Very highly interested. Gonna spend some time brainstorming character concepts.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Jolene wasn’t always this way, once upon a time Jolene was pure, mind untainted by greed and envy. There was a boy she loved with her whole heart, and he loved her too or so she thought. And then one day Helen came along with her curvaceous figure and her knowing smirk and her inheritor's holy symbol. She caught Niles hook line and sinker and Jolene was cast off, forgotten, unloved. As Jolene brooded, Niles took his vows and became Ser Niles. Helen sneered at Jolene with disdain whispering that she knew her little secret and that if she ever spoke to Niles again she’d ensure the authorities found out about her thieving and Ser Niles’s sword would be the one that removed her head. Besides Helen said, how could a great man like Niles ever see anything in a plain girl like Jolene?!
In truth Jolene did have a little secret, she was Kitsune and had no family or money at all. Yes she stole but that was so she could eat and she always tried to repay the merchants when she could. But Holier than thou Helen’s intervention sent her into a self destructive spiral of jealousy, insecurity and rage. Jolene decided that if she couldn’t have love, she wanted power. Turning her back on her original human form she stole Helen’s appearance turned up to 11, one no man could resist! She now had the looks but she had no money, and Kenabres was no place for a pauper. With few other options she entered the service of the clergy of The Savoured Sting knowing full well what that would entail. From their part they recognized her peculiar gifts, nurtured them and sought to forge from her a weapon, one under their control or so they thought…
1. What is your character’s name?
Jolene.
2. How old is your character?
Mid twenties.
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
That’s complicated! Jolene maintains several personas* but in her second and favored human form she has flaming locks of auburn hair, with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green, a smile like a breath of spring and a voice soft like summer rain.
She has no visible weapons or armor, but looks can be deceiving… She carries a hand crossbow in her purse, and her hair pins are sharpened to a needle point.
* Enabled by Realistic Likeness and a disguise check which she is very good at.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
An observant person might notice that Jolene’s voice swiftly changes to sound like them, copying their accent and mannerisms. Many people don’t really notice but find her flattering, astute people may find this disturbing as if she was studying them with the predatory intensity of a doppelganger.
A really observant person might notice some slight tells that something is amiss, her ears are ever so slightly pointed and her eyes sometimes flash a shade too green to be natural.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?
Joloene was born in a back alley in Kenabres. After her parents died she was raised on the street and fed by the kindness of the various temples and by stealing when times were hard.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
She was raised by her kitsune parents but they were victims of one of the purges and died when she was small. She only ever knew of them as mom & dad.
7. Do you have any other family or friends?
Once she had friends but that was before Helen and her subsequent fall from grace. Now she has acquaintances and colleagues - people she might use.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids?
Single. After losing Niles Jolene made her heart go cold and promised herself she will never risk getting hurt by loving again.
It’s extremely unlikely he would but there could be a redemption arc if Niles ever changed his mind.
9. What is your character’s alignment?
NE although I note this is at odds with Calistria which would suggest CE. While evil, I don’t see her as being chaotic, she doesn’t go around randomly murdering people.
10.What is your character’s moral code?
Jolene doesn’t think she’s a monster, she won’t kill or harm without reason. She is the knife in the dark, the sting that might change the world but it has to be for a higher purpose. If that means working with others whose long term goals are dubious at best, so be it, they’re a means to an end.
She is capable of casual cruelty to her marks, but in private I can see her being kind to children and the elderly in a self indulgent way the way one can be to a pet.
She’d likely make a good red mantis assassin.
11. Does your character have goals?
Seducing Ser Niles and having him cast Helen out. This is basically impossible so becoming personally powerful and wanted/needed by her ‘allies’ will have to do instead. She has a particular dislike of Iomadae’s faithful and luring them into falling would be right up her street.
The world as it leaves much to be desired, if she was in a position of power, events might be shaped according to her design.
12. Is your character religious?
She’s Calistiran focusing in particular on revenge and lust, trickery is just gravy.
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs?
I am not evil but if I can’t have love I want power.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword, I want to be mightier still, the one who whispers poison in the ear of a king binding him and his kingdom to my will.
When it comes to men I see what I want and take what I see, yet they mean nothing to me!
These boots are made for walkin'
And that's just what they'll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
She is an arrogant opportunist and maneater. She puts on a tough image but is a complete mess inside, rejection has made her vulnerable and she aims never to let it show.
15. Why does your character adventure?
It is the means to power, without the pursuit of power she would have no purpose in life.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
She is an adrenaline junkie, she relishes it, there is no experience like watching a mark fall for your lies hook line and sinker knowing if things had gone the other way you would have been uncovered and killed.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
She always has red in something she wears or about her person. If she’s ever slipshod with her disguise (only happens when in great distress) her ears are sometimes pointed like a fox’s.
18. How does your character get along with others?
She can be very good company. However on a mission she would be boringly professional and to the point.
19. Is there anything that your character hates?
Iomedians, especially Hellen.
20. Is there anything that your character fears?
Rejection, especially from Niles. Putting on so many faces she worries she might lose herself entirely. Part of her wants that desperately.
Jolene
Kitsune bard (brazen deceiver) 1/gestalt 1/witch (seducer) 1 (Pathfinder Player Companion: Legacy of the First World 16, Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide 65, Pathfinder RPG Adventurer's Guide 50, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 4 175)
NE Medium humanoid (kitsune, shapechanger)
Init +2; Senses Perception +4
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex)
hp 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +3
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Ranged light crossbow +0 (1d8/19-20)
Special Attacks bardic performance 8 rounds/day (deceptive tale, fascinate [DC 14], inspire courage +1), fey charm
Bard (Brazen Deceiver) Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +5)
. . 1st (2/day)—charm person (DC 15), hideous laughter (DC 15)
. . 0 (at will)—daze (DC 14), detect magic, ghost sound (DC 14), prestidigitation
Witch (Seducer) Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +5)
. . 1st—mage armor, sleep (DC 15)
. . 0 (at will)—guidance, light, read magic
. . Patron Enchantment
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 9, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 18
Base Atk +0; CMB -1; CMD 11
Feats Realistic Likeness[ARG]
Traits charming, enchanting conniver, indomitable faith
Skills Bluff +9 (+11 vs. those affected by your charm or compulsion effects, +10 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Diplomacy +11 (+13 vs. those affected by your charm or compulsion effects, +12 vs. characters who could be attracted to you), Disguise +11 (+21 circumstance to fool others with impersonation), Intimidate +8, Knowledge (arcana) +6, Perception +4, Perform (dance) +8, Perform (sing) +8, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +6, Stealth +7
Languages Common, Elven, Skald, Sylvan
SQ change shape, otherworldly allure, witch's familiar (thrush named Tiki)
Combat Gear caltrops; Other Gear light crossbow, chalk, disguise kit, ear trumpet[UE], hollow-heeled boot, sealing wax, skeleton key[UE], wrist sheath[UE]
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Bardic Performance (standard action, 8 rounds/day) Your performances can create magical effects.
Change Shape (Su) Assume a single human form.
Charm +1 (4 rounds, DC 15) (Su) Improve attitude of humanoid or animal in 30 ft. by 1 step(s).
Empathic Link with Familiar (Su) You have an empathic link with your Arcane Familiar.
Familiar Bonus: +3 bonus on Diplomacy You gain the Alertness feat while your familiar is within arm's reach.
Fey Charm (Su) Gain charm hex with DC increased by your relation to target.
Otherworldly Allure User Cha instead of Int for witch class features.
Realistic Likeness Change shape can mimic individuals you've met, gain a +10 bonus to Disguise to impersonate.
Share Spells with Familiar Can cast spells with a target of "You" on the familiar with a range of touch.
Witch's Familiar (Ex) Gain the services of a special familiar that stores spells.
--------------------
Tiki CR –
Thrush (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Magic)
N Diminutive magical beast (animal)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +9
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 17, touch 16, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +4 size)
hp 4 (1d8-2)
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +4
Defensive Abilities improved evasion
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (average)
Melee bite -1 (1d2-5)
Space 1 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 1, Dex 15, Con 6, Int 6, Wis 15, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB -2; CMD 3
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +2 (-6 to jump), Bluff -1, Diplomacy -1, Disguise -1, Fly +12, Intimidate -1, Perception +9, Sense Motive +3, Spellcraft -1, Stealth +18
SQ empathic link
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Empathic Link (Su) You have an empathic link with your master.
Fly (40 feet, Average) You can fly!
Improved Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save; half on failed save.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Share Spells Spells with a target of "You" can be delivered by a familiar with a range of touch.
Hero Lab and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at https://www.wolflair.com
Pathfinder® and associated marks and logos are trademarks of Paizo Inc.®, and are used under license.
I'll be committing an inquisitor/ranger. Ranger might change to monk.
Follower of a demon lord, details to follow.
So I’ve decided I’m not going to do a Barbarian/Sorcerer; too hard to work casting in a rage. Instead I’m going to be a Bloodrager/Sorcerer. Two different Draconic bloodlines (I’m thinking Red and Black. There’s a feat for mixed-scales kobolds, it makes sense.). I’ll miss the extra DR I was going to get with Invulnerable Rager, but Dragon Disciple works even better now: I’ll take it on the Bloodrager side so that I can still get 9th level spells on the sorcerer side.
Loving the ideas so far guys! Excited to see the rest of the submissions for sure.
I decided to go with the follower of Haagenti. It's a character that doesn't care in the slightest about other demon cultists and demon lords but just pretends so he can benefit from their actions.
Toying with two different build directions though.
One focuses on Adaptive Shifter Shifter and takes the Sentinel PrC on the other end (not sure which base class to take there).
The other goes Beastmorph Vivisectionist Alchemist on end will take the Evangelist PrC (on either end as it keeps class features from the class it replaces). It'd probably be a Lavasoul Ifrit.
For both I'm not sure what to grab as the second class, though with the Alchemist I'm leaning towards Psychodermist Occultist.
Downside of the former is that I can't go CE but on the other end I truly adore the Adaptive Shifter archetype (and it's a fantastic fit for Haagenti).
Dooting for the primordial destroyer.
What's the deadline for this one again?
So I'm thinking about putting a character up for this. Initial thought is wereshark-kin skinwalker, worshipper of Roqoloros whose self-appointed objective in life is to corrupt as many bodies of water as possible to spread Roqoloros' presence. Whenever he gets the chance his preferred method of torture is waterboarding with polluted salt water, but he'd be looking for opportunities in combat for strangling his enemies - at least as an intimidation tactic.
Roqoloros is a Daemon Harbinger, servant of Apollyon.
Areas of Concern: Castaways, fouled water, oceans
Domains: Evil, Travel, Water, Weather
Subdomains: Daemon, Isolation, Oceans, Storms
And what better place to make his own mark than trying to weaken the Mendevian crusaders by depriving them of useful water?
And as part of an evil team, there's no better way to weaken potential resistance. All living, mortal creatures need water to survive, after all. Maybe do some research into replicating the effect of the Worldwound except opening a pathway to the City of Gnashing Teeth and Drowned Screams in Abaddon.
Initial thought is Fighter (tactician archetype?) and Waves oracle. Whip/trip/strangle build.
The only concern I have is whether that's too much on the water theme for a campaign likely to be inland for the large majority of the time.
Alternatively, blight druid, decay,storm,ocean bond, and... I dunno. Rogue or Alchemist focusing on poisons and diseases - specifically those that can be ingested via liquids. And then waterboarding his victims with that infected water!
I have returned, and I humbly present Jatev Talraniex for your consideration. A tragic story with destructive punctuations, his hunger and cunning will ensure he leaves this world with a legacy.
Answers to many of the below questions are within the linked alias, but I will also answer them directly here for ease of reference.
1. What is your character’s name?
Jatev Talranix
2. How old is your character?
149
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
Jatev appears to be a lithe human of average height with sharp cheekbones and a sharp widow's peak. His straight black hair is usually tied back in a half-ponytail, the rest falling down around his shoulders. His eyes are a warm yellowish-orange, and his skin is a slightly off-putting pale shade. If he's wearing any armor it's very light and concealed under his coat. He has a rapier and a dagger on his belt, and a very fascinating looking gun on his back.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
Jatev speaks softly and with a slight rasp, like he's almost always conspiring. He tends to be subtly condescending to those he interacts with that aren't in positions of power over him. And he has a hungry, cunning gaze.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?
In the underdark as a tragic bastard of drow slaves, raised by nobody until he had made it above ground as a young child and was taken in by bandits.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
His father is a drow slave whose name he never learned; it was entirely possible that he did not have a name. He is a slave laborer and plaything of the drow matriarchs. He is alive, to the best of Jatev's knowledge.
His mother is an elf named Sumina who attempted to smother him in his sleep to cover up her shame at having a half-drow offspring. She is a druid and treeshaper for the Kyonin cities. She is alive, to the best of Jatev's knowledge.
7. Do you have any other family or friends?
The closest thing to a father figure Jatev ever had was an elven bandit named Vesryn, who taught him magic and how to fight, but eventually revealed he thought of Jatev as nothing but a tool to be exploited. A century ago Vesryn was captured and was to stand trial for his crimes, Jatev does not know what his fate was.
A human investigator by the name of Barnet Branson, who was the one who captured him but also the one who talked a judge into giving him military service at the Worldwound instead of the noose. The closest thing Jatev has to a friend.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids?
Never married or partnered. Quite possible he has kids, he's been alive for a while and his hunger extends to the pleasures of the flesh, but he never stuck around long enough to know if he became a father.
9. What is your character’s alignment?
NE. Probably, still thinking about this a little.
10. What is your character’s moral code?
You have to look out for yourself in this world, because nobody else will. Even if they pretend to care about you it's always for an agenda. Helping others can be good if used tactically. Always have your own self-interest in mind, but listen carefully to how you can trade favors.
11. Does your character have goals?
Jatev is a man who hungers. He grew up with less than nothing, and demands his pound of flesh from the world, with extreme interest. He intends to make something of himself that he will be remembered for. He wants a legacy.
12. Is your character religious?
No. If the mortals here don't care about him, why would a god?
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs?
The world is cruel and will beat you down if you let it. Grab it by the horns and rip from it what you want. To do anything else is to be a victim of the whims of fate and those with less cowardice.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
Can definitely be arrogant and condescending, but it usually smart enough to be subtle about it. Always wants to make sure whatever he does leaves some kind of memorable impact. I.e. if he managed to rob a merchant without need of violence, he would do something like blow up their caravan to leave a punctuation on the encounter.
15. Why does your character adventure?
Partly because the civilized world is not meant for him, mostly for his hunger to leave a legacy behind.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
Destructive ordinance. Stay behind his much tankier and dumber companions and rain hell upon their enemies. Also a tactician to make sure he can keep his big meat shields around. Lastly a loremaster; knowing how to blow things up efficiently required a lot of secondary knowledge, and some of it can actually be useful.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
Jatev has deformed his body to make himself appear human. He sliced the tips of his ears off, and the scars are still visible if seen closely enough. He also magically bleached his skin, leaving him with a permanent slightly off-pale shade that never changes color with sun exposure. His eyes are red, but a magical trick keeps them looking yellowish-orange instead. He's researching a more permanent solution to this that won't leave him blind.
18. How does your character get along with others?
There's two kinds of people: those that are useful, and those that aren't. The useless are scorned and ignored. The useful are treated as per their station, sometimes exploited and sometimes for mutual benefit, depending on their level of use and how cunning they themselves are.
19. Is there anything that your character hates?
Resignment. Anybody who accepts their fate or living at the hands of others.
Elves and drow, for what each race had done to him.
20. Is there anything that your character fears?
Powerlessness. He has felt what it's like and would do anything to make sure he retains some form of agency. Imprisonment makes him unstable.
Having his heritage exposed and being shunned for it.
I must admit this is an intriguing campaign. I might just have to apply. When is the deadline? I didn't see it anywhere.
It’s a few posts down, forgot to put it in the original. Sorry about that!
Deadline for submissions is October 2nd at midnight Central. I’ll read over the applicants on Sunday and have a team ready Sunday night.
Hmm, now what kind of depraved and wicked character to be can I come up with....
EDIT
Is it possible to eventually go through the process of changing into a demon during this? I know the rules for that are detailed out there somewhere, I would have to look them up, but figured I'd ask.
Certainly not out of the realm of possibility, honestly. Sounds like a fun time for all involved!
I am making a lot of progress on mine but did have a question. Will you be using the Background Skill rules? It wasn't stated int he initial post so I assume no but figured it would be worth asking.
Yeah, someone else asked about background skills as well and GM of the Crusade confirmed that they will be used.
Cool, I missed it. Thanks!
Alright, this is Ouachitonian's submission. Turns out it's really hard to build a kobold who can melee, so this build will be a little weird. Early on he'll lean on the Sorcerer side, and only rage when he has to, if someone gets in his face or something. But once we get to Mythic I'll take Mythic Weapon Finesse and get Dex to damage and be much better in melee. But I don't know how far out that'll be. For now Rage gets me to 10 Str so I'm at least not taking penalties. Also, eventually Dragon Disciple levels with give me +4 Str. But that'll be a while. It'll come together in time. In the meantime I've still got Sorcerer casting.
Drahkn will be taking all the kobold racial Draconic feats, eventually. Also, gotta have Mad Magic pretty soon to cast in rage, if necessary. As for motivation, he's all about killing metallic dragons, minions of Apsu, non-dragons with metallic dragon blood (sorcerers and the like) etc.
I haven't done it yet, but I'll answer the Background Questions in the alias in just a minute.
Edit: Questions done. Also, I meant to mention: I might have focused his traits a little too narrowly on fighting dragons, not sure how many we'll face. But that's ok. He knows what he wants, even if he has to fight through a bunch of stupid humans and celestials to get to it.
Pondering whether or not to submit here anyhow. :P
Feel free to! No reason not to.
My submission is a Necromancer Wizard/Living Grimoire Inquisitor planning to go Agent of the Grave. His longterm goal is destabilizing the region to make it easier for Tar-Baphon to return in the future.
1. What is your character’s name?
Darius Drachenmoore
2. How old is your character?
27
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
5,8; 156 lbs, pale white, black-gray eyes, black hair with more than a few strands of stress white hair, somewhat lanky, human, heavy robes with a thick tome hanging by a chain on his side. The cover is made from an old enough human hide that it's difficult to distinguish from leather.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
Wild, wide eyes that furrow into a piercing stare. Has a tendency to rub his Tome for luck/when he's thinking.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?
Ustalav in Caliphas. He was raised by his mother, a Varisian woman who was traveling and settled down when she got pregnant.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
His father was a traveling priest dedicated to Pharasma. He's not sure whether his Father is still alive, but parental abandonment left him...unhappy with everything his father was.
7. Do you have any other family or friends?
Family, not really. Any friends would be Cell members within the Whispering Way.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids?
Has never really considered love in his pursuit of undead and Urgathoa's teachings. Not impossible, more likely to fall in love with someone for their ambitions.
9. What is your character’s alignment?
Lawful Evil
10. What is your character’s moral code?
Do right by me and I'll return the favor. Betrayal's reward is death. Live(or Unlive) life to the fullest. The weak obey the strong.
11. Does your character have goals?
Ascension of the physical form into glorious undeath and the successful revival of our lord Tar-Baphon.
12. Is your character religious?
Very, Darius is a follower of Urgathoa.
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs?
Good is no better than Evil, it just uses pretty words. True Death is the end of weaklings and the Strong should seek immortality since only through immortality can truly great works be accomplished.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
Hedonistic yet frugal when it comes to his magic and blessings. Pragmatism led him down the path of necromancy since the dead don't complain and you can work them all you like. Rightfully paranoid of most people since Whispering Way cultists are kill on sight.
15. Why does your character adventure?
Sowing discord along the land, acquiring knowledge to propagate his undeath transformation, and weakening the mortal world for the return of his lord.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
Magic problem solver and secondary front liner. His role is to present his undead minions as a buffer to harming any valuable members of his party.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
He has a few blade scars where his blood was ran to be collected for various rituals by the Whispering Way. His tithe to the organization.
18. How does your character get along with others?
Swimmingly with those he trusts. He will laugh at jokes even at his own expense if it's from someone he can genuinely be open with. Cold and aloof to those he is unsure of.
19. Is there anything that your character hates?
Pharasmites, Witch Hunts, Vampires, Funerals, Sarenrae
20. Is there anything that your character fears?
At some level, no matter how unlikely now, he fears meeting his father again. He is also terrified at the prospect of dying before his work is completed.
@GM: How do you feel about the Ruthless Agent Investigator? particularly its 11th level ability to Geas someone as a full round action?
Do you feel this would be disruptive, or is it fitting for the campaign?
11th level is the same level Wizards and Clerics could prepare Geas/Quest, and it’s mind-affecting, allows spell resistance, is once a day for you until 17th level. and can be dispelled/removed with a number of different spells.
I’m fine with it.
The rub with it vs Wizards/Clerics is it takes them like 10 minutes to cast it. So it can in some cases be a "this monster is now my b%++*, no save" as a full round. I'll mull it over now that it's on the table.
Oh I didn’t see that it altered how long it took to cast. Would you accept a compromise, that it takes 10 minutes for you to use that ability?
Or we could keep it a full round action, but it functions as lesser geas instead. Don’t want to straight up tell you no to the archetype, but that is a bit too powerful, yeah.
That'd be fine ne, yeah. I'll think about whether I actually want to take it or not in the first place; I was also considering Empiricist, Mastermind, and Psychic Detective anyway. Just want something that leans into the Reaper of Reputation aspect of Norgorber, snd an obsession eith hoarding secrets.
So, im thinking priestess of lamashtu (because why worship a lesser evil) with an extreme survival of the fittest mindset. Possibly half orc, dunno yet. Certainly cleric, dunno ither class yet but soon.
The fires of God are hotter to me than all the pleasures of this dead life, fleeting and loaned.
I'd like to submit The Pious One, a slave-preacher of Asmodeus and Unchained Monk//Inquisitor.
The law of Cheliax is not gentle to those who fail to repay their debts.
That is how the Pious One found himself on the slave auction block, put up for sale, humiliated, brought low, his life of privilege at an utter and final end... and unbeknownst to him, a new and very different life about to begin.
For he caught the eye, not of some petty merchant or aristocrat in search of mere labor, but of a witch and priestess of Hell. It was she who broke his former wilfulness and taught him discipline in the service of her merciless god. It was she who baptised him into a new life, not with water, but with his own blood drawn by the whip. And it was she who, when after a thousand torments she finally judged him ready, sent him forth with her blessing, selling him on again to be the slave, not of any mortal man, but of a god. The God. The First King.
In a strange way, the Pious One considers that all this was a mercy. An unearned grace. A second chance to tame the demons that once led him to ruin his own life.
For the Pious One is no longer the man who was brought to the auction block. Reborn in that drawn-out and bloody baptism, he now goes forth to preach the same gospel that her whip carved into his flesh: the gospel of piety and subjugation, the gospel of discipline and punishment.
He who has eyes to see, let him see. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
He who will do neither may not be given the same second chance.
And if the Lord say: “What punishment seemeth to thee fitting for thy sin?” do thou answer: “As much, O Lord, as all the reprobate shall suffer.”
And if the Lord say: “When wilt thou receive this punishment, and for how long a time?” answer thou…
“Now… and without end.”
The Pious One. The Pious One had another name once, but it was taken from him upon becoming a slave.
2. How old is your character?
About thirty, but he isn't sure exactly.
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
This Taldan man goes bare from the waist up, a decision that emphasizes his muscular physique and the mass of whipping scars that crisscross his ridged and mutilated back. His dark eyes gleam, set deep in his tightly drawn, angular face, but when he fixes a foe with his Stern Gaze, they smolder with a hidden light.
The Pious One keeps himself clean-shaven all over, and he usually carries little gear on his person. A bag over one shoulder holds almost all his worldly possessions, save an unsheathed temple sword at his belt.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
The Pious One is not quick-tongued or glib; he often speaks slowly, rarely answering casually or off the cuff and often taking a moment to gather his thoughts. Despite this, his words, when they come, often come with fervent intensity.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?
The Pious One was born in Cheliax, heir to a minor aristocratic family of Taldan descent. He was nominally raised by his parents through childhood, though actually largely by servants.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
Neither parent is alive. They were minor nobility whose wealth and lifestyle were inherited.
7. Do you have any other family or friends?
The Pious One's long-term owner before he was sold to the god Asmodeus was the Red Witch, a formidable scarred witch with hellish powers and a harsh disciplinarian whom the Pious One greatly respects and - in truth - also deeply fears. He suspects that their paths will one day cross again.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids?
The man who would become The Pious One had several children from various unhealthy relationships, all out of wedlock and none cared for. His enslavement severed all bonds of kinship in the eyes of society and law, and since then, his embrace of asceticism has meant he has fathered no more children - nor does he acknowledge any responsibility or kinship to those from his previous life.
9. What is your character’s alignment?
Lawful Evil.
10. What is your character’s moral code?
Practice asceticism and obedience to the will of the First King, taming unhealthy desires with punishment. Act in accordance with the knowledge that a small part of the God of Slavery's infinite honor is reflected in the moral conduct of his servants; do not act so as to tarnish that reflection, but rather, be steadfast and reliable to God and to one's comrades.
11. Does your character have goals?
To spread the gospel of piety and subjugation. To further tread the path of ascetic enlightenment, leaving behind petty dualisms. To see the will of the Devil God done, even if it requires transcending the bounds of strict Church orthodoxy.
12. Is your character religious?
Very.
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs?
The Pious One believes that the experience of slavery saved his otherwise wasted life from his own willfulness and lack of self-discipline. The experience of being made to learn to obey another was traumatic, but ultimately, once he did learn, the discipline of obeying another translated easily into the self-discipline necessary to obey himself. This dark and bloody experience is at the heart of his religious philosophy.
The Pious One has also been taught that all Creation and everyone in it is - in the long run, and regardless of their personal morals - inescapably damned. Even those who die and go to the Realms Above merely postpone the day of reckoning, for the heavens themselves will not endure. All creatures that come into being do so in a universe that is already past the divine event horizon of Asmodeus, and there is no escape - whether their path to the central singularity that is Hell is long or short.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
The Pious One can be oddly tolerant of even dramatically opposing beliefs; his process of judging whether to oppose, ignore, or even ally and work with those who do not share his faith is idiosyncratic, informed by mysticism and meditated revelation as much as by logic. There is no need to personally oppose and cast down all who do not acknowledge the First King. All are damned to Hell in the end, and in a cosmic sense, it does not truly matter if they attempt to resist that fate. It only truly matters from the individual's own perspective.
15. Why does your character adventure?
Enlightenment arises out of the crucible of pain. Seeking battle tests that enlightenment. In victory, wisdom will be reaffirmed and power honed. In defeat, one's own failings will be exposed, that they might be cauterized and burnt away.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
As a journey of self-realization. As a holy mission to gain strength and hone himself as God's tool. These two are, in fact, one.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
The Pious One bears extensive and severe scarring from whipping and other, still more terrible punishments and tortures during his time as the property of a Scarred Witch.
18. How does your character get along with others?
Idiosyncratically. The Pious One does not have -friends-, per se, but he is a faithful ally to those he has determined will be his allies, a stern teacher and master to any who may come under his dominion, and a bitter and devoted enemy to those who oppose him. His fervent intensity of character can sometimes drive ordinary people away, but other times it can aid his words in making a real impact upon their hearers.
19. Is there anything that your character hates?
The mortal world is plagued with many grave sins. Ignorance. Corruption. Weakness. Indiscipline. Dissolution. Burn these sins away in the crucible of punishment.
20. Is there anything that your character fears?
The Pious One is a God-fearing man, but almost equally, he fears and respects the priestess who first bought him from the auction block, the Red Witch, whose evil eye was always able to pierce his resolve and lay bare all his moral weaknesses. It was she who broke his former wilfulness and taught him the service of her merciless god, and it was she who, when she felt he was ready, sold him to be the slave, not of any mortal man, but of that very god himself.
At those times when his own weakness or irresolve has troubled The Pious One, she sometimes still invades his dreams, an unapproachable shadowy figure clad in burgundy and masked in an ivory devil-mask, saying nothing, only watching. He has always interpreted these dreams as a silent warning not to waste his second chance at life, for there will be no third.
While im considering crunch lemme work out the fluff questions.
1. What is your character’s name?
Kelva the Nameless
2. How old is your character?
Mid twenties. Exact age is unknown even to her.
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
That her features never seem permanent. While looking like a normal kellid human (or half orc? Undecided there kinda leaning skinwalker) with her gear marking her out as one of that savage tribal group her features and body shape shift slowly and subtly over time in a way she doesnt seem to have any real control over it. Her eyes seem to shift the fastest often changing color just in a blink sometimes but not always matching her mood. Her hair may shift over the course of a week both in length and style as well as color. The only real rule seems to be that her gear never changes with her and that its never drastic enough to be of much use outside of unsettling observers.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
She is direct, to the point, and brooks no insult, that she is not a sneaking cultist but a proud priestess spreading the wisdom of the great mother to those who need her.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?
Numeria, in a kellid tribe called the
Blood Mastodons a small but brutal tribe infamous for raiding local towns from the backs of massive shaggy beasts drugged to not feel pain. By nature they are nomadic leading to Kelva's comfort on the road. She was raised by a witch named Silvia who was her mother. She claims her father was none other than Lamashtu herself who planted the child directly into her womb through a dream. Kelva has never had the mindset to disagree and frankly doesn't care as its her own actions that determines her worthiness in her great mothers eyes, not her birth.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
Her father is otherwise unknown. Her mother was torn apart by mastodons in a bloody execution when her true patron was discovered to not be Gorum. She was the tribes healer and helped being many a child into the world before her death. Seeing as unfortunate events and brutal violence tended to happen to those who threatened Kelva the tribe chose to exile her rather than face the wrath of her goddess father directly.
7. Do you have any other family or friends?
Kelva has had a few lovers and friends over her lifetime. Her loyalty is hard won but also hard lost. But, due to her own faith and the brutal environment of numeria few survive her company those who have survived are barely worth her memory having either been too weak to be near her or too stable to handle her nomadic and bloody lifestyle.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids?
Despite her own quiet desires for a family of her own she views her sacrifice as a worthy one to the goddess so she may have more brothers and sisters.
9. What is your character’s alignment?
CE
10. What is your character’s moral code?
She abhors weakness and sees battle and competition as one of the truest ways to test ones might. In many ways this belief was colored more by her Kellid upbringing than her faith. However more in line with her faith she sees the importance of love and family even if that affection is highly conditional. She is surprisingly gentle, even kind, to children with whom she sees each one as a blessing of the goddess that can blossom into further vlessings over time. That said, survival comes first and mothers can always have more children through the goddess.
11. Does your character have goals?
She's never put much thought into it and sees her journey as simply a means to spread the seeds of the goddess and see her will done. Should she find a man, woman or other being that catches her interest and is capable of gifting her a family of her own she may see fit to settle and create a church of her own even though she despises skulking about and wearing masks.
12. Is your character religious?
Proudly.
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs?
That strong people lead to strong children, which lead to strong tribes. That strength can come from anywhere and in many forms. While her conviction to her goddess is absolute she is not close minded and willingly accepts different customs and mondsets so long they dont endanger her or her packs survival.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
Shes mercurial and while loyal she doesnt see much need to limit herself for any other person. Violence is often an option but not necessarily the only one she'll take in any and every given situation.
15. Why does your character
adventure?
To test herself, to spread the love of the mother of monsters, and to find worthy ones to share that love with her on her journey.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
She doesnt think of herself as an adventurer at all. To her the nomadic lifestyle going from place to place earning money and spreading the faith through word and through violence is just the demands of survival. Wealth, power, followers, theae are simply means by which to ensure the growth and prksperity of ones children.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
She has gained many scars on her body through trial and hardship. They move like slow leeches over her flesh.
18. How does your character get along with others?
Differs wildly from person to person and first impressions matter a lot. Those who help her without question earn her respect, those who openly insult her rapidly earn her scorn and often the priviledge of sheathing her blade in their flesh, those of her faith are treated more gently than others but not by much. She doesnt pursue relationships often but those open to it regardless of sex often find her violently passionate and quick to drop them if she finds them unsatisfying or cowardly. She cares little for peoples thoughts, only in their actions and words.
19. Is there anything that your character hates?
Inflexibility. The mothers children take many forms and the inability to adapt, to accept weakness as normal, is aberration to her. Her birth mother and her tribe were unable to adapt and thus remained weak.
20. Is there anything that your character fears?
Claustrophobia and and longterm isolation. She was born and raised under the open sky in the company of beasts. Being indoors for long gives her anxiety and cramped spaces give her genuine fear. A part of herself she genhinely hates and finds difficult to conquer.
While having spent much of her life apart its rarely alone and its difficult for her to slake her carnal wants or for her to test her own strength in isolation. Despite her claims otherwise she craves social interaction and affirmation even if shes quick to damn and murder those who give her the opposite.
How many players are you looking to have? Wondering if I should retool a bit since a Necromancer tends to have a lot of minions, but can probably boil that down to 1 or 2 bigger ones. Was thinking of doing Occultist for the other side instead of Living Grimoire because Occultists are just really damn cool.
Aiming for around 3-5, most likely closer to 3. Depends, really.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Howdy! I finally finished Grip, my half orc Barbarian! You'll have to bear with me, I'll try and explain a couple of design choices.
First off, the goal of this build is to get as much DR as possible, coupled with the order of the flame Cavalier's ability to get to AC 0 for a damage boost. I get that might never happen, but if it does, it could be glorious. At 5th level, Grip will have DR 7, at 10th level, DR 10, and by 12th level, DR 16, possibly higher. This should serve to take the edge off of most attacks, especially smaller ones.
The first two levels on the non barbarian side are to make the Stalwart feat tree work properly. It takes some work, but I think I have managed it. Martial artist monk will allow me to be chaotic, monk of many styles allows me to get cranestyle without needing to meet all the pre-reqs. Afterward, he'll take levels in insinuator antipaladin.
Why insinuator antipaladin? Because they get self only lay on hands. His swift action economy may be slightly cluttered, but he'll have the ability to what damage he does end up taking in battle very easily off of himself. Plus they trade out their spells for more feats, something that I'm fond of. I plan on only invoking demons, but that could change as the campaign goes on.
Anyway, there's a lot of flavor here too, hope you like the idea behind my 0 AC, technically infinite damage scaling half orcish Barbarian of Lamashtu! Any critique at all from anyone, (but especially the GM) I'd love to hear it!
Grip Norbit Barbarian/Martial Artist+Master of Many Styles Monk 1, Unbreakable Fighter1, insinuatorX VMC order of the flame cavalier
Half Orc CE Invulnerable Rager1/Unbreakable Fighter1 (Favored Class Barbarian skillpointx1)
HP:14|Bab:1|AC: T:10 FF:|Fort:6 Ref:2 Will:2
Str: 16+2 4
Dex: 10 0
Con: 14 2
Int: 10 0
Wis: 10 0
Cha: 14 2
Racial Features
Dusksight: Does other things, but mostly just low light vision(Replaces weapon familiarity)
Darkvision 60ft
Sacred Tattoo: +1 luck bonus on all saves (Replaces ferocity)
+2 to intimidate checks
Skills
Ranks Stat Class Misc Total
Swim 1 4 Y 0 8
Climb 1 4 Y 0 8
Intimidate 1 2 Y 2 8
Perception 1 0 Y 0 4
Bluff 1 0 N 2 3
Background:
Knowledge Engineering 1 0 Y 0 4
Linguistics 1 0 N 0 1
Languages:
Common, Orcish, Abyssal
Class Features:
Barbarian
-Fast Movement 10ft
-Rage: (6rds/day) +4 Str, +4 Con
Fighter
Diehard, Endurance
Traits:
Fate's Favored: +1 to all luck bonuses
Cautious Warrior: +1 to Fighting Defensively
Voice of Monsters: Can cast speak with animals once a day, can affect magical beasts and abberations with 2 int or less.
Feats:
-1st: Diehard, Endurance, Fey(demonic) Foundling
-2nd: IUS, Cranestyle
-5th: Stalwart
-6th: Vital Strike
-9th: Furious Focus
-9th: Uptrain to improved vital strike at 11th?
-12th: Improved Stalwart
When one thinks of demons, they tend to think of ravening beasts, focusing in on brute strength rather than subterfuge and intellect. This is exactly what the cunning, subtle demons would want you to think, often hiding their machinations behind the actions of their more impulsive brethren. This is where Grip enters the picture.
Grip was born in the Hold of Belkzen, a border to the Worldwound, and perhaps it's only friendly neighbor. In the telling of this tale, the nature of his coming into existence will be omitted. The orcish peoples there fight with each other often, but many have a love for Lamashtu, Grip was no exception. The Mother of Monsters' doctrine shaped Grip's early life, pushing him to embrace the mutant nature of his half-orcishness. His high pain tolerance even amongst orcs meant that he was perfectly fine with deforming his body even further to bring himself closer to his goddess. She granted to him the ability to speak to some of her more simple-minded creations, an ability that he took extreme pride in, and which granted him some level of respect, despite his human parentage. In addition, he gained increased capacity for healing quickly, at the expense that he became slightly more venerable to the metals that wound demons, such as cold iron. A particular servitor of Lamashtu caught his attention however: The Nightripper.
Nightripper was a serial killer who became a nascient demon lord by killing nearly 1000 people, and retaining his identity when becoming a larvae in the abyss. Lamashtu's favored assassin, legend has it that the first orc who exceeds his kill count will be rewarded with some nebulous gift. Grip was very intrigued. But also disinterested in killing pathetic civilians. Nightripper may have been a powerful murderer, but imagine how much more impressive it would be to kill 1000 crusaders of Mendev! Grip however, has more cunning and patience than many of his bretheren, and is willing to be especially patient when it comes to impressing his gods. Despite his impressive strength, bulk, and his orcish battlefury, he had no illusions that the crusaders of Mendev would be able to capture and kill him quickly if he did not take pains to conceal his goals. So Grip decided to join the crusade. Sure he might have to kill a couple of followers of Lamashtu, but he was going to destroy them from within. He even stooped to wearing heavier armor than he was accustomed to, putting his training to become a Lamashtan warrior on hold to seek out greater glories in Her name.
Unfortunately for Grip, although he was inducted into the crusaders pretty easily, he found it more difficult than he had anticipated to pick crusaders off one by one. The other crusaders were not overly fond of him, and he made no efforts to endear himself to them, something that in hindsight may have been a mistake. Especially since he still talked to Lamashtu's beasts when he had a chance. This was what proved to be his undoing. Suspicions were raised that Grip was in fact, a Lamashtan cultist, (which was true) and althouh they had no direct evidence, they did have annecdotal claims that people had seen him talking to the beasts of the Worldwound. Worse yet, he was not fond of the cold iron tools used by the crusaders, finding them uncomfortable to hold, causing people to believe that he may in fact be a demon. This was enough to get Grip jailed, until they could get an Inquisitor or Paladin in to judge his guilt. And so Grip waits, jailed, only having completed 1/1000th of his mission, desperately trying to scheme ways to escape. His story will not end here. Glory will finally be his.
Additional Fun Grip Facts:
Grip is training to harden his skin to the point where he no longer needs armor. His bones are already like steel, now his skin will follow suit.
Grip is quite used to scrapping with his fellow orcs. Unlike them however, his ability to fight to the literal death comes from dogged determination instead of an innate biological capacity.
Grip's training to become a priest of Lamashtu was only interrupted by his desire to destroy Mendev from within. He still plans on completing it one day, and incorporating The Mistress of Insanity's teaching with his fury to create a force truly to be reckoned with.
1. What is your character’s name?: Grip Norbit
2. How old is your character?: Approximately 27ish
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?: Slouched over, Greenish skin, ritualistic scar tissue criss-crossing his body. Tends to avoid wearing a shirt if he can help it. Carries a falchion. Views armor currently as a neccicary evil, but would rather do without. (Possible at 5th level)
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?: Surprisingly soft spoken for an orc, and carries himself well. Strangely charismatic, and able to draw people to him. However, a slight tic of his eye indicates that he is about to go off into a mighty rage. Although he adores violence, he tries to avoid killing without a reason, (Although because I felt disrespected is more than enough reason for him) and is willing to consider alternative approaches to problems.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?: Born in the hold of Belkzen, raised by his father. I'd rather not go too into detail about his parentage, he's a half orc from a brutal clan. Enough said about that. He took a particular interest in the priests of Lamashtu, and listened intently to their teachings, but has no interest in applying his self discipline towards the art of spellcasting.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?: See 5. Grip's father is no longer alive, being a full orcish warrior, which has a terrible
7. Do you have any other family or friends?: Grip has an older half brother, and a younger half sister, both of whom he is very attatched to. Both of his siblings are full orcs, and look down on him slightly, but recognize the hard work he puts in to keep up with the full orcs.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids?: It is quite possible that Grip may have children in other orc tribes, but never a partner from his own tribe, and as such does not care overly about the fate of those children.
9. What is your character’s alignment?: CE, although they do have some NE tendencies. Grip is capable of being pleasant, but it doesn't come naturally to him.
10. What is your character’s moral code?: Grip generally kills for a reason. Because I felt like it isn't a good reason, but he finds it easy enough to rationalize why he has a reason to kill someone. Crusaders for example are an easy one, Grip will increase his own personal legend if he kills them, so that's a good enough reason. He personally finds that killing children is distasteful, as they are not yet able to be worthy opponents. Better to let them grow up with resentment in their hearts so that he can fight a real fight later. He often takes prisoners, and often kills those prisoners when they are no longer useful. He believes that orcs are superior to humans, but secretly holds the belief that half orcs are superior to orcs.
11. Does your character have goals?: Grip hounds glory. As he gets older he sees more and more ways to find that glory through different means, becoming somewhat obsessive/one track when he gets going. He recognizes that when he gets too old to fight, the glorious thing that will increase his personal legend is sculpting a younger generation in his image. In that way, Grip is actually somewhat easy going; as long as he can rationalize something to himself, he is willing to go along with almost anything if he thinks that it will further him, or his Gods.
12. Is your character religious?: Yes. At level 3, I will begin taking Antipaladin levels. He seeks to gain Nightripper's favor by being the first of his followers to outdo his god. If selected, I would like to keep a worthy kill count.
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs?: Grip beleives in taking advantage of being mortal and indulging in all the the pleasures the world has to offer. Interestingly enough, he has never stabbed a friend in the back, and takes his actual oaths very seriously.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?: Arrogant and egotistical are good ways to describe Grip. Also shrewd, as well as having a strangely large amount of personal charisma. A bully and a braggart, he still remains optimistic after a fashion; he can find the glory in almost anything, and is willing to debase himself to reach higher highs. He also doesn't mind working with others, as others seek different glories than him, and he is perfectly willing to help others on their path as long as it doesn't conflict with his own, and he has reason enough to like them.
15. Why does your character adventure?: If I haven't said it enough times already in this writeup, Glory :)
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?: He is a holy man, doing his God and Goddesses work. He has heard of adventures being so powerful that they become able to contend with gods. If that were to happen to him, he would want to gain enough strength to drag Shelyn before Lamashtu as an offering to his Goddess.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?: Many scars in a almost gridlike pattern across his body. His face is also marred by scars, and he is slightly hunched over, as a result of some of his sacrifices to Lamashtu. He is not as agile as he once was, but he is far tougher to compensate.
18. How does your character get along with others?: Potentially quite well! See some of the previous entries.
19. Is there anything that your character hates?: Weaklings, Crusaders, standard issue stuff. He also has a fear of the ocean, but refuses to admit that to anyone. He also finds oathbreakers abhorrent, although he is willing to put that aside in the case of fallen paladins and the like as long as they keep their unwavering conviction in their new goals. Personally though, he would avoid them if he could. Perhaps he could learn!
20. Is there anything that your character fears?: Well the ocean, dying in this prison, being forgotten by history, not proving himself worthy of Lamashtu's gifts, all of these things weigh heavily on him. He fears that his brother and sister will be dead when he returns home. His deepest fear is that maybe he would have been different if he had been raised by humans. His capacity for rationalization has allowed him to see that perhaps his beliefs are a matter of how he was raised, and maybe if he had been raised by the crusaders he'd believe in Iomadae. How then, can he be certain that he is in the right, right now, if another version of him might have believed otherwise. Whenever this mood takes him, Grip gets extra brutal to compensate.
I couldn't make my last concept work to my satisfaction (backporting a Spheres of Power character to baseline PF is ehhh) but I have another fun one. Before I finalize it, what's your opinion on characters with multiple pets? In this case it might be two Spiritualist Phantoms.
I couldn't make my last concept work to my satisfaction (backporting a Spheres of Power character to baseline PF is ehhh) but I have another fun one. Before I finalize it, what's your opinion on characters with multiple pets? In this case it might be two Spiritualist Phantoms.
Whats stopping you from just foing spiritualist + hunter/summoner and jusr having 2 pers by default due to gestalt?
Considering the action economy multiple pets will likely be a strong option for gestalt especially with 3 players. Ultimately it's a bunch of extra book keeping, mostly for you but some also for the GM. Fortunately the usual issues with pet classes at the table (slow rounds) don't matter quite so much in PbP. Out of combat there's lots of good opportunity for RP especially if your pets are rivals for example.
I couldn't make my last concept work to my satisfaction (backporting a Spheres of Power character to baseline PF is ehhh) but I have another fun one. Before I finalize it, what's your opinion on characters with multiple pets? In this case it might be two Spiritualist Phantoms.Whats stopping you from just foing spiritualist + hunter/summoner and jusr having 2 pers by default due to gestalt?
Nothing, technically, which is why I wanted to ask before pulling the trigger on a Spiritualist//Death Druid.
But I think I'll go Shaman instead of Druid anyway.
I couldn't make my last concept work to my satisfaction (backporting a Spheres of Power character to baseline PF is ehhh) but I have another fun one. Before I finalize it, what's your opinion on characters with multiple pets? In this case it might be two Spiritualist Phantoms.
I'm usually fine with multiple companions, especially in PBP. If it becomes a problem, I reserve the right to implement the PFS rule: only one companion in combat.
I'm curious, how do you plan on getting two phantoms?
going to pull out, have a great game everyone
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I couldn't make my last concept work to my satisfaction (backporting a Spheres of Power character to baseline PF is ehhh) but I have another fun one. Before I finalize it, what's your opinion on characters with multiple pets? In this case it might be two Spiritualist Phantoms.I'm usually fine with multiple companions, especially in PBP. If it becomes a problem, I reserve the right to implement the PFS rule: only one companion in combat.
I'm curious, how do you plan on getting two phantoms?
Ha, I think we posted around the same time.
I was thinking of being a Spiritualist (Grim Apostle)//Death Druid; Death Druid gets a Phantom rather than Nature Bond.
Basic concept is a character who is a serial killer (and devotee of the Four Horsemen), first victim was his own brother for various reasons. The brother is now his Phantom. ALL of his victims' souls are harnessed in some way, which is basically how I'm going to fluff all of his abilities.
I'd thought Death Druid for a bit, and maybe make the victims his parents (one Phantom for dear old mommy, and one for daddy) but think I settled on Shaman instead. Or at the least, I'm going to either be a Spiritualist//Shaman or a Death Druid//Shaman, not Spiritualist//Death Druid.
The original version of this character from a long, long ago Way of the Wicked game that never was was a Kineticist//Medium (the Spirits being his most "prized" victims), but I liked the idea of Spiritualist better this time, and have grown cold on Kineticist as a class overall.
Actually speaking of Way of the Wicked, you might want to consider allowing/mandating the traits from the Player's Guide for that AP. They all are "the reason I was sent to prison" traits which is what you want from one of everybody's Trait selections.
That would've been a good idea, actually, but I would've had to do a bit of retooling on them, and it's too late now.
Speaking of time, yesterday was the halfway point! Lots of good submissions so far, loving what people come up with. Getting a list together of the completed ones right now.
I would prefer you keep it to the more reasonable races, such as ones mostly found on Golarion around where the Worldwound is in the world.
If you think you can successfully pull it off and convince me why it makes sense, feel free to try!
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
What's unreasonable about a full-plate wearing huge-sized bipedal insect with a mechanical grapnel arm that's powered by arcane magics who hires a team of goblins to operate a siege weapon mounted on its back?
Huh. I guess when I say it out loud it does stretch the limits of credulity.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I'm scrapping my entire character to make a goblin so I can be on that team.
Here comes Ragnar.
Did some semi homebrew, could potentially be repurposed as an NPC if the not so heroic party gets around converting Kellids to Nocticula in particular.
Bloodrager/Skald. First time I am making a Gestalt, and the exact statblock is definitly up to revision, so I apologize in advance for what you are about to see.
Rough stats, will be somewhat altered if Primalist or Demon Dancer is prefered instead of the base class. Red tounge skald sounds fun and versatile as well.
Human CN Bloodrager Skald(possibly Demon Dancer)
STR: 15+2 (human)
Dex:12
Con:12
Int:12
Wis:10
Cha:15
Skills (4+1+1=6):
Perform Oratory +1 (+3 class +2 cha +1 background trait) total 7
Perception +1 total 4
Knowledge history +1 total 6 (+3 Class, +1 skill point + 1 bardic) knowledge planes +1 total 2 (no bonus, not a class skll +1 bardic)
Linguistics +1 total 5
Acrobatics +1 total 7
Traits:
Veteran of Battle (+1 init, in a surprise round, draw weapon as a surprise round https://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/religion-traits/veteran-of-battle/)
History of Heresy (+1 to saving throws against divine spells)
Voice of Velvet (+1 to diplomacy and perform oratory)
Bonus feat human:
Lingering performance if available for Skald.
"By heresies distressed,
memoirs of an inquisitor of Sarenrae"
Following the defeat of Sarkoris by the worldwound, many Barbarians sought to understand the reasons for this defeat, why was Gorum so absent? Why did the old rites not work? Why have the ways of war proven so ineffective? Where there things that could be learned, if not from the demonic victors, then perhaps from those with track records of defeating demon lords?
While some beseeched heaven, others signed pacts with hell, and yet others opted to research or petition the entity responsible for more dead demon lords then the rest of creation together, Nocticula, our Lady in Shadow.
Nocticula rarely minds new followers, and is quite flexible in how she is to be worshipped, and regard Gorum as a worthy target for her attentions of whatever nature.
As such, she was quick to reciprocate, in her own fashion, inquiries by Gorumites by launching a heretic cult, that of "the Lord and the Lady", in order to bring such souls into her power.
The cult of "The Lord and the Lady" offers a curious mix of Nocticulan an Gorumite tenets, it holds that Nocticula and Gorum are allied or even carnally involved, and that Gorum transfered the responsiblity of dealing with Demon Lords to her which (explains a lack of Gorumite intervention concerning the Worldwound), in exchange for concessions on her part that are a most closely kept secret.
Their tenets, in as much as they are formalized are the following:
1: Peace is an illusion, a thinly woven blanket for fools and cowards afraid to face reality. I am always ready and willing to do violence, but I know that violence is only one tool out of many.
2: Deeds and the will to fight matter, words are inferior but useful in misleading ones foes. I pray to the Lord and the Lady with my blades and claws, not with my mouth, unless my mouth has fangs as sharp as your sword.
3: I do not fear my peers, nor do I tremble before my foes. I will accept any challenge from an equal that they offer. Should such a challenge be a duel, I will let none interfere.
4: Vengeance is a goal, but also a luxury. To leave an insult unawnsered is to show weakness, to avenge oneselfs on ones betters is to show strength. If the finalizing this vengeance takes time, then so be it.
5: It is the lot of the weak to serve the strong. If I take prisoners, I may enslave or enthrall them. If there is strength hidden in them, I may reforge them into my vasalls.
6: I never perform a service without the promise of reward. Should this promise be broken, I will avenge this insult.
7: I will strike my foes with the guile and midnight and the fury of slaughter, all tools are to be used in war.
As is often the case, the commandments of such followers are far less restrictive then for those who would serve our dawnflower.
As to why Gorums rarely acts against these heretics, he either considers Nocticula beneath his notice, or considers the prospect of her attentions to be interesting from his perspective. Our Lord in Iron may well see the Lady in Shadow as a worthwhile fight, but one he will only have if she thinks she has the advantadge.
He has preached his heresy in Gundrun and among the Sarkorian Diaspora in Mendev. When approached and challenged to a duel by a conserative Gorumite priest, he accepted and slew the Gorumite in single combat. This greatly increased the sway of his heresy in the Sarkorian village of Storms End. Which further increased as he led those of the villages warriors who were willing on a series of highly succesfull ambushes of roaming Deskarite force, having for some reason very detailed informations about their movements.
It however was quite public, and garnered an immidate response (which has seen this stunt several dozen times) from the inquisition.
He was lured into a trap, alongside 2 of his followers, the inquisitors sprang a successfull ambush, killing both of his followers and taking him alive while only having one of their number slain (by him) in return.
Is of particular interest to the inquisition because he does not (yet) detect as evil, the inquisition beliefs he is capable of hiding his alignment which indicates that he is a more important asset of the abyssal lords then he actually is.
He has absolutly zero regrets about anything he has done, and strongly desires vengeance against the inquisition.
1. What is your character’s name?
Ragnar af Gundrun (Ragnar from Gundrun)
2. How old is your character?
35 years.
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
He is large, at nearly 6 feet he towers over most men, move confidently and with a bit of grace. Long blond hair and blue eyes as are typical for Kellids (is it actually?). Rarely if ever seen without a large two handed weapon, nearly never seen without a dagger. Originally pale skin, slighty sun burnt from exposure.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
He has a velvety and pleaseant voice, and is quite tactful, frequently switching into formal modes of address (expect a lot of thou/thee from my part), this is both because manners are a cheap and effective diversionary tactics, and because being well mannered is a pretty good idea if you come from a culture were taking offense leads to violence.
He will frequently speak with adversaries in events to discover the fault lines of their groups, or to even dissolve their coalitions.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?
Ragnars father was one of the Huskarls of Gundruns Jarl, and he was trained in the oratory (by the cities Chief Skald) and in violence (by his father) from an early age.
The chief Skald, "Holstam snake in the eye" , was a Nocticulan Cultist all along, but did not need much to set young Ragnar upon his path of heresy. For some, recounting the 30 demon lords she has slain is quite sufficient.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
His mother died giving birth to him. Which did not endear him to his father. Who died from complications of scoring a critical hit on a Gibrileth, with a bite attack.
7. Do you have any other family or friends?
He has a younger half sister, from his fathers second marriage, who turned out to be an Asimar and was the apple to his fathers eye.
Ragnar never saw eye to eye with his step mother, but got along reasonably well with his half sister.
While preaching in Storms End, he struck close friendship with 2 twin warriors (Agni and Magni, both died when he was taken), as well as with the scout Joerdis (Agnis and Magnis little sister), who is still at large and with whom he was intimate.
Avenging Agni and Magni is a serious deal for him as he does not wish to face Joerdis without having avenged them.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids?
Single, romantically involved but well, both he and his prospect are in their own way cultists of our Lady in Shadow. No Kids.
9. What is your character’s alignment?
Chaotic Neutral, trending chaotic evil.
10. What is your character’s moral code?
-- Peace is an illusion, a thinly woven blanket for fools and cowards afraid or unable to face reality. I am always ready and willing to do violence, but I know that violence is only one tool out of many.
-- Deeds and the will to fight matter, words can support and aid, but cannot bring victory on their own. I pray to the Lord and the Lady with my blades and claws, not with my mouth, unless my mouth has fangs as sharp as your sword.
-- I do not fear my peers, nor do I tremble before my foes. I will accept any challenge from an equal that they offer. Should such a challenge be a duel, I will let none interfere.
-- Vengeance is a goal, but also a luxury. To leave an insult unawnsered is to show weakness, to avenge oneselfs on ones betters is to show strength. If the finalizing this vengeance takes time, then so be it.
-- It is the lot of the weak to serve the strong. If I take prisoners, I may enslave or enthrall them. If there is strength hidden in them, I may reforge them into my vasalls.
-- I never perform a service without the promise of reward. Should this promise be broken, I will avenge this insult.
-- I will strike my foes with the guile and stealth of midnight and the fury and strength of slaughter unchained, no tools is to be left unused in war and murder.
11. Does your character have goals?
Yes, kill Deskari and/or Baphomet. Golarion needs to show its teeth, before it becoming part of the Abyss is permissable.
12. Is your character religious?
Quite, he is curiously respectfull (for essentially a cultist of Nocticula) of good aligned martial deities (f.e. Ragathiel, Iomedae, Desna due to her killing Aolar) and of other entities with a track record of getting things done (Dispater, Moloch, Asmodeus).
Respectfull means that he will see adherents of such faith as possible sources of "challenge from an equal", not that he would ever bow or kneel before them.
He is a pretty faithfull adherent of his own creed of "The Lord and the Lady", but does not expect others to conform to his ideals, certainly not before he demonstrated the superiority of his ideals over theirs by both deed and word.
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs?
In one sentence, only the will to fight can save you/bring you victory.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
He is, in some ways, aggressively pro-social and often seeks to resolve issues in an unexpected manner. However, he is immensely vengefull, and while Weregild is a thing (and could also be paid to smooth other insults), he often ends up demanding satisfaction by blood and death.
He does appreciate poetry, beauty and art.
15. Why does your character adventure?
Neccessity. If nothing is done, Golarion will fall to Deskari, becoming a mere appendix to the endless swarm that will produce no strength, no bravery, no poetry and nothing of any value other then as foodstuff to the lord of locusts. Yet, the inevitablity of falling to the Abyss does not preclude seeking a more interesting, amendable, powerfull and attractive patron. And replacing the Lord of Locusts with her.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
A trial, by force, by guile, by strength and by resilence, to determine the fate of a plane. He will pass it.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
An incredibly full and easy to remember Bariton voice. His size is also fairly distinctive.
18. How does your character get along with others?
Surprisingly well, as long as they "pull their weight".
In battle, he would see his comrades as members of his warband, if feasible, they are assets to be protected. Should that fail, they can with good reason expect him to avenge them.
He does not insist on being the leader, but will generally speaking consider himself a good fit for it.
If a mutual pledge is given, he will guard their lives, their dignities, their possessions and their secrets as long as they pledge the same to him.
19. Is there anything that your character hates?
The thing he hates most is hypocrisy. He also disdains those who choose to be weak, if they could have been strong instead.
20. Is there anything that your character fears?
Helplessness and weakness.
He also fears (and desires because who doesnt) Nocticula, for he was completely helpless before her when she graced him with a dream vision of the her strength, and of the glories (and perils) of Alyushinyrra. At least he thinks it was Nocticula.