Part of the fun for me is seeing what kind of a puzzle piece would fit in well and make this group more able to succeed. I do particularly like "jack-of-all-trades" characters and high-AC martial rogues. I have a Ftr/Rog/KoO in Tyrant's Grasp, a Cav/Investigator in CotCT, and a PFS Core Rogue12 with a mithral breastplate, heavy shield, and battleaxe (generally the tank).
Alchemist is a class I haven't explored yet and would love a chance to try out.
Point is, if it was unclear, this is what I want to play.
Here is Aldizog's submission. Went with an Alchemist instead of a Dirge Bard.
I saw that the players wished for a tank and a face; with a base 21 AC (to 24 with Shield extract), good HP, and a +12 Diplomacy (and a ton of languages), he can do those roles pretty well. Additionally, he will excel at fighting swarms. He can also disable magical traps with a pretty good bonus (+14 right now, to +15 with Guidance and +16 with a Cracked Magenta Prism).
Alchemist bombs should work against golems and other constructs just fine; his archetype lets him take a discovery to use bombs against haunts. So of the various "puzzle encounters" in Pathfinder, he has a way to contribute to just about all of them.
I'm not sure about the Campaign trait. Open to changing that. His Will save definitely needs the help, and it would only be a fairly distant Pharaonic connection.
Thoth seemed the most appropriate deity for a scholar trained in the Academy of Scribes.
Here is my submission. You say you are looking for a challenging game - well, Saquiel is rather on the lower end of the power curve. Ghost Rider Cavalier is a fairly MAD archetype that is hard to pull off under 20-pt buy, but I think it's flavorful and cool. He's going to struggle, and I am fine with that. He should be able to pull his weight without making the game a cakewalk.
I still need to update his gear for max starting gold, but otherwise he is good to go.
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
I think the party would be better off if Saquiel were replaced by another PC, one with more utility in other dimensions.
I appreciate the invitation but I just can't see how he makes a meaningful contribution given the melee prowess that this party already has. It's overkill, without adding much ability to solve other problems.
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
Happy to be selected. I do worry that Saquiel is not nearly as heavily optimized as the other PCs, so I may look to make some mechanical changes so as to pull my weight. One change could be reducing defense a bit in favor of improving offense; with so many martials, he doesn't need to worry as much about being on the front lines. We might have Titania, Garen, and Grod on the front lines with Saquiel striking from the second rank or using Frightful Gaze. Perhaps dropping Dex to 12 to boost Str to 18. Maybe swapping out the Focused Study option to get Spirited Charge online sooner.
Another change is adding a drawback. Just about everyone else seems to have them, and I rarely use them as I consider them poorly designed. But if avoiding them is nerfing myself to the detriment of the party, then I could take Unlearned as a drawback and The Rider as the additional trait.
I do think that our party as it stands will suffer from Paizo's favorite trap-like challenges, the things that only 1 or 2 PCs in any party can address. Traps themselves (which cause more problems than just damage), swarms (always awful), and haunts (at least until Saquiel and Garen gain Aura of Courage). As well, the lack of a cleric really hurts with the absence of status-removal spells, Restoration most of all. I have learned this the hard way in many campaigns. So I think we'll be heavily reliant on the magic mart.
Finally, I have a ton of questions about how the Ghost Rider archetype is supposed to work:
The mount's Str never advancing mean I will have to watch encumbrance carefully (light load for a 16 Str quadruped is 230 lbs);
It does not get bonus tricks, but perhaps the Link ability as per spiritualist means it does not need them (despite being Int 2). "This communication is a free action that can be performed even when it isn’t the spiritualist’s turn, but the spiritualist and the phantom must both be conscious to communicate in this way. This allows the spiritualist to give orders to her phantom at any time."
It starts with only 1 (non-maxed) HD instead of 2, though DR 5/slashing should mitigate this a little;
The interaction of its three non-slam attacks with scaling phantom slam damage is unclear;
If it gets HD and BAB as per the Phantom table (typical Phantoms are Outsiders) then it will have HD=BAB, rather than the usual Animal progression;
The horse stat block used as the basis notes that the hooves are secondary attacks, but the text also says that the mount is considered combat trained, which for a horse makes the hooves primary attacks;
It's likely but not certain that Phantom Ally would work for multiclassing;
I don't know how the mount will get benefits under ABP. Normally, a Phantom can't use magic items at all (which means relying on party casters for things like Mage Armor). So perhaps it gets nothing under ABP;
This is specifically a Vindicator question - my intention is that, a as a former Lastwall mount, Vindicator can bestow the "Lastwall Affinity" normally needed for the feats Wheeling Charge and Indomitable Mount.
Made some major changes to the backstory and the character as what I had before just didn't seem to fit together well. Much happier with it now. If selected, there are a lot of mechanical questions about how the Ghost Rider archetype works, but no need to deal with all that now.
20 questions are in the profile but replicated here.
20 Questions:
1. What is your character’s name? Saquiel
2. How old is your character? 19
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)? Male human, 5'9", around 150 lb, wiry. Swarthy skin, brown eyes, brown hair. Wears banded mail, and carries a longsword, javelins, and shield.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)? His speech marks him as a Kintago native of middle-class upbringing with a good education. He radiates a higher degree of confidence than might be expected based on his apparent status.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who? Born and raised in Kintargo by his parents and grandparents.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living? Parents are Ibarius (father) and Antonia (mother, named after Antonius Thrune who was monarch when she was born). Both are alive and had been running a ceramics studio in Old Kintargo, but once Saquiel started poking into Portia's disappearance they were forced to disown him. He doesn't know if they were forced to shut down or not, and doesn't care. They are weak-willed and unwilling to take a stand.
7. Do you have any other family or friends? His older sister Jessifar left the city before martial law was imposed; she was something of an activist so is likely involved with revolutionary activities, but she tends more to Desna or Milani than Iomedae. He doesn't know for sure. Malvinius Delronge was something of a friend (Saquiel squired for him) but is from a family that is very loyal to House Thrune; Malvinius risked enough by telling Saquiel about Portia's disappearance and is keeping his head down for now. Portia was Malvinius's girlfriend, and has disappeared after investigating Thrune's claim to Kintargo. Saquiel met her a few times; she was studious, outgoing, and intelligent (as well as exceptionally attractive). As he was squire to Malvinius he did not express any interest in her, of course.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids? Single, no kids.
9. What is your character’s alignment? Lawful Good
10. What is your character’s moral code? Do what is necessary to resist the evil of House Thrune and defend the people of Kintargo, even if it means breaking laws or acting with deceit. Even though he serves Iomedae, he is not a paladin and so is somewhat more morally flexible. He regards Iomedae as having given him this allowance, though he can't prove it.
11. Does your character have goals? Discover the truth about Thrune's claim to Kintargo; oppose House Thrune and the Church of Asmodeus. Reclaim his family's honor with the aid of Vindicator, the spirit of the horse that his celestial ancestor rode in the Shining Crusade.
12. Is your character religious? Yes, he worships Iomedae.
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs? Most people are not evil, but are convinced to keep quiet out of fear. Fear of death, or exile, but even things like social ostracization. So he will use fear when needed to get them to stand against House Thrune.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)? Hard to pin down as being either cynical or optimistic. Perhaps cynical about how things are, but optimistic that a better world is possible. Normally a confident speaker with a suitable range of emotion in his speech, but when he is using Intimidate his voice gets low, even, and icy.
15. Why does your character adventure? Why would you join the rebellion? On a mission from a god. He has come to realize just how dangerous, deceptive, and murderous House Thrune and the Church of Asmodeus are. He feels a pride in his family's past, and Iomedae seemingly choosing him gives him some hope that he can make things better.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer? He is a solid (though not overpowering) combatant and a reasonable negotiator. He lacks much in the way of defense against magic so will rely heavily on allies for such defenses.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)? No.
18. How does your character get along with others? Generally good - he is more morally flexible than a LG crusader of Iomedae would usually be.
19. Is there anything that your character hates? Moral cowardice. People who oppose Asmodeus but are unwilling to say so rankle him more than people who genuinely believe Asmodeus is good for Cheliax.
20. Is there anything that your character fears? Swarms. Dear gods, swarms. What right-thinking inhabitant of Golarion wouldn't be?
I've been unable to find an image of Saquiel that I like (not the avatar image, that one is fine for now, but a larger image). Most of the male aasimar in my Google image searches so far look too muscular or armored, or don't have enough red in their color scheme. Generic human magus or "sword wizard" images might work, since he doesn't yet have wings. I rather like this image but with a sensible rapier and less armor.
I actually did work up an image in Hero Machine for the previous game he was in (ended very early) but that looks so amateur compared to what real artists can do. Will keep looking if selected.
As I noted in the profile, Saquiel stands 6' tall and is fairly slim, at 150 lbs. His complexion is Taldan, though his shimmering red hair and his violet eyes give away his celestial heritage. He wears comfortable clothes with a red cloak and often has a notebook in hand.
Saquiel is adjusted to 2nd-level and 1,000 gp. Everything should be there in the profile. I know Sword Binder wizard is a bit sub-optimal, but it's still a wizard, and it looks fun (plus, Arazni/Aroden ties). From what I hear, Mythic gets pretty crazy. Bringing a high-op build might not be appropriate anyway.
Two questions:
1) He has taken an alternate racial trait (Crusading Magic) that gives up the SLA, so he would not roll on the table, correct?
2) With the "Riftwarden Orphan" trait, can he have been raised by his grandparents, or is that a problem for later plot developments? I would like him to have the appropriate wizard trait but would also like him to know about his family's history.
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
Saquiel moves so that he has a clear shot (he can do ranged attacks into melee, just don't want a cover penalty) and hurls his rapier at the demon.
Sword of the Mage 3/8, PBS:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Damage, Cold Iron:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
Spellcraft on wand:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 That should do it.
On hearing the rumors of Queen Galfrey, Saquiel says to his comrades, "There are demons known for trickery - succubi among them. One may have posed as Queen Galfrey to discredit her. Let's not lose hope." Blackwing Library is fine with me.
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
"Kalla, should you take the potion of Invisibility? Many of your blessings will not break the magic's effect.
And Zarak, I think that's a good plan. Let's move." Taking one potion of CLW, the scrolls of Comprehend Languages and Cause Fear, and the tanglefoot bag (since I have Precise Shot). Can't identify the wand?
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
Saquiel moves up to the elf and helps cut his bonds or untie him.
"My name is Saquiel. What is yours?
I am sorry we cannot restore your sight. But you are alive, and in time we may find the healing power you need."
He looks to the tome the cultists were using. Can he determine what they were trying to do?
Spellcraft:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
Saquiel uses his wand of Mage Armor (now at 49) and follows behind Kalla.
Does he think the voice is genuine, or a trap?
Sense Motive:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
Okay, I'll look for something that fits what I have in mind. I whipped something up quickly with HeroMachine but will look for something better or try that app again tomorrow.
The leftmost one here is not bad. Wasn't imagining facial hair, but could go with it.
This mini is close to what I have in mind, but the face looks weird.
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
"Kalla, that demonic being was Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, a Balor Lord of tremendous power."That much we were given. Pretty sure any more detailed info is DC 35+. Knowledge (Planes):1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
Saquiel is initially thankful for the mission and for Irabeth's trust. Flicking his own cold iron rapier in a salute, he remarks, "You can count on me. I will not disappoint you or the Inheritor."
In the exchange with the dwarves, he was diplomatic enough. Not an exemplar of grace, but adequate. In the battle with the chokers, the wizard displayed his skills, his rapier flying from his hand to strike the creatures as his crimson cloak flutters behind him. There is no hint of this darkness as Saquiel engages in the battle, just a dedication, dutifulness, and hint of excitement as he dashes about.
Later in the journey, he tried working his magic to fix parts of the cart, but the thing was just so massive. He'd need to be a more powerful mage to handle such a task.
"A vision of what will be, I think, but one we might not have the power to stop." A sadness crosses Saquiel's face, and there is some resignation as he speaks. "Any of the greatest champions of Good may fall with even the gods powerless to save them. Yet we were sent this vision for a reason, and there may be something we can do to help the survivors. To rally them, to muster our forces, and in time avenge Terendelev. Let us make haste."
M Tiefling Alchemist 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 21, T 13, FF 18, CMD 16 | F+6, R+7, W+3 | Per +6 (+7 traps) | Init +3 | Bombs 8/8 | Active: None
I built my character's entire background around that trait - being a descendant of Arazni, having that conflicted relationship with Iomedae. I guess Child of the Crusades works... nope, Sabrina has that.
Chance Encounter? Maybe.
Exposed to Awfulness? No.
Riftwarden Orphan? Ehh... Not really wanting "avenging my parents" to become a motivation when he's already got "emulating my fallen ancestor."
So Chance Encounter it is.
