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Greetings all I had an idea for a nuatical campiagn a while back but didnt pan out.
I am currently running a 5e Temple of Elemental Evil mashup campaign but have an idea for a campaign based in a Grimdark Human centric world with no Full casters
Only partial casters remain. Witches,Wozards, Sorcerers, Kineticists, Arcanists, Clerics, Oracles,Druids,Pyshics(i misspell this all the time) are gone.
Think the Early Modern era tech [ie The Pike and Shot, 30 Years War, Protestant Reformation, Holy Roman Empire Ext.]
Avable Classes are: Barbarian, Bard, Fighter, Ranger, Paladin, Rogue,Alchemist,Cavalier, Inquisitor,Magus,Gunslinger,Bloodrager, Shifter, Vigilante, Slayer, Warpriest,Investigator, Medium, Occultist,Hubter,Swashbuckler, Spiritualist, Mesmerist, Summoner(No Synthesist), Monk,Brawler,Skald
Might allow for Gesalt, but magical items are rare. Most monsters are considered mythical. Undead are known as are some other things (Giants, Ogre, Orcs,Goblins, Elementals)
Most common issues are bandits, political intrigue, Guild politics, pending wars, active wars, religious strife . Ect.
Most will take place in The Grand City [using alot of Lankhamar as the basis for the City ]
Races would be: Human, with 1/2 Orc, Changeling, Aasimar, Tiefling, Elemental Blood, Working on a 1/2 Fae to replace 1/2 Elves, also Mongrel Folk. Also Ratfolka as I love Ratfolk
Guns are still early but are more available, but heavily restricted.
Arcane magic is mysterious and its practictions considered untrustworthy.
Might have a singular main religion with philosphies out thier and A smatterinf of old gods. Not sure on that yet
My goal is to tell a grimdark tale of possible upheval with the world set up in a large game of politics and war. Sinister forces seeking to manipulate the world in jopes to bring back ancient gods and demons [like The Great Old ones and Demon lords]

Ouachitonian |

Sounds interesting. Given the relatively low magic, have you considered using Automatic Bonus Progression?

Robert Henry |

Nice idea Critzible, I'd certainly be interested. I'll hold off on more questions until it's an official 'recruitment thread.'
Since we're talking low magic, if you wanted to go a different route, there is always The World of Xoth

pinvendor |

While I know they're barred because they trigger the full caster tag, but in a low magic setting Oracles are thematically appropriate as their magic "comes at a price".
I'm assuming Unchained Summoners, or are you willing to allow the OG?
Since we're talking low magic, if you wanted to go a different route, there is always The World of Xoth.
That's a nice resource. I like the section on Natural Healing in a "sword and sorcery" setting.

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No high level spells save rhe Occultist who has super limited spells.
OG Summoner. Just no Synethisist Summoner.
Basically 6th level spells are the max.
Also no Kineticists as they wont fit.
The idea is the Gods had to shut off the flow of magic and miracles as it was breaking reality and the Old Gods, Demons, Devils, Dark Fey and more began to alter the landscape ans it took the remaining gods to unite and curb the onslaught. One of the few times rhe Dawn Gods all worked together. Some became even more twisted then the others and another divine war happemed limiting the power of Divinity in humans.
Thats basically the idea.

Andostre |

I'm also curious if you'd be allowing the Unchained version of the classes.
Also...
Most monsters are considered mythical.
I just want to clarify that you don't mean that monsters are using the Mythic rules, right? I think you mean that they are rare and are considered mythical stories.
Anyway, I've heard of lots of people express interest in a low magic 3.x or PF1 campaign, but I've never heard from anyone who's played in one and navigated how low magic affects the game's balance.

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I'm also curious if you'd be allowing the Unchained version of the classes.
Also...
Critzible wrote:Most monsters are considered mythical.I just want to clarify that you don't mean that monsters are using the Mythic rules, right? I think you mean that they are rare and are considered mythical stories.
Anyway, I've heard of lots of people express interest in a low magic 3.x or PF1 campaign, but I've never heard from anyone who's played in one and navigated how low magic affects the game's balance.
Yeah though Im not familiar with the Unchained Monk
And yeah More myth then Mythic

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Arcane casters [save Bards and Those who use Alchemy] are feared and distrusted at best with Hatred and could be assaulted
Occult casters are a mixed bag of mystery and fear. Can be mistaken for Divine or Arcane.
Divine casters are tolerated some are hailed as saviors others as tolerated devils in disguise as many blame the gods for the lack of Magic they relied on for so long.

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Well, I'd certainly be interested in this.
OG Summoner. Just no Synethisist Summoner.
They do get pretty wizardly, between 9th level summon monster and the APG summ's spell discounts, so it is worth keeping an eye out. But hell, I may even submit one myself.
Question. If we worked out an adjustment to its more problematic aspects, would you consider a Synthesist Summoner? Mainly by disallowing the HP cheese and readjusting ability scores to work more like wild shape. That way you don't have immortal summoners with 8/8/8 physical stats in base form.

Storm Dragon |

TBH I've never really seen why people ban Synthesist. it is literally worse in every conceivable way than baseline Summoner. Summoner is strong because of action economy. You get two fully fledged characters for the price of one.
Synthesists trades half your actions for...slightly better physical stats. It's an awful trade.
It's like building a Fighter who gets +4 to attack rolls...for the cost of being permanently Staggered. It ain't worth it if you're actually optimizing.
I do agree though that base Summoner is essentially a full caster in disguise, which is problematic. The usual compromise I see is to run the OG Summoner but with the Unchained Summoner spell list. This brings them in line with other 6-casters.

pinvendor |

OG Summoner. Just no Synethisist Summoner.
Nice. I have a Summoner character I'm still peddling to games which I will submit if this transitions from Interest to Recruitment.
I do agree though that base Summoner is essentially a full caster in disguise, which is problematic.
Curse you, Storm Dragon! You're ruining it for me!
;-P
Naw, in all seriousness. My summoner will just be there with popcorn to watch their eidolon wreck bad guys.