Since the release of Rise of the Runelords, Sandpoint has been saved thousands of times but somehow it always seems to be the work of outsiders or, at best, a few random, extraordinary, inhabitants. Where are the town’s devoted defenders? Where are her professional security forces? Where is the town watch?
This game will be a full-run through of the RotRL adventure path focused on a group of hometown heroes who grew up in Sandpoint and joined the city watch. Their position in the watch will lead directly to their involvement in the events of the AP and for the first book or so being subject to the chain of command will keep them moving through the plot. If that sounds interesting, this might just be the game for you!
I’ll be recruiting 4-6 players (although I have an RL friend who might be claiming one of those spots), and the unique set up will dictate some of our character creation guidelines. Most notably, as members of the watch, all players will be expected to start off in a martial class, and being trained in and by the watch should be a significant part of your background. Please read all of the information below and if you still have questions afterwards feel free to ask them. I have modified the human stat bonuses (to help explain why they are the dominant race on Golarion; see the “races” spoiler for details), and will be using the fractional bonus progression rules and a couple unchained classes, but we will otherwise be sticking to Pathfinder 1e as written (no elephant in the room rules, and no 3pp content).
Point buy: 25 points (standard paizo sliding scale), you are heroes after all
Hit points: Max at 1st level, half rounded up after that (even heroes are mortal)
Ideal- Sandpoint’s prevailing alignment is NG, and the watch is (obviously) lawful, so the best alignments would be LG, NG, or LN.
Acceptable- I’ll also allow submissions that are CG, N, or LE, but please address somewhere in your fluff how/why you’ll fit in with the city watch and be a good addition to the party.
Ideal- Humans make up 1,116 of Sandpoint’s 1,240 residents and account for nearly all of the watch. Chelaxians and Varisians each make up around 40% of the population, and Shoanti account for most of the other 20%. In this game, humans receive +2 to any one physical stat and +2 to any one mental stat instead of their standard stat array; they retain their bonus feat and bonus skill points and can trade them for alternate race traits as normal, but dual talent is not available.
Acceptable- The 37 halflings who call Sandpoint home are the town’s largest (non-human) minority and you can play one of them if you’d like. There are also a handful of humans of other ethnicities who have settled there and you could play one of them. Additionally, there are 13 half-elves and 12 half-orcs if you’d like to play one of them (though you would almost certainly be living with just your human parent).
Ideal- You can begin as a brawler, fighter, ranger, slayer, or swashbuckler with no restrictions or extra considerations.
Acceptable-
A barbarian, or even bloodrager, could find their way into the watch if they were supplementing their watch training with instruction from a Shoanti relative or important friend. You will almost certainly have a reputation as a hothead. (I prefer to stick with the standard barbarian instead of unchained.)
A cavalier could potentially be a good fit but your mount may often be unavailable on official assignments, and you would have to explain who’s training you in mounted combat as that is not a normal watch assignment; the best option would be to take an archetype like constable or daring champion that trades the mount away.
Someone who has trained extensively at Sandpoint’s shrine to Irori could start as an unchained monk. You would likely be given a hard time about your inability to wear armor or use shields, but allowed to continue as long as you proved competent in altercations. (You could multiclass after first level as a standard or unchained monk at your preference, as long as you follow the guidance below, but if you start as a monk it should be unchained since that's more martial.)
Paladins are usually too committed to their god and/or religious orders to commit themselves to something else like the watch, but Sandpoint’s faithful worship several gods who can call paladins (Erastil, Sarenrae, Shelyn, Abadar, and Irori) and it’s possible you could find yourself called to both forms of service (especially if you worship Erastil or Abadar). If you do, you should have some direct connection to the Sandpoint Cathedral or Irori’s shrine (and might expect some oversight or requests form them sometimes).
Gunslingers are, technically, a martial class and I will allow them, but guns are very rare in Varisia so you should have some explanations of how/where you learned to use them. Also, the AP doesn't include any magical guns or grit based items or anything, so you might want to consider how you'll adapt to that.
Exceptions- Neither the magus nor the warpriest is truly a martial class, but they’re pretty close. Truthfully, I’d prefer someone wishing to play a melee/caster to multiclass into something like eldritch knight or holy vindicator, but I will let you apply as a magus or warpriest if you really have your heart set on it. Your background must, however, explain how and why you’re being trained by someone else besides the watch and who it is.
Multiclassing- After starting 1st level as a martial class, you will be free to multiclass normally, although I will require you to have a viable in-game explanation for how you learned this new class. Also, although you will eventually outgrow the watch it should always be part of your identity, so just taking a single martial level at 1st and then leveling as a pure caster from there really isn’t the feel we’re going for here. (Rogues and Summoners should plan to use the unchained version of the class; monks could choose either; barbarians should be standard)
Traits: 1 campaign trait and 1 other trait, no drawbacks.
Feats: any paizo should be fine, but I reserve the right to veto if you find one that seems crazy.
Skills: we will be using background skills, including Lore [Sandpoint] if anyone wants to be an expert on the town's notable people and brief history.
Starting wealth: 200 gold, you have a steady paycheck and some gear from the watch (and, since you’re all martial classes, being able to afford a clw potion or two might not hurt).
If you’re familiar with any of the established people or places in Sandpoint you can include some connections to them as well, if you want (someone you had a crush on growing up, or a place you especially like or dislike, someone who doesn’t like you because of something foolish you did as a teenager, etc), but try to limit it to pretty normal things. If you’re not familiar with the city, you can find information about it online easily enough but please try to avoid spoilers for the campaign; also, if you have an idea for something but aren’t familiar enough with the people/places you can post it here and I (or some other knowledgeable applicant) can try to suggest suitable local details you can use.
I’m looking for people who will commit to posting 1/day on weekdays and once more over the weekends until we finish the AP. My plan is to leave recruitment open until 11:59pm (EDT) on Friday, July 23rd and then have the weekend for character audits/evaluations and announce the party on Monday the 26th (though, I might shift the deadline one way or another if the response is overwhelmingly quick, or painfully slow). In order for a submission to be complete it should contain basically-finished crunch, at least a basic description of their appearance and personality, and a finished background.
Now, if you’ve finished reading everything, please feel free to ask about whichever things I forgot! I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.
this sounds fun, i have a few ideas. i kind of like the idea of some heroes being part of the town watch rather than mercs or something
dotting. Ill be putting up a (mostly) ranged slayer.
Orin is the aforementioned RL friend who’s going to be claiming one of the spots.
With the all martial characters approach, some variation will still be ideal but I don’t think people need to worry too much about filling similar roles or having similar combat styles. That said, it would probably be helpful to mention atypical skills/abilities your characters might have (like if you take UMD, or an archetype that adds extra skills or magic abilities).
What a clever idea to run it this way. Count me interested.
Dotting for now while I consider my choices.
EDIT: What would you think of a character training to be a Paladin, if that class is problematic for this? Say, starting as a Fighter and becoming a Paladin at 2nd level?
You can start as a paladin, you just have to think through (and include in your background) who’s been training you in the religious side of things, and why you’ve chosen to commit yourself to the watch instead of just your church/faith. A paladin of Abadar, for example, could actually make a lot of sense as a member of the watch (as maintaining order in the city could be an act of worship/religious service for them, plus he’s worshipped at the Cathedral). So, it’s fine as an option, it just requires a little more thought/explanation than say a fighter who learned everything in the watch and doesn’t owe allegiance anywhere else. Multiclassing into paladin would be alright too, if you prefer, but you’ll still have to think through and have answers to those same questions.
Dotting for interest. I have a real soft-spot for skalds. Would they fit in the "exception" class category that you've outlined above, as they are also almost martials? If not, no big deal - I could multiclass after level 1.
Also thinking about a fighter that found a spellbook on a corpse in the wilds (or just found the spellbook) and is learning magic slowly and painfully from the book. They'd multiclass after 1st level into wizard and eventually EK. Or go iron caster.
Dotting. I like mount-less Cavalier archetypes, and have had Constable sitting in the back of my head for a while now. And as you specifically point out, this is a uniquely appropriate set-up for that class.
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This is Euan. My background and crunch can be seen in my alias. Let me know if you'd like me to explain anything, change anything, whatever - I’m flexible. Magus is a part of who he is really, though I’m very interested in the campaign, so if it’s really a show stopper, I can try something else.
I’ve DMed and Played on these boards for over ten years now and been in the D&D realm for over forty. I try to be an active and supportive player in every game. Normally, reading comprehension is pretty good, though I put my foot in my mouth with some regularity. Hopefully I didn't make any errors reading the creation rules! :)
Just as a note, I won’t be focusing on shocking grasp (though I will cast it occasionally) or picking up the slumber hex. I don’t like save-or-suck effects as a rule, as they tend to ruin other peoples fun. Govannon is a team player, and will do his best for the good of the Watch.
Oh, is Lore in class for magus, or anyone else? I’m taking Lore Sandpoint, and am not sure if I should apply an in-class bonus.
Euan/Govannon- Submitting a magus is not a show stopper, you’ll just have to make sure you outshine the submissions that have a more naturally suited class. One thought on your background though… it sounds like you’ve been first level for a long time (and done a lot of stuff at that level). If you like starting a bit older that’s alright but you might want to consider going straight to Sandpoint after being orphaned. The orphanage there (Turandarock Academy) is headed by a wizard who used to be an adventurer (Ilsoari Gandethus), and between his training and the watch training you could justify being a magus, I think. Also, if you’re open to multiclassing, Ilsoari is actually a wizard/rogue so you could potentially start as slayer and go magus from there if you wanted to. And, lore is a class skill for everyone iirc.
Fighting chicken- if you want to go with a Skald I’d prefer that you were already a trained watchman (with a level in a martial class) and you’re currently being trained as a Skald (probably by a shoanti or ulfen relative). As for a fighter finding a spellbook, that’s fine but you should be getting at least a little bit of help with figuring out how to use it (from Ilsoari Gandethus, or some other wizard in town). Also, EK is a solid option but if you want to be a fighter who’s just dabbling with magic there is an archetype for that (child of Acavna and Amaznen).
Cucumber- I don’t believe Sandpoint practices any kind of slavery or indentured servitude, so I’m not sure that concept will work?
This concept sounds interesting to me. I am considering a human fighter. A young man who grew up slightly poor. He spent the majority of his youth dodging the indiscretions of local bullies. Later he was takin under the wing by one of the town’s watch, who intern taught him to defend himself. As a young adult he pursued recruitment into the watch and is now serving his first tour of duty.
With such a high point buy i think im going to go with Unchained monk.
I have an idea for a guy who was a trained military Courier, but got moved to the town watch after a mission failed badly.
I’ve wanted to try a simple woodsman ranger going into horizon walker and this game concept seems perfect.
A young human, his family faithful of Desna for generations. For him, this year’s Swallowtail Festival was going to be extra special: he even got to be off duty since it’s his wedding day! What I keep going back and forth on is if his wife-to-be survives the first ten posts and is back in Sandpoint waiting for his duty to allow him time to come home and tie that knot, which I think might actually be more fun than the tired “loved one died horribly so he quests for revenge/solace” trope.
Ha! Everytime things in Sandpoint settle down, they set a date, and everytime, the event is thwarted by the next disaster. Eventually, residents of the town just beg the two of them to elope!
Fighting chicken- if you want to go with a Skald I’d prefer that you were already a trained watchman (with a level in a martial class) and you’re currently being trained as a Skald (probably by a shoanti or ulfen relative). As for a fighter finding a spellbook, that’s fine but you should be getting at least a little bit of help with figuring out how to use it (from Ilsoari Gandethus, or some other wizard in town). Also, EK is a solid option but if you want to be a fighter who’s just dabbling with magic there is an archetype for that (child of Acavna and Amaznen).
Right on, thanks for explaining your reasonings and for the suggestions. I was thinking similarly about the skald in that the PC would be trained in lore and minor magics from a relative, likely shoanti, so I'm glad that seems like something you'd be on board with. I'd likely take that first level in barbarian or cavalier - they both have nice "skaldish" aspects to some of their class abilities.
I'm also kicking around an idea for a halfling barbarian titan mauler, b/c that sounds like fun. Of course, that PC would lose a lot of utility that a skald or a fighter/wizard or fighter "wizard" would possess, and utility may be welcome depending on the final makeup of the party.
Archae- that’s fine but remember you’re only first level and an established member of the watch (who’s also been studying at Irori’s shrine in your downtime), so being a trained military currier too might be a little tricky to work into your backstory? Sandpoint doesn’t have its own military either, so you would have had to have gone to Magnimar for a while for that… where are you looking to go with the currier angle, is it something the watch could have trained you in, or maybe some kind of family business that you help with on your days off?
Fighting chicken- a halfling barbarian settled in Sandpoint might be difficult to explain, but I’ll be very curious to see how you try if you decide to go that route.
Everyone- dabbling in magic (and non-martial classes) is totally fine but please remember that by design this will be a lower magic party, and that’s alright. The AP (at least theoretically) can be run by 4 characters on a 15 point buy, so having (potentially) 6 characters on a 25 point buy should allow us to muscle through some things that others might rely on magic for. I don’t say that to dissuade people from thinking about builds that branch out into spellcasting, just to reassure you all that I don’t think we need to worry too much about making sure we’ve covered every traditional party role. Besides, there’s always potions and I suspect will end up with at least one person who will take UMD, whether we have any casters or not.
Archae- that’s fine but remember you’re only first level and an established member of the watch (who’s also been studying at Irori’s shrine in your downtime), so being a trained military currier too might be a little tricky to work into your backstory? Sandpoint doesn’t have its own military either, so you would have had to have gone to Magnimar for a while for that… where are you looking to go with the currier angle, is it something the watch could have trained you in, or maybe some kind of family business that you help with on your days off?
Fighting chicken- a halfling barbarian settled in Sandpoint might be difficult to explain, but I’ll be very curious to see how you try if you decide to go that route.
it's more an explanation for the mechanical aspects of the character. When i was coming up with the fighting style i saw that one scene from Justice league with the flash punching Brainiac Luthor. And subsequently based a character around the concept of moving really really fast and punching someone hard.
So the idea of a courier, someone who delivers letters, packages and such as a good jumping point for a characters profession. It also might just be better to work in a different class
Archae- if you’re just looking to explain the mechanics of your fighting style, I don’t think you need the currier bit at all? If you want to move fast and punch people, monk is definitely the way to go (brawler could work too, though you lose the speed boost), and the shrine of Irori is the only place in Sandpoint to become a monk. The good news is that Irori is all about self-perfection, so if speed/quickness is something that you see as a personal strength they would encourage you to embrace/develop that, leading to the fighting style you have in mind. Just my 2cp, do with it as you please.
Archae- if you’re just looking to explain the mechanics of your fighting style, I don’t think you need the currier bit at all? If you want to move fast and punch people, monk is definitely the way to go (brawler could work too, though you lose the speed boost), and the shrine of Irori is the only place in Sandpoint to become a monk. The good news is that Irori is all about self-perfection, so if speed/quickness is something that you see as a personal strength they would encourage you to embrace/develop that, leading to the fighting style you have in mind. Just my 2cp, do with it as you please.
Yeah, the courier bit was solely to explain mechanically someone moving fast. Monk is sort of the go to option here because of its scaling speed and Ucm being the best puncher in the game. Thanks for the advice, it helps.
Euan/Govannon- Submitting a magus is not a show stopper, you’ll just have to make sure you outshine the submissions that have a more naturally suited class. One thought on your background though… it sounds like you’ve been first level for a long time (and done a lot of stuff at that level). If you like starting a bit older that’s alright but you might want to consider going straight to Sandpoint after being orphaned. The orphanage there (Turandarock Academy) is headed by a wizard who used to be an adventurer (Ilsoari Gandethus), and between his training and the watch training you could justify being a magus, I think. Also, if you’re open to multiclassing, Ilsoari is actually a wizard/rogue so you could potentially start as slayer and go magus from there if you wanted to. And, lore is a class skill for everyone iirc.
Hehehe, pressure's on!
I'll re-write his background as you suggest, sometime later today. Gandethus is a fine mentor - I just wasn't sure if he'd be sufficient. Sounds like he'll be perfect.
Slayer is interesting, I'll give it a closer look as well. Thanks!
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ok, here is my submission for this adventure, Ox the 2-handed fighter. His background can be altered if needed, but I tried to tie him to the people of Sandpoint.
Ox
Male human (Shoanti) fighter (two-handed fighter) 1 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide 108)
NG Medium humanoid (human)
Init 2; Senses Perception -1
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Defense
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AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 16 (1d10+6)
Fort 4 (+2 trait bonus vs. disease and poison), Ref 2, Will -1
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee earth breaker +7 (2d6+7 B/×3)
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Statistics
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Str 20, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 13
Base Atk +1; CMB 6; CMD 18
Feats Endurance, Toughness, Weapon Focus (earth breaker)
Traits hagfish hopeful, shoanti tribesman (varisia)
Skills Acrobatics +1 (-3 to jump), Handle Animal +5, Intimidate +5, Profession (porter) +3, Survival +4
Languages Common, Shoanti
Other Gear armored kilt hide shirt, earth breaker[UE], 120 gp
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Special Abilities
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Endurance +4 to a variety of fort saves, skill and ability checks. Sleep in L/M armor with no fatigue.
Ox, whose real name no one knows, is a common fixture in the Town of Sandport. Of mixed Shoanti/Chelaxian heritage, the lad was left at the doorstep of the old church when still quite young. He had obviously lived with one of the Shoanti tribes, but for some reason was abandoned. The boy bounced around various masters and keepers during his childhood, and most noted his great strength but limited intelligence. Ox was heading to a poor life as a dung sweeper, much like Gorvi, another Shoanti outcast with some orcish blood. He was saved this ignoble life by Belor Hemlock, the town’s Sheriff. Taking him into the militia, Belor saw the promise in the boy as a warrior, but also realized he would need to control his great strength. He was able to get the youth a job hauling cartage for several of the businesses in town…if there was something heavy that needed doing, Ox was your man.
This attention by the sheriff did not go unnoticed. Gorvi felt that he had been slighted by the people of the town due to his half-orcish nature and felt that he too should have a guardian like Balor to care for him and get him a better job. Gorvi fell to drinking and soon became the butt of many cruel taunts and pranks. His anger grew and one night, seeing the young Ox walking back to his rented room, he ambushed him and beat the boy badly.
Ox did not tell anyone what had happened, and has since decided that he needs to leave the town, even if just for a little bit, to let Gorvi settle down.
Hey, GH,
Still working on the actual character sheet and background, but as a concept, I'm going to be submitting a Paladin of Abadar. His father will be a merchant and scribe who is well known for his artistry in caligraphy and who has at times worked for the Temple. He is a devout follower of Abadar and he and his wife offered their son for training in the ways of the church. The boy was obviously gifted and blessed by the "God of the First Vault", and accepted by the clergy as an aspiring knight.
However, during his training he proved to be inclined far more toward "Good" than "Law", and has a merciful streak that the LN Abbot/Bishop/(*Whomever the GM wants in charge of him) finds distasteful and distressing. Still, the young paladin continues to exhibit abilities that prove he has not lost the favor of Abadar, and so the Abbot* strongly suggests that this young knight would prove far more valuable to the body of followers as a member of the Watch, specifically as a representative of Abadar's justice.
...or something like that.
Reasonable or am I way off?
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Here is Jaymin Thrushberry, local boy with absolutely no trauma in his past. Happy parents, kid brother, best friend he grew up with, and soon to be married to the prettiest girl (he thinks anyway) in Sandpoint.
Oh, and he's built like a tank and carries a huge axe. He also has the Heal skill should we lack for magical healing
I’ve updated my background, per your helpful suggestions, to be a better fit in the Watch. Let me know if you’d like to see any further tweaks. I’m also find presenting him younger, but I like the idea that he’s been sort of waiting to flourish until the opportunity presented itself, and it’s been quiet in Sandpoint for most of that time (the Late Unpleasantness not withstanding).
I also looked at Slayer, but if I only live there one level, it feels like something of a waste. That and it takes a little while for the Magus to come online, and I’d rather not delay that for a bit of rogue. Thieving doesn’t feel right for Govannon, even just a little. :)
Daniel/Ox- your background is interesting but doesn't seem to include having joined (or been trained by) the watch? Also, the adventure starts in (and often returns to) Sandpoint, so wanting to get out of town for a while is sort of counter to that.
Mr Nevets- The cathedral in Sandpoint (where the shrine of Abadar is) is dominated by good gods (there are 6 worshiped there and 4 are good; only Abadar and Gozreh are neutral) so it would seem kind of weird for that to be Brother Crispin's objection (Brother Pelius Crispin being the NPC I just invented to serve as the local priest of Abadar). What if the brother was like a cloistered cleric, much more interested in economics and trade than combat, so he suggested joining the watch (in addition to your religious training) as a means of answering your clearly more militaristic calling in a manner consistent with the Lord of the First Vault's concerns?
Govannon- the Late Unpleasantness was 5 years before the campaign opens, so (unless you want a reputation as a serious slacker and/or screw up) your first level character was probably too young to have been in the watch when that happened. That said, if you want to have been a member for a couple years already (and just starting to get people whispering about how little progress you've made) that's totally fine. And the slayer dip was totally optional, I just thought I'd mention it because it opens up a handful more class skills and lets you take feats like power attack or weapon focus (that require +1 bab) at first level.
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This is a really cool idea! I'll try to get a character together to submit.
I'm thinking a skinny, weedy girl off one of the hinterland farms. She's a crack shot and likes the idea of moving to town and doing something more interesting than marrying one of the neighboring farm boys in the near future.
Probably Bolt Ace to level 5 or 6 and Slayer onwards after that.
Mr Nevets- The cathedral in Sandpoint (where the shrine of Abadar is) is dominated by good gods (there are 6 worshiped there and 4 are good; only Abadar and Gozreh are neutral) so it would seem kind of weird for that to be Brother Crispin's objection (Brother Pelius Crispin being the NPC I just invented to serve as the local priest of Abadar). What if the brother was like a cloistered cleric, much more interested in economics and trade than combat, so he suggested joining the watch (in addition to your religious training) as a means of answering your clearly more militaristic calling in a manner consistent with the Lord of the First Vault.
Ah. I have never played through this AP and hadn't realized that Abadan wasn't the only option, and was trying to come up with a reason that my paladin would be nudged out. ;) I'm totally good with your recommendation and will adjust accordingly.
Nevets- I specifically mentioned Abandar (and Erastil) as being options for a paladin because that seemed like the most logical fit for someone who also joined the watch but there are other options if you want to look at them. Erastil, Sarenrae, Shelyn, and Abadar are all worshiped at the Cathedral in Sandpoint (alongside Desna and Gozreh) and all 4 of them can have paladin followers. There’s also the shrine of Irori if you want to make an Iroran paladin.
Govannon- the Late Unpleasantness was 5 years before the campaign opens, so (unless you want a reputation as a serious slacker and/or screw up) your first level character was probably too young to have been in the watch when that happened. That said, if you want to have been a member for a couple years already (and just starting to get people whispering about how little progress you've made) that's totally fine. And the slayer dip was totally optional, I just thought I'd mention it because it opens up a handful more class skills and lets you take feats like power attack or weapon focus (that require +1 bab) at first level.
Hrm. I’m not sure I’m all that opposed to people thinking he was a bit of a screw up, though I’d hoped my absence on an errand to Magnimar might excuse the worst of it. Still, I’m fine joining the watch after that mess to avoid starting out with a very poor reputation. That said, yes, he has been there a while, and failed to move up in rank. Poor man. :)
Early weapon focus would be nice, but I can wait. Might take that or toughness at third. With a 3/4 BAB class, I might give Power Attack a miss in favor of more hits - though at lesser damage. Not sure if the math supports my theory (probably doesn’t) but it feels right for Govannon’s personality. Still, I don’t lock my characters down much, and let them grow organically, outside of a few levels of general planning.
I’ve updated my background again, to add in the latest suggestions. Thanks!
Nevets- I specifically mentioned Abandar (and Erastil) as being options for a paladin because that seemed like the most logical fit for someone who also joined the watch but there are other options if you want to look at them. Erastil, Sarenrae, Shelyn, and Abadar are all worshiped at the Cathedral in Sandpoint (alongside Desna and Gozreh) and all 4 of them can have paladin followers. There’s also the shrine of Irori if you want to make an Iroran paladin.
Thanks. I think I'll stick with Abandar. It does indeed fit.
I think I’ve answered every question that’s been asked of me so far… if I missed anyone please ask again.
when you say "pick a campaign trait", do you mean one of the 3 RotR traits?
OK, I would like to submit Diego Davino the Varisian Fighter.
Male human fighter 1
LN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +7
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Defense
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AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 15 (+5 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 16 (1d10+6)
Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +2
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee Dagger +4 (1d4+6/19-20)
RangedDagger +4 (1d4+4/19-20)
Melee Falchion +5 (2d4+9/18-20)
Melee Sap +4 (1d6+6 nonlethal)
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Statistics
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Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 18
Feats Power Attack, Toughness, Weapon Focus (falchion)
Traits Eyes and ears of the city, Sandpoint faithful
Skills Acrobatics -1 (-5 to jump), Climb +4, Handle Animal +3, Perception +7, Profession (soldier) +6, Swim +4
Languages Common
Gear Scale mail, dagger, falchion, sap, bedroll, blanket, flask, grappling hook, hemp rope (50 ft.), iron spike (4), masterwork backpack, silver holy symbol of Abadar (Free), trail rations (10), waterskin (4)
Coin 19 gp, 7 sp, 7 cp
Diego and his mother, Talisa Davino, were both Varisian migrants from the city of Magnimar. The two of them settled in Sandpoint approximately twenty five years ago. After experiencing a hardship, due to an overwhelming lack of coin, Telisa accepted a waitress position with the Rusty Dragon where she scrapped by with meager means. Even with limited means she was able to provide the basics for her son Diego.
Diego, who was mostly unsupervised, spent a healthy amount of time running the streets of Sandpoint. During his escapades he learned the hard way about the characters that tend to frequent the darker side of the city. Week after week, Diego found himself the victim of a bully or an opportunist who just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take advantage of a wayward youth. With his mother working late hours and no father around he simply didn’t have any support structure to fall back on. This led him to become a bit reclusive and independent.
One night, after a late shift, Talisa fell prey to a local predator. Her body was never found and to this day her disappearance is still under investigation. One of the city’s veteran watchmen, a Marcus Dulani, found Diego’s circumstances to be a bit precarious and decided to take him under his wing. Over a very short time Mr. Dulani became a surrogate father and mentor to the young man. While living with Mr. Dulani, Diego began a regiment of training that would later blossom into a formidable combat technique. After reaching adulthood Diego petitioned the city watch for admittance. With only a small nudge from his mentor, who is now retired, Diego was accepted and is now serving as a watchman.
Campaign Traits- if you go to the campaign traits on AoN and scroll down to the section for Rise of the Runelords there are about a dozen to choose from (most of which are from the anniversary edition). I don’t own the original version of the AP, but I’m guessing the three Orin mentioned are the three that are listed as “Any” in the campaign traits? Those three would be available too, although outlander wouldn’t work since everyone is a local (and black sheep would certainly impact your relationships within the watch).
Got the PM, thank you. So I will throw my hat in the ring as a good-hearted monk? How about leave Saph to her happy ending and I play a different monk, albeit she’ll still be CHA-based?
A halfling who studied Quack-Fu?
Wait. Before you boo me off the internet, lemme explain. I recently played a non-archetype halfling monk. There were only two things I didn’t like:
• CHA is more fun than WIS.
• Greater Trip isn’t all that great when you’re short.
Quack-Fu fixes this.
Eager Performer is a campaign trait that sounds fun, with Enchanting Smile as my Enchantment School bonus thing that I guess comes with this trait.
Saph- LOL, where to start... First, good to see you again. Second, that idea is hilarious. Third, I apologize for not making this more clear in my initial post but we're not using any 3pp materials at all so the quack-fu monk (from purple duck games) is not an option. If you want to build a halfling monk you could look at the scaled fist archetype (which I know you're familiar with) and I believe there are a set of feats that let you trip larger creatures (though its possible I'm thinking of earth child style, which wouldn't help you). Fourth, I was alerting you (the player) to this recruitment, not Saph (the character), so please do not feel at all constrained to submitting a monk or monk-like character! (Off the top of my head, a swashbuckler or daring champion cavalier could be a pretty fun vehicle for a charismatic halfling if you want to branch out, or a virtuous bravo paladin if you really want to play up the good-hearted angle)
Monks are fun.
Is anything on AoN fair game? I like a charismatic monk as an entertainer wanna-be, and as long as feats like Piranha Strike are legal, a DEX-CHA monk can be done. I really like the idea of a halfling or other kinda wimpy character eagerly joining a group of tough fighters.
In fact, if I play a kitsune, she can have Weapon Finesse as an alt. racial trait and I can start with Piranha Strike.
But yeah, that’s my thought. Stats will be 18 in DEX and CHA, 14 INT for skills , 10 CON and 10 STR if I can take a negative attribute (8 WIS). The stats work for halfling or kitsune. If you allow kitsune, I’m leaning toward that, though she’ll always appear human… except when in fox shape.
EDIT - could also do 16 CHA, 14 CON.
I know you’re going for low magic, so I’ll understand if an inherently magical racial trait is a no-no. (Might be fun RP if I’m supposed to keep my fox shape a secret from NPCs though.)
Saph- the watch is almost entirely human, so it’s pretty unlikely that I’ll select more than 1 non-human, but you’re allowed to submit a halfling, half-elf, or half-orc if you want (see the races spoiler in my original post for more details). The AoN, as far as I know, is only paizo material so it should be safe to use.
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Ok...here is an update to Ox's background. Hope it is better to fit into the story.
Ox, whose real name no one knows, is a common fixture in the Town of Sandport. Of mixed Shoanti/Chelaxian heritage, the lad was left at the doorstep of the old church when still quite young. He had obviously lived with one of the Shoanti tribes, but for some reason was abandoned. The boy bounced around various masters and keepers during his childhood, and most noted his great strength but limited intelligence. Ox was heading to a poor life as a dung sweeper, much like Gorvi, another Shoanti outcast with some orcish blood. He was saved this ignoble life by Belor Hemlock, the town’s Sheriff. Taking him into the militia, Belor saw the promise in the boy as a warrior, but also realized he would need to control his great strength. He was able to get the youth a job hauling cartage for several of the businesses in town…if there was something heavy that needed doing, Ox was your man. When he came of age, Belor helped the boy join the local Militia. While a little slow in learning, he was a great fit in following orders and training. When his basic training was complete, he was gifted with a great maul (earth breaker) and his militia armour. He went back to his cartage jobs, but still answered the call whenever the Militia needed him.
This attention by the sheriff did not go unnoticed. Gorvi felt that he had been slighted by the people of the town due to his half-orcish nature and felt that he too should have a guardian like Balor to care for him and get him a better job. Gorvi fell to drinking and soon became the butt of many cruel taunts and pranks. His anger grew and one night, seeing the young Ox walking back to his rented room, he ambushed him and beat the boy badly.
Ox did not tell anyone what had happened. He knows that by not saying anything will embolden Gorvi and has seen this already by the way he treats him…calling him names and minor sabotage on the work he is trying to do. Soon….maybe very soon, Ox will have to deal with the half-orc…before his bulling goes to far!
dotting,
Got three ideas; a Swashbuckler(Veil Blade) / Shadow Dancer, Ranger (Sword Devil), and Brawler (Mutagenic Mauler).
Gotta figure out which to work on, since my Human Fighter Idea is already a submission in another game.
Rhubarb Tuesday’s a stuntwoman who wants to play the hero. Maybe she gets in the wrong line and ends up with real adventures. Or if not picked for this game, she makes it as an actress?
Anyway…
Hit points: 10
Alignment: LG
Race: Halfling, alt. trait: Dimdweller
Class: Monk (Scaled Fist)
Traits: Eager Performer & Broken, Not Beaten
Feats: Dirty Fighting & Weapon Finesse
Skills: Acro +2, Climb +2, Stealth +2, Bluff +2, Diplomacy +2, Intimidate +4, Perception +4 / Perform: Act +1, Dance
Starting wealth: 200 gold —blown on Sleeves of Many Garments!
Background:
Rhubarb Tuesday. “Tues” to those she’d call friends. “Rube” to those she wouldn’t call friends.
Miss Tuesday is a young actress. Seventeen, and living the dream. If your dream is to get thrown through closed windows, break-away doors, fake brick walls, or get slid down a bar. Oh… and do all this while dressed like a man. Audiences feel sorry for women who have to hurl their bodies through objects and play dead. And men her height. So specifically, Miss Tuesday had been typecast as “guy who dies hilariously in background.” He smaller body adds an illusion of perspective as she falls between humans and painted backdrops.
But yes, you read that past perfect tense correctly. Miss Tuesday HAD BEEN typecast… until one day, she played the role of Human Child Whose Father Was Murdered Right In Front Of Her! He said, “For you, this was the most important day in your life. For me, it was Tuesday.” She was intimidated by this seasoned actor, but she gave him such a glare as she kicked him in the shin. And the delivery of her line, “See you next Tuesday,” left audiences yearning for the story of this little girl growing up and avenging her father’s death with a mighty kick!
So why waste my youth waiting for Cyrdak Drokkus to answer my letter? Here in Sandpoint, I can show him my moves! Now where to I audition for the role of hero?
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“For you, this is the most important day in your life. For me, it was Tuesday.”
iunderstoodthatreference.gif
I had actually seen Raul Julia live (as Don Quixote). Heartbreaking that his last role in life was M. Bison… but I did love his Tuesday line!
Daniel and Tuesday- you both have some interesting ideas in your background but please note that the set up for the game is supposed to be that the players are all employed as full-time members of the city watch. You could moonlight as actress/stuntwoman or cartage-hauler, but your real job should be serving under Sheriff Hemlock in Sandpoint’s watch.
What I’m thinking is her trait explains why the population of halflings recently* increased by 3%—she’s here to play the hero. But Cyrdak Drokkus isn’t giving this teenager the time of day. Fortunately, she has real martial arts skills, because she’s broke. She joins the watch ’cause a girl’s gotta eat.
I can swap one of my background skills if need be. Perform Act is enough for the backstory and campaign trait to work.
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*EDIT - or maybe NOT recently. That backstory could be from years ago, and her dream of being an actress got crushed by a can of cold, hard reality.
But what job could a tiny, not-taken-all-that-seriously-as-a-martial-artist woman do for the sheriff? Her adventuring skills are:
• acro
• climb
• stealth
• perception
• bluff
• intimidate
• diplomacy
So spokeswoman? Night watch? Personal trainer for exercise routines?
Tuesday- My thought wasn’t that you would increase the halfling population by 3% but that you would be 3% of Sandpoint’s halfling population. And, your skills are probably fine but the idea for the campaign is that you were trained (at least largely) by the watch and are an established member (though, for a monk, you’d have to do some training at Irori’s shrine too). So, in terms of your acting career (and trait), the set up should ideally be more along the lines of joining the watch right away for a career and then developing a real desire to perform slightly later; that way you could have put your training to use to get some stunt person work on the side (while still being a watchwoman) and now you’re really trying to break into real acting but having trouble getting Cyrdak to take you seriously. Does that make sense? Is it something you can work with? Edit: a nimble little halfling who can sneak around and is good at climb/acrobatics could do all kinds of things for the watch, like following suspects or staking places out? The social skills would help with gathering information or getting witnesses to cooperate during investigations?
Yes.
If I make the backstory a five-years-ago thing, does that work? I prefer not to play teenagers anyway. Tuesday of Carole & Tuesday inspired the age. (Yeah, I know she turns 18 in Season 1.) The joining the watch to train hard as a martial artist you suggested is better than the ‘crushed dream’ I posted above.
So what should I replace Perform Dance with? Profession: Watchwoman? Or better yet—a Lore skill?
EDIT - I think I interpreted the campaign trait as me moving to Sandpoint, but of course it still works if Rhubarb was born in the area. So yeah, I can adjust according to your above post.