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![]() Fifteenth Day of Erastus, Moonday 12:30 pm, North of Vigil
Fifteenth day of Erastus, Moonday, 4:55 pm, The Defensive perimeter of Lastwall.
”Open the gate! The Advance Guard is here!”
The soldier rushes out. Saluting he says, ”Captain Anfell at your service. We received word this morning that you would be arriving. You’re free to sleep in the garrison or we can let you through the north gate whenever you'd like.” He speaks with a clear professional tone, he appears to be about thirty which in Lastwall likely meant he’d been a soldier for upwards of fifteen years. The inner courtyard of the garrison bustles with activity. Blacksmiths and farriers forge weapons and horseshoes, fletchers sit on barrels making arrows from crow feathers and strong timber. Well kept stables are to the right and the large main garrison building lies ahead. The sound of drilling pierces the yard, the light is long in the summer and the sergeants could drill well into the evening. Anfell motions to the smiths. ”Please feel free to requisition any basic supplies you need from the armory, if it’s not weapons then Hammar our quartermaster can square you away, he’s in the warehouse behind the garrison. If you should need anything please send for me. Stables to your right and first floor rooms at the building ahead.” He salutes again and leaves. He will answer any questions before he leaves if you have them ![]()
![]() Fifteenth Day of Erastus, Moonday 10:05 am, The grand square of Vigil
Fifteenth Day of Erastus, Moonday 11:00 am, The North Gate of Vigil
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![]() Fourth Day of Erastus, Oathday 8:31 pm; Outlander Tavern The bartender shuffles about filling all drink orders as they are placed. Something stronger is placed in front of Amara as the bartender woefully laments the wine shortage that has been caused by the arrival of so many nobles in the city proper for the crusade. The card players make a seat available for the newcomer and deal him in. Abaos:
In the time that you play you win 7 silver, and the locals curse their rotten luck The door to the tavern is darkened by the silhouette of a lanky man around six feet tall. He wore a dark cloak, green but dark enough to seem black. He had dirty brown hair and appeared to be about forty. He is wearing a patch of Lastwall on his lapel but little else to signal his allegiances. His forehead is marked with the letter O on it’s side and struck through with a vertical line, closer inspections shows that this is a brand. His neck is marked with a thick scar the whole way around. He is armed with a shortbow and shortsword as well as several daggers. Kn Local DC 15:
The Lastwall mark of an Oathbreaker. When one breaks the Knight’s oath they are branded and exiled. If it is broken in a particularly egregious way, the violator is then hung. He walks with a slight limp to a corner table and loudly pulls extra chairs until there are about ten in all. Taking a mug off a passing tray he empties it in a single draught. Setting it on the table and lighting a pipe he speaks with a coarse voice, like gravel being raked over the rocks. ”My name is Emils, I believe some of you have received my invitation.” he glances at the obviously armed group of people in the room. ”If you could please be seated, we have urgent business to discuss.” he motions to the chairs and sits down himself, setting several files on the table in front of him on crisp parchment. As you sit you notice one of the files has your name on it. Puffing on his pipe, Tonald Emils seemingly ignores everyone for a few moments as he goes through some of his files. Looking up he hands each of the people seated at the table two files, one with the individual's name on it and the second appears to be a dossier of some kind. The file with your name on it:
When you open your file, you are shocked to find extensive information about yourself notated in a flowing script, places you’ve been, known associates, approximate date and location of birth, personal history and a complete personality profile. ”As you can see, my people have been scouting you for quite some time now.” Emils begins. He smiles a wry smile, ”I have a feeling you’re just the sort I’m looking for.” He sets a leather bound scroll on the table and unfurls it. It is the most complete map of Belkzen you’ve ever seen, which isn’t saying much since few maps exist and the ones that are detailed are hundreds of years old. ”In a week and a half, Ulthun will send the advance guard down the flood road to check the way for the main crusade which will depart at the end of the month. I have been given a different task. Few within the commanding ranks or the War College have any sort of respect for my brand of warfare, but those that do are the ones who have brought you here.” he points a leathery finger at the map. ”There are three ways into Belkzen, only one of which is a viable path for an army.” you look at where he is pointing, ”The flood road, a wide dry riverbed that will run straight north from the northeast corner of Lastwall all the way to the Hordeline and beyond.” he taps out his pipe on the wooden table and orders an ale while repacking it again. ”It is the other two ways that concern me.” He points again, ”The forest straight north of Vigil, most oft used by the crusader scouts. And the western wasteland that runs the western expanse of the Orc territory. Now, there are likely to be Orcs in all three of these routes, but the forest hides other dangers, and the wasteland is filled with great and primal beasts if the Orcs we’ve questioned are to be believed.” He pauses almost seemingly for dramatic effect. ”What I need from you folks is to engage in a guerrilla war, a ground resistance in the Orcs own territory. Your focus will be to find and engage military targets by whatever means necessary and eliminate the greenskins wherever they may be found. The path you take is yours to choose. You’ll rendezvous with the crusade proper at the end of the month to resupply and collect some payment. This is a black op and as such I’ve been authorized to offer you all 15 gold pieces a day with rewards for confirmed kills of Orc Chieftains and Shamans. When you reach the Hordeline, ask only for me or the leader of the College of Scouts if I’m dead for some reason.” he laughs heartily for a moment at the notion. ”Though if I’m dead your all likely to have been dead for a while.” he calms himself from laughing. Steely eyed again he says ”That’s the offer. If it offends any fine sensibilities then you can take the oath and die in battle with the rest of the chromers. Or you can do something that matters and get paid at the same time.” ![]()
![]() Fifteenth Day of Erastus, Moonday 10:00 am, The grand square of Vigil The Grand Square is as busy as it has ever been. White washed stone cobbled walkways and buildings magnify the light to make the city seem to glow with heavenly glory. Gold and steel topped towers shine in the sun. Crusaders walk about on errands or visiting smiths and shops to maintain their gear or purchase a new sword that was sure to earn a name in light of all the glory he would earn in the second coming of the Shining Crusade. A squire or page had arrived at your place of lodging early in the morning and delivered a scroll bearing the seal of the nation of Lastwall. It had contained a summons from Commander Garin Hawkar ordering you to meet at the Grand Podium, a large stone stage in the middle of square, at ten in the morning for assignment. As you approach you see the stage is empty, it was usually only used for The Lord Ulthun or the heads of the War College to give announcements. The commander is waiting for you near the stage’s base. A dark haired man in his late thirties, he is in his armor, shining steel with golden pauldrons, a white cloak trimmed with green is fastened to the shoulders of his armor with silver shield clasps. He salutes as you and several others approach. Looking each of you in the eye, he curtly speaks. ”Greetings and blessings of the Gods be upon you. I won’t waste my time or yours with unnecessary chatter or pleasantries. The High Watcher Lord Ulthun has informed military command that the crusade will be setting out at the end of the month, following the flood road straight to the Hordeline to retake it and establish it as a forward positions from which to run the crusade. I have been tasked with assembling an advance guard to push into enemy territory and assess the situation along the road, and engage with any Orc scout patrols. You are that advanced guard.” Garin holds his hand aloft and a golden brown falcon lands upon his gloved hand. ”This is Hugh, he finds his own food and will follow you on this quest. Hold your hand aloft and he will land, attach any messages you wish to report and he will return to me post haste. Now, feel free to introduce yourselves and gather your things. They are expecting you at the north gate in an hour. Your horses are there and have been provided if you don't own one. Provisions are there as well. I feel I’ve been quite clear but now is the time for questions if you have them.” He stares at each of you seemingly daring anyone to ask him a question. ![]()
![]() That is weird Amara, when I go to the edit campaign page, doesn't list you as an option. However, it should add automatically as I didn't add manually any of the players listed. Keep posting in Gameplay and hopefully it will take care of itself otherwise I'll need to trouble shoot further. First Gameplay post is up for SF(Strikeforce). ![]()
![]() Fourth Day of Erastus, Oathday 7:52 P.M; Outlander Tavern You find yourself in the Outlander Tavern on a warm summer’s evening. A hastily constructed structure on the outskirts of Lastwall’s capital city, Vigil. A single story building with fresh cut planks for walls and ceiling, and covered structures with cots for sleeping in the back that anyone could rent for a few coppers. It wasn’t much to look at, tables, stools, a bar and candle light. It had sprung up out of necessity. There had been an influx of volunteers for the crusade, and not everyone liked to drink in crusader bars, with knights who oft had unreasonably high opinions of themselves. It wasn’t all that busy this evening. The door was thrown open to let in the cool air coming down from the mountains. Only about ten patrons sat about. The owner and “innkeeper” if you could call this an inn, sat behind the bar wiping down wooden tankards with a cloth. A man and woman sat at a table playing cards. The rest of the patrons were obviously adventurers, recruits that had responded to Ulthun’s call. Here for money or glory. You had received a summons to meet here at 8:30pm bearing the official seal of Lastwall, and signed by an officer you had yet to meet or even hear of by the name of Tonald Emils. He didn’t appear to be here yet, but from the looks of the people arriving around the same time as you, you venture a guess that they were summoned as well. ![]()
![]() Faolan, good question. Feel free to track treasure for your group. I like giving out treasure but I don't track it. If a player doesn't write on a character sheet or track it OOC I tend to rule that y'all left it on the ground. Your build question ruling. The build is obviously supposed to be Captain America(whose themed shirt I am wearing right now) The Shield returns immediately and furthermore at a higher level, you'll be able to make iterative attacks with it as per normal full attack BAB progression. ![]()
![]() Ok, so I've noticed a few things. This setting being homebrew didn't generate a TON of interest but the submissions I got were all great. Also, it seems that people either fell mostly into the operator or crusader category. That fact offers me a decent opportunity. For my own enjoyment and getting to explore the scenario in a number of lights, I will be running two tables. Not two iterations of the same campaign but two separate tables operating in the same world with simpler goals but much different paths and methods. The first table will be called the Advanced Guard details will come in the first gameplay post.
The Cleric of Gorum Odoacer Von Kriegsburg
The Second Table will be called the Strike Force(sort of a play on x force or justice league dark if you will) Details in first Gameplay post as well.
Deathless Spirit Alma
Everyone report to Discussion! IF I missed someone who didn't withdraw or a submission wasn't quite finished and you hadn't posted it DM me and we'll talk about it. Thanks to all who submitted and as you can tell I like to include people ;) ![]()
![]() Yep thanks folks! Basically its just a list of feats that I've been adding to over the years that I feel like are based more on natural skill than trained skill. Also there are all kinds of cool feats and builds that basically either require you to miss out on the above feats which most combat focused characters HAVE TO HAVE in order to be decent. So the solution is just giving them to people I figured. That way you can spend feats on things that are cool and flavorful. It's also the difference between competence and skill in my opinion especially with the ranged feats. Anyone with any sort of training and competence with a bow can distinguish friend and foe especially at short range A'la precise shot, but it takes real practice and exceptionalism to fire two arrows at once A'la multi-shot. Hope that explains my reasoning(not that I have to explain myself, I just like too lol). ![]()
![]() Here's a list of feats that people can have granted and the prereq stats. Dex feats and the required score
Str Feats
Con
Int
Combat Casting casting stat Ok Folks! ![]()
![]() @Peet, that's correct about the templates, you've got the concept down. @Jet18 CR+0 templates will likely be approved, just don't take like 6 of them for no reason. If you like the flavor of one just ask it will likely be approved. You would start with 3 class levels and a template. @DBH Thanks for the interest! Have fun in future endeavors. ![]()
![]() Hustonj is correct. So mutant is allowed at no penalty. Alma you aren't penalized, you'll just need the xp to get from 3rd to 4th level and then take your first class level etc. Digger, Advanced, Mighty and other base templates aren't allowed because they are essentially stat increases only with no flavor at all and are generally meant entirely for monster modification. I'm generally not a fan of simple templates for players. Pregame crafting is allowed, show your work on your character sheet for me please! Thanks to everyone who has submitted so far! ![]()
![]() It's pretty simple actually assuming one can do basic math(very basic on my part because I can't do to much more than what I stated above!). Stick to CR 1 or no template and you wont even have to think about it! The question a player would ask is "How much xp would I need to attain the next level?" Add ten or twenty percent to that number accordingly. ![]()
![]() @Jesse, Dang sorry that first pbp was so crappy. FYI any explicit violence or overt verbal abuse between player characters in my games must be agreed upon by both players out of character before hand in the discussion board. And if any players feel the need to threaten SEXUAL VIOLENCE against another, they will find themselves hit with an arrow of (*insert appropriate form of slaying here*) and promptly shat out of an Orc, just so we're all clear. ![]()
![]() Good evening everyone. Thanks for the interest. Some updates for creation. Due to a slight problem pointed out to me by hustonj. I will allow for templates that increase in CR as you increase in HD at character creation. I will also remove minimum CR requirements at creation(not when aquired further in the game however). For example, at creation a level 1 Fighter Half dragon would be available with a 10%xp penalty. Also things like half celestial that increase in CR will work like this. At creation a half celestial would be for example a Half celestial ranger 2. Upon gaining the character's 6th HD and an addtional +1 to the CR from the template, a 10%xp penalty would be applied meaning that the 12,000 xp needed to advance to 7th level would be instead 13,200 and so on increasing to 20% at 11HD.
@Vagrant I understood your meaning. You'd likely have to pose as a prisoner occasionally or be faced with having to fight Orcs you know and maybe even are friends with?! @Jet18 Path of war is allowed. As far as 3rd party, please still ask but know that I tend to be pretty much OK with anything from Rite Publishing or Green Ronin. @JonGarret Limbjack is fine. A word about this recruitment. I will be going out of town from this coming friday to the 3rd of January for the holidays. I plan to try and check this thread occasionally during that period depending on my access to a computer. I plan to make final decisions on the 5th and begin play on the 6th of January. So everyone has plenty of time to hash out their characters. If anyone has questions about the setting feel free to ask. I would also recommend reading the Belkzen and Lastwall Pathfinderwiki entries for anyone who'd like some additional info on the area. ![]()
![]() Morning everyone. Thanks for the interest! Chyrone-
Keante - you are right but the spirit of my wish is yes. The ability score prereq would be 16 however. To be granted a relief from feat tax you must decently exceed 13. Just like taxes in real life *rimshot*
-OSW Thanks for the interest and the secrets. *Folds hands manically* About Derp's concept. I understand everyone's concerns. Let me discuss why I was OK with allowing him to submit a character of that type.
In conclusion Derp my advice is this. While the concept is allowed, you may want to submit a character that is more inline with being part of a unit. If you are set on the concept, it would likely behoove you to do a few things. Make sure the character is interesting and useful, without the template because eventually one way or another, you will likely loose it. You must also be OK with the near guarantee that the character will likely die. ![]()
![]() Interesting to see a lawful good god of divination. Pretty cool, definitely an asset to the crusade’s intelligence gathering. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Edit: While the crusade itself is LG. It will have mercenary compliment and no such restrictions are placed on the pc’s. Just FYI. ![]()
![]() Welcome to the shining city of Vigil. It is here that the Watcher-Lords of Lastwall have stood for 900 years against the hordes of Belkzan and kept a stoic watch on the dangerous lands to the north that house the tomb-prison of the Whispering Tyrant. A young and enigmatic leader has assumed the mantle of Watcher-Lord, Ulthun the 2nd a paladin of Iomedae elected by the Precentors Martial for his chivalry and righteousness. The millennia long war against the Orc hordes have been marked by a slow retreat. After four hundred years, the many fortressed Sunwall was over run, its brilliant castles now occupied by the same Orcs it repelled for centuries. The second line, Harchist’s barricade held for nearly two hundred years until it too was overrun. The third line established was the crude Hordeline, an earthen rampart with logs hacked into spikes. It fell the same year it was constructed, now for the last century, Lastwall has held the line several miles south of the North Path River. For the last five years, there has been an influx of money and soldiers to Lastwall, bolstering the tiny nation’s numbers significantly, whether they come to fight Orcs or train in the prestigious Crusader War College. Ulthun and his Generals have decided to use this good fortune to make a push back into Belkzan, hopefully regaining the Sunwall and maybe wiping the Orc scourge from the face of Golarion forever. It is being called the Second Shining Crusade. It is under this pretense that a declaration has come from Lastwall, hung in pubs and announced by city criers all across the Inner Sea calling for all those who would fight to bring safety to the world and protect the common folk. Heroes will be forged and legends created. You have heard rumors that the real reason is a more desperate and dangerous one. You've heard the Orcs are stirring, some say massing. No one knows why and you're unsure if it's just the talk of pub gossips. In small print near the bottom of the notices it mentions 5 gold a day for mercenaries and skilled fighters who have no wish to take the knight's oath. The Request says that all who wish to join should be to Vigil by the last day of Summer, which to your reckoning is about a month away. Campaign Style: The people chosen for this game will likely be grouped into a type of special forces recon unit sent into Belkzen to operate alongside and apart from the main crusade force, dispatching foes, uncovering intelligence and so forth. Character Creation:
Alignments: Any but be warned that Lastwall is a particularly "Paladiny" Nation and any overtly super evil people would likely not get a ton of help if not be down right killed if they go all murder spree. Then again, if you can't torture an Orc, how are you supposed to get information? Am I right? Sources: Most Paizo and ask about 3rd party. House Rules: I will allow Inherited templates at creation on a 1 cr for 1 level rate so long as I approve the template. In game, a player can earn the ability to purchase acquired templates at a rate of CR * 20,000xp. IE a CR +2 Template costs 40,000xp. Also must have my approval and fit with the story. None of that, "Suddenly, I'm a Vampire." jazz.
Ability Scores: 20 point Buy on a 1 for 1 basis. No stat over 18 before racial modifiers. HP: Full for first three levels. Bonus roll after that( Bonus roll means that you can roll to try and get higher but can never get lower than half your hit dice. IE a d6 class is guaranteed 3+con but can roll higher while a d10 class is guaranteed 5+Con but can roll higher. Character Backgrounds: Skirt length is fine. I do like this particular method however. Include ambitions, personality traits, reason for wanting to fight in Belkzen. Also secret that your character knows and a secret about your character that they don't know. And then for fun I'll make up a secret about your character that you have no idea about. Muuaa Haa Haaa! ![]()
![]() Taj decides that the rude orc is simply that. A rude orc. Not under threat, take 10 Daen detects the lingering remains of a Veil spell, and the current effects of a dominate monster spell on the Lord Watcher, it is possible that he would flee if released or attempt self harm or to harm D squad. Grimold flutters down the hall and suddenly comes upon the source of the cold draft, a dug out hole that whistles ever so faintly and drops off into the darkness. ![]()
![]() The orc turns it’s head and looks at Taj. She feels the effects of her spell try to override something else, something more powerful. The orc speaks in a language that Taj is lucky enough to recognize, ”Ne znaju da mali jedan. Kažem vam sada, letjeti odavde, mali čarobnjak. Ovo je moja domena. To je moje tijelo. Vaš trespasse me neprijatan. Ostavi sada, ili se pridružiti one zelene.” Tr. From Undercommon. I do not know you small one. I tell you now, fly from here, little wizard. This is my domain. This is my body. Your trespasse displeases me. Leave now, or join the green ones. The words sound unnatural, the Orc is probably not a native speaker, which is odd, as most Belkzen Orcs are. Taj Will V DC 19: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 When she removes the knife she notices that where the blade hit the skin, it is a distinctly different color. The orc’s red eyes momentarily appear blue, and it’s black hair blonde. Taj: You are quite sure this is an illusion, but it won’t shatter until you bring attention to it from the whole group. ![]()
![]() The two orcs hang from their wrists, they are emaciated and discolored. They squint at the sudden light introduced to the area, the one on the right more so than the other. The one on the right speaks ”Agurrak giza puta, egunen batean hil egingo naiz.” Tr. Orc. Greetings human b@%$!, someday I will kill you. Rude, but a traditional Orc greeting akin to hello stranger in common. The one on the left stares blankly ahead staying perfectly still and looking straight ahead. ![]()
![]() The first arrow strikes true. Piercing between the plating of the heavy armor, amidst the blood. The second volley clangs off the armor. Barrett:
As you round the corner, the stag printed armor of the bleeder tinges with recognition in your mind. The dull battered grey, the custom applied brown and green camouflage. This thing is at least wearing the armor of a former band member of yours. Aiden Shaw. A half elf fallen Paladin of Erastil. You never got him to admit what he had done to be cast out by his god so, but you do recall that he was a particularly bitter and crestfallen individual who often took solace for his own failures by drinking heavily and fighting with brutal violent abandon. Map is correct and updated, Gaurm, Barrett, Kash are up.
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