Kristev's page

Hello.

I'd like to GM a game, but I don't know if it's allowed, or how to start, or what the rules for doing this are. I don't even know if this is the right place to put this thread.

I don't own any copies of any scenarios, so I want to create a game entirely on my own, in my own world. I'd use the core rule book, advanced players' guide, and beastiary 1, as those are the only three books I own, and thus, the only three I would allow.

So I guess what I mean is, am I allowed to create my own game, without using a pre-made adventure, and make my own world for my game? Naturally, I understand that this would not be for Pathfinder Society, but that's okay.

I'd appreciate an answer as to if I can do this, and if I can, how.

Sincerely, Kristev.

As of now, I am the happy owner of a copy of the Beastiary 1.

My computer's fixed. A setting just got messed up. But it sure is tiresome.

Sorry, everyone, but I'm having laptop problems again. I'm not quitting the game - it's just that I'll have to check at the library so I'll probably be able to post only every few days until it's fixed.

Still, as I said, I'm not quitting the game. But I am letting you guys know.

Thank you for the scrolls, DM. Ray of Enfeeblement is a spell Hailey's going to relish casting.

By the way, I've decided after a review of the schools of magic and the spells in them that the two schools I'd originally intended to sacrifice (as one must when they specialize) in order to become a necromancer, Illusion and Enchantment, were partially incorrect.

I fully intend to sacrifice Illusion, as I like the idea that, try as she might, Hailey just can't practice the normal gnomish way of things . . .

But the second school she'll sacrifice will be Conjuration. Sorry boys, no mage armor from Hailey, I'm afraid. Maybe our budding sorcerer will pick it up. Conjuration does have roughly half the damage-dealing spells wizards are renowned for, but since I'm not sacrificing Evocation, which has the other half, she can still use Magic Missile, and Flaming Sphere, and Fireball, and Ice Storm . . .

See, I was originally of the opinion that Illusion and Enchantment were best to sacrifice because they don't work on undead.
But I'd also intended Hailey to be a counterspeller, something I've played before, frequently, in 3.5 games. The DM told me he didn't like this idea and I decided to accept his ruling.

But that doesn't mean I can't use spells to either defend against enemy spells or deprive the enemy spellcaster of the score needed to cast spells at all . . .

So after reviewing the spells available, I noticed that Enchantment has spells, not just Sleep and Charm person, which work wonders against weak enemies, but also spells like Touch of Idiocy and Feeblemind, which can be used (alongisde Bestow Curse, a spell Hailey definitely wants from another school) to hex an enemy caster's ability scores, stripping him of casting power entirely if she can get him down to 9 or less. And the fact that Enchantment can make people unable to do things for a turn or so as well.

Add in Abjuration spells like Shield, Dispel Magic, Spell Turning, and the defences against element spells, and it's very much like counterspelling, either rending their spells useless or stripping them of power.

I just love the idea of using someone's own undead against them. I've never done it before and I'm getting increasing thrilled with the idea.

In short, she's still going to become a Necromancer. But she's giving up Illusion and Conjuration.

Her spell list will be a blend of Necromancy, Abjuration, and Enchantments. Her opponents won't be able to guess what she's going to do.

Aren't you glad she's on your side, boys?

Thank you, DM. My computer has been repaired, or at least I think it has. So, your gnome-cromancer is back.

I promise, I won't waste any further time with Hailey's temporary crisis of alignment. She's a true neutral, 49 % good, 51 % evil, and that's the way she's going to stay. No more flirting with the light side.

"You're describing karmic law, in the idea that evil deeds bring forth a counter-reaction. Good deeds do the same. Never forget that. The dragon may destroy the city, but he only invites hunters, trackers, and dragonslayers to go find him. I must ponder this."

She joins the meditation before her spells are prepared, though during this time she prays for guidance.

During the meditation, at the near end of it, her prayer is answered through the return of a memory she had long-forgotten.

She had been confused at a certain point during the time of her training as a priestess, torn then as she was now about the good and evil within Nethys and his followers. She could not reconcile the matter and turned to one of her teachers, seeking asking him to help her find her place in Nethys' work.

The priest answered her with the use of the tarot, looking into her future as well as her soul.

"Nethys, we implore thee, show us where this daughter, rescued by your hand, is meant to be and fits within your sacred holy plan," he prayed. Then he turned the cards.
"Who you are. The Ace of Wands. I see the fire of creation is within you. This card is always the card of new things. It is also the first card of the element of fire. In this, I am inclined to say that you give life and make new what was dead and old.
"What crosses you. The Page of Cups. Fear not, my child. She is the card of visions, and Nethys will give you his vision for you soon.
"What crowns you, or the very basis of your situation. The King of Wands. Here we see the master of fire, king of the lionhearted. Nethys goes with you, like a shadow, like a mantle, like an aura. From the day you were born, you were his.
"Your past. Two of Wands. I see the separation. The loss of who you were, and your delivery into who you are now. I believe this refers to the gnomes who bore you.
"Ah. Now we come to it. Present situation. 3 of Swords. Why do you let grief and sadness at what you see as the darkness and misdeeds, even of Nethys, burden your heart and douse the fire? Know you not that fire and air, the rulers of the sword suit, are friend elements?
"Your future. The Chariot, but reversed, which means its meaning is opposite from what it should be. Instead of motion, I see stasis, a waiting period. Your time has not yet come, and the reason why is because reason does not yet rule your passions. You must control your emotions, including your grief. Be logical, be wise, be cold.
"Who you truly are. Reversed Four of Swords. Your time of rest is coming to an end. Soon after your ordination will come your testing. And it is the testing that shows you who you are. This is a card that requires action instead of rest, as it would mean upright.
"Environment. Reversed Seven of Wands. Here you are at peace, in this temple, with books and scrolls and teachers to protect you.
"Hopes and fears. Reversed Knight of Swords. You fear being found unworthy and reckless. You fear losing his approval. But why? Who told you that you are unworthy of Nethys' love, you who bears his mantle? You who has him as a shadow? He acts through you!
"And the final card. The Queen of Wands. The Queen of Fire. She reconfirms all I have told you."
"But I still don't understand, Master," Hailey replied. "May I have one more?"
"One, and then the cards go silent, for if a questioner importunes, it offends the spirits. Show us the truth about Sister Hailey Besh. The Emperor. King, Queen, Emperor. You need no further answer. Your choices are all up to you, and you owe no one but Nethys and the Archbishop any justifications for them. Your destiny is wide open, girl. Now go and make it, with the blessing of the power of fire, the art of creation. Now go and create! The cards have decided."

Hailey shakes her head as the memory fades, returning her to the end of the meditations.

"I am his fire," Hailey answered. She suddenly finds herself shouting, "I am the Queen of Wands!

Her tone returns to normal.

"We both referred to evil as a fire, Swift-Palm. And I am the fire. If that means I am evil, so be it. But I am a different kind of evil fire. Evil burns. So I am the fire that burns evil back, that purifies the metal so that it makes a better tool. No, I will not burn the innocent, but woe to those who abuse the sacred arts, defile the beauty of magic, and by using it bring it into disrepute! Like turning art to trash."

She looks at Swift-Palm, not caring if he thinks she has gone mad.

"The undead and the arts of wizardry and necromancer are not an infection or a curse, despite the horrible things they were used to do here. Are swords evil because they kill the innocent as well as the guilty? But Nethys brought me here to find and punish the person who is abusing the gift he gave this land, and now he wants it back. He wants me to cleanse this place, and remove the magic since it both unappreciated and unwisely used. And now I understand The Emperor. He's abused what Nethys has given him and now he has to pay. I am fire, but the fire of justice, granting death to those who bring death and protection to those who bring life, though I myself cannot actually bring true like. So when I create, it'll be the undead, but they will created for the purpose of avenging themselves and their fallen kin on man who has tried to wrong them."

She looks at the men again.

"That's who I am, what I do. Just so it's perfectly clear, my powers gravitate to inflicting harm, not bringing healing. So I will harm and hex, but only those who have done truly evil things. To the innocent, including the lot of you, I vow to do nothing but advise and teach. If I am evil, it is only mildly so, not enough to be a threat to any of you. Consider me a like a swordswoman who lives to cut out hearts, but only uses my sword against other sword-wielding butchers."

"To know the difference between a fool's quest and a true need to stand is not cowardice," Hailey says. "Had you joined, you would probably have been as dead as he and then where would we be?"

She is fascinated, listening to Rois' tale, and she ponders what this ultimately means.

"I don't see how he could've run off and become a lich, at least, on his own . . . oh, wait. You people wouldn't want to know about any of that. Never mind."

She sighs with disappointment when Vorelloex says he doesn't think there's anyone interesting to talk to around, but then she hits herself on the head again.

How did I come by these people again? she thinks to herself.

"Sister Callie, for on . . . for only from your mind could the wisdom spring to go and pay respects to ancestors and great men. A perfectly sensible idea. Do you think this man to be a hero, Sir Rois? Perhaps someone you would like to emulate, albeit more successfully?
"I admit freely that I know nothing about the arts of blade and blood. But I think I'll stay out of honoring him. Firstly, I don't know if he'd approve of me, and since you'd need someone to stand outside and keep watch just in case trouble does show up."

She looks at Vorelloex, then turns away from him.

Hailey listens to Voryn speaking.

Yet forests are widely feared in legends and lore, Hailey thinks to herself. As for forests being a haven of nature as opposed to an extension of Hell, this one is wide enough there is room for both, perhaps in separate sections. Yes. There is room to share, but split with defined, unbreachable borders. Except that evil won't be satisfied with that.

She sighs, resigned to the idea that good must win for balance is wrecked, though she doesn't like it.

She also doesn't like Sister Callie stopping at every crossroad, but she deliberately deflects her dislike of this into continued telling of the story, so that she will take no action or make no word to express her disapproval of the worship of false gods (in Hailey's mind.)

"My knowledge may be better than yours, but your wisdom is certainly better than mine," she counters to Swift-Palm.

At this point, she will keep a sharp eye out for any and all possible dangers the party may face.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8

Smite it? Hailey won't like that at all. "Apologize at once! And yes, I meant it!" Lol.

Sorry about your bad roll, Vorelloex. It's the kind of roll I expected Hailey to get, not you. Maybe next time you'll get natural 20. :)
Hailey wants to be at a much closer range to cast her spell, so that's why she's tagging along. Normally, she won't. But I can't speak for any of the others.

Perhaps more protective spells would be wiser, such as dropping magic weapon for Sanctuary or Shield of Faith? Just a suggestion.

Though as far as Hailey is concerned, I'm starting to think she doesn't belong in this game - she belongs in the Addams Family.

"Now before any of you go around asking me, 'Hailey, why don't you cast nice spells?' let me tell you right now that I cast very nice spells, thank you! In fact, they're an absolute scream. Just ask the people who've crossed me."

Hailey wishes the necromancer would come by, too, mainly because she's dying to 'hex' somebody and the party members just don't qualify anymore.

She instead approaches Calistria and sits beside her, watching her and looking inscrutable.

"I volunteer to take first watch again, so that I can have my concentration sleep. Besides, I like watching the . . . stars, stars at night. Stars.
"So, Calistria, since I have every intention of preparing Identify as my domain spell again, what spells do you want to prepare, and which do you think I should? Or should I just hold mine in reserve to k . . . teach and help our enemies . . .

And vaporize them, Hailey thinks to herself, but prudently doesn't speak it.

"We have a whole roster of excellent choices, my dear. I can pick Bane, or Cause Fear, or Command, or Curse Water, or Deathwatch, which is one of my personal favorites, or Detect Evil, or Detect Undead, or Divine Favor, or Doom, or Endure Elements, or Entropic Shield, or Hide from Undead, or Magic Stone, or Magic Weapon, or Obscuring Mist, or Protection from Good, or Sanctuary, or Shield of Faith, or even Summon Monster Level 1."

Hailey then turns to the rest of the group.

"The rest of you may also have a say, I suppose. Do any of those spells sound like good ideas to you? If not, I'm content to keep my spells in reserve for hexing people."

As you may have noticed, the list of spells she offers may be as telling for what it leaves out as for what it includes . . .

Nethys is True Neutral, so Hailey is True Neutral. I play True Neutrals, not as those who refuse to make a choice, but as those who vow to guard the balance between the four alignments.

No, I wouldn't like to spend an hour braiding his beard. I wouldn't like to spend five minutes braiding his beard, Hailey thinks to herself, but again, wisely doesn't say it. Why bother with such silly things, Sister Sweetness and Light, when the mysteries of magic await? How could you possibly think of anything else . . . oh, yes, because you're following the wrong god.

She instead concentrates on bringing the blankets.

"I'll prepare the water for cleaning the baby. Have you parents picked a name yet?" she quickly pipes in, looking at the mother in hopes of deflecting her attention from the screaming.

She then goes to prepare the water for cleaning the baby when she has found enough blankets.

"For the last time, cannot we be reconciled? Clearly my allies are greater than yours, and whomever runs this establishment clearly disapproves of brawling inside this place. Or perhaps you need a taste of my people's art to get the point?"

Kensington defensively casts Magic Missile on Grelm, unless he chooses to abandon his attacks on her. If he and his mates discontinue the attack, she will withhold her spell.

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"I think I understand now. The dagger originally belonged to the hobgoblin, didn't it, sir? And your idea of a... 'fair fight' is you and your band against one lone hobgoblin, isn't it? So what about the dogs? Were they wild, were they your dogs, hence the reason you know about us, or could it be that you're some kind of lycanthrope?"

How low class, Kensington thinks to herself, but she wisely elects not to say so. Robbing from the dead. Back on the ship, someone's personal affects would be sent back to their parents if they died and weren't reincarnated. And back home, the family gets first claim if someone dies and chooses not to be reincarnated. We disapprove of grave robbery back home. Still, maybe these mainlanders have different customs. After all, when's the last time you saw a druid walking around? Back home, almost everyone is a druid. I was one of the rare exceptions.

Kensington says nothing, but maintains her vigilant watch.

OOC: Kensington has merely thought everything in italics. She has not spoken a word.