Dreadfulness in Dunwich PF1e+

Game Master DeJoker

Dunwich is a somewhat backwater village sandwiched between the Monmurg Bay and Dunwater Marsh. The village has experienced many hardships over the years but even with the fairly recent completion of the Dale Keep just to its north, these troubles are once again coming back to this small community. Will those who live or once lived here rise to the calling to help perserve the village from the newest threats that could finally cause its demise.

This will be a semi-sandbox game based in a non-canon village located in the Viscounty of Salinmoor in the southern region of Keoland which is located within the Sheldomar Valley within the western area of the Flanaess on the continent of Oerick on the planet Oereth. Dunwich is smaller but similar to its more famous cousin Saltmarsh which is located just to the northeast. As every character will have hailed from or hail from Dunwich there will be special Backgrounds to choose from that will tie the character more tightly into the village.

Note special fear rules will be used as there will be things the characters will be exposed to that will be quite horrifying and perhaps even mind breaking. In case anyone is not familiar with the name Dunwich, I suggest you might want to read the book "The Dunwich Horror" However, I plan to hopefully make this a campaign game starting the characters at 3rd-level and taking them to their pinnacle. As such, while this horror will be present it will not be the only thing taking place within the village of Dunwich and the players will be faced with numerous choices and issues that will make them have to decide what to face and what to maybe let go. That said the world will be dynamic with reprecussions for character actions and in-actions.

While the game will have combat as all such games do have, it will hopefully focus more on roleplaying and solving the issues at hand. Further if your answer to every encounter is combat you will find that you will be making a newer character sooner rather than later. While smarter team oriented players will find the game is not so deadly. Also, I will mention I only run heroic oriented characters as such only alignments of LG, NG, CG, or LN will we allowed. On the flip-side alignments are simply a guideline and not written in stone, like normal people one does not always adhere exactly to an alignment but if they stray from it they will generally return to to it. It will greatly depend on how you outline the personality of your character as even a Lawful Good Gold Dragon can be tryanical in nature due to their alien personality and the situation they find themselves in.

Lastly as the subject says this will be a Pathfinder 1e game the plus means there are adjustments and such that players will be informed about upfront during character creation which I will deal with on a player by player bases and I will be there to help with character creation so that anything that you do not know about will be presented as well as suggestions on how to tie your character into the game as well as perhaps other PCs as things progress. Further if you have an idea for character that might normally fit easily within a Pathfinder 1e game or if I notice something in what you are striving to play I am mutable I look at the guidelines as just that guidelines they only become rules (written in stone) once they have been used within the live game world. That said I am not wishing to rewrite all the guidelines so most will be GAW (guidelines as written). Also, please do not create a game breaking character as if you abuse the guidelines you will find that I will retaliate as well (as what is good for the goose is good for the gander) by breaking them in the same way and giving it to your enemies. However, keep in mind I take intelligent game play into consideration, I am just quite aware there are numerous was to intelligently use the game system but there are also ways to go beyond intelligent use into game breaking abuse of those guidelines.

I am stating all this so everyone knows what they are getting into as well as my style of game play.

Dot for interest

Dot

Let me be the first to ask to join. Would you allow an Unchained Summoner as a class?

I would allow at least a form of it, as I would need to look it over and if it was not unbalanced I would have no issue with it otherwise I would present tweaks to bring it into balance.

Having looked it over there would be a few minor tweaks -- first off the additional spells over the normal Wizard would be Conjuration spells but they would extend all the way up to 9th level. That being said you would lose access to Evocation, Enchantment, and Necromancy spells. But would gain the ability to spontaneously cast Conjuration spells you know. Thus you would never need to prepare a Conjuration spell ahead of time which means the extra slots allocated to Conjuration spells would never need to be prepared ahead of time.

I think this helps to balance against the bonus of ability to where light armor and some of the other aspects of that class.

Dotting for interest…

I'm definitely interested! I await the reveal of the various adjustments with anticipation!

Very interesting proposal, dig the lovecraftian transposition to a fantasy setting. Any thoughts on how characters will be created (ability scores, traits, feats, elephant in the room)?

Basic character creation is outlined in the Discussion thread.

The reveal of adjustments will be dealt with as we get to them based on what folks are choosing to play. But all of the adjustments are dealt with during character creation and normal game play is basically unaffected once the elements during character creation have been covered.

Note I do not run a contest so if you are interested you are in. So far I have 5 players -- the player I created this game for and 4 more.

1) EltonJ (not sure what his Paizo id is)
2) Ms. Bloodrive
3) Laird_Thorne
4) Mokmurian the Great
5) wanderer82

Further I will keep a running list of applicants in order but I will not chase you down or push you to participate. I am but one and you are many. I will give each one of you feedback and assitance during character creation but the pushing the ball up the hill is on you.

Lastly this game will start as soon as I have at least 3 players ready to go.

I posted in Discussion with a character class idea.

Update to character applications as of 2023-03-19 2:50 pm CST

1) EltonJ
2) Ms. Bloodrive
3) Laird_Thorne
4) Mokmurian the Great
5) wanderer82
6) Zahir ibn Mahmoud ibn Jothan

Dotting for interest. When I see horror game I think about the pathfinder sanity rules. Is that something you'll be using?

Would love to be in this, if nothing else than there is a PC dwarf (Dain) who has a magical book of grudges! I really would want to be in that party :)

1) EltonJ
2) Ms. Bloodrive
3) Laird_Thorne
4) Mokmurian the Great
5) wanderer82
6) Zahir ibn Mahmoud ibn Jothan
7) Dm Joseph Rauel
8) Grumbaki

3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) = 10
3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) = 8
3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) = 9
3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) = 7
3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 1) = 7
3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 5) = 16

I think that should do it. Hoping to get a wizard ready.

Interest!

Would you allow any of the Occult classes? Some GMs think they're great, some thing they're *spit*.

3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) = 10 -1 +6 = 15

3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) = 8 -2 +6 = 12
3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) = 9 -1 +6 = 14
3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) = 7 -1 +6 = 12
3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 1) = 7 -1 +6 = 12
3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 5) = 16 -5 +6 = 17

I think that should do it. Hoping to get a wizard ready.

Race: Human, Sex: Male

Abilities:
Strength: 12 -- Bonus: +1
Dexterity: 16 (+1 human) -- Bonus: +3
Constitution: 12 -- Bonus: +1
Intelligence: 17 -- Bonus: +3
Wisdom: 14 (+2 human): Bonus: +2
Charisma: 13 (+1 Human): Bonus: +1

Traits: Reactionary, Kin Bond (cousin)

Skills: Craft (Alchemy) -- +7 (1 rank +3 bonus +int bonus), Knowledge: Arcana +9 (3 ranks +3 bonus +3 intelligence bonus), Knowledge: Strategy +9 (3 ranks +3 bonus +3 Int bonus), Perception +5 (3 ranks +2 Wisdom), Profession: Battle Mage +8 (3 ranks +3 bonus +2 Wisdom bonus), Spellcraft +9 (+3 ranks +3 bonus +3 Intelligence Bonus), Swim +3 (+2 ranks +1 Strength bonus)

Feats: Spell Focus (Evocation) (1st level feat), Spell Penetration (Human bonus feat), Extend Spell (3rd level Feat)
Background: I am William the Destroyer. I want nothing more than to destroy or impair evil. Evil fears my magic, but I support the good and righteous among the society. I should have been a paladin, my father said -- But no, I had talent in magic. I apprenticed with the Wizard Gamork instead of becoming a soldier for the church. He taught me magic. And I took to it. I wasn't very popular, but I studied spells to destroy my enemies. When my apprenticeship was over, I returned to Dunwich a powerful wizard. May all evil fear my power.

William wanted power. Although a worshipper of Heironeous; William studied magic. He did not want to spend his life in service of the Church, he wanted to destroy evil. He regards the Church of Hextor to be his enemy. However, despite wanting power to destroy -- William has a tender heart, one that would do no one harm.

Rather than convert to Boccob, William stayed with Hieroneous, figuring the small and influential church would have a battle mage praying every worship day. In his childhood, he was bullied though. Bullied because he was smarter than everyone else.

However, he trained as an evoker partly because he wanted power. Also partly because he wanted to defeat the Church's enemies. He was neutral to start out with, but his passions led him down the path of righteousness. Still he has needs. He desires a beautiful partner. Someone who will accept him for being a battle mage.

Camris first I do not know much about these Occult Classes but like any class that I have not interacted with I would take it on a case by case basis. Is there a particular Occult Class that you are interested in playing?

With the above being said here is a brief Overview and various Insights I found.

Oh and Camris just a note while I have the book I had not had a chance to read it -- and all things considered -- considering what this adventure/campaign is about an Occultist might just feel right at home ;-)

Oh and Camris just a note while I have the book I had not had a chance to read it -- and all things considered -- considering what this adventure/campaign is about an Occultist might just feel right at home ;-)

If played right.

Dotting! I love horror, and Lovecraft in particular! ;)

Dotting is fine but activity and commitment are much more important.

Sounds interesting...maybe a sneak-thief-like character to stay hidden in the dark and sneak about...lol

I played a Kineticist (Healing Telekineticist) in an experimental low level campaign, and it was pretty good. Decent offense, Decent healing, a little delicate on the defense though.
I'd never take him in a high power game, but he could do well in a low powered one.

Okay Camris if you have looked this game is starting at 3rd level -- as I find that to be the minimum level where characters actually become viable.

However I do plan to run this game to Epic if all the players stick with the game that long.

However also keep in mind we have quite a few applicants already and many of them have already submitted a full concept. I do not pick and choose as to me that would be unfair. So FIFO provided they are actively moving things forward.

However keep in mind that PbP tends to mysteriously lose folks from time to time and if I have someone in my queue they will be the first that I go to as a replacement.

OK, you got me thinking now. I gotta take a crack at this with a Telekinteticist.

Character attributes are rolled -- you roll 3d6 and keep 2 and add 6. This gives an 8 to 18 range with an average of 13. However, if after rolling you do not average 13 or higher you may opt to discard that set of rolls and try again but you cannot go back to a previous roll.

3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5) = 15 keep (6, 5)+6=17
3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2) = 13 keep (5, 6)+6=17
3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1) = 11 keep (5, 5)+6=16
3d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4) = 12 keep (5, 4)+6=15
3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) = 9 keep (4. 3)+6=13
3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) = 4 keep (1, 2)+6=9

Okay Camris but please any further work on this potential character should be done in the Discussion thread. Thank you.

Where does recruitment for this game stand right now? I'm interested, but not sure whether you're full or not?

I just posted that I have 6 active players that I am currently aware of but that I could squeeze one more in should another player show active interest or in case I missed someone that has already shown active interest. However, I also currently have 4 players that have stated interest but have neither withdrawn nor shown any active interest that I am aware of.

Stating you have interest gets you a place holder and nothing more and placeholders get trumped by active interest and creation participation. Aka I use the place holder as a tie breaker and initial semi-complete creation of a character concept to be my indicator of when someone officially applied.

Please read the Campaign tab as it has important information on character creation and if you create a character then create another to replace the first your position will get bumped down. If it helps any the last player to show interest is actually one of my 6 out of 15 players that had stated interest.

Oh and do not feel you are going to be creating this character in a vacuum your initial draft might morph some as I work with you to meld you into the world and the campaign. I actively work with my players to make 3-dimensional characters something most players are not used to having a GM do.

Also keep in mind this is PbP -- player attrition is not uncommon and if you already have a character in the wings and have been following along I can more easily slide you in should someone drop. Also if you are wiling to play bit roles or cameo appearances in the mean time that can be done as well. So even if you do not necessarily make it in initially it does not mean you will not be included and just may get in a bit later. As I stated I rank active participation in any form to be my highest criterion.

Lastly please put all character creation within the Discussion thread.

I want to play ... am wondering what classes have been chosen already so we don't have an overlap in abilities

So there's an Evoker, a Conjurer (?), a Telekinetiscist, and a warrior type of guy (who the campaign was designed for?) ... anything I'm missing?

Well first that Warrior type of guy the game was created (not designed) for is actually a Wizard type of guy. Further I do not design games for a single player, I design the game for all the players. Which means during character creation my initial sketch is firmed up a bit more by penciling in each character that is created. This usually alters my initial story but then that is something I expect to happen but then I never write anything in stone until it becomes part of PC history.

And you are welcome to apply JediJon just keep in mind the current player queue is full but I am taking standbys as well as folks interested in biding their time playing NPCs when available until such a time as their finished character can be introduced.

Also if you put the effort into creating a character, I will put the effort into helping that character be a more integral part of the world and the campaign. Thus ready to shoot out the gate should a lane come available.

Ronan Leah
Human Ranger (Divine Archer)
3rd level

HP: 33
AC: 21 (Std Leather + Buckler – both MW quality)
Touch AC: 15, Flat Footed AC: 16
His AC improves by 1 when facing AoO from Undead
INIT: +5 (+7 when in swamps/marshlands)
FEATS: Alertness, Athletic, Point-Blank Shot, Endurance, Rapid Shot
FAVORED ENEMY: Undead / FAVORED TERRAIN: Swamp/Marshlands
TRAITS: Fighter of the Dead & Defy Madness
LANGUAGES: Common, Saurian, Dwarf, Orc
MONEY: 20gp

WEAPONS:
Normal Bow: +9, D8+2, crit x3, range: 110’
Point Blank: +10, D8+3, crit x3, range 0 to 30’
Normal Rapid Shot: +7/+7, D8+2, crit x3, Range: 110’
Point-Blank Rapid Shot: +8/+8, D8+3, crit x3, Range 0-30’
[MW Long Comp Bow of STR 15]
Gandasa: +6, 2D4+3, crit x3 [MW Cold Iron]
Dagger: +6, D4+3, crit 19+ x2 (designed for melee not throwing) [MW Cold Iron]

He gains a +2 to hit & damage versus undead enemies, and an additional +1 to hit and damage Undead when making an AoO

CLASS SKILLS:
Acrobatics: +7, Climb: +8, Disable Device: +7, Heal: +8, Intimidation: +5, Know-Dungeoneering: +7, Know-Local: +5, Know-Nature: +7, Perception: +10, Ride: +9, Sense Motive: +7, Spellcraft: +7, Stealth: +10, Survival: +7, Swim: +8

BACKGROUND SKILLS:
Appraise: +5, Animals: +2, Profession-Trapper: +5

EQUIPMENT:
8 CLW Potions = 400
6 Aspect of the Falcon Potions = 300
6 Keen Senses Potions = 300
Rangers Kit: 37gp: Backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, 50' of Silken rope, flint & steel, mess kit, sunrods (10), trail rations (5 days), waterskin, Fishing Net (4gp)
Healers Kit: 50gp: 10/10 uses

Background:
The Leah's have been in the Dunwich area for a while, as Ronan is thrid-generation. The live on the outskirts of Dunwich and spend most of their time trapping and catching fish and such out in the swamps in the region.

When Ronan was given his first bow, he had to spend a week surviving on his own. While he was out, he was able to keep himself fed, and warm, but felt lonely. Looking up into the sky one night while his fire was smoldering he saw a star fall ... actually he thought it was going to hit him. As he dove out of thew way, he heard a chuckle. Looking up he saw a man standing there. The man was softly glowing and had a warm smile on his face. "Hello little one. I heard your call. You will no longer be lonely out in the wilds. Become one of my flock, and you will always have someone to talk to, or turn to in times of need."

In the morning, Ronan was kind of stiff getting up, and his chest hurt. Looking under his shirt he found a symbol had been branded or inked across his chest - A black cirlce set with seven stars and a rune. Ronan was told that the rune stood for the "Far Wanderer," or "Celestian."

Ronan is tired of hunting birds and small mammals and fish and is looking for adventure with a few of his friends.

[For some reason it won't let me use my JediJon name/avatar - so I made this one, sigh]

Okay DwarfJedi I have you in Queue but please post all things character within the discussion thread, thanks.

Adding my hat to the que:

Two sentence mechanical overview:
Very stronk and tough brawler who is also a mad scientist with a smattering of lore skills.

Thanks Mightypion but please post all future character creation related information within the Discussion thread. It helps me to have it consolidated in one place.

Oh and I have added you to the queue and what are your thoughts on perhaps playing an NPC if that arrises or making a cameo appearance with your character should that be possible.

Also (1, 2, 4) = 7+6=5+6=11 is really 6+6=12 unless you really wanted an 11 which is fine by me.

Next I do not due NN -- only basically heroic characters which means LG, NG, CG, or LN. However perhaps you could be NGn or LnN which means either NG or LN with tendencies towards NN which still puts you on the Good side of NN. That being said alignment is just a character aspect and can be a bit fluid but the character will on the average be their basic alignment.

Next in a world where the deities take active direct participation in things from time to time and have obvious agents almost all the time. How does one deny their existence (aka be an Atheist) and still be sane?

Next if you are going to take Craft[Alchemy](Wis) you might want to take its counterpart Profession[Alchemy](Int) and maybe even a bit of Knowledge[Arcana](Int) and while not overly needed depending on how you develop the Alchemist a bit of Spell Craft(Wis) might not hurt either.

Once you have giving a bit more to work with for the 3rd level character as adding additional levels should be a no-brainer once the basic character is built.

Yeah thats fine!

Cameo NPC is great.

Just in case Mightypion I made some edits to my previous post that you might have missed you might want to check just in case.

I can totally edit skill points and alignment, hmm, to actually get these class skills, one option is a dip in bard or skald (also get tears to wine spell) or even fractured soul for more mind altering substance abuse (and all the kn skills).

He can definitily be CG (these hidebound traditionalists hold back progress!), just with a somewhat opportunistic attachment to reality.

His atheism is more a "no entity that answers prayers has given me a good offer yet, and I will be able to negotiate from a position of "less weakness" (he knows he wont ever negotiate with deities from a position of strength) as my exploits and influence grow".
He views faith as transactional affair, and he has certainly pissed off hell a bit (you are not supposed to get an infernal bloodline by killing a horned devil, turn it into paste, combine it with a mutagen and snort it, his very high con helped!) and basically hopes for offers from quarters hostile to hell.

And being faithfull? Well, no sense giving what you are negotiating with (your allegiance) away for free!

Well Profession generally a Class Skill for almost all Classes -- Knowledge[Arcana] can be gotten with just a Trait or a Feat but if you feel dipping is necessary that is your choice.

Personally I perfer single classed characters so much so that I usually ask players that are dipping into another class for any reason I ask why and then see if we cannot roll that into a single solidly themed class without breaking the balance.

For instance I can see the theme you have currently have and I am sure we could perhaps blend those two classes in a way that works well I would just kind of need to know how much of each class you were considering gaining.

But I will work on that later once I have the basics of the game taken of just letting you know the option is out there.

I moved Ronan to the discussion tab

Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) = 8
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) = 12
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) = 6
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) = 9
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2) = 12
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) = 9
HP: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) = 8 + 6 = 13
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) = 12 + 6 = 15

Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) = 9 + 6 = 13
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2) = 12 + 6 = 16

HP: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 + 12 = 14

Replacement Rolls for these two
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) = 6 + 6 = 11
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) = 9 + 6 = 11

Roll 1stat: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 6) = 9
Roll 2stat: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) = 11

Roll 1 stat: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 6) = 9 + 6 = 14
Roll 2 stat: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) = 11 + 6 = 16

Notes for myself to fix tonight:
Attributes: Attribute of Choice +2 and +1 to 2 other different

Multi-Talented: They can choose two Favored Classes at 1st-level and gain a +1 HP and +1 Skill Point whenever they take level in either class. 1st) Ranger, 2nd) Mage?, Prestige Class: Arcane Archer

Skilled: Gain an 1 Additional Skill Point per Level and the Skill Focus Feat: Intimidation

Okay JediJon do I apply these to JediJon or DwarfJedi ??

BTW
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) = 8 >> 2+5+6 = 13
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) = 12 >> 4+5+6 = 15
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) = 6 >> 3+2+6 = 11
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) = 9 >> 4+3+6 = 13
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2) = 12 >> 6+4+6 = 16
Stat: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) = 9 >> 3+4+6 = 13
HP: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 (sorry to see this)

Attributes: 16, 15, 13, 13, 13, 11
Hit Points: +2 to Base for level 3

I dont know ... it seems to put my name at whichever one it wants to

Okay bumping this as we seemed to have lost a player and any potential players I have talked to are not being active.

Looking for an active player that wants to get into a PF1e game (experienced or not I do not care as I accept all players no need to ever feel you are not good enough or compete in some stupid contest)

I'm interested! Was recommended here by a really cool guy named Dejoker from a discord I was in. What is the make up of the party you are going for? Does it matter? What kind of character was dropped?

Paladin here. There's also a Cleric, Magus, Sorcerer, Wizard, and Inquisitor.

Something outdoorsy might be nice. We're going to be mucking about in a swamp looking for plants.