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Hey DM, FYI, I made a few tweaks to Autumn (all reflected in her profile):
Nothing big, but perhaps worth noting. Oh, and a low priority Q, but if you've answered it I missed it: the Notorious Celebrity gains
Since Leadership is banned in this campaign, do you plan to replace this ability? Cheers,
...and now I've expanded on Autumn's Background, Personality, and Appearance (all of which are now spoilered at the top of her profile).
OK, I've proofread everything, and added descriptions of all my class and sphere abilities to my sheet. It should be much easier to digest now, and will be a good (if lengthy!) reference in the future.
OK, gyrfalcon here, introducing Autumn Longbriar. She's a charismatic halfling Rogue (Grifter, Cunning Brigand) | Bravo (whim: elegance). Mechanics / Party Roles
Out of combat, she's got great face skills, can disarm magic traps or fascinate crowds with her dancing, and is quite stealthy. No Knowledge skills or Survival, but just about everything else one might want. She’s also a gifted craftswoman and artist, and through the RHC she’s had the opportunity to buy some rare materials (a hunk or adamantine that she crafted into a fauchard, and some darkwood that she’s crafted into a shield). Background
For a time her more practical mother, Lessa, brought in enough money working the docks to support the family, but when Autumn was in her early teens Lessa died in a workplace accident when a rope snapped and buried her in a pile of mecha components. After Lessa died, her dad sunk deeper into drink and the money dried up quickly. Before long, Autumn and her big brother Filver (nicknamed “Fibber” by their friends) took to petty crime to keep food on the table: some pickpocketing, fixing card games, and the like. Within a year of their antics, they attracted the notice of Kell’s Boys. The Boys strongarmed them into joining them, and upped the ante to include burglary and violent crimes. Autumn went along with it, uneasily, until a few months in when they were ordered to kill a well-to-do family and their kids in order to rob them. Autumn grabbed Fibber’s hand and whispered, ”Run!” They managed to get away from the Boys, but not without making some dangerous enemies. Filver grew increasingly anxious and Autumn finally convinced him to leave town. Meanwhile, for herself, a help wanted poster for the RHC caught her eye. With a charming earnestness that few could manage, Autumn came clean about the trouble she’d fallen into and managed to persuade the recruiter (truthfully) that she wanted out. She trained with them for six months, but when they were ready to send her on her first big job, it was a raid of the local branch of Kell’s Boys that she’d run afoul of. Once she and her new partners had managed to capture several of them, and send the rest scurrying, Autumn finally felt like she knew who she was again, for the first time since her mom had died. As much as she is proud to help protect Flint, her greatest love is still dancing. Many of her moves she learned on the street, but since getting a paying job she’s studied in every studio in town, and has learned to combine the fancy footwork she learned with Kell’s Boys together with her own choreography, creating a dance that can throw any foe off their game. Personality
Dance is the #1 way she diffuses stress, and the way she celebrates victories. It infuses everything she does, and she’s always working her allies into her rhythms on the battlefield..until they’ve done their duty and she can drag them to a concert hall or tavern to really let loose. - - - DM Gearmaster, I hope this submission isn't too late to be considered. As I put her together, I think she'll be a lot of fun to RP, as well as to explore mechanically. (This'll give me a chance to try the Bravo for the first time, as well as a bunch of Performance and Scoundrel talents I've not yet gotten to play with.) NOTE, I tend to like to proofread my character sheet a bit longer before submission, but I want to get it to you on the sooner side. I did just give it a reread and think it's complete and correct enough for a reasonable review. I've added an Advancement Choices spoiler at the top of her profile, since I know it can be hard to piece together how a complex build like this was made. The main gaps right now are that I'd like to paste in more rules text for her class abilities and talents, and I'll fill those in in the coming days. Thanks for your consideration!
Hey, I appreciate the invitation to join this game. At this point, life circumstances mean I'm focusing most on my most active games. Please mark me as inactive, and the best of luck to yall.
Autumn nods to Bam's suggestion.
The standard traditions aren't really "defaults" or anchor choices, they're pretty much there to demonstrate direct translations of the PF1 standard classes. Otherwise the rules start up top with some simple choices to make. One way or another you have to put together a casting style for the character, and I opted not to take a PF1 standard translation. It's not overpowered because I used their prescribed boons and drawbacks framework. 100% agreed! You did exactly what the designers intended: you looked at the sample traditions and the rules for building your own tradition, and you built one that suited your character. (And it's legit for a DM to allow whatever they want, including allowing custom traditions for Spheres of Power but not for Spheres of Might and/or Spheres of Guile–the Spheres systems all lean into DM authority–but fundamentally, from a design perspective, it's all the same.)
Hey, thanks. Are those the only 2 problems, right now? If so, I think I can definitely help. Re #1, I do have a copy of the PDF. I'll reach out to share with you personally. (And I agree with you, the Wiki makes some unintuitive/annoying choices...and the search is absolutely broken.) FYI, what I do to search the wiki I have a fave Google trick I use. Just go type into Google: "site:[URL] [search term(s)]", e.g. "site:http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com trade tradition". Re #2, I'm happy to revise my documentation on my sheet. I hope you'll believe me that I tried to make it clear...but clearly I missed the mark. :-/ I also think–honestly–learning SoG is a bear, no matter what; I think it's a good system once you know it...but it's VERY complex. Like I said, if you'd like me to cut it, I'll totally understand. And if you think you're maybe fine with keeping it, let me know if you'd like me to answer Qs for you live. I'm happy to hop on Discord voice chat at a time that's mutually good. Before I revise my sheet though, I'd like to know if you have additional concerns. If so, I'll try to change those at the same time since that'll be more efficient for everyone. One specific misunderstanding I can clear up now: it seems like when I wrote the word "trade", you thought that was me saying "I'm trading something for this". Is that right? If so...I can totally see that in hindsight, but it didn't occur to me. If you look at the rules for selecting one's trade tradition, one is required to select (4) "trade talents" from the vocation sphere. You'll see that Vocation has some talents that aren't "trade" talents and some that are. I called out (or tried to) which were the trade talents I selected, versus the base spheres (of which an adroit tradition gets two). Another question you mentioned that I can answer for you: many talents grant skill leverage. For example, body control says "Skill Leverage: You unlock skill leverage with the Acrobatics and Escape Artist skills." Spheres (and talents within spheres) are the main ways to get skill leverage. In my case, I get skill leverage from the base Body Control and Performance spheres. Re casting traditions, it may be worth you giving your book another look. The concept of traditions has *evolved* from the Original to the Ultimate rules, but you can read both the old and new version on the casting traditions page. The wiki has two tab labeled "Ultimate" and "Original" (listed right under the ToC). If you click on Original, it shows the original Casting Traditions language. BTW, when I asked on the DDS Discord about guidance re: whether or not to allow players to design/propose a trade tradition, the very first Q was someone asking "Does your group use Spheres of Might or Spheres of Power? If so, how does it handle Martial Traditions or Casting Traditions?" and then, hearing what Sebastian's tradition is, saying, "That seems like a custom tradition, I think. So it makes sense you'd just allow custom martial and trade traditions to me
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I 100% agree that Autumn is a lot to figure out, especially if one's not well versed with Spheres of Might (SoM) and Spheres of Guile (SoG). (While the Canny Scoundrel (SoM) and Grifter (SoG) archetypes were explicitly designed to work together, it means learning two new systems, which definitely increases complexity...and honestly SoG in particular is a complex system to learn.) So she's definitely complex to understand. That's problem #1. It's possible that she's also a bit more powerful than the other party martials, which seems like problem #2, maybe? I'll take a quick (and I think relevant) aside to say that referring to creating a tradition as homebrew or going beyond the material as written is a misunderstanding of the system (and not related to either of those two problems). Sebastian actually *also* designed his own casting tradition–Somatic Casting x2 + Verbal + INT-based casting is NOT one of the standard traditions or even the sample custom casting traditions–but that's fine; it's not overpowered and I don't know of any DM who uses spheres who would bat an eye at PaleDim creating a custom casting tradition for Sebastian...because the spheres system gives clear rules for creating them, and assumes most players will. (Some DMs make all the casting traditions in their world themselves, perhaps because they're creating a world with unique lore tied to how magic works there...but that's the minority, in my experience, and from what I see in the Spheres Discord server.) Creating ones own traditions is so normal in Spheres that PaleDim didn't even realize he's done so. (That's why the premade ones are called "sample" traditions.) I mention this not to be difficult, but because I want to make sure–if I'm going to rebuild–that I know what the DM's and party's goals are. If your goals are truly just not using a custom tradition, I think I *could* make that change...but I guarantee that wouldn't make a SoM + SoG character much easier to digest, and probably wouldn't lower my power level. (At the very least, if someone asked me to reduce my power level there are two other places I'd look at first, both in SoM.) So if we're looking to reduce power, I'm happy to but also I'd love to hear a bit about guidelines (or what the concerns were), so I don't guess wrong and then have to build her up a 3rd time. If we're looking to make her easier to digest, I think maybe I should drop SoG altogether, not just the custom tradition. (I was excited to try using SoG, but it could be on another game, not here.) That will cut the number of talents she has by a bit more than half so will clearly make her easier to read and digest, as well as reducing her versatility. The main issue with dropping SoG is that I was using SoG to get access to the ability to disable magical traps (which Canny Scoundrel loses). If we don't care about that, I can totally make that shift. If we DO think the ability to disarm magic traps is important I could either keep a custom trade tradition (but lose the SoG archetype, and lose any particular parts that yall let me know seemed problematic)...or if DM is OK with taking campaign traits I could pick trap finder...but since that's from an AP it wouldn't normally be allowed without an DM's exception. Thoughts?
"Uuuggghh!" Autumn dances neatly out of the way of the falling body but grimaces with disgust, watching the corpse thud onto the ground with ichor draining from several holes. To Manfri, she says, "I hope it won't need watching again t'night, but I appreciate the offer." With a slight curtsey, she adds, "Autumn Longbriar. Grew up in Karcau, found myself here recently...and I'm embarrassed to say I'm not entirely sure where 'here' is. Growing up in Ustalav, I heard stories of the dead walking like this...but haven't seen it before. Have you all?"
Suddenly–before folks can answer–Autumn hears the banging and looks up, frowning. She sees them head up and she follows close behind, dagger in hand. "Ulp. You think that wasn't the only one?"
Hey, I hadn't really looked into the predefined trade traditions (as, honestly, every game I've encountered that has allowed Spheres content allows creation of traditions). I looked. I think I'd have to do a major recreation of my character. (As written, they really push toward particular backstories, and there isn't a way I can find to have both the ability to disarm magical traps AND to have key skills like Stealth and Acrobatics, let alone to be able to dance.) Are you concerned that Autumn is too powerful? If so, I'd love to work with you to bring her power level to what you're wanting...and/or to agree to tweak as needed, over time. (My goal is always to have the game work well for all.) Happy to discuss concerns here or (maybe easier) on Discord PM; I'll ping you there. If no custom traditions is a hard requirement I'll respect that, but I may need several days to rebuild.
Hey, sure, always feel free to ask. Spheres of Might and Guile are both wonderful systems, but a lot to grok all at once. I’ll spell out what I’ve done as best I can…and it’s certainly possible I’ve made some errors along the way so I appreciate the review. Why do you have 16 skills with 29 ranks? As a rogue, you get 8 skills. You replaced these 8 with Trade Tradition, which says "if you choose a trade tradition, you do not gain any of the class skills listed for your class". I see that you have various syntax to indicate some break down, but no key. The Trade Tradition should provide a list of skills you now gain access to, but how are you coming up with 29 ranks? You should be getting the (8 - 1 for Int) per level + the free ranks from Base Sphere(Associated Skill) access? Where do all those ranks come from? I’ll answer this first, and then explain trade traditions, and what mine gives me, below.I’ll also add this key to my profile:
I’ll list the skills I get free ranks in (with the Sphere that grants them) here:
My background ranks are
In addition, I have 6 skills that I’ve put two ranks in (Bluff, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Perception, Sense Motive, UMD) and 2 that I’ve put one rank in (Intim, Disguise). Total = 14 skill points (8 Rogue -1 INT = 7 *2 lvls) …actually, as I was doublechecking just now I realized that I’d missed that the Fencing Sphere gives ranks in Bluff…so believe it or not I’d mistakenly listed two too *few* ranks. I’ll update it by making Intimidate and Disguise 2 ranks instead of 1 each.
Each trade tradition grants either 2 trade talents + 1 base sphere (if the class gives four or fewer skill points/level) or 4 trade talents + and 2 base spheres (or 1 base, and 1 utility talent from that base sphere) for classes like Rogue that give > 4 SP/lvl. (The SoG turn for classes with up to 4 ranks/lvl = Competent, and for 5+ = Adroit.) The book lists a lot of examples, but one can define one’s own as well, according to the above rules. In my case, I took the 4 trade traditions you noted, and then two base spheres: Performance, and Body Control. For Performance, I chose the Dance package and Entwining Prance. The Grifter archetype trades ½ of one’s rogue talents + rogue’s edge to gain the Virtuoso progression. At L2, that gets me 2 general SoG talents +1 utility talent, listed on my sheet but I’ll repeat them here: L1 - Performance: Performance Mastery
How are you converting the Racial Ability -> Run feat to a Sphere equivalent? Spheres of Might (and SoG) has the concept of an “Associated Feat” for a sphere. Sometimes the feat and the sphere give exactly the same benefit; other times it’s slightly different. In either case, Spheres lets you, whenever you’d be granted a feat that is associated with a sphere or talent, to instead get the sphere (or talent) that’s associated with that feat. (Often, to not do so would make for some weird interractions.) What is "Virtuoso Operative" and the associated modifications? There are basically 3 progressions for Spheres of Guile (listed in the Using Spheres of Guile page). Virtuoso is the fastest of the three progressions. - - - I hope the above helps! If it’s still confusing–or if you think I’ve got something wrong, or there’s just something you don’t think’ll work well in your game–don’t hesitate to let me know!
FYI, any of all are welcome to join my dance. You can read all the details in the Performance Sphere, but here's the skinny. Allies within 10 feet of me may either spend a move action and move up to half their speed, or take a 5-foot step, to gain the benefits of your dance until the start of their next turn. (Or in this case, use your Move to move up to 1/2 your speed (max) to get within 10' of me). Anyone who joins the dance gets the benefits of it for that round. In this case: 1) Guarded Twist (dance) - if you join the dance you can us my Dance roll (a 32(!) since I got a Nat 20 on it) to freely move through it's space without triggering AoOs this round More details of it:
Additionally, whenever you begin or maintain a dance with this talent, roll a Perform (dance) check with a circumstance bonus equal to the number of dancers, which cannot exceed your operative ability modifier (minimum +1). All dancers may use your Perform (dance) check result in place of any Acrobatics check to avoid provoking an attack of opportunity for as long as they continue the dance. 2) Synchronized Rhythm - can use +13(including +2 morale) on any of the below skills this round Details:
Autumn had come to the Inn hungry, craving the shrimp étouffée she’d enjoyed last night, but while she waited for it she was overcome by the putrid wave. She drew on her reserves, sweating, trying to use her conditioning to move through it…and felt that fail as well. As she was about to hurl the contents of her mostly-empty stomach onto the floor, Autumn rubbed her lucky button. Thinking of her uncle Turrey, she whispered, C’mon Chaldira, help a girl out!...and miraculously, she felt an immediate relief. Looking up Autumn sees one of her fellow customers fair much less well. ”Aww no!” Growing up in Ustalav, of course I knew the dead sometimes walk…but seeing it, that’s a whole ‘nother thing. When she sees a few brave souls stand to take it down, Autumn says to herself, OK Turrey, I know. YOU’D join them, so I better too. Autumn tumbles from her chair, drawing her dagger. She starts to hum a tune–mostly to calm herself–and starts to tumble and dance, cartwheeling over two plush chairs facing the fireplace. When she lands beside the zombie she snaps in his face, hoping to disorient him, and then dodges behind the dead man, keeping him between her and the fellow with the sword. She whips out with her dagger, aiming to sever the walker's spine. Those who're noticing her for the first time see a lean, lithe halfling with cinnamon-brown skin and thick braids, wearing skirts and scarfs that accentuate her dancing.
Great. Let's say that Autumn got free passage by performing as a dancer on the boat but got annoyed by some of the wealthier patrons. When she tried to fleece them at the gambling tables, a few got suspicious and things on the boat started heating up for her, making her think it was time to get off board fast. There might've been a passenger who disappeared already by that point (or not) but if so Autumn wasn't really tracking it, and it had probably been hushed. The one person that she was aware of disappearing was one of the other dancers onboard: Carius, an amusingly sarcastic Chelaxian fellow. Autumn snuck away in Port d'Elhour–mostly to avoid punishment, but also hoping to perhaps find Carius. Once she was making her way through the little town she realized something was weird, but didn't really have a choice to go back at that point. She arrived in Marais d'Tarascon a few days ago and keeps hearing creepy stories but hasn't seen anything truly undead yet...until now, when she steps back into the Inn looking for dinner and sees this fight underway. I'll add more color to Autumn's backstory and personality as we go, but for now: She's fairly brave, and as a halfling kid from a poor family she was used to defending herself from people bigger than her on the streets of Karcau. When she was in her mid-teens, she actually got over her head in a gang (at first drawn in my the promise of a group that would look out for one another...but eventually realizing she couldn't hang with them). By the time she was 18 she knew she needed out, and just then fortune smiled: her uncle Turrey Butterhill, a warpriest of Chaldira Zuzaristan who lived mostly in Varisia but sometimes traveled with caravans came through, saw the trouble she was in, and managed to help her extricate herself from the gang and go (mostly) straight. She started working as a dancer, and was good at it, but the pay was never great...and her fingers sometimes got itchy (but mostly in situations where she went unnoticed, or was able to proclaim her innocence...or just was able to get away quickly). Karcau's big enough that she has both friends and enemies back there, but she'd like to get back. In terms of motivations: uncle Turrey was truly brave, as well as being a shining optimist., and she aspires to be like him. She has the bravery of a street kid who knows she's tough and has won fights against people bigger than her...but she's never killed before, and never encountered the undead. And we'll see how much her tendency to get antsy/impatience and her desire for thrills get the better of her. ;-)
OK! Autumn Longbriar is ready for your review, and–if you don't have questions or concerns–to show up. Backstory'll be fleshed out a bit more, but I think Autumn had to leave the last town in a hurry (when someone–quite unfairly, of course, accused her of cheating at cards), and recently ended up here. Her biggest passion is dancing, and her biggest weakness is a sometimes difficult-to-control appetite for risks and thrills. The latter shows up particularly in her gambling, and sometimes in pocketing something that doesn't, strictly speaking, belong to her. In the past it also showed up in a tendency to get into fights...but now she's trying to follow Chaldira Zuzaristan's example and focus her mischief on those who deserve it. Those are broad strokes. More to come...but her build's in her profile now. (I copied the full text of her Spheres of Guile and Might talents, since they're new to many folks...and the Guile ones are still fairly new to me too.) reference image here. Cheers, |