Council of Thieves/Savage Worlds

Game Master mikeawmids

OOC thread for Council of Thieves/Savage Worlds.

Tiefling

• Low Light Vision
  
• Outsider (minor)
  
• Horns (natural weapon, STR+d4)
  
• Elemental Resistance (Fire)

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Campaign Traits

Each PC can select one free Campaign Trait/Edge, based on the Player's Guide, in addition to any edges they gained during character creation.

Child of Infamy: Gain the Fame edge.
Conspiracy Hunter: Gain the Investigator edge.
Diabolist Raised: You can use your Occult skill for Networking rolls, representing how you are able to commune with devils.
Infernal Bastard (prerequisite: Tiefling): Gain the Arcane Background (Gifted) edge and the Darkness power.
Shadow Child: Ignore 2 points of Illumination penalties.
The Pathfinder's Exile: Begin with a Wayfinder in your possession, granting +2 to Survival skills to navigate/determine direction.
Westcrown Firebrand: Gain the Improvisational Fighter edge.

Are there any skills that are "essential" for this setting? For example, in a Deadlands (wild west) game, I started with a PC that had no Riding or Survival skills, and the DM's asked for those rolls a whole lot, and I'm really hurting. I guess what I'm asking is, what skills (if any) are most needed for (non-combat) basic survival in this setting?

Also, what's the "tech level" - are there guns, for example? Steam power? Or is it a medieval-type setting?

Thanks!

My bad, I assumed anyone posting on the Paizo boards would have a working knowledge of the setting, but I realise now that may not actually be the case.

Here is a link to the PathfinderWiki entry for Cheliax.

Council of Thieves is predominately an urban setting, set in/around the city of Westcrown. You'll be playing a resistance cell working against thuggish guards and corrupt diabolists. There are no useless/dump skills, and any skills you do pick up I will strive to make feel useful. Nothing really stands out as an 'essential' skill for this particular Adventure Path.

I would previously have said Performance, due to certain events in Book 2 of the AP, but that section has seen a rewrite, so it may not play out as written. Performance is still a solid choice, just no longer vital to the continuation of the path.

Stealth, Combat and some Networking capability would be useful, which is vague enough a statement to be borderline unhelpful, lol. :D

If you are a Westcrown native, tech levels are standard fantasy weapons/armour, but Golarion is a varied setting with differing tech levels across the world. If your character is from the Shackles, he could feasibly have access to blackpowder weapons, if they are from Alkenstar or Numeria, they could have equipment that is borderline futuristic, but I'd request that players not to get too crazy at this early stage. :)

I have my art concept in place.

Character Art

I'm thinking something on the 'Brainy Rogue' side of things.

Thanks ZenFox.

I'm not really expecting to recreate all the specifics of a Pathfinder class like Bard, etc. It' more of a tool for thinking about things as I sort through all the Edges and so forth.

Great art, very evocative and a good fit for this setting!

The best piece of advice I have read regarding running PF (or D&D, I suppose) in Savage Worlds is too not get too hung up on recreating the mechanics of the system, and focus instead on the broad themes.

Here are the links to the articles, which might prove interesting, insofar as they have guided my approach to the conversion of this AP.

link1

link2

Just curious (since I'm probably going to go with the idea of a ninja), but if a PC wanted to use a firearm (having come from some other place in Golarion), could that be an Edge? If so, would it be more like a musket rifle (multiple rounds to reload), or could there be cartridge shells?

I wouldn't necessarily make it an Edge, as blackpowder weapons come with Reload 3 as standard, which seems like enough of a deterrent right out of the gate. If memory serves, infamous pirates in the real world used to have, like, six loaded pistols strapped to their chests in battle, since it wasn't feasible to reload them in the thick of battle. I'd possibly consider new edges to reduce reload time on blackpowder weapons, if that was the direction a player character wanted to go. There might already be edges I can steal from 50 Fathoms, I'd have to check.

MoFiddy here. I'm going through the character creation steps in SWADE. I'm sure I'll have questions along the way. :)

Is this the pdf from the Pathfinder for Savage Worlds kickstarter?

link

It is, but I wasn't planning on using that for this particular game. For this game, we'll be using the Savage Worlds Adventure Edition only.

Here's my PC, please give her a look-over and let me know what you think. I created her for another game, and I essentially used the same backstory, but I can change it if it doesn't fit into this setting.

Is there any other particular information you want in the PC's title "header" (the list of stats just below her name)?

Just a heads-up to everyone : someone needs to have Healing! My PC has the skill, but just at d4. The skill is ok, but if anyone has an AB, you can cast a Heal spell on the same person multiple times (as opposed to the Skill, which you can only try once per person per wound)!

Here's my PC, please give her a look-over and let me know what you think. I created her for another game, and I essentially used the same backstory, but I can change it if it doesn't fit into this setting.

Is there any other particular information you want in the PC's title "header" (the list of stats just below her name)?

Just a heads-up to everyone : someone needs to have Healing! My PC has the skill, but just at d4. The skill is ok, but if anyone has an AB, you can cast a Heal spell on the same person multiple times (as opposed to the Skill, which you can only try once per person per wound)!

I'm new to savage worlds...what does AB mean?

Hello, I will try and build the character today.

Moves With Grace wrote:

Here's my PC, please give her a look-over and let me know what you think. I created her for another game, and I essentially used the same backstory, but I can change it if it doesn't fit into this setting.

Is there any other particular information you want in the PC's title "header" (the list of stats just below her name)?

Just a heads-up to everyone : someone needs to have Healing! My PC has the skill, but just at d4. The skill is ok, but if anyone has an AB, you can cast a Heal spell on the same person multiple times (as opposed to the Skill, which you can only try once per person per wound)!

I'm new to savage worlds...what does AB mean?

AB = Arcane Background, ie: Magic, Miracles, Weird Science, etc....

@ Moves With Grace: I'm out with my F2F game group tonight, but I'll look over your character when I get back.

I have the Savage Worlds Deluxe Explorer's Edition and the Fantasy Companion.

I am not sure what changes there are between the Explorer's Edition and the Adventure Edition, but I believe its just the main book.

What races were you allowing? Since the books list Atlantean, Saurian, Avion, Rakashan, etc.

The system is generally unchanged, any discrepancies that pop up in play will be resolved as/when.

I am allowing any races that could feasibly be found in Golarion. Saurian become Lizardfolk, Rakashan become Catfolk, Atlantean become Merpeople, etc....

Here's my PC, please give her a look-over and let me know what you think. I created her for another game, and I essentially used the same backstory, but I can change it if it doesn't fit into this setting.

Is there any other particular information you want in the PC's title "header" (the list of stats just below her name)?

Just a heads-up to everyone : someone needs to have Healing! My PC has the skill, but just at d4. The skill is ok, but if anyone has an AB, you can cast a Heal spell on the same person multiple times (as opposed to the Skill, which you can only try once per person per wound)!

Looking good. The only query I have is regarding Toughness 9 (2). Vigor d8/2=4+2=6+2(armour)=8(2). I can't see how you got it up to 9(2), but I may have overlooked something. Your backstory is fine and gives Moves With Grace a reason to fight alongside the Children of Westcrown.

EDIT: Have you already included the +1 TN from Brawler, maybe?

EDIT 2: Also, don't forget your free Campaign Trait.

Arcane Background (Gifted) is new to me. How many power points and spells do you get with it?

Gifted is the old SWD "Super Powers" - you get 1 spell, and 15 PP. It essentially gives you one magic ability that you can use a lot.

There are actually quite a few changes between SWD and SWADE, such as the skill list has changed a lot, and you get a d4 in several skills for free now. Charisma as a bonus to rolls is gone, it now allows a re-roll on Persuasion. Magic in general has gotten a big boost (longer spell durations, quicker PP recharge, and several other things I can't think of off the top of my head).

It really might be worth investing the $10 or so in a SWADE PDF.

EDIT: Have you already included the +1 TN from Brawler, maybe?

EDIT 2: Also, don't forget your free Campaign Trait.

Yeah, in the old game that character got several of my "future advancements", one of which was Brawler. I removed the changes from the Strength and Focus advancements, but for some reason I didn't think about Brawler at all (I get distracted easily). Thanks for the catch! I also set her hand attack back to Str+d4.

I'm taking the Shadow Child Trait.

I updated my profile with some character crunch. Here is a link to a Google Doc I created to track attribute points, skills, etc.

Link to Google Doc

Please take a look and let me know what you think.

Hello, this is the submission for Malinor.

I'm hoping to have something up for review (and it may need a lot of review) today. It's been a busier than usual week, and figuring out character building has been a piecemeal effort.

I'm looking at prioritizing Agility and Smarts the most, and going for a slippery, nosey character with one foot in the gritty, declass end of theatrical life and the other in petty crime.

Picking up skills like fighting, performance, thievery, and stealth.

Edges are maybe Alertness and Free Runner.

If we end up with no one having healing, I would consider going from Magic to Miracle and taking Healing. It would not change much.

I will work on a backstory tomorrow.

Hello, this is the submission for Malinor.

Looking good. I had to check rule, re: worn armour stacking with natural armour, but you are absolutely rules legal. :)

Yeah, it all stacks, including Protection. I can be a super tank. For a few rounds anyway.

I do have a question about the Burst. A Dragon's Breath Weapon sounded super fun and thematic, but it uses the Cone Template instead of 3.5/Pathfinders set dimensions. I wondered if you could let me know how you planned to set up the templates and maps? Thanks. :)

Sobok / Malinor - I haven't checked your numbers, but you have five Hindrances, whereas 2-3 is the usual maximum. You can take more Hindrances if you want for roleplaying, but you can only get 4 "Hindrance Points" total (2 for a Major, 1 for a Minor). If you used more than 4 Hindrance Points, you'll have to change something.

Also, the notation convention for Toughness is "total(armor)", so you'd be 10(4).

I updated the permissions on my Google doc.

Question about Edges. I am human, so I get a free Novice Edge. Other than taking Hindrances, how else do you aquire Edges at character creation?

I have the correct number of Hindrances. 1 Major (Curious) and and 2 Minor (Loyal and Minor Delusion). The other items in the section are Racial traits that also happen to be Hindrances.

I updated the permissions on my Google doc.

Question about Edges. I am human, so I get a free Novice Edge. Other than taking Hindrances, how else do you aquire Edges at character creation?

During character creation, you can select Hindrances. Each Major Hindrance grants +2 advancement points, each Minor Hindrance grants 1 advancement point. You can use 2 points to buy a new Edge, among other things.

Yeah, it all stacks, including Protection. I can be a super tank. For a few rounds anyway.

I do have a question about the Burst. A Dragon's Breath Weapon sounded super fun and thematic, but it uses the Cone Template instead of 3.5/Pathfinders set dimensions. I wondered if you could let me know how you planned to set up the templates and maps? Thanks. :)

I was planning to use the Templates without Miniatures guidelines on p97 of SWADE. For example, a cone template would encompass three targets.

Here is Sobok's

Do you have a timeline for when we might start the game?

Do you have a timeline for when we...

The Gameplay thread is live, you can start posting at any time. :)

This is my first shot at PbP for a looooong while, so apologies now for any teething pains or errors on my part.

The other items in the section are Racial traits that also happen to be Hindrances.

D'oh! I completely forgot that different races often have their own Hindrances, sorry!

mikeawmids - Sobok offered to take Miracles instead of the Magic AB so he could take Healing. But core SWADE allows any AB to take any spell. So my question is, how "Pathfinder" is this game? Would he have to change his AB, or could he just swap one spell out for Healing?

Just swap it out if that is more fun for everyone. I imagine I am gonna' kill a lot of sacred cows during this game, so might as well get started. :D

Ok, I will switch out Smite for Healing.

Here's my first complete try at my character. I'd very much appreciate any feedback. Looking at the other characters it seems we have magic and combat fairly well covered, so I'm going for a character to cover what seems to be less well covered. Sanchia is more of a people person, perceptive with social skills. She's also slippery, knows her way around in low company, and is a decent thief if that's what's currently putting food on the table.

She should be some help in combat, but won't come into her own there until later.

I think I'm done with my character. Please take a look at let me know if I made any mistakes.

I have my profile updated with my information, but here is a Google Doc I used to track everything before updating the alias' profile.

Google Doc

I think I'm done with my character. Please take a look at let me know if I made any mistakes.

I have my profile updated with my information, but here is a Google Doc I used to track everything before updating the alias' profile.

Google Doc

You don't really need Language as a skill, the general rule of thumb is you know a number of languages equal to half your Smarts die, so in your case, Eoin would read/speak 5x languages fluently. You might want to swap that d4 in Languages over to Fighting, just to boost your Parry, as their will definetely be combat in the adventure.

EDIT: Just noticed, you have a crossbow but no Shooting skill. You can still use it, but you'll be rolling d4-2 (plus wild die d6-2) to make ranged attacks.

Other than that, it looks grand.

Here's my first complete try at my character. I'd very much appreciate any feedback. Looking at the other characters it seems we have magic and combat fairly well covered, so I'm going for a character to cover what seems to be less well covered. Sanchia is more of a people person, perceptive with social skills. She's also slippery, knows her way around in low company, and is a decent thief if that's what's currently putting food on the table.

She should be some help in combat, but won't come into her own there until later.

** spoiler omitted **

I think you have one more skill point to spend.

Feel free to jump in at any time, as though you were in the meeting from the start and had not spoken up until now.

Alright, I added the point to Heal so Sanchia can better earn her keep. Thanks!

Eoin Andor wrote:

I think I'm done with my character. Please take a look at let me know if I made any mistakes.

I have my profile updated with my information, but here is a Google Doc I used to track everything before updating the alias' profile.

Google Doc

You don't really need Language as a skill, the general rule of thumb is you know a number of languages equal to half your Smarts die, so in your case, Eoin would read/speak 5x languages fluently. You might want to swap that d4 in Languages over to Fighting, just to boost your Parry, as their will definetely be combat in the adventure.

EDIT: Just noticed, you have a crossbow but no Shooting skill. You can still use it, but you'll be rolling d4-2 (plus wild die d6-2) to make ranged attacks.

Other than that, it looks grand.

Thanks! I updated my profile.

Here is a link to a players notes file that I created. Feel free to add what you see fit.

Right now anyone can edit. If you all message me your emails, then I can add everyone and remove the global access. I already added you, Mike.

Thankyou for creating Googledoc. You sir, have earned a Benny. :D

Thankyou for creating Googledoc. You sir, have earned a Benny. :D

lol...thanks!

Going forward, I gently request that if one player makes a check and fails, other players please refrain from repeating the exact same check, as this can create create a conga line of people queuing up to search for traps, etc.... By all means, do something, just don't do what the last person failed to do, if you can possibly avoid it, as it diminishes any narrative effects from their failed attempt.

There will likely be exceptions to this ruling, but generally, repeated checks will result in automatic failure, regardless of what you roll.

Thankyou! :)

Question about skills. What does the associated attribute have to do with a particular skill? For example, I have the Spellcasting skill (d10) which is associated with Smarts. If I were to cast a spell, then the roll would be a d10 and a wild d6, taking the highest of the two rolls. How does Smarts impact (if any) my Spellcasting skill?

To raise a skill to a die type higher then the associated stat costs twice as much. That's basically it. So if you smarts is d6 and you wanted d10s it costs 6 points. If you were d10 smarts and wanted d10 Spellcasting it would cost only 4 points.

That and Smarts determines alot of ranges.

Remember that you can use your Bennies to reroll a failed skill check, attack roll, or even weapon/spell damage, if you want to.

Bennies normally refresh at the start of every game session, so in the PBP format, they will probably refresh after every main story beat/side quest.

@mikeawmids, I had a question about the comments on making the same roll. I understand its super silly if we have Sanchia finding traps and then if she botches and finds nothing we all jump in to help where we have not previously distrusted her findings.

But what about situations where it just makes sense that we would all go around doing the same thing? An example being Joe Bob died and we go to look around where he died. Could only the first person make an Investigation check when everyone would be doing what they could to investigate? Or walking down a dark alley can only the first person who mentioned it look for the expected ambush?

If we are going to do the one roll rule we may need to pick out people to focus in certain skills and handle those so that someone untrained doesn't happen to pop in first and do poorly on a roll that someone else might be heavily focused on.