For the sake of clarity .. I mean with the setting specific things like station, etc
The setting is not as developed as Golarion or Faerun or the like. For background, it depends on what you are looking for:
Askar: Common Warrior of a settlement. Includes soldiers, militia, citizens with fighting abilities, could be a caravan guard, etc. page 12 has list of cities.
Corsair: Explorers, pirates, freebooters.
Faris: Holy warrior (deities only given names as far as I can tell, not detailed descriptions)
Mamluk: Slave warrior. Have facial tattoos. Run the gamut of having militia and government positions to being treated horribly. Likewise some are born into it like a caste and others are captured. Can be given leave of absence or be sent on missions.
Mercenary Barbarian: Exactly what it sounds like. Generally distrusted.
Outland Warrior: Similar to above barbarian, but more “curiosity and some fear” than outright distrust.
——
Unlike other settings, there is little to no racial prejudice. No settlements for individual races. A full blooded orc and a dwarf would be treated the same: based on their actions, not their blood. So a half-orc would be treated much better here than in other areas.
As an example of strange social advancement, it says the city of Qudra’s emir is a dwarf who was elected by the city’s mamluk societies. The city of Huzuz is ruled by a hereditary caliph. It seems to be the wealthiest and most important city. It has the “House of the Loregiver” the only named monastery I saw.
Pantheist league is a collection of city states. Very religious, only pay lip service to the capital and the Loregiver temple there.
Sendi sat cross legged around the fire. Most foreigners failed to realize that desert nights were as cold as the days were hot, a fact which always caused the Ifrit no end to discomfort. That night, however, was better than most. That was because she had chanced upon the remnants of a caravan, and they had given her hospitality by sharing their fire and their company. Not that the latter was much to speak of. Of the caravan all that was left was a merchant and his apprentice. Their guards, as well as the merchant’s partner, had all “fallen behind” when bandits attacked. Bandits which they feared were still hot on their trail. The three sat in silence, staring into the flames of the campfire. Of the three though, only Sendi smiled.
Morning came and Sendi sat astride her mount. The merchant and his apprentice had left, going on ahead of her. She had told them that just as they had given her the gift of hospitality, that she would return the favor by driving off the bandits. She watched as six men came over the dunes, their faces and heads covered to protect them against the sun. Guiding her horse forward, she silently wished that her brother was present…
Scimitar in hand Sendi did what she always did. She threw caution to the wind. Kicking her horse forward she went straight into the enemy riders. Her scimitar flashed out, a fairly clumsy swing, but the closest bandit was taken by surprise. Who would be so foolish as to charge alone? Knocked off his horse, he was trampled underfoot and did not rise.
The bandits swarmed around Sendi, blades flashing. One found purchase on her steed, causing it to rear up. Her own blade cut out as her steed went up, catching a bandit’s throat. He fell to the ground, the sand turning red.
The swarming bandits again cut into her steed, who was barely holding on. A scimitar slash across a man’s chest sent him tumbling to the ground, where his scream was short lived under crashing hooves.
The bandits were not stupid. Seeing the opportunity to bring her down they attempted to take down her steed. They, however, were no warriors. They were opportunists, and their attacks got in each other’s way. Another man fell dead to the ground for their efforts.
Almost. That was what happened with the bandits. They almost took down her horse. But when it bit the hand that would have stabbed it, the screaming bandit fell beneath its own steed with a broken arm. His own leg twisted as he fell. He would not be walking on that leg, nor was his hand useable. A death sentence when alone on the trade routes. Perhaps it was a mercy that he landed hard enough to lose consciousness.
Last bandit is not suicidal. Withdrawal action
With all five of his fellows dead or dying, the last bandit kicked his horse in the flanks and fled. For a moment Sendi thought of giving pursuit, but glancing at her horse disabused her of that notion. She did not want to push the poor beast that hard.
LoH:4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 5) = 12
Dismounting, she reached out to the horse to calm it and touched her hands to its wounds. Flames from her fingertips licked out, and where they touched open wounds flesh began to knit, leaving behind naught but a warm residue. She considered stopping to go through the belongings of the fallen but then the thought hit her. There were likely more than just a half dozen of the bandits if they had overrun the caravan, and the survivor would be bribing more. Remounting, she turned her horse around, ready to catch up to the merchant. He would need protecting on the road, and with any luck the rest of the gang would think twice before pursuing further. With one last look over her shoulder she left, again wishing that her brother was there. If he was, then she was certain that it would be an easy enough matter to clear out the rest of the villains…
More or less works as intended. She should be fine as she waits for her lvl 5 divine bond.
I'm hoping the GM will allow a Jann as a mother or father. That will for sure sort out issues much easier in relation to mounts and their physical appearances
The Al-Badia, or ‘desert nomads’ as outlanders call them, dwell in the most hostile areas of Zakara. There, basic necessities drive the men and women of the sands onward. Among these people there are two whose names are well known. Not solely for their deeds, but rather for their birth. Their mother was a sha’ir, a tale spinner and advisor to desert chieftains. Her authority came from her ability to spin tales, as well as her boasts of communicating with the Jann. A boast which apparently rang true when she gave birth to two children, both clearly marked by the flame.
Of these, Osheem was the elder. He…<you fill this in>
…and then there was Sendi, the younger of the two. She did not inherit her brother’s strength, nor his keen senses. While Sendi was drawn by song and movements of their culture, the harsh lessons of desert survival utterly escaped her. Truly, it was so feared that she would die on her own in the desert that their mother gifted her a magical ring. She had gained it from her own services to the nomadic lords, and saw fit to give it to a daughter, saying that she would rather die of thirst herself than to see her child ride off to her death. But while Osheem blazed like an inferno, she danced like the flame. Possessed with grace and speed, she earned a name for herself as being as skilled a dancer as the tribes had produced. And a fearsome warrior besides, as she had proven on more than one occasion that her scimitar was not only for show in her performances. While she rides for fame and glory, she moreso rides because it is what her heart commands. While her flames may burn, they also heal. And while she prefers to ride into a town or village to perform, she is more than happy to heal the injured or to defend those who have given her hospitality.
A quick background. Left it vague, but with all clues pointing in that direction. And for Sendi, at least, tried to explain the skill choices. I also went ahead and took a trait which allows her horse to fend for itself, as I couldn’t get required skills such as survival or perception. :)
It seems like there are 3 characters right now. An Ifrit Qadirian Cavalier. His sister, an Ifrit Virtuous Bravo Paladin. And a Human Crossblooded Sorcerer. Seeing as how everyone else has a horse, Sendi now has one as well. Dropped knowledge religion for ride (why must paladins only get 2 skills per level?!)
As she is Osheem‘s sister, she’ll be a Desert Rider as well. And naturally at lvl5 she will take a Mount as her divine bond (along with the feat mounted combat). While she will always be in her older brother’s shadow when it comes to fighting mounted, she will excel in the use of a scimitar. Also, I like the idea of him making glorious charges, while she just rides her mount in and gets stuck in the fray. So even if there are visual similarities, they’ll be mechanically very different.
For Osheem, I’m curious to hear your thoughts as towards where the fiery mounts come from and as to where these siblings road out from.
Grumbaki here. Using this profile for Sendi: Ifrit virtuous bravo paladin with fiery creature template. Loved the way that the race and template came together. Truly someone who is at home in the scorching heat of the desert during the day, but who suffers greatly in the cold at night. Praise the sun!
(Subject to change, of course. Especially as more answers to questions trickle in and as the madness devours me. Naturally.)
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
”Very much agreed. Given his strength I think that he is beyond any of us to take on. It seems folly to pick a fight so mismatched. Should we push on or backtrack the way we came? Even if it means just returning to town, at least we will be alive and will have caused for more damage than we have taken.”
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Numbly Sendi trudged along. It didn’t feel real. Not too long ago she was happily sitting in the sun, drinking tea and laughing with friends. Now she was below ground, walking after being impaled. A strange fire-deity walked beside her, apparently bound to the Demi-God that called itself Aukan. And instead of fleeing after their defeat they were now looking for more trouble. She kept expecting to wake up at any moment, realizing that it was all a dream. But with every step they took she had to admit that this was real, and there was no escape.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
I have fallen abit behind, I’ll get something up soon. Haven’t had time to be on PC as of late (weekends especially bad for that) and when I post by phone it’s slower.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
”Can we not just focus on fighting our way out? If there was their leader, then it certainly will be collecting its forces. We won’t have the element of surprise anymore.”
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Silently Sendi went about eating. She had trained for this, of course. But to actually kill with her own two hands? To face pain and death, to lie bleeding on the floor, certain in one’s own mortality? To see others fight and die. And to know that deep down part of her enjoyed it. It was all too much. The newcomers, the food, the sudden “safety”, it all felt surreal. What she needed was time to process all that had happened.
Nimble (Ex)
At 3rd level, a virtuous bravo gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC while wearing light armor or no armor.
Aura of Courage (Su)
At 3rd level, a paladin is immune to fear (magical or otherwise). Each ally within 10 feet of her gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. This ability functions only while the paladin is conscious, not if she is unconscious or dead.
Divine Health (Ex)
At 3rd level, a paladin is immune to all diseases, including supernatural and magical diseases, including mummy rot.
------------
Overall, a good level. More HP (very much needed), +1 AC, immune to fear and disease. +2 damage as power attack increases.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Once into safety, Sendi sank to the floor and put her head in her hands. She had thought herself dead. By some strange fortune she had survived being impaled by a sword. Not everyone who had come in could say the same. It was a traumatic experience to say the least. Moreso, where did the fire come from? Who were the new people who had suddenly showed up? Was there any way actually out of the gnoll warrens? It was all too much for her to process.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Well…I did spend 5 rounds yelling at everyone to run. :p
But yeah. This is really far over our abilities. If we win with anyone besides just Aukan then this will be a huge win for us. Though I expect Sendi won’t be surviving long even with her smite up.
Seeking Aukan fall, Sendi rushed over to the downed champion. She had no doubt that this foe was well beyond her, but she hoped to give others time to heal the Goliath. For what other chance did they have or surviving this? And if that meant putting her life on the line, then so be it.
Channeling the what divine power was available to her into her fists, Sendi stepped into the corpse-filled choke point and attacked the Gnoll leader. Guided as she was by the divine, her attacks were guided to their destination. They could have done more damage, as she didn’t put the correct force into them, but that was to be expected when using such an ability for the first time.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
”Are we not retreating?” She said, coming back to the room. Seeing the Goliath near soloing another fight she nodded her head, seeing that flight wasn’t needed. With Aukan in a choke point where was no need to fall back. He could handle anything that came by himself. Vivi held the other gap and was fighting well. With nothing else to do she walked up, ready to take Vivi’s space if the Warrior was wounded. She felt foolish now for wanting to retreat, for she had mistaken her own weakness or the weakness of the group.
Double move back to choke point and swift action lay on hands:1d6 ⇒ 5
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
”We need to retreat. Even with the door we won’t hold them once their leader gets involved.” Sendi said. ”Or…” Seeing Aukan take down another gnoll she paused, looking to see what the others thought.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Round 4: -12 wounds, 1 away from death Round 5: Heals 15 wounds, at 3 wounds Swift action LoH:1d6 ⇒ 47/25 Move action get up and Acrobatics avoid any AOO as move to group:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
With a cough and a sputter Sendi’s eyes opened. She pushed herself up, arms shaking. The massive internal injuries had healed, but she was still in great pain. Looking about wildly she got to her feet and retreated, heading for the choke point so she could join the retreat.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
It had all seemed so clear. Aukan had charged in, as usual. She had followed the Demi-God, secure in the knowledge that if he was there then it would be safe. She just had to stay on the fringes to watch his back. What could go wrong? At first it had gone according to plan, as she landed a pair of body blows which had left the Gnoll she was facing staggered. All that she needed to do was-
…she looked down and saw a sword sticking out of her chest. She opened her mouth in shock and surprise, but all that came out was blood. She willed herself to stay on her feet, but it didn’t work. Despite her mind screaming at her to stay up she fell to her knees. Not quite grasping the situation she thought to herself “I’ll be alright. I have comrades here. Friends, even. They will save me. We’ll look back at this and laugh.” The last thing she ever saw was the ‘grin’ of the Gnoll she had punched staring down at her. And with that, her story came to an end. Proof that life is not like a fantasy novel, and that casualties in war are inevitable.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Let Sendi’s body stay. Retrieving her body would just lead to more casualties. I agree on falling back to the choke point. This is a strong lesson that fights won’t always be geared towards the party, and running away is a viable strategy. And I’ll get a proper death scene up when at my computer
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
-10 wounds
Stabilize:1d20 ⇒ 1
-11 wounds
She had done what she could, but these foes were far beyond her capabilities. The orcish aasimar fell within seconds of her foes turning upon her.
By RAW I think that she should actually be dead. Because green was giving yellow a flank, so that would be another 8 damage, taking her down to -18. Regardless, I think that it may be time to start making a new pc
Sendi knew her role. While Aukan charged in recklessly, slaughtering everything before him, she watched his back. The day's events have proven that the gigantic warrior was not immortal, and that being surrounded could well be his downfall. So while he cut his way towards the Carrion King, she went the other way, ready to engage the gnolls to the south. Going towards the first one she hit the gnoll before her with full force, using the palm of her hand to crush it's snout. She then followed up with a punch from her other hand, aiming for it's chest.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
"Well, the sooner we go through the sooner we can get out of this abyss. Just...don't sprain an ankle kicking any doors. You're a bit too large to carry."
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Sendi said a quiet prayer and continued to move on. ”East or west, does it make a difference?” She was so mixed up that she couldn’t tell which way would possibly get them to the surface faster.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Sendi stood beside Vivi, only taking a step back to make space when the woman grew in size. Without any such magical abilities of her own to call upon, she waited for Vivi to open the door and followed her comrade inside.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Sendi put a hand on the undine’s shoulder. In a gentle voice she said ”I understand how you feel. My parents sold me into bondage and when I was first freed it was as if invisible chains still weighed me down. It will take some time. But trust us that you have nothing to fear from us.” With a small smile she added ”It will get better.”
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
No enchantment so bulls strength works. Would prefer not to be enlarged though. It only makes fists go to 1d8 and it means -2 AC. It’s much better on people with large two handed weapons. Also, as she is only a monk dip, her fists will never be more than 1d6
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
”Do we have a safe place to rest? I think it would make sense to heal as much as we can as we keep moving. More gnolls we be drawn to the sounds of battle. Resting for several hours feels a tad optimistic to me.”
Lay on Hands Goliath:1d6 ⇒ 6 Swift LoH Self:1d6 ⇒ 3
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Thank you. :)
As for the general usefulness of touch of rage…yeah, it’s only useful if you have nothing at all to do for a round and someone else is in melee or is shooting and wants the strength. Which is not very often.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Question!
(1) Sendi has Orc Bloodline boon from before. As part of this she has Touch of Rage. A power which is not really in-character for this paladin/monk.
(2) These rules says that the first level bloodline power can be replaced with a familiar.
(3) One thing that Sendi does not have is skills. Going down the paladin line means 2 skill points per level. Truly sad.
(4) So...Approximating Familiars (AA). Sage Ioun Wyrd. Full rules for both. Only instead of an ioun wyrd floating around, it is a holy symbol of her goddess, Sarenrae. Or more precisely, her mithril dagger would transform as she worships into an angelic ankh, the symbol of her goddess.
(5) As a sage familiar, the skill points will go into knowledge religion and planes. Two skills which a paladin really should know, but with 2 skill points per level she just can't do justice.
(6) The ioun wyrd gives +1 natural armor. But she gets that via her bloodline. The two don't stack and I'm ok with that, as I'm not out for more combat bonuses. This would just shore up a hole in the character sheet while giving a bit more RP potential.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
Sendi looked askew at Varvara, seeing the look of murder in the woman's eyes. It seemed unnatural to her, which was saying something given her orcish heritage. But that was not what was truly important. Balan was alive, which was very welcome news, for she was not ready to mourn her mentor. But the goliath was still down, and that shook her. She had never seen him so vulnerable before. To call him a mountain of a man would be an understatement, for he was a larger than life figure and she had truly believed that nothing could have brought him low. Seeing him bleeding on the ground made it feel like her stomach was in her throat. It wasn't so much as seeing a friend or a comrade in trouble. No, she had seen him as being more of a demigod. A larger than life figure for whom defeat seemed to be as impossible as the sun not rising. And now that had been proven wrong.
"Can someone help him?" She asked, as she knelt down besides him. Her own grace so woefully limited, for she was far, far from being a cleric. Still, she did what little she could.
Sendi took the blow and kept on going, swinging away with fist and foot. She worried that the commotion would bring more gnolls and their allies, and then what would they do? They had to finish this enemy off quickly, heal their wounds, and keep moving. The idea of being in chains once more sent a shiver down her spine.
For her part, Sendi panicked when Aukan fell. She had always seen him as being akin to a demigod, so to see him fall to the ground was like having her faith shaken. She tried to punch the air elemental, with limited success. How hard could it be to punch air? As it turned out it was harder than it sounded.
Feeling vindicated in hurrying everyone along, Sendi came to stand side by side with Aukan. The goliath dwarfed her in every conceivable way. From his height, to his bulk, to the sheer power and danger that radiated from him. She had no doubt that even if she landed a blow perfectly it would do far less damage than anything that Aukan could do with even a casual hit. But that just meant that she would surely be less of a target. She landed a pair of punches on the large gnoll, hitting with force and accuracy, with the second attack hitting the enemy in the throat. While she didn't know if it would be enough to drop it, it would surely leave it open to the attacks from the others.
Wounds (0) HP (31) AC (18/14/14) Saves (8/7/6) LoH 1d6 (4/4) Initiative (+3) Immune (fear, fire) Vulnerable (cold)
”This is…nice.” Sendi said, cautiously. ”Getting to know each other, that is. But I, for one, would be much more relaxed doing so under the open sky and away from any Gnoll warren. Let us continue, yes? So long as we keep our momentum up, the gnolls won’t have a chance to gather their numbers.”
