Voice of Awesomeness's page

Just an update,

I'm working on finishing my PC's in game post, as I think I might end up using him more as a DMPC than I had originally intended to help move stories forward.

Also, @ Urlrith, do you still want to keep your current story arc about the unknown undead threat? As I think I mentioned, I've come up with something that neatly ties together both your plot and the things I've hinted at.

Finally, I don't have a specific date I'll get this back up and running, aside from soon. Between work often calling me in for extra shifts(I got asked to work this past Tues, and I'm opening this morning instead of closing), and a busy summer(ren faire, comic cons, local events, etc), I don't wanna say I'll have things ready by X date if I'm not positive.

My suggestion is to take this time to work on adding to our overall shared world. Feel free to flesh out your local area, tell me what's currently goin on in your corner, work on a 2nd PC(like Crit), etc. I hope to ready again ASAP!

Indeed, that is exactly what happened. Allow me to fix that.

Attn: Godlings, the following are official adjustments to the Demigod capstone:

You may use the Sending spell as a standard action a number of times per day equal to 1 + whichever modifier you used to determine your followers.

Also, you can use the Sending spell to contact **any** of your cohorts or followers, not just the ones gained via Demigod.

@ Urlrith, why is the 7th daughter a follower? You can easily make her a cohort of a cohort:

Rinika also takes Leadership, with Mazzra as her primary cohort, and Zerarny has her Extra Cohort.

Zerarny is the youngest/7th daughter, yes?

Ugh, I hate the limits of quoting on here, lol So, I'm just gonna respond via numbers again, cuz I can't actually re-quote you:

1) Dynasty Founder is fine, but I *think* you get the +3 to your Leadership score, as that's part of the basic benefits for taking the feat.

Once you deal with all your sister's you'll get the benefits under the Completion section.

However, I have to ask, isn't Tyrant Matriarch Urlrith Tanor'Thym already able(and maybe have already done) all the different alterations to her city? And even if she hasn't or wants to alter something, does she really need Dynasty Founder to accomplish that?

I don't want you taking the feat just as a way to further boost your Leadership score.

2) Cool, thanks.

3) Yeah, you have Vile Leadership, which expressly states: "Once you take this feat, you cannot take the Leadership feat without retraining your feat selection)."

I'm saying you'll still get *one* bonus instance of Leadership(or, rather, maybe Vile x2) if you have the Demigod capstone of any of the Godling classes, but that's it. You can't gain any other extra Leadership feats. Not from The Boss, a Domain, an item, or anything else.

4) Nope! I made that clear rather early on in the recruitment, but Bolvar also missed/forgot about that, so no worries! It's part of the reason I said ya'll didn't need all your cohorts, followers, etc completely figured out in order to start playing. I am well aware that using the Epic chart means most PCs will have a heck ton of followers, lol

5) You can still have your 7 daughters, they just need to be cohorts of cohorts(obviously you're still Mommy, lol):

Zrikia is your primary cohort(I think). Rinika is your Extra Cohort. Tovzza is your bonus cohort, assuming you have the Demigod capstone(this actually works perfectly since she's a priestess).

That's 3 of the 7.

Zrikia then takes Leadership(she's level 19, so she has 19 feats), and chooses Anzzira as her cohort. Zrikia then takes Extra Cohort, for Tizzari.

That's five out of seven.

Rinika also takes Leadership, with Mazzra as her primary cohort, and Zerarny has her Extra Cohort.

There. Seven daughters as 7 cohorts.

Now, here's the fun part:

Zrikia is level 19, right? Her Leadership is 25, according to your section on the Daughters. Even without any boosts to that, that means her cohorts(according to the Epic chart) can be level 17. However, she can also take the Close Cohort feat(once) to have one of her two cohorts be level 18.

The same is true for all of your daughters. They all use that chart, not just the main PCs.

Word. There's a few thing ya need to fix:

1) That's the wrong Practiced Leadership(that one isn't allowed). This is the correct one.

2) Legendary Leadership isn't allowed. However, Wise Leader is. Note that it only applies to attracting followers.

3) I'm gonna rule that you can't get Leadership more than once, except in the express instance of the Godling capstone(possibly other sources as well, but the Leadership domain isn't one, nor is The Boss capstone, since it says you gain it if you don't already have it.). It was given to you as a bonus feat as part of the overall campaign, so you can't gain it again(it doesn't say you can take it more than once).

4) That being said, as I mentioned in the recruitment we are using the Epic Leadership chart. While the PCs are not above level 20, they are certainly epic heroes.

5) I am fairly certain I ruled that you can only take extra cohort once. However, your cohorts(and their cohorts, etc) can also take it.

6) Lastly, much like I asked Critzible, I'm gonna need you to properly format your character sheet. It's a mess to read atm.

o poop I forgot to add her level so her leadership score is

+20 level +20Wis +14 Modifiers/feats +2classes +4items = 60, capped at 25 but still

Leadership Score: = 36 looks about right for Bolvar :)

I still need this full breakdown from you. I need that full +14 broken down, tell me which classes give you the +2, and which magic items grant a +4.

So GM, I reading your blurb I am kind of confused. The only reason Kisyu-EL isn’t just marching into the army and mind controlling their general is because you explicitly told me before you would likely not allow it. But what would be the in game justification for her thinking she can’t? Like does she think it will attract the attention of an Actual God? Because realistically there’s no reason she would fear even a demon lord unless you are making extreme changes to their stat blocks. And her party has fought demigods before so she would know their ball park of strength

Just for comparison, Kisyu-EL’s enchantments are far more potent(in terms of DC and CL) than noticula’s and like noticula she can also bypass immunities.

So is this like a suspension of disbelief type thing?

Firstly, do not assume you know the stats or capabilities of any NPC. Even non named ones. The Nocticula you know the stats for is **not** the Nocticula I would use, were I need her in game for something. Likewise, for any other canonical NPC. I'm the GM, and I can cheat, as like I mentioned a while ago, I will be using sources and materials you players(or myself, for my PC) do not have access to.

Secondly, are you referring to the frost titan in the middle of the blizzard? Or the frost giant and the demons? I will not tell you how to play your PC, so if you think she should go and mind control one or both of them, feel free to make that attempt. You do not have any of this metagame out of character knowledge about how badass your enemies might be in game, so do whatever you think is best for your character.

Also, @ Lord Xia, ya gotta properly format your character sheet. I need spoilers for each section, at the least. Preferably also embolden everything, like I have on Vulpiano. It makes it far easier to read and find things.

Urlrith, do you have anything additional to add to Bolvar's above summery of the mass combat?

Shifting to a different character. Do they have to have done an AP?

As in, you're droppin Lord Xia? Or switching your secondary character?

If you're changing your primary character, that one should have completed an AP. Secondary ones do not need to have done so.

@ Bolvar & Urlrith,

Did the entirety of your followers take part in your battle? Also, since I'm unfamiliar with the mass combat rules(but don't mind ya'll using them) could one of you sum up the battle, it's results, and whether or not it pushed your narrative further along?

Hi GM could we try a test combat under spoiler and see how it goes,

I think at this level and what we are trying it could be fun to try.

What do you think Bolvar?

EDIT
** spoiler omitted **

Yeah, absolutely! If ya'll are up for it, and don't mind, feel free to include/involve other players as well.

I don't really know the mass combat rules, nor do I have any idea what you're facing/dealing with. Which, is normally not a problem and totally okay. This is the sort of game where the GM doesn't need to(or even isn't supposed to) know everything.

However, it does make it kinda difficult to make any sorts of rulings or give my okay on anything.

Still have an idea for this second character

Heck yeah!! Definitely allowed to play more than one PC!

I mean it’s simply the easiest way for Kisyu-EL and the one that has a 100% success chance. Would you allow her to simply tame a hallow lynx without magic using just her skills? If she can do so or help the noble she is allied with do so she would. The lynx’s are essentially made to be pets so I assume they can be domesticated normally.

Also come to think of it, I ran Kisyu-EL as a more practical good guy. Fighting for the good of the world and willing to sacrifice to defeat evil doers. But that also meant if you were evil and she couldn’t see any way of making you change for the better normally, she wouldn’t hesitate to bring you under her domination. After all, this way she can make sure you don’t do evil acts

Yeah, definitely, **especially** since you have Scared Grove to help you. Kisyu-El herself might not be able to, but SG absolutely can.

As a sort of FYI/reminder:

Both players and GMs don't need to roll dice for the most part unless they want to or feel they need to.

Using our two demideities as an example: I don't expect Bolvar(or myself as GM) to need to roll dice for anything related to dwarves or Torag. Nor for anything related to general crafting, however, he might want to roll if the subject is another race's weapons or armor. Ie, elven/orc/goblin/etc. Unless he maybe spent a few decades/centuries among them, learning their craft too.

Same with Urlrith, and the drow or Moloch. She might need to make rolls on other levels/areas of the Darklands(like the Vaults of Orv), or some obscure powers or places in Hell.

You can, of course, always roll to show off(absolutely nothing wrong in this sort of game!) or if you feel you need a chance for failure to spice up your story/scene. However, it's only ever gonna be required for when a GM is running something, and even then, only in instances where the outcome isn't or shouldn't be certain.

Gardolf, Xia, Aurora, please feel free to start posting in gameplay!

I have my own thoughts about the above spoiler from Bolvar, but I'll weigh in after Urlrith does.

@Kisyu-El: Yeah, that's fine, though I must admit, I find it a little amusing your first thought on how to get a loyal companion is "Dominate/mind control the evil out of it." Which, does not sound Good at all. Are you sure you're not an evil PC? lol

So, Panic.

From recruitment: "
We've both spent 1 narrative point...in areas that are fairly similar. You into the darklands to control more the region around her city. And me to revitalize the veins under Kravenkus so that it can once again be a functioning dwarven city.

I'm pretty sure that the two would be combined. One area, two benefits. :)"

------

Shall we pursue this? I'm very much open to ideas on how we go about it. Including it beginning as a "virulent undead shadow plague."

Just an FYI, you do not need to take my example as gospel. It was a random idea thrown out there. In this game ya'll have more or less as much say as I do when it comes to your own stories.

GM: I'd like to be clear as towards what is expected.

Should we be pursuing our own adventures? That is...for example...Johnny_Panic and I being...something like co-GMs, in telling a story with the two demigods? Or is this more of an introduction, where you will bring us together into a story being told with all of us? It'll really impact how this meeting scene plays out, and what the two of us need to do beforehand.

Both, actually. You guys(all players) can run and pursue your own adventures *and* I'll have my own things as GM too. However, it won't be anything like a typical adventure, but rather epic events/encounters that are suited for our legendary characters.

For example, let's say the 'mysterious threat in the Underdark' is some virulent undead shadow plague. You and Panic can run that entire plot to conclusion as you see fit. **Unless** the engineer of said plague is a demon lord or an epic level necromancer, at which point, I would handle the final encounter. This is a big aspect of the shared element of this game. You guys are all free to create and tell your own stories, accomplishing all sorts of massively heroic deeds. However, if you're intending to challenge foes of equal or greater power, take over a nation/planar layer, and similar truly epic goals, you need to let me know, so I can step in and help with that.

I'm not sure if Panic remembers(it was a **long** time ago), but he was part of the original Ambitious Hearts game, though I believe he joined a little later(possibly even after Dogblade, the first GM, went MIA). I also think that might have been the first game he and I shared together.

I'll be making a post later today that will reveal some of my ideas. None of them need to be acted upon, nor do all players need to be involved. Some will be tailored(at least, to an extent) to certain PCs and some will be more general. I will try to eventually have something specific for each PC, but that's gonna take some time/research/lore diving, and I wanna get my initial post up sooner rather than later.

I was chatting with a friend about this game and how I'm currently not allowing PCs to make use of 3pp systems like Spheres/PoW/etc as well as mythic. It made me realize something a bit interesting for game: Normally, I am of the opinion that the GM gets to 'cheat' and can make use of material the PCs can not. However, this is a shared narrative game, and even if I'm the only GM(Almonihah did mention he could help as well, but I won't hold him to that), I still want everyone's input on this:

Would it be okay for me, as the GM, to make use of Spheres/PoW/Psionics/Askaha and mythic for the BBEG when I run an epic event/encounter?

I am not nearly comfortable enough for several players to make use of them at such a high level of gestalt play, but I am okay with making some use of them myself. However, if ya'll think that's unfair and don't agree, I am also completely okay with not using any of those rules whatsoever.

I'm gonna repost what the original GM had said about this game in his discussion as a reminder to everyone as to how this game will work:

The story will begin with an introduction from myself, after which PCs will begin telling their tales. After a time when characters have established themselves and their place in the world narrative I will introduce the first epic event, after it’s resolution the tale will go back to individual stories, than at an appropriate time the next event will begin etc.

Being largely a cooperative narrative story the game will function more like a series of linked novellas than a rules heavy dungeon crawl with a united party and the DM making all narrative world decisions.

The most important things to keep in mind in this game is to always play nice with your fellow story tellers and that you can do whatever you like with the game world, only needing a nod from me if you are fundamentally changing an organization or using an epic element (which I will usually grant unless I need that element for one of the Events or it will obviously be disruptive to others players stories, in which case a conversation must take place about how it will all work.)

The best way I can think of explaining it at the moment is that the game is spilt into more or less two distinct parts that cycle to keep the games energy up, the group roleplay part and the more classic DM run adventure part.

In the group roleplay part you are narrating the personal story and perspective of your character. Likening it to writing a novel or just talking to yourself is a fair criticism but it’s not meant to be a strictly solo endeavor unless you want it to be, mixing narratives and entertaining each other by taking the role of NPCs and setting encounters for each other is also standard fair. This part of the game tends to be rules light. Another big (and fun) part of this is developing the relationships between the PCs if the choose to interact.

In the adventure part the game shifts into more classic D&D mode where the rules matter, the DM sets the scene and the event has a beginning, middle and end. Players are not forced to participate in the adventures but they make for a more crunchy and exciting segue between what is typically the more dramay and angsty story lines of the group role-play part.

This particular game is meant to be based around the theme of ambition, with each character working towards their dream and narrating their perspective and each epic event being based in some way around the theme as well…i.e. ambition run wild and dark, what will you do to achieve your dreams? etc.

Two things I guess I should make more clear is that limited DM interaction during the group roleplay style is not no interaction, I will be involved, I just won’t be dictating anything and secondly there is no limited on how much you can wrap your stories in with the other PCs or even just use the other PCs to control certain elements, you don’t need to tell your story alone unless that’s what floats your boat. For example, in one game I am DMing right now the story is based around a group of countries with each player playing a ruling family, in this story every PC controls NPCs in every other players court and we cycle around the focus for maximum storytelling fun with occasional breaks for I the DM to bring in outside threats or complications to the kingdoms, all in all it seems to work very well.

****************************

I will be making an in game post regarding news, events, rumors, etc that are happening out in the world. Most of them will be plucked from various APs(including the ones we PCs have completed), so it will probably take me a few days of reading/lore diving before I make it.

In the meantime, feel free to tell your own stories, or wait for me to make said post.

Voice of Awesomeness wrote:

Important question before I make my ruling:

Even if ya don't need to worry about material costs, you're still bound by how long it takes to cast the spell, right? Ie, 459 years, or some such nonsense? lol

Also, how would that change if you could cast it 4/day? And, do you have any allies/minions/cohorts, etc that can also cast the spell?

First yes: still bound by time. It will take centuries to finish the full demiplane. For the cubic mile sized demiplane, it would be slightly under 459 years. It seems very long but she could have began around the same time the runelords began constructing their rune wells and finishing it during the period after earthfall.

Ah well theoretically 4/day would be the max as the spell takes 6 hours per casting. The time would merely get cut in half.

However, practically 2/day is the maximum and she will receive no help from her allies/minions/cohorts. The only reason she can do this reliably is because as a cyclopean seer, she can select her desired result from the wild magic table with flash of insight. She can only use flash of insight like this 2/day. Her cohorts are not cyclopean seers and neither is Sacred grove. So while technically, Yleth and sacred grove have the slots for it, they won’t be able to cast it for free. And at this scale, any casts they can manage would be expensive and inconsequential.

So she is the only one who can make use of this wild magic trick

After thinking it over, and realizing that other PCs didn't pay for their cities, strongholds, nations, etc, I'm not gonna make you pay for the permanency spells needed to build your demiplane. This includes any castings of the spell via your allies/cohorts/minions, etc.

*However*, as I've said elsewhere to both you and others, don't abuse this. Make it as big and full of awesome stuff as you want, but no abusing time/magic traits or other such shenanigans one might get up to in their own personal plane.

Important question before I make my ruling:

Even if ya don't need to worry about material costs, you're still bound by how long it takes to cast the spell, right? Ie, 459 years, or some such nonsense? lol

Also, how would that change if you could cast it 4/day? And, do you have any allies/minions/cohorts, etc that can also cast the spell?

Let me start of by saying I suck at math, lol Water and electricity mix better than math and I. Also, I'm not fully rested and my tinnitus is bothering me.

That said, Create Greater Demiplane allows you to create a plane that is twenty(20) 10ft cubes per level. Which, seems like even just one casting would be bigger than your 130x130x130ft cube? Heck, even the lesser version should be bigger than that(again, I think, and I suck at math, lol) cuz that's three(3) 10ft cubes per level.

How did you get 130ftx130ftx130ft?

Either way, with just your extra 150k gold, you can make six(6) castings of the greater version permanent.

Discuss all of your heroic(or catastrophic) deeds here! And ya know, normal ooc topics, lol

Could people please do me a huge favor?

Can you each make a special section(preferably spoiled) that lists which of the 3 unique powers you took, as well as what you spent your bonuses earned from your background? Also, if you spent any of the NHP, please include on what.

@Critzible, could you properly format your sheet/background? It's very hard to read atm.

Well when you put it like that, that does seem a lot, haha

That is down to me leaving stuff in that was form an old build
Which true should have come out but I seem to have cut an pasted an old built in. But can be fixed, Cool thanks for the feedback, ok I will sort all them,

I used Damnation feats in her build Damnation feats Which is a critical part of my PC build as its part of her deal with Archdevil, Moloch.

While I appreciate copy/pasta errors, that does nothing to address my 11 concerns/questions I have. I need ya to reply to them all(even if it's to just say 'heard, fixing') so I know you've read them and acknowledge them all.

@Kisyu-El: I did a quick perusal earlier, and most everything seems fine. Due to narrative nature of this game, I'm not gonna pick a part people's profiles to make sure all your math maths, and your numbers are right.

@Fury: Oh good! I was worried we lost ya!

@Kit: All good buddy, I know ya've been sick. Take your time.

*******************************

As an important reminder:

Due to the incredibly narrative nature of this game, you do *not* need to have your stat block 100% finalized to begin playing.

You should have at least a general idea of what you're capable of, but you don't need every single skill rank assigned, feat chosen, spell book filled out, etc in order to start posting.

However, if you're a caster focused on metamagics or a legendary swordsmen you should have the basics covered:

Your favorite metamagic or sword focus feats.

The main spells you cast or typical attack routine. You don't need exact numbers, but if generally charge into combat, make a whirlwind attack, and then disarm or sunder opponents weapons while mixing in normal attacks(obviously not necessarily all in the same round, lol), you should note that.

Primary talents, tricks, powers, etc.

And of course, your main weapon/armor or caster boosting item.

Or whatever else you deem to be a core aspect of your build.

Gm I have to many Alts for her sheet, I am moving everything over to an ALT called DROW COURT in which I will place her family and Followers that make up the Court of the Evil Queen. Not all are drow, some sunlanders and other great dark lands races are there as well. Urlrith Tanor'Thym may be a tyrant but she is not "Cruelty for cruelty's sake" that is just wasteful.

EDITED:
I wanted to place all the NPCs and followers with in the city, and the priestess of the Cult of Archdevil, Moloch {note: Those none live stock sacrificed at the temple are exclusively condemned criminal or willing supplicants facing death from another cause seeking a pinless and blessed end.

EDITED:
Can I ask at what point do you think A PM will come, I have big plans now to flesh out a Drow city with my PCs followers but also NPCs with in the city.

EDITED:
To other players you may have visited the city as its open to all as a free trade port to all who can pay taxes and trade within the city laws.

I started to look over your sheet, and I've noticed some problems:

1) You took both HOP feats, **and** are a Noble Drow(which you traded for a template). You only get one of special powers/unique gifts.

2) You have a martial tradition(Hounds of Hell) and at least one maneuver(Armageddon's Lance, which you don't even have the 3 requisite Black Seraph maneuvers known to take). Path of War is a banned system.

3) You also seemed to have taken the addition capstone unique gift, since you have both True Faith and Demigod listed as class features. Again, you're only allowed one of those special powers.

4) You have 3 Legendary Domains listed, even though Planar Envoy has you give up the domain you gain at first level.

5) You have an item cohort, gained via magic item possession. I didn't approve of those rules nor did you ask me about them.

It also seems like the weapon is a mythic item? We aren't using mythic rules just yet.

Even if it's not mythic, I'm going to have to say no to a bound devil magic item cohort familiar companion? There's way too many things going on there to properly figure out if that's balanced or not.

6) Where are you gaining this from?

Your alignment is always revealed as being this false alignment. You immediately know when someone is attempting to use a spell or special ability to learn your alignment. You learn the name and alignment of the creature using the effect. Additionally, you can choose any alignment as the result returned by the spell or ability.

7) How are you immune to fire, electric, and poison?

8) What are MBA/RAB?

9) How do you have 30 faith points? Half you level is 10 + your Wis mod(+10) should be 20.

10) Where you getting the two resistances to cold and sonic +5 from? Along with what I assume is a mind blank bonus(the +8 resistance bonus, which you know doesn't stack with your inherent +5 to all saves resist bonuses from ABP, right?)

11) You have a bunch of magic tattoos that are duplicating magic items, which appear to be slotless. You know you have to pay double for a slotless item, right?

If they aren't slotless, what's the point of calling them 'magic tattoos'? Is that just a weird flavor thing, and they're actually normal magic items?

*************************

I think that's most everything for right now, which is already a heckin lot.

Alright both my two important non-follower background are up for you to look up GM. i also wrote 10-minute backgrounds for both. I am not sure if you have watched doctor who but i think i did an ok job porting bits of his backstory to a more fantasy setting.

will do the crunch of my character now.

Read over your backstory last night. Was gonna PM ya, but I have some questions and it was too late to get them all sorted to ask. I'll message ya later today.

I have had a **awful** day today battling a really unpleasant head cold. I barely sleep last night, as my tinnitus was really bad in both ears. I've spent a lot of the day just resting, sleeping when I can, and doing a whole lot of nothing.

I had fully intended to open game play today, but brain no worky good, lol

@ Aurora and Kisyu, I'll try and PM you both tomorrow(Friday, the 6th), once I'm able to hopefully think straight again.

Have I gotten a PM as I have weird issues with my PMs on here?

Not yet, I had missed your post with your alias when I was skimming through them the other night. I'll try to message you later today. I'm still not feelin the best atm, and I've got work this afternoon, so hopefully once I'm home, I can shoot ya a message.

@Kisyu0-El: Oops, I legit forgot you had asked me that. I had only replied to your follow up PM. Apologies!

Yeah, I suppose that would be okay. Just remember, you don't **have** to spend them before game. Aside from the mechanical boosts, you could always use one to ask for a personal story arc/quest(beyond the general scope of the game) from myself or one of the other GMs.

***********************

Speaking of, is there anybody else who is willing to help run this? As this is a rather non standard game, you won't necessarily have traditional GM responsibilities. Mainly, you'll assist me in running any epic events/encounters, help run any personal quests, and help resolve any potential player(ooc) conflicts.

As a reminder(or if somebody hasn't read the original post), this is basically how this game is gonna work in terms of players & GM(s):

Unlike an average game where the DM controls all the NPCs and environments players will have the ability to control not only their PC but all the PC’s minions and most NPCs, monsters and set pieces in the world, having far greater narrative power than in a typical game to tell their character’s personal tale. In addition you can work with other players to mix tales and roleplay with each other if you wish.

My primary duties as DM will be to answer player questions, moderate any player conflicts and grant access to epic content and epic character advancement, as well as setting occasional epic encounters and adventures.

I believe I have sent out PMs to all those who have a completed alias(not sheet, just a profile for their character) and background, going over how many NHP they've earned, along with any questions/suggestions I might have had.

If I somehow missed ya, comment here as your alias, and I'll see if there's a reason why I didn't send ya a message yet.

For those whoa are still working on their sheets and backgrounds, take your time! We're in no hurry, and as I said above to Ouachitonian, you don't need to be 100% done to start posting. Even 50% or so will likely be enough.

So, I started a new job this week. Gotta pay for gaming somehow, right? Unfortunately, that's also probably going to slow down finishing out this character. I still plan to. But it might end up being a "Y'all start without me, I'll show up later." kind of thing, GM permitting. But hopefully not.

Indeed, grats!

I won't be officially starting this game till Thurs(probably). I had intended to today, but a bad had cold, and barely any sleep took most of my day away.

That said, the beauty of this game is that you don't need a fully fleshed out character to start playing. What you have is plenty. That said, if you're still unable to join us atm, you're totally able to join up later as well! Whatever works best for ya!

Counting myself, there's currently 9 players, with a few others who have yet to reply to my above post asking for the 'mini bio'. Thus:

I AM CURRENTLY CLOSING RECRUITMENT TO BRAND NEW PLAYERS. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED INTEREST YOU ARE SAFE.

I forget if it was on the same post as all the bonus Leadership feats, or a different one, but I did say that you can have both a monstrous companion and a cohort.

Of course, you could also make your monstrous companion your cohort, lol.

Also, just an FYI, I've read everybody's PMs, but haven't gotten a chance to reply yet. I got called into work a couple hours early (cuz I'm awesome) so y'all gonna need to wait till later tonight or possibly tomorrow for replies.

I'm gonna start PMing players about some stuff, starting with the legendary and esteemed Bolvar.

If you do not get a PM tonight, it's only cuz it's already 2:15am for me, and I need sleepies soon.

GM did you see my latest PM?

I did! I'm slowly makin my way to replying to it!

Lapyd here - still a work in progress on the crunch, but almost completing. It's just quite tough to build, so my apologies on the delay.

Character Name:

Areelu Vorlesh (Tiefling)

Classes (include levels in a PrC):

Legendary Shifter / Shapemaster / Eldritch Godling

Adventure Path Completed:

Wrath of the Righteous

Currently based in/out of:

The Ruins of Threshold (Sarkoris)

OH! I see we're not being secretive any more!

@ Everyone else:

Uh, surprise! LOL One of your fellow PCs is the real, actual, legit Areelu Vorlesh, architect of the Worldwound!

What was the final word on Monstrous Companion? I was thinking a Sphinx of some sort. The good sphinxes are just off the top of the chart (where no one can take them unless they have more than 20 class levels, bizarrely. Why put them on the chart?). Seems like the obvious solutions would be either to replace the Effective Druid Level side of the chart with Leadership Score (allowing us to surpass the max of 20 on the listed chart), or else to replace the Effective Cohort Level side with CR of the creature (the existing numbers scale oddly and don't seem to correspond neatly to anything that I can see). Without one of those solutions, there's a bizarre number of monsters given an ECL that we can never reach. (Only a couple on the linked chart, but the various Bestiaries have appendixes with more 'choices' that have numbers higher than the max of 12.)

I think the easiest thing to do is just pick which Sphinx you want, and it's your Monstrous Companion. That chart(and others) are too nonsense to try and figure out. We're both high enough level, and a lot more powerful than a standard 20th level PC. You want a Sphinx minion? You got it. Just tell me which one, and we'll work on how to empower it.

I'm here to have fun, not get bogged down in useless drivel.

Saint Isma of the Sand wrote:

As we have a dragon based PC, I'm going to redesign my PC,

GM Voice, can I ask, could I take in place of Template
Noble Drow?,
She will be LN.

Sorry to ask again,

Character Name:
Matriarch Urlrith Tanor'Thym (Noble Drow)

Classes(include levels in a PrC):
Legendary Cleric {Law}/Clever Godling

Adventure Path Completed:

Second Darkness {or council of thieves of that has gone}

Currently based in/out of:
Realm of endless night - {City of Zirnakazras} lost {now found} sister city with the city of Zirnakaynin

My thinking is that, as this is a shared narrative game, every good story needs a good Anti-hero. Someone to who does bad for good. A complex character who is not a 2d Baddie like a Bond Villain. Someone who as this moment And choose to not be what fate set out for them. That is the Idea behind Matriarch Urlrith Tanor'Thym. Is she good is she bad, she does good things but in a bad way? Bad things but in a good way? Never to harsh never to mean. And beatable, Not a Mary sue PC where is the believability and fun in that, a good Anti-hero needs to have vulnerabilities and weakness which she has. Her realm is a trade city, she understands the complexity of being a tyrant leader with the responsibility of keeping the plumbing working for a whole city. Of keeping a lid on political maneuvering to as to keep the status quo. What it is to be a ruler with all the responsibilities that come with that. Trusted underlings who go out and do her bidding. She cares about her city, very much in the mold of Lord Havelock Vetinari, Lord Patrician of the city-state of Ankh-Morpork, from the Diskworld books, she shares his mind set, Lord Vetinari's political philosophy can be summed up by his belief that what people wish for most is not good government, or even justice,...

The reason I haven't replied to a lot of your posts is that by the time I do, you've already changed your concept, or you've edited your post, which I somehow miss. Stop doing that. If you have to add in an edit, please do so like this: *EDIT*

Don't get me wrong, I want you to play whichever character(within the confines of the rules) not only most appeals to you, but which also be the most fun for you to play. I definitely understand how difficult it can be to settle on said concept.

When I first started thinking about this game, I knew I wanted to play a member of House Arvanxi. I have a borderline obsession with them(unsure why, other than I played one PC who belonged the House, had a lot of fun with him, and it kinda snowballed from there). Wasn't sure at first if I wanted to reprise one of my existing PCs or make up a brand new. It took me some time(many days) to settle on Magnius, the aforementioned first Arvanxi I played.

However, after that, it took me at least a week(probably longer) to settle on his classes/build. Originally, he was a multiclass Inquisitor/Investigator, however, I've played that concept(differently) a few times. I also played a L. Investigator/Scholar(Spheres of Might, so not allowed here) build before(with a dumb high Heal), so I wanted to be at least somewhat different this time around. At one point, I was considering some sort of Shadow Savant(from LG) Vigilante, cuz I thought having a bunch of shadow spies would be kinda awesome for the guy who's become the interim head of Arvanxi. However, that didn't feel right to me. I eventually settled on his current classes(L. Investigator/Archivist from OBP) but I still needed to to figure out his role. Not just in the game, but also in the House. Who was Magnius now? My initial idea was to make him sort specialize in force spells, and general utility(which, I still might do, in part), and just sorta be a "Yeah, I can do that" concept. But, that also didn't feel right, and didn't really give him a purpose. I finally struck upon who and what I wanted him to do/be: The House diplomat/ambassador/mediator. The guy who sways people to their line of thinking, who forges alliances, convinces enemies to become allies or talks allies into betraying their friends.

I won't even tell you about how long it took me to figure out what his first feat was gonna be, but suffice to say, that too was a several days long struggle, LOL

**Anyways**, if this Drow Noble is your final concept, thumbs up. Don't worry so much about being good, evil, or anti-hero. All 3(and more) are okay for this game. There is definitely real baddies to deal with, so play whichever alignment/build is gonna make ya happy.

So I'm trying to calculate my leadership score. 20 (level)+8(CHA)+...here's where it gets hard.

Great Renown? I mean, our characters are all probably famous heroes for the events of the AP they completed, right? +2

Fairness and generosity? Well, dragons are not famously generous, but mine is LN, so fairness absolutely. call it a wash for +0, I think.

Special Power? Again I think that's a yes for all of us. +1

Failure? I beat an AP! That's the opposite of failure! +1?

Aloofness? I mean...I'm a dragon. You mortals are crunchy and good with ketchup. Probably -1 here.

Has a Stronghold? I rule a kingdom! (albeit a small, fledgling kingdom. But still.) +1

So I think 30 is fair? Anyone else have thoughts? Am I forgetting something?

Also, GM, can I take an Azer cohort or follower? Seems appropriate since you visit the City of Brass during Legacy of fire. And I need a smith in my household (not that I actually wear armor or use weapons. Maybe my followers do.) They're CR 2, but I can easily subtract 2 class levels to compensate.

Thanks for asking this! I had meant to make a post regarding all the various bonuses to Leadership we should probably have:

All PCs(unless it goes against your concept, which is fine, just please point it out) are considered to have achieved Great Renown, Special Power, Great Success(+2), and has a stronghold(or some rough equivalent).

*If* your PC has founded a kingdom, rules(or helps rule) a city, or is otherwise in (co)charge of a similar large area, you get +3 to your Leadership. Also, because of our level of power, success, and general fame, there's no penalty for moving around a lot.

As for your specific questions not already answered:

Are you generous to your followers, or the people of your kingdom? If so, +2. If not, +1.

How hands off is your dragon? Not just with his kingdom and it's people, but with Golarion in general?

You can definitely take an Azer has a cohort, or to make up some of your followers. However, we're EPIC PCs, if you're gonna go hard, might as well go HECKIN HARD AF! What about a Fire Giant or a similar, powerful monster as your cohort/smith?

As we've had a few character changes, along with a couple of new players, can I get an updated post on who your character is(classes, race), what AP they've completed, and at least a rough idea of where they are currently based?

If you have an alias already set up, feel free to post as them.

Please the same format I am:

Character Name:

Lord Magnius Arvanxi(Human)

Classes(include levels in a PrC):

Legendary Investigator/Archivist(from Orphaned Bookworm Productions)

Adventure Path Completed:

Curse of the Crimson Throne(please use the full name of the AP, so there's no confusion)

Currently based in/out of:

Westcrown, Cheliax

I honestly have no idea, lol

The table for Leadership is likewise unhelpful(or maybe that was the one you meant?).

What are you lookin to take as your Monstrous Companion? We might need to ad-hoc it.

Huh, so if I make sure to add Alfred, Commissioner Gordon and Dr Thompkins in my backstory and give them a quick covering in terms of stats, I'll be getting extra feats?

Neat. I would enjoy having 6 extra discoveries to play around with!

Weren't you already at around 8 or so NPCs with the Bat Family? Not that you shouldn't also add Alfred, Gordon, and Thompkins, but I feel like you're already got the bonus feats(should you write all the others up), lol

And yes, you can take 6 extra discoveries, but, I wanna remind you(and everyone else, for that matter), that this is a highly narrative **and** shared game. Try to be reasonable and not abusive with what you take.

Not only are you going to be telling your own stories, but you're going to be potentially taking part in the other player's as well. Maybe Magnius(my PC) needs Batman's help hunting down a mysterious mad scientist who is threatening to unleash a crazy plague in Westcrown, or perhaps Bolvar needs your help finding a cure for a curse that's turning all the women of child bearing age into stone statues.

As I said early on, and thus am going to repeat it here for all the new player:

"If you find yourself cackling madly while making a PC who can more or less do it all, and thus ruin other player's fun/stories, perhaps this game isn't for you."

This is also why I haven't given the PCs benchmarks or hard caps on stats. They don't really matter most of the time, other than to have a rough idea on what you're capable of for the sake of what stories you can tell. If you're more or less a mage with very poor physical scores and no spells to boost your combat abilities, you're probably not gonna be writing tales of you being swashbuckling Zorro stand-in.

Also, also, I'm sorry if this comes across as picking on you Fury. Definitely not! You're just the first person to be all giddy for the extra mechanical benefits from my above post, so this is a reminder to everyone.

Goodness. I already didn't think I was going to finish more than bare outlines of important cohort/follower/npc types. This? This is *a lot*.

It is, however, it's also entirely and completely optional. Well, the additional background elements, at least.

As long as do the basics(which you have), you'll get:

1) Two extra Legendary Gifts.
2) 50,000 extra gold.
3) The initial two NHP.

You've also already earned an additional 50,000g cuz you established your own realm/kingdom in your backstory. Well, almost. Give me a bit more detail about it(like a name, for starters, lol), and you're golden(ha!).

And those 'bare outlines for cohorts/followers' could very likely be all that you need to get some of those bonus feats.

@Lapyd, I am lookin forward to reading it! It's currently open on my browser, I'm just finishin up a few other things first. I'm excite!!

Also, if you need help with your crunch, I'm very willing to do so!

As I've mentioned a few times, I've been working on something rather special and unique for this game that will allow players to take advantage of the narrative aspect of this game.

Presenting, Narrative Hero Points & Benefits:

Narrative Benfits:

I want to encourage you all to write up some amazing backgrounds that better tie your PCs into the world at large. Thus, I am going to give the following bonuses based on said backgrounds:

1) For just writing your basic background, you get +2 Legendary Gifts. If you also create a 10 minute background, you’ll get another +2 Legendary Gifts(If you spent the first two on ability scores, the second two can’t be spent on the same).

2) For every named NPC(beyond your cohorts/followers) you create(vs ones that already exist in the setting), you gain an extra feat(capped at 3). For each of these NPCs, you may choose to write up a 10 minute background for them. Every one you do gains you an additional feat(for a total of 6, if you create three unique, named NPCs each with a 10 minute background).

Aside from name, you need race, class/levels, gender, and a brief(couple sentences) description/background/personality to qualify for the extra feats. Obviously, these are in addition to the TMB, should you decide to write them as well.

3) For every significant event you take part in(including the finale of your AP, but no other events within, no matter how important), you earn an extra 50,000g(Max 150,000g or 3 such events). However, it can only be spent on your cohorts, followers, or otherwise not directly on yourself.

In order for an event to count, it needs to be roughly equivalent to the finale of an AP. Examples include founding a new kingdom, defeating a unique, named foe of rough same CR, a major wedding, establishing or taking over a guild, etc. You also need to write at least a paragraph detailing the event.

4) Should you complete all three of the above in their entirety, you will gain one extra Narrative Hero Point.

Narraitve Hero Points:

These are special Hero Points(HP) PCs will earn for completing various significant, important events in game. You will also start with two, unless you complete all of the above narrative background tasks. Unlike normal Hero Points, there won’t be a limit to how many you can have at once, though they will be a lot more difficult to obtain than standard HP. Aside from possibly earning them via any GM run epic event, you might earn a HP via taking part in/completing a significant event(see 3 above) on your own. Should you feel a given event is significant enough to warrant a HP, either make a comment in discussion or PM me(or both), specifically letting me know that you want me to review an event to be awarded a HP. I know this is a little non-standard, but this whole game is non-standard, lol I promise I won’t be a jerk and will generally approve HP for a given scene/event.

Now that I’ve explained NHP, and how to earn them, let’s talk about how you can spend them. As I said above, you start the game with at least two. You may spend them before game starts in the following ways(these are all subject to GM approval):

1) Gain a minor artifact or other important magic item from the AP you’ve completed.

2) Have a unique, named NPC(aside from the BBEG) from your AP become your cohort. If you spend both NHP on this, they will be a bonus cohort in addition to the ones you gain from Leadership and other feats. This can apply to any NPC, even ‘monstrous’ ones, and can include evil NPCs that you’ve either redeemed or are still evil but aligned with you for some reason(give me a good explanation).

3) Gain a unique creature(dragon, outsider, giant, etc) as an ally. While this creature will generally be yours to control, I might ‘borrow’ it for my own purposes(which might be opposed to your own, depending on who and what this ally is). Unlike with a cohort, this ally can be equal to you or even a bit above your CR. As always, be reasonable.

4) Gain one of the boons or special benefits available via an NPC from your AP.

5) Anything else that is the rough equivalent to the above.

Once gameplay starts, you may spend NHPs similar to normal hero/luck/action points:

1) You may spend one NHP to gain advantage on every roll you make until the start of your next turn. You also add +4d8 to each of your rolls.

2) By spending one NHP, you may immediately take a turn, potentially interrupting an enemy’s action. You may take any and all actions you could during your normal turn. Should you use this benefit to interrupt a foe, any actions they take in response to you or for their turn after yours suffers from disadvantage, along with a -4d8 penalty.

3) You can spend one NHP to recover all uses of a limited class feature/feat/special ability and 4d8 spell levels worth of spells spent. If you do not cast spells or haven’t cast any spells yet, you may instead heal yourself for 4d8+your level+double your Con(or Cha, if you lack a Con score) mod. Should you be at full health, you gain 100 temporary hit points.

4) You may undo events of one full round per NHP spent. Unlike the ‘undo misfortune’ of Wish, this completely resets the round. Any damage dealt goes away, anybody(friend or foe) killed is ‘brought back to life’, limited resources expended are restored, etc.

5) By spending two NHP, you may cheat death. You must spend these points after you have actually died(regardless of how). You are then brought back to life as if by a True Resurrection spell, all of your limited resources are restored, and you are invincible for one full round. Nothing may harm you, unless it originates from a deity or similar power.

If you use this option to return from death via old age, you are not invincible a full round, but you may add 50d8 years to your maximum age. Aka, you’ll live for another 50-400 years.

6) If you spend at least 5 NHP, you may enter a special Final Stand state. For a number of full rounds equal to the NHP spend on this, you gain advantage on every roll made and add +4d8 to each one. You do not waste any limited resources during this time, you may cast spells modified by any metamagic feats you know without increasing time or spell slot, and every attack you make is automatically confirmed to be a critical hit. You also heal 4d8+your level+double your Con(or Cha, if you lack a Con score) mod every round spent in this state.

However, immediately after this state ends, you die, regardless of your actual state of health. You may not use the Cheat Death option of NHP to avoid this/come back to life, nor may normal spells(even Wish/Miracle) resurrect you. Only deities or major artifacts or similar powers can bring you back to life. This will always involve a quest or major favor done on behalf of the deity first.

7) Finally, you may spend one NHP for a Narrative GM favor. This can be anything from a special boon or blessing from your deity, to requesting aid from powers far greater than yourself, to any other sort of unique benefit that doesn’t fit any of the above uses of a NHP. You can also request your own special, personal quest/story arc for something beyond the normal scope of the campaign. Maybe you wanna obtain an artifact, defeat a specific foe, or begin the ascension to godhood. All of that, and more can be requested from me(or another GM).

@VoA, more equipment buying question...

1) Can you buy combined magic items? Boots of Friendly Terrain cost 2400 gp. But there are 10 terrain types (not including planes; got something else for that). I can buy 10 pairs of shoes (and get real practiced at changing shoes) for 24000 gp, or can I buy a combined item Boots of All Terrains for 34800 (2400+9*1.5*2400)? How about combining a Frontovik’s Gas Mask 17000 gp, a Helm of the Mammoth Lord 12750 gp (+50% price for combined item), and a Circlet of Persuasion 6750 (+50% price for combine item), total 36500 gp?
2) WRT to crafting, with the leadership, and thus cohorts, does the PC have to do the crafting, or can it be a cohort?

1) Yeap! I thought I mentioned this awhile ago, but yes, you can absolutely combine items and/or make custom ones using the Magic Item Creation rules.

2) I will say yes, tentatively, and with the caveat of do not abuse this. Please no making a master craftsman cohort with all the crafting feats, arcane and divine casting, etc so you can cheese the heck outta the system.

Is it a requirement to claim an AP that was finished? If so…and if it isn’t taken, then I suppose Ironfang Invasion would make the most sense given that it involves the safety of a dwarven sky citadel.

It is not a requirement, just a strong suggestion to help encourage people to more deeply tie their PCs to the overall setting. Since this is a narrative game where people are going to be telling their own stories(along with whatever we do together as a group), I figured having the background of a completed AP could be rather useful.

That said, should you wish to include an AP, I don't believe II has been claimed yet(and, as I said before, PCs can share an AP).