Yeah, I'd meant radical in terms of religious beliefs and infernal heritage: neither of which are socially acceptable. =)
I've got the first draft of Bardigan's backstory and personality up under his profile now.
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After reading ubertripp's take on the campaign trait I picked, I went back to the player's guide and I think my impression was muddied by an earlier idea I'd had which I didn't run with: one in which I'd planned to take the noble scion feat at level 1 and have Bardigan come from the Tanessan house.
Happily, or perhaps unhappily for poor, roommate-less Ganner, Bardigan is still a Cain and in good standing with his family. Though I think his affection for his radical aunt and her Iomedaen faith probably earn him some sideways glances. I'm gonna work on his background a bit now and hopefully have his profile fully completed this evening.
I dig it, though it's worth pointing out that Bardigan's essentially been tossed out on his Duff by his house (it's hard coded into his campaign trait, after all). Totally up to you if you'd care to still be on the payroll or if you were swept up in the antiestablishmentarianism drama that got Bard booted. =)
Alright, I think I've got Bardigan Cain situated and statted out. Still need to dibble dabble with his backstory and personality and such, but the mechanics should be done now.
Any room in your roster of feats to consider taking a teamwork feat with your nephew? And on that note, given Aard's love for party-wide stealth, maybe we should all consider this feat? =)
Yeah, I was looking really hard at those two arcana. I won't get to select any until level 3, so we'll see how things unfold up to that point, but I've definitely got my eye on them.
The relationship with Jinx sparked an idea that I'm hoping to whip up tonight after work. Her being a tiefling gave me the idea to consider some Infernal Bloodline possibilities (initially with sorcerer) but then I discovered the Eldritch Scion magus archetype in the ACG. A Cha driven magus instead of Int focused who picks a bloodrager bloodline seems like a perfect way to sprinkle in a little bit of arcane magic into the group without giving up the Errol Flynn-style dashing sword-swinger I had in mind from the get-go. And since starting gold for a magus is 4d6x10, I'll just drop the 5th d6 from my earlier, uninspiring roll rather than reroll and wind up with a fat purse.
Nephew works just as well! Let's roll with it!
120 gp? Gotta outfit this dude from the discount racks it looks like!
I've got most of the work done and an alias made, still need to draft his backstory & personality, figure his gear out and figure out how to do background skills. Apart from that, I've got a buckler of swashes nearly ready to go. As for being a relative, I'd be down for that, Jinx. Perhaps my dude is a younger cousin whose mother married into a different (and more well off) family? I'm eyeing the Child of Kintargo trait, so long as that doesn't spoil anything you had in mind for being relatives.
(+3)
Dang. +12 exactly. So, I'm thinking a human with the following array
Dex and Wis might get flipped as I look at the class abilities more closely, but this is pretty close.
Part of the dissatisfaction lies in the fact I already have a cavalier in a different game and I want this one to be very different from that one. And with the other one, the Tactician and Banner abilities are both really boring, so I'd been looking for an archetype that would let me ditch them. So, that really just leaves the Order and the Mount as the main draws for the class. I love the Order I'd already settled on, but for being such an urban campaign I'm expecting the mount to underperform as a class feature. And as a medium character, that really hinders where that ho-hum horse can go. So, with all that in mind, I was really hoping for something that would let me keep the cavalier order, but blunt the focus on a mount and outright drop tactician and banner. I was also hoping for a more Errol Flynn kind of feel behind the mechanics, daring cavalier hit all those notes, which made it really attractive. Conversely, none of the archetypes that appear in the PRD had anything that made me sit up and say, "Hey, that's an interesting idea! Maybe I could..."
I think this group of 4 should do well, Aard. If we find ourselves really stymied after things kick off maybe we could revisit the idea of recruiting a 5th, but I'm not expecting we'll feel like we need to do so. I did some perusing of d20pfsrd.com (I typically just work off of the prd hosted on paizo's site) since I keep coming back to the character I had in mind for my cavalier idea but couldn't find an engaging way of actually making a cavalier that I liked. I came across an archetype from the Animal Archive, the huntmaster, which I dig. Would that meet your approval for play, Aard? And on a somewhat related and yet also unrelated note, I hope your computer repairs go well, dude!
'Nay' on guns as well, correct? Presuming so, and with the kibosh on the daring champion archetype, I think I'll avoid cavalier. The class just seems too... well, 'bleh' for what I'm hoping for. And in lieu of that, I think I might try a similar approach to what I'd intended with Fade: using the base chassis of a magus and perhaps sprinkling in some rogue levels for some savvy with the social skills. Or the gnome sorcerer I'd mentioned before. I'll keep mulling things over. I like your pick for Iomedae, Dareon. Seems a bold choice for the AP from what I've read and could be fertile ground for some neat interactions with NPCs as the Glorious Reclamation escalates in the narrative background. =)
Aard, are you wanting us to avoid everything in the ACG or are archetypes ok in this case? Specifically, I was thinking of this cavalier archetype which sounds awfully thematic and appropriate for the AP.
Dude. That monk and the cavalier I have in mind would get along great as far as their goals would be concerned. Presuming as an archivist he or she'd be focused on the proper recording of history and events and such.
I've been kicking ideas around in my head and I've read through the fluffier portions of the player's guide a few times now to get a feel for Kintargo and some of the AP's prominent themes. At this point, I'm strongly considering two very different ideas: an Order of the Tome Cavalier OR a fire-focused gnome Sorcerer. I like the cavalier more at the moment, but as always, time and whim might sway me otherwise. The AP also sounds perfect for the Swashbuckler class from the ACG, [EDIT] and just realized Aard's already ruled it out. Shucks!
I think an active group of four is pretty ideal, just in terms of pacing alone. And I think we have that now. That being said, it won't bother me if we pull in an additional player, so long as we don't spent week after week twiddling our thumbs waiting for him or her to contribute to the gameplay thread.
The player's guide is available, yes! It was already available when (or at least shortly after) we settled on HR as our next stab at things. I'm still mulling over ideas as far as what kind of character to focus on, but I'm totally on board with you guys if we're wanting to move forward with it. Once enough interest is confirmed, are you intending to create a new campaign thread, Aard?
I'm of the belief that the play in Council of Thieves could be quite a hoot with this group in particular.
I don't know, Kas, it seems that big dungeons abound in Shattered Star? The other game I'm in we just finished in the Crow (I came in just before everyone hit level 5, so I'm guessing that's the end of Book 1 if it's at all similar to other APs?) but I had NO IDEA how it connected to where we've been so far in this game. They were referencing NPCs and areas and entrances that I had absolutely no context for. If they hadn't mentioned after I'd joined that we were in the Crow I would've thought it was a totally different dungeon. After clearing the Crow, there was a brief chat with Lady Heidmarch, then a short boat ride followed by some chatter with a whacko witch lady, and now we're back inside another sprawling dungeon. I get the impression from Dareon that this seems to be par for the course for the whole of the AP. Is that a fair read of things, Dareon? Aard, what are your impressions?
I've really enjoyed what I've seen of Rise of the Runelords, though across 6 different games and groups I've still never finished the first chapter. I played through a decent bit of Council of Thieves (got as far as finishing some crazy, extra-dimensional maze-prison in a middle chapter) and really enjoyed that game as well. Of the APs Tanj has reproduced that Aard hasn't ruled out, I'm *currently* playing through the following: Carrion Crown (2 games)
--- The only one in the broader list I'd say I have very little interest in is Iron Gods. But, as Tanjvats said, I'm happy to go with the group consensus though. If that's continue our present story or start a new one, I'm fine either way.
That could mean either no one disagrees, or no one checked their posts. I have no way of knowing. As a player, I'm ok with this. If things keep moving I'm more incentivized to check the game and post. And when I'm not able to do so (like if it's a busy weekend or what have you), I also like knowing that my brief absence doesn't slow things for the rest of the group. I think it's doubly helpful for games where the GM is busy and isn't able to post multiple times/day. That kind of pace would certainly need to be agreed upon by all, but I find it makes for more engaging games. Regardless, it's just an example/idea. If anyone has any others, I'd be eager to hear them!
Well, I can't argue with Dareon on that point. Though I'd given Shattered Star my highest vote when we were determining what to do, I have since learned that lengthy dungeon crawls can be really tough in the pbp format. If we have a lot of dungeons ahead of us in this and we want to continue on, I think we'd be well served to maybe come up with some form of stream-lining our traversal through the dungeons. (since we have a set formation and such already, maybe Aard could advance us if one person indicates a direction and there's no in-game disagreement, perhaps we could add taking-10 back into the game and presume we're doing so with perception checks or other skills that might speed things up, etc?) I think our slow rate of posting (lately strongly influenced by Duboris' in-again-out-again posting) combined with the hard stop that happens with every new door and hall and room adds up to the achingly slow pace which Dareon describes. --- If abandoning Shattered Star and switching to a different AP with our current roster of players is an option, it's one I'd be willing to discuss as well.
Faedrin turns at Tanjvat's question and points to the tunnel he's now beside. "This way."
Faedrin sighs as the last ant falls, it's massive mandibles finally coming to rest. Sheathing his rapier, he puts both hands on his hips and bends for forward to catch his breath. "Haaaaaah. I suppose all these critters are preferrable to fighting through lycanthropic tower girls at least." He watches as Tanjvats ensures the ants stay down, then nods to the half orc gratefully as the small gash on his arm knits. Looking then to the others, the elf nods to the far side of the room as he renews his cantrip, "Shall we press onward then?" As the group begins to gather themselves, Faedrin gives a few cursory glances down into the ant hills as they pass.
Status: HP: 12/12 AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF) CMD: 17 F/R/W: +3/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep) Arcane Pool used: 1/5 Harrow Points remaining: 2 Spells Prepared: Cantrips (4) - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, read magic Level 1 (2+1) - jump [ ], obscuring mist [ ], silent image [ ] Ongoing Effects
--- Dashing toward the last remaining ant, Faedrin capitalizes on the distraction made by Penance and sinks his rapier deep into the ant's thorax.
Status: HP: 11/12 AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF) CMD: 17 F/R/W: +3/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep) Arcane Pool used: 1/5 Harrow Points remaining: 2 Spells Prepared: Cantrips (4) - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, read magic Level 1 (2+1) - jump [ ], obscuring mist [ ], silent image [ ] Ongoing Effects
----
Status: HP: 11/12 AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF) CMD: 17 F/R/W: +3/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep) Arcane Pool used: 1/5 Harrow Points remaining: 2 Spells Prepared: Cantrips (4) - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, read magic Level 1 (2+1) - jump [ ], obscuring mist [ ], silent image [ ] Ongoing Effects
Roger roger!
I can bot her and penance if that'd be a help.
Faedrin manages to slip his narrow blade through the larger ant's chitinous armor once more, though the strike doesn't bite nearly as deeply as the previous one. He glances nervously to the side as yet another ant begins to make its way toward the now crowded melee. "Watch out behind you, Tanj! Here comes another one!"
Status: HP: 11/12 AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF) CMD: 17 F/R/W: +3/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep) Arcane Pool used: 1/5 Harrow Points remaining: 2 Spells Prepared: Cantrips (4) - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, read magic Level 1 (2+1) - jump [ ], obscuring mist [ ], silent image [ ] Ongoing Effects
Are you back with us, Esmeralda? You had one post in April, three in May and none so far throughout June. =( If things are too rough for you to play, dude, maybe you should take a legit break from the boards until things settle? Whatever you decide, I sincerely hope things turn around for you. Sounds like you went through the ringer.
Faedrin skirts around the northern mound, slipping in behind the larger ant harrying Dareon. Spinning around, he pivots suddenly, thrusting his rapier forward and through a gap in the creature's hardened carapace. He grunts as he pulls the blade free, grimmacing at the ichor coating his weapon. "This better be the last of them! Regular sized bugs are nuisance enough!"
Status: HP: 11/12 AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF) CMD: 17 F/R/W: +3/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep) Arcane Pool used: 1/5 Harrow Points remaining: 2 Spells Prepared: Cantrips (4) - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, read magic Level 1 (2+1) - jump [ ], obscuring mist [ ], silent image [ ] Ongoing Effects
Faedrin tries to capitalize on the ant's split focus, but his rapier finds only hard, resilient carapace. The elf shakes his head ruefully and flexes the stinging pain from the deflected blow out of his hand. "Penance, squish this bug any time now please!"
Status: HP: 11/12 AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF) CMD: 17 F/R/W: +3/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep) Arcane Pool used: 1/5 Harrow Points remaining: 2 Spells Prepared: Cantrips (4) - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, read magic Level 1 (2+1) - jump [ ], obscuring mist [ ], silent image [ ] Ongoing Effects
Summoning a bit of his unique brand of arcane power to himself, Faedrin dashes forward with surprising speed, slipping past Tanjvats, and sinks his rapier through a gap in the nearest ant's chitinous shell.
Status: HP: 11/12 AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF) CMD: 17 F/R/W: +3/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep) Arcane Pool used: 1/5 Harrow Points remaining: 2 Spells Prepared: Cantrips (4) - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, read magic Level 1 (2+1) - jump [ ], obscuring mist [ ], silent image [ ] Ongoing Effects
Just a heads up for you fine folks, while I sadly won't be at PaizoCon this weekend, I will be traveling Sunday through Tuesday, so it's likely I'll be unable to post for that span.
"Anybody else thinking that those mounds mean trouble?" Faedrin's word come softly as he slips his rapier free from its sheath.
Still here, oh intrepid GM!
Faedrin nods at Dareon's words and, renewing his light cantrip, sends one of the orbs dancing ahead of Dareon by about 10 feet, the elf following behind in the middle of the group.
Faedrin nods to Dareon, "Agreed. I think this cistern is worth investigating, just not right now. Let's focus on the other shard for the time being."
Faedrin nods at Tanjvats, accepting that his response is as much of an answer as there is. He gives him a reassuring pat on the shoulder then turns his attention to the room and cistern. As his lights send dappled rings dancing across the surface of the pool of water, he regards his distorted reflection then the large pipe. "I'd be curious to see where these pipes go, but I don't think we should risk swimming blindly to find out. It's obvious sea water's getting in, there's no telling what came in with it or how long the pipe is." He rises and steps away from the water, nodding back toward the breach in the wall they'd crawled through, "Maybe we should head back that way for now. This cistern isn't going anywhere and we can find our way back easily enough if we care to."
Once back in the previous room, Faedrin snaps his fingers as a thought comes to him. Fishing a piton from his pack, he drives it into the wall a few feet beneath the illusory window the bats flew out of earlier. He then attaches a length of rope to the piton and tosses the free end out the window. "We can tie off a boat and find this window now if we come back later."
Hey guys, I'll be off camping this weekend and unable to post. We're heading out Friday morning and I'll be off yon grid until I get back sometime on Sunday.
"You didn't do anything wrong, I just- I don't know. I wasn't expecting that. It-" Faedrin hesitates, obviously struggling for words, "I don't even know what happened. It was like the world grew fuzzy, indistinct. Except for the spiders and their- their eyes." He pauses again, shaking his head as he tries to find the right question. "Did you- ah, did you see the same thing I did?"
As the minutes pass and the sloshing of the pool begins to distract him less, Faedrin approaches Tanjvats, his eyebrows turned upwards in what might be taken as worry. Coming up alongside the half-orc, the elf asks quietly, "Tanjvats? What- what happened back there, after you touched me... is that- is that what you see all the time?"
"Another tide pool? What's the purpose of those pipes though?" Faedrin shakes his head as he moves about the room, "This place just keeps getting stranger." As the elf searches about, he keeps his distance from the pool.
Status: HP: 11/12 AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF) CMD: 17 F/R/W: +3/+4/+4 (+2 vs enchantment, immune sleep) Arcane Pool used: 0/5 Harrow Points remaining: 2 Spells Prepared: Cantrips (4) - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, read magic Level 1 (2+1) - jump [ ], obscuring mist [ ], silent image [ ] Ongoing Effects
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