Welcome! Take the next few days to finalize your characters, create aliases, and ask all the questions you want.
Hello Everybody!
I am excited to get the opportunity to explore Erastil's Bounty that is called the Stolen Lands!
Admittedly, Roots-Sink-Deep is only 2 months old, but he makes up for his immaturity and naivete with accidental (although timely) wisdom and pluckiness!
Oh, by the way, altering his chassis to Druid.
Hello everyone! I'm really happy for all of us to play together in this game. I'm already seeing some great roleplaying opportunities within the group.
I'm currently finalizing my character, I think the only thing left is my Primal cantrip. Any advice is welcome!
Thanks for the selection! Looking forward to a fun game. I'll finalize my character sheet and be ready Monday morning.
Thank you, GM Eldest!
Folks, can I suggest before we finalize our characters, we talk about forming a coherent group first? Then we might be able to put finishing touches on that ties us together.
@ All my poor DMs! Heeeey!
@Tarondor mechanically, I am seeing me as Caster, Blaster, Healer (although hoping not the Primary? Another secondary, or 2 would be good).
He will take Herbalist Dedication for Free Archetype. I may squeeze in Archer Dedication, depending on how we are all flowing.
Thinking his skill increases will be Diplomacy, Nature and Survival (I know, but got to give it a go!).
Role-playing-wise, he is only 2 months old. That is reflected in his Int score. He is dutiful, plucky and a bit recklessly wise.
I am very much looking forward to this one!
So. We have:
Lani Bralani -
Female Gnome Witch. Has a pact with the Lantern King and a cat/bird/bat familiar named Glitterbloom .
Roots-Sink-Deep -
Male Leshy Storm Druid/Herbalist. Has a connection to Erastil.
Clementine -
Male Sprite Barbarian (eventually with sorcerer archetype).
Farfadet -
Male Gnome Thaumaturge (eventually with Blessed One archetype). Has a connection to the Lantern King.
Nidintu-Bel -
Male Elf/Tiefling Fighter (eventually with the Mauler archetype). Has a connection to a mysterious power that wants to enforce the River Freedoms.
Trevor86's unknown character -
Halrod -
Male Elf Fighter (archer) and time-traveler. Has a connection to Shyka the Many.
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What this suggests to me is that most of us have some connection to a greater power. I'd urge Hawthwile and Trevor86 to include a connection to the Eldest or some other mysterious power interested in the Stolen Lands in order to make a group theme.
Could our various patrons/interested parties have engineered us all meeting at Restov? Or does it make more sense for us to have known each other previously? I think the latter works well.
Nidintu-Bel comes from Kyonin originally and so does Halrod. How's about we know each other from way back? Honestly, there is no reason a bunch of elves, gnomes and leshies can't have a common background. What if we've all be adventuring together for about a year now and have wandered (seemingly by chance) to Restov? Obviously Roots-Sink-Deep joined us there.
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GM Eldest, would you please open the Gameplay thread? If we dot in (and delete) the campaign will show up in our own Campaign pages.
Here's Halrod. For my extra feat I took "Otherworldly Magic." I'll use that to cast Scatter Scree which could be useful to an archer and reskin it to be stretching and compressing the fabric of time in a concentrated area.
I'm reworking my Proposed Build for levels 2-20 based on the Free Archetype. I'll use the Free Archetype for the Chronoskimmer and plow more fighter feats in to actually hitting stuff with archery.
<Happy Dance>.
@Tarondor - While Nidintu does originally come from Kyonin, he grew in a band of brigands in the River Kingdoms, so he's unlikely to know fellow party members from Kyonin on the basis of their shared homeland.
However, several elements of his backstory are compatible with others' backstories - as a worshipper of Erastil, he may be acquainted with Roots-Sink-Deep, and Nidintu's patron Ng (who he knows next to nothing about) is noted to be a close friend of the Lantern King, so Nidintu may have met the Laughing Lie's champions, Farfadet and Lani.
I figure that each of you have at some point been harassed, warned, bothered by The Hunter for Erastil in these parts...lol.
GM Eldest:
I want to make whether this: "Free archetype at level 2" means we're getting a single archetype dedication at 2nd level or that (per the Free Archetype Variant Rule) we're getting "an extra class feat at 2nd level and every even level thereafter that they can use only for archetype feats"?
Relationships within the group
That's an excellent idea to tie the group together before we start! A far as Farfadet is concerned, he wandered a lot in his teenage/early adulthood years, in the wilds for the most part. So he's bound to have run into some of you at some point, especially if greater powers such as the Eldest had a say in these "chance" encounters.
- I see Farfadet befriending Roots-Sink-Deep as they met in one or more occasions, possibly travelled together for a few leagues. Farfadet has a keen and genuine interest in natural creatures such as leshies, but would have little clue about Erastil in the first place, since the crafty gnomes where he hails from are probably worshipping Torag. I could very well see Farfadet wanting to learn more about Erastil throughout a budding friendship with Roots-Sink-Deep (love the name by the way, it is so reminiscent of one of my favourite board games ever, Spirit Island, where all spirits have names akin to this one). What do you think, Dorian?
- He may have run into Nidintu's band of bandits, and talked his way out of trouble, even possibly making them laugh. This would have given him the opportunity to get to know Nidintu a little better, and feel a strange connection with him, as they're both bound to the Eldest.
- A connection with Lani is even easier: they have both been transformed by the Lantern King, even if Farfadet doesn't know it yet. However he has been bestowed with the Laughing Lie's boon, the Lantern, which could make him recognizable as one of his "servants". What's more, Lani's nature as a sensate would definitely draw Farfadet, as all the gnomes he knew from his home town are quite the opposite - so focused on their work that they are boring.
- Connections with Halrod and Clementine could be akin to Roots's, a strange fascination and curiosity with fey-touched creatures met during his travels. I'd be more than happy to expand more!
GM Eldest
I'd be very interested to take the Blessed One archetype at level two, granting Farfadet the Lay on Hands focus spell. I'm also interested in taking the Energized font ancestry feat at level 5, in conjunction with Lay on Hands, to grant me an extra way (once per day) to get a focus point back, for example in combat. However, RAW it could not work, because Lay on Hands is a Divine Focus spell, so I'd have to get a Divine cantrip instead of a Primal one at character creation. I could do that with the Wellspring Gnome heritage mechanically, but I think it wouldn't really fit the character, as I'd like to keep the "blessed by the Lantern King"'s trope. My question is whether it would be possible to change Lay on Hands from the blessed one archetype to Primal, which would fit the Lantern king better, please?
Hello all! I was starting to fill out Clementine's stat block, but then I remembered GM Eldest's description of this campaign and how they wanted an adventure where solving problems without violence is encouraged. Unfortunately, barbarians don't tend to thrive in environments without (violent) enrichment. XD
But! I think I have a solution that doesn't change too much of Clementine's personality or backstory, and that's to shift to a swashbuckler. Still tiny, but with a whip rather than a polearm - and a plethora of skills better suited to non-combat activities. Also a much less angry personality, which really will be a bit less stressful to play.
If anyone was modifying their build with Clementine's previous class specifically in mind (or just really loved the idea and don't want to see it go), please let me know so we can discuss how we want to move forward. I should have this version blocked out later today barring any unforeseen accidents.
GM Eldest:
I want to make whether this: "Free archetype at level 2" means we're getting a single archetype dedication at 2nd level or that (per the Free Archetype Variant Rule) we're getting "an extra class feat at 2nd level and every even level thereafter that they can use only for archetype feats"?
My apologies, I did not make this clear. We are using the Free Archetype Variant Rule.
@Farfadet - yes, feel free to change Lay on Hands to Primal.
The gameplay thread is open for you to dot and delete.
The beginning of the campaign will be a little intro that will bring you together before you reach Restov, so your character's geographical location could be anywhere. But it would be great to have previous connections between characters!
@Farfadet - most certainly! Roots (I wondered who would be the first to grant him his official nickname...lol) would most likely have approached you the first time he noticed you trespassing on his lands.
He initially comes off as authoritarian where Nature is concerned, but once he believes you are not destroying the land, he absolutely warms up and talks your head off about Erastil and all his many experiences (in the last 2 months).
The Blessed One Dedication will be extremely welcomed, as another source of Healing.
@Clementine- I for one absolutely love the PF2e Swashbuckler. I thought about it for this game, but I enjoy spells too much.
@Everyone I apologize if my changing Roots' chassis disturbed anyone's plans? I have played a Cleric (AoA) to completion, and both wanted to try the Primal list and that Druid felt more correct for him.
@
Nidintu- once Roots realizes that you are also a follower of Erastil, he will most likely plant himself at your side constantly...lol! I thought about that during recruitment.
@Halrod- once Roots sees your skill at Archery, he will become your unwanted and most untalented student...lol.
No complaints here Roots. Druid seems like a very appropriate class for this campaign and your character idea both. And given that Clementine is also a local of the area, I'd imagine he and Roots have run into each other multiple times and would probably know each other by the time this adventure starts. Maybe Farfadet met both of us at the same time?
@GM Eldest: Thanks!
@Roots: No worries at all, I'm actually very eager to see a Druid being played, even moreso a leshy one!
No complaints here Roots. Druid seems like a very appropriate class for this campaign and your character idea both. And given that Clementine is also a local of the area, I'd imagine he and Roots have run into each other multiple times and would probably know each other by the time this adventure starts. Maybe Farfadet met both of us at the same time?
That sounds great!
If you're ever going to play a druid (or an archer, or a cavalier) there is no better AP for it than Kingmaker. You're outdoors a lot and there tends to be a wee bit of nature to work with.
It sounds as though we're all going to be summoned (magically or otherwise) to Restov and don't need connections, but I'd still like them.
I'm still thinking that, as a wanderer searching in and around the Stolen Lands for decades, Halrod would have had the opportunity to meet many or most of your PCs before.
Given that Roots-Sink-Deep is only months old, Halrod could have only met him recently, of course. I think Roots probably noticed Halrod before Halrod noticed the animate fungus, and saw him poking into old ruins and exploring, but living very lightly off the land in a manner I guess probably meets with Root's approval. So maybe Roots approached Halrod's campsite and made himself known and the two came to an understanding.
I sort of think that Clementine might have been -with- Roots at that meeting but that she's been aware of an elf traipsing around from the Dunsward to Thousand Voices for decades, talking to travelers, digging into dangerous places, being respectful of the fairies and never settling down. I'm thinking that Halrod and Clementine are old friends, seeing the world in similar ways and that Halrod is careful to bring Clementine little gifts of nectar and wine whenever he passes her way.
Farfadet and Lani, what are you fine folks -doing- before the game that an obsessed wanderer might have crossed your paths?
Ndintu did your path ever take you to the Stolen Lands (or to nearby regions like Pitax, Brevoy or Jovvox)?
With fervor as my patron theme, I am using the divine spell list and so will be a decent back-up healer to Roots.
Thoughts on Connections:
Farfadet, since you were marked by the Lantern King but didn't know it, perhaps the Lantern King sent me to "recruit" you to the cause. We would probably have been traveling together since then, be it for a matter of days, weeks, or months. It could be during these travels that Halrod crossed our paths.
In answer to Halrod's question, the bandit group Nidintu was once a member of operated in the Stolen Lands, in the Sellen Hills, and his brother Vanrith left for Pitax to seek his fortune as a playwright. I hope this helps.
Lani - I see the Lantern King more as "experimenting" with Farfadet, and see where it goes. However, Lani will surely recognize his mark on Farfadet, and possibly lead/guide him to understand what power is at play here.
Halrod Well, wandering, of course! More precisely, researching empirical information about fey and their presence in the Stolen Realms. Since Farfadet isn't much of a fighting type, he'd most certainly welcome company, as well as someone who's interested in the same field.
So the sense that I'm getting from what everyone is posting is that we're not so much a unified adventuring group as a set of people, some of whom know the others and may or may not have spent some time adventuring with them in the past. Yeah?
Good enough.
Mr. GM, sir, we is ready (as soon as Trevor86 gets here?)
Everyone could have met each other over the time spent in the area of Restov.
Roots-Sink-Deep would have just been added in the last month would work.
He had to train that initial month with his dryad representative of Erastil.
Profile finished! Woo!
Don't forget to describe your characters as you introduce them. What they look like, what they might wear, how their voice sounds.
I'll be posting shortly, including a link to a YouTube video for background music I found to go particularly well with the current mood. If you don't want me to post music links, or if you enjoy it, feel free to let me know! I'm no poet expert, but I very much enjoyed the verses everyone posted earlier, and I thought I'd contribute in my own way!
Just to let you know a few days in advance - I won't be available (ski camp with my students) from March 8th-10th. I will try to check my games, but I don't know how the network will be, nor if I'll have time to post. Sincere apologies in advance, and thank you for your understanding.
I'm back from my ski camp. Thanks for your patience!
Hi everyone,
I just let GM Eldest know that I'll unfortunately be bowing out of this fantastic game (and pbp in general) for personal, health-related reasons. I'm truly sorry to leave you guys, and hope you will have a grandiose time with Kingmaker!
Sorry to hear that. Be well and be safe!
That's awful. I hope you and yours get well soon.
Wish you all the best, and hope your health improves soon!
You are welcome back any time if/when your personal circumstances allow, but of course your well-being comes first.
My condolences - hope you feel better soon!
Also, I just wanted to check in with GM Eldest on the state of the campaign - I am definitely getting the impression that we are nowhere near powerful enough for the conflict we are about to enter, and it seems like we are being encouraged to retreat. Is this an accurate interpretation? I'm trying not to hold up the storyline, but I'm also trying not to run away from the core narrative, so I just wanted to check in with you before I committed to a course of action.
Yeah, that's where Halrod is going with his question, too. Should we hike up our skirts and run?
I did prepare level-appropriate enemies for everyone, so no worries there. In retrospect, perhaps I leaned too strongly on the "the First World is a dangerous place" aspect.
But you'll be fine. :)
Thanks for clarifying! I just wanted to make sure that our course of action was the "valiant heroes aid their fey hosts and help the narrative along" course rather than the "clueless so-called heroes ignore obvious warning signs and get eaten by a creature 15 levels above their APL." I'm having a lot of fun with this campaign, and I don't want to interfere with the story.
I do my utmost to avoid PC deaths, but I should have been more clear on what is happening. The story is largely made up at this point, and I can adapt to whatever you choose to do - this is a sandbox game after all. :)
Roots may have his beach pail and shovel!
I’m gone for the 5th and 6th. See you Friday or thereabouts.
Hey everyone, we're approaching the end of our little First World intro, so I wanted to check in with you all and see how you feel about the game so far. Anything you're missing? Is the pace too fast, or too slow? All feedback is welcome.
And for those who celebrate Easter or Passover, happy holidays!
I am having a blast! Thank you!
I'm enjoying it as well, though I'm still waiting to see what niche Lani will fill in the group. I'm sure that will come in time.
On an unrelated note, I will be out of town from 4/8-4/17. Please feel free to bot Lani during that time if needed to kep things moving. Thanks.
Feels great thusfar, imho! Eager to see how Mandy reacts to a super chaotic fey party joining her summons. :)
I thoroughly enjoy this campaign, and I feel that the general pace is quite good. I've been trying to get into my character without intruding on the niches of other players, but as this is my first PbP, I am amenable to altering my current playstyle if it becomes disruptive or annoying to anybody.
Insofar as how Lady Aldori and the other NPCs will react to our motley crew, I highly suspect that we will encounter at least one NPC for whom a party member's worldview proves either directly antithetical to or perfectly aligned with their personality - for instance, I doubt Jaethal or Harrim will react well to the depressingly cheerful Roots.
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Roots would just smile at them until they converted.
I think the pace is good and I like the flavor so far!
I'm looking forward to the in-group discussions of how to spend our Build Points: One Grove or five? :-)
I highly suspect that the Yeomanry government form will be the most logical choice for our nation, partially due to its Wilderness focus, but also partially due to the fact that our eclectic band of heroes is unlikely to be capable of forming a long-term feudal dynasty in a way that makes sense with the campaign.