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Haven't played it, but I know a lot about it and I don't mind any potential spoilers. (I've basically resigned myself to not getting to play it, since it's exclusive, so I've looked a lot up.) Also, I realized I never actually posted anything here about the work I was doing with my own setting. I'll try and drop some stuff on that in here at some point when I get the chance--I've been busier than expected lately, and of course there's been the trouble with the site as well.
Also still around. Haven't been playing a ton of Dark Souls 3 lately, and I don't own a PS4 so no Bloodborne, but still very much up for this game. I have started playing Darkest Dungeon again, and it's got a similar tone in some ways (although very different in others).
I'll put forward that the Bladesinger Arcane Tradition for Wizards is very close to the magus of Pathfinder. Since Proficiency Bonuses are the same for every class, you're fully capable of fighting on par with someone else in terms of attack rolls. You've got spells and swords from the start (technically level 2, but we're there already) and you're good at both; it's one of the only ways a wizard gets proficiency in any sort of armor (for free!), you get Extra Attack to keep up with the martials, and with the cantrips designed for it, you can essentially spellstrike every turn (they let you make a melee weapon attack as part of the spell). The Bladesong ability itself isn't directly related, but it's a neat addition. And obviously our GM can rule that you don't have to be an elf to be a Bladesinger. I don't know a lot of 5E homebrew, but I don't know of any way to easily replicate the Medium class--that said, I don't really desire to do so, and I'm happy to change how Araden works in terms of features and just keep the themes. The first thought is to build him as a Revenant from the Gothic Heroes UA, but I'm not sure that's even necessary for this game. Beyond that I'd probably build him as a Fighter since that's always what I planned to do with him.
Mainly, it's because I started my gaming with 3rd Edition Dungeons and Dragons. (And I mean 3.0, although I quickly moved to 3.5 when it came out.) That was the system my older brother played when he got me into the game, and even now I've never really played the older variants. I loved the game from the start, kept working with 3.5 (although being a kid, I didn't get most of the books, since there were just too many of the damn things), and all in all just got used to the mechanics of the system. Then 4th Edition came out, and it had all sorts of whack stuff going on--I gave it a shot, and still have some books for it, but it just felt so different. When I heard about Pathfinder I gave it a look, and it was what I'd wanted but didn't know was there: a hearkening back to the good old 3.5 days, with additional changes and updates to make things even better while sticking to the core principles of the system. Through high school, PF was my game of choice, and it's still the one I play the most in terms of game quantity (mostly since I do a lot of gaming on here, and most games on here use Pathfinder). That said, I've tried a lot of other games since then, and like some of them quite a lot, too. I think the big thing is that most systems do something well, and you should use the system that works best for the game you're trying to run. Pathfinder is great for medieval fantasy or variations of that concept, but not so much for modern games like superheroes or science fiction in my opinion. (We'll see how Starfinder shakes out with that.) I'm a huge fan of Savage Worlds, and I think that system works well for a lot of ideas--although I use it more for modern-leaning games, since there are other systems good for classic fantasy. D&D 5E has been a blessed move back toward its golden days, and it does fantasy well in a different way than Pathfinder--both excellent, but for different concepts to some extent. I guess the short version is that Pathfinder's not so much my "go-to system" as the lingua franca of the gaming community here, and a solid system for most of the games people want to run and play on this site. I'm absolutely open to using or trying something different or new. For Example: I've been kicking around my own Soulslike tabletop campaign plan, set within a larger meta-setting I have, and I really want it to capture the feel of the Souls universe and games (much in the way you have here!). As part of that, I'm planning to run it using the Exalted rules system from White Wolf, albeit with heroic mortals, not super-powered godlings. Its combat mechanics in particular are something I like: rather than big turns happening all at once, movement is abstracted (the dance of combat), small increments of time tick by with different actions and weapons affecting how long it takes to do something (you can attack with a dagger faster than an ultra-greatsword), and the trade-off of attack and defense (watch your stamina). It isn't a perfect representation by any means, but I like that it has similar functions in a lot of ways.
I prefer to think of it as a chance for JOLLY COOPERATION. And yes, I'm still here!
Uh, yeah, you can take a loan from the souls of the Labyrinth. But you better pay them back before you die, because otherwise, uh, it's real spooky, and, um, bad things happen. Like Solaire turning into the Carthus Sandworm! Yeah. That sorta stuff. Real spooky things. With skeletons. Scary ones.
Alright, profile is updated, and I've switched back to the banded mail. Something about the Osch armor is offputting to Araden and Ulrich, so he's swapped back to his old armor and used that for attunement now.
Are we agreed to all level to 4? If so... Medium 4
Spirit Bonus increases by 1 across the board
I'll update the profile once we confirm this is our plan. This level mostly gets Araden some more survivability along with better offensive capabilities, all of which is definitely nice, but I'd be willing to stay where I am so Pahleg can go up another level if people prefer that plan. (Although I agree that level 4 across the board is probably at least as good if not better.)
When the fog wall clears, Araden steps inside, his axe in hand and his head on a swivel. He nods as he sees the others, and upon realizing Pahleg has fallen, he bows his head. "A hard-fought battle, I imagine. Yet I've gladness in my heart that you've vanquished this foe." He plants the butt of his weapon to the ground and leans over as Kekkle examines the book. "Ahh, some strange text of the Preacher's? He seemed quite engrossed."
And yes, Tannan, it was my bad, and pretty funny in hindsight! You might say it was a case of... analysis paralysis.
"If a close-range bludgeon is needed, I can offer mine own." Araden pulls his morningstar from its hanger and offers it to Pahleg. "I also have the flask--unused, as well. There was little opportunity for it when I was in the fight." The knight hands back the flask as well. His voice and posture make it clear he's disappointed and perhaps somewhat ashamed to have lost the battle--and without even engaging the true threat.
With a growl, Araden swings one more time at the skeleton, trying to free himself up long enough for a moment of rest.
Araden swings again, savagely, trying to fend off his skeletal attackers, growing ever more weary and angry.
"Mayhap we should, but I know not this Miraclemaker," Araden replies, casting his gaze toward the voice for a moment as the skeleton falls. "For now I serve myself and my companions, who've earned my devotion as your god earned yours."
Araden swings again, growing more impatient with each passing moment that the skeletons take up his time. "Show yourself, fiend!" he calls, knowing it's unlikely to do anything, but needing some way to release his unease.
Araden lets out a hissed oath as he realizes the truth of the scholar he's been chasing, and he turns to regard the sound behind the bookshelf. For now, though, he's pressed by skeletons, and so he swings with his cestus once more, hoping to fell these minions that he might face the true threat.
Conditions/Buffs: HP: 17/27
AC: 20 (+9 armor, +2 deflection, -1 size), touch 11, FF 20 Init: -2 Melee Champion Bardiche +7 (2d8+10+1d4 fire/19-20/reach) Str 18, Dex 10 Buffs
Penalties
Araden gives some grunts as he's hit with claw and spell, but with another swing of his fist, he continues to move forward toward the true enemy.
Buffs and Condition: HP: 17/27
AC: 20 (+9 armor, +2 deflection, -1 size), touch 11, FF 20 Init: -2 Melee Champion Bardiche +7 (2d8+10+1d4 fire/19-20/reach) Str 18, Dex 10 Buffs
Penalties
Araden swings his cestus again, trying to bring down the other skeleton before him.
After that, he moves to follow the Preacher, squeezing along or shoving aside the table to give chase.
Araden grimaces beneath his helm as the man steps back and the battle commences. Although he'd rather face the biggest threat directly, taking out the minions seems the most straightforward--and necessary--option, and so he swings out with one metal-wrapped fist at the undead on his right.
Buffs and Status: HP: 25/27
AC: 20 (+9 armor, +2 deflection, -1 size), touch 11, FF 20 Init: -2 Melee Champion Bardiche +7 (2d8+10+1d4 fire/19-20/reach) Str 18, Dex 10 Buffs
Araden continues to remain wary but uncommitted, and he looks to the book for a moment. Unless there's something of particular interest and intrigue on the page, though, he heaves a breath and looks back up at the old man. "Forgive me my suspicions, but these places are rife with danger, and great foes always lurk behind the walls. That the fog remains is a sign there is danger here, and my allies rely on me to slay it." The knight hefts his axe and stands in a battle-ready stance. "If I am mistaken in this, forgive me, and speak to my allies when they enter here. Your talk of these Miracles is strange and doubtless of import. But for now I must do battle with you. Come!"
Araden steps through the fog already in a battle stance, his axe raised before him, aglow with the power of the sun. Upon seeing what lies in the room, though, he stands still, confused and unsure of how to respond. "What might you teach, scholar? I've little experience of such peaceable offers in this place, and I mislike hearing such talk behind a fog wall, separate from my allies." Condition and Buffs: HP: 25/27
AC: 20 (+9 armor, +2 deflection, -1 size), touch 11, FF 20 Init: -2 Melee Champion Bardiche +7 (2d8+10+1d4 fire/19-20/reach) Str 18, Dex 10 Buffs
Yeah, it's probably better than not, all things considered. A pretty significant boost to damage in return for a small penalty to AC.
Araden's Current Condition: HP: 25/27
AC: 22 (+9 armor, +1 Dex, +2 deflection), touch 13, FF 21 Init: -1 Melee Champion Bardiche +7 (1d10+8+1d4 fire/19-20/reach) Buffs
Araden turns to regard Ulrich as he speaks, and after a moment of silence, he nods. "I mislike leaving such fine companions behind to face the challenge alone, but I too have curiosity for this strange Soul. If you think it wise that I face the challenge alone if I can, then I will do so gladly."
I'm good either way on the boss, and fine with a hiatus. Taking breaks is often a really good thing, and it helps a game stay around a lot more than just pushing onward regardless of your own feelings or anything. Much healthier for everyone involved to take a step back when needed. I'd also be quite interested in checking out whatever you run in the meantime, if you'd have me. I'm always on the lookout for non-PF-fantasy games on here, since they tend to be a little rarer.
Araden spends some time in the morning channeling his spirits, preparing for the day, and then he dons the plate armor the group found the previous day. "I mislike the memories it brings to mind, but it is a fine defense," he intones, pulling his helmet on atop the breastplate once more. "Knight or no, I'd rather escape this place with fewer wounds." When Ulrich suggests possible paths, Araden nods at the second. "It seems any hope of our escape lies beyond the fog walls, so I should think we might wish to take any good chance to explore there. Of course, I think we also might return to a merchant to sell some of our unused equipment."
"Should we rebuild our barricade before finishing our rest? Or is it beyond the effort we could make?"
Araden steps to stand in line with Ulrich and grips his morningstar in both hands, ready to strike. "Better to save it lest one of us falls."
As he comes to once more, Araden heaves a breath and pushes himself to a sitting position. This sensation is far different from when he first awoke in the labyrinth, or when he returned to life after the boss fight, but welcome nonetheless. With a nod of thanks to Ulrich, the ghoulish-looking man grabs his morningstar and rises to his feet, ready to face whatever monstrosity is coming through the door.
Araden grunts as the skeleton slashes his arm, having just awoken. He grabs his morningstar and swings from the ground, hoping to fend the skeleton off long enough to arise.
Araden stands by with his axe in hand--Ulrich seems to be capable of barricading the windows, and Pahleg has Elyna well in hand. Araden contents himself with standing guard, ready to attack any threats that make themselves apparent.
"I mislike the prospect of wrapping such a cloth about mine eyes, particularly with my preference for a helm." Araden reaches up and taps the side of said helm, and shrugs. "Perhaps you should keep the items, friend Kekkle. I have a connection to such things, it seems, but I find more comfort in armor and axe than strange auras."
Araden lets out an audible groan this time, as his brain is further wracked by the creature. With a shout, he brings his great axe up and around, crashing down on the creature.
Araden reels from the telepathic attack, his mind throbbing. He maintains his stance, though, and as Ulrich calls out, he moves forward and employs the ancient technique of the Cobra Kai Knights' Academy.
Araden keeps in the front of the party, ready to act if a threat appears, and his readiness pays off. As the mindflayer begins to move forward, he raises his axe and sets for a moment, then rushes forward to bring the weapon across at the creature.
"Yes, that sounds fair, Ulrich. Let us be off."
Araden draws his fist back from his final punch and takes hold of his axe in both hands. He steps from over Ulrich's form and kneels down to examine the items left behind from 'The Unstoppable''s body. "This is fine armor. It would protect well from many blows. But then, we're no knights of Osch, are we?" The armored man pauses noticeably, staying quite still for a few moments, then stands and leans on the wall. "Osch. Why do I know that name?" After a moment he shakes his helmed head. "No matter. We should bring it with us for now, and decide whether to don or sell it when we rest. Those vials, as well, though I care not for their look."
Ah, alright, great answers to my questions, and thank you for doing so! I'll post accordingly. It is a neat system and I know that it's left more or left unanswered in the games, but I wasn't sure how you wanted to do it here. Putting the justification in our hands works for me! By the way, Araden, I now know you had intended me to complete your backstory, but... what does it say in your Letter from a Loved One? That is... a great question. And one I'll have to think about for a bit and get back to you on.
Araden grimaces beneath his helmet as he sees the enemy ahead, and steps up as quickly as he can, taking a stand over Ulrich's unconscious form and swinging his fist forward. "Begone, foul intruder, or face your better in fair combat!"
"No! We must defend our friend!" Araden continues to move toward the foe, although the cramped hallway makes it difficult to move with speed.
Araden brings his axe back to a defensive position for a moment, but as the halfling fades into shadow, he turns and hustles back towards the remaining threat.
Taking the opportunity for a little more space, Araden steps back and regrips his bardiche, bringing the large weapon to bear in a vicious swing.
Araden wastes no words debating with the threatening invader. Although small, she's proven dangerous and cunning, and so he simply lashes out with his metal-and-leather-gauntleted fist.
Hey all, posting in all my games to say that as of this evening I'm going camping with family and then paintballing for several days, so I won't be able to post. I'll be back the evening of Sunday the 10th, and hopefully I'll be back to regular posting and catching up then or Monday morning. Please bot me as needed while I'm away!
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