I will say that I debated a bladebound Magus.

I mean, in a way my cleric of Cayden is more about the character concept and less about what he can do. I think I could pretty easily modify it to another class if Rags is going cleric, while keeping the background and personality that I was attached to. About the only thing I couldn’t shoehorn would be a full arcane caster - I can’t see the character being that squishy.

Do we have more players coming?

I was going to go with you four, but will try to browbeat strongarm invite others if we need a larger group.

That’s helpful. I was considering various other classes. I don’t like bard for a party of four. They mostly just multiply damage, and are most effective with a team to buff.

Swashbuckler could easily work for the character, and might be the ticket. I kind of figured that would have already been taken. Maybe rogue, although a rogue may not be needed if we have a vigilante with the right skills. A cleric of Cayden with the right domains could help make up for a lack of a full arcane caster.

Just thinking aloud. And by aloud, I mean in writing.

Just to be clear, the paladin will be all panache-y starting next level.

For a touch of variety, one of you could go warpriest - with the free weapon focus at level 1, a dex-build human could have fencing grace right away.

Also, if someone wanted to go EK, Inspired Blade Swashbuckler as the martial gives both Finesse and Focus with the rapier - and Transmuter for the physical enhancement - makes a pretty good build.

There's also the kineticist that makes a Blade to fight with which could be nifty

F+!+ it. Magical child it is.

Hmm... Court bard trades buffs for debuffs. While the effectiveness of buffing performances diminishes in a small party, debuffs could still work well. And that spell list could be handy here...

Having done a court bard before, the language-dependent, mind-affecting thing can be an issue - maybe less so in this AP.

Prankster bard is also a fun one...

I suspect the vigilante will end up being pretty skill-heavy, so we probably don't need another roguey build unless someone's dying to be that.

Having done a court bard before, the language-dependent, mind-affecting thing can be an issue - maybe less so in this AP.

That was my thought. Less of a barrier in this AP than one would expect otherwise.

Heh, lots of good ideers!

I'm not married to the Cleric of Cayden (Not that theres anything wrong with that!) ;P

I was just trying to get out of my usual (Mage-Castery) wheelhouse. (And still have some magic, cuz it's fun!) ;)

As one person was kind enough to point out, A certain mage-who-shall-remain-nameless *Cough*Ragadolf*cough* has created more wizard-PC's than JK Rowling. ;P

I was thinking that a swashy-cleric might fit the bill, and certainly the AP. Although,... as Treppa pointed out, my LAST two attempts at this toon were, shall we say, less than spectacular (in that the PbP's shut down rapidly) Maybe I should just stick to what I do best? :)

Although, if any one can think of how to build a swashy-mage (other than Magus, which is also fine but not the same) I'm ALL ears! :)

EDIT-Nvrmnd- Tilnar already did suggest the EK/Inspired Swashbuckler,... ;P

The Blade Adept Arcanist gets a black blade like a bladebound Magus and there's an exploit that lets it go from caster level not Arcanist level - if you wanted another way into EK.

Magic intelligent rapier for the win?

Also, Rags, a finesse build Arcane Duelist Bard would be pretty magic/swashy. No panache on its own, but you could either do Amateur Swashbuckler or a 1-level dip to get some.

Tilnar wrote:

Having done a court bard before, the language-dependent, mind-affecting thing can be an issue - maybe less so in this AP.

That was my thought. Less of a barrier in this AP than one would expect otherwise.

Seriously, my poor Court Bard ended up in an outdoor exploration (with animals that don't speak languages) - then a little useful in the fight at a bandit camp -- and then rushed into a crypt (of course, filled with undead) and... it was not pretty.... See how I love to have my primary class feature be completely ineffective!

So.... while you're all here and I have way too many ideas....

.... any of you maybe interested in (yet) another PF game - though one with a very different flavour than this one (and Lastwall, for that matter)? In fact, a very different flavour than most PF games.

I've got something bubbling in my head, and don't want to do a bunch of work giving it shape without having at least *some* reason to do so.

(That's right, I'm poaching players even before Treppa starts! Ha!)

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!

Okay, okay, *share* them.

Can you give the elevator pitch on the concept, Tilnar?

Sure, CH - it's Rags' worst nightmare !)

Basically, a world where magic use - and magic items - became commonplace -- from grand magics of flying cities to commonplace magics like enchanted brooms and magic lights -- until it drew magic-devouring creatures from Beyond, who were basically destroying the world. Some say the gods sacrificed themselves to stop it, others say they were eaten, but all we know is that the gods are gone - as are most of the Raveners - enough that they could rebuild, but, because of the Raveners still here, without permanent magic items and arcane magic (giving rise to psychic magic). Now, it's 1,000 years later, the world of used to the new normal - which includes a healthy black market in minor magical trinkets from Before -- rumours of vaults where the ancients locked away their most powerful and essential treasures -- folks trying to hunt down the remaining Raveners -- seekers trying to learn the truth about what happened -- and people trying to find, wake or replace the gods.

So, PF1 mechanics, but some limitations to class/archetypes (and some changes to existing ones, some new archetypes, like the clerics that revere the memory of lost gods) - and, of course, some discussion with the party which (if any) of the goals above they'd be seeking (or a mix and match of them).

Also, Rags, a finesse build Arcane Duelist Bard would be pretty magic/swashy. No panache on its own, but you could either do Amateur Swashbuckler or a 1-level dip to get some.

Huh,... I will take a peeky at these. Thanks. :)

Sure, CH - it's Rags' worst nightmare !)

(Lots of info).

Hm,... Well your CLOSE,

The Blade Adept Arcanist gets a black blade like a bladebound Magus and there's an exploit that lets it go from caster level not Arcanist level - if you wanted another way into EK.

Magic intelligent rapier for the win?

Huh, interesting,.... No reason for EK with either of these really? (maybe?)

I had looked at these before, and decided they were awful for the class, BUT they ARE good for swashy-with your bards/arcanists.

I can't decide if Bound-Blade Arcanist (with the 'obvious' exploits) is really any better than a Black Blade Magus. Or just different? (If you pick the Magus exploits, they end up the same really? Am I missing something?)

The Arcane Duelist Bard. Also swishy with spell casting, some interesting replacements of class features,

DANG IT TILNAR! You KNOW better than to give me MORE choices to ponder over! :P

On both of my previous attempts at a swishy-cleric of Cayden, I had gone with the same basic theme, a cleric who could basically 'Charm Person' at will. I was thinking of mostly with the ladies, but it still works as a ruffian who can basically talk(charm) his way into or out of anything.

But now I'm wondering, is Charm Person still an effective spell after the first few levels? Or is it essentially worthless at later levels? It IS a 1st lvl spell after all,.... ;P

Arcanist doesn't fight as well as a Magus - buuut - with EK and magical knack trait - you actually pull ahead in both combat and magic - plus, you can use feats to get extra exploits.

Arcane Duelist OTOH, is just fun and doesn't need any prestige class. ;)

Mastermind investigator might be fun for you, Rags. Kind of a roguish alchemist.

But now I'm wondering, is Charm Person still an effective spell after the first few levels? Or is it essentially worthless at later levels? It IS a 1st lvl spell after all,.... ;P

I mean, it IS... as long as the save DC has some way to scale in order to stay relevant.

Interestingly, my swashy cleric draft does not use the Charm domain; he uses Travel and Good (Azata).

I can’t find a way to keep the actual fencing ability of the cleric relevant beyond level 5 or 6, but at that point the cleric spell list could take over and it won’t matter. Of course, that’s true of most melee clerics.

Ragadolf wrote:

But now I'm wondering, is Charm Person still an effective spell after the first few levels? Or is it essentially worthless at later levels? It IS a 1st lvl spell after all,.... ;P

I mean, it IS... as long as the save DC has some way to scale in order to stay relevant.

I'd say, also, that it's utility is higher in a game like this where it's about intrigue and dealing with people who can, in fact, be charmed.

That said, to CH's point, this is a reason you see often casters using Charm Monster even on people - the higher DC. (Though adding in the ability to cast on almost any creature is also good)

Just a quick note about charm person: This game is about building coalitions and winning trust. If you're in a social gathering and start casting magic spells on another person, that's totally uncool - kind of a magical roofie that can't be covered up without metamagic feats. And people won't forget once the spell wears off.

Also, there's this: Target one humanoid creature. Duration 1 hour/level.

So it might be useful for talking your way through one door guard to avoid combat or influencing someone in one private conversation, but it's probably not the best strategy to rely on magical influence for this game.

Also, you don't have to use a rapier or weapon finesse to be swashy. Porthos was pretty much a beatstick. It's more the flair and repartee.

And, if you'd like a challenge, here's one group's intro postings to War for the Crown. (No spoilers in this first page, so read away.) They set the bar for great intro posts. No pressure.

Also, you don't have to use a rapier or weapon finesse to be swashy. Porthos was pretty much a beatstick. It's more the flair and repartee.

Well, that's true. And, really, the game mechanics back it up. I mean, maybe no riposte, but strength to hit and damage is always available (and doesn't require any silly feats to get there) -- realistically a smart-mouthed fighter with armour training could wear heavier stuff to get the same or better AC and then flatten us. (Or, for that matter, a strength ranger or slayer could TWF us into spam by using combat style)

And, if you'd like a challenge, here's one group's intro postings to War for the Crown. (No spoilers in this first page, so read away.) They set the bar for great intro posts. No pressure.

Pshaw. We can outdo that.

DM Treppa wrote:

And, if you'd like a challenge, here's one group's intro postings to War for the Crown. (No spoilers in this first page, so read away.) They set the bar for great intro posts. No pressure.

Pshaw. We can outdo that.

Seriously