Some of this seems like catastrophizing. Paid GMs have been around for years now. They haven't destroyed the hobby. Paizo giving some support to that isn't going to change everything.
You're absolutely right. Paizo gives us this server to play for free. They have graciously allowed any RP ruleset to be used, not just what the company sells. Ultimately that's very gracious of them to do so. I fully appreciate the freedom they allow in tone and content while many, many places would not.
So thankyou very much for what you provide Paizo.
However, once I start seeing ads being presented on free games that I'm playing...then I'm gone. But those days don't seem to be on the horizon.
Would competing for a romantic partner who is passionate about an affair with you be better than paying for someone to have a soulless and mechanical elimination of your carnal needs? hrmmm LOL
Finishing up a gnomish master summoner. He'll be a bit mad, but good hearted. I need to figure a decent Backstory. Should be finished today or tomorrow.
Rare Someone created you for a specific purpose. Some important person, be they a storied royal, a contentious politician, or a stark military leader, needed a body double for their most dangerous appearances. Using a mixture of fringe science and magic, you were commissioned and trained to emulate this person in every way, and have stood in for them in countless deadly circumstances. You may or may not know the reason behind your decommissioning, but whoever discarded you didn't finish you off. Now, the world is yours to explore—but “you” may have a bold or brutish reputation, or the individual you were duplicating may be long dead. Regardless of the fate of this individual, your way of life has changed drastically.
You and the GM can work out how to incorporate your previous life into your story. The GM can keep this knowledge hidden even from you, or you or another character know what happened. You and the GM can also leave the information unspecified and fill it in later. You gain three free attribute boosts. You choose two, and the GM chooses one based on the attributes of the character you were built to duplicate.
I have an interesting idea of continual reveals (mostly Horrific) as time in game progresses.
I need someone with more build mastery to check my character; is my build viable, or is it weak?
The big difference is that she's not designed to be a frontline combatant but a debuffer and healer.
It's fine if I'm not mechanically strong, but it'll be important that it's acceptable for the party.
Go to Mystic which starts on page 76
Go to Offensive powers on page 77
Take...
Magic Spells: Array (24 points, plus 5 points of Alternate
Effects)
...and add Alternate Effects [Things that you can cast] at 1 point a piece (on the same page). You can add things like
Speaks with the Bones: Miss Calaveras can convince the bones of the target to simply stop doing what the target wishes, freezing them in place. Ranged Cumulative Affliction (Resisted and Overcome by Will; Impaired, Disabled, Paralyzed), 7 ranks (21)
Speaks with the Dead: She can speak with those who have passed before, gaining knowledge about an area’s history, or about what has been left undone.
• Senses (Postcognition and Spiritual Awareness) (5)
• Comprehend (Spirits), 2 ranks (4)
Bargaining with Death: She can plead with Mictecacihuatl to stave off wounds inflicted on others. Restorative Resurrective Healing, 6 ranks (24)
For 1 point a piece
Next,
I would jack up your protection with invulnerability. (since you'd have more points available)
Brimble manages to extract himself, though Eska seems disappointed. A few minutes later he can see the woman talking to her son, and pointing in Brimble's direction. Oh dear.
The half-orc hates small talk. He was an orc of action.
Barnacle was bored. While holding a pansy-ass glass of wine, he walks to the pile of salt that was shoveled into the corner of the room. 'Barney' reaches down to grab a small handful of salt. The half-orc sprinkles a few grains of the mineral onto his tongue. He slams the wine down hard with a gulp.
Barney does this several times with several glasses of wine. The young sailor soon slips into a sea shanty.
There once was a ship that put to sea
And the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
Blow, my bully boys, blow (huh)
She had not been two weeks from shore
When down on her a right whale bore
The captain called all hands and swore
He'd take that whale in tow
Soon may the Blusterguts come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go
Soon may the Blusterguts come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go
When Timothy was born, his parents were ecstatic. The first born son to John and Sara Blank. Both of the Blanks were Catholics. When toys started spinning in the baby's room, The Blanks had a Priest come to the home and Bless it.
The protection did not alleviate the supranatural activities. As time passed, The Black started to believe that Timmy was possessed. Through requests and church investigations, A proper exorcism was scheduled. Father Viceroy stopped mid-ceremony, as he surmised that Timothy was a mutant.
The church convinced the Blanks that Timothy would be safer under the church's supervision. Under a Jesuit secret society, The Church trained Timothy to be a weapon for the Church. The training and mind washing turned Tim into a symbol of Church's corruption.
Shortly before Tim's sixteenths birthday, A new pope was voted in. Being a good and decent man, He eventually learned of 'Righteous Wrath'. He requested to meet him. The Pope spoke to the young man. He could see what brokenness they brought to the child. The old man's heart broke for the boy.
In an effort to embarrass the perpetrators of the evils committed on Tim, The Pope made the whole event world wide news. Tim's parents, with knowledge of Tim's suffering, commit lawfare against the Church to regain caretaker-ship that they signed away years ago. The news of Telekinesis Timmy never seems to end.
Zealotry: Bred since a toddler to be a representation of God's justice. He had been manipulated into being a tool for the wicked in the Church. A newly elected Pope, upon learning about 'Righteous Wrath', Liberated the young man. The Holy Father, hoping to free his mind of control, sends Wrath to Zion High School.
Fame: the public admission of the church, and subsequent movement to the Zion school, made him famous. But his parents, who now know what was done to their son, want custody. The lawfare and public interest based on his real name: Timothy Blank. Or the new pseudonym that the newspapers propagate: Telekinesis Timmy
Induce Blindness: Perception Range Cumulative Affliction 8 (Resisted and Overcome by Will; Visually Impaired, Visually Disabled, Visually Unaware), Limited to one sense • 24 points
Telekinesis: Move Object 10, Accurate 4 • 24 points
"He is fond of his mother, as I understand it, and doesn't take kindly to having her name besmirched. In any case, we will review your application and announce hires at the end of the evening. In the meantime, do enjoy the excellent wine."
"If he doesn't like her name, then stop usin' it." The burly half-orc heads off for some frilly-ass elf food and drink. "Besmirched is a fine name though."
Male Half-orc Expert level 1
NG Medium humanoid
Init +1
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Defense
--------------------
AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10
hp 9 (d8+1)
Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +3
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft
Melee
Dagger +1 1d4+1 19-20/x2 10 ft.
Ranged
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 13, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 16 (+2 racial), Wis 12, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 12
Race Traits:
Orc Racial Traits
Scavenger: Some half-orcs eke out a leaving picking over the garbage heaps of society, and must learn to separate rare finds from the inevitable dross. Half-orcs with this racial trait receive a +2 racial bonus on Appraise checks and on Perception checks to find hidden objects (including traps and secret doors), determine whether food is spoiled, or identify a potion by taste. This racial trait replaces the intimidating trait.
Bestial: The orc blood of some half-orcs manifests in the form of particularly prominent orc features, exacerbating their bestial appearances but improving their already keen senses. They gain a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks. This racial trait replaces orc ferocity.
Chain Fighter: Some half-orcs have escaped from slavery and reforged the chains of their imprisonment into deadly weapons. Half-orcs with this racial trait are proficient with flails and heavy flails, and treat dire flails and spiked chains as martial weapons. This racial trait replaces weapon familiarity.
Senses Racial Traits
Smog Sight: Half-orcs with this racial trait can see double the normal range in dense fog and smoke (including magic effects like obscuring mist) and ignore concealment from smoke or fog for targets within 5 feet. This racial trait replaces darkvision.
Other Racial Traits
Orc Blood: Half-orcs count as both humans and orcs for any effect related to race.
Feats:
Traits:
Fisherfolk of Salt Spire
You have spent much of your life trying to coax the remaining fish to go from the sea into the nets of your boat.
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Profession: Fisherman or Profession: Sailor checks (or a related Profession skill) and to Swim. You can hold your breath twice as long as normal.
Artisan
You spent time working under artisans, or your parents were artisans who were particularly skilled at their trade.
Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on a single Craft skill (your choice).
Coincunning
Benefit: You receive a +2 trait bonus on Perception checks to notice coins, gems, jewelry, and valuable trade goods. You gain a chance to notice such goods whenever you pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not you are actively looking.
Drawback:
Mark of Slavery
You were enslaved for part or all of your youth, and marked as such with a brand or tattoo that still reminds you of how you were punished whenever you failed to do what you should.
Effect: Whenever you fail a skill check, you take a –2 penalty on any skill check or attack roll you attempt before the end of your next turn unless it is a part of retrying the failed skill check.
--------------------
Personal Goodies
--------------------
Kit, Gear Maintenance
Price 5 gp; Weight 2 lbs.
This kit contains metal polish, a small file, a leather paring knife, conditioning oil for leather, two soft cloths, extra leather straps, a sewing needle, and a few buttons.
Buoy, common 5 sp 16 lbs.
Crowbar 2 gp 5 lbs.
Drill 5 sp 1 lb.
Dagger 2 gp 1d3 1d4 19-20/x2
Goldenscale Mining Consortium Intake Form:
1. State your name, race, and age for company records.
Barnacle, Who gives a Sh!t?, Old Enough [He looks early teens]
2. Are you able-bodied and capable of lifting, hauling, and moving without assistance? Are you without eyes?
3. Do you have any special skills that might be useful in the mines?How would I know?
4. Do you have any past experience working in mines or in similar situations? Please elaborate if so.Dug a Sh!tter once
5. Do you have any phobias of darkness, enclosed spaces, insects, or other possible hazards of underground labor? Please elaborate if so.Stoopid people scare me
6. Can you read, write, and do basic sums?Yeah I can do Sum
7. Are you under four feet of height?Just look at me man
8. Do you have any crisis experience, such as medical or combat experience?Just sleepin' with your momma
9. What is your current trade?Sleepin' with your momma
10. Help us get to know you better to decide where you fit in the GMC family! Please answer the following questions.
Max drove and listened to the cassette player. Angela reads about Danu in the passenger seat. After a few hours, not long before sunrise. They reach Stonehenge. As they get near the structure, Max elucidates on his conclusion. "Well, I think the old man was really saying, that you were the herald of renewal."
Anna walks to the near center of Stonehenge. "That's better than being Mrs. Destruction." She quips.
"Glad to see that you finally got married." He says.
Anna bristles a little then kneels in prayer. She repeats the prayer, while not sure what will happen. A mild wind passes over the surrounding stone. She continues for a bit before stopping and feeling discouraged.
"Hey. For a prayer, You have to have faith." Max says as a way to help.
"You could help with the praying as well." Unconsciously adding someone else to blame in case of failure.
They pray.
Danu can feel her power and authority being pulled to earth by mortal prayers.
Her flesh forms beneath where the ancient altar used to be. The dirt and grass pass aside her new form. The silvery Maelstrom pushes up her form. Her arms are spread-out like an upside down 'V'. Her hair is bright red with a relaxed curl. Yet somehow her hair looks like she is in water. It cover her head like a Lion's mane. Her skin is white and without blemish. Her body is a representation of fertile hips, a small waist, and breasts that could feed many children. Her face is serine.
Maelstrom's tendril touches Angela's face.*
"Why have I been called?" Danu asks. Her face placid. Maelstrom adopts dark blue tone.
*Adding a power to learn worshippers language by touch. Since we'll be campaigning in English forever. One time is the only use. Hope it's cool.
--- Traits: two, one of which is a campaign trait from the following. (For the other, any non-campaign trait is fine, and you can ignore regional requirements for them.) You may take a drawback for another (non-campaign) trait, if you want.
can all three traits be a campaign trait? I have a fun Idea.
Angela knocks on the tan painted townhouse door. She switches to the doorbell and rings several times. She can hear muted protest from behind the closed portal. It opens. Inside stands a relatively handsome bloke who is dressed in pajama bottoms and a concert t-shirt with Led Zeppelin stenciled on the front. The man blinks at the woman.
"Anna. Huh." He says in surprise. "Never expected to see you again."
"Yeah. I'm sorry that you had lost your position." Angela responds. "I had no idea that my papa would show up to the dorm."
"I lost the school director job, because I'm a moron. I accept that. But I was really a complete moron to think that you loved me." He said in accusation.
She slips in under Max's arm. "Look. I need your help. And my papa payed the bills. I couldn't afford the tuition otherwise."
"Come on in." Max says in sarcasm while closing the door. "Tea?" He asks.
Angela nods while looking around the house. The scientist notices a brand new Apple Macintosh. Surprised, she puts down the hard-drive on the couch. "Nice computer." She states.
Max is busy settling the kettle onto the stove. "Took a bit to save. Do you want ta know what a librarian makes?" He quickly answers his own question. "Not much."
"Well at least you work in air-conditioning." Angela says to emphasize a blessing.
Max looks at her with some frustration. "What do you want Anna? Why are you here?"
Angela retrieves a toolbox from her car. She explains what had just happened to her in her laboratory in England. She details all the events and that the hard-drive holds the proof. She says it all while trying link the computer, the hard-drive, and the television, in order to show Rex. And, at last, she mentions the demon.
Rex looks at her incredulously. She just tells him to watch.
"Where's the demon?" He asks.
"The electronics all shorted out when it arrived." She replied.
"Convenient." Max says.
"No, Not even a little." Angela says in a frustrated tone. "Look, What is the old man saying?" She queries.
Max rewinds and listens a few times. "The prayer is giving glory to the goddess Danu. I believe the are asking for her protection." Max again replays the Old Man's comments directed at Angela. "It's hard to do a translation off the top of my head, But I believe he is saying that you..." He points at Angela. "...Are the herald of destruction? Not really sure."
Max grabs his notes on the Gaelic language.
Angela makes a cassette recording of the Stonehenge prayers. She asks about the goddess, and Rex points her to a book on the shelf, The Gaelic Mythology. "I need to do something. I feel in my heart that I need to pray for Danu's protection. I'm driving to Stonehenge."
"Who would have guessed that you'd have a heart." He comments back.
The massive spinning circular tensors gain speed. Fields of electricity glide on the three tensors which twist against each other. The tensors soon create a sphere of pulsating power. "The Projector will present the target's time and position." Angela shouts over the noise of the Projector to the visiting financiers. "The closest we can target is Ten thousand years ago. So. The target will be Stonehenge."
Angela adjusts the console to focus in on the target. She gets an image that manifests within the Projector. Several people are there. All of them recite the same prayer in unison. Angela looks down and sees that all the sensors are being recorded to a US military hard-drive (Not available in stores yet). Angela always loved the capitalist nature of the Yanks. The sound of the payers settle deeper into her mind. A bearded old man looks up and locks eyes with Angela. She stares at him for a few seconds.
"How can he do that?" She asks of no one. The Projector was designed to observe the past, like a camera's photograph. The old man calls out her name then other words, in what she assumes is an ancient Gaelic tongue. Angela, mouth slack, gazes in amazement. The old man raises his hand then clenches his fist.
Angela sees the Projector moving to a different target. she looks down to see where the new adjustment is. The console shoots out sparks. She raises her arm to protect her eyes. In the Projector, A scene of fire, and the smell of brimstone emerge from within. A red humanoid beast with massive horns, within the projection, sees the opening. It flies through what is now a portal.
It's massive claws start ripping people limb from limb. The beast stares at Angela while eviscerating a technician. His face buries deep into Angela's brain. Angela's mind is minimally lucid for moments. She pulls the hard-drive.
The Face. Mindlessness.
She watches the vault door close, as she barely escapes. Another behind her, one of the financiers, gets his arm crushed by the sealing door. His hand drops off to the floor in a bleeding spasm.
The Face. Mindlessness.
She climbs the stairs with difficulty. For support, Angela grabs the handrails and leans her shoulder against the wall.
The Face. Mindlessness.
She regains focus. She grabs the steering wheel hard. Angela finds it crazy to believe that in her madness, she kept the car on the road. The scientist looks over at the car's passenger seat. The hard-drive was with her.
Angela was in no mood to return to the underground research facility. The inventor paused and focused herself. She knew of someone who could help translate the words that she recorded. "I'm sure he's forgiven me enough" She says.
@CucumberTree: Not sure what you mean by premise my friend? Game is set in 1985, UK. You'll be (relatively) new superheroes on the block... ready to face off against a new crop of villains that have risen... Once the group is finalised I'll put up a more detailed "lay of the land" as it were.
Let me give a for instance:
Someone hacked into computer files and found out 'X'. That someone prays really, really hard for Danu to come save them from 'X'. What premise would 'X' be?
@Malinor/Jaguar: Wow. Love the backstory - one small point though - this game will be UK based (as Golden Heroes was fundamentally a British game - created as a counterpoint to the US based superhero games on the market). As I'm in Scotland I'll be honouring that with the UK setting.
Good stuff though :)
I have an idea for my background. But I need to know the premise, you know, so that I can be prayed into my templar.
Trying to summarize interested players and potential characters for BD. Apologize in advance if I make a mistake. Please feel free to post a phrase to describe your character concept.
Potential Player Characters
* Cucumbertree - Iterating, maybe Danu
"Hey don't call me iterate...And it's Goddess Danu. You iterate mortal." Says Danu in an unidentifiable accent.
How would you describe Danu's power set?
She has a garment of liquid metal that is a part of her. The dress is called Maelstrom. I think that the whip-like weapon will look better visually, if she uses her hand and arm to guide it. The shield will be both weapon and will parry autonomously, while aware. Maelstrom also reflects Danu's emotion in color. With mass adjustment, she can effectively swing like spiderman. Launching herself into the air, then gliding. She is very acrobatic, and actively taunts enemies.
Trying to summarize interested players and potential characters for BD. Apologize in advance if I make a mistake. Please feel free to post a phrase to describe your character concept.
Potential Player Characters
* Cucumbertree - Iterating, maybe Danu
"Hey don't call me iterate...And it's Goddess Danu. You iterate mortal." Says Danu in an unidentifiable accent.
@Cucumber Tree: Of the two newer concepts, Concept 3 is very similar to Sysgofd (and as someone said there are already a bunch of Intangibility concepts kicking around). Concept 2 is interesting - but again Weapon Skills seem also to be popping up. Of the these 2 is more interesting - but are they better than Danu... Mmmm not sure.
Feel free to have a tilt or two more mate if you wish.
I was Thinking the same thing. Still was fun to roll though. It also looks like the advantage roll of #3 changed from a 7 to a 3 after all the edits. Weird.
I've been thinking about changing the weapon to a whip-like attack. I'd like for her to be less lethal but more 'grapple'-like. She's capable of really hurting or killing, but she holds back her attacks(Like Spiderman). As a character, she will place a very high value on human life.
