DM Red-handed's page

Sandpoint has more industry and culture than it's size would suggest, but it's still a small town of ~1200 people whose population walks everywhere. Those of you who have resided in Sandpoint for any length of time have probably at least seen each other, even if you'd be hard pressed to put names to faces. Those of Varisian heritage even more so.

While Varisians are a substantial part of Sandpoints population, they are still a minority compared to the mostly Chelaxian settlers from Magnimar.

Brom, Teminkar, Fane. Sandru's caravan is the most regular stopping through Sandpoint, though certainly not the only. Most caravans heading north choose the Yondabakari route along with river, with it's safer roads and better trade access. The Kaspakari way along the Lost Coast simply doesn't have enough to entice most caravan masters, and skirting the edge of the Fogscar mountains is a risk most would rather do without.

With the annual Swallowtail festival and the dedication of the cathedral, Sandru and his band are sure to have rolled into town for the occasion.

Use this space to chat, ask questions, and generally do anything that is not 'in-game'.

Alright, submissions are officially closed!

I will be messaging people to confirm details and selection. If you do not receive a private message from me, thank you for your interest. This got more people than I was expecting.

If I do message you, please migrate to the discussion tab. Some of you may want to have existing relationships with other characters.

Have a good weekend everyone!

GM Approval Needed

I appreciate you being upfront about it. I am generally leery of rule tweaks, but I don't see anything particularly problematic here.

Any chance I can, if submission is accepted, use one like the one pictured and drop the reach out and drop the critical down to x3 instead of the listed x4?

Stat wise that would basically make it a two-handed battle-axe right? We can work something out.

Of course I would foolishly check for interesting recruitments half an hour before work...deedly dot dot it is then!

Just have the submission in before tomorrow evening!

GM, I believe this character is more than capable of covering the role usually filled by a cleric, but if you don't feel confident that he can do it please let me know.

No, I think the character would fill the role fine. If anything my concern would be he might be too effective in that role.

DM Red-handed wrote:

No, let's stick to the base Canny Scoundrel Rogue for now.

I'm not sure if we are talking about the same thing. Canny Scoundrel is an Archetype. In this case, the Archetype is granting a Martial Tradition, which you get to choose from these or, with GM permission, create from scratch.

Yes, you are right. Sorry about that. For now, assume approval for your Knife Fighter tradition. We can revisit it later if need be.

Two-handed Katana

For now, no. Though I certainly see the appeal. If Paizo didn't see fit to introduce a 2d6 18-20, I won't either.

However, I would be open to a modified nodachi that replaces brace with deadly for a more sword-like rather than pole-like weapon. Deadly may be different than what you are thinking though.

1) Are we also allowed to use Champions of The Spheres? (I'm looking at the Prodigy which at first blush seems to be hugely over complicated AND hugely overpowered. So I'm almost hoping you say no :-))
2) On a semi related note, is it legal to take a Core Pathfinder class and take things from BOTH books? For example, a Bard can take Martial Training (yay whip) AND use the Archetype in the Spheres of Power book. Not sure if this is acceptable or not (both in terms of legality and in terms of power)
3) It looks like it is possible to make significantly overpowered characters, even at level 1. Is this an issue (ie, should I consciously TRY to make a character that is about as powerful as a normal Pathfinder character)?

1) I shall fulfill your hopes, no.

2) Yes. They are meant to work together and with regular pathfinder classes. Link me the specifics you are thinking of.

3) Yes and yes. I like the spheres because they allow characters that the regular rules don't really work for, such as a low level weather-witch. However, they require a certain amount of tact and restraint. Don't let your inner munchkin loose here.

Are we allowed to create our own Martial Tradition? Always following "common sense" and the authors' advices, of course. I was thinking about something the likes of:

More or less.

No, let's stick to the base Canny Scoundrel Rogue for now.

Also, Just a quick question regarding the Tengu swordtrained trait:

Would this grant me proficiency with all blares, or just those in say- the fighter weapon group "heavy blades"

Neither. It gives you proficiency in all sword-like weapons, whether light or heavy. A switchscythe is a heavy blade, but you would not be proficient with it. A dogslicer is a light weapon, you would be proficient with it. Hope that makes it a bit more clear. If you are unsure about a specific weapon, feel free to ask.

If you would like to change your submission, feel free. Party balance isn't something I weight very heavily, but it wouldn't hurt.

That goes for everyone. If you are seeing a unfilled role in the potential party, feel free to create a character meant to fill it. One character submission per player, but you can tweak and even completely change that submission until the deadline.

If the characters I like create a traditional party, great. If everyone can heal, that works too.

@Brainiac Thanks for crunching up the phantom.

Can I take the Order of the Guard? It is usually a cavalier order, but is spot on for this character...

Forgot to actually answer the question. Yes, that order would be fine.

Now, about me, I have to say that I am not English native speaker, that I live in Europe so my posting time could not totally agree with yours, and that I'm able to check the forums several times a day but maybe the second daily post would have to be through cell phone (which usually means less words). Those things needed to be said if I wanted to be honest to you.

Honesty works for me, as does posting from cell phone. Especially in combat, not every post needs to be very long. Since English is a second language, good choice going with a Shoanti character. Any quirks in your writing will fit in nicely with the character.

NPC relations was a good touch.

One heads up, since you're looking at using a spheres character, I expect you to be the rules expert there.

@He'sDeadJim

I like it. Archeologist with Lore Seeker is an excellent thematic choice for Sandpoint.

@Oceanshieldwolf

I like it. Sandpoint native who's recently returned after seeing the world a bit. hooks for foils and friends in the community.

@Brainiac

I like it, especially connecting the phantom's emotion to the runewell.

@Fane Nulvshanti

Hi Gambit. ^_^

@Jagael

All the way for Kelesh? Interesting. How did word Sandpoint reach them. The lost coast is a distant dreary place compared to the empire.

@dkwickman

Looking forward to it.

@Grimaldi Redhand

A druid coming to perform at the theater, now that's interesting.

@DM Red Handed, so with the Card Caster archetype, I know that RAW spell combat does not work with ranged weapon as spell combat requires a melee weapon.

Totally fine with it if you rule in favor of RAW! Just want to know before hand so I can allocate stats and maybe pick up another archetype to offset the loss of spell combat with a ranged weapon.

Don't see that being a problem, but give me some time to mull it over.

Just Curious: Do you use Hero Points or Varient Multi-classing?

No. Good question though.

@pauljathome That sounds cool, but no. ;) Let's not muddy the genocidal waters too early. Thanks for sharing the picture. Seeing that as a double-spread is what really planted the idea for this. I want to play there!

GM, will we be starting with a fresh slate in Sandpoint and assuming the other APs haven't taken place? Trying to gauge if Ameiko and other NPCs are still around before determining what character to create.

Good question. Yes, we will be using Sandpoint as it is at the start of Runelords. Neither that AP, nor any others, have happened yet. Ameiko, and her family, are very much around.

@DM Red-Handed: I'd like to play a reflavored Samurai with the Yojimbo archetype as a Varisian Human caravan guard/bodyguard. Is that acceptable?

That'd be fine. Good choice on the trait. Remember that a Samurai, or Cavalier, is more than just a fighter with more skill points. They are dedicated to something, so keep that in mind while making the character.

Also, thank you I wasn't aware of the spheres wiki. Anyone interested, feel free to take a look.

GM, any preferences for which one I should choose?

Nope, either sounds fine. Zeitgeist seems interesting. I'm not too familiar with the occult classes, so if you choose that I'll be relying on to give me a head's up on anything pertinent. If you choose the later, I'll need to come up with a reason why Shalelu isn't with you all the time, but that's my worry not yours.

@SamuraiNitta, Fenris105, dkwickman

No objections to the concepts.

The town of Sandpoint needs you!

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Sandpoint. It's where the Pathfinder journey, and my journey with Pathfinder, began. After picking up Sandpoint: Light of the Lost Coast by James Jacobs, I was reminded of all the character packed into this town, and how for all my reading about it I'd never really played there. So, that is what I'd like to invite you to do with me. Experience where it all began, and see just how much adventure we can find.

That explains the setting and main title, now about that subscript. Well, every adventure has to start somewhere, and our adventure starts with goblins. I decided to use Burnt Offerings, the beginning of the Rise of the Runelords AP, as the skeleton for the adventure, and that excellent introduction starts with a goblin attack. As I was looking over it and other resources I could draw on for a Sandpoint focused adventure, I was struck by just how ubiqitous the little menaces are. They're in Rise of the Runelords, Jade Regent, and Beginner Box. They even have five modules telling the story from their perspective. Clearly, someone needs to happen to them, and that someone is you.

If this appeals, please continue reading for information on character creation, what I'm looking for, and a bit about me.

Character Creation

Starting level: 1
Starting wealth: Standard
Ability Score: 20 point buy (Anything higher than 18 or lower than 8 will get extra scrutiny.)
Hit Points: Full to start then half dice plus con. (After having a player roll 1 two levels in a row, I decided to abandon rolling for hp.)
Alignment: Non-evil
Classes: Any Paizo or those presented in Spheres of Power and Spheres of Might by Drop Dead Studios.
Races: Any Paizo (More unusual races will require a better story and can expert NPCs to notice)
Traits: 2, one of which is your campaign trait and should come from the Rise of the Runelords Player Guide, Jade Regent Player Guide, or Varisia. This trait explains why your character is in Sandpoint, whether native or newcomer. You must incorporate this in your character's backstory.
Background Skills: Yes (If the game lasts long enough, we may use the downtime system rules.)
Resources allowed: Any Paizo. Also Spheres of Power and Spheres of Might by Drop Dead Studios.

What I'm looking for

Friends to tell a story with. Ultimately that is what games like pathfinder are about, having fun together. You as a player are just as responsible for making the game a success as me, the GM. This isn't a game you can win. Winning is everybody having a good time.

As for posting, I am looking for players who can post twice a day monday through friday. Times kills games. If we are to avoid the fate of most pbp adventures, we need to move. I will be posting in the morning and evening, probably not quite 12 hours apart but that's kind of the intention. We should be able to get through 2 rounds of combat a day. Weekends are tbd depending on the players chosen, so make sure to mention if you would or would not want to post on weekends.

Combat will often be theater of the mind, but we may use maps if there's a convenient file available that works for our current situation. Maps will handled through google if used, so that is something to consider.

Gameplay is set to begin on the 10th with final selection of players being the friday before. I reserve the right to close recruitment early, with a 24 hour notice, if there is enough interest sooner.

Initial submission does not need to be a fully stated out character sheet, just tell me the story of your character and their campaign trait. Crunch is easy. Fluff is hard.

I highly recommend looking that these guides for pbp games. They're old, but excellent.

Guide to pbp
Advanced pbp guide

About Me

I've been DMing Pathfinder adventures on and off for a number of years. Mostly with university friends, and mostly in campaigns that start as adventure paths and quickly become something else entirely. My pbp experience is fairly limited, and while I think I've got the mechanics down, don't hesitate to let me know if I'm missing something.

I've seen advice to address the content rating of my games. Mature is probably the best descriptor. Neither Pathfinder nor I are well suited for grimdark, but death by ogre simply isn't very PG. So consider this fair warning. A few other things that have surprised players in previous games. Treasure is seldom found in neat stacks of 1000gp and stores rarely carry full-plate mithril armor. NPCs are people too, and react badly to fireballs. And perhaps mostly importantly, characters die. It's a dangerous world out there, and those riches lie unclaimed for a reason. I do not try to kill characters, but have yet to run a game in which characters have not died. Especially at the early levels we will be playing in, death will almost certainly come for some of you. If that happens, simply roll up a new character and continue smiting.

So, sit down and tell me about yourself.