[PGRiS] Night of the Walking Dead PF1 (closed)

Game Master djpika

A converted session of Night of the Walking Dead.

Hello hello. I recall a discussion of whether we'd start at 1st or 2nd level, and perhaps usage of some 3pp, but what did you have in mind for the rest of the build parameters? Ability-score point buy, background skills, etc.

I think keeping it simple and using PFS rules for the rest is fine - 20 point buy, 2 traits, static HP per die, etc. PGRiS seems most comfortable in that zone so using that as the baseline should get us running sooner rather than later.

Sounds right.

Hello! PaleDim invited me to join. This sounds like it'll be fun!

Welcome and thanks for joining!

While we wait for more to join, are there any character build questions? What are folks leaning towards?

So you mentioned "3rd party material" in the Discord channel. People have different ideas about what content is in-bounds (there's a lot out there).

I'm a big fan of Dreamscarred Press' stuff (Psionics for PF1E) and also Dropdead Studios' Spheres of Power.

Most Spheres games I've been in were super high powered and I've liked the idea of trying out an Incanter at a more basic power level (closer to PFS).

No worries if you don't want to deal with that though.

I like to keep my 3pp isolated to prevent ridiculous interactions. It's probably easiest to say one source/book, but sometimes a 3pp class spans multiple products. For example, additional class related feats are ok. I'm ok with Dreamscarred Press' Psionics and DDS' Spheres of Power. Things I would say no to are things like the godlings. It's easier to say just check before hand than try to build a comprehensive list.

I haven't delved into 3pp yet, so I don't anticipate choosing anything wild. I'll ask first if I lean toward anything that's not PFS sanctioned.

Don't feel obligated to. I just thought I'd offer the option since the adventure isn't PFS supported; it's a good chance to try some stuff out.

Hello People, I am in!

Thinking straight-laced paladin of Iomedae, who is ... not without humor.

(Either vanilla 1e paladin OR Oath against Undead)

When are we starting, GM rel20?

I'd like to start as soon as the group is ready, given that Halloween is just around the corner and that was the impetus for the session. That said, we need at least 1 more. I've messaged Dusk but I have yet to hear back. If anyone here would like to invite someone, please feel free to do so. I believe the group may know more common players within the PBP community; ideally, the slot goes to someone that folks are already comfortable playing with.

I haven't settled on a class yet, but I'm thinking my character will be a mom of teens who's *had it* with their attitude, but hasn't found a way to release all her pent-up frustration. I'm debating whether or not to use the cliche of skinning a mace as a rolling pin and a small shield as a frying pan.

So basically Molly Weasley?

Heheh! Almost. I'm leaning toward a dwarven warpriest of Torag. I like the Protection blessing.

I'm starting to put together a concept for a character who is a bit of an occult obsessive. A tinkerer in the macabre. Where others experience terror and gruesome experience in encountering death and the undead, this character takes curious interest. He finds it practical to make use of nearby bodies to erect a measure of deterrent for his foes.

I'm not planning this as an evil character, more just one curious about aspects of death.

Sounds good. Feel free to start/post characters. We'll go with level 2 for this since it looks like we'll be a party of 4. I still haven't heard back from Dusk, so I'll ask around some of the others.

@GM PaleDim - FYI, this concept will expose your character to some of the additional campaign/setting rules; more than the rest. If you haven't played a Ravenloft game before, then this might be a good way to get exposure to them. The closest analogue would be the Corruptions rule set. I just wanted to give the heads up to make sure you're ok with this.

hmm, could be a fun struggle. use the bodies for good practical utility, but resist the evil.

Or are you also saying the corruption will win? :P

Are we going with PFS standard starting gold per level? And when you say "static HP per die"--I haven't encountered that before. What does it mean?

PFS gold and hit points per level. Static is just a reference to them being set as opposed to rolled/random. If you opt for no third party content, it’s pretty much PFS rules for a 2nd level character.

hmm, could be a fun struggle. use the bodies for good practical utility, but resist the evil.

Or are you also saying the corruption will win? :P

If this were a campaign, I would say that the corruption would probably win out at the end. As a single adventure, you might get exposed to one. Willingly committing truly deplorable acts are guaranteed though.

I hope this isn’t too vague but I don’t want to take away from the initial experience of the setting for the first time.

@Yours is mine - I think you’ve played a Ravenloft game before, so maybe you can add your thoughts here?

Since it looks like there is some movement with the PGRiS group, are folks still interested in this? Or is it too much?

I'm interested. (Warah). I just have to buy equipment and generate a character sheet for this character.

If we proceeded we will still need one more, correct? I'm certainly down to continue :)

Ok, let's continue to move forward then. One more is definitely needed. I guess I could move to open recruitment if we need to...

I know I haven't posted a character but if we do get a fourth player I can actually do that in pretty short order. I've got him planned out, just haven't typed up typed up the profile for the boards here.

I posted in the main recruitment forum but only had one interested person that kind of fizzled out. We could (1) start with the three here just to get things moving and continue to try to find a 4th, (2) delay this until we find our 4th, or (3) be a little less picky with the 4th.

What class(es) are you leaning towards?

Warpriest. Here's her profile.

I'm still planning on the Incanter, who dabbles enough in death magic to raise some bodies.

I wouldn't suggestion option 1. For option 3, what does "less picky" mean? :D

@Warah - mechanics look fine at a glance.

@GM PaleDim - I guess just recruit anybody from the main recruitment thread and/or Discord?

Whatever works best for you guys.

It looks like one of my current players found the recruitment thread here:

https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43pkm?LF1-more-for-a-PF1-conversion-of-Night-o f-the#5

If folks are ok, I'll ask him to join here. Posting 1/day was a concern of his, but I'm guessing folks here won't mind.

Won't mind at all. With a fourth player found, I'll finish up my character profile by the end of this weekend.

Sounds good to me.

Let's aim to have characters by the end of this weekend. Starting anytime before Thanksgiving sounds like extra stress no one needs.

You are very wise, my friend.

Greetings everyone, this is DM rel20's other player from his current 3pp Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands game. As directed, I'll be making my PbP game-acquaintances with you all, ready and able to help spread all the 3pp love for PF1e. ;)

Now admittedly, it's been a few years since I've last played in PFS over in RL at a FLGS in the past, so I'm not really all that up on some of the more recent Organized Play nomenclature and stuff. I do remember though that all the magical-item crafting feats did get replaced in general for PFS characters however since those got awarded through Prestige Points or PFS Chronicle Sheets for treasure and experience.

As I've mentioned in the alternate LfP for this Ravenloft adaptation, I was thinking of going with either the 3pp class of the Malefex, which kinda plays similar to a spell-less Mesmerist that has more Rogue-type skills and talents, and the 3pp Psionics [as envisioned by the D&D 3.5 points style of Psionics] class of the Cryptic, which plays like a hybrid mix of a Rogue-type and the Warlock Vigilante, in particular, with short-ranged touch attack options. :)

Now in the course of looking thru at the Cryptic Archetypes that trade-out the Scribe [psionic] Tattoo feat, I happened upon the firearm-wielding Grammaton Archetype and the Non-PFS approved Spell Cartridges feat and came up with a weirdly inspired testing Human Multiclass of the Arcane Duelist Bard and the Grammaton Cryptic; figured I should run this by everyone though since it is kind of 'off-the-beaten' track, so to speak.

In keeping with the 3pp themes, I could go with Rogue Genius Games' 3pp class of Vanguard instead of the Arcane Duelist Bard as well. Otherwise, I can just lean on the more standard types of curse-giving Malefex or Cryptic with a different archetype as full 2nd level characters too. ;)

Now part of the mindset of why I went with something like Arcane Duelist Bard/3pp Vanguard, instead of something along the lines of a Magus archetype or spell-casting Vigilante archetype was mostly so that the gonzo-track proposed character could get a free Arcane Strike outta the deal- that way, Spell Cartridges could be taken as well as Weapon Finesse.

Otherwise, by dint of being human, the gonzo-track character could easily pick just Arcane Strike and Spell Cartridges as a 1st level feat choice but an arcane casting class is still required though for the Spell Cartridges feat to work.

Now if there's any overlap with other player character concepts, or the GM themselves, DM rel20, would not want to even begin to deal with that, or even if any of the other players aren't too keen or aren't on board with this strange oddball concept, then I've absolutely no problem with dropping this tangent and moving onto an entirely different character build. :)

PS. Also coming up with an idea of a Tengu Malefex that has to keep his Cap of Human Guise on at all times; mebbe a Changeling could be used instead, foregoing the need for the cap though. Alternatively, I could probably lean more into the Psionics side of things with a standard Cryptic as well.

If the GM's fine with it, I say knock my socks off. I have no experience with 3pp stuff yet; maybe playing with some wild ones will whet my appetite.

It's my understanding that while we're keeping our builds "PFS close" or "PFS adjacent" that this won't actually be a PFS game per the use of 3pp. So I don't think anything beyond the basic PFS build parameters matters here. So, I'm guessing it's GM permission for things that would normally be allowed via chronicles.

I have some limited knowledge of 3pp: longtime fan of Dreamscarred Press' stuff, got into Spheres in the last year or so.

I've (mostly) made an Incanter, so I'm filling (roughly) the "mage" role, but with a character who dabbles in the undead. He expects to make uses of spare bodies laying around. I don't think that overlaps at all with what you described.

My character is a warpriest. She'll be a frontliner.

It's my understanding that while we're keeping our builds "PFS close" or "PFS adjacent" that this won't actually be a PFS game per the use of 3pp. So I don't think anything beyond the basic PFS build parameters matters here. So, I'm guessing it's GM permission for things that would normally be allowed via chronicles.

I have some limited knowledge of 3pp: longtime fan of Dreamscarred Press' stuff, got into Spheres in the last year or so.

I've (mostly) made an Incanter, so I'm filling (roughly) the "mage" role, but with a character who dabbles in the undead. He expects to make uses of spare bodies laying around. I don't think that overlaps at all with what you described.

This. This isn't a PFS game so there are no chronicles involved. Thus there won't be any society related fame or reputation points.

Character wealth for a 2nd level character is 1,000 GP. PFS doesn't really allow for higher level character creation AFAIK, so we'll just use CRB wealth by level table.

I should note that the main reason for running this was to run a horror themed adventure to match the season. Because the adventure isn't written by Paizo, I could allow players to experiment a little bit, but it was not my intention for this to be the focus. As a horror adventure from 2E, there are traditional silver screen and Victorian (a lot of gothic horror was written during the Victorian era) tropes in place, which will make gonzo selections very difficult to play. Most of the populations are isolated, hunted, and persecuted. They will form witch hunts for things that are different or taboo.

For backstory, I plan on using the PFS framework for bringing the group together; players will be Pathfinder or aspiring Pathfinder members given orders from a Venture Captain. So don't worry too much about why the group is adventuring together. But motivations and fears should definitely be considered.

What languages are relevant in this setting?

Common will be good enough. There's region specific languages, but there really isn't a reason to know it unless you've been there before... it'll make more sense as it unfolds.

I guess a case could be made for Linguistics if you want to adapt on the fly...

Okay. Asking for the INT-bonus languages that I don't rightly know how to spend :D

Alrighty, here is PaleDim's character except languages and equipment.

Also, I'll do a little writeup on appearance/behavior (and perhaps limited background).

If the GM's fine with it, I say knock my socks off. I have no experience with 3pp stuff yet; maybe playing with some wild ones will whet my appetite.

That's the spirit, Warah, and I'll try my best to put on a decent showing for the 3pp side of things. ;)

It's my understanding that while we're keeping our builds "PFS close" or "PFS adjacent" that this won't actually be a PFS game per the use of 3pp. So I don't think anything beyond the basic PFS build parameters matters here. So, I'm guessing it's GM permission for things that would normally be allowed via chronicles.

I have some limited knowledge of 3pp: longtime fan of Dreamscarred Press' stuff, got into Spheres in the last year or so.

Fair enough, GM PaleDim; admittedly, my playing of PF1e has been on and off, so there may be a bit on the rules side that I'll get fuzzy on now and then. As for the 3pp [or even 2pp stuff like Paizo's Vampire Hunter D, Dynamite's Worldscape PF content, and Paizo's Niobe sourcebooks, for that matter], some of the 3pp classes seem easier for me to wrap my head around than compared to others. The Cryptic being on good example of that; before that I'd gravitate to something like a Soulknife or Aegis, then I'd get an epiphany about another class, like the Malefex or Cryptic, after mulling over on it some.

The Spheres of Might and Power do seem interesting though- if I've got my reading correct on them, they offer more along the lines of customizable spell-like abilities/Schools-Bloodlines-Domains/Ki powers for Power and customizable Talents and abilities with Might. ;)

I've (mostly) made an Incanter, so I'm filling (roughly) the "mage" role, but with a character who dabbles in the undead. He expects to make uses of spare bodies laying around. I don't think that overlaps at all with what you described.

Warah wrote:

My character is a warpriest. She'll be a frontliner.

Figured I'll be giving everyone a choice between choosing 2 characters that I came up with, a Gonzo Multiclass Bard/Cryptic or a more standard type Malefex. The Multiclass definitely leans in on some non-PFS choices, like having partially charged Wands/Dorjes or using feats like Spell-Cartridges, which never got made into a legal option, unless there's a chronicle sheet out there that awards such. The Malefex ends up being a bit more within the bounds of actual PFS legalities, apart from the chosen 3pp class itself. :)

I'd probably place both the Gonzo Human Multiclass Arcane Duelist Bard/Grammaton Cryptic and the Standard Tengu Malefex as being narrowly-skilled with traps/stealthing with some buffering abilities/aiding/spells from the Gonzo Multiclass and debuffing from the Malefex. Knowledge skills really weren't utilized for either choices too. Both characters lean in on the use of Weapon Finesse, although their ranged combat options or really high damage might not be too great for either compared to a dedicated ranged attacker. ;)

I should note that the main reason for running this was to run a horror themed adventure to match the season. Because the adventure isn't written by Paizo, I could allow players to experiment a little bit, but it was not my intention for this to be the focus. As a horror adventure from 2E, there are traditional silver screen and Victorian (a lot of gothic horror was written during the Victorian era) tropes in place, which will make gonzo selections very difficult to play. Most of the populations are isolated, hunted, and persecuted. They will form witch hunts for things that are different or taboo.

The Gonzo Multiclass Human is fairly normal, save that he's got some oddly strange styles of tattoos on his person and uses a non-standard, new-fangled firearm; his personality should be fairly standard- and he has a donkey/mule to help with encumbrance issues. The Tengu Malefex though- he's a bit of an odd 'duck', so to speak, referring himself in the 3rd person and singing/cawing out his curses. Not as well-equipped as his Gonzo Multiclass counterpart, he has to spend much of hia time in the guise of a human child [if even gnomes or halflings get looked upon with suspicion] via a magical cap. His ability to causes curses upon his foes might not endear him to the general population but... certain elements, if it exists at all, may find his curse-giving powers lively enough. ;p

And without further ado, allow me to present you all with both choices of 3pp characters.

If one of them would serve the party better or another would seem to be a much better fit for the group, then- by all means- please do choose who'd you want to have on your team. ;)

Gonzo Multiclass Man:

"Can't rightly recall if I got my gun loaded today or not. Doesn't matter though... I'm still taking that shot."

Praxis Prukksen, TN Human/Industrious Male L1 Bard/Arcane Duelist, L1 Cryptic/Grammaton and his Donkey/Mule Beast of Burden, Cuthbert.

Str13, Dex14/16, Con12, Int16[14base], Wis12, Cha13

HP=15, AC=16/17; TAC=12/13; FFAC=14, FCB:Cryptic=Skills

Fort=2; Refl=7; Will=5, +3 Initv, Mv30', +1 CMB, 14 CMD

Bard Spells: Concentration +4

0=Ghost sound, Prestidgtn, Read Magic, Vac-Vessel
1=Jury-Rig, Waterproof

Bard: Bardic Perf=5/day;standard [distraction/fascinate/inspire courage+1/rallying cry]

Cryptic=2 PP, 1 grit, Concentration +4

0=My light, Psionic repair
1=Metamorphosis, minor

Cryptic: Altered defense, Disrupt pattern/Humanoid=1d6+3 via pistol, Trapfinding=+1 Perc/DisDev, Trapmaker+1

17 Skills: +7/6 Acrobatic=1, +8 Craft:Alchemy=1, +10 Craft:Firearm=2, +6 Craft:Trap=1, +10/11 Disable Device=2, +7/6 Esc-Art=1, +2 Hnd-Aml=1, +6 Intimd=2, +7 K:Psi=1, +6/7 Percep=2, +4 Perf=Oratory=1, +7 Spellcr=1, +7/6 Stealth=1

Feats: Amat. Gunslinger=Quick Clear, Arcane Strike, Gunsmith., 1=Wpn.Fitness., HB=Spell Cartr.

Traits: Just Like New;C, Northern Ances.=Cold Resist2;Camp-RoW

Lang: Common, Draconic, Elf, Dwarf

Equip: Mwk Pistol=150gp;4-lb, CIron Sawback Gladius=35gp;3-lb, ASilver Kunai=22gp;2-lb, Whip=1gp;2-lb, Mwk Buckler=155gp;5-lb, Bulette Lthr=50gp;20-lbs, Dorje/Elfsight [5c] =75gp, Wand/CLW [10c]=150gp, Mwk ThvTools=100gp;2-lb, Alchemy Craft Kit=25gp;5-lb[-], Cat Burglar Kit=15gp; 12-lb= include mw bkpk [4-lb], 50'silk rope[-], etc., [Free Explorer Outfit=-;8-lb], Gunsmith Kit=15gp;2-lb[-], Port. Alchemy Lab=75gp;20-lb[-], Powderhorn=3gp;1-lb, Spell-Compnt. Pouch=5gp;2-lb, Waterskin=1gp;4-lb, Flint/steel=1gp, 3 Bullets=1gp/each, 4 Dose/Blk.Powder=10gp/each, 3 Alchem. Cartr/Paper=12gp/each, Candlelamp=5gp;1-lb[-], Mule: 'Cuthbert'=8gp, Packsaddle=5gp;-, Anml-Harness=2gp;-, 1 ASilver Bullet, Wpncord [gun]=1sp, Waterproof bag=5sp;0.5-lb, Bedroll=5sp;5-lb[-], Bandolier=5sp, Winter. blnk=5sp;3-lb[-], Poncho=5sp;2-lb, Messkit=2sp;1-lb[-], Dandybrush=2sp;2-lb[-], Feed:x5=25cp[-], Twine=1cp;0.5-lb, Wandermeal=x9=9cp;4.5-lb[-],
Candles=x5=5cp, Acid flask=10gp;1-lb, 10'foldpole=2sp;10-lb[-], Alchem.kindness=1gp.

Coins=6gp;4sp left

Enc=57-lb [lite; rest carried by Cuthbert/Mule]

CarryCap[str14]=58/116/175

====

"Baby-sitting" a Tengu Malefex:

"Hah! Chuufa says that luck's not with ya!"

Chuufa, CG or CN? Tengu/Carrionsense Male L2 Malefex and his Pet Sheep, Levandrie

Racial: [Lowlight; +2 Percep/Stealth; Swordtrain; Bite=1d3; Carrionsense]

Str14, Dex16[14base], Con12[8base], Int10, Wis16[14base], Cha10

BAB=1, CMB=3, CMD=16, AC=17, TAC=13, FFAC=14

Init=+3, HP=15, FCB=Skill, Fort=4, Refl=9, Will=6

Malefex:

2 Least Malefactions [120', x4/day, DC=14]: Glued Boots, Baleful Glare

1 Knock: Make Do

Trapfinding= +1 DisDev, Perc/traps

Wrack= +1 hit, +3 damaged vs. cursed enemies

Skin= +3 Fort/Refl

Psychic Skill Unlocks= automatic

14 Skills: +7 Acrob=1, +4 Appr=1, +4 Bluff=1, +6 Climb=1, +10/8 DisDev=2, +7 Esc-Art=1,+10 Percep=2, +7 Smotiv=1, +7 SltoHand=1, +9 Stealth=1, +6 Swim=1, +1 Hnd-Aml=1

Feat: Wpn-Finesse

Traits: Armor Expert;C, Destined for Greatness;R

Lang: Common, Tengu

Equipment: CIron Sawback Aldori-Duel. Sword=45gp;3-lb; +1 hit, Lamellar Leather Armor=60gp;25-lb;-acp, Cap of Human Disguise=800gp, [Free: Rogue Kit=-;37-lb, Explorer Outfit=-/8-lb], Sling=-, ASilver Travel. Kettle=25gp;2-lb, CIron Kunai=4gp;2-lb, Shortbow=30gp;2-lb, 10 ASilver Bullets=20gp,1sp;5-lb, 20 CIron Arrows=2gp;3-lbs, Sheep "Levandrie" =2gp;-, Packsaddle=5gp;-, Bit&Bridle=2gp;-, Dandybrush=2sp;[-], x2 Feed=1sp;[-], Small Shears=5sp;[-]

Coin=4gp,1sp left

Enc Wt=47-lbs [lite; rest carried by Levandrie/Sheep]

CarryCap:15str=66/134/200