PF2E Stolen Fate

Game Master andreww

This is the discussion thread.

Hello all,

A couple of points as we start to sort out characters about how I run 2E games and also PbP.

For 2E games:

1. I do use secret checks. I will probably make those off site and just post the outcome in Gameplay if necessary.

2. For critical damage we will just double what you roll unless you are using something like a fatal weapon.

3. When I roll dice for things I will show you the dice roll but I never include my own modifiers to reduce the potential for metagaminess.

4. If you are using something odd, unusual or rules unclear bear in mind that I tend towards the more conservative approach on most rulings.

For PbP I do the following:

1. I will make some rolls for you, this is generally initiative and saving throws, simply to speed things up. If making a crucial roll I will then pause to give you time to decide if you want to HP reroll something. If you have a reaction please indicate how/when you would normally use it so I can weave it in without having to go ahead and rewind things every time/

2. I will do initiative in blocks. So if we have an enemy and then three PCs I will take the enemy's turn then open it up to the PCs. I will generally resolve actions in the order they are posted. If there is a specific thing you want to wait for that is fine as long as you make it clear, e.g. I wait for inspire for the bard then sudden charge.

3. As previously mentioned I will use roll20 for maps, handouts etc. You can find the roll20 table HERE. Please log onto the table and add a character image to one of the blank PC sheets in the PC Sheet folder.

You will also need to decide who starts wit which of the initial Harrow Cards you receive. You can find details in the Players Guide and also on the roll20 table. Each of you begins with 1 of the cards. You will find many more as the game progresses.

If you have any questions please ask.

Howdy folks! Glad to be here!

I'd love to get the Empty Throne card, as I think I'm the knowledge monkey in the game, and I won't be in melee, ideally, ever. :D

My character sheet is still incomplete (that rhymes), but I will add the Harrower stuff manually, and I'm sure Pathbuilder will incorporate Stolen Fate stuff soon enough.

Greetings and thank you for the invitation! I will get Nubnonk's alias up and running ASAP, read through the guidelines posted here, and start to think through some finalized decisions!

"Nubnonk here! Hi, Longshanks!"

The little goblin looks up at the human and half-elf, but then down at the halfling. He stretches up, puffing out his chest.

"Wait, Billy not longshanks. Shortshanks? We the same height. Nubnonk might be taller. Sing Nubnonk good songs, okay?"

---

All right, an alias has been created!

We're a highly charismatic party so far, but I think that both Dramiil and Nubnonk will be contributing lots of the Recall Knowledge stuff. Esoteric Lore plus Diverse Lore plus Dubious Knowledge is going to be a fun little combination.

Your experience with the unknown, as well as the tales you've exchanged with other thaumaturges, has taught you about strange phenomena of every kind. You become trained in Esoteric Lore, a special lore skill that can be used to Recall Knowledge regarding haunts, curses, and creatures of any type, but that can't be used to Recall Knowledge of other topics. Unlike a normal Lore skill, you use Charisma as your modifier on Esoteric Lore checks. You also gain the Dubious Knowledge skill feat.

At 3rd level, you become an expert in Esoteric Lore; at 7th level, you become a master in Esoteric Lore; and at 15th level, you become legendary in Esoteric Lore.

That said, I don't mind Dramiil taking The Empty Throne. Nubnonk will almost certainly never carry a shield (because Thaumaturges need a hand for their implements and esoterica), so The Paladin will be useless for him. Although he has a melee weapon, I've specked him more for ranged combat, so The Rabbit Prince won't be quite as useful for him. So The Brass Dwarf probably fits him best.

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Unless they will be completely incompatible with the rest of the party's build, I have selected the Regalia and Tome implements for Nubnonk. I love the synergy between these two implements. In addition to just making me much better at all things social and knowledge, it will make us as a party better at whatever we need to be better at. Everyday with Tome, I can gain temporary master proficiency in two skills. Then using Regalia, the rest of the party can Follow the Expert to gain a +4 circumstance bonus to the skill check. In addition, you'll get a souped-up Champion's Aura of Courage with baby attack damage bonuses. I also can use a feature like the Investigator's Devise a Stratagem with the Tome's Intensify Vulnerability.

I haven't played a Thaumaturge at this level since the class debuted last year yet, but I think it'll all hang together pretty well!

I built a Thaumaturge for a game that stalled upon launch, but I really liked how they are good at a lot of things at once! Like a more charming Occultist.

The occultist was/is one of my favorite 1E classes, so I was very excited to see the Thaumaturge in the Dark Archive! I have only tooled around with the Thaumaturge's lower-level abilities in actual play so far, so I'm looking forward to trying more of the class out!

I dotted in Gameplay; hope that's ok!

Also, I figured out how to make 3rd party Feats in Pathbuilder. :)

If you see this in time, you can delete the dot post to avoid clutter and still have the campaign show up.

Ok, Rituals from Harrower Dedication kinda scare me. Planar Binding? Yipes! I think I'll take a different feat...

Scare in what way? I think they'll be useful and I'm considering taking one or two myself. They're basically just skill challenges.

Take Astral Projection for instance. You have a primary caster and two secondary casters. One secondary caster rolls Arcana (DC 27), another rolls Survival (DC 27), and then the primary caster rolls Occultism (DC 32). It costs (at the current level) 55 gp per target, so 220 gp total.

If we don't start play with some rituals known, we'll probably end up needing to learn some of them as the game progresses. This just means that we get them for free (or nearly so).

I only just checked the Recruiting thread to see if I was one of the lucky ones and it turns out I was! Yay. I just texted Billy Bardy to tell him the good news as I don't think he's checked yet.

I'm going to need a little time to tweak the current Fists of the Ruby Phoenix version of Slick for this AP, but I should have it ready by Friday. I will need some clarification from the GM to help direct me.

I found the Stolen Fate Player’s Guide which I've downloaded. I haven't looked at it yet in case the GM would prefer otherwise, so let me know if it's okay or even required that we read it.

Slick is currently using the Second Time Champion background from Fists of the Ruby Phoenix (uncommon), so if I'm not allowed to use it, I'll have to find a replacement. Are there any new (preferred) backgrounds listed in the AP Player’s Guide like with some of the others APs?

I also need to throw in the Free Archetype, which raises an interesting question. Slick currently takes Sorcerer dedication at 2nd level. Can he still do this along with taking the Free Archetype at Level 2? I've looked around and apparently there's nothing that says he can't. Most people leave it to the GM to decide, and it seems most GMs are good to let the two archetypes co-exist with no interference. If not, then that will require more substantial changes to Slick to de-Sorcerer him.

I'll also have to check that his equipment abides by the equipment rules listed for this adventure and make changes appropriately.

Apparently, I already have a Roll20 account despite never having used it. I must have created it when I was investigating such platforms way back when. My username is "Palandri".

You can absolutely use the Players Guide material, it is written for you as the players.

You can take a dedication even if you have Free Archetype as well. Just bear in mind that I am limiting your free archetype class feats to those available to that archetype. Ignore the free archetype for determining if you can take extra archetype feats from sorcerer.

Second Time Champion is fine.

The Player's Guide lists some new Backgrounds and an Archetype (even a new Sorcerer bloodline), but it doesn't appear that Pathbuilder 2e has been updated to include them. Unfortunately, the Backgrounds are non-standard (ie. no Lore; no Skill training; no skill feat; etc.) so I cannot build an accurate custom background to describe them. Ugh!

I was interested in switching out Slick's Second Time Champion for Shielded Fortune and perhaps going Harrower for the Free archetype, but without Pathbuilder support it will be more difficult. I've posted an action report on the Pathbuilder Gitlab site, but I suspect it won't be added for a while.

The Player's Guide lists some new Backgrounds and an Archetype (even a new Sorcerer bloodline), but it doesn't appear that Pathbuilder 2e has been updated to include them. Unfortunately, the Backgrounds are non-standard (ie. no Lore; no Skill training; no skill feat; etc.) so I cannot build an accurate custom background to describe them. Ugh!

I was interested in switching out Slick's Second Time Champion for Shielded Fortune and perhaps going Harrower for the Free archetype, but without Pathbuilder support it will be more difficult. I've posted an action report on the Pathbuilder Gitlab site, but I suspect it won't be added for a while.

The Backgrounds give the normal benefits. Shielded Fortune seems to be missing its skill benefits.

Pathbuilder is great, but it can take a bit for them to implement each new book with the release schedule. For Nubnonk, I just did a Custom Background as a stopgap and double-checked that I had the right feats and boosts manually after the fact.

---

A couple of minor changes on my end:

Dramiil is built to be mighty in Occultism, so if you want to pump Religion, that makes a good spread. As for rituals, I’ll consider it. We can certainly spam the Harrowing Ritual to keep people buffed a little.

Hey Slick! Seconding what Nubnonk said—you can build 3rd party feats fairly easily. I will update Dramiil soon.

Still waiting for our Bard to post. If I havent heard by Friday I will take a different player.

Also, you might want to start thinking about how you have come together as a group.

Still waiting for our Bard to post. If I havent heard by Friday I will take a different player.

The Bard is definitely in. I messaged him the good news and he messaged back that he's working on upgrading Billy Bardy to make him good for this AP. Not sure why he hasn't posted though. I'll tell him to do so.

Billy is on California time so probably won't be up for a few more hours. I am currently on European time, but will be back in California in about 10 days.

I am working diligently on getting Slick fixed up. He's taking the Shielded Fortune background: In Pathbuilder, I created a custom background with no-op custom lores for the Lore and trained Skill, then left the Skill Feat empty; I then added a custom General Feat for Level 1 to handle the Toughness. Seems to work.

So far he's taking Blessed One dedication at level 2 and then Scout dedication at level 8 for his Free Archetype. That's on top of the Sorcerer archetype that he was already taking at level 2.

I should have him finished up by the end of the day, at which point I can concentrate on updating his background (which will need to be completely different from what it is now) and start thinking about how we all come together as a group.

Thanks for the invite, GMAndrewW! Very excited to get a chance to play in a shiny new adventure with this exclusive group. I apologize for the delay -- just focused on getting things in order for Billy by Friday.

-------------
Billy, the golden-haired halfling, approaches, strumming his lute.

♫"Well met, good friends, let's have a beer.
It's time to rejoice. Billy is here."♫

Billy smiles at the goblin's greeting. "Indeed, good friend. On my last adventure I was the shortest. But now ..." He eyeballs the goblin, stands (a little too close) to compare heights, and declares,"...hooray, I'm still the shortest. But it's always nice to have company."
--------------------

As a Bard, Billy will (hopefully) provide solid support. He'll have good scores in all 4 magical skills. (Although it sounds like Occultism will be covered.)

And since groups typically need healing (especially with just 4 of us), I have Billy spending a lot of feats on Healing, including the Medic dedication. So he can be our resident doctor.

He can inspire, heal, recall knowledge, and I'll try to limit the annoying singing. But I make no promises.

I'm going through Slick's current equipment to see if it fits within the allowable starting equipment guidelines. So far so good, but I noticed that his existing +2 Armor Potency rune is a Level 11 item, so I guess that's out (taking a point of AC with it). His +2 Weapon Potency rune is Level 10, so I guess he can keep that.

I also notice that he's got about 800gp of stuff <= Level 6, which blows the 500gp budget. But, he currently isn't using all his available equipment slots in the Level 7-10 range. Is there a way to convert those unused slots into GP that we can use for items of <= Level 6?

@Nubnonk: I'm not a big fan of consumables so don't tend to buy many as a rule, but I usually give all my characters a Snapleaf Talisman for their armor. But if you're giving them away for free, then I'll think it over. Are your talismans only good for a single day if we don't use them on that day?

Quick questions for our GM:

When I created Billy for the Ruby Phoenix, I had him with Aphorite heritage, because he worshipped Hao Jin and her tapestry. I'll probably change that up, but:

Would you like us to stick to Common heritages, or can we go a little crazy, if we want?

For the Halfling's Cultural Adaptability feat, he can have Adopted Ancestry. Could he choose Elf to get Nimble Elf? Some GMs rule that as okay, while others say that is a physiological change and wouldn't be allowed.

I wanted to do a quick run-down of rituals in case we decide to lean into them, and here's the summary of what I found.

I'm only looking at the 50 Uncommon rituals, none of the Rare or Unique rituals.

All that to say, if Dramiil is boosting Occultism, then Nubnonk will boost Religion and focus on religion-exclusive rituals. I'm tentatively looking at Lucky Month, Planar Ally, and Resurrect, although Bacchanalia looks like a blast. Also the idea of a goblin performing a wedding with the Heartbond ritual just gave me a good laugh. TBD.

---

Coming Together
Since I'm taking the Pathfinder Agent Dedication, Nubnonk is officially a Pathfinder. He's also a Desnan lay-priest in Absalom, which is where he grew up. He's an adult by goblin standards, but goblins don't live very long, so the others would likely consider him a child.

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Talismans
I'll quote the relevant text.

You know how to assemble the supernatural objects in your esoterica into a number of temporary talismans. Each day during your daily preparations, you can make two talismans with an item level no higher than half your level. You must know each talisman's formula. A talisman created this way is a temporary item and loses its magic the next time you make your daily preparations.

You know the formulas for all common talismans in the Core Rulebook of your level or lower.

The upgrade feat just boosts this to four per day.

So yes, they're only good for a single day, but I can make four new ones every single day.

Snapleaf is unfortunately not in the Core Rulebook, but if the GM rules that I can learn other Common talisman formulae, then that opens my options even more. (It's also the only common talisman in the Character Guide.

I see the following in the Player's Guide:

When you pick your items, you select the following permanent items from any of the common treasures from the Core Rulebook:
• One 10th-level item
• Two 9th-level items
• One 8th-level item
• Two 7th-level items
• 500 gp to spend on consumable items of 10th level or lower, or permanent items of 6th level or lower, as you see fit.

The GM's recruitment post does not mention being limited to the Core Rulebook and even states that You may start with up to three uncommon items... with rare items allowed at the GMs discretion.

Can I take it then that we are also not being limited by the "from the Core Rulebook" proviso listed in the Player's Handbook? I'm looking at getting certain weapon runes eg. (Crushing, Extending), as well as other items that are not in the Core Rulebook.

I'm also happy to go the 4500gp lump sum route if that's available.

Yes, you are fine with items from outside the CRB.

No complete lump sum, you have to make choices. You can take lower level items than those provided but there is no discount.

I consider Nimble Elf to be a physiological trait so it cannot be poached.

I am open to any heritage, let me know what you want and I will consider it.

Groovy.

"Slick! No buy snapleaf at market. This one work just fine. Trust Nubnonk."

You know, unless you want to.

Almost done with the equipment, but I have a couple of related questions for the GM.

Does a +2 Striking Greatsword count as a single Level 10 item, as per the Magic Weapon rules?

Or, does it count as a Level 10 +2 Greatsword with a Level 4 Striking rune added to it for two items?

Same goes for the +1 Resilient Full Plate. Is it a single Level 8 item as per the Magic Armor rules, or as a Level 8 Resilient Full Plate with a Level 5 +1 Armor Potency rune, for two items?

If I can treat those kinds of weapons and armor as a single item, that frees up some more of the 500gp <= Level 6 item budget for other things.

@Nubnonk: I removed the Snapleaf Talisman from my buy list.

@GM: Is there any particular format that you would like our PCs header line to be in? Is there specific information that you want to see there (other than the usual basic stuff)?

Hey all ... just wondering if anyone is planning on taking the Harrower Free Archetype, special for this AP.

I'm thinking about it for Billy, but it's a little daunting. Just trying to wrap my head around rituals -- something I've never had to learn about in PFS, of course.

In fact, in case we don't wanna double-up, would it make sense for everyone to post their Free Archetypes here? I've narrowed it down to: Harrower, Blessed One, or Archaeologist. (I realize that some may not consider that to be narrowing anything down.)

@GM -- I'm guessing it would be flavorful if one of us had the Harrower Archetype, or does it really not matter as far as you're concerned?

@GM -- Would you allow Billy to take the (uncommon) 6th level Teleport spell?

P.S. Thanks for the quick responses ... still looking at the heritage thing and will get back to you if I wanna choose something weird.

I was not planning to take the Harrower archetype, but I think it's an excellent idea for someone to do so. Dramiil and Slick both talked about taking Harrower above, but I don't know where they are in their process.

As far as archetypes are concerned, Nubnonk will be a Loremaster/Pathfinder Agent.

Here's a quick summary of the rituals available through the Harrower archetype:

If three people in the party have the Harrower archetype, it means that we can get all six not-harrowing rituals for free. Of course, one person can just take Harrow Ritualist three times and accomplish the same thing. It just depends on how you want to spend your feat resources.

Personally, Astral Projection seems cool but risky. Call Spirit, Commune, Commune with Nature, and Legend Lore all accomplish similar things but with different sources. Planar Binding is as inordinately powerful as it was in 1E, but now specifies the risks even more clearly.

Treat weapons and armour as only the highest level of their fundamental runes. Property runes count separately.

Having someone with the Harrower archetype would be thematic but is not required. I personally think its a pretty good one and am planning a Harrow Bloodline sorcerer with the Harrower archetype if I ever get to play this. Much like you I am waiting for Pathbuilder to be updated.

In terms of PC Header please make sure it contains your AC, HP, saves, Perception modifier (and training level) and default exploration activity. Beyond that I leave it to you. If this changes I will let you know.

Teleport is fine.

The Harrowing does look like an excellent ritual given it gives out a load of potential rerolls.

Just as a note, I am based in the UK so will generally post in the evening UK time. I mostly work from home so I may post during the day. However, I recognise that players might be from anywhere so I will generally give people the time to react to events. If people dont post I will generally put them on delay, absent clear botting instructions.

Okay. I think I'm done with picking Slicks's equipment. Here it is by levels:

10: +2 Striking Greatsword
9: Greater Crushing Rune, Greater Ventriloquist's Ring
8: +1 Resilient Full Plate
7: Boots of Bounding, Cloak of Elvenkind
---
5: Magic Wand (L2) - Longstrider (160gp)
4: Demon Mask (85gp)
4: Lifting Belt (80gp)
4: +1 Striking Handwraps of Mighty Blows (100gp)
3: Bracelet of Dashing (58gp)
2: Silversheen (6gp)
1: 5 Tindertwig (1gp)
1: Smokestick (Lesser) (3gp)
0: Adventurer's Pack (1.5gp)
0: Climbing Kit (0.5gp)
0: Clothing (Ordinary) (0.1gp)
0: Crowbar (0.5gp)
0: Thieves' Tools (3gp)
0: 4 Thieves' Tools (Replacement Picks) (1.2gp)
---
499.8gp

I've been looking over the starting 4 Harrow cards to see which one would make the most sense for Slick. Here they are in order of preference (the first being the most preferred):

The Brass Dwarf (LN) starts you off with a fire resistance of your level, which is nice for Slick given that he basically is the front line. The activation allows you to switch the element being resisted from whatever it is currently to something else, but for the following 1 minute you gain level/2 weakness to the previous element. Slick has a lot of hit points, but keeping him on his feet in an encounter is essential, and resistances are great for that.

The Paladin (LG) gives the Shield Block feat and an additional reaction to use just for Shield Block. Slick already has the Shield Block feat and regardless, doesn't use a shield. Only the Saving Throw fail reaction bumping up the degree of success would be of use to him, and is pretty good if he's basic saving against a lot of damage.

The Rabbit Prince (CN) at first glance looks like a good fit with the matching alignment and its reaction granting a +1 status to readied attack rolls. I don't often use Ready for attack rolls, but you never know. It also gives a reaction that is triggered by a missed melee weapon Strike, which allows you to reroll the Strike with a +1 status bonus, but with a very good chance that you will break your weapon in the process. Since Slick's +2 Striking Greater Crushing Greatsword is his most valuable possession, he is extremely unlikely to ever use this reaction, so the card is of very limited use to him.

The Empty Throne (LG) does some Society and Recall Knowledge stuff and an activation that limits the use of circumstance and status bonuses. Not really up Slick's alley. Looks more like Billy Bardy territory to me.

Does anyone have a problem with Slick claiming The Brass Dwarf?

I indicated a slight preference for the Brass Dwarf in one of my earliest posts above. Dramiil was looking at the Empty Throne, which would be my first choice.

Neither the Paladin nor the Rabbit Prince would be used in my build.

Empty Throne and Brass Dwarf are the only ones I could possibly use. Dramiil will stay way back behind the meat shields.

I wrote up a background where Dramiil and whomever (maybe you three? :D) tried, and failed, to stop the Return of the Runelords...and retreated to Nirmathas, kind of upset at the idea of New Thassilon after all that. That got Dramiil to 11th level and provided a bit of a decent dramatic background. If anyone wants to piggyback on that as our common background, cool; if someone has an alternative idea, lemme know.

My apologies for not jumping in as much to the convo as I have been suuuper busy being a Sandwich Generation person dealing with childcare and elder care both. Hoo boy! Resurfacing just now.

I haven't had a chance to review rituals but I gotta also check about whether the Harrow Ritualist feat is useful just yet, or isn't due to the fact that we aren't Master or Legendary in the required skill checks (or aren't rich enough)

Oh and Billy--(lol, that name), Dramiil is taking Harrower. Seems to make sense since Dramiil is Occultist to the max.

btw does anyone here use Discord? Might help with ooc discussions.

Glad you like the name, Dramiil! And since it sounds like more than one Harrower would be okay, I'm leaning that way as well.

Regarding the cards, the ones that "suit" Billy (Empty Throne and Brass Dwarf) are already spoken for, so I'll bow out from those.

Maybe Billy will volunteer for the Paladin, partly for comical reasons: 1) He doesn't own a shield, so yay for Shield Block, and 2) the suit is Hammers (Str), in which Billy is woefully deficient (10 Str). However, the Saving Throw thing might come in handy.

Discord is good with me. (Slick also uses Discord.)

BTW, I wouldn't mind the weekend to flesh out some things, learn more about the rituals, etc. But I'll have things close to ready by Friday's deadline.

btw does anyone here use Discord? Might help with ooc discussions.

I do. I have set up a server for people. Feel free to use it or not as you prefer.

https://discord.gg/CCfDAhT7

BTW, I wouldn't mind the weekend to flesh out some things, learn more about the rituals, etc. But I'll have things close to ready by Friday's deadline.

This is fine, we can start on Monday.

Let's see if I have this right. The following are the top two Harrow Card choices for each PC in order of preference.

Slick: Brass Dwarf, Paladin
Nubnonk: Empty Throne, Brass Dwarf
Dramiil: Empty Throne, Brass Dwarf
Billy: (Empty Throne, Brass Dwarf), Paladin

Clearly, Rabbit Prince is the dud card here, but someone is going to have to take it. Empty Throne is first choice for three of you, with Brass Dwarf being a favorite of all of us, and two of us willing to accept the Paladin as a consolation prize if they don't get their first choice.

How about the following for a suggestion.

1) We order the PCs in alphabetical order (1=Billy, 2=Dramiil, 3=Nubnonk, 4=Slick)
2) The GM rolls a 1d4 to decide who gets stuck with Rabbit Prince
3) Reorder the remaining PCs alphabetically except for Slick (if he's still in the running)
4) The GM rolls a 1d3 (or 1d2 w/o Slick) to decide who gets Empty Throne
5) Reorder the remaining 2 PCs alphabetically
6) The GM rolls a 1d2 to decide who gets Brass Dwarf
7) Last PC standing gets Paladin
8) PCs may exchange cards with each other if they like

Seems to me that this would be the fairest way to go about distributing the cards with a minimum of fuss and rancor while still making an effort to maximize overall happiness.

Works for me.

I've updated Dramiil to reflect Harrower feats. I took Reading The Signs so we can draw cards extremely favorably for any card ritual for my 8th level feat. I didn't take any of the 'attack/defend' feats for Harrower, nor the Ritualist feat. Dramiil does have the Stone Circle item, so any ritual will be boosted a bit. Er, any ritual under 6th level, once a week.

Those rolls seem fine. Although, honestly, I'd rather have a card I don't ever use (Rabbit Prince) than a card that grants a weakness to an energy type (Brass Dwarf). So, I'll go through the process, hoping for Empty Throne, and if I get Brass Dwarf, I'll trade with Rabbit Prince holder, as per #8. :)

Although, honestly, I'd rather have a card I don't ever use (Rabbit Prince) than a card that grants a weakness to an energy type (Brass Dwarf). So, I'll go through the process, hoping for Empty Throne, and if I get Brass Dwarf, I'll trade with Rabbit Prince holder, as per #8. :)

As far as I can tell, the weakness in question only lasts for 1 minute following the switching to a different resistance type. The resistance itself lasts indefinitely. Not much of a downside in my book.

That's a minute when a caster could die! :D

Here's the relevant text for Dram's and party's past exploits. Let me know if you'd wanna have that as your background as well, and base us in Nirmathas, or if you have some other idea.

"Dramiil investigated and found a call for would-be heroes to gather in Roderic's Cove. Once there, he joined with others and faced the threat of newly arisen Runelords and a Runeplague. Together, they were able to defeat the Runeplague, but only barely, and had to retreat, wounded and broken, as others continued on, to confront the Runelord Alaznist. While the other heroes defeated Alaznist, Dramiil was dismayed to learn that the other Runelords were granted the lands of New Thassilon, which felt uncomfortably close to Kaer Maga to him. Seeking a change, Dramiil and some companions went south, to Nirmathas."

If Billy is also happy with the method of card distribution I will make the rolls later today.

I just whipped up a draft background for Slick (which you can read in my profile). He's originally from Kaer Maga, but left to seek his fortune many years ago and hasn't been back since. I've included a bit where he and Billy meet up, but have yet to add anything about how they meet up with Nubnonk and Dramiil.

I'm fine with Slick and Billy answering the call for heroes in Roderic's Cove (as long as the possibility of loot was used as a carrot) and then ending up in Nirmathas with Nubnonk and Dramiil.

Holy smokes!

I just went to your profile and found Dramiil's backstory.

It's actually a little scary how similar Slick and Dramiil's beginnings are. Slick is the offspring of a shoanti father and an elf mother. He grew up in the The Warrens and fell in with the criminal underground for a while before skipping town. Not being magically inclined at the time, he wouldn't have had anything to do with any Runeguard cultists, but that doesn't mean that he and Dramiil wouldn't have run into each other in The Warrens. Perhaps Dramiil was one of Slick's bullies originally but buried the hatchet when Slick got big enough to turn him into a pretzel with one hand :)

Oh, Slick and Dramiil must know each other! However, Dramiil was never a bully--he was never a particularly big dude himself. More likely Slick helped Dramiil after his mind got broken, or even before then. And with adventuring always comes loot!

(I love Kaer Maga. Such a neat city.)

I have added a bunch of spoilers to the Campaign tab with common rolls I will make for you in order to save myself time. Please check them and make sure they are correct.

As a general point on spoilers, if I post something in a spoiler tag you are free to read it unless it says GM Only.

OK, I am now having a look through the character sheets which have been posted. I have a few comments/questions about them:

Dramiil
Your sheet is quite difficult to follow. Can you please restructure it a bit, put some line breaks in, bold the odd heading, that sort of thing. You dont need to go to the extent of Slick and his linking of everything but it would help if it was a bit tidier and easier to read.

I dont generally need you to provide the text of all of your abilities but if doing that try and stick them in a spoiler tag. Likewise with your notes/background, it just makes the whole thing easier to read.

It would help if you could set out your feats in their own section, preferably divided up between the different types. For things like skills and perception please add a little tag providing the level of training.

It doesnt look like you are wearing any armour, is that right?

Slick
Elf Atavism can only be taken at level 1, it cannot be taken at 3rd with Ancestral Paragon.

You have taken Scout's Warning which is fine but bear in mind neither you nor Nubnonk will benefit as you both already have a circumstance bonus to Initiative.

Billy
You have a few scrolls on there but bear in mind both spells require a counteract check so having base level spells is unlikely to be a great idea. Obviously there is always a chance but it might be a very low one.

Your stat block shows various spells having been used, I assume thats just from the last game.

Given your strength is 8 can I just check where you are with your Bulk limit.

Nubnonk
Ca you let me know when you are likely to want to use Roll With It so I can deal with the reaction without taking up a lot of time.

Can you break down your feats by type for me, it makes it easier for me to check stuff if I need to mid game. The Pathbuilder text output isnt very good.

There may be other stuff that crops up as we play but thats all from an initial check.

Hello all, I am looking to recruit 4 players for the brand new 2E Stolen Fate AP. This is a three part AP which starts at level 11 and goes all the way up to level 20. Only the first part of it is currently out. A few considerations before applying:

1. This is an AP and is therefore a lengthy time commitment. Each part could easily take 9-12 months to complete, depending on how active people are. Please make sure you can commit to at least the first part before applying.

2. The AP starts at level 11 and so you need to be fairly comfortable with how high level 2E characters work. This is really not a game for someone new to the system.

3. Given the timescales involved please be able to commit to posting at least once per day. Obviously this wont always be possible, life comes first, but games like this require momentum or there is the risk they fall apart.

4. I have run a lot of PbP games but not much over the last couple of years. This AP has reinvigorated my interest.

5. I generally use Roll20 to host maps and handouts as I find it easier to do so than on something like Google slides. You will need a roll20 account but they are free and you dont have to use it for anything else. All game play, dice rolls, RP etc will occur here on the forums.

OK, with the basics out of the way here are the character creation rules:

1. You start at level 11. All common ancestries are available, all classes are available but no evil alignments (and therefore no evil champions). If you want an uncommon or rare ancestry ask and I will consider it.

2. You start with the following equipment:
• One 10th-level item
• Two 9th-level items
• One 8th-level item
• Two 7th-level items
• 500 gp to spend on consumable items of 10th level or lower, or permanent items of 6th level or lower, as you see fit.

3. You may start with up to three uncommon items, spells or rituals of your choice that you can afford. If there is something which is rare that you want let me know.

4. We will use the Free Archetype rules but only for the following archetypes:
• Harrower
• Archaeologist
• Blessed One
• Horizon Walker
• Linguist
• Loremaster
• Scout
• Pathfinder Agent

Your free archetype class feats can only be used to take feats from your chosen free archetype. You cannot use them to take regular class feats or dedication or archetype feats from other archetypes.

Applications

I am taking a maximum of four players. Please let me know a little about your level of experience with 2E and PbP and your likely posting rate. I dont need a fully fleshed out character sheet at this stage (although I will before we start) but I do want a couple of paragraphs about who your character is and why The Harrow and Fate would have taken an interest in them.

My starting assumption is that you will all know each other, will have travelled together for some time and, preferably are all part of the same group. You might be a team of pathfinders, researchers from the Academae or Magambaya, agents of Sorshen or whatever. We will hammer that out once we have the characters.

Character applications will remain open for the next week or so or until I get enough good looking applications to make a solid team. PF2 really does emphasise teamwork and PbP works best when everyone is working together and interacting well. Please no brooding loners.

Interested in this.

I've been playing pathfinder since the original playtest in 2008. I have only played in one 2e game, but it was Brianiac's Fists of the Ruby Phoenix. I played Esh, an elven rage prophet (barb mc oracle).

I will almost always be able to post once or twice on weekdays, but will only rarely post on the weekends (I don't own a computer, and so only have phone access on the weekends).

I will probably use the character I made for Quest for the Frozen Flame, a human Fervor witch of Sarenrae/Sister Cinder. Focuses mostly on support/healing with some fire blasting (has oracle dedication for access to Fire Ray and Incendiary Aura, and sorcerer dedication for Dangerous Sorcery). Interestingly it also is at least trained in every skill (with Master in Survival and Religion). Rebuilding it with free archetype shouldn't be problematic. Leaning towards Horizon Walker, but might go with Blessed One. Probably won't lock it down until final party is determined in case there's something particularly synergistic.

Being alternately cursed and then blessed by a deity, it would not be surprising that fate would be familiar with this character. It's been 1.5-2 years since the events of Quest for the Frozen Flame, so plenty of time to have met with the other characters, and with his divine magic and skill at both survival and religion, it makes sense for him to have met them as a wandering preacher/holy man.

Just to add, you may also take the Rare backgrounds in the Players Guide.

Interested in this as well. Long time PBP player, and offline GM and player. I would like to submit an update of my Tendal Deverin, a scholar, snob, merchant and adventurer of the Deverins of Magnimar.

After having a hand in saving Riddleport and surviving several calamities, fate has taken an interest in him, and steered his path into this new challenge.

How about a gnome summoner riding a dragon eidolon? Kind of a face/melee/smattering of spells role.

Interest!

Ack. I want to apply, but one of my RL GM's has said that it's a likely follow up when we finish abomination vaults. So I will decline.

oh hold the phone--I'm gonna make a Harrowed Sorcerer with the Harrower Free Archetype. ALL the Harrowing!

I'm also interested if there's room for a self-absorbed Bard who's ego is only exceeded by his need for attention. He lives to inspire his allies in glorious song while they stand boldly between him and harm's way.

My PFS background: I've been playing 2e (both in-person and in PbP) since it started up. For PbP games, I will check the board several times a day, and post as necessary. I really appreciate how the PbP games give players a greater opportunity for fun banter and roleplay.

Note: I actually created this 11th level Bard for a Ruby Phoenix game that never materialized. If accepted, I'll likely modify him based on the new theme.

Just want to put an interest out here.

I've been playing PF since about 2010.

I played the 2E playtest as it was coming out. Most of my experience with 2E has been building characters but I am currently in Axolotl's 2E game where I just made a whiff of a diplomacy check. My IRL group also just recently ran through Head Shot the Rot where I was a player. I've run The Fall of Plaguestone, and my IRL group is a few sessions into Abominations Vaults.

I see a number of caster ideas popping up so, I'm leaning toward a Barbarian with the Shielded Fate background.

Much like Billy Bardy (a friend of mine IRL), I created Slick for the same failed Ruby Phoenix game. He's a smooth talking fighter in mirror polished plate. I'm currently playing in two other APs, but one of them is about to finish up so I'm looking for another to fill my time. The time commitment and daily posting is not a problem for me.

I started in RPGs with the original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set in 1977, and after a long hiatus from RPGs, started playing PF2 as PbP in 2019. Feel free to peruse my profile to see the kind of experience I have and my posting style.

I'm interested. Not sure what, yet. I haven't played a Rogue in PF2 yet, although I think I need to look through those archetypes first.

I've been playing RPGs for about 20 years, mostly pbp.
I never played PF1, but I got into Starfinder and PF2 from there.

I have been looking for an engaging 2E PbP game for a while!

I also have a question regarding rituals.

I don't see specific rules for learning rituals, so I don't know how to interpret the clause "that you can afford" with regards to starting with "up to three uncommon...rituals". However, the thaumaturgic ritualist feat provides some guidance, in terms of learning rituals "with a level no higher than half your level" with the stipulation that "you must meet all prerequisites for casting the ritual to choose it." Can we use this feat as guidance for selecting rituals?

Otherwise, the only uncommon item I was looking at was a boomerang. (There are a few other uncommon items of interest, like the Crown of the Companion, but I can't afford it with the other things that I want.)

Hey Chapel!

Yeah, let's see, a bit about my gaming experience. I started with 1E as a wee lad, then wandered off into other games (Chaosium's CoC and Stormbringer), and then resumed gaming with PF1E around 2012. I've been running a Reign of Winter game for a number of years and am in an Age of Ashes game as a Lvl 6 druid right now, and as Chapel mentioned, I'm running some introductory PF2E PFS Scenarios (but not for PFS credit).

I do my best to be a once-per-day poster. The Age of Ashes game was initially at about five posts per day and I struggled to keep up with other enthusiastic players, but it's cooled down now. ;)

I also noticed a heck of a lot of casters and will have a think. The Harrow Sorcerer isn't on Pathbuilder nor Wanderer's Guide yet, but I still dig it. However...if there really aren't many rogues and primal/divine folks, I'll muse on that.

The character concept I've been tossing around in my head (which just seems too fun/funny to me) is a Half-Orc Barbarian (Dragon Instinct) with the Linguist archetype.

My idea is that he wants so much to be the world-travelling, wilderness exploring free man. He can be rather vocal about his dislike of the upper crust of society. Those who spend their days worrying about getting dirt on their lacey garments on the way to an extravagant ball.

But, for some reason, he knows exactly how to fit in with that crowd. Perhaps it started as mockery and he just practiced enough or maybe it's from interacting with so many people across so many cultures, but he just gets people.

Crunch-wise: one of the 3 uncommon items would be the butchering axe. Needed for standing on the front lines as a heavy hitter. He'll have a a high HP pool as well as be able to deal out a good amount of damage.

Outside of combat, he knows 9 languages (taken based off the recommendations in the player's guide) and can communicate with those who's language he doesn't know. With a rank in Medicine/a purchased pair of Healer's Gloves he can be a secondary medic in a pinch.

Lol, yessss! A sorcerer with Diplomacy who can't speak the languages, translated via a Barbarian. :D

My sorcerer will be from Kaer Maga, and I'm thinking my theoretical group would be based in Nirmathas for centrality and liberation whatnot.

.

Doing a tally:

Soldier 1st: Fervor Witch blaster/healer/skillmonkey
ZetaGilgamesh: Tendal Deverin, wizard/scholar
Billy Bardy: Bardy Bard
Slick Silvertongue: Fighter
Super Zero: possible Rogue
polyfrequencies: Nubnonk, Goblin Thaumaturge
Chapel Ty'El: barbarian linguist
Irnk: dotting for interest
Axolotl: can't frickin decide but there seems to be a lack of Primal/Divine folks. Will definitely take Harrower Free Archetype.

I'm interested in playing an Investigator with the Loremaster free archetype. Would you consider allowing Shisk Ancestry (Rare)? Their whole culture revolves around collecting and protecting knowledge, which I think would be a lot of fun to play with.

Shisk is fine.

I will be making a final decision on characters this coming Monday.

Ooo, this does sound interesting.

About myself: I've been playing Pathfinder for about a decade now, first 1e (obviously, I'm not a time-traveller...yet) and then 2nd edition since it inception. I've both played and run a lot of 2e games, most PFS though I have GM'd a group through the entire Age of Ashes AP and am playing through Outlaws of Alkenstar with some other friends right now. My system experience is a mixture of Face-to-face, VTT, and PbP (with a bit of PbDiscord, though I prefer the Paizo forums). I play and GM 2e (and Starfinder) Play-by-Post on these forums (running under the cleverly disguised name of 'GM Zoomba' so you may have seen me about. I should definitely be able to post at least daily, very liekly more Thurs-Sun

Character idea: As far as a character goes, I have in mind a swashbuckler figure. Initially a bit of a layabout and a rogue, a failed scheme of his almost resulted in his death due to a reckless accident. In fact, the should-have-been-fatal incident left not lasting mark upon him at all except for a small scar shaped like a curved serpent. Taking it as a divine sign that he was meant for more, he cleaned up his act and has since spent the years honing his skills to actually help others. Much to his surprise, he's found the more good-hearted adventuring life is not only just as lucrative but much more satisfying. And while he's the first to jump into a fray while tooting his own horn, he's also the loudest to call on his allies and shout out their great work right alongside his.

Mechincally thinking either a gymnast or wit swashbuckler big on shows of derring-do...who still sometimes has the flaw of missing the trees for the forest. Thinking the Blessed One free archetype would match him, with the Shielded Fate background (from the Player's Guide)

Whoa, this coming Monday? Ok ok, here's Dramiil. I went with a Psychic. The sheet doesn't have the Harrower archetype on it, because that's not on Pathbuilder yet. ;)

How about a sprite rogue?

I'm thinking of a little sprite who's never really considered himself an adventurer. He's nothin' special. He just tags along with adventuring parties because he likes to see what's going on and keep an eye on things.

And okay, sure, he's stepped in now and then when people were really in trouble. And sometimes adventurers just miss really obvious things and go off on completely the wrong tangent and he has to help set them straight.

But he's never really been a part of the party. No really. He doesn't even know what he's doing!

And it's only recently come to his attention that, well, he's pretty unarguably a highly experienced adventurer because he keeps having adventurers and, at the very least, not dying.
And actually, he's essentially been a pivot point that changed the course of events in big ways like a bunch of times. Um, oops?
Maybe somewhere along the way he became somethin' special after all...

EDIT: But I'm still reading through the Player's Guide. So far this seems to fit.
If sprite's a no-go, I might do a similar concept with a halfling.

Sprite is fine as an ancestry.

Heyo,

Threw together a Dwarven Druid with a Bear Companion.

He is something of a melee tank, likes to get up in there with his Animal companion and help where he can.

Is well trained in Medicine. He loathes killing other humanoids or animals and uses a Merciful Club when fighting either. He is a Horizon Walker Archetype, his Favored Terrain is Mountains.

Is using heavy armor, burned a feat to up his armor proficiency, and is wearing Dragon Turtle Plate Armor.

edit* forgot to mention my familiarity with the system. I have no problem posting once a day as long as there is a reason to do so. I've been familiar with PF2e since it released, I've played in a number of RL games, and am in another higher level(9th) Kingmaker game here on the boards.

For uncommon items, he is taking Sapling Shield, Ring of Sustenence and Swarmform Collar for his bear

Thorgar Stonebloom and Stoneclaw

updating tally:

Soldier 1st: Fervor Witch blaster/healer/skillmonkey
ZetaGilgamesh: Tendal Deverin, wizard/scholar
Billy Bardy: Bardy Bard
Slick Silvertongue: Fighter
Super Zero: Sprite Rogue
polyfrequencies: Nubnonk, Goblin Thaumaturge
Chapel Ty'El: Barbarian w/ Linguist free archetype
Irnk: dotting for interest
Axolotl: Dramiil Rau, Psychic w/ Harrower free archetype
Codanous: Thorgar Stonebloom, Druid w/ bear Animal Companion

Pathbuilder link for Dramiil. He has a few Uncommon items: Stone Ring for rituals (like the Harrowing ritual), and Bismuth Leopards because shiny temporary animal companions.

Dramiil Pathbuilder

I won’t have time to come up with a full character sheet today but here are the basic build ideas and background for my Shisk Investigator. If you have any questions please let me know.

Pinebrush, CG Sprite Rogue (Crown of Chaos, Scout or PFS Agent)

My thought is that Pine has tagged along with a lot of different adventurers over the years, mostly NPCs that eventually became lower-level compared to him but he could also have met all of the other PCs at that point. If we want to have been together as a party for longer, I could revise it so he's been with the same group all along and just never noticed that he was a contributing member until more recently.

Hello all,

Thanks very much for your interest in the game. Unfortunately I can only take 4 of you. I have decided on the following group:

Billy Bardy
Slick Silvertongue
Dramiil
Nubnonk

Please go ahead and post your character in discussion. We can then start to decide on how you know each other before the game begins.

On rituals my understanding is that you can buy them in the same way that you could buy additional spells as a wizard, using the Learn a Spell Activity. However, most/all rituals are uncommon and so would count against your maximum of 3 uncommon items/spells. You also couldn't learn any ritual of a level higher than half your own level rounded up. Obviously that doesn't include anything you receive from a class feat such as thaumaturgist ritualist.

My goal is to kick things off by this Friday at the latest.

Easy come easy go :)

Thanks for the consideration, and enjoy the game to those picked!

Dang, the forums ate my post last night. Well, if you ever need a replacement.

Hi all, I am looking to recruit one additional player to this game. So far we are about half way through Book 1 with a plan to run all three books. We have 1 player currently struggling to post for various reasons. I am looking to add a 5th so that we can progress but with an expectation that our currently missing player will rejoin down the line.

We have the following characters:

Slick, Human Fighter 12
Dramiil, Human Psychic 12
Billy, Halfling Bard 12
Nubnonk, Goblin Thaumaturge 12

Nubnonk is currently out of action.

Please see the original post for character creation guidelines. Note that gear will be:

1. 1 level 11 item
2. 2 level 10 items
3. 1 level 9 item
4. 2 level 8 items
5. 700gp

Note, we use Roll20 for maps and a Discord server for quicker announcements. I will make a decision on characters by this Sunday with a plan to move forward on Monday next week.

Very interested

Human/Half-Elf Rogue (Scoundral) [Soulforger / Blessed One]
I will post a link shortly :)

Human/Half-Elf Rogue (Scoundral) [Soulforger / Blessed One]

I will post a link shortly :)

CEVENDYL

I'd like to update my previous submission and resubmit, if I can.

Applications are open for everyone.

Here's the updated crunch for reconsideration.

I hope to move us on by Monday, which should also hopefully avoid disruption from Slicks travels.

I made it back to Spain, but unfortunately, my traveling hasn't quite finished. I still have another 24+ hour stint of flying to get me back to California. That will happen around next Tuesday the 5th of December.

And as another heads-up, I'll be doing some more such traveling around Christmas and again at the end of January.

I’d love to be considered for this game. I’ve more experience running Pathfinder 2e than playing it, but have been playing since the playtest. Haven’t had a chance to run or play Stolen Fate yet so hoping this will be my opportunity. I can post once a day with occasional exceptions such as for the upcoming holidays but will let you know in advance. I already have a roll20 & discord account so will be able to jump in there easily if chosen. Let me know if you have any questions. Please note I’ll be travelling (Sunday) to a work conference (Monday, Tuesday) so responses will be a bit slow those days.

I PMed Axolotyla few days ago about using the background that I had submitted previously for the character but haven't heard back.

If need be, I can whip up a new one.

Things are a bit hectic this week and I am away from Friday until Monday. I am going to leave recruitment open until the start of next week. I have not had a PM about anything.

I'd like to update my previous submission and resubmit, if I can.

Ty ... maybe pm GmAndrew?

I will withdraw, thank you.
I know life gets busy, I was pretty excited though.

I'm actually going to withdraw as well. Good luck everyone!

I've been accepted to another campaign so will be withdrawing my application from this one. Thanks for your consideration and enjoy your campaign.

Sorry, folks! I was afk!

Pinebrush, CG Sprite Rogue (Crown of Chaos, Scout or PFS Agent)

Pine:

Pinebrush's parents told him that the Wingless sprites like him had "a touch of destiny about them." He knew it wasn't quite true. What the Wingless had was mortality. The word itself just meant they could die, but there was a lot more that separated mortals from the people of the First World. They could grow. They had limitless potential, and some of the Wingless became great heroes or terrible villains or other things great.

Some. Just like humans or goblins or elves, it was something that it was possible for them to do. And that's exactly what his parents left him with when they returned to the First World.

Still, while Pine knew he'd never be one he was fascinated by heroes. He loved stories, and when he saw adventurers in town he'd tag along. Sometimes openly, and sometimes he'd sneak. He didn't help, he just wanted to see.

Okay, so that one time he pointed out that trap that would have killed one group. And another time he picked a lock and helped a hostage escape who the adventurers were never going to get to in time. And one group's only healer was badly injured when he stepped in to treat her so she didn't die.

And there was that time he killed an ogre before she could crush that wizard. He wasn't really part of the team, though. He was just able to stab her in the eye because she hadn't even noticed he was there.
And he did talk that one dragon out of eating that guy.

Eventually he was considered something of a guide that helped out new adventurers offering them advice and spotting dangers.

And then the fortune teller came to him and asked him to find his lost son. "I know some adventurers that might help, but none of them are in town right now!"
No, he didn't want help finding adventurers. He wanted Pine. "Huh? Me? I don't do anything, I just tag along!"

The fortune teller looked at him quizzically. Wasn't he the one who always saved the day?

Well... No. Definitely not. Not always. Not even most of the time.

But.. sometimes, yes. A lot of times. He'd stepped in at a pivotal moment and turned quests around, and he'd been doing it more often and more confidently.

Somewhere along the way, Pinebrush had gone from someone who stowed away to watch adventurers, someone who just knew he could never be a hero, to someone who'd started actively participating.
He'd been a professional adventurer for years. And he'd become so much stronger. When did he start manifesting such beautiful wings? It had all happened so gradually...

So he went into the woods to search for the son of the sage.
And nearly died, but that goblin was a big help.

My thought is that Pine has tagged along with a lot of different adventurers over the years, mostly NPCs that eventually became lower-level compared to him but he could also have met all of the other PCs at that point. If we want to have been together as a party for longer, I could revise it so he's been with the same group all along and just never noticed that he was a contributing member until more recently.

Resubmitting this application!

I have a character sheet on Pathbuilder, just need to get it into text...

OK, I am back and looking to restart things.

Super Zero, welcome to the team. Looking at your character sheet I wonder if you might want to try and fit battle medicine in there. Up to you of course but given you are Master at Medicine it may be worth it. The group has some in combat healing but its mostly from bard and psychic spell slots which are a pretty limited resource.

Feel free to post your introduction. You do not yet have a card but have somehow found your way into Harrowheart. This is almost certainly something to do with First World shenanigans. Also, have a read through Gameplay and feel free to ask any questions.