My apologies - I must withdraw my interest for the time being :( My RL busyness end date has been indefinitely extended past April 8th. If it ends sooner rather than later I’ll check back here, but that seems unlikely at this point.
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Not bad. Do you know the books they came from? I know I have all first edition lost omens books. Per the archives of nethys prd (I own none of these books): Varisian Free-Style Fighter - Pathfinder Player Companion: Weapon Master's Handbook pg. 7Slippery - Pathfinder Chronicles: Faction Guide pg. 62 Antiquities Smuggler - Pathfinder Player Companion: Inner Sea Primer pg. 16
@EltonJ: Any objections to the following?
No.
Nice. Will have submission up this weekend. Basic concept is a martial melee character (swordsman) interested in the arts, possibly associated with House Phiarlan or Thuranni. Fair warning - I'm quite busy in RL through the first week of April, so may not be able to fully participate in gameplay until April 8th. If this will effectively rule me out of serious consideration, please let me know.
Interested. Love Eberron. Character creation guidelines and submission deadline/desired campaign start date?
My submission - spoilers are to avoid wall o' text, not to imply any secrecy :) Name: Osseus Mercari
Background/Backstory:
Ossues grew up care-free as the only child of a successful merchant. When he came of age he joined his father on the road; on his very first trip their caravan was attacked by bandits and Ossues badly wounded. Blood loss rendered him unconscious, and in that darkness he heard a strange click-clack cadence. He awoke to find his father and a stranger by his side - a healer from a foreign land traveling with the caravan. When he told what he’d heard, the stranger grew quiet and troubled. ”The Bone Song,” he whispered.
The sound filled the young man's dreams, and after much badgering the stranger indicated a place, far past the caravan’s normal route, where he might learn more. When the caravan reached its destination he told his father he would follow this "Bone Song" to the city the stranger indicated, and bid him farewell. After leagues of travel he reached the place, and there found whom he sought. The cult of Old Bones initiated him into their ways, teaching him the percussive language of the Bone Song, and the wisdom of the Tenets of Bone. He's served there as an acolyte ever since, until he received a certain letter regarding a childhood friend…
The Cult of Old Bones:
“Long ago when the world was new and the gods had not yet settled their places amongst themselves, the first member of the first race died. What manner of creature this was has long since been forgotten by the mortal world. In their squabbling the gods did not notice, and so it’s spirit was left trapped in it’s body. First came Wind, swift and stealthy, and stole away the creature’s final breath. Next came Sun, baking and boiling away the creature’s blood and humours. Then came Rain, washing away the creature’s skin and flesh. Try as they might, however, none of these could claim the creature’s bones, and the spirit wore them as armor, safe in the marrow. Eventually the bones were swallowed by Earth; but Earth had bones of its own, mighty mountains and vast plates, and it had no need of more. And so the bones sank into the caverns of the Underworld, and the spirit along with them - the first to ever arrive there. With mighty effort the spirit moved it’s skeleton and explored, tapping it’s way through the darkness and learning the ways and secrets of the Underworld. Finally, when the roles of the gods were decided, those apportioned dominion over the dead arrived in the Underworld to assume their rule. But they were surprised to find one already there; and try as they might, the spirit in it's bones was too strong and too crafty to submit to them - the bones would not break, and it knew tricks and traps the gods could not overcome. This, then, is Old Bones, hard and wise. And while they’ve since reclaimed mortals’ last breaths from Wind, blood and bile from Sun, and flesh and sinew from Rain, the Underworld gods must still give Old Bones his due, or else face it’s ire.” -the Song of Beginnings
Personality: Reserved, thoughtful, deliberate. Flexible on secular matters, but attempts rigid devotion to the Tenets of his god. Description (pictures are nice): Awkward in movement and gait; he’s lost the weight of his childhood indulgence but hasn’t grown used to it. (I like to base appearance on Paizo profile icon, since that's what folks will see most of the time - I’ll scroll through and pick one of the 100s/1000s of images this week.) Game System Preference: Same as everyone else, I’m up for anything. I haven’t played any of the systems listed; my choices below are based on what info I’ve managed to skim from free rules and reviews.
1. Maze Rats (I own this; as a spell caster this looks fun)
Worlds Without Number looks like it could be fun and was a free download, but it's probably not 300 pages more fun. Ideally I like a game that’s flexible in giving players leeway in describing/assigning their character’s abilities, and where real character growth/change is possible not just narratively but also mechanically. I think this can be achieved in just about any system that’s simple and flexible, where you’re not worried about balancing each thing against a hundred and two other things. Looks to me like all of the systems suggested can fit the bill.
Apologies, I had forgotten today was Valentines Day. If not tonight, I'll post submission first thing in the morning.
I've come up with a handful of deities, now just need to pick my favorite one. Should have my submission up in about 24 hours.
It can be fun and a little hilarious as you are not only playing 0 level characters but also nobodies. You won't find any nobles or mercenaries or wizard apprentices. It's farmers, sewer workers, cooks etcWhat, dare I ask, is the “funnel?”In Dungeon Crawl Classics, you have the option of starting as 0-level characters. Every player creates 5 0-level PCs and goes through a dangerous adventure in which most of them are killed. This adventure is known colloquially as the "funnel" because many go in and few come out. (It's actually a bad similie, because the same number of things come out of the bottom of a regular funnel as go in the top. A more apt similie would be a "sieve", but that doesn't sound as good). The PCs who survive the funnel are the ones you can chose from as your 1st level PC It sounds amusing, but I can see how it could be a little tedious in PbP format.
I'll add Low Fantasy Gaming to the list for consideration. It's quite good and it's magic system is different enough to make it feel new.I'm a big fan of LFG and own all the books, but the default B/X D&D setting is definitely not low fantasy, which is why I've kept it off the list. If we were doing more of a Conan or Fritz Leiber type of game, I would consider it. What, dare I ask, is the “funnel?”
I'm definitely interested. Do you have any thoughts yet on whether you'll be using existing or homebrew pantheons? I guess my real question is if I make a cleric, do I need to pick a god from an existing pantheon, or am I free to make my own deity to worship?
Will the game use the Greyhawk setting?
Apologies, I couldn't come up with a concept that really grabbed me. Good luck to everybody for the remaining spot(s)!
Interested. I like strange, and a relaxed posting rate. Do I understand character creation correctly: character level 2, equipment valued at up to max 1st level starting wealth for your first class level? (As opposed to 2nd level WBL)
I'm also withdrawing interest (though it's not like I've posted a finished build.) Looks like I'm going to be moving in the next month or two and likely won't have the time to give another game the attention it deserves. Good luck to everyone, and...
Module Plot Spoiler!: ...give Orcus a kick right in his wand for me, Bloodstone-style!
@Tick: good start. I'm not sure I'd take the greed subdomain over the standard trickery domain, especially in a caster with only one domain. The invisibility spells you give up are all replaced by spells that are already on your class list (and not spells you want to cast every adventuring day). For that last feat you could take channel smite or furious focus. A fair point. I really like the concept of the Greed subdomain replacement power, but in practice it probably doesn't come up very often. Also for best effect would require decent Spellcraft, plus there's the wonkiness of immediate actions in pbp. Honestly I may drop the archetype altogether. I'm enamored with the heavy armor proficiency and alignment channel, but now thinking the armor may not be worth it.
Obviously still a work in progress, but I'm pretty sure I'd like to play an Asmodean. My plan was to prepare 1 or 2 of my highest level healing spells for emergencies and carry wands for out-of-combat healing. I'm generally of the philosophy that I should be able to find something more effective to do in combat than heal an attack or two worth of hit points.
I'm still here :) I'm not very familiar with Golarion, I mostly play home-brew stuff. After reviewing some of the pathfinder wikis, I'm now leaning towards a cleric of Asmodeus. I'm also not familiar with Rappan Athuk except by reputation, but it sounds to me a bit like The Temple of I’ll be working on it over the week and willl have a complete submission posted by the 24th, but my current idea looks something like this: Vague Build & Background: LE Aasimar Cleric (Mendevian Priest) of Asmodeus 6 S 14, I 13, W 18, D 13, C 14, Ch 14 Domain: Trickery/Greed Subdomain Traits: Armor Expert (Combat), Beacon of Faith (Faith) Feats: Alignment Channel/Chaos (from archetype), Toughness, Selective Channel, ??? Raised in Cheliax, X joined the church at a young age. Due to their heritage they were groomed for field missionary work and sent with a small delegation to Mendev for training in physical combat against demonic forces and social combat against good-aligned skeptics. Now fully trained, they've chosen to undertake the exploration and eradication of Rappan Athuk to build their reputation in the area, with the goal of attracting worshippers through fame and an innovative religious multi-level marketing scheme. Their long-term goal would be to establish their own permanent church of Asmodeus in the area. Would plan to take Leadership feat at 7th or 9th. Thinking cohort would either oversee followers and craft at home-base area if one exists, or be a tag-along buffer if campaign is completely dungeon-focused.
@DMoG: For divine spells that that pre-date the Oracle class, do you allow Oracles to use their Cha modifier for effects specified as based on Wis modifier? An example would be the bonus to hit for spiritual weapon.
@Tick: Thanks, I missed that. I'll be using maps on google sheets. I may have to recreate some rooms when the module uses a 10' or 20' per square scale. Cool! I'm thinking something along the lines of a "living forge," probably flame oracle. I'll post a précis when I've pulled the idea together more.
@DM o’ Graves: Will you be using shared maps of some kind or theater of the mind? Any thoughts on maps vs no maps?
@DM o’ Graves: Will you be using shared maps of some kind or theater of the mind?
Congratulations to the chosen, you lucky berks! Good luck and good gaming!
Thought I’d throw together list of submissions thus far. I’ve linked to aliases where able, otherwise just to the submission post. I double-checked thread, but apologies if I still missed anyone! GM_DBH - Cassie - CG Changeling Oracle of Dark Tapestry Hierophant Oxnard Kettlebeak - Big Billy Bull Bugwhump - LG Boggard Sorcerer (wildblooded empyreal)/Monk - Archmage Origami Dog - Bonehead - NG Kobold Bard (animal speaker) - Archmage/Marshal The Archlich - Harbaestus - N Vine Leshy Druid (treesinger) - Hierophant Blue dove - Believer - LG Tiefling (kyton-spawn) Paladin/Oracle of Life - Hierophant Albion, the Eye - Rorx - CG Half-Orc Bloodrager (urban bloodrager)/Magus (hex crafter) - Guardian + additional background Ouachitonian - Aleksander Albus - CG Fetchling Fighter (gloomblade) VMC Magus - Champion/Trickster Zanbabe - Zalanna - CG Shabti Oracle of Intrigue (seeker) - Trickster and posted background Ellioti - Shedinn Delmirev - LG Human (Varisian) Cleric (ecclesitheurge)/UC Monk - Hierophant Trevor86 - Gronne of Mesring - LG Human Bloodrager (urban, id)/Cleric or Warpriest - Hierophant or Marshal The Tick In the Barrel - Chen Zhou - N Human Oracle of Heavens - Hierophant
My humble submission: the humble Chen Zhou. Character Precis:
Full Name & Title: Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Cheng, Temporal Parliament Scribe of the Upper Heavens and All Realms Asynchronous and Concurrent. Former Occupation: Bumpkin Source of Divinity: Clerical error Mythic Path: Heirophant Concept: A berk among berks Build: Heavens Oracle with Legalistic curse Previously a lonely wheat farmer (after a failed, misguided attempt in his youth to make it as a professional acupuncturist in the big city,) Chen Zhou was appointed to a post within the Celestial Bureaucracy due to a clerical error resulting from an inter-departmental rivalry. Once in office, he found a way to cheat the system to complete the duties of his redundant position without doing any work and escaped back to earth, where he hoped to live out the rest of his many, many days back at his farm in a simple and happy life, ignoring the strange changes his divine status seems to be inflicting upon him (knowledge of divine hierarchies, intuitive understanding of governmental systems and compulsion to adhere to them, ability to perform minor miracles, floating above the ground, clothing himself in stars, etc.) Unfortunately, it seems this won’t be the case, as after his fifth night back home he awakes in a cold cell… Rules-wise becoming a divinity also initiated his being an oracle. His experiences with the Celestial Bureaucracy are the only “adventure” he’s ever been on, but he’s certainly motivated enough by survival to try and figure out where he is, why, and how to get back home. RP-wise Chen is a fish out of water into the fire, and meant to be a bit of a straight man to the absurdity that is Sigil. Given time to acclimate himself and realize getting home won't be easy, he'll become more invested in developing his abilities for his own benefit. Due to his curse he'll almost certainly become more lawful as play progresses.
Long Background, or How Chen Zhou Became A God…:
In the High Court of Transference of the Upper Heavens, whose floor is made of fundamental truths, walls of celestial geometries, and ceiling of the cosmic infinitude, it was Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Chang’s big day. Over the past seven eons he’d spent all his incalculable wealth, called in all his innumerable favors, and committed myriad unthinkable acts to secure his promotion to Temporal Parliament Scribe of the Upper Heavens and All Realms Asynchronous and Concurrent. An oft-overlooked office, he knew that once in the position he would no doubt revolutionize the Celestial Bureaucracy in short order and thus gain the favorable attention of the Divine Jade Emperor Who Sits Above All Others himself. Making an enemy of Feichang Congming De Kauijishi, the being who’d previously held the post, was the least price he would pay, especially now the useless old codger had just been officially demoted to Shining Court Scribe of North Winds - a post embarrassing for even earthly spirits to hold. It was Feichang Congming De Kauijishi’s darkest day. He’d held his office for ten thousand eons, faithfully serving the Bureaucracy without committing a single error in the execution of his duties. He glanced sidelong at his replacement as they stood in front of the Head Reviewer of Appointments to the Department of Divinities Greater, Lesser, and All Between, who had just finalized his official re-assignment to the Shining Court. He was familiar with this upstart’s kind: brash young demi-gods looking to make their mark, confident they can “fix” the system with their “new” ideas - as if they’ve come up with a thought wholly original since the dawn of time. The final insult, of course, was that it had been Feichang’s duty to transcribe the paperwork for his own demotion and his replacement’s appointment. Better a feral dog take his place than one of this sort. Chen Zhou licked his lips as the order for his own removal from his current office was finalized, and that of his new appointment was reviewed. It was just another day for the Head Reviewer. ”Everything seems in order,” he boomed, his voice a hundred tsunamis breaking against the roots of the world, ”As to be expected. No doubt the Temporal Parliament will miss your service, Feichang.” Nodding in satisfaction, he melted the Wax of Certainty onto the document and stamped it with the Seal of Utter Permanence. ”Very well then: By the powers of the Celestial Bureaucracy and the Divine Jade Emperor Who Sits Above All Others, you are now officially Temporal Parliament Scribe of the Upper Heavens and All Realms Asynchronous and Concurrent, for a period of no less than one thousand eons, Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Cheng.” There was a long pause, followed by a small cough from the demi-god Chen Zhou. ”A thousand pardons, your most efficient exultancy, but my name is Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Chang.” ”Is it?” The Head Reviewer peered again at the paperwork to confirm the name, shrugging. ”Then the job is not yours.” The color draining from his face, the newly unemployed Chen Zhou sputtered incoherently as he was dismissed, while Feichang’s eyes merrily glittered like the stars they were. *** It was the farmer Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Cheng’s most surprising day. He was in his wheat field when the clouds parted and the Great Golden Dragon Taiyang Shizhe, Messenger of the Upper Heavens Who Waits At The Feet Of The Divine Jade Emperor Who Sits Above All Others, descended to the earth. The magnificent radiance of the dragon’s scales, which were every sunrise ever to spark hope in the heart of a living thing, turned the crops to ash as she landed before the terror-stricken man. When she spoke, her voice - ten-thousand silver horns sounded by the princes of Heaven - blasted the farmer’s house to sticks and blew them away far over the horizon. Chen Zhou’s chickens, miraculously spared, took to haphazard flight as they fled the scene. ”Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Cheng, I serve notice that your term in the Celestial Bureaucracy, to be no less than one thousand eons, has begun. You are expected in your office before the Sun next passes through the Gates of Dusk.” Chen Zhou the farmer, who had prostrated himself before the Great Golden Dragon due to the failure of both his legs and bowels, dared speak. ”What?” Taiyang Shizhe looked down at the man. ”You are Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Cheng, are you not?” The man nodded, dumbfounded. ”Then I suggest you not be late on your first day.” She turned skywards and lifted off the ground. ”But - but - but-“ stammered Chen Zhou ”- how will I get there?” ”Oh very well,” the dragon muttered. Pursing her lips, she blew a stream of iridescent smoke onto the man. The vapors lifted him off the ground and buoyed him up through the clouds and into the Courts of the Celestial Bureaucracy amongst the stars. *** ”Your Temporal Parliament Scribe reports are late.” Douyu Jingli, Head Under-Assistant of Upper Scribe Efficiency, frowned at the human Chen Zhou, an act which exposed even more of the intricately carved ruby tusks which protruded from his lower jaw and framed his small fiery mustache. ”Late? But I just arrived!” lamented the erstwhile farmer, still dressed in soiled burlap. ”Yes, well, at least that explains your garments. Taiyang Shizhe did send a memo stating your investiture had been most unusual, though she didn’t list any specifics. In any event, you have transcription work waiting.” Chen Zhou’s spacious desk dominated his small private office, and The Head Under-Assistant pointed at a rectangular basket woven from the dreams of dead emperors which sat at one of its corners. Inside lay several documents, and on its front was affixed a small placard which simply read “IN.” ”You’d better shape up, Chen Zhou - it’s sink or swim around here. If you don’t catch on in the first thousand years, eyebrows will raise.” He raised one of his own smoldering eyebrows in demonstration. ”And what am I to do with these?” Chen Zhou asked, lifting the strange parchments from the basket. ”Do with them? You transcribe them.” He indicated the array of quills and ink vials that occupied much of the rest of the desk. ”You create an exact duplicate of each document, identical in every particular, and when complete place it here.” A second basket sat at the desk corner opposite the first, this one fashioned from the first song ever sung by a nightingale and decorated with a small placard reading “OUT.” Chen Zhou’s heart filled with despair. ”And how often do you come to collect them and drop off more?” ”Collect them?” Douyu Jingli laughed, smoke billowing into the air where it formed strange visions before dissipating. ”Drop off more? That would be most inefficient! No, the originals are sent by the Temporal Parliament and simply appear in the one basket, while the duplicates disappear when placed in the other, transported instantly to the Celestial Archives.” Chen Zhou furrowed his brow. ”And the originals?” Douyu Jingli waved a dismissive hand. ”Oh, once a duplicate has been sent the original is obsolete - just destroy them.” *** It was with a great sense of satisfaction that the Head Under-Assistant of Upper Scribe Efficiency next met with the Temporal Parliament Scribe of the Upper Heavens and All Realms Asynchronous and Concurrent. The Scribe Chen Zhou sat behind his desk, dressed now in constellations befitting his station, above which his face wore an expression both fearful and hopeful. ”I must admit, Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Cheng, you had me worried when you first arrived. I thought Feichang Congming De Kauijishi had put down your name simply because it looked similar enough to that of his enemy to sneak past the Head Reviewer - just a fool appointed by chance! I should have known that wily old hand wouldn’t leave his post to the vagaries of fortune. Indeed, I daresay you’re not just Feichang's equal, but his better! Not a single mistake in transcription, and you complete them with such speed! Well done.” Chen Zhou let out a long sigh of relief. ”My pleasure.” ”Keep this up and we’ll not see each other again until the next All-Scribes Luncheon in seven hundred seventy years.” The Head Under-Assistant gave a friendly wave as he stepped out from Chen Zhou’s office. ”See you then!” Chen Zhou smiled and nodded, getting up to close the door after his visitor left. He then returned to his desk and opened the large bottom drawer to check on his work. Inside sat his baskets, the “IN” resting upside-down on top of the “OUT.” As he watched another document appeared, gently floating down until landing in the bottom basket and promptly disappearing. Smiling, he closed the drawer again, and after a moment locked it for good measure. He then left his office, locking the door behind him for extra-good measure, and made his way to the nearest stairwell, which eventually, after many confusing twists, turns, and quite a few directions asked, deposited him back down to earth. He surveyed his ruined farm. ”Looks like I’ve got work to do.” Five days later he had built himself a half-serviceable lean-to, retrieved most of his lost chickens from the surrounding countryside, and begun to save what crops he could. With a sigh of contentment he laid down to sleep, hoping he wouldn’t again dream of gods bickering over finer points of inter dimensional law. He did. On the morning of the sixth day Chen Zhou Yang Bai Chao Cheng, Temporal Parliament Scribe of the Upper Heavens and All Realms Asynchronous and Concurrent, awoke in a cell.
Stats, Short Form: Human Heavens Oracle 3 [Mythic Heirophant] Str 10, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 18 HP 23, AC 10/16, BAB +2, CMB +2, CMD 12 Fort +3*; Ref +1; Will +5 (*+5 total vs poisons) Alignment: L/C: Neutral(60); G/E: Neutral (50) (His Legalistic curse is slowly pushing him towards lawful) Alternate Human Racial Traits: Focused Study (replaces bonus feat), Heart of the Fields (replaces Skilled) Traits: Social: Beast Bond (handle animal), Region: Acupuncturist Skills (+favored class bonus): Diplomacy +10, Handle Animal +11, Heal +11, Knowledge (religion) +7, Lore (bureaucracy) +7, Lore (law) +7, Perception +8, Profession (farmer) +9 Languages: Common(?), Celestial Feats: Skill Focus (heal), Improvisational Healer, Extra Revelation Oracle Mystery: Heavens. Oracle Curse: Legalistic Revelations: Coat of Many Stars, Lure of the Heavens, Spray of Shooting Stars (effective oracle level 7 - mythic ability) Spells (all cures): orisons - create water, detect poison, light, mending, purify food and drink; 1st (5/day) - cure light wounds, color spray, command (mythic), protection from chaos, sanctuary Mythic Tier: 1 Mythic Path: Heirophant; Divine Surge= Inspired Spell Mythic Path Abilities: Mythic Domain (Heirophant) Mythic Feat: Mythic Spell Lore Gear: Honestly I’m fine with starting with no gear and just finding a bag/backpack full of 1,000gp worth of random equipment he can claim. If that’s not cool, I can put together some kind of Celestial Bureaucracy office kit for him.
I haven't been able to create a concept that clicks with me for this game, and so am bowing out of the submission process. Best of luck to players both current and future!
For my uber- Bluff / Knowledge Skills PC [...] I’m just starting to formulate an idea. Might this idea be a Lore Oracle? If so I may rethink my own nascent character concept.
Do note I'm GMT +12. Yes, I noticed in the game thread you're in New Zealand. I'm sad to say what little I know about New Zealand I've learned from Flight of the Conchords and LOTR bluray special features, which are likely not the most accurate of sources.
Sounds good, I'll work on a submission this weekend. I've been curious about Iron Gods but have never played it, though I certainly played the heck out of Expedition to the Barrier Peaks back in the day :)
@GM_DBH Is there an official submission deadline?
I've added my build to this alias profile, along with some brief build notes. I'll be adding background/fluff tomorrow. Any and all feedback welcome!
@Oxnard: I think I've finally worked out how I want to go with my gnoll solar oracle, but have a couple questions. 1. Would you accept a re-skin of the Chosen of Iomedae trait to a Chosen of Zailor? I propose swapping out the long sword for a warhammer, and maybe a re-write of the fluff to involve less parental soul dedication and more getting lost in the desert and finding Zailor's hammer concurrent with sun-stroke induced revelation/delirium. 2. What are Sunwalker naming conventions? From the Chieftess I'm thinking along the lines of Chinese or Mongolian, but may be reading too much into it. I should have solid crunch worked up tonight, fluff might take another day.
@Oxnard Are the Sandwalker Tribe culturally similar to default Pathfinder gnolls - i,e, lazy, scavenging slavemasters?
YoricksRequiem thank you for your consideration. Best of luck to all 3 of you in your upcoming campaign :)
DM Delmoth Expanded profile for Evie can be found here. I was hoping to have more of an expanded background finished, but it's unlikely I'll get it done tonight. Also not 100% decided on crunch (race and character), but as you say, we can work out specific builds if I'm chosen. Everybody Good luck!
Dotting for possible interest, pending the outcome of submissions I've already made to other games - I don't want to over commit myself. I'll give the bones a roll now just to see what I'd have to work with :) = 14
For 18, 14, 14, 14, 8, 8. That's a net +8 modifiers from stats; I've certainly played characters with much less! I'll let this percolate in the ol' noggin' while I wait to hear back regarding other games. I probably won't know until pretty close to the 5/16 deadline whether I'll be making an official submission.
DM Delmoth I'm working on my crunch and would like your ruling/advice on a race building question. I'd like to add a mechanic to my ratfolk variant to reflect their ability to weave under/around obstacles and creatures. My current thoughts are purchasing either Terrain Stride (urban) or simply Skill Training for Acrobatics and Climb. I might also be interested in purchasing an ability mechanically identical to part of the alternate human racial trait Heart of the Streets, depending on RP cost. This racial ability reads: Humans from bustling cities are skilled with crowds. They gain a +1 racial bonus on Reflex saves and a +1 dodge bonus to Armor Class when adjacent to at least two other allies. Crowds do not count as difficult terrain for them. This racial trait replaces skilled. The trait as a whole replaces Skilled, which costs 4 RP. My interest is just in crowds not counting as difficult terrain. Would you allow this aspect to be purchased separately at 2 RP? Any other thoughts/suggestions on ways to accomplish what I'm attempting are welcome!
Here's Brutalix, my submission to pair with Oculus/Fingers above. In his own words:
"Why'm I doin' this? Pays a helluva lot better than pit fightin', that's why. I tell ya a beater makes pennies while da bosses make bucketsa crowns; if'n my manager didn't have his side gigs in pigeons we'da starved. Even da match I threw 'gainst Iron Phillip didn't make me no scratch! Nah, had ta get outta that gig. I make tons more doin' this than I ever did inna pit, and I barely ever havta lay proper pain on anyone. Yeah, ever since Fingers 'n me crewed up life's been pretty nice.
"What's that? Why'm I doin' this to you? Cause we been paid by One-Tooth Tom, innit? I mean ya got some nice tumbles on yer door, but nuthin Fingers ain't seen before. Now Tom told us not ta hurt ya, seein' as how yer a proper gent 'n all, just ta break some choicer flash, y'know? Nuthin' personal, mind. I tellya though, ya wave that sword again annit won't be a friendly biff like I gave ya before - nah, ya pick that thing up 'n Tom'll be able to make a whole new smile outta da teeth I rip from yer head, got it?" 10 minute background:
5 core concepts: Nuthin personal. Business is business, and not to be taken personally. Sees no problem with breaking a man's legs for a loanshark one night and drinking with him the next. Ain't no such thing as fair. Therefore there's no such thing as unfair either; there's just what is. The world is not a "fair" place; anyone who expects it to be is a fool, and anyone who tries to make it be is mad. Weren't nuthin. Show-off and humblebraggart; likes to attempt impressive feats and when successful to shrug them off as if they were nothing. He's also fairly reliant on external validation, and to an extent is susceptible to flattery. That's smart thinkin! Loves to work smarter rather than harder, but isn't very smart; also gets great enjoyment from outwitting opponents. One of the things that has endeared him to Fingers is the man's cleverness. I ain't no man. Is a non-human "monster" race regarded as primitive/barbaric by civilized humans. Physically superior but mentally inferior; or possibly some sort of proto-man/neandrathal? Open to ideas dependent on setting. Was taken as a child and ended up owned by crime boss who literally threw him into pit fighting. 2 Character Goals Goal 1, in character. To get enough money and clout for he and Fingers to become bosses running their own crews. This would likely end in disaster. Goal 2, as a player. To have some clashes between his interests to help build/develop the character, such as having to choose between his friendship with Fingers and his desire to be recognized, or between their professional code and great profit/benefit. 3 Acquaintances #1 Ally, mentor Bertie the Tamer. Man who taught B his style of fighting and managed his pit fighting career. #2 Enemy, rival beater Iron Phillip. B has been very vocal about how he threw his fight against Iron Phillip, hurting the beater's reputation. Iron Phil is looking to prove he can beat B in a fight, but B won't rise to his bait. #3 Ally, wise-woman/restaurateur Auntie Stew. Eldery proprietor of dockside food stall, sells both prophecies and questionable "fish" stew. B believes she is a true mystic, while she finds it convenient to have a terrifying friend. 2 Secrets Secret 1, unknown to him. Berties's 'side gig in pigeons' is a sham, he really pocketed the majority of B's winnings for himself. Secret 2, known to him. He doesn't actually believe in the code of professionalism espoused by Fingers, but plays by it to keep his friend happy. 3 Memories Memory 1 Vague, childhood life before his capture; caves, bears, and bones - lots of bones. Memory 2 Childhood. His first pit fight, was against Bertie. B lost but Bertie's wounds never healed right, ending his career; he chose to train B. Memory 3 Adult. Impressing boss on his first big gig by dealing with his crew's betrayal and completing job with the help of Fingers. Crunch Thoughts:
Brawler with Strong-Side Fighter archetype. Would use a modified version of half-orc race for crunch, but would like to re-fluff for campaign world. Focus on Intimidation, Stealth, and physical skills. High physical stats, low Int and Cha. Feats for Intimidation and durability. On Characters & Players: Relationship between Fingers & Brutalix. The basic idea is best summed up here. B considers Fingers his equal and trusts him to have his back. Not only is he impressed with Finger’s intelligence, he’s also the first person since his mentor to treat B as an individual rather than simply a tool or a brute. B plays along with Finger’s romanticized ideal of the professional criminal despite his own experiences to the contrary, and tries to model himself as a “proper thug”. General world ideas/desires. Low(er) magic, crime-oriented, based out of human dominated urban setting with possible occasional forays into the hicks/wilds. Guy Ritchie does Fafhrd & Grey Mouser. Play style. We're not rules lawyers; we like it when rules help play along rather than slow it down. We don't mind ad-hoc rulings or single rolls determining large events, so long as rulings are consistent, though still not fans of 'save or die' scenarios. Wants: Fun narrative, atmospheric world, open problem solving. I’m looking for entertaining collaborative stories and setting. Sometimes we come up with creative work-arounds rather than tackling problems head-on. Don't Wants: Grindy combat, dungeon crawls, railroad narratives. When I’m looking to dither over exact movements and ranges I play Warhammer 40k. We're fine with simple maps or ‘theater of the mind’; we don't want to spend time worrying about optimal movement and the like – we let you know what we want to do, you let us know what we need to do to make it happen. I also don’t want to feel trapped by linear plots; ties in to the “open problem solving” above. We Players Two.. We've played together our whole lives, but with rpgs it tends to be one or the other of us running the game. Keen on an opportunity to game together with both of us as players.
Yeah, didn't want to dive too deep into her animist beliefs in 100 words or less. She definitely doesn't worship anything, more along the view that the city is alive and provides for her, and in return she feels it's her duty to protect it. My original concept was a parasite protecting its host, though she'd never put it that way.
This is the sort of thing I imagine her being able to clearly explain to an individual and totally mucking up when trying to explain to a group of people, like say in a Fraternity of Order courtroom :) Thanks for the feedback - I'll make an alias for her and try to work up her crunch and a more detailed backstory in the next few days. Will post a link when I've got it more or less complete.
My basic fluff for Evie, ratfolk shaman. For crunch I'd probably build a "city ratfolk" racial variant. (Sorry, miteke, great minds think alike!) DM Delmoth please let me know if you have any issues or suggestions. 100 word summary:
Evie is a young ratfolk shaman (slums spirit) with a rat spirit animal. She believes she draws her powers from the spirit of Sigil itself, and attempts to serve the city as best she can. A creature of stealth and cunning rather than of force, she sniffs out threats to the city from above and below and tries to put a stop to them – though so far this has amounted only to minor brickwork repairs and the thwarting of petty vandalism. While she’s sure of her purpose she’s vague on its execution, and is indecisive when matters aren’t clear cut. Faction, 3X3, Fear: Currently attends meetings of the Free League, but is open to listening to (eavesdropping on) the philosophies of other factions.
Public speaking, public recognition – anything that puts the attention of large numbers of people (say 6+) on her. The more people, the greater her fear.
DM Delmoth Does Sigil have any sort of sewers or other common/far-reaching subterranean system?
DM_Delmoth Do you have any objections to a PC with scent? I know it can sometimes be a headache to remember in situations where NPCs/enemies are sneaking around.Go for it. I'm a big fan of retcons when someone forgets an important thing. Personally I loathe retcons when I GM, hence my checking with you. I plan to make scent a big part of how the character perceives the world so hopefully (if chosen) it'll be easy to remember :)
DM_Delmoth Do you have any objections to a PC with scent? I know it can sometimes be a headache to remember in situations where NPCs/enemies are sneaking around.
Interested, working on a character.
Definitely interested, working on submission with another player.
YoricksRequiem what kind of posting rate do you have in mind? Specifically the minimum rate you'd be willing to run.
@ DM Thron: Wanted to let you know you have another interested player. I'm swamped with RL at the moment, though, so my submission most likely won't be complete until close to the June 26 deadline. Also my familiarity with this AP is limited to the first book; I hope this isn't too big a hindrance.
I'll decide upon a name today and create an alias. In the meantime... Revised Fluff: [PC]'s parents were rebels against the Hu-Charad, delvers into the ancient and the arcane, seekers of weapons to wield against their giant overlords. In the months leading up to his birth they were part of an expedition exploring the fortress of Castle Mabb. Though ultimately unsuccessful in learning the secrets of that place, their unborn child absorbed the strange energies radiated by the Pillars of Life and Death, their power lying dormant within him . As a boy his parents were captured and executed for their crimes and he swore vengeance against the rulers of the Diamond Throne. Seeking out the mojh and asking to join them, he thought the transformation would grant him power to use against the Hu-Charad and give him favor with the dragons that now seemed poised to make war on them.
This it did, but not as any had expected. The process went horribly awry; instead of fueled by the draconic essences intended, the tenebrian tech bonded with the dormant positive and negative energies within him. The resulting transformation has made him a living conduit for those energies and granted him near superhuman resilience, even as he exhibits all the signs and symptoms of the injuries that befall him . A small bit of draconic essence still came through in his transformation, and over time this draconic influence becomes more and more apparent. Having heard of the strange results of [PC]'s transformation, the mojh scholar T'lam'tlissilit invited the would-be mojh to join him in service to dragonkind, mainly due to his academic interest in his abilities; not knowing of his parents' experiences within Castle Mabb, he suspects his strange powers to be the manifestation of a unique connection to the Great Mojh. [PC[ is a tall, wiry man covered in a plethora of disfiguring scars who appears to suffer from anemia, jaundice, and other maladies. Whatever powers he has over life and death come at the cost of his own health; magical healing doesn't function normally on him, always leaving behind scars. While these scars and symptoms of illness are distressing in appearance, unknown to most is that they are purely cosmetic.
Okay, cool - that sounds totally like the type of thing that could go horribly and unexpectedly wrong :)
Character sheet on this profile has been cleaned up. I may massage his background fluff a little and am still hemming and hawing over the element type for his draconic bloodline, but otherwise he's ready to go. I can post tomorrow (Wednesday) night Eastern Time. Mojh Thoughts: Do you have any thoughts on the process of becoming a mojh? From AE it sounds like they're emulating both dragons and dramojh, but the dramojh were the result of tenebrian seeds infused with dragon essence. How then do mojh create themselves? Really just a fluff concern for my "mojh-gone-wrong" concept; I'm one for verisimilitude.
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