Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
”The healing magic Erastil grants me is of the same Lady Alicia just used. It will close wounds and stop bleeding, but it cannot regrow his organs. I’m so sorry, Carol. There is nothing I can do to save him,” Ethan replies. ”I’m so sorry, Carol.” He pauses, and take a breath before continuing. ”He has also been infected with Ghoul Fever. When he dies, his body will become like these monsters. It will be insatiably hungry, and its bite will spread the fever to us, or others. For the good of all, we must end it, and burn the body. To not do so would unleash the horror you just experienced on other innocent people.”
Arrian can trace that the ghouls were, in fact, following the couple, only were much behind, when they stopped to chat, probably discuss something, then caught up to them.
You could, of course, ask them woman, too... Also, you don't have spells to regenerate him. Lesser restoration wouldn't do the trick here.
Carol looks at Ethan incredulous for several moments. Although she understands, she is having trouble coming to terms with it.
After a while, she asks for a moment with her unconscious husband. She takes his head on her lap and whispers things into his ear. The pain across her face gradually grows until she can't speak anymore, only emitting squeals and hugging his head, although he doesn't reply.
She needs someone to drive her out. As she is walking away, she whispers back "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She doesn't look as the group does what needs to be done.
К подлому врагу,
разрушителю жизни
и извратителю смерти,
Я не перестану преследовать тебя,
Я не перестану убивать тебя,
Кровь за кровь,
Смерть за смерть.
Abyssal:
To the vile foe
to the despoiler of life
and the perversion of death
I will not cease to hunt you
I will not cease to slay you
Blood for Blood
Death for Death
----------------------------------------
Let your hands be the last to hold him She offers to the woman.
Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
Once the deed is done, Ethan says urgently, "Move away from the body."
Once they are clear, Ethan calls upon Erastil's power.
"Stagfather, cleanse this corrupted vessel, and see its owner's soul to the Spire for the Gray Lady's merciful judgment."
Ranged Touch, if needed:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Coup de Grace, with Searing Light Spell, if still human:4d8 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 4) = 18
DC 28 Fort Save
Searing Light Spell, if now a ghoul:5d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 1, 5) = 14
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
I like runes wrote:
** spoiler omitted **
Carol looks at Ethan incredulous for several moments. Although she understands, she is having trouble coming to terms with it.
After a while, she asks for a moment with her unconscious husband. She takes his head on her lap and whispers things into his ear. The pain across her face gradually grows until she can't speak anymore, only emitting squeals and hugging his head, although he doesn't reply.
She needs someone to drive her out. As she is walking away, she whispers back "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She doesn't look as the group does what needs to be done.
GM:
Ah sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought it was just Con damage.
Donimah watches the somber scene and offers the woman a shoulder to cry on (and look away) as the party offers a final mercy to her husband, not looking away herself.
Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
Ethan touches each of the party members and intones.
"Stagfather wash away their fatigue and cleanse the aches from their exertions."
Carol looks at Ethan and her eyes start to water as she says "Please, don't leave me alone. Take me with you, I won't be in the way, I promise. Everyone around here is... dead. Or they fled." She strokes her enlarged belly, looking at it with a sad face. She seems regretful. It's fair to assume that she was also given the option to flee, but chose not to, probably due to her pregnancy.
Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
Ethan shakes his head. "No Carol. Think of your baby," he says in a compassionate, but resolute tone. "We will see you to Sandpoint. Father Zantus, the Sheriff, the Mayor, and everyone else will see to your and the baby's safety. We will be heading into a nest of these things. If you come with us, you and your baby will die. I will not allow that to happen."
Diplomacy check, if necessary:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16+2 more if she is currently unfriendly or hostile.
Ano immediately breaks her silence. “Absolutely not. You should be considered lucky we got here in time. Those ghouls will not spare you or your baby. We promise, we’ll get you to a place where you and your baby will be safe.”
The woman relaxes a bit and becomes accepting with Alicia promises to escort her to Sandpoint.
It's a long hike back to Sandpoint, but you'll be able to talk to her and find out what she knows. Let me know if you're doing that. If not, what else?
Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
Before the group leaves for Sandpoint, Ethan says a prayer for the deceased man. Since there are no remains to transport or bury, he quickly looks through the ashes for any personal items that may have survived, such as a ring or necklace.
"Despite the smell, we should probably take the heads of the ghouls with us," he suggests to the others. "We will probably need evidence to corroborate these events, especially with some of the current sentiments in town."
The group doesn't find anything of value on the ghouls. They were just farmers.
On the way back to town, daylight breaks and begins to warm the group, as they realize they would be hungry if it weren't such a bloody night. Carol calms down and eventually starts to speak. "It all started when the Hambleys didn't come out to buy milk as they do everyday."
Ethan remembers from his visits that the Hambleys were a bit disliked, but were cordial enough. They live closer to the Foxglove mansion.
She continues "Then people started to... well, farmer Curit told me he saw a scarecrow coming out of the fields and chasing people. I thought he went coo coo, but then madam Betty told me the same thing, then Purio too! One night, I couldn't sleep and I heard screams."
She gulps then continues "So a group of our neighbors decided to go see the Hambleys. I told Maurice not to go, he still needed to be a father, you see? Only one survived. Maester Grump. I think he went to Sandpoint to talk to the sheriff. He told me the... things killed everyone, even ate the dogs too! So Maurice and I talked and... I think in our fight, the things heard us, so we fled." She stops herself, not wanting to continue. She figures the group can figure out the rest.
She looks at Ethan and says "What am I going to tell my son? That his father was eaten by the neighbors?" She slows down to cry again.
Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
"Your son? Are you speaking of the child you carry, or do you have an older child as well? If so, where is he? Is he at your home alone?" Ethan asks in a tone of genuine concern.
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
Even though the question wasn't addressed to him Arrian offers, "Carol you can tell your son that his father was very brave in helping him and you escape terrible monsters."
That his father died protecting him, fighting with his bare hands against three ghouls, and succesfully held them off until help arrived.
Alicia says as she looks her in the eye
And these werent your neighbours, these were the undead bodies of your neighbours, animated by a hideous evil will.
Ano wants to chime in, being a child who lost her father…but this isn’t the time. She knows it isn’t. Plus, with how on edge she is, she might let more of her emotions out than needed. So the catfolk holds her tongue.
Ethan remembers that Carol's pregnancy is her first.
The woman calms down after the reassurances. The company also helps, as does the daybreak. The group arrives in Sandpoint and the smell of food can already be felt. It will be soon lunch time.
Where to? Group is extremely tired, I haven't rolled because you have a chance to rest now if you want, but if you want to get back to it, you're going to have to roll fatigue for the time traveled to Sandpoint and then back.
Lets have some quick high quality rest before we head out. Meet in the rusty dragon in 45 minuntes? I will do a quick report to the Sheriff before that. Perhaps Ethan can escort our charge to Father Zanthus?
Alicia proposes.
(and I may just grab the bloodrager level at level 6)
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
I like runes wrote:
** spoiler omitted **
Arrian will spend one.
Arrian traces some of his tattoos; a familiar quirk for Ano and Juriya. As he does so he closes his eyes and mutters a prayer to Cayden Cailean.
He opens his eyes and tells the others, "I don't think anything bad will happen until past nightfall. We should report in to the Sheriff and maybe the Mayor so they're aware of what we're up against. Three more ghouls destroyed but who knows if there were any others created amongst Carol's neighbors. Then eat, sleep, eat some more and on our way. Boy is Jargie going to be mad..."
Inspiration stated nothing bad for 20 hours so we'll have time to rest, get spells back, etc.
Ano looks at Arrian and speaks, sounding more dead than alive, “I think I’m just going to head home. If I stay awake any longer I’m going to sleep on the street…” Cherry is already sleeping soundly on her shoulder.
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
Ano Clovermark wrote:
Ano looks at Arrian and speaks, sounding more dead than alive, “I think I’m just going to head home. If I stay awake any longer I’m going to sleep on the street…” Cherry is already sleeping soundly on her shoulder.
Arrian nods and gives her a hug, "It's been a long day and night and now morning. I can make the needed reports."
Arrian has the Endurance feat so he's used to tough conditions and exertion.
Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
"Yes. The rest of you should get as much rest as you can," Ethan says, nodding. "I will see that Carol has lodgings, and meet you all back at the house."
Ethan buys Carol food and drink suitable for her condition, and waits for her to eat before walking with her to the Cathedral.
As they walk, he keeps an eye on her for any symptoms of stress-induced labor.
"I'm so sorry this happened to you, Carol, and I am sorry for the loss of your husband. I will do what I can to ensure that you and the baby's needs are provided for. Hopefully, Father Zantus will also be able to help."
"... Same here, Ano. Might nab a rabbit or a mouse for lunch, though, ehehe. Also, Carol, promise you won't reveal my secret?" Juriya coughs. "Not many people in town know the Arimas are kitsune, we'd like to keep it a secret in case people view us as more manipulative than we really are, or have prejudice against any of the furred ancestries. I figured you knew who I was... the moment I called myself an oblivious wreck."
Juriya sounds tired, and her posture looks like it's about tcollapse to all fours... but she still manages to sound sweet and charming, using a combination of natural charm and practiced words.
Arrian traces some of his tattoos; a familiar quirk for Ano and Juriya. As he does so he closes his eyes and mutters a prayer to Cayden Cailean.
He opens his eyes and tells the others, "I don't think anything bad will happen until past nightfall. We should report in to the Sheriff and maybe the Mayor so they're aware of what we're up against. Three more ghouls destroyed but who knows if there were any others created amongst Carol's neighbors. Then eat, sleep, eat some more and on our way. Boy is Jargie going to be mad..."
Donimah nods again.
"Makes sense," she says, exhaustion creeping into her voice. "Most undead attack under cover of night, even if the sun doesn't burn them like it does for vampires. I...need some rest...and spend some time in the scriptorium."
The "scriptorium" in question being a writing desk in her chambers.
Including getting spells back I've gotta get those scrolls Arrian mentioned. I doubt I'll have time to copy them all into my spellbook.
This accursed *your lordship* with each pretenses of superiority, destroying one innocent life after another, spreading a taint that is a perversion of death itself.
Inwardly, she wishes to shows that scum a taste of its own medicine, and tear it apart by claws and... well, its probably a super ghoul, so better no teeth...
dream sequence:
Alicia dreams, rushing through a catacomb, battling ghouls, who think in their folly that they hunt her, but no, she is the predator, the huntress.
On her sleek blades reflection, she sees herself, but somehow harder, and less heavily armored, a ghoul champion strikes her, and she parries and ripostes before ripping the creatures head of with her left claw.
Since when do I have claws?
Then their leader appears. A really big one, its eyes brimming with intelligence.
Leng Ghoul She hears herself say with a sneer that is unlike her
I will send you to Kabriri She adds in Abyssal
Sending you back to the midnight isles, alas, simply wouldnt be much of a threat, as such its my gut you are going into The ghoul awnsers smugly, and in pretty reasonable Abyssal as well.
I do not belong to the midnight isles! Alicia thinks in protest
Blade and Claw meet Claws a violent battle as she fights, claws and even bites with everything she got. She wins, as the ghoul disarms her, only to find out the hard way that she has claws on both hand as she in turn... Disarms him, more literally, leaving him staggered as he looks in confusion on the stump where his right arm was.
Stop hitting yourself She hears herself say with a cruel grin as she slashes the Ghoul leader with his own ripped off arm.
Suddenly Alicia wakes to the sound of her now clawed hand having punched straight through her own bed.
Mystified, she looks at her hand, extracting and then retracting the sleek predatory claws she has with some mental effort.
----------------With the party afterwards---------------
A somewhat sheepish looking Alicia pays a few extra coins to Ameiko, who regards her a bit sceptically, before taking the party aside
I think I had a maybe prophetic dream... Does anyone of you know what a *Leng Ghoul* is? I had a really realistic dream in which... I or perhaps someone like me fought and killed one... I was, in that dream, also referring to sending that *Leng Ghoul* back to *Kabriri*, which is either an evil god or and evil place I guess.
She pauses
I dont normally have such dreams, and it was vivid enough that I uhhhm... punched through my bed while I was asleep.
Also, Juriya, I can now do... this She says as she moves close to her and extends a set of predatory and sleek claws
Can we alter my gauntlets so that these claws can get through if neccessary? You may have some relevant experience with such alterations.
Also, while Lady Kelinahat sometimes communicates in dreams, that dream was... I think to violent to come from her, which i find concerning.
Father Zantus can be found praying in the cathedral. As Ethan and Carol come in, Zantus looks up a bit confused and says "Ethan, hello! And who have we here, Cara, I believe?" Carol looks at the ground a bit disappointed.
Arrian finds the sheriff in a meeting with Corporal Redmane and the guard that came with him. They're reviewing all that was documented. He looks up and says "Oh, you're here! Great!" He seems happy to have something to do other than look at the boring documentation. He says "There seems to be some problems that need some attention. Do you have the time?"
Juriya, no longer able to really keep her eyes open, shifts into fox form and stumbles back to the Arima residence (via a connection a dug den has to her room in the Arima household) with a dead mouse in her mouth. She acts quite naturally a lot like a fox, but the main tell distinguishing her apart from a normal fox, aside from the piebald white fur over her face, is that she acts like an urban fox... which only really exist in the much bigger cities like Absalom and Alkenstar, not Sandpoint.
Ano drags herself home, setting Cherry on his little nest on the dresser, and promptly collapses on her bed. Throughout her sleep, her spots repeatedly glow a faint sheen of blue, as she has an odd dream about fire from her fingers and primal power spilling out of her very existence.
Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
"It's good to see you again, Father," Ethan replies. "Carol is in need of our help. She and her husband Maurice were attacked on the road by ghouls. Maurice, unfortunately, did not survive the attack. Carol needs a place to stay, and someone to look after her. As you can see, her baby is nearly due." Ethan places gentle emphasis on Carol and her late husband's names, hoping to gently coach Father Zantus into recalling and retaining them.
It takes Father Zantus some effort, but he finally nods and says "Very well then, come Carol. The good thing about this big cathedral is that they built extra rooms. You can take one. Come, let's talk." Looking at Ethan, he says "Thank you, Ethan. I'll take it from here." He clearly ignores the bit about ghouls. It looks like his priority is the pregnant woman for now.
Male Human Cleric of Erastil (Stoic Caregiver) 6 l AC 18 T 12 FF 16 l HP 45/45 l F +7 R +5 W +9 l Init +2 l Perc +3 I CMB +4 I CMD 16 I Hero Points: 2/3 I Channel Positive Energy: 7/day, 3d6, DC16
Sense Motive, that was odd...:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
I like runes wrote:
Arrian finds the sheriff in a meeting with Corporal Redmane and the guard that came with him. They're reviewing all that was documented. He looks up and says "Oh, you're here! Great!" He seems happy to have something to do other than look at the boring documentation. He says "There seems to be some problems that need some attention. Do you have the time?"
Wondering if the jail smells so bad that what he's bringing in didn't generate any questions a weary Arrian says, "We still have the ghoul problem to deal with."
He proceeds to gather the three severed ghoul heads from their bags. Assuming Sheriff Hemlock and Corporal Redmane don't run out of the room vomiting he continues:
"A homesteading couple, Maurice and Carol, were attacked last night. We were on our way to Foxglove Manor when we came upon them. Maurice was killed but we saved Carol and her baby. Carol told us that a number of their neighbors have been turned into ghouls. Maybe you can identify which ones from the heads. These three won't be a problem anymore but we don't know how many more are out there. Unfortunately we had to turn back from Foxglove Manor to escort Carol into Sandpoint. She's with Ethan and Father Zantus at the Cathedral. I asked Cayden Cailean for guidance and Sandpoint is safe until nightfall. At which point there will be more violence, more death, and perhaps even more ghouls created. We need to eat, sleep, and prepare ourselves for tonight. As soon as we're able we'll go to Foxglove Manor where whoever this creep is I'm going to see he's sent straight to hell."
Blinking his eyes, "We forced march ourselves from the Sanitarium to near Foxglove Manor and then back to Sandpoint. To say it's been a long day, night, and now morning would be an understatement. So unless the problems you and the Corporal are examining are related to the growing ghoul menace threatening Sandpoint I'm afraid time is a luxury we - and Sandpoint - don't have."
Hello, and welcome to my game of Rise of the Runelords!
This is the campaign that debuted Golarion as a world in the D&D3.5 era. A lot of world building happened during the development of this campaign. Now it has been reworked into Pathfinder 1e rules and improved since the original version.
Rereading some stuff to run this game made me remember how awesome and well rounded it is. Also, the final battle is really epic (and hard).
Since this game is derived from another post, much of the character creation was inherited, so that makes it easier for me. The link to the original thread is here. To also make things easier for me, I will be dropping the Automatic Bonus Progression house rules as it seems like a lot of work redoing the campaign's entire loot. Progression will be through milestones.
The reason for me to try to make things easier for me is two-fold. Firstly, I don't have a lot of experience with PbP. I will try to do my best, but constructive feedback will always be welcome and I encourage you to give me tips, especially with pacing. Secondly, I have my hands full at home with a job and a 4 months old daughter who is wonderful, but demands much of my time and attention.
This means that this will probably be a slow paced game. Especially during scene transitions, where I might have to read/come up with some stuff.
I would also like some tips for how to do battle maps, and what is usual. Do people use like a VTT or something?
Also, please present yourselves shortly and say if you've played (part of) this campaign. I'm a Brazilian dad living in Germany. My new responsibilities (read: beautiful daughter) are the reason why I had to stop going to the TTRPG meet ups in my town and have taken to PbP.
Throughout the game, to make things smoother, I will put some information behind spoilers titled with skill checks. Please only open these spoilers if you make the checks. Some spoilers will read Cumulative or Isolated. This happens when the same skill is used to open different spoilers in the same post. The Cumulative flag means that you can open all spoilers whose DC is equal to or lower than your check. In the Isolated case, a separate check is needed for each spoiler. Skill spoilers can also contain more than one skill separated by OR or AND. In the former case, you may roll both skills (if applicable) and read the spoiler if either succeeds. In the latter case, both need to succeed in order to open the spoiler.
Please let me know if there are any themes/topics which are a trigger or a general no-no to you. You can put them in a spoiler or PM them to me if you feel more comfortable.
Finally, although there is a post in the Gameplay tab, there is no rush to post. Feel free to coordinate some mechanics or backstory with your fellow teammates and make minor tweaks to your character before posting. The first few posts will be more RP centered, so if you feel your character's backstory and personality are all fleshed out, feel free to post while you tweak the mechanical stuff on the background. I'm assuming all characters are already in Sandpoint for one reason or another.
- I noticed some of you have negative mental scores. I would very much like to see these be roleplayed for maximum fun.
- Some of you already live in Sandpoint for a while. If you've lived here for more than a month, you can open all spoilers in the opening post except the last one. If you've lived here for over 5 years, you can open all spoilers. Persephone also counts.
- This campaign was written for 4 characters with 15 point buy stats and no hero points. I ask that you include a hero points counter in your character sheet if you haven't already. And I will not be pulling my punches.
Zeldrith and Donimah:
Let me know if you want your character specific developments be done in spoilers or open. It might take me some extra time to get around to your development, but I promise you it'll come.
For Battle Maps, either Roll20 or Google Slides are typical. I use Google Slides, but that's admittedly for two reasons. Firstly, I don't like fitting the map to the Roll20 Grid. I do it in my VTT campaign, and it is pain. Secondly, in Iron Gods there is an absolutely massive map that might lag Roll20 out. My Iron Gods campaign is going there next, and it's... it's something.
I've looked at part of the beginning of a few campaigns, but once we get past level 1 or 2, I'll be totally blind. I'm running two campaigns right now, a backported Outlaws of Alkenstar campaign, and an Iron Gods campaign. I was on a technology kick when I started those campaigns, but I can function without it! I've gotten most of my techy ideas out. Now it's onto the other concepts, though I might want to steal one submitter's idea from the OoA campaign who never ended up submitting.
About me? I'm (hopefully) going to be a grad student in Linguistics this upcoming semester, so I'll need to limit my campaigns going forward. Unless an idea immediately strikes (namely the Iblydan train-wreck anytime a mythic campaign comes up), I'm unlikely to sign up for more campaigns than what I have.
As for the character, she's a "human" daughter of a somewhat successful family of Alchemists. You'd be unlikely to know the family unless you actually need alchemical items fairly often. You definitely don't know that Juriya is a kitsune unless she trusts you with that information. Ano, being a Catfolk, would likely already know. Juriya's lived in Sandpoint all her life, barring a stint going adventuring.
As far as the battle maps are concerned, a few of the campaigns I've been in have used Google Slides - it's easy and intuitive. I have experience running a few campaigns, but I've never been anything other than a player in RotRL, and I've never gotten further than the end of Book 2 (for much the same reason as many other groups, I'm told), though I do have Book 4 on my own (on account of my interest in stone giants).
As for me, I'm a physicist in the Midwestern United States. My schedule's fairly busy, so I'm just about at my limit with campaigns now.
As far as my character's concerned, Zeldrith is a mostly human (at least 87% - that's still a 'B,' right?) mercenary who grew up destitute in Magnimar. Looking at the other characters, he's unlikely to know anyone well except possibly Persephone. Still, he's amiable enough, and he could have easily met one or two of the other players during his stay in town. He's probably staying in the White Deer, due to him having no money, but he'd spend more time in the Rusty Dragon.
I'm not seeing any reason to hide Zeldrith's character development in spoilers - it's not exactly secret. He owes money to a crime lord and has some sort of ancestral connection to Thassilon that will be just as much a surprise to him as it will be to everyone else.
From what I've seen in recommendations for PbP, Google Slides is better than Roll20.
As for me, I do not have a profession of any kind (on full disability due to a multitude of reasons that's neither here and much too long of a story), and is currently in the process of relearning how to walk due to an ankle fusion I had last October; however I spend my days being rather creative, mostly honing in on my art skills. I've already drawn up some reference sheets of my catfolk character, if you wish for me to relink those. I'm also running my own RotRL campaign on Discord through friends, but I am extremely good at separating player knowledge from character knowledge (plus the only way for me to remember details about this campaign is to reread the book), so if you ever need some tips I can help you out, as I'm also new to DMing.
As for my character, Ano is a bubbly, optimistic character (think Pinkie Pie if any of you are familiar with that character), although she does have some lingering issues with her father being the victim of Chopper, and having a strained "friendship" with Nualia when the two girls were kids. I did write up that she also tried to be friends with Ameiko however that didn't go well due to Lonjiku, and if that needs to be omitted that's fine. Ano was born into Magnimar (her father came from the south in the Mwangi Expanse, originally from Northern Garund), and her mother and aunt are both from Magnimar, coming from a family that migrated from Tian Xia multiple times for the last thousand years or so (Ano's family on that side tends to have more magical ties due to being tied into a powerful spellcaster from the Lyashtaki. Ano would be good friends with Juriya (and if still allowable possibly rekindled a friendship with Ameiko), but other than that she's not really friends with anyone else in Sandpoint, but does know everyone (even the ones who find her weird and annoying). She has a familiar due to an option from Familiar Folio where bloodragers and sorcerers can replace their 1st level bloodline ability with a familiar-in this case a cardinal (using the statistics of a thrush), named Cherry, who is more or less Ano's conscience, in spite of his dripping sarcasm.
I do have to ask. How much power are you willing to give RP skills like Diplomacy? Could we potentially talk our way out of a few encounters here and there? Or are all of them going to be fights?
BTW thanks for sharing Ano. Hope you get well soon.
Juriya, I love creative solutions to problems. If you can talk yourselves through an encounter, I consider it "dealt with". You just need to be convincing. And it will be fun seeing that with your - 2 Wis.
F Changeling Ash-Born (Varisian) Shaman (Tribe) 2 Init +1; Senses Perception +8 (+2 Dim light), Darkvision AC 12 hp 15/15 Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +6
Lots to digest there. I love it!
A bit about myself. I have been gaming since The Red Books. I have been DMing almost as long...lol.
I absolutely enjoy the creative conceptual process of characters for adventures. I also enjoy seeing them develop, either as planned, or fun as the story takes them.
I have had Wizards turn into Fighters in play and Fighters develop into Wizards. I am excited to see where Persephone's path leads her. I do have a plan for her, although it is quite Flexible.
As far as her knowing anyone in the party. Having been sequestered in Magnimar these last 5 years, she may indeed know our Magus. As they share an interest in the Arcane, they may have met at or around University.
Her (and Isabel) recently arrived in Sandpoint. A hesitant return as it were. She has some "Late Unpleasantness " baggage to deal with.
Her pic in profile is how she dresses. She is of the most recent fashion I Magnimar. She speaks properly, expertly. She is educated and sophisticated. She smiles quite often and appears to find joy in simple occurrences; birds flying by, wind rustling through overhead branches and even a farmer yelling at his mule would make her stop and praise Desna.
I am looking forward to journeying with this Table.
...she may indeed know our Magus. As they share an interest in the Arcane, they may have met at or around University.
She is of the most recent fashion in Magnimar. She speaks properly, expertly. She is educated and sophisticated.
I chose the Eldritch Scion background, so my character's powers are more sorcerous than wizardly - it's less accurate to say that he has an interest in the arcane and more accurate to say that the arcane has an interest in him. Likewise, her dress and mannerisms indicate a much higher-class upbringing than Zeldrith had.
Still, they share a faith, and she spent five years in the Underbridge district while he lived in the neighboring Beacon's Point district - it's not inconceivable that they met once or twice at the Desnan temple or some such.
...On a related note, looking at Persephone's Wisdom score, it seems to be the highest at the table. It looks as though Persephone is going to be the voice of reason and level-headed thinking at the table, with Zeldrith more filling the role of the Bad Idea Guy. Quite the change, isn't it, Roots Persephone?
F Changeling Ash-Born (Varisian) Shaman (Tribe) 2 Init +1; Senses Perception +8 (+2 Dim light), Darkvision AC 12 hp 15/15 Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +6
.On a related note, looking at Persephone's Wisdom score, it seems to be the highest at the table. It looks as though Persephone is going to be the voice of reason and level-headed thinking at the table, with Zeldrith more filling the role of the Bad Idea Guy. Quite the change, isn't it, Roots Persephone?
Hmmm....I may have chosen poorly....admittedly this will be quite a different personality than I am accustomed to portraying....lol.
Funny how much she sounds like Nidintu...haha!
Well, not unless she stomps around everywhere, yells at everything, and says "Thrice-tenth" a lot. 'Voice of reason' is a very subjective title in the Wildwood Band - Nidintu manages it simply by not breaking the fourth wall (Roots) and not reciting poetry written by a madman (Carageorn).
Juriya will happily swear... if the situation calls for it. I'd like to think that she thinks she has "common sense," but in reality she has absolutely none at all, and all of her "common sense" is carefully-reasoned-out habit. She can't read a room for anything, but she logically knows that swearing might have a negative impact on her relations with others, and thus avoids it.
Ano won’t swear unless she’s really, REALLY angry. Even then she might cuss in Catfolk so no one else realizes that she cusses. Her familiar Cherry however swears like a sailor if his patience is tested.
F Changeling Ash-Born (Varisian) Shaman (Tribe) 2 Init +1; Senses Perception +8 (+2 Dim light), Darkvision AC 12 hp 15/15 Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +6
Apologies (DM) I like runes I missed this paragraph of yours above:
Also, please present yourselves shortly and say if you've played (part of) this campaign....
I actually have played RotRL roughly 10+ years ago. It was my initial AP with my current (mostly) Friday home game (SoT).
I played an Alchemist. Fun times! We unfortunately only ran the group to the end of Book 4. Another home group but PFS ran Book 5 and 6 for our characters path to 20th .
Nostalgia is a bittersweet aroma that hopefully clings to your heart.
Okay, now that I'm back from work, I got stuff to write!
Donimah is very much meant to be the "outsider" kind of character for the Sandpoint-born PCs to infodump to, while she infodumps more about history, magical theory and the outside world. She's meant to be moody and arrogant at least starting out, and as I wrote in her Ten-Minute Background I intend for a major component of her narrative arc being her discovering just how bad Thassilon truly was and debating whether that legacy can be redeemed, with her trying to become a better person as she adventures with these fine country bumpkins and they soften her hard heart! :P
I have played in a Rise of the Runelords campaign before. It was in fact the first PbP I joined on these boards. We completed Burnt Offerings and were about midway through The Skinsaw Murders before our GM became burned out. I am well aware of the dangers of metagaming, and will be actively suppressing my memories of that game, doing my best to experience it with new eyes. Donimah is actually kind of a refinement of my PC from that game, Eostre Roldheim. I figured a dwarf has very little reason to actually want to delve into a human empire's history and magic, and I wanted to play up the idea of roleplaying a Varisian native coming to terms with the land's dark past. I feel Donimah and Persephone will make great foils for each other!
Zeldrith too, considering he's a scholar of Thassilon too. I do plan on taking Eldritch Heritage relatively early on (Aberrant specifically) so we can be sorcery buddies too (kind of), though be prepared for Donimah to look down her nose at you at least initially, resenting your natural proficiency with spellcraft while at the same time apparently only dabbling with it. Let me know if she comes of as too passive-aggressive.
I've updated Donimah's sheet to have Automatic Bonus Progression turned off and added her Hero Points to her bar.
Zeldrith too, considering he's a scholar of Thassilon too. I do plan on taking Eldritch Heritage relatively early on (Aberrant specifically) so we can be sorcery buddies too (kind of), though be prepared for Donimah to look down her nose at you at least initially, resenting your natural proficiency with spellcraft while at the same time apparently only dabbling with it. Let me know if she comes of as too passive-aggressive.
No worries - I'm fine with it. The two might not like each other initially, but they have a great deal in common. Both are outsiders to Sandpoint, both are arcanists, and both have an interest in Thassilon. As someone who grew up with a brother who shared a lot of the same interests as me, I predict that they will either be best friends because of their similar natures or hate each other with the heat of ten thousand suns for the little differences that get on each others' nerves - these two states are not mutually exclusive.
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
Persephone. wrote:
Persephone will most likely roll her blue Varisian eyes at the Shoanti until she finds out you're a Wizard!
Table Question: Persephone can share her Teamwork Feat(s) with the group. At the moment, I penciled in Ferocious Loyalty. Any thoughts?
Also, her current Hex choice is Evil Eye, although I can be convinced to take Healing Hex instead?
I'll make my next post Arrian's background but first I wanted to address this post. Do we have anyone else with magical healing? Given his build Arrian really needs Divine Favor to be 'combat effective' - particularly to improve his bonuses to hit and to damage. Taking and using CLW would really tie his hands.
Also, an opinion question, does anyone have a better 1st level feat than Toughess? The main reason I selected it was Inquisitor's are a d8 class and frontlining with that is going to be difficult. Sadly Inquisitors do not get a BAB at 1st level so any feats requiring that aren't an option.
I built him with Knowledge skills in mind so that we have a better chance of identifying creatures and what they can (or can't) do.
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
About me: Shout out to Persephone! I also began on the red box set with the crayon and small, blue dice. :) That also means we're OLD! I've been gaming for over 40 years (yeah probably longer than many of you have been alive lol) and running for many of those years. I started with Pathfinder rules in a home game back in 2016 with the 'Skull & Shackles' AP. S&S and 'Ruins of Azlant' are the only APs I've played so I don't have a bunch of experience with them.
I'm in the U.S. in the Central Time Zone. I'm a drone who does boring stuff since I was in a car accident last year that dislocated my shoulder. Fun stuff... I like to garden although whether I'll be able to continue has yet to be determined but, with the weather warming up, I'll still have tons of cleanup and yardwork to do. That shouldn't effect the time available for PbP unless my right shoulder, and lucky me I'm right handed, is at a point where I can't type for long periods of time. No wife, no kids, no pets (now) so it's just me.
I'm also trying to learn Google Slides with an eye towards GMing in PbP but I'm still a novice with it. If I can help out the GM (or anyone else), I'll do my best.
As to RotRL: I've never played it, run it, or ran it so absolutely everything will be new and a surprise.
Arrian: I wanted a skill-focused 'second line' PC. For those who aren't familiar with the term a 'second liner' is a PC that isn't a 'frontliner' (like our Bloodrager and Magus) but tends to be better in combat than a 'pure' caster. Any help, suggestions, and improvements are definitely welcome. He's a refugee from the Hold of Belkzen so he might have come into contact with Doniman but that depends on how long ago she moved to Sandpoint and/or how close her ties are to the Shoanti in the NE of Varisia. DM Salsa gave me the backstories of some of the NPCs and Jargie, the owner of The Hagfish, seems like a 'soft touch' and someone willing to take in an orphan. To repay Jargie for taking him in Arrian works at The Hagfish doing whatever needs to be done. He's also partaking of some rather dubious eating and drinking habits as seen by his 'Hagfish Hopeful' trait.
Given he doesn't have any family in Sandpoint, and it doesn't look like a hotbed for Cayden Cailean worship, I can see Arrian wandering around Sandpoint with what little free time he has learning about the place and the people. Perhaps he's come into contact with some of the other PCs during this time? He's affable (as half-orcs raised in Belkzen go) but cautious since trust and openness aren't exactly high on the list of priorities taught to little orcs and half-orcs in Belkzen. Given his upbringing and choice of deities Arrian despises bullies and those who try to strongarm others. This will probably cause him issues with the local gang scene as extortion and such are tools for their work.
Do any of us have magical healing? Juriya will get some minor healing for herself at level 4 with the move into Alchemist, but until then she doesn't get any spellcasting, and it will only be level 5 she even gets infusion. She could try to UMD a wand of CLW, but I don't think any of us have the funds for that yet.
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
Juriya Arima wrote:
Do any of us have magical healing? Juriya will get some minor healing for herself at level 4 with the move into Alchemist, but until then she doesn't get any spellcasting, and it will only be level 5 she even gets infusion. She could try to UMD a wand of CLW, but I don't think any of us have the funds for that yet.
Arrian can have CLW but, as I wrote above, that would reduce his combat ability for a tough fight. I hadn't made a final choice on his second 1st level spell; Divine Favor was a must-have and I narrowed down the other choice to either CLW or Pro Evil - both good spells at this level.
Before I was excited for this table, but you guys got me pumped! I'm loving the ideas for PC interactions.
Just to reply to Arrian quickly, Toughness is a great surviving feat especially at level 1. Also great is Dodge, since you invested in AC. It also opens up Mobility which is interesting since there are so many melee characters in the party, which means that you might end up moving around a lot during combat.
But the greatest defensive move you can do is: let the bloodrager go in first.
Yeah. I just realized that I should be loading my crossbow well before a fight breaks out, that way I can get a good one or two sneak attacks at range before going in with Juriya's pitiful melee. The build will come together a lot more at Level 3, with the builtin fencing grace, essentially, and taking Rapid Reload. I'll probably put that in a post after Ano posts, or some similar timeframe.
And I may as well plan for Juriya to devote most of her Extracts and Infusions to Cure spells. I believe if a formula is on the alchemist list we can use a spell trigger without requiring UMD? I'd need confirmation on that. Granted, that only starts happening at level 4.
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
I like runes wrote:
Before I was excited for this table, but you guys got me pumped! I'm loving the ideas for PC interactions.
Just to reply to Arrian quickly, Toughness is a great surviving feat especially at level 1. Also great is Dodge, since you invested in AC. It also opens up Mobility which is interesting since there are so many melee characters in the party, which means that you might end up moving around a lot during combat.
But the greatest defensive move you can do is: let the bloodrager go in first.
Oh I plan to let the Bloodrager and Magus go first. Arrian is a second liner and happy about it. :)
I thought about Dodge too but unfortunately it doesn't help vs. spells or things like falling damage, etc. His AC is higher now because an Inquisitor's average starting gold wasn't enough to afford a falchion hehe.
Another option I was considering when building Arrian was the Sacred Huntsman archetype. It would give him an animal companion which could really help the party out at lower levels. It doesn't 'age' well though.
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
Juriya Arima wrote:
Yeah. I just realized that I should be loading my crossbow well before a fight breaks out, that way I can get a good one or two sneak attacks at range before going in with Juriya's pitiful melee. The build will come together a lot more at Level 3, with the builtin fencing grace, essentially, and taking Rapid Reload. I'll probably put that in a post after Ano posts, or some similar timeframe.
And I may as well plan for Juriya to devote most of her Extracts and Infusions to Cure spells. I believe if a formula is on the alchemist list we can use a spell trigger without requiring UMD? I'd need confirmation on that. Granted, that only starts happening at level 4.
Yep I have an unchained rogue in PFS1 play so I know the pain of waiting to get Dex for damage.
It appears the answer to your spell trigger question is 'yes' but I'll let the GM confirm. This is from the Core rules:
"Spell Trigger: Spell trigger activation is similar to spell completion, but it’s even simpler. No gestures or spell finishing is needed, just a special knowledge of spellcasting that an appropriate character would know, and a single word that must be spoken. Spell trigger items can be used by anyone whose class can cast the corresponding spell. This is the case even for a character who can’t actually cast spells, such as a 3rd-level paladin. The user must still determine what spell is stored in the item before she can activate it. Activating a spell trigger item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity."
The main factor here is the cast part. I realize now I have to take Ranged Feint at level 5 instead of extra discovery. I could just not go for mindchemist, but that wouldn't feel right for the character... And I want that Perfect Recall.
And yes, she will try to talk her way out of a situation if it's even possible. Kitsune Trickster lends itself very well to doing that. Granted, she can't detect traps to save her life, but that fits in with her being very, very oblivious.
I was thinking of dipping one level into life oracle so Ano could have healing (and to give her the lame curse for rage cycling) but if others are dedicated healers that won’t be likely. I might instead dip into swashbuckler to give her parry and make her even deadlier with the rapier.
Juriya isn't a dedicated healer until level 5! Go ahead and dip Life Oracle if you want. I have one in my Tyrant's Grasp Campaign, and she has saved the entire group's hides on many, many occasions. My squishy Wizard VMC Time Oracle nearly died a few times but the ability to quite literally sponge damage saved her.
Male NG Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 6 | HP 51 / 51 | AC 16 / 12 T / 14 FF | CMD 19 | Fort + 9 (+ 2 vs. disease and poison), Ref + 5, Will + 9 | Init + 4 | Perception + 11 (Darkvision 60') | Speed 40 ft. | Hero Points = 2 | Conditions: None| Effects: Bane vs. Undead | Bane: 8/9 | Judgement: 2/2 | Spells: 1st Level (5/5), 2nd Level (3/4) |
Juriya Arima wrote:
Persephone. wrote:
I will make Persephone The Healer. No worries.
Alchemist need UMD for Wands and such. They don't get that ability.
All 5 of my PF1e Alchemists had Pragmatic Activator.
Heck. Link to where it says that?
Second, Shamans are prepared. Have an Unsworn one in my Iron Gods.
Thanks! My PF experience is still what I'd call fairly narrow so I'm unfamiliar with many classes.
What's everyone's vote on Arrian and the archetype? He'd lose out on his judgements which is painful because they're so versatile but a wolf animal companion would help us out at low-levels.
Although our bloodrager and magus are tough!
Alchemist need UMD for Wands and such. They don't get that ability.
All 5 of my PF1e Alchemists had Pragmatic Activator.
Heck. Link to where it says that?
Second, Shamans are prepared. Have an Unsworn one in my Iron Gods.
Thanks! My PF experience is still what I'd call fairly narrow so I'm unfamiliar with many classes.
What's everyone's vote on Arrian and the archetype? He'd lose out on his judgements which is painful because they're so versatile but a wolf animal companion would help us out at low-levels.
Although our bloodrager and magus are tough!
How did you get Wis to knowledge skills? Inquisitor?
Also, I'll keep which Knowledge skills you're specializing in to not step on your toes too much once I hit level 5 and get double INT to knowledge. Thanks for the 2INT+Wis idea.
