Will add some background whenever that is appropriate. Basically with the touched by divinity background, he is a scion of Ragathiel even though he begins only thinking that is where his powers come from. The more interesting aspect of that background, and choosing Ancestors as his mystery, is that it would make his grandfather the Archdevil Dispator.
Good afternoon sir! Could we maybe finally finish the development of a Spellfire Wielder for this?
I want to breakdown the "Chosen of Mystra" trope and really look at a character, like Shandril Shessair, who is blessed/cursed with having been 'chosen' by The Weave itself. Maybe not so much creating an anti-Elf, but an elf who is in many many ways antithetical to all that elves in Daerun are and strive to be. An elf who struggles with raw magic and has almost no hope of ever using structured magic, let alone High Magic.
Yet they still love their people, they still love their culture, and they would still do anything in their power to save it ... which may be in part why Fate & The Weave set them apart with access to Spellfire.
Just a thought.
That might work. Spellfire can be powerful, though.
If the deadline is extended, I would still like to work on this.
Good afternoon sir! Could we maybe finally finish the development of a Spellfire Wielder for this?
I want to breakdown the "Chosen of Mystra" trope and really look at a character, like Shandril Shessair, who is blessed/cursed with having been 'chosen' by The Weave itself. Maybe not so much creating an anti-Elf, but an elf who is in many many ways antithetical to all that elves in Daerun are and strive to be. An elf who struggles with raw magic and has almost no hope of ever using structured magic, let alone High Magic.
Yet they still love their people, they still love their culture, and they would still do anything in their power to save it ... which may be in part why Fate & The Weave set them apart with access to Spellfire.
So I decided to look at this as an amazing opportunity, regardless of getting "picked" ... I decided I wanted to redesign an old favorite of mine. He's a pervasively magical elven Champion of Yuelral who eventually augments his telekinetic abilities from his otherworldly heritage.
By opportunity I mean I went all-in; I've never bothered to design a Custom Background in Pathbuilder before, but this time I did. Cevendyl has the Not of this World background, his parents are from Triaxus, and his grandparents are from Castrovel. As elven families go, those generations represent a LOT of time.
Then, also for the first time ever, I built him out all the way to 20th level, to see where he would take things against some goals I had, especially with psychic being a secondary class. Eventually, he can cast Telekinetic Haul (which I am not really going to claim I understand the way I understand 1E), and he can cast Fly+3 to fly for an hour, both major aspects of how I saw his TK, but also his veneration of Yuelral.
He is in absolutely no way any cooler than any other character presented, but he was an enourmous amount of fun to make.
I made an error. Luckily it had no impact. The roof goblin does not have a d10 shooting. I am away from my info at the moment so I cannot verify but I think that should be a d6. I am letting the total of 2 stand. Sorry for the error.
That error is perhaps made up for by your excellent catches on the gear costs, which I totally went back and looked over: savage.us was using the FINAL weight of the items rather than the original weight as a multiplier. Adjustments are made. Cevendyl will eliminate a touch more cash, and his spoilers are forthcoming.
Well If you are looking for something to replace Darksight you might want to consider Beast Friend. In Pathfinder terms it combines Speak with animals and Charm animals. The main use I see you getting out of this power is using it to verbally direct Rising Star (and later Animals summoned if you take the Summon Nature's allies power) in combat/stressful situations.
Rising Star is loyal and will try to do what you want but they are not a familiar. They do not understand any language. So they cannot relay anything they saw while scouting or hunting. They cannot understand complex instructions without an action and a persuasion or intimidation check by you. "Go get that key" for example would take a roll as a hawk has no idea what a key is.
Beast Friend bypasses all of this as Rising Star could understand you and vice versa. There has been some discussion about the worth of the Beast Master edge given that the Beast Friend power exists. And I will admit that there is some overlap. I think the best way to resolve the issue is to allow a Beast Master's pet while under the effect of the Beast Friend power to understand complex instructions and interact as if they did not have the (A) after their smarts. In other words the spell makes them fully intelligent though they can still only speak to the caster of Beast Friend.
For comparison a non-Beast Master's pet animal while under the effect of Beast Friend can communicate and is loyal to you but is still limited by their (A) animal intelligence so some concepts may be too complex to them.
This is all off the top of my head so It probably needs more work. What do you think Rising Star should be able to do for you both with and without help from Beast Friend?
Have read the entire power desc on pages 176-177; this is brilliant. Can spend an additional Power Point to communicate telepathically, can spend another PP to extend duration as well (basically spending 2 point for 3 points worth of time). This is MUCH more versatile that Darksight, thank you!
Rising Star knows when Cev is hungry, and tries to feed him, like to the point that Cev makes sure he doesn't feel hungry, because Star will just show up with dead stuff to give him. Because of this, they frequently hunt together; a very very classic Man & Hawk activity, which Cev spent some time in Andorran training with Star (Andorran Falconry is a thing).
I think this will be more useful if less colorful than naked carrying a lot of platinum ...
v3:
Cevendyl
Novice Male Elf, Brightness Seeker
Background
Cevendyl is like the Doogie Howser of Iadara in Kyonin ... and in principle, was banished for it. In practice, the Queen suggested that the very very talented young elf might could need a walkabout to continue his search for The Brightness.
Revered as seers, able to channel memories and even physical features of prior incarnations as people and animals, Brightness Seekers devote themselves to the pursuit of enlightenment. During their uniquely personal journeys, they learn how to interpret signs and portents that allow them to make uncannily accurate predictions about possible actions for themselves and others. Over time, as they forge ever-deeper connections with their past lives and approach an ultimate state of oneness with the world around them, they develop the capacity to manifest the abilities and eventually the actual forms of many different animals. Eventually, Brightness Seekers even gain the power to shrug off death itself should it interfere with their quest for enlightenment, and their ability to reincarnate themselves with their memories intact offers them a chance to eventually reclaim their original form.
Until you actually have a character please refrain from posting in either the discussion thread or especially in the game play thread. How is that character coming by the way?
Once again, technology wins :(
I recall posting a post just like the one before: new stat blok, new URL to character sheet :(
I will post it again asap which hopefully can be before work
He handed a platinum over to the vendor ... he'd only really heard one name in his travels as a little bird: Rhodel.
"Please Rhynshinn, when the Lady Rhodel returns, refuse her money. Say to her that her money is no good with you. Say to her that providence has destined your cape to hang from her neck and you are wont to refuse fate. Please?"
---
He hadn't changed his clothes ...
He stopped being a bird, he looked like Kyonin.
TBH, he looked like Iadara; every shred of home.
He didn't care, he needed to find Amiko.
She had been nice to him - she gave him a place, food, kindness, AND suggestions.
She fed ALL these people ...
He had to find her
Lucein is back... sort of. Lots of work stress, and family health issues, so some of the posting may not be verbose, but I'll pick it up as things slow down.
k
So
Cev is in the Lucien Zone, like directly right there
But I have a minute, and I am catching up RIGHT THIS MINUTE
The party is about to start in gameplay. It would be REALLY convenient if a certain crazy young elf was ready to make the scene......
I have like a 90 minute drive to Anaheim and dinner with a colleague ahead of me
BUT
I did stay up all night and buy stuff, so that is done
PLUS
I can type some responses in the car while we are driving
Don’t type while driving. A pbp game is not worth driving distracted. I’m mainly a pedestrian so I’ll hold the game a bit and you keep your eyes on the road. Get to this stuff when you can. Worst case you are in at pt 2 of the furball.
It is 11:19 and I am all yours.
I am going to review Gameplay, review the "Flight of the Bird"
and as fragile as Cev is, he's going to find the best insertion point where he will be on deck to heal someone ...
(AND Cev will replace Darksight because GM kinda sorta didn't ridicule it but did that dad-thing where you coach an elevated view of something to drive a stronger outcome - yayyyy us!)
Background
Cevendyl is like the Doogie Howser of Iadara in Kyonin ... and in principle, was banished for it. In practice, the Queen suggested that the very very talented young elf might could need a walkabout to continue his search for The Brightness.
Revered as seers, able to channel memories and even physical features of prior incarnations as people and animals, Brightness Seekers devote themselves to the pursuit of enlightenment. During their uniquely personal journeys, they learn how to interpret signs and portents that allow them to make uncannily accurate predictions about possible actions for themselves and others. Over time, as they forge ever-deeper connections with their past lives and approach an ultimate state of oneness with the world around them, they develop the capacity to manifest the abilities and eventually the actual forms of many different animals. Eventually, Brightness Seekers even gain the power to shrug off death itself should it interfere with their quest for enlightenment, and their ability to reincarnate themselves with their memories intact offers them a chance to eventually reclaim their original form.
Comments, Mechanical: Several critical issues to resolve before you are mechanically all there. But I think I can see where you are going.
Comments, background: You do not actually have a background here but taking you interlude as a guide brings up some questions. What is "Brightness?" Who is Rising Star and are they still alive?
TBH that website ate the first draft of Cev, so I will redraft him with all of these things in mind, and cite what its output doesn't cite.
However - the 3 edges come from being a Druid, the Beastmaster edge is included. Cev's hindrances purchased: a 2nd edge, and additional starting cash.
I will have Cevendyl v2 done in just a sec
(and I would still like him to have been shapeshifted into the bird from the opening of Gameplay ...)
Sweet. I thought that version looked a little rough. So you are taking Beast Master rather than Attuned. Cool.
Looking forward to v2.
Give me just a sec, I will upload the crunch AND paste a URL to the character sheet for v2. He's a little simpler ... he's young, curious, and loyal, all of which will be fun to play (103 years old, young for an elf)
[ I am also pretty sure that the Parry calculation was based off of having selected that the staff was equipped ]
Comments, Mechanical: Several critical issues to resolve before you are mechanically all there. But I think I can see where you are going.
Comments, background: You do not actually have a background here but taking you interlude as a guide brings up some questions. What is "Brightness?" Who is Rising Star and are they still alive?
TBH that website ate the first draft of Cev, so I will redraft him with all of these things in mind, and cite what its output doesn't cite.
However - the 3 edges come from being a Druid, the Beastmaster edge is included. Cev's hindrances purchased: a 2nd edge, and additional starting cash.
I will have Cevendyl v2 done in just a sec
(and I would still like him to have been shapeshifted into the bird from the opening of Gameplay ...)
Comments, Mechanical: Several critical issues to resolve before you are mechanically all there. But I think I can see where you are going.
Comments, background: You do not actually have a background here but taking you interlude as a guide brings up some questions. What is "Brightness?" Who is Rising Star and are they still alive?
The Brightness:
“The Brightness” is an often-discussed but rarely explained
aspect of elven life. Beginning in childhood, most elves set out in search of a clear, ecstatic, semi-divine enlightenment known as the Brightness. This search is in fact one of the reasons some elves travel so much, although others contend that physical travel is unnecessary and thatthe Brightness can be found by journeying within. The
searchers seek signs and personal guidance leading toward
revelation; those close to their Brightness often experience
supernatural good fortune and have been known to will
themselves beyond death to find it.
The nature of the enlightenment varies by individual,
but all elves who embrace this philosophy firmly believe
that the Brightness will be obvious once found. Some
elves who find their Brightness never manage to verbalize
it. A few can narrow it down to what sound like simple
aphorisms, such as “Peace is knowledge” or “All change is
growth.” These are inadequate, shadowy representations
of the true enlightenment experience.
The change in an elf ’s behavior is the true indicator of
the Brightness. Elves who have discovered the Brightness
are unflappably serene, facing horror and death with the
same calm as they would reading a good book. Elves are
hardly perfected in this state, but imperfection seems to be
less of a burden, with the enlightened elves striving less,
yet working more. Aiding friends becomes paramount,
and the dictates of honor cease to be a struggle.
Some elves devote years to trying to find the Brightness;
along the way, a few go as far as to pick up levels in the
Brightness Seeker prestige class to aid them in this
journey (see page 28).
Rising Star is Cevendyl's animal companion, named after one of the companions of the elven god Ketephys
Ketephys (The Hunter): This long-faced elven god rarely speaks unless coordinating the efforts of other beings in a hunt
for a dangerous or especially prized creature. In holy art, he is shown barefoot, wearing form-fitting brown and forestgreen
to prevent snags and excess noise. He is usually accompanied by his dog Meycho and his hawk Falling Star,
though he keeps them for companionship rather than assistance, as he prefers to succeed or fail on his own skill.
His symbol is a hawk on a silver crescent.
I will happily take a look at Cevendyl. In the meantime would you kindly post your Interlude?
Interlude
Your Interlude - Four of Clubs. Riff on one or more of the following:
~Downtime. Your hero broods or is angry about something. What is it, and how do they resolve the issue? Do they do something they regret? Or does the issue still rankle?
~Backstory: Tell a tale of misfortune from your hero’s past, perhaps revealing something of their Hindrances or a dark secret.
~Trek. Tell of hardship you endured on your way - The tragic death of a favored companion, spoiled or lost supplies, a mechanical breakdown, abysmal weather, and so on.
It was a very very very long way from Kyonin to Varisia, even as the hawk flies. Cevendyl couldn't always fly, but his friend Rising Star could. Their journey arund the Lake had been without incident, they each scavanged what they could, not ready to be with other elves, not really prepared for non-elves, and feeling like the wilds were probably more manageable.
In Korvosa, Cev spent much of his time scouting, as a little bird, coming back to the rooftops to rest with Star. It was easier; close to people, but not too close. He learned names, he saw thieves, he could tell who was happy or sad. But he didn't let it matter, because he & Rising Star were the whole world.
Then they left Korvosa. He wanted to head straight to Magnimar. He wanted to learn about the Empyreal Lords and their Mystery Cults. He thpught maybe some of the answers to the Brightness were there ...
... and then Varisia swallowed them up. It was hard. The Sanos Forest turned them around and spit them out; it was a thankful thing that Cevendyl spoke Druidic and could call on his masters in nature to help them out. They were pointed to Sandpoint and were happy to make their way back to civilization.
Since the GM cited and linked a table for starting wealth, I had a look at it. It states we start with 1 level 1 item and 20 gp.
Any advice on what this level 1 item could be? I'm fairly new. What do you guys usually pick up? I'm finding quite some interesting things. I guess we cannot take Uncommon items, yeah?
Normally the GM has to approve anything that isn't common, or gives permission for choosing Uncommon items upfront.
I would be amendable to anything but the black.Dathius says with a glance at the head of the black robes.
This is a result of the test though, right?
I always felt like the descriptions made it seem like "The Test" was like a holo that all the masters could watch, and the outcome indicated the spirit of the wizard and their alignment to magic itself. It's like part of what's being tested. Like you may not think your a candidate for Black, but the Test could show that you are SO selfish that it is the only real choice for you.
Basically the only way I play with kender who randomly steal critical items without consent is by playing a tinker gnome who carries lots of lethal explosives.
Although it's never too late to reexamine the idea of Kender-Snacks, which I might add, would probably in NO way bother the forest. I little roast Kender, kinda like a holiday treat? I think Wayreth would be totally behind that in a lot of ways ...
Finally after gathering firewood and hunting for small game, Anatoli will set up the camp fire to slowly cook some meat and then set up a nice overhead cover for rain and finally just sit down and drink some water and eat some camp fire roasted meat and wait for his friends to be done.
Cev casts Prestidigitation and begins to tidy their camp area a little
"Friend Anatoli, please let me know if I can conjure any additional flavor for you. I do not consider myself a cook by any means, but my mother did show me a few tricks. The simple magic really is the stuff of life."
