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A Call to the Bold: Opening Pandora's Box
The year is 1935. A shadow stretches across Europe, cast by the iron fist of a rising power. Beneath the surface of political turmoil, another, more ancient darkness stirs. Whispers of stolen relics, clandestine cults, and mad science echo far and wide from the fog-choked alleys of London to the sun-drenched ruins of the Mediterranean.
Whether drawn by fate, curiosity, or perhaps a desperate plea – these are the first threads in a tapestry of intrigue that threatens the very fabric of humanity. A sinister force seeks to unlock a power beyond mortal comprehension, and they are not alone in their pursuit. The agents of different forces, each with their own dark ambitions, lurk in the shadows, eager to seize any advantage.
This is a call to adventure, a journey into the heart of pulp thrills, forgotten magic, and occult horror. Perhaps you are a hardened veteran wary of creeping fascism, a seasoned archaeologist with a thirst for forgotten lore, an occult investigator wrestling with the unseen, or someone touched by the strange currents of the era. You will decipher ancient clues, battle agents of the vile and greedy, explore forgotten civilizations, encounter terrifying creatures born of science and superstition, and stand against the encroaching darkness that threatens to engulf the world.
Are you brave enough to peer into the abyss? Are you willing to risk everything to prevent what could be unleashed?
Apply now, and let the adventure begin…
Game System, & 3rd Party Content
This game will use the Pathfinder 1st edition ruleset. It will include a number of alternate rules; some ‘standardized’ ones, some that I have seen used on these boards, and some modifications that I have used at my tables over the years. No 3rd party content will be approved for use.
Character Concept
This is a chance to make a character that blends modern ideas with the fun of the medieval setting we all know and love. Be creative and have fun. I encourage you to start with a concept and find the mechanics to match, not the other way around.
For those who have only played in a traditional fantasy setting but are interested in this game, I have included here a list of Character Concepts. Hopefully these help fuel the creative process.
Backstory
Your characters are starting with a degree of experience, so create a backstory of how they got to where they are. A couple adventures or unique experiences, a bit of intrigue, a tragic past. Something compelling, that perhaps includes some unanswered questions or unresolved hooks (that I can tie into the campaign).
Personality & Motivations
This is ROLE-playing, but in order to take on the role of your character, you must have an idea of who they are. Share a few major characteristics about their personality, and what motivates them to take action in these times.
Alignment, and Morals
For mechanical ease, I do ask that you select a “classic alignment”. I would then ask you to flesh out a couple sentences about their morale and political worldviews.
Connections
Your characters exist in a world filled with millions of people - create a few iconic NPCs they have cross paths with (could be friend, lover, mentor, rival, foe, or simply an unknown stranger from their past) and a couple sentences about each. These do not need to be long. Just a quick concept, the nature of their relationship, and one or two more details.
Ability Scores
Each player has 86 points to distribute between their six ability scores (not points buy, but actual total). You are required to have two odd ability scores at character creation. An example set would be: 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 10.
Race
All characters are Human. In addition to the base Human package (1 bonus feat, +1 skill point per level), you get to select 2 racial abilities from one other race (these can either be from the base race, or alternate options). Please tie them in to your backstory (not being that ‘other race’, but rather some way those abilities might have manifested in a human - be creative).
You also have the option of using the standard human “+2 to any one ability score”, or you can select “+2 to one physical ability score, +2 to one mental ability score, and a -2 to one ability score”.
Class
All Paizo published classes are open to players. There are definitely some that I am not as familiar with, but we will work to ensure understanding of any esoteric rules or mechanics. Unchained classes are available, but only required for the Summoner.
Archetypes
I like the “Free Archetype” rule of pathfinder 2e, and have seen it done similarly in a few 1e games (& have tried it in one of mine). So, I am going to put it in place for this game - you may take an archetype for your class and gain its benefits without its losses. If the archetype is essentially a total rebuild, it will either not be allowed, or require some modification
If you would like a 2nd archetype, it will take away abilities as per normal.
Level
The adventure starts with the assumption that each of your characters have some notable life experience and backstory - so build at 4th level. Leveling will be handled on a narrative basis (so experience points will not be tracked).
Traits
You get one trait from this page of “Campaign Traits”.
You may then select 2 traits as per normal, or 3 if you take a drawback.
Skills
We will be using the “Background Skills” alternate rule.
All classes that normally have 2+Int skills are increased to 4+int. All other classes are increased by +1.
“Skill Unlocks” will be used. All characters will be able to select one skill at 5th level (and one more every 5 levels) with which they can use skill Unlocks [as per the Rogue’s Edge ability]. Classes with 6+int skill points will get to select two skill unlocks at each progressive milestone (2 @ 5th, 10th, etc]. Rogues get access to all Skill Unlocks for any skill they have the appropriate number of ranks in.
A few additional skills necessary for a modern setting:
Drive (dex): this is the ability to operate an automobile
Pilot (dex): this is the ability to operate a plane
Craft, Knowledge, and Profession skills can all have new specialties - submit something you would like to have, and I will give a ruling.
Athletics (str): this should have been consolidated back when Perception (listen+spot) and Stealth (hide+move silently) both became the norm. This is essentially “Climb+Swim+any other feats of strength”.
Feats
“Elephant in the Room” feat tax alternate rules are being used..
All characters start with one additional feat at 1st level, and gain one feat at every level (instead of every other).
The only Item Creation feats available to players currently are Scribe Scroll and Brew Potion (though others may become available later through gameplay).
Equipment & Firearms
In addition to those already listed above, the following alternate rules surrounding Equipment are in effect:
"Automatic Bonus Progression"
"Defense Bonus to AC" (customized)
"Modern Firearms Rules" with a customized "Firearm List"
"Abstract Wealth System" (details are still being worked on)
Greetings all, I am a 40-something man residing in Massachusetts (USA) with my wife of 12 years, 2 boys (both under 5), mother (in her role as ‘nonna’ to our boys), dog, and 4 cats. I am a restaurant manager, and have been working in hospitality for over 25 years.
As for gaming experience, my early days started with storytelling games with my brother involving lego knights. This progressed in 1991 into HeroQuest and the ‘Black Box’ edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Soon after we dove into years of AD&D 2nd edition, and then 3rd Edition. When the 4th Edition / Pathfinder schism occurred, my gaming group resoundingly went with Pathfinder, and have remained loyal ever since. Though initially the ‘younger brother’ in my gaming group, after a few years I was given a seat at the head of the table, and GMing became my role of choice.
Along the way, I also delved into the various White Wolf games, Call of Cthulhu, RuneQuest, GURPs, and many others. I spent several years involved with a LARP in Pennsylvania, where I was part of the “perma-cast”, did some writing, and event GMed a few events.
A word of caution…
These are very generous character creation rules, please do not try to break them. I encourage you to create a unique, highly capable individual. But if I feel that a proposed character has been min/maxed and will be unbalancing in gameplay, it will not be considered for inclusion in the game.
Gameplay Expectations
A few common questions about gameplay:
Posting rate: 1/day weekdays, 1/weekend
Combat: maps posted via Google Docs
Combat: rolled initiative, then grouped actions
Recruitment Timeline
This is definitely a more complicated character creation process that is typical for Pathfinder 1e, especially when you take into account building for a modern setting. In addition, there is a holiday next weekend (Mother’s Day), and college graduations across the next couple weeks. I am going to say a closing date for applicants of Tuesday, May 20th, with the next three days for final revisions until the end of day on Friday, May 23rd. I then will hope to select and announce the party of 5-6 characters on Monday, May 26th.
DOT
Having read through the rules now, I have a general concept, and some questions: My character will be a WWI veteran and, unbeknownst to him, the nearest living relative of King Arthur. Probably a fighter, but maybe a Swashbuckler, Paladin, or some other fighty type. He knows his way around a gun, but is also a classically-trained swordsman.
Is VMC allowed? With so many feats, it'd be a nice way of adding some extra spice.
Can our Connections include historical figures? My character might easily have served with Tolkien, Lewis, Churchill, etc during The Great War (or studied at Oxford under some of them later on).
On skill ranks: Are we starting with 4+Int skills and background skills (ie 2 more ranks per level that have to go a certain place) or 4+ total, after accounting for the extra two background skills? I read it as the former, but I want to be sure.
How are hit points determined for levels 2-4?
Standard starting gold? (for ABP, at any rate)
What do these guns in the custom list cost?
Here from the interest group. I will try to make my character when I get back from work tonight
Day just started
Popping in Helena here
So, I just had a concept come to mind but I am not totally certain it will work. I was thinking of a rich playboy. Someone with fast cars and planes and all the best "toys". I'm not sure if rich would work. Then I have to figure out a class. Bard? Rogue? I'll have to put some thought into it.
So, I just had a concept come to mind but I am not totally certain it will work. I was thinking of a rich playboy. Someone with fast cars and planes and all the best "toys". I'm not sure if rich would work. Then I have to figure out a class. Bard? Rogue? I'll have to put some thought into it.
Since we're getting free archetypes, you might wanna consider Rogue with the Phantom Thief archetype.
As for myself, I've been wanting to play in a modern(esque) game with some sort of Ghost Rider gimmick. Obviously, there's the Cavalier archetype of the same name, but also there's an old school Ghost Rider who wielded two pistols, so maybe Gunslinger.
I don't suppose you'll consider gestalt, eh? lol
Hi GM wanderer82
I wanted to try this, Altering Helena Conradina Von Der Ahe to the new build rules. This is also her new look.
Making her an Physic investigator, But I also wanted to give her at 1st level this feat, gving her some Elf blood.
Racial Heritage (Human) ELF Blood
The blood of a non-human ancestor flows in your veins.
Prerequisite: Human.
Benefit: Choose another humanoid race. You count as both human and that race for any effects related to race. For example, if you choose dwarf, you are considered both a human and a dwarf for the purpose of taking traits, feats, how spells and magic items affect you, and so on
Slower aging, a little Longer lived and with a elf effinity.
So my idea for Alice. She's small and rather frail looking, but looks can be deceiving. She has unnatural strength
I'm having a Tali with a krogan claymore vibe
Half giant : powerful build trait and low light vision
@wanderer82: Would an opera singer/artist tormented by a mystic connection to the Dreamlands/Kadath/Carcosa/something similar be appropriate? My goal is to mix in both Hellboy comic book-esque pulpiness with a Mythos angle and go from there.
She would definitely be a charisma caster of some sort, but I don't know whether I would go the overused route of making her a Bard or something more innovative like Oracle or Psychic and just making her opera/art angle be pure fluff.
Sounds SO interesting.
Dotting, but rough sketch is that he's a moderately charismatic stage magician who has discovered over the course of a few strange adventures that he actually has magical abilities and a penchant for deciphering arcane texts. He'll be a universalist wizard.
Sounds SO interesting.
Dotting, but rough sketch is that he's a moderately charismatic stage magician who has discovered over the course of a few strange adventures that he actually has magical abilities and a penchant for deciphering arcane texts. He'll be a universalist wizard.
Or maybe a sorcerer. Not sure yet.
So, I just had a concept come to mind but I am not totally certain it will work. I was thinking of a rich playboy. Someone with fast cars and planes and all the best "toys". I'm not sure if rich would work. Then I have to figure out a class. Bard? Rogue? I'll have to put some thought into it.
Billie here more or less occupies the same lane you're thinking about. Maybe they're a couple of sort if they both get selected? The wealthy do tend to travel in packs so they don't have to resort to mingling with average people so much. The White Lotus taught me this. :p
Of course Billie will almost certainly dump you at some point. But until then it could be good!
Sorry to monopolize the thread, but final change to a Rogue - Eldritch Scoundrel archetype. Perfect for a stage magician technician who discovers a true knack for magic.
Now back to your regularly scheduled recruitment.
So, I just had a concept come to mind but I am not totally certain it will work. I was thinking of a rich playboy. Someone with fast cars and planes and all the best "toys". I'm not sure if rich would work. Then I have to figure out a class. Bard? Rogue? I'll have to put some thought into it.Since we're getting free archetypes, you might wanna consider Rogue with the Phantom Thief archetype.
As for myself, I've been wanting to play in a modern(esque) game with some sort of Ghost Rider gimmick. Obviously, there's the Cavalier archetype of the same name, but also there's an old school Ghost Rider who wielded two pistols, so maybe Gunslinger.
I don't suppose you'll consider gestalt, eh? lol
Phantom Thief is exactly where I went thinking about Billie. She's a medical doctor with expensive hobbies.
But I do wonder if it is one of the archetypes that approaches a class rebuild as Wanderer82 mentioned. What do you think GM?
...or maybe mine is too close to the two of yours. Maybe I'll go Sorcerer with Seeker archetype instead.
Well, Billie is a materialist and rationalist philosophically. She doesn't even believe in magic, to whatever extent that is possible in this scenario. She certainly won't be casting spells since she won't really believe anyone is actually casting spells.
So initially I wanted to call her Alice. But since my concept has changed a tad due to inspiration, Im calling her Talia Ravenscroft
Still police/security. But again. She seems like the runt of the litter and newbies or criminals think it's easy to bully her. Until they try. Or see that she can handle a shotgun that's made for someone twice her size.
She's about 5ft (1.5m). Long red hair. Green eyes. Firecracker as a nickname. She tends to have a bit of a temper. And a thing about being called short (sorry for the trope.)
Unlike the rest of her siblings who went into law and doctors, she joined the police. And so far, she's rather good at what she does
So this Avatar and this name will be the basis of my character. Grizzeled army veteran whose 'seen far too many unexplained things' to doubt.
I'll be steady working on him
Dread
Wow, I am impressed by the level of interest so fast! Unfortunately, I somehow left out a section of my recruitment, explaining the setting as it stands.
Alternate Earth
This game will take place the 1930s in what will start as our historical Earth. On paper, the history is the same, and the world functions as it did at the time. Of course there are old wives’ tales and legends of monsters, fairies, and magic from the distant past. People whisper that the abandoned hospital is haunted. And most of the town will tell you of an ancient curse on those burial grounds out be on the cliff in the woods. But to 99.9% of the population, these things only exist in imagination.
But some of these things are real. A vast majority of the population have either never encountered it, and of those who have, most are cognitively overwhelmed by the reality and so their mind works it into something processible.
Your characters, on the other hand, have experienced, seen, or learned something, and are fully aware of it. What that thing is, is up to you. Tie it into your story. And if it is yourself, perhaps a priest blessed with divine gifts, or a scholar who discovered a text of arcane lore and taught themselves to be a wizard, that works as well.
Setting Feel
Some scenes will be very “real world”, while others will take on a more magical/fantastical/gothic feel. To give a rough approximation in movie terms - the game will swing up and down a spectrum ranging from Indiana JoneS to The Mummy(Brendan Frasier) to Hellboy.
—--------
Starting Location
The game will start in London, though will progress across the globe.
Variant Multi class
Yes, this is allowed.
Gestalt
No. These character creation rules are already very generous, Gestalt would be over the top.
Equipment
This was meant to be included in the equipment rules. Please go ahead and select any basic equipment and up to several weapons, do not worry about cost. You can have masterwork tools, and up to two masterwork weapons.
No one will be starting with magical items, they are basically non-existent.
Bonus Racial Abilities
Please keep these to abilities drawn from Core Races (they can be from their base abilities, or alternate abilities available as well). If there is something specific that you really feel fits a storyline purpose for your character but it's from another race, please PM me with the ability and why, and we can discuss.
—---------
You can take Elf Blood as one of your bonus racial abilities. Please note that it will not mean you have literal elf blood, but you are connected to some kind of fey line. Also, could you PM me a bit more explaining what you are suggesting about her age in your backstory?
My apologies, but the Half-Giant is from the book Psionics Unleashed, by dreamscarred press, which is 3rd Party Content and so, not available.
Yes, the overall concept is sound, but be advised, while there may be some touches of the Cthulhu mythos, this will not be a Cthulhu game. As for class selection, both ideas have merit. On one hand, the opera singer whose voice is literally magic is definitely a cool concept. On the other hand, being an amazing singer and having the magic thrust upon you is equally intriguing.
I guess a good question would be, what kind of magic do you want to wield? The Bard's spell list is focused on enchantment, stealth, and deception. Both the Oracle and psychic have more ability to have it customize the spell list depending on what you want your abilities to be.
I am toying around with an idea of a British aristocrat who was spending time with family in France when World War I broke out. Things got bad and she had to learn to survive. After the war, her family was overjoyed to find her alive. They pulled her back into society life and married her off, but it was all hollow to her.
I am thinking she is now a widow, her husband having passed, and she stays to the family's country estate. She uses being in mourning as reason to avoid high society, but really just cannot stand the pageantry of it all.
I am thinking Ranger for class, having learned to survive amidst the horror of war.
@GM
PM on way GM.
Having had some time to play around a little with the Phantom Thief Rogue, I'm thinking it might not be what I'm looking for.
I think maybe Investigator is more where I should be. Possibly taking the Profiler archetype as the free one and adding Mastermind as a standard extra archetype.
@Wanderer82: If I went with Investigator could I fluff the alchemy as chemistry and biology to eliminate the magic aspect of alchemy? It edges on over toward weird science more, but that's more compatible with Billie's worldview than magical tinkering. Billie is more a Skully than a Mulder.
And a few random, mostly skill-oriented questions.
1. Billie would have taken chemistry and biology as an undergrad or at least in medical school. K Nature works fine for Biology but should there maybe be a K Chemistry skill, or maybe it's better as Craft Chemistry? Would Psychology and associated be covered by Sense Motive, or would K Psychology be better?
2. What skill would be used for machine repair? Can K Engineering cover it, or should it be something new?
3. How should we treat the new skills Drive and Pilot in terms of whether they are class skills or not? If not, how do we get them as class skills?
4. Investigator has Climb as a class skill but Swim is not. Would the new combined skill Athletics be a class skill or not?
5. Is the game going to make use of sanity rules at all?
Sorry for the barrage of questions. I have a bit of free time at the moment so I'm trying to get character basics nailed down.
No problem, i understand, ill go for dwarf (she is short after all)
Stability and Unstoppable. still going for the 'shes not as a push over (literally) as she may look' idea
Still need to add a few of the custom rules, but so far, this is Talia
Talia Ravencroft
Human investigator (steel hound) 4 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 30, 103)
LN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +9; Senses Perception +12 (+14 to not be surprised in a surprise round of combat)
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Defense
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AC 22, touch 17, flat-footed 15 (+5 armor, +4 Dex, +3 dodge)
hp 31 (4d8+8)
Fort +3, Ref +9, Will +7; +2 bonus vs. poison
Defensive Abilities trap sense +1
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee spring blade +7 (1d4+2)
Ranged +1 shotgun +5/+5 (1d8+3) or
. . mwk nagant m1895 revolver +5/+5 (1d8+2/×4)
Special Attacks deeds (blind shot, quick clear), grit (2), studied combat (+2, 4 rounds), studied strike +1d6
Investigator (Steel Hound) Extracts Prepared (CL 4th; concentration +8)
. . 2nd—cure moderate wounds, lesser restoration
. . 1st—cure light wounds (2), endure elements, identify
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Statistics
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Str 14, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +7; CMD 22
Feats Agile Maneuvers, Alertness, Amateur Gunslinger[UC], Combat Expertise, Deadly Aim, Gunsmithing[UC], Improved Initiative, Medium Armor Proficiency, Power Attack, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload, Rapid Shot
Traits giant ambivalence, larger than life, seeker
Skills Acrobatics +11, Bluff +8, Craft (alchemy) +11 (+15 to create alchemical items), Diplomacy +8 (+6 vs. Creatures that threaten, accuse, or challenge you and haven't apologized), Disable Device +11, Intimidate +8 (While wielding a firearm, considered one size category larger than your actual size), Knowledge (engineering) +11, Knowledge (history) +11, Knowledge (local) +11, Knowledge (religion) +11, Perception +12 (+14 to not be surprised in a surprise round of combat), Sense Motive +12 (+10 vs. Creatures that threaten, accuse, or challenge you and haven't apologized), Spellcraft +11, Stealth +11
Languages Chinese, English, French, German, Russian
SQ alchemy (alchemy crafting +4), finesse weapon attack attribute, inspiration (6/day), investigator talent (perceptive tracking[ACG]), keen recollection, packing heat, pride, trapfinding +2
Other Gear mwk mithral chain shirt, mwk shotgun[UC], bullet[UC] (28), metal cartridge[UC] (40), mwk nagant m1895 revolver, spring blade[UI], backpack, belt pouch, canteen[UE], do not touch, flint and steel, gunsmith's kit[UC], hemp rope (50 ft.), hip flask[UE], waterskin, 1,132 gp, 2 sp
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Special Abilities
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Agile Maneuvers Use DEX instead of STR for CMB
Alchemy +4 (Su) +4 to Craft (Alchemy) to create alchemical items, can Id potions by touch.
Amateur Gunslinger Although you are not a gunslinger, you have and can use grit.
Combat Expertise +/-1 Bonus to AC in exchange for an equal penalty to attack.
Deadly Aim -1/+2 Trade a penalty to ranged attacks for a bonus to ranged damage.
Deeds
Finesse Weapon Attack Attribute Finesse weapons use Dexterity on attack rolls.
Grit Tracker Helper This is a dummy ability to add an extra entry for the amatuer gunslinger's grit in another section of the statblock (since it is shown with a different name in the two places, we can't use sbName).
Gunsmithing You can use a gunsmithing kit to craft/repair firearms and ammo.
Inspiration (+1d6, 6/day) (Ex) Use 1 point, +1d6 to trained skill or ability check. Use 2 points, to add to attack or save.
Keen Recollection At 3rd level, an investigator can attempt all Knowledge skill checks untrained.
Packing Heat Gain Amateur Gunslinger and Gunsmithing as bonus feats.
Perceptive Tracking (Ex) Can use Perception to find and follow tracks.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Precise Shot You don't get -4 to hit when shooting or throwing into melee.
Pride -2 to diplomacy and sense motive vs. those who threaten, accuse, or challenge you, until they apologize
Rapid Reload (Shotgun) You can reload fast with one type of Crossbow or Firearm.
Rapid Shot You get an extra attack with ranged weapons. Each attack is at -2.
Studied Combat (+2, 4 rounds) (Ex) As a move action, study foe to gain bonus to att & dam for duration or until use studied strike.
Studied Strike +1d6 (Ex) As a free action on a melee hit, end studied combat vs. foe to add precision dam.
Trap Sense +1 (Ex) +1 bonus on reflex saves and AC against traps.
Trapfinding +2 Gain a bonus to find or disable traps, including magical ones.
He'll be a 4th Fighter [Seasoned Commander]
At 18 he left the family ranch near Bastrop, and joined the 6th Calvary like his father as an enlisted man. He fought under Black Jack Pershing against the Apache in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Even occasionally chasing them into Mexico.
He went up in ranks to Sergeant, before receiving a commission for his cool head in battle. He followed Black Jack to the 10th Cavalry where as a 2nd lt he lead a cavalry platoon of Buffalo soldiers during the fighting against the Cree.
Receiving advancement to 1LT. When War was declared against Spain, he was quick to join the 1st US Volunteer Under Teddy Roosevelt, and joined The Rough Riders (though their horses never made it to Cuba nor Puerto Rico). During h8s stint there in 1898, he became a Capt.
Black Jack Pershing accepted into the American Expeditionary Forves 1st Separate Brigade in 1899 to go to the Phillipines. Earning his Major there. Mickey was a hard charger at 26.
He stayed on over in the phillipines during the Moro Rebellion from 1902 to 1913. He met, fell in love with Amanda deLuz, a phillipine nurse. If she hadn't Been killed in the late part of the Rebellion, he probably would have mustered out in the phillipines and stayed there. As it was he went home to the states in 1914 as a Lt Col. Mickey was now 40 years old and all he knew was the horrors of war.
When call went out in 1917 for the American Expeditionary Force to France for The Great War, under Black Jack Pershing again, Lt Col, Weber was quick to volunteer. Later he made Col and was assigned an Infantry Brigade in I Corps. He stayed fighting until 1920 and then after he was assigned to a staff position in London, where he met Dyllan Mulrooney of MI6. They became fast friends and he did learn there were dangers beyond just War at that point. He returned home to the states in 1925 and worked in Washington DC in Intelligence. In 1928 after 37 years in the Army, he finally said Goodbye. Retired to his ranch near Waco, Texas. Until he received the letter from Mulrooney, which brought him back to London at 57 years old. ...a grizzeled old Veteran whose seen far too much Death, but will never walk away from a fight
Now that the background is done, I can start building
@wanderer82: Ah, I thought it would delve a little further into the Lovecraft Mythos considering you mentioned Hellboy as an inspiration in the last thread. There was a pretty good bit of stuff in that franchsie inspired by Lovecraft: the Ogdru Jahad that were basically Great Old Ones, Bethmoora was directly referenced in The Golden Army, two Elder Things also appeared in TGA, there were degenerate once-human fish people that lived in coastal New England villages, etc.
That said, would the character having a mental/spiritual connection to the Dreamlands make sense? If not, I would imagine a connection to the spirit world might be a little more appropriate, yes? Just trying to get a feel for what would fit.
Having had some time to play around a little with the Phantom Thief Rogue, I'm thinking it might not be what I'm looking for. I think maybe Investigator is more where I should be. Possibly taking the Profiler archetype as the free one and adding Mastermind as a standard extra archetype.
Hi Billie just be aware I have PMed the GM something very simpler, for Helena, she is an Physic investigator. I am not saying this to warn you off the idea of your PC, the very opposite, I really like your PC ID and something stuck me, would you be up for pairing up, in a very Investigations Pulp stories made real sort of way, what do you think to...
Miss Shen's and Miss Canradina
Most discreet detective agency
11 Praed Mews
Paddington,
London, England
Tel 01-9722
Please enquire at the bookshop or car garage next door.
They run a discreet detective agency, based out of a bookshop, In the city, and if you want Billie helps run the small Automobile Garage next door, The Book store ground floor, with a small apartment upstairs, with two Bed rooms and office, small kitchenette, larder, Bathroom and seller below shop.
With your PC Idea, and mine being,
Billie is the Science, hard logic and evidence driven one.
Helena is the mystical, wistful, reading tea leaves and signs one.
What do you think, I think it would be great fun. How they meet and ended up as a team I have no idea, but it would be fun I feel.
For a few things for her backstory. She inherited her gun (the one she gets from the class) from her uncle who was also in the police. But he died from mysterious circumstances. Even though the report said it was 'in the line of duty'
She's at ends with her family and with her captain in regards to that she doesn't believe the report and she wants to find out exactly what happened. But due to her hot headedness she hasn't made much headway in that regard
Speaking of. Perhaps that's how she would know our other two detective ladies. Cause if the cops won't help. Well. There are other ways
@Seth86 if the GM is happy to let us link up, more than happy too.
@Seth86 if the GM is happy to let us link up, more than happy too.
Become The Sirens of London
Internal monologue it was a slow day. My partner and I sitting in the office. She was looking at her cards, drinking tea. I was at the desk reading my favourite book. Not much was going on for us. But that was about to change. As the door burst open. Flaming red hair, a scowl, and a temper that far over matched her height. She peered over my desk...
End black and white flashback
I came up with a few names for her family and the captain that's giving her grief over her not letting the case go
Talia Ravencroft Family
Rael "Ray" - Father
Hannah - Mother
Ray - Brother
Reginald "Rex" - Uncle (Deceased)
Zalkin Corinth - Police Captain
Narrator voice: Pulp novel 'The case of the missing Vatican book"
"It was a wet november wednesday afternoon and the shop was empty.The mad rush of lunch time was over where two customers came in looked and left. I had my harrow deck out and was giving a reading to Mr Tibbs the shops cat. Who was sleeping happily buy our small electric heater. The small bell on the bookshop door, chimed to say someone had entered. I looked up to see a tall man with white hair, wet cover coat and hat, and under his arm, the unmistakable shape of a book wrapped in brown waxed paper. "now what" I thought to myself "Do we have here".
I do like the idea of a three woman detective agency, but the GM would have to pick us all and then let us have one haha. BUT! if the GM dose then 100% let's have us all in. I like the idea we kind of make our money doing Family stuff. Finding missing Husbands, or getting wealth woman ground for device, finding lost eirs to estates. Bread and Butter stuff, and all of us wanting a real case to come along.
She hasn't even met Tibbs yet, and already she loves him and will burn London down to save him
If we all 3 are in. Talia would be your police contact. Being an investigator I believe she's akin to a detective. But due to red tape she can't investigate her uncles death directly
I think that would work well with
Helena Physic Sleuth Detective L4
If Billie is up for it.
Billie Investigator Mastermind Profiler
And your own PC, detective investigator
The amount of consumables between the 3 of us will be staggering :P
I continue to be impressed by the amount of interest in this game. Not surprised to see more than a few investigators popping up, as that's pretty on point for a pulp adventure. Just remember being an investigator doesn't mean your class has to be investigator.
Billie Shen - Rogue (phantom thief) vs Investigator
Both have strong merits for creating a surgeon / daredevil. To your previous question about phantom thief, it could border on that too powerful archetype in a normal setting, but because I have given skill unlocks to all classes, gaining access to them a little bit earlier is nowhere near as powerful as the number of unlocks it normally grants. The phantom thief would allow you to delve into those skill Unlocks, which would be very beneficial for the heal skill, As well as the adventuring skills, like drive/pilot/acrobatics.
On the other hand, the investigator will still get some skill unlocks, and will get all the benefits of the inspiration ability, plus the investigator's “alchemy”.
Skills Questions
Yes, we can reskin Craft (alchemy) as Craft (chemistry). After all, where is the line truly between magic and science?
Knowledge (biology) but function has knowledge (nature).
Knowledge (social sciences) will include sociology, psychology, and anthropology.
Craft (mechanical) to work on engines and machines. Knowledge (engineering) would be more the design and development side.
If your class gives you either Climb or Swim, you get Athletics.
Drive will be a universal glass skill. Pilot, would be the opposite - you need to dedicate a trait to make it a class skill.
Sanity Rules
I plan this game to be more pulp / action / intrigue with a little Gothic horror, and had not planned on using sanity rules. But the selected group can discuss it.
Pasha
If you want to call it the dreamlands, that works. If you want to call the spirit world, that works too. Your characters have some level of understanding, but not full knowledge (yet).
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I’m torn between two similar concepts:
1) A grizzled Great War veteran, who probably went on to serve in Ireland after the war, did some things he’d rather not talk about, etc, which probably fits better in a noir/gritty type setting, who’d be probably a Fighter-Steelbound(free)/Trench Fighter. Major pro that I get an intelligent sword, which turns out to be Excalibur (probably), and he’s much better with a gun. But it does feel a bit boring, (oh yay, more feats. Attack and Damage pluses for weapons, how original.).
2)The Heir of Arthur, probably also a war veteran, but more suitably heroic, less haunted by things he did during/after the war, more morally black & white, probably a Paladin-Empyreal Knight-(free)/Virtuous Bravo. Major pros-Paladin has more bells and whistles in terms of class features, and feels like a hero. But I don’t get a talking family heirloom sword, and it comes with the usual constraints of playing a Paladin (which I have had the occasional bad experience with. Especially when we weren’t told about the campaign in advance and it turned out to be Barovia. Haven’t played with that GM since).
GM, any comments on if you feel one would fit better into the setting/campaign you plan? Anyone else, thoughts? Also, I’m not totally settled on those archetypes, let me know if they’d be an issue and I’ll change them.
GM has a few custom guns on offer, link is at the top. I'm gonna use the semi shotgun if I'm in the player group :P
@Wanderer : My campaign trait will be Spark of Life
This will be my avatar for Walter Melvin Lawrence, my Eldritch Scoundrel - Rogue.
Not overwhelming as a thief, and not actually a full wizard. Just a blend of both, wrapped up in the body of a burgeoning stage magician, The Fantastic Fortunato!
He's touring 1930's Europe (at the moment) while developing his craft and the Campaign Trait he'll take is Occult Dabbler.
He learned to pickpocket and would frequent some of the aging vaudevillian shows that lingered on in some of the smaller and brokendown theaters, working the crowds for what spare coins and baubles he could scavenge.
During these excursions, he became enthralled with a certain peformer, "Mortimer the Magister", a stage magician and messmerist. Oh, he figured out early on that Mortimer wasn't really working magic, but was using a combination of parlor tricks and slight of hand, but still, the boy just couldn't get enough of the nightly shows.
Eventually, due to a combination of being discovered sneaking into Mortimer's dressing room, and convincing the aging performer to take him on as an assistant, Walter began studying the craft, and like his other dextrous pursuits, he excelled at the technical aspects. The stage-presence, not as much, but still he learned enough that he decided that eventually he would head out on his own as a performer.
Before that day ever came, however, Walter entered the dressing room one evening after a show to discover Mortimer loudly arguing with a mysterious man over a large bound tome, and the arguement turned darkly violent when the other man drew a pistol and shot Mortimer dead.
Stunned, Walter ran, but not before first grabbing the book and tucking it into his coat. The other man gave chase, but when Walter got into the sidestreets and alleyways of New York, he lost the murderer. But not before the attacker shook the young man's very belief in reality and the sane world...by first throwing darts of arcane light at him, and then, as a last ditch effort to stop the apprentice, launching a huge blanket of heat and flame to block his path.
The young man escaped back to the small apartment that he then shared with Mortimer, by only long enough to collect his meager belongings, and then he headed out to the city docks where Walter hid aboard a large ship, amongst the various boxes of cargo. Exhausted and scared, the young man fell asleep, and when he awoke, to his amazement, he found that the ship had left port during the night and was headed out to sea.
Terrified, he eventually revealed himself to some of the seamen who took him to the ship's captain, who, rather than toss him overboard or somesuch, agreed to allow Walter to work off his passage. That's when the young magician learned they were headed to London, England.
During the months-long voyage, Walter had time to examine and study the book that Mortimer had died protecting, and was shocked to discover that it had pages and pages of runes, sigils, and other arcane writings. He was even more astounded that he could somehow understand them...or at least mostly.
Since then, almost three years have passed, and Walter has trained himself by studying the tome, and then other arcane items he has come across, (both purchasing and at times "lifting" them from their unobservant former-owners), and has become a surprisingly competant, if inexperienced wizard of sorts.
Along with all that, he's recently launched a public career of sorts as a stage magician himself, calling himself the "The Fantastic Fortunato"
- As far as the mysterious killer, I purposefully haven't given him a lot of detail. Still thinking it through and open to leave him to the DM if it fits into the campaign, or letting him go if he doesn't.
Someone who is more versed in these things please remind me, ABP does not stack with stuff like Magus's weapon enhancement from their arcane pool or Gloomblade Fighter's magic weapon progression, does it?
@Ouachitonian: Your #2 idea reminded me of a really old comic book named Mage .
The main character is a sort of reincarnated modern day King Arthur with excalibur being a magical baseball bat. I remember almost nothing about it except it was pretty good.
@Wanderer82: Well, you are tempting me back in the direction of Phantom Thief Rogue. There are a couple of things that give Investigator appeal. I like the inspiration mechanic a lot, and I think Investigator beats Rogue as a combat class. Also the alchemy set me to thinking about all kinds of wacky pharmacology Billie could be getting up to.
But, adding alchemy/chemistry would add another direction she's getting pulled in, and Billie isn't meant to be a fighting character anyway. Beyond pew pewing with a purse-sized automatic pistol or stabbing someone with a knife in an emergency, she's all utility and support.
Besides, I've never played a Rogue before, and I'll never see a better set of conditions for trying one out. I did a quick mock up to see what I'd have, and at 4th level she has 60 skill ranks to play with. That's just crazy. But, I'm adding some skills on the the regular ones, so even if she won't be devoting ant skill ranks to silly notions like K Arcana and Spellcraft, she'll be very hungry for skill ranks.
I'd also not really digested how the skill unlocks would work. Quite a few of them aren't great. But Rogues just get them all by adding ranks so it's not like I'd be passing on something else to take them. Free stuff doesn't have to be all high quality all the time.
Phantom Thief Rogue also seems like a really good base to possibly multiclass from a little depending on what the campaign turns out to be like. If there's lots of combat maybe two or three levels of Gunslinger. Or, maybe a couple of levels in Monk.
I'll give it a go.