You awaken to the sensation of something damp and viscous covering your face and body. Your first reflex is to wrench two, thin tubes from your nose and open your mouth to extract a small pipe which apparently kept you from drowning in the thick gel now draining through the bottom of an enclosed cylinder supporting your upright body. A harsh light shines from above as you wipe more of this unknown substance from your face and eyes, and your muscles feel weak and uncertain as you push open a transparent window-like door to release you into the room beyond.
Eight, similar cylinders greet your eyes, all arranged along the room’s four, stone walls, forming an irregular octagon. Each one appears constructed of a thick, durable, organic material except for the transparent doors which swing open from the front. Fibrous roots snake down from the 15-foot ceiling overhead, attaching to the top of these cylinders, and a metal plate bolted above them illuminates the room. To the north stands a door bereft of hinges or handles, while a green, three-inch circle slowly blinks on the wall next to it.
Looking about, there are several others awakening in much the same condition. You do not know who they are, and more disturbing, you have no idea how you came to be here, or how much time has passed since your last memory of home.
I'm certain each of you knows this stuff already, I just like to have it handy.
----------------
The obvious part is that this is the discussion thread for our game. Its purpose is to have a place where all the players can put their out-of-character(ooc) talk. It helps keep the gameplay thread story-oriented and focused.
Have a funny out-of-character quip? Discussion thread.
Need clarification on something? Discussion thread.
Want to tell everybody what happened to you today? Discussion thread.
Letting people know that you can't post for a while? Discussion thread.
Etc.
----------------
How to format your text: Underneath the box where you can type in comments, replies, etc, there is a button labeled "Show". Click on it for a reminder.
** spoiler omitted ** ...are probably apparent as to what they do.
Bold text indicates what your character says aloud.
Italics indicates a character's thoughts.
Bold and smaller indicates a whisper.
Bold and italics indicates a telepathic message.
Out of character is unnecessary in discussion, but quite helpful for the gameplay thread.
----------------
Regarding spoilers: I know buttons are fun to push, but please be respectful of everyone's spoilers. If it isn't addressed to you, or doesn't indicate a message in a language that you know, don't look. Even if you think you can act as if you didn't have the ooc knowledge, it will be more fun to react without that knowledge.
----------------
Pro Tip: Everything in the Race and Class fields of your profile will show up underneath your avatar when you post.
You awaken to the sensation of something damp and viscous covering your face and body. Your first reflex is to wrench two, thin tubes from your nose and open your mouth to extract a small pipe which apparently kept you from drowning in the thick gel now draining through the bottom of an enclosed cylinder supporting your upright body. A harsh light shines from above as you wipe more of this unknown substance from your face and eyes, and your muscles feel weak and uncertain as you push open a transparent window-like door to release you into the room beyond.
Eight, similar cylinders greet your eyes, all arranged along the room’s four, stone walls, forming an irregular octagon. Each one appears constructed of a thick, durable, organic material except for the transparent doors which swing open from the front. Fibrous roots snake down from the 15-foot ceiling overhead, attaching to the top of these cylinders, and a metal plate bolted above them illuminates the room. To the north stands a door bereft of hinges or handles, while a green, three-inch circle slowly blinks on the wall next to it.
The Legendary Planet adventure path firmly grounds itself in the sword-and-planet genre. For those unfamiliar with the history and connotations of this term, sword-and-planet storytelling usually takes the fantastical swashbuckling tales of old and places them on unfamiliar worlds, often those with differing levels of technology from what the transplanted protagonist has experienced on his or her homeworld. When applied to a roleplaying game, players can expect fantastical magic, exotic planets, alien cultures, and strange technology. Note: This adventure spans many planets, but is not a space adventure. To the best of my knowledge, there are no starships or space travel.
This is the Player’s Guide. While I feel that player’s guides should be free, this one is not. However, it does include four new races and twelve new background features. If you want more specifics about one of these races, let me know:
• The Auttaine are half-constructs that have a constructed portion of their body that includes a unique, personalized modification you crafted and installed yourself when you came of age. – from internalized weapons to component pouches.
• Chlorvians are half-plant people, counting as both a humanoid and plant for any effect related to race.
• The Tretharri are 4-armed philosophers and seekers of self-perfection.
• The Zvarr are a race of dragon-like humanoids renowned for their cunning, greed, and subterfuge. They share a number of characteristics with dragons, including their long lifespans and long incubation periods, but much to the zvarr’s chagrin, they do not share the ability of flight.
Character Creation:
Stats: Standard 27 point buy
Class: D&D 5e Core (no Unearthed Arcana)
Level: 2
Race: Core, Volo’s, Player’s Guide
Alignment: No evil or overly-selfish characters.
Multiclassing: I’m not saying never, but players should plan on it not being allowed.
Feats: Unearthed Arcana Racial and Skill feats are approved.
Backstory: If you’re trying to hunt down your parents’ killer, this is not the adventure you’re looking for. Due to the nature of the adventure, it is unlikely that you will encounter anyone from your past. As an alternative, please answer as many of these as apply:
-What is your physical appearance, bearing, mannerisms, and quirks? This should include a physical description with height, build, hair and eye color that needs to be on your character sheet.
-What was your childhood like?
-What is your relationship to the gods and religion?
-Do you have an easy way with strangers?
-Do you play well with others?
-Do you identify with a particular animal or element?
-What do you find creepy?
-What specific goals do you have, if any?
-What secrets do you have?
-What does someone else know about you that you do not?
-Do the ends justify the means?
Players: Four total, three will be recruited. One spot is taken already by my pal who seems set on playing a Half-elf Paladin (Oath of the Ancients).
Recruitment Ends: Undetermined, depends on interest.
About Me: Terms and Conditions may apply:
As a DM: My experience is limited, but I have gathered a fair amount of advice from my own pals, and my experiences as a player. I will make an effort to be a “yes” DM and encourage RP and creativity. My strength as a player is RP, and that’s the aspect of the game that I most enjoy. However, APs tend to have a lot of combat. I might skip over some of the “random” encounters if I feel like it’s too many between story elements.
In regards to D&D5e: I have neither played, nor DM’ed a 5e game. Part of the reason I’m starting this game is to increase my exposure and experience with it. That is why I’m mostly sticking to Core rules. Also, I will make mistakes, and so will other players. When that happens, please be polite and constructive.
Posting rate and Duration: I’d like to have at least one post per day during the weekdays. This AP is designed to go to level 20. I’d love to see it through, but that is likely to take years. If you tend to become bored with characters or games, please pass this game over. As always, real life comes before a game, just be respectful of everyone who invests their time and effort in a game like this.
Terms and Conditions: It’s important to me that players understand what they are getting into and read more than just the creation rules. To that effect, please place a line in your interest or character post, “I have read the terms and conditions”. I mean it humorously, and yet, take it seriously. It’s important to me that everyone has a great experience and has their expectations met.
The sleepy village of Heldren in Taldor has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. During the last week, hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather despite it being the height of summer. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.
Heldren’s only tavern, the Silver Stoat, stands right on the town square across from the town hall. A fixture of village life, the tavern fills up with patrons in the evening as they gather to share gossip, hear news, and reward themselves for a hard day’s work. Anything that’s worth knowing in Heldren gets talked about here, and if asked where he got a particularly juicy bit of gossip or information, a villager will likely say, “I heard it from the Stoat.” Husband and wife Menander and Kale Garimos run the Silver Stoat as if it were their family kitchen—there’s always a seat at the table or a space by the hearth for a guest, or a warm bowl of Menander’s hearty stew for an empty belly. Menander works in the kitchen, cooking up his famous venison flank steak and numble pie. Kale tends bar, serving up the tavern’s signature brew, Three Devil Ale, which she brews in-house using imported Chelish hops. Heldren doesn’t get many visitors, so there is no true inn in the village, but travelers are welcome to a spot on the floor of the Stoat next to the fireplace for a night.
It is a brisk morning and many of the villagers, including the mayor, have gathered for breakfast at The Silver Stoat.
Aerryndöl: Vivialla Steranus, the human female proprietor of the general store has invited you to join her for breakfast to discuss purchasing bows. Normally, she doesn't carry much in the way of weapons in her store, but the recent rumors have created a new demand. She is seated at a table when you arrive.
Risquelyn: Your ability to perform for the unusually large crowd of newcomers to the town has endeared you to Menander and especially Kale, earning you free meals and lodging, as humble as the accommodations are. As you take a place at the bar, Kale greets you with a hearty and warm, ”Good morning!”
Totho: The morning noise disturbs some rather vigorous snoring that in your half-wake state, you can’t tell if it’s you or not. You sit up groggily from a wall bench and face the table. As you put your head in your hands to rub the sleep from your eyes and ease the pressure of your hangover, your arm is vigorously nudged from the side. Next to you is a smiling, shaggy-haired man. ”Thanks for the drinks last night, friend. Hair of the dog?,” he asks, holding out a flask.
I'm certain each of you knows this stuff already, I just like to have it handy.
----------------
The obvious part is that this is the discussion thread for our game. Its purpose is to have a place where all the players can put their out-of-character(ooc) talk. It helps keep the gameplay thread story-oriented and focused.
Have a funny out-of-character quip? Discussion thread.
Need clarification on something? Discussion thread.
Want to tell everybody what happened to you today? Discussion thread.
Letting people know that you can't post for a while? Discussion thread.
Etc.
----------------
How to format your text: Underneath the box where you can type in comments, replies, etc, there is a button labeled "Show". Click on it for a reminder.
** spoiler omitted ** ...are probably apparent as to what they do.
Bold text indicates what your character says aloud.
Italics indicates a character's thoughts.
Bold and smaller indicates a whisper.
Bold and italics indicates a telepathic message.
Out of character is unnecessary in discussion, but quite helpful for the gameplay thread.
----------------
Regarding spoilers: I know buttons are fun to push, but please be respectful of everyone's spoilers. If it isn't addressed to you, or doesn't indicate a message in a language that you know, don't look. Even if you think you can act as if you didn't have the ooc knowledge, it will be more fun to react without that knowledge.
----------------
Pro Tip: Everything in the Race and Class fields of your profile will show up underneath your avatar when you post.
It is summer, but rumors of unseasonable pockets of winter in the Border Wood have drawn you to the small village of Heldren in the nation of Taldor. It’s surely no coincidence that this is the time when the Queen of Witches, Baba Yaga, is scheduled to return to the frozen land of Irrisen.
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Creation Guidelines:
-Sources: all Paizo-published; 3rd party on a case-by-case
-Level: 2 Gestalt
-Race: Any
-Class: Any
-Statistics: 25 point-buy.
-Alignment: No evil.
-Traits: 3, 1 of which must be a campaign trait.
-HP: Max every level
-Starting gold: 1000g
-Feats: 1 extra at 1st level; every even level gives a non-combat/non-metamagic feat
-Skills: Background Skills variant
-Items: Innate Bonus variant
-Free feats (if you qualify for them, you have them): Power Attack, Combat Expertise
The characters are intended to be high-powered as the party will be small and I also want to be able to have some 'kitchen sink' moments.
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Background:
Despite this being an adventure path,I'd like to personalize somethings for the characters. With that in mind... Not all of the following need to be answered, but are here to provide inspiration for both you and me:
-What was your childhood like?
-What is your relationship to the gods and religion?
-What is your physical appearance, bearing, mannerisms, and quirks?
-Do you have an easy way with strangers?
-Do you play well with others?
-What draws you to the life of an adventurer?
-Do you identify with a particular animal or element?
-What do you find creepy?
-What specific goals do you have, if any?
-What secrets do you have?
-What does someone else know about you that you do not?
-Do the ends justify the means?
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I'll be choosing only 3 players in order to keep the pace brisk, preferably at least 1 post/day on weekdays with the usual caveats. Assuming there is enough interest, the deadline is 11:59 pm, 1/8.
Prerequisite(s): No levels in a class that has the panache class feature.
Benefit: You gain a small amount of panache and the ability to perform a single 1st-level swashbuckler deed. Choose a 1st-level deed from the swashbuckler's deeds class feature; once chosen, this deed cannot be changed.
At the start of each day, you gain 1 panache point. Throughout the day, you can gain a number of panache points up to a maximum of your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). You can regain panache points as the swashbuckler's panache class feature. You can spend these panache points to perform the 1st-level deed you chose upon taking this feat as well as any other deeds you have gained through feats or magic items.
Other relevant stuff: Grit, luck, and panache represent three different means by which heroes can gain access to the same heroic pool, using it to accomplish fantastic feats. For characters with a mix of grit, luck, and panache, they pool the resources together into a combined pool. (Those who use panache and luck gain twice their Charisma bonus in their pool.) For feats, magic items, and other effects, a panache user can spend and gain luck points in place of grit or panache points, and vice versa.
One of my players is playing a Mysterious Stranger gunslinger and asked about this feat. Is there any rule preventing this combination?
It seems that this feat would double the character's grit pool (C=charisma). So, grit pool would be 2xC; and daily starting grit would effectively be C+1.
I'm not opposed to the idea even though it seems like a lot to gain for 1 feat (double pool + swashbuckler deed).
Another perspective: The character tracks both pools separately because "You can spend these panache points to perform the 1st-level deed you chose upon taking this feat as well as any other deeds you have gained through feats or magic items." Strict interpretation would prevent the panache from being spent on GS deeds.
This has the odd effect of making it so that crits and killing blows would replenish both pools simultaneously. Edit: This probably isn't accurate RAW since swashbuckler replenishes from melee weapon attacks.
I'm curious what other people think. Thanks for any opinions.
Located just north of the Border Wood in Taldor is the just-barely-a-village Heldren. It isn't part of any major trade routes, and also sits near the border of Qadira. Qadira is a wealthy nation that occasionally wages war on Taldor. The reason that the people of Heldren eke out their living here is not readily apparent. Above the treeline of the Border Wood, far off to the West, one can see the top of the snow-capped Three Tine Mountain. It is currently the height of summer, yet there is an odd chill to the air.
In the village, there is only one tavern, The Golden Hammer, which is located in the town square, directly across from the town hall. The Golden Hammer is homey and clean, run by a friendly husband and wife couple, the dwarves Roknard and Bruna. The venison stew is hearty and well-spiced, and the delicious Three Tine Ale is brewed in-house. The tavern is well-populated throughout the night and most of the gossip centers on the chill weather and rumors of non-native creatures running through the nearby Border Wood.
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Ulfrik: You have arrived this afternoon in the village of Heldren. Since you left home and headed south, there have been many inquiries as to your availability as a merchant guard. Your obvious Ulfen heritage has opened many doors in that regard and also allows you to charge a premiere rate. After only a little deliberation, you signed on with a minor merchant, Jack Goodman, a fat, jovial fellow who seems to live up to his name. Heldren is one of his stops. He indicated to you that you would have a couple of free days in town while he conducts his business before moving on.
You took him up on his recommendation to visit The Golden Hammer and find yourself ordering several helpings of the venison stew. The townsfolk are friendly and well-meaning, but are in obvious awe of your size and coloring. Several of the young men approach you to share a few words, but mostly seem to want to engage in arm wrestling contests. They take their losses in stride and are greatly amused by how easily you beat them, good-naturedly purchasing mugs of ale for you in order to fulfill their bets.
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Just before sundown, a trio enters The Golden Hammer, two men and a woman. Both men seem protective of the woman, and she keeps her hood up, perhaps to ward off the chill. One of the men is tall and tanned with shoulder-length black hair and green eyes; the second is slightly shorter with ebony skin and a heavily scarred face. His eyes are a striking blue that contrast with his skin tone. They take a table in the one corner that provides some shadow.
Dekkembe, Kai, Pacianna: While you had some concerns that you would attract attention in such a small village, providence has seen to it that the townsfolk are absorbed by a much 'larger' distraction.
---------------------
A few hours later, another trio enters the tavern. The three pretty young women that enter are laughing with each other and are clearly friends having a good time. The smallest one seems to be the leader of the group; a petite redhead with mismatched eyes and an abundance of personality. She is joined by two white-haired young women; one with mischievous eyes, and one that is slightly more reserved in her bearing.
Khaleesi, Sidhe, Sionna: You have arrived just before Roknard closes the kitchen, but in plenty of time to be served a few rounds of ale, should you wish to partake. There are still a few of the younger townsfolk lingering, and several of the young men give you respectful nods or inviting smiles.
Our game is going to start soon. I am very much looking forward to playing with all of you, new faces and... experienced.
The following is information for new and experienced players regarding the Play-by-Post(PbP) format.
----------------
The obvious part is that this is the discussion thread for our game. Its purpose is to have a place where all the players can put their out-of-character(ooc) talk. It helps keep the gameplay thread story-oriented and focused.
Have a funny out-of-character quip? Discussion thread.
Need clarification on something? Discussion thread.
Want to tell everybody what happened to you today? Discussion thread.
Letting people know that you can't post for a while? Discussion thread.
Etc.
----------------
How to format your text: Underneath the box where you can type in comments, replies, etc, there is a button labeled "Show". Click on it for a reminder.
Spoilers...:
Boo!
...are probably apparent as to what they do.
Bold text indicates what your character says aloud.
Italics indicates a character's thoughts.
Bold and smaller indicates a whisper.
Bold and italics indicates a telepathic message.
Out of character is unnecessary in discussion, but quite helpful for the gameplay thread.
----------------
Regarding spoilers: I know buttons are fun to push, but please be respectful of everyone's spoilers. If it isn't addressed to you, or doesn't indicate a message in a language that you know, don't look. Even if you think you can act as if you didn't have the ooc knowledge, it will be more fun to react without that knowledge.
----------------
Pro Tip: Everything in the Race and Class fields of your profile will show up underneath your avatar when you post.
It has been a century since the immortal witch Baba Yaga last visited the world, and the hour draws nigh for her return. But when she fails to appear in the frozen realm of Irrisen to usher in its newest ruler, pockets of winter begin to grow throughout the Inner Sea region. After 1,400 years of perpetual winter, the icy curse of Irrisen is spreading! What links do these strange blizzards and swaths of wintry landscapes have with Irrisen, and is there any truth to the growing rumors that the Witch Queen Elvanna has taken full control of the realm? Can her plans for the Inner Sea be thwarted, or will the Reign of Winter engulf the world?
This adventure will take place in the world of Golarion. While there are themes of winter and witchcraft, the world is full of mysteries that go far beyond these themes. There are unusual races such as the ifrit and dhampir, ancient ruins in the Mwangi jungles, and the once great island-continent of Azlant which saw the rise of the first human civilizations, but most of which sunk beneath the sea when the Starstone fell from the sky.
In short, I invite you to a world of Endless Wonder.
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You can read through the Reign of Winter Player Companion for inspiration, though you are not limited to the suggestions within it. I want you to feel compelled to tell the story of your character. The character is one to whom you will be bonded for quite some time. Therefore, there will not be a great many restrictions placed on creation. If you have a concept, I will help you to find a way to fulfill it within the rules. The following mechanical guidelines are those to which I will ask you to adhere:
-Sources: Paizo-published
-Level: 1
-Race: Any
-Class: Any
-Statistics: 25 point-buy. 17 max before racial modifiers. 8 min before racial modifiers.
-Alignment: No evil.
-Traits: 3, 1 of which must be a campaign trait.
-HP: Max for 3 levels. Then, you get half + half-roll. Example, fighters use a d10. They will get 5+1d5 hp.
-Starting gold: 150g
-Feats: 1 extra at 1st level
-Skills: 1 extra per level to be used on Craft, Profession, or Perform (not Perform for Bards)
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Houserules:
-At 4th level, each character may add +1 to every statistic; you may decline specific stat bumps if you wish
--Reason: An effort to alleviate the disparity between classes that rely on a single ability such as wizards, and those that rely on several, such as monks. Also, nobody gets left out completely regarding skills and saves.
-Racial spell-like abilities do not fulfill prerequisites for feats, classes, etc.
--Reason: Despite Paizo's endorsement, this just feels wrong to me.
-Wildblooded sorcerer bloodlines can be taken with Eldritch Heritage, though you cannot have both the wildblooded and parent bloodlines, such as Sage and Arcane.
--Reason: I find them balanced enough and they offer more customization.
---------------
Background:
I want us both to have a good sense of who you are, whether this comes in the form of a story or a list of questions that you answer. Who you will become is better left undefined. Not all of the following need to be answered, but are here to provide inspiration:
-What was your childhood like?
-What is your relationship to the gods and religion?
-What is your physical appearance, bearing, mannerisms, and quirks?
-Do you have an easy way with strangers?
-Do you play well with others?
-What draws you to the life of an adventurer?
-Do you identify with a particular animal or element?
-What do you find creepy?
-What specific goals do you have, if any?
-What secrets do you have?
-What does someone else know about you that you do not?
-What is your personal code of ethics and morality?
-Do the ends justify the means?
---------------
If you have any questions or suggestions, contact me.
