You can go 20 point if you want to but if you stick to 15 points then I'll throw you nifty toys and be more lenient on the materials you can draw from.
I prefer interesting over huge stats but some need the extra points to cover a wider range of stats. Like paladins who I don't want having to suffer because their class almost requires decent points into both STR/DEX and Cha for abilities to work well.
I may get half levels every now and then to space things out. Like a "You get an extra trait!" or "You just gained this ability due to story!"
Pen Pals: Yes, keep the traits you want. I'm thinking that as long as you have some sort of long distance acquaintance with the professor that is all right.
I like the idea that the players are all outsiders, and thus will be shunned by most of the town, you doubly so because you are also a wizard.
Outsiders brought in may be more trustworthy to some people in the town that are paranoid of hidden elements within the town. Sorry for being cryptic but I don't want to spoil anything for you or the other group that is playing the same scenario.
If wren wants to play along I want our two groups to be acting through the same evens but from different perspectives, never really meeting, unless we want to.
OK before deciding if you want to ride on my game I just want to lay down some ground rules. I hope it doesn't scare too many people off but I just want to be honest about my style. I am a more narrative focused GM in PbP which means you may feel like the game is less "Open-world"
I think at least early on we need focused direction or it can really fall apart. Once we get going in a direction then I release the reigns more. I just want to make sure everyone is settling together.
When we level up: When it makes sense in the story. I would like to have a lot of the level up hit during certain story beats. Most game are engineered with this in mind anyway but it sucks to play a character who does things that don't reward XP. So kinda forget the who XP thing.
Starting items: Here are your options start with average gold if you want or submit a "Wish-List" of items that make sense for you and I'll give you ether thumbs up or down.
New Into: The funeral will still be the starting point but I would all like the characters to be "Pen-pals" That would explain why you not a pallbearer and why you don't get dragged into the story with the other group but you still have a steak.
Please read this thread:
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2nr91?DHs-Guide-to-Play-By-Post-gaming#1
It has all good information but specificly I want to adopt the writing style.
I like
Psioney walked over to where Minmaximus was eating and asked “Can I borrow your sword?”
More then
@ Minmaximus: “Can I see your sword?”
Here is a good example of a game I was a part of that used this well. I played Clouse, a hobgoblin marshal:
Jeesh it feels like giving my character the kiss of death to say so but I can run a game. It would have be my homebrew though but I have something that could work.... But I really want in this game
Whatever Character Dragoncat submitted should get in because every game needs someone organized like that. If dragoncat doesn't get in and I do then give him/her my spot.
Motivation: What is it that really gets your character’s motor running?
Beauty and Justice
Instinct: What is your character’s first reaction to a threat (physical or otherwise)?
Defuse Anger, Seek Commonality
Approach: What archetype is your character best known for being?
Thoughtful Explorer
Constriction: What does your character fear or feel beholden to?
He fears Conformity and Monotony
In what settings is your character lucky or otherwise foolhardy?
In Love he is both. He is great at charming but then can never seem to close the deal, like a dog chasing a car.
Value: What is it your character cherishes above all else?
(This is sort of the opposite of Motivation in that Motivation is something desired, where Value is something already ‘owned’)
Harmony, he has a peace about him that allows him to break away from being judgmental.
If I had to select a Actor to play my character in a live action version of this it would be Neil Patrick Harris
Yea I'm a Web Project Director for an NBC affiliate so I can post frequently. I normally hit up the site about 3 times a day and currently I have no other games.
It's just preference. You should try to find a game that wants the kind of character that you want to play. My recent character has been rejected 4 times, but I will keep trying... Or run a game with him as an npc selfishly
My non-killing paladin warrior poet. I like the idea that they were pen-pals but never met. Like someone you only ever talked to over email. This would give my character a completely different perspective on Petros Lorrimor that I find interesting.
Stats:
So here is my stat breakdown. I avoid min/max and picked a class that I tend not to play.
Knowledge philosophy: 1
Acrobatics: 1
Sense Motive: 1
weapon finesse
You are trained in using your agility in melee combat, as opposed to brute strength.
Benefit: With a light weapon, elven curve blade, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.
Special: Natural weapons are considered light weapons.
Curve blade, elven 80 gp 1d8 18–20/×2 7 lbs.
Training sword, 20GP 1D6
Studded leather 25 gp AC+3 Dex+5 AcP–1 15% 30 ft.
Shield, heavy steel 20 gp +2AC AcP–2 15% 15 lbs.
Not really traveling with supplies because he is a social creature. Just keeps the rest of his gold on hand.
Background:
Le'Rose is a wandering poet warrior, he always stops by colleges and other places of science and philosophy in order to learn more. He is often shy to talk directly about his god because his actions should say more then any words.
He worships the goddess of beauty and truth. He finds most killing to be something truly ugly but knows the violence is sometimes needed to defend others. He prefers to take criminals in alive and uses a blunted sword.
Le'Rose does have a curved elven sword but he would never draw it against and intelligent creature.
Recently his long time pen-pal has perished and Le'Rose has made the long trip out to attend his funeral. He is finding that the man who wrote him so many letters is quite different from the man everyone else seemed to have known.
Code of Conduct:
I went with Shelyn as my god of choice because I loved the tennants laid out here http://www.pathfindercommunity.net/gods-of-golarion/Shelyn
Paladins of Shelyn
Paladins of Shelyn are peaceable promoters of art and beauty. They see the ugliness in evil, even when cloaked in the form of beauty, and their job is to prevent the weak and foolish from being seduced by false promises.
Their tenets include:
I am peaceful. I come first with a rose. I act to prevent conflict before it blossoms.
I never strike first, unless it is the only way to protect the innocent.
I accept surrender if my opponent can be redeemed—and I never assume that they cannot be. All things that live love beauty, and I will show beauty's answer to them.
I will never destroy a work of art, nor allow one to come to harm unless greater art arises from its loss. I will only sacrifice art if doing so allows me to save a life, for untold beauty can arise from an awakened soul.
I see beauty in others. As a rough stone hides a diamond, a drab face may hide the heart of a saint.
I lead by example, not with my blade. Where my blade passes, a life is cut short, and the world's potential for beauty is lessened.
I live my life as art. I will choose an art and perfect it. When I have mastered it, I will choose another. The works I leave behind make life richer for those who follow.
LeRose is also more socially aware then most paladins. He is not opposed to drinking a bit (Never drunk) and he accepts that some people have their vices and evils but he would rather stand by people and help guide them out then condemn them.
One thing he can not stand and will not put up with is abuse of women, children, and the helpless.
His art is poetry, though I am no good at it so I will be borrowing heavily from RL writers and claiming them for LeRose.
Against undead/evil he will use his elven blade but against normal humans and the misguided he will use the training blade to deliver non-lethal attacks.
Sample:
LeRose stared back at the elven woman and cracked a wide charming smile.
"You are as observant as your are lovely. Yes, I hardly use the elven blade, I would rather not take lives. Some may consider this a weakness, perhaps it is, but I feel as though my faith should not be used as a weapon but worn as armor instead."
He drew out the curved elven blade, feeling its edge with his finger, letting it cut slightly into his finger to show the sharpness.
"A great poet once said:
No man is an island, Entire of itself.
LeRose's smile faded and he became rather serious.
Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Golarion is the less."
He placed the blade back into the scabbard.
"As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind."
LeRose looked deeply and seriously into the elven woman's eyes with just a hint of sadness.
"Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee."
He paused for a moment, coughed and then his charming smile returned.
I decided to take another crack at submitting a sample.
Role-Play Sample:
Le'Rose was on the edge. He had lost a lot of blood and the edges of his vision were going dark. Did my heart just stop? or is it just so weak right now?
He had at best a few moments left where he would be alert and conscious. If he drifted off then death would soon follow.
The training sword had been useless in trying to subdue such a highly trained combatant, so he let it drop. The second sword on his hip lay ready, curved and sharp. Made by elves to cut easily through flesh and armor. Le'Rose imagined that he could fit it between the breast plate should pauldron.
He thumbed the silk ribbon sewn around the hilt. A reminder of what he would be destroying if he drew his weapon to kill... His had left the weapon.
Instead he preyed. Let me understand him, and where his ugliness comes from, please
Detect Evil
He saw deep into his opponent's souls feeling the evil that drove him. He had to reach him, at least then dieing would mean something.
LeRose Will be taking the Warden path. Not because of any rules reasoning but because it fits him best.
"Few can withstand the sort of punishment that the warden takes regularly. No foe frightens this warrior, because he knows that no blow could possibly lay him low. The warden uses his resiliency to protect his allies, the people around him, and the lands he calls home."
LeRose is physically tough for a half-ling but also spiritually indestructible. His faith is so strong it can withstand and carry him through anything even when his beliefs put him at severe disadvantages (like not wanting to kill anything intelligent.) He wears his faith like armor.
I was thinking about Hierophant but for a paladin I don't see him throwing around a lot of magic. In fact I want to move him into justicar.
Knowledge Religion: 1
Acrobatics: 1
Sense Motive: 1
weapon finesse
You are trained in using your agility in melee combat, as opposed to brute strength.
Benefit: With a light weapon, elven curve blade, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.
Special: Natural weapons are considered light weapons.
Curve blade, elven 80 gp 1d8 18–20/×2 7 lbs.
Training sword, 20GP 1D6
Studded leather 25 gp AC+3 Dex+5 AcP–1 15% 30 ft.
Shield, heavy steel 20 gp +2AC AcP–2 15% 15 lbs.
Not really traveling with supplies because he is a social creature. Just keeps the rest of his gold on hand.
Background:
LeRose was the odd duck of his family, drawn to art and adventure. At a young age he left home and set out for Magnimar. There he was able to find a culture that embraced art and beauty. His more adventurist streak led him to join the church of Shelyn.
Though he had a natural talent for swordsmanship it did not suit him much. Instead he spent a lot of his time in the local inn. Subtly preaching his gospel through poetry and tales of adventure.
He became well known as a charismatic face for the church in the more seedy areas of town that most "Decent folk" of the church refused to go to.
Though LeRose no longer like to talk about it, he was asked by his church to root out a necromantic cult posing as doctors within the city. He brought in a perpetrator alive and was then asked to execute him. This went against the tenants that he fought for but he caved to the pressure and did it. The next day he left the church.
Now he has set himself to wander. Letting Shelyn guide him, by luck during his day and by dreams during his nights.
Code of Conduct:
I went with Shelyn as my god of choice because I loved the tennants laid out here http://www.pathfindercommunity.net/gods-of-golarion/Shelyn
Paladins of Shelyn
Paladins of Shelyn are peaceable promoters of art and beauty. They see the ugliness in evil, even when cloaked in the form of beauty, and their job is to prevent the weak and foolish from being seduced by false promises.
Their tenets include:
I am peaceful. I come first with a rose. I act to prevent conflict before it blossoms.
I never strike first, unless it is the only way to protect the innocent.
I accept surrender if my opponent can be redeemed—and I never assume that they cannot be. All things that live love beauty, and I will show beauty's answer to them.
I will never destroy a work of art, nor allow one to come to harm unless greater art arises from its loss. I will only sacrifice art if doing so allows me to save a life, for untold beauty can arise from an awakened soul.
I see beauty in others. As a rough stone hides a diamond, a drab face may hide the heart of a saint.
I lead by example, not with my blade. Where my blade passes, a life is cut short, and the world's potential for beauty is lessened.
I live my life as art. I will choose an art and perfect it. When I have mastered it, I will choose another. The works I leave behind make life richer for those who follow.
LeRose is also more socially aware then most paladins. He is not opposed to drinking a bit (Never drunk) and he accepts that some people have their vices and evils but he would rather stand by people and help guide them out then condemn them.
One thing he can not stand and will not put up with is abuse of women, children, and the helpless.
His art is poetry, though I am no good at it so I will be borrowing heavily from RL writers and claiming them for LeRose.
Against undead/evil he will use his elven blade but against normal humans and the misguided he will use the training blade to deliver non-lethal attacks.
Sample:
LeRose stared back at the elven woman and cracked a wide charming smile.
[/b]"You are as observant as your are lovely. Yes, I hardly use the elven blade, I would rather not take lives. Some may consider this a weakness, perhaps it is, but I feel as though my faith should not be used as a weapon but worn as armor instead."[/b]
He drew out the curved elven blade, feeling its edge with his finger, letting it cut slightly into his finger to show the sharpness.
"A great poet once said:
No man is an island, Entire of itself.
LeRose's smile faded and he became rather serious.
Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Golarion is the less."
He placed the blade back into the scabbard.
"As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind."
LeRose looked deeply and seriously into the elven woman's eyes with just a hint of sadness.
"Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee."
He paused for a moment, coughed and then his charming smile returned.
I want to eventually move him into more of a non-lethal specialist. Perhaps a justicar.
and I already did some art for this guy. Just a sketch but I do often do art for my games.
Knowledge Religion: 1
Acrobatics: 1
Sense Motive: 1
weapon finesse
You are trained in using your agility in melee combat, as opposed to brute strength.
Benefit: With a light weapon, elven curve blade, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.
Special: Natural weapons are considered light weapons.
Curve blade, elven 80 gp 1d8 18–20/×2 7 lbs.
Training sword, 20GP 1D6
Studded leather 25 gp AC+3 Dex+5 AcP–1 15% 30 ft.
Shield, heavy steel 20 gp +2AC AcP–2 15% 15 lbs.
Not really traveling with supplies because he is a social creature. Just keeps the rest of his gold on hand.
Background:
LeRose was the odd duck of his family, drawn to art and adventure. At a young age he left home and set out for Magnimar. There he was able to find a culture that embraced art and beauty. His more adventurist streak led him to join the church of Shelyn.
Though he had a natural talent for swordsmanship it did not suit him much. Instead he spent a lot of his time in the local inn. Subtly preaching his gospel through poetry and tales of adventure.
He became well known as a charismatic face for the church in the more seedy areas of town that most "Decent folk" of the church refused to go to.
Though LeRose no longer like to talk about it, he was asked by his church to root out a necromantic cult posing as doctors within the city. He brought in a perpetrator alive and was then asked to execute him. This went against the tenants that he fought for but he caved to the pressure and did it. The next day he left the church.
Now he has set himself to wander. Letting Shelyn guide him, by luck during his day and by dreams during his nights.
Code of Conduct:
I went with Shelyn as my god of choice because I loved the tennants laid out here http://www.pathfindercommunity.net/gods-of-golarion/Shelyn
Paladins of Shelyn
Paladins of Shelyn are peaceable promoters of art and beauty. They see the ugliness in evil, even when cloaked in the form of beauty, and their job is to prevent the weak and foolish from being seduced by false promises.
Their tenets include:
I am peaceful. I come first with a rose. I act to prevent conflict before it blossoms.
I never strike first, unless it is the only way to protect the innocent.
I accept surrender if my opponent can be redeemed—and I never assume that they cannot be. All things that live love beauty, and I will show beauty's answer to them.
I will never destroy a work of art, nor allow one to come to harm unless greater art arises from its loss. I will only sacrifice art if doing so allows me to save a life, for untold beauty can arise from an awakened soul.
I see beauty in others. As a rough stone hides a diamond, a drab face may hide the heart of a saint.
I lead by example, not with my blade. Where my blade passes, a life is cut short, and the world's potential for beauty is lessened.
I live my life as art. I will choose an art and perfect it. When I have mastered it, I will choose another. The works I leave behind make life richer for those who follow.
LeRose is also more socially aware then most paladins. He is not opposed to drinking a bit (Never drunk) and he accepts that some people have their vices and evils but he would rather stand by people and help guide them out then condemn them.
One thing he can not stand and will not put up with is abuse of women, children, and the helpless.
His art is poetry, though I am no good at it so I will be borrowing heavily from RL writers and claiming them for LeRose.
Against undead/evil he will use his elven blade but against normal humans and the misguided he will use the training blade to deliver non-lethal attacks.
Sample:
LeRose stared back at the elven woman and cracked a wide charming smile.
"You are as observant as your are lovely. Yes, I hardly use the elven blade, I would rather not take lives. Some may consider this a weakness, perhaps it is, but I feel as though my faith should not be used as a weapon but worn as armor instead."
He drew out the curved elven blade, feeling its edge with his finger, letting it cut slightly into his finger to show the sharpness.
"A great poet once said:
No man is an island, Entire of itself.
LeRose's smile faded and he became rather serious.
Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Golarion is the less."
He placed the blade back into the scabbard.
"As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind."
LeRose looked deeply and seriously into the elven woman's eyes with just a hint of sadness.
"Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee."
He paused for a moment, coughed and then his charming smile returned.
"Redeemer (Faith)
You've always held the strong belief that morality is everyone's choice, and that those who act in wicked ways have simply never been shown how their actions truly affect others. If they could be shown their errors, then they would accept a more positive course of action—and you have just enough patience to see this through.
Benefit(s): When acting as a sponsor for an evil creature seeking redemption, your patience and kindness grant the creature a +3 bonus on its save rather than a +1 bonus."
I don't know if this may come up but it sounded awesome.
"Charming
Blessed with good looks, you've come to depend on the fact that others find you attractive.
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus when you use Bluff or Diplomacy on a character that is (or could be) sexually attracted to you, and a +1 trait bonus to the save DC of any language-dependent spell you cast on such characters or creatures."
I'm thinking he is sort of a warrior artist. He lived in Magnimar in order to learn from the art of the monuments and Sarenrae was a natural fit for him but it had grown far too militant for his taste.
His breaking point came when he was asked to do something he felt immoral (I'll let you fill in if it helps tie me into plot) and for the first time he compromised his morality. It broke his spirit a little, so he left.
I really like the idea that he is a lover of the arts. Poetry is nice, because I can incorporate that into role-playing a lot easier then painting. That and poetry goes well with the rose theme I will be going with him.
I got a general outline for what kind of character I would like to play but I like to reserve building out a background until I know more about the campaign so I can write myself into it.
I want to play a paladin that has been out of the game for a few years and has fallen out with his church (not his god) He swore to himself that he would not get swept up in the churches power plays and is currently letting his god guide his path, wherever it takes him.
He also has a code of honor that does not allow him to attack women or children, regardless of race (So no killing baby dragons.)
I haven't been able to find an appropriate god in this setting yet but perhaps the GM has some advice or an idea.
Here is an example of a role-playing game I'm in. I play Clouse under the username gabboge: http://www.againsttheshadow.org/index.php?topic=2306.875
I also run under other aliases here but most of those games have ended or stalled.
