Greetings and fair welcome adventurers. I am DM GuardYourPrivates and this is the recruitment thread for a second table of Shards of Golarion. My first table started in July of last year, and as I grew busier this year eventually became my primary focus on these boards.
Now that the hectic time has passed, and the yearly chaos of the holidays has been tamped down I find myself with more time to commit to the boards. I find myself desiring not to play the role of a player again, but to further embrace the mantle of DM.
So what is this campaign of mine? In short, a wizard broke the world trying to recreate Nethy's ascension to godhood. Now the world exists in a billion little pieces, pocket dimensions isolated from the rest of the known world. Each with it's own story of what happened after the world ended.
The party will come into a means to rejoin these shards, essentially merging pieces of the world back together. Learning more of the mad wizard and some of the side effects of his feat.
Below you will find everything you need to apply. Information on the starting shard and it's history since the sundering three years ago. Rules for character creation and campaign traits. As well as a few hints for this unique setting.
His name was Talenthanis. A man desperate for knowledge, and aiming to mirror the feat that propelled Nethys to godhood. Whatever he was encompassing the area in, he was covering the very world in as well. As he worked this feat of near godly magic all felt his mind strain, fracture, and then break.
The smoky substance covering the sky contracted and expanded as if his breath. Uneven and rapid. Then, in the loudest peal of thunder ever heard, everything went white. The thoughts of the wizard were gone, but the smoky sky remained. Light filtered through. Clouds could be seen through the near translucent smoke above. The horizon was still blanketed in darkness, and any attempts to push through the edge was met with a feeling of undistilled terror. Causing one to convulse and flail simply to try and escape it. Attempting to ignore the fear, or perhaps being able to ignore it would result in walking into the smoke only to walk for what felt like miles without progress. Turning back to find only a few steps of distance had been traversed.
So it would seem Passbog became an isolated area. Dozens of large farmsteads cut off to a few acreages owned by a handful of families. The inn, the smithy, and the broken down mill the only major buildings in the center of this small village. A few acres of wood, passing into the Spring Bog, and the glen that held the Vinton Spring were the only other areas that were encompassed in the new boundaries of the world.
It wasn't long until the goblins of the bog, the Frogstump tribe, decided to try and take the area for themselves. They hit the farmsteads first. Catching the Ingell's farm at night and killing everyone. Only the fire of the homestead alerted the neighboring family, but despite the warning the Judds died as well.
The remaining farmsteads gathered and made it to the inn. There they fortified the place as best they could and everyone gathered to make their stand. Farmer Thompson and his two boys, farmer Treydock, the innkeeper Milana and her husband Timothy, the blacksmith Fogril Honormail, and a passing hospitaler named Tel Beys all found what weapons and tools they could and prepared for the assault.
The goblins came in an initial rush that was repelled with little pain on the side of Passbog. Only a sling stone found Thompson's shoulder, but he was still standing. Next came some probing and a few small skirmishes. All told a handful of goblins died, but nothing of consequence other than a small fire came from it.
Then came the battle. The goblins rushed with all their number from every direction. They were clumsy fighters without anything more meaningful than clubs for the most part. Even when they overran an individual the damage they could do was limited, and the more capable fighters of the village were able to turn the tide.
But their numbers proved deadly. Farmer Thompson's younger son was the first to fall to grasping hands, and before he could be rescued by his brother his head was staved in. Then his brother fell in kind, and the boys father charged into the goblin ranks. Driving them clear out of the back door of the inn. He was not seen again.
Next they managed to get past the main fighting and found Treydock's wife. He tried to save her and both perished. Things became truly desperate, and much of the remaining village ended up isolated in the carnage. Fighting was done individually and against several goblins at once.
When the morning came the few goblins left alive fled from a truly gruesome scene. Bodies littered the inside of the inn and sprawled out the doors and even some windows. Half of the second floor was burnt to the ground, and the last casualty among the villagers had been Timothy. Saving his wife from the goblin leader armed with a spear.
The years since have been quiet. Only one farming family, the Tooms, still live. They have taken in the orphaned daughter of farmer Thompson. Fogril still keeps the forge lit, busying himself with what tasks he can and running a self-made still in an attempt to pickle his memory of that night three years past. Milana has repaired the inn, and she keeps more livestock and a garden now. Even makes her own cheese. Tel Beys has taken to trying to repair the old mill, and divides her time between changing the timbers and trying to turn it into a properly fortified tower.
It has been quiet, but lately there have been goblins caught snooping around the village again. Only one or two at a time, but they have been up to something...
CC to start at level one with rolled stats (4d6, reroll 1s, drop lowest), background skills, EitP, max gold at first level, a campaign trait and one other trait. If it's not occult or third party it should be fine. Core races are all approved. Kobolds are in. Tiefling and Aasimar are out. Additional races may be allowed if approved by DM. Not planning for unchained classes. Passbog is a small village in the fields of Andoran, but you could (in theory) be from anywhere in Golarion.
Campaign Traits:
Milana's Hand - The innkeeper has spent her time bringing people together in the last few years. Despite losing her husband in the goblin attacks she has remained determined to keep those of Passbog fulfilled. Aiding her in this endeavor, you have helped to keep smiles on the faces of the villagers. Diplomacy is a class skill for you, and you have a +1 trait bonus to Diplomacy.
Craft All - You've always been a crafter. You have a deep passion for your profession. Supplies in Passbog may be scarce, but you've had nothing but time to practice your trade. You have managed to learn new tricks and take no penalty for using improvised tools. You get an additional +1 trait bonus on craft and profession checks. When you make craft checks to create an item you make progress at half again the normal speed. When earning capital with craft or profession you add 1 to the capital earned.
Goblin Slayer - You've never put the goblin raid behind you. Ever since you have kept an eye out for goblins. Been the first to arrive when they have shown themselves and eager to strike them back. You have trained to better combat their kind, and have even managed to kill one or two over the years. When fighting goblinoids you get a +1 trait bonus to attack and damage rolls, and a +1 dodge bonus against them.
Dogsbody - Despite the lull in activity since the goblin raid there is never a shortage of work to be done. Hauling water, milking animals, harvesting crops, patching fences, and even keeping watch. There is no end to the need for general labor. This has been where you get your sense of purpose. You receive a +1 trait bonus to fortitude saves. Also, you treat handle animal and survival as class skills.
Lookout - Most of the goblins are dead now, but they aren't gone entirely. Occasionally one or two linger at a farmstead. They skulk about in the bogs and always look for chances to steal or harass the animals. Everyone has to stay vigilant, and a weapon close at hand. Just in case. You've always been one of the first ones to spot them. Your keen eyesight gives you a +1 trait bonus on perception checks.
- As a rule of thumb it will be important to have a craft or profession to be able to create what the world cannot provide. Beyond that though, there will be a special material that will eventually be available for the party to craft with. There will be opportunity to make good use of even the most obscure crafting skills, so do not feel you need to focus on weapons and armors.
- Have an idea of what goals your character might have for the world. Being able to essentially rebuild the world gives you a breadth of potential goals. Rebuilding society, ruling, spreading your faith, living an opulent life, finding a bride or groom, and even creating new artifice.
- Character stats and skills will effect the merging of shards. Having a high wisdom to perceive those shards is one thing. Having a high charisma to direct such actions is important as well. A potential shard bearer may also benefit from their skills when merging shards.
- Skills and class features will have varying use depending on the groups choices. A forest ranger won't do well if merging with a piece of a great city. Similarly a dungeon delver won't fair well in wilderness.
- The resources the party has at hand will also depend on what shard the party chooses. You're not too likely to find much fish in a forest devoid of any bodies of water. Or much population for that matter.
I understand all this is a bit of a read, and not only because it is a homebrew setting. I thank you for reading through it, regardless of if you decide to apply. Oh, and for those who do, good luck on your rolls.
I'm interested. I like the idea of non-canonical Golarion lore up to a degree. Let's see what the RNG gods have for me.
This is a 15, 9, 13, 12, 12, 13 array. I hate it, but I guess it'll have to do.
I have some questions. How long do you intend to keep recruitment open? I'm travelling until the end of the year, and have limited access to the forums.
Since the opening post is a mini AP player's guide, do you have some extra information about the campaign? What type of setting/enemies/allies/languages/skills are we most likely to encounter? I understand that the start of it is mostly trying to get Passbog to stay alive and running, but I'm sure it will potentially evolve into planescaping.
Do you have a target endgame level for the party? As I read the opening post (particularly the bit about Passbog), I felt a martial rising in me, so that's what I'd be submitting. But I'm not sure if I'd go with a Bloodrager or a Slayer. Since the post only commented about unchained classes with regards to classes, I'm not sure how you feel about the hybrid classes. If you'd prefer to stick to core/base classes, it would be a division between Barbarian and (Str based) Ranger.
18/17/16/14/14/9
That…that is a good roll. I’m thinking Elven Bloodrager -> Arcane Archer
How long do you intend to keep recruitment open? I'm travelling until the end of the year, and have limited access to the forums.What type of setting/enemies/allies/languages/skills are we most likely to encounter?.
Do you have a target endgame level for the party?
I currently plan to keep recruitment open until the twelfth of January.
There is a very wide variety of settings. I had worked on this campaign for nearly a decade before starting last year. There are many, many different shards (I have tables to roll on.) from different parts of the world and with a diverse set of encounters and potential treasure. The sizes and complexity of the shards also increase with time, though I hesitate to say more.
Endgame should be mid to potentially high teens depending on how things play out.
I do not have a problem with the hybrid classes, though I will admit that I am not the largest fan of either of those you mentioned. End of the day my biggest ask of a character isn't their class.
I'm thinking of an Oracle of Life. Is the Spirit Guide archetype OK?
Yes.
Another quick question: Where in Golarion is Passbog?
Do I reroll the Rerolls?
Another quick question: Where in Golarion is Passbog?
Technically Andor.
One last question, are Alternate Racial Traits available?
I'm converging on a ranger. How do you feel about the Wild Stalker archetype? I feel it's very in the theme in the sense that a wizard trying to become a god is everything against the natural world.
That is a very interesting archetype. I might have to make my first ranger at some point! I see no issue.
Yes, the village is technically in Andor.
Alternate racial traits are allowed, just be sure it's not third party.
I'm going to say only reroll a 1 the first time as the stat rolls are already very loaded. Despite Ven's poor fortune.
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Must....roll...
11
16
12
12
16
15
Not bad!
13
14
13
13
15
11
Not bad. Thinking maybe bard.
When the world broke into shards did this have any affect on divine spellcasters, like clerics? Did it have any affect (that we know of) on other planes?
This is sr with my WIP - Aja. I might tweak her gear a bit but she's pretty much done. If you have any questions, please ask.
Thanks for considering her.
CC to start at level one with rolled stats (4d6, reroll 1s, drop lowest), background skills, EitP, max gold at first level, a campaign trait and one other trait.
EtiP??? Is that supposed to be elephant in the room?
CC to start at level one with rolled stats (4d6, reroll 1s, drop lowest), background skills, EitP, max gold at first level, a campaign trait and one other trait.EtiP??? Is that supposed to be elephant in the room?
Yes.
Final questions:
- Do you want an alias for the character now? Or is it enough to post the character and only create the alias if selected to join?
- What's the starting wealth?
- What's the starting wealth?
max gold at first level
Lets roll, because I like rolling
At a 16/16/14/12/11/10 I can do a lot of things! 28 point buy nice!
What is the current party lineup?
16, 17, 16, 15, 14, 12.
... Okay I'm probably going to make a Skald. or Arcanist Dual Talent human.
Final questions:
- Do you want an alias for the character now? Or is it enough to post the character and only create the alias if selected to join?
- What's the starting wealth?
You can hold off on the alias if you'd like. Having the information for selection is plenty.
What is the current party lineup?
So far we have:
- Stormraven / Human / Spirit Guide Oracle
- Trawets / Potentioal Bard
- Rdknight / arcane caster and or investigator
- Violant / Skald or dual talent human Arcanist
@DaisL- No known effect to divine casters or other planes. As far as anyone knows at the start of the campaign.
Looks like we need a tank. I’ll put together a Gloomblade Fighter.
GM…while Core races are allowed, would you allow a Duegar (cursed/blessed by Torag)? I’d use basic dwarf rules with the Gloomblade archetype representing his racial powers. I’ve got a story in mind if this is allowed
Looks like we need a tank. I’ll put together a Gloomblade Fighter.
GM…while Core races are allowed, would you allow a Duegar (cursed/blessed by Torag)? I’d use basic dwarf rules with the Gloomblade archetype representing his racial powers. I’ve got a story in mind if this is allowed
I honestly think that would be a bit of a hard sell. While there are entrances to the Pathfinder version of the underdark in northern Andor I can't see a martial Duegar making their way down to passbog. Let alone being welcome with a dwarven blacksmith about.
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Fair enough, that’s why I ask rather than just throw a profile at you. :)
I’ll make something else.
Idea:
Savage technologist (Barbarian archetype) with a bit of a (non magical) crafting focus.
Doesnt have a gun at level 1 but will likely make one at level 2.
Doubles as a general purpose crafter who can also fight in melee.
Will fight with a self made pistol made from scrap most likely and with a Cestus.
If guns aren't allowed, Lily, I'd suggest getting someone else to craft an adaptive bow. Considering both your STR and DEX go up when you rage, as a savage technologist that's still a pretty formidable weapon. Currently playing too many gun chars myself, and unless I'm allowed to ignore racial restrictions on archetypes -- I'm going with the Skald idea.
If I can ignore it... Rogue - Arcanist - Arcane Trickster Dual Talent Human. These stats are too good to just ignore.
I am not like, fully minmaxing it and just grabbing an Orc Hornbow via military tradition or being a half orc, some type of sword and a hand crossbow could work, but its difficult to reload (unless you are a tiefling or you take a dip in Witch for prehensile hair), unless useing a cestus.
The other fun thing with savage technologist is they dont have sudden barbarian death syndrome, and have actually very high AC since their rage doenst reduce AC. I do like the archetype because it is actually competitive with Bloodragers (Bloodragers have a lot more utility because they are decent faces, can cast spells, and have pretty reasonable class skills to boot), which most Barbarians simply arent.
@Liliyashanina- I don't have an issue with guns, but there would need to be an explanation how you ended up in the Andor countryside with one. On top of that keep in mind that you might have to create powder and such from scratch. There certainly isn't a supplier at the start of the campaign, and the parties choices may make it easier or more difficult to remain supplied.
That said I (cautiously) like the idea of a gunpowder enthusiast in a campaign like this. If selected they will have to promise the DM not to blow up anything larger than a mansion.
@Pauljathome- Tel Beys is not tied to anyone from Passbog and the circumstance around them being present during the shattering does not account for an apprentice. Though you have made me think on something tangential.
A kitsune in disguise would be acceptable. I will say however, that it is unlikely that the final party will feature multiple exotic race characters.
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@Pauljathome- Tel Beys is not tied to anyone from Passbog and the circumstance around them being present during the shattering does not account for an apprentice. Though you have made me think on something tangential.
Is Tel himself available as a PC? And if he is, would it be reasonable for him to be a warrior poet Samurai?
@Lilyashanina: Keep in mind you do not get gunsmithing with Savage Technologist. Meaning you can't make cheap gunpowder like a gunslinger can.
I'll probably have a White Mage arcanist drafted up within a few days. If possible, I'd probably not make them even know they're a kitsune? The idea was floated in a different campaign and I like the idea. And the inevitable reaction when they get baleful polymorphed would be funny.
Actually, no to the White Mage arcanist. Spellcasting is delayed enough, no need to restrict myself from getting Exploits until 4th level.
Syardis here is my character submission, Half-Elf Wizard with the Chronomancer archetype and Conjuration (Teleportation) sub-school. She's a straightforward character, nothing fancy, but I don't play full arcane caster classes much, so it's best this way.
Syardis is almost finished but I still need to sort out some of her purchases. I'm going to keep her backstory simple. She's a fledgling wizard and student in Almas. She's from Augustana and happened to be traveling through Passbog on her way home to visit her family. Now she's stuck there. I haven't seen any mention of where Passbog is located specifically, so does it work to have her making that trip to place her there? If not, I can relocate the hometown to make it match the geography.
Also, I'm still on the fence about her campaign trait. Presently it's Milana's Hand, but I'm still looking at Craft All and then picking up an item creation feat or two. Would the Inscribe Magical Tattoo feat be okay?
Is Tel himself available as a PC? And if he is, would it be reasonable for him to be a warrior poet Samurai?@Pauljathome- Tel Beys is not tied to anyone from Passbog and the circumstance around them being present during the shattering does not account for an apprentice. Though you have made me think on something tangential.
Sorry for not touching on that. No.
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I haven't seen any mention of where Passbog is located specifically, so does it work to have her making that trip to place her there? If not, I can relocate the hometown to make it match the geography.
Also, I'm still on the fence about her campaign trait. Presently it's Milana's Hand, but I'm still looking at Craft All and then picking up an item creation feat or two. Would the Inscribe Magical Tattoo feat be okay?
That's actually where Passbog is located, if a bit off the normal roads.
That feat would be wonderful.
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Cool. Syardis wouldn't claim to have a great sense of direction, so a less than optimal route of travel wouldn't be out of bounds for her. I wanted Augustana if possible because I want to make her family a very comfortable middle class one. The family business is making iron and brass fittings for ships, mostly for the Andoran navy, and that's where the big shipyards are located. The family owns a foundry and a brassworks. Juicy government contracts are paying for Syardis's fancy schools. The family is by tradition Caydenite, but Syardis has switched to Nethys, which is very on trend; or at least it was if there's no whole Almas to be found anywhere anymore.
I'll take a closer look at crafting feats and figure out what I might have room for. I like the Inscribe Magical Tattoo feat a lot, and might be able to pick up another.
Right. Attempt number 2! Before I make a profile and full background…
Race: Human of Half-Elf
Class: Elementalist Shifter
Craft or Profession: Not sure yet. Trying to figure out what leads best into what is below.
Feats: lvl 5 (master craftsman) lvl 7 (craft wondrous items)
Have the plan of building to Craft Wondrous Items so that he can make Elemental Augmentations. I’ve never seen them used before.
Given that the campaign will have us putting the world back together, an Elemental Focused character seemed like he would fit.
Also…how appropriate would it be to have a character be a local? The first post made it sound like only one farmer family remains. I’m not sure how many people are left in the town and wouldn’t want to presume.
Introducing Dagna Jursk. A dwarven barbarian from the Five King Mountains. Dagna only meant to stay in Passbog for one night when the world broke, leaving her stranded away from any family.
I'll write up a full background in the next couple days.
The current living members of the village are as follows:
- Tel Beys (Hospitaler)
- Fogril Honormail (Blacksmith)
- Milana Ciarsong (Innkeeper)
- Tooms family. (Martin, Yana, son Thomas, adopted daughter Alberta)
Party members can be local, but given how small of a passing through village it was they are most likely to have been travelers making their way through when the world broke. I'm not going to box anyone in for their origin story though. Maybe a someone is hiding out in the boonies to escape their past. I know my other table had an escaped halfling slave that had been smuggled out of Chel. Passing through or not, it has been three years since the shattering at the start of the campaign.
No issue with shifter or elemental augmentations.