GM Jester's page

This thread is for Gameplay use only. Please dot and delete. Will have intro up here soon.

Here is the thread where we can continue the discussion about character builds and other OOC things. Will get the Gameplay thread open in a second, so you can dot in there also.

Wealday 21 Rova - Sandpoint, The Lost Coast, Varisia

There are pockets of civilization along the Lost Coast. Traditional Varisian campsites can be found in every gulch and hollow along the cliff-lined reaches, and lonely houses sit on bluffs now and then -- domiciles for eccentrics or the rich seeking a bit of peace from the bustle of Magnimar's streets. Roadside inns grace the Lost Coast road every 25 miles or so, placed by virtue of the distance most travelers can walk given a day's travel. Low stone shrines to Desna, goddess of wanderers and patron of the Varisians, give further opportunity for shelter should one of the all-too-common rainstorms of late Rova catch travelers unprepared. Given time, any of these seeds of civilization could bloom into a full-grown town, or even a small city. It's happened once already, along the shores of a natural harbor nestled among the cliffs some 50 miles north of Magnimar. What was once a larger-than-normal Varisian campsite in the shadow of a ruined tower has become the Lost Coast's largest town: Sandpoint, the Light of the Lost Coast.

As one approaches the town of Sandpoint, the footprint of civilization upon the Lost Coast grows more clear. Farmlands in the outlying moors and river valleys grow more numerous, and the blue-green waters of the Varisian gulf bear more and more fishing vessels upon the gentle waves. Passage over creeks and rivers is more often accomplished by wooden bridge than wild ford, and the Lost Coast Road itself grows wider and better-kept. Sight of Sandpoint from either approach (either south or east) is kept hidden by the large upthrust limestone pavements known as the Devil's Platter and the arc of the rocky outcroppings and lightly forested hilltops that rise up just east of town, but as the final bend in the road is rounded, Sandpoint's smoking chimneys and bustling streets greet the traveler with open arms and the promise of warm beds, a welcome sight indeed for those who have spent the last few days on the Lost Coast Road.

Entrance to Sandpoint is governed by a low stone wall that gives the town a bit of protection. The road passes through a stone gatehouse that is generally watched by one or two guards. Today, the road is crowded with the queues of people lining up to enter the small village. For tomorrow is Festival Day, and that means opportunity! All kinds of vendors, performer, religious pilgrims, traders, farmers and other with wares to sell are lined up to enter the village-- to stake their claim to the best site. All with the same plan, to sell their wares, the fruit of their livelihoods, to the festival-goers. Of course, in the true nature of Varisians, there are some who might wish to part the rube from their coins on other, less ethical, ways. So, welcome to Sandpoint, and buyer beware! The Festival begins tomorrow, but the crowd is about to swell the Jewel of the Lost Coast today.

Hopefully, you can stand out in the crowd that is forming!

Welcome Heroes of Sandpoint (eventually).

This is a place to check in and begin OOC dialogue about how you came to be in Sandpoint, either a traveler or a resident. If you are a resident, it is unlikely you know any of the main NPC's. If you think you do, then let's discuss here.

You may have written it in your background for application, but let's flesh out the motivation for your PC to be in Sandpoint at the time of the Swallowtail Festival, the annual celebration of the goddess Desna which coincidentally falls on the same day as the dedication of the new temple in Sandpoint. What happened to the old temple, you ask? That's a very good in-character question...

Glad you have you here, but you can see I will require a little more character development before we proceed. In addition to the backstory, I want you to answer these other questions for me:

1) what are the three best adjectives to describe your characters personality?
2) What are the three best adjectives to describe your characters appearance?
3) What fictional character (book, tv, film etc) best espouses your character concepts? Doesn't have to be class, but the character more than the build.
4) What is your characters motto or mission statement if reduced to a few words or phrases?

Answer these as you can, in posts in Discussion, while I prepare the world for you entertainment!

Sinister things are afoot in the Varisian town of Sandpoint. After the Late Unpleasantness, the town has turned a new page. However, events are brewing which will make this backwater the centerpiece of a power struggle dating back millennia. Will the PC's save themselves, the village of Sandpoint, and the rest of Golarion? Or will they succumb to the rising power of the Runelords? Only time (and a few lucky dice rolls) will tell.

As you can tell, I will be running the Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition as PBP for level 1 characters. It seems like a good re-introduction to the format, with which I have extensive experience, if a bit dated. I have run this game into the third book on the boards before natural attrition ended the game.

Character Creation Guidelines
RotRL's is geared for 4 PC's covering the major class types (melee, divine, arcane, and skills) and that's what I will be looking for in this recruitment. I may expand the number to 5 or 6, depending on the submissions, to account for the inevitable player attrition. Only complete applications will be considered with a deadline set for midnight March 1 (potentially sooner if the response is overwhelming). A complete application includes the following:

1. Characters are level 1 to begin
2. Good alignment is preferred (you are heroes, right?); I can live with neutral, but Evil will not be considered. You can choose, but will be expected to RP based on this choice.
3. 150gp starting wealth
4. Max HP 1st level. Will use PFS-standard of average+1 for subsequent levels.
5. Standard races are preferred. If you want to submit something unusual, I may allow it based on background, but will likely chose a Core-built player over you, all else being equal.
6. NO 3PP allowed. Any Paizo published material is fine, but recall exotic materials or creation will have to have a supporting backstory.
7. 1 normal trait, and 1 trait from the RotRL player guide (link below)
8. 20 point buy with no stat above 18 or below 7 before racial adjustment. Obvious min-maxing will likely result in not being selected. Be prepared to RP your stats.
9. Plot-appropriate character background including the reason you are headed to or in Sandpoint. Recall that these are first level characters, and I expect a background relative to that. Someone who has spent decades fighting giants or traveling all of Golarion, is probably not fitting as a novice PC. Novels are not required, but motivation and plot hooks are helpful and will earn favor with the GM.
10. Full stat-block on your character, though an alias is not required until you are chosen for the game. A description or linked picture helps me see what you are going for, and increases your chances of being chosen.
11. Be prepared to tie the traits and background you select to your characters backstory. This should be more than a piece of paper, but you should be able to build a seamless character that has rule-based details added.
12. Give me an OOC run-down on your PBP experience, and your exposure to RotRL as a player or GM. New players to PBP are encouraged to apply. Those with extensive Runelords experience may not be first choice. Many have played the introductory combats before game ending. I can promise we will get farther than that.

Please download and read the Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition Player's Guide. It is free to download, and contains relevant background for character building. Make sure you get the Anniversary Edition version.

Good luck with character creation. Sorry this was so long-winded, but better to inform on the front end. Any questions, please ask. I look forward to seeing what you can create.