paizo.com Recent Posts by mark kaypaizo.com Recent Posts by mark kay2020-10-02T22:52:28Z2020-10-02T22:52:28ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Aethera Campaign Setting (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9vmf/discuss&page=4?Aethera-Campaign-Setting#1672020-07-15T01:26:52Z2020-07-14T23:55:55Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Jason Nelson wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">CorvusMask wrote:</div><blockquote> Is this on a sale right now? :O I'm wondering if I've limited time to buy this cheaper or if I'm not in hurry... </blockquote>The sale is on through the whole month of July. It's not here at Paizo, just because it takes •so long• to get things managed on the store side here (and because print books sold here already get only a 50% consignment fee), but you can definitely get a copy at the <b><a href="https://www.makeyourgamelegendary.com/products-page/aethera/aethera-campaign-setting/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Legendary Games webstore</b></a>. </blockquote><p>I was looking to ask. I saw that the Aethera adventure is releasing this week. Would things like the Intrigue Manual still be happening? Or a rules conversion to Starfinder (which would hopefully include things like the Aetheric Knights?)?Jason Nelson wrote:CorvusMask wrote: Is this on a sale right now? :O I'm wondering if I've limited time to buy this cheaper or if I'm not in hurry...
The sale is on through the whole month of July. It's not here at Paizo, just because it takes *so long* to get things managed on the store side here (and because print books sold here already get only a 50% consignment fee), but you can definitely get a copy at the Legendary Games webstore. I was looking to ask. I saw that the Aethera adventure...mark kay2020-07-14T23:55:55ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [Encounter Table Publishing] The Aethera Campaign Settingmark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t11m&page=4?Encounter-Table-Publishing-The-Aethera#1722019-01-17T06:53:46Z2019-01-17T06:53:46Z<p>Was there ever any update on this? The field guide, the other books like the Intrigue Manual and what have you.</p>Was there ever any update on this? The field guide, the other books like the Intrigue Manual and what have you.mark kay2019-01-17T06:53:46ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Aethera Campaign Setting (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9vmf/discuss&page=4?Aethera-Campaign-Setting#1552018-04-22T20:46:29Z2018-04-22T17:01:00Z<p>Ah okay, had just been wondering. Thank you for the reply.</p>Ah okay, had just been wondering. Thank you for the reply.mark kay2018-04-22T17:01:00ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Aethera Campaign Setting (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9vmf/discuss&page=4?Aethera-Campaign-Setting#1532018-04-22T03:05:37Z2018-04-22T03:05:37Z<p>Are the other Aethera books still happening (the intrigue guide, there was some mention of a Starfinder conversion guide somewhere on the forums)? Bit of a bummer if this just ended up as a one and done kind of thing due to the timing of Starfinder/Pathfinder 2.0 and what have you.</p>Are the other Aethera books still happening (the intrigue guide, there was some mention of a Starfinder conversion guide somewhere on the forums)? Bit of a bummer if this just ended up as a one and done kind of thing due to the timing of Starfinder/Pathfinder 2.0 and what have you.mark kay2018-04-22T03:05:37ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Aethera Campaign Setting (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9vmf/discuss&page=3?Aethera-Campaign-Setting#1392017-08-22T21:06:39Z2017-08-22T21:06:39Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Jason Nelson wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Need a freaking AMAZING setting for your space-faring Pathfinder or Starfinder campaign? </p>
<p><b>Aethera is it!</b> </p>
<p>This book is 580+ pages, about 130 of which are Pathfinder rules material with alien races, archetypes, items, monsters spells, and technology. The other <b>450 pages</b> is sweet, delicious sci-fi flavor of the highest order. Even if you didn't read a word of the mechanics, you're still in for an incredible collection of awesome and unique sci-fi setting material blending not just sci-fi and fantasy but cosmic horror and pulp noir! </p>
<p>A Starfinder rules conversion guide supplement is on the way, but meanwhile grab your copy today. <b>THE STARS ARE RIGHT! </b> </blockquote><p>Any chance that will include a conversion for the Aetheric Knight? I'm rather partial to that class/archetype and a chance to use it in Starfinder would be pretty amazing.Jason Nelson wrote:Need a freaking AMAZING setting for your space-faring Pathfinder or Starfinder campaign?
Aethera is it!
This book is 580+ pages, about 130 of which are Pathfinder rules material with alien races, archetypes, items, monsters spells, and technology. The other 450 pages is sweet, delicious sci-fi flavor of the highest order. Even if you didn't read a word of the mechanics, you're still in for an incredible collection of awesome and unique sci-fi setting material blending not...mark kay2017-08-22T21:06:39ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9wzs/discuss&page=4?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Taldor-the-First-Empire#1752017-06-07T22:10:36Z2017-06-07T22:10:36Z<p>I find that as awesome here as I did in that other thread, thanks for clearing that up Mark. </p>
<p>(Having made several stabs at putting something of a sandboxy Taldor campaign together, I look forward to December a fair bit)</p>I find that as awesome here as I did in that other thread, thanks for clearing that up Mark.
(Having made several stabs at putting something of a sandboxy Taldor campaign together, I look forward to December a fair bit)mark kay2017-06-07T22:10:36ZRe: Forums: War for the Crown: War for the Crown AP, Feb 2018mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2udin&page=6?War-for-the-Crown-AP-Feb-2018#2962017-08-11T17:59:32Z2017-06-07T22:07:54Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mark Moreland wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">mark kay wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>A) Going to be presented as much more France-during-Louis XIV than Byzantine,</blockquote><p>That's.. honestly severely disappointing to hear, Taldor's byzantine flavour was one of the things that interested me about the nation/this AP. It's somewhat rare in fantasy to get riffs off the Byzantine Empire, it helped make it feel distinct.
<p>It's kind of enough to put me off the AP really, and the upcoming Taldor setting book, if that's the case. </blockquote><p>That is not the case. There will certainly be elements of the Sun King's reign, especially in the opulence and style of the ultra upper class. In many other ways, Taldor will remain heavily influenced by Byzantium, and in some areas will become even more clearly inspired by this rich source of material from real-world history.
<p>If I can take the liberty to read into W.E. Ray's comment, it seems he might have been latching onto our mention of Louis XIV because it fit so well with his version of Taldor. And while elements of the campaign and CS book will gel very well with a focus on this type of setting, it isn't going to be at the exclusion of other inspirations. </blockquote><p>Awesome. And back onto my to buy list it all goes.
<p>Also, thanks for the timely reply on this, that itself is pretty neat.</p>Mark Moreland wrote:mark kay wrote: Quote:A) Going to be presented as much more France-during-Louis XIV than Byzantine,
That's.. honestly severely disappointing to hear, Taldor's byzantine flavour was one of the things that interested me about the nation/this AP. It's somewhat rare in fantasy to get riffs off the Byzantine Empire, it helped make it feel distinct. It's kind of enough to put me off the AP really, and the upcoming Taldor setting book, if that's the case. That is not the case....mark kay2017-06-07T22:07:54ZRe: Forums: War for the Crown: War for the Crown AP, Feb 2018mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2udin&page=6?War-for-the-Crown-AP-Feb-2018#2892017-08-11T17:57:44Z2017-06-07T20:33:38Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote> To each is own I guess but I'm pretty tired of hearing this, especially considering how Gondor from the Lord of the Rings was explicitly stated by Tolkien himself to be an analogue for Byzantium (Arnor was supposed to be the stand in for the Western Roman Empire btw). </blockquote><p>Yeah, I've read that too, but in execution Gondor didn't much resemble it at all, so it's an odd thing to sweepingly dismiss out of hand anyone who expresses that opinion about the genre over.Quote:To each is own I guess but I'm pretty tired of hearing this, especially considering how Gondor from the Lord of the Rings was explicitly stated by Tolkien himself to be an analogue for Byzantium (Arnor was supposed to be the stand in for the Western Roman Empire btw).
Yeah, I've read that too, but in execution Gondor didn't much resemble it at all, so it's an odd thing to sweepingly dismiss out of hand anyone who expresses that opinion about the genre over.mark kay2017-06-07T20:33:38ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9wzs/discuss&page=4?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Taldor-the-First-Empire#1722017-06-08T02:34:29Z2017-06-07T20:24:05Z<p>So, it was just mentioned in the Taldor AP thread that the notion is to slide away from any particularly Byzantine empire themed elements to Taldor over portraying it as akin to France under the Sun King. Wondering now if that's going to be the case for the campaign setting book as well. That's kind of a bummer for my part if so. I really liked all the resonance with the later era of the Eastern Roman Empire.</p>So, it was just mentioned in the Taldor AP thread that the notion is to slide away from any particularly Byzantine empire themed elements to Taldor over portraying it as akin to France under the Sun King. Wondering now if that's going to be the case for the campaign setting book as well. That's kind of a bummer for my part if so. I really liked all the resonance with the later era of the Eastern Roman Empire.mark kay2017-06-07T20:24:05ZRe: Forums: War for the Crown: War for the Crown AP, Feb 2018mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2udin&page=6?War-for-the-Crown-AP-Feb-2018#2862017-08-11T17:57:20Z2017-06-07T20:19:30Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>A) Going to be presented as much more France-during-Louis XIV than Byzantine,</blockquote><p>That's.. honestly severely disappointing to hear, Taldor's byzantine flavour was one of the things that interested me about the nation/this AP. It's somewhat rare in fantasy to get riffs off the Byzantine Empire, it helped make it feel distinct.
<p>It's kind of enough to put me off the AP really, and the upcoming Taldor setting book, if that's the case.</p>Quote:A) Going to be presented as much more France-during-Louis XIV than Byzantine,
That's.. honestly severely disappointing to hear, Taldor's byzantine flavour was one of the things that interested me about the nation/this AP. It's somewhat rare in fantasy to get riffs off the Byzantine Empire, it helped make it feel distinct. It's kind of enough to put me off the AP really, and the upcoming Taldor setting book, if that's the case.mark kay2017-06-07T20:19:30ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Interest Check - High/Epic Level Campaignmark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uc3s?Interest-Check-HighEpic-Level-Campaign#222017-05-25T08:10:26Z2017-05-25T08:09:13Z<p>For my own preferences, I'm pretty burned out on third party material in higher level games. </p>
<p>edit: though as a thread started 17 days ago, it might be kinda moot to note that anywho.</p>For my own preferences, I'm pretty burned out on third party material in higher level games.
edit: though as a thread started 17 days ago, it might be kinda moot to note that anywho.mark kay2017-05-25T08:09:13ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Interest Check - High/Epic Level Campaignmark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uc3s?Interest-Check-HighEpic-Level-Campaign#22017-05-17T19:02:27Z2017-05-09T23:34:31Z<p>Depending on the premise, sure. And rpol would be fine.</p>Depending on the premise, sure. And rpol would be fine.mark kay2017-05-09T23:34:31ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Paizo Blog: Meet the Iconics--The Red Ravenmark kayhttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lijc?Meet-the-IconicsThe-Red-Raven#412016-02-27T01:43:19Z2016-02-27T01:43:19Z<p>I suppose, for me anyway, it's that, outside of the intended for Hell's Vengeance iconics certainly, it feels fairly remarkable to have an iconic that goes about as the champion of a place as messed up as Galt, and from what it reads, bringing people to be killed by things as awful as the final blades. I mean there's neutral in the style of Alain the arrogant douchelord, and there's neutral in the style of that.</p>
<p>It stands out is all.</p>I suppose, for me anyway, it's that, outside of the intended for Hell's Vengeance iconics certainly, it feels fairly remarkable to have an iconic that goes about as the champion of a place as messed up as Galt, and from what it reads, bringing people to be killed by things as awful as the final blades. I mean there's neutral in the style of Alain the arrogant douchelord, and there's neutral in the style of that.
It stands out is all.mark kay2016-02-27T01:43:19ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Paizo Blog: Meet the Iconics--The Red Ravenmark kayhttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lijc?Meet-the-IconicsThe-Red-Raven#352016-02-27T10:21:21Z2016-02-27T01:36:43Z<p>Difficult to view a dude who seems to be on the side of Golarion's Reign of Terror as any sort of heroic, for my own part. Mileage may vary and all that.</p>Difficult to view a dude who seems to be on the side of Golarion's Reign of Terror as any sort of heroic, for my own part. Mileage may vary and all that.mark kay2016-02-27T01:36:43ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=8#3802015-05-30T08:24:02Z2015-05-30T08:24:02Z<p>ah well, some other time maybe. Thanks for the praise though.</p>ah well, some other time maybe. Thanks for the praise though.mark kay2015-05-30T08:24:02ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=7#3232015-05-29T16:36:44Z2015-05-29T16:36:44Z<p>gargh, got busy with work for a couple of days and seem to have missed an explosion of stuff.</p>gargh, got busy with work for a couple of days and seem to have missed an explosion of stuff.mark kay2015-05-29T16:36:44ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=4#1612015-05-26T23:17:19Z2015-05-26T23:17:19Z<p>Related question actually, for skill and capacity in merchantry and finance, estate management, that kind of thing, would some sort of profession: merchantry type deal cover most of that?</p>Related question actually, for skill and capacity in merchantry and finance, estate management, that kind of thing, would some sort of profession: merchantry type deal cover most of that?mark kay2015-05-26T23:17:19ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=4#1592015-05-26T23:12:20Z2015-05-26T23:12:20Z<p>I mostly asked for the Abadarian banks being a sophisticated thing and the idea of insurance at least being a few centuries old, it seemed like something they might do. I'm cool with paying that sort of fee to truck in it.</p>I mostly asked for the Abadarian banks being a sophisticated thing and the idea of insurance at least being a few centuries old, it seemed like something they might do. I'm cool with paying that sort of fee to truck in it.mark kay2015-05-26T23:12:20ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=3#1482015-05-26T19:01:36Z2015-05-26T19:01:36Z<p>Something I'm wondering, we're in a big ol developed society where Abadar is prominent along with his bank/church/bank, is it possible to have holdings insured with the Abadarian bank? Like pay x however much gold per year, insurance.</p>Something I'm wondering, we're in a big ol developed society where Abadar is prominent along with his bank/church/bank, is it possible to have holdings insured with the Abadarian bank? Like pay x however much gold per year, insurance.mark kay2015-05-26T19:01:36ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=2#922015-05-25T16:04:00Z2015-05-25T16:04:00Z<p>Is there anywhere particularly that the existing characters are otherwise summed up/detailed?</p>Is there anywhere particularly that the existing characters are otherwise summed up/detailed?mark kay2015-05-25T16:04:00ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=2#782015-05-25T07:58:42Z2015-05-25T07:58:42Z<p>Oh, cohort wise, likely going to go for a cleric of Abadar, and one of Aurelian's cousins. A very earnest and cheerful fellow that his family sort of dumped on him a few years back once Aurelian started doing well for himself because, well, there's only so much staid people can handle someone being /that/ sunny, honestly. On the plus side, he does have a great mind for finance and his potency as a cleric has only grown with Aurelian on their travels. On the down side.. relentless, cheery optimism, even in the worst of situations. Sometimes that's inspiring. Sometimes that makes for wanting to punch a man in the face.</p>Oh, cohort wise, likely going to go for a cleric of Abadar, and one of Aurelian's cousins. A very earnest and cheerful fellow that his family sort of dumped on him a few years back once Aurelian started doing well for himself because, well, there's only so much staid people can handle someone being /that/ sunny, honestly. On the plus side, he does have a great mind for finance and his potency as a cleric has only grown with Aurelian on their travels. On the down side.. relentless, cheery...mark kay2015-05-25T07:58:42ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=2#692015-05-25T04:33:22Z2015-05-25T04:33:22Z<p>Hum, actually in playing around with holdings and pondering the family relations thing, I think I'll have his personal holdings still be largely mercantile that he's transferred over from Absalom along with a sprawling, ancient family estate he's restored, with his kin mainlining into the military influence still. So basically for his part a big old trading/banking compound at the docks and a sizable villa.</p>Hum, actually in playing around with holdings and pondering the family relations thing, I think I'll have his personal holdings still be largely mercantile that he's transferred over from Absalom along with a sprawling, ancient family estate he's restored, with his kin mainlining into the military influence still. So basically for his part a big old trading/banking compound at the docks and a sizable villa.mark kay2015-05-25T04:33:22ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=2#652015-05-25T00:55:16Z2015-05-25T00:55:16Z<p>As far as it goes, I picture Aurelian and his family as tied into as much of a military/industrial complex as there could be said to be, though he himself is trying to diversify into avenues less stabby and more trade-y. Probably at least owns a bank.</p>As far as it goes, I picture Aurelian and his family as tied into as much of a military/industrial complex as there could be said to be, though he himself is trying to diversify into avenues less stabby and more trade-y. Probably at least owns a bank.mark kay2015-05-25T00:55:16ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=2#552015-05-24T23:49:05Z2015-05-24T23:49:05Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM Leviathan wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I'll be stepping away for a few hours.</p>
<p>I see your wall of text Mark! I'll be reading it when I come back. I appreciate the quick blurb, though. it makes things easier on me in the immediate.</p>
<p>If you have questions, I'll either get to them when I get back, or maybe one of my players can answer them for you. </blockquote><p>Not a problem, I figured that would help. Been trying to space out the paragraphs in the writeup, but it seems to not be taking in the edits.GM Leviathan wrote:I'll be stepping away for a few hours.
I see your wall of text Mark! I'll be reading it when I come back. I appreciate the quick blurb, though. it makes things easier on me in the immediate.
If you have questions, I'll either get to them when I get back, or maybe one of my players can answer them for you.
Not a problem, I figured that would help. Been trying to space out the paragraphs in the writeup, but it seems to not be taking in the edits.mark kay2015-05-24T23:49:05ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Lords of Taldor: Ascending Majesty Recruitmentmark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/LordsOfTaldorAscendingMajestyAct2/recruiting&page=2#512015-05-24T23:23:31Z2015-05-24T23:23:31Z<p>Ah, neat a Taldor high nobility game!</p>
<p>I'd like to nominally throw my hat into the ring with a 12th level human LG (though a spiritually bruised lawful good) swashbuckler who had returned from a self imposed exile and life he had built for himself as a merchant, in order to shore up his ancient family after a scandal that saw his father exiled. Actually I've joined a few Taldor high nobility games across the internets that haven't made it out of week 1 sadly, adapting some things I put together for them.</p>
<p>I've been refining a backstory (it's a bit long, but I kinda go all out when above 10th level and all social prominent)</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>Ah, neat a Taldor high nobility game!
I'd like to nominally throw my hat into the ring with a 12th level human LG (though a spiritually bruised lawful good) swashbuckler who had returned from a self imposed exile and life he had built for himself as a merchant, in order to shore up his ancient family after a scandal that saw his father exiled. Actually I've joined a few Taldor high nobility games across the internets that haven't made it out of week 1 sadly, adapting some things I put...mark kay2015-05-24T23:23:31ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=3#1242014-04-16T15:07:58Z2014-04-16T15:07:58Z<p>I have no inclination to play in a campaign where my options for dealing with a character who does things completely antithetical to multiple characters in the group, is either 1) we are forced to work together despite deep incompatibility or 2) we are dupes who have no idea what he does. And where you the GM say those are going to be the only options.</p>
<p>It's possibly only me, but basically having to game in what would be a constantly antagonistic and unamicable situation as the character situation, would drain any fun out of this game I might have had. That my only other option is to play my character as ignorant and helpless in the face of the stuff Thoon does.</p>
<p>I think that multiple good suggestions were offered for even just moderate changes he could have made to his concept that would have reconciled it to the at this point numerous characters who have asked for some kind of change to be made.</p>
<p>If my character were told that slaying the evil guy who goes around enslaving/thralling people and driving them insane would weaken him and others, he'd shrug and consider that an acceptable sacrifice to make. He might in fact even simply kill himself if he knew it would permanently cripple a figure like Thoon.</p>
<p>I'm not sure why in looking at all the characters you chose, you decided that in a predominantly good, and if not good, freedom loving group, would not end up with problems with someone like Thoon, doing what he does.</p>
<p>You can talk about evil and perspectives, but there are again degrees of evil, and ways to do evil characters without basically spiting the rest of the group's concepts, the concerns their players express, and basically catering to the idea that someone's personal art should be held above remotely accommodating the idea of sharing a game.</p>
<p>You can talk about "how pantheons work" but again, those are stories people read, not games people play together as a group where they ostensibly work together and tolerate each other. There's a difference between "characters don't always get along" and "character does things profoundly objectionable to multiple other characters"</p>
<p>I think at this point when your own response to the concerns of four players is "nope, Thoon gets to not change anything, and the situation will be contrived to make you accept it anyway, or otherwise know your characters are just ignorant of the terrible things he does", this isn't really a game I want to stick with, to be honest with you.</p>
<p>Thanks for your time and consideration, I wish you all the best of luck with this game and hope you enjoy yourselves.</p>
<p>edit: This isn't a request to join the other game, to be clear, you don't need to refer me to TSP or some such whatever. I'm generally withdrawing.</p>I have no inclination to play in a campaign where my options for dealing with a character who does things completely antithetical to multiple characters in the group, is either 1) we are forced to work together despite deep incompatibility or 2) we are dupes who have no idea what he does. And where you the GM say those are going to be the only options.
It's possibly only me, but basically having to game in what would be a constantly antagonistic and unamicable situation as the character...Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-16T15:07:58ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=3#1202014-04-16T13:00:18Z2014-04-16T13:00:18Z<p>I'd prefer, were they to go with that suggestion (and it lines up with my own offered alternate take really), that they stuck to the willing over the willing and also the already insane. The latter adds an exploiting the helpless angle unless that would only be for people who are, y'know, Joker style crazy or some suchery.</p>I'd prefer, were they to go with that suggestion (and it lines up with my own offered alternate take really), that they stuck to the willing over the willing and also the already insane. The latter adds an exploiting the helpless angle unless that would only be for people who are, y'know, Joker style crazy or some suchery.Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-16T13:00:18ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=3#1182014-04-16T11:37:47Z2014-04-16T11:37:47Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote><p>I understand your concern that my background doesn't jive with yours. That's fine. Our characters do not know each other prior to the outset of the game necessarily. it is my responsibility to ensure I am a team player, that does not mean we have to see eye to eye in the beginning. </p>
<p>We ARE individuals. We are allowed to be more than one alignment bracket apart.</p>
<p>I took great offense because, in some way, I consider the story and character I put together to be a piece of art, however crude. Created within the guidelines and then accepted, only to be spat upon by someone who should be my peer, not someone with authority over me. I feel as if you are trying to impose your will upon me, which you have no right to do.
<br />
</blockquote><p>The group is predominantly good aligned or ascribe to ideals in direct contradiction of what your character believes, does and pursues. Three players have expressed qualms about this vocally.
<p>That I am asking you to consider how your character can fit in a larger group and all you can talk about is how offended you are at having to compromise your personal art is again... we all have to share the same campaign space. If this is only about you and your personal art, why even join a group game?</p>
<p>No one has said "remake your character as good", one person even said "hey, maybe be chaotic neutral". I even said "hey, maybe still be evil, but maybe you only do your stuff to people who come to you willingly for it." </p>
<p>Maybe your madness is seen by yourself and others as some kind of transcendent cosmic wisdom, and thus various types of appropriate personality come to you willingly to be made crazy or thralls in order to become part of it. Would that really be that harsh a concept change? Something to let you go "you may think what I do is horrifyingly grotesque, but everyone I've done it to is a volunteer that comes to me." Maybe your character even holds it as a perverse point of pride that he/they/it has never done such a thing to anyone that didn't want it.</p>
<p>This isn't a "who can create the most glorious piece of art" competition. This is a shared campaign. If three players went to me "I can't see myself enjoying being in this game with your character/not being able to game with this character without massive problems", I would seriously consider making changes to my character and not say that we should all be forced to work together by the GM. If ontop of that I looked at the group makeup as a whole and noted that my character, not a great fit, I'd consider that besides.</p>Quote:I understand your concern that my background doesn't jive with yours. That's fine. Our characters do not know each other prior to the outset of the game necessarily. it is my responsibility to ensure I am a team player, that does not mean we have to see eye to eye in the beginning.
We ARE individuals. We are allowed to be more than one alignment bracket apart.
I took great offense because, in some way, I consider the story and character I put together to be a piece of art, however...Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-16T11:37:47ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=3#1152014-04-16T10:28:37Z2014-04-16T10:28:37Z<p>I am again not looking to internet debate you on your character's justifications for why they do what they do, repeating how elder brains are evil and that this is what elder brains do is not actually responding to what the concerns are here. That's again just going this is my character, deal with it.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>"Group cohesion": do you like everyone you work with? I know I don't. Even if you don't actively hate them, there are almost assuredly people in your life you dislike. can you not join with them for the greater good? does a little tension here and there not make a better story?</blockquote><p>There is a difference between not liking someone that I work with, and working with someone who engages in things my character would actively have massive fundamental problems with. Similarly, there's "disliking people" and "working with people who are evil and faff about consuming psyches, driving people insane, and enslaving people".
<p>You basically seem to just handwave this stuff off as something other characters might have deep problems with.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote></p>
<p>"dupes": Your word, not mine. You seem to be hung up on the concept that i am going to be trying to overtly or covertly harm the group. you are seeing an evil alignment on my character sheet (which i don't particularly see as your concern) and assuming one facet of evil in particular, looking at an entire character through a single, small lens.
<br />
</blockquote><p>No, I'm reading your backstory, noting that along with your evil alignment, and that you thereby as routine get up to evil, heinous stuff as related to it. I'm noting that stuff is not a great fit with several concepts here.
<p>That you feel what your character does/believes is of no concern to any other player in the group as far as having to play alongside you, in a group, feels kind of solipsistic. We exist as a group of people, playing as a group, the overall fit of our characters is thereby a concern beyond you.</p>
<p>That you're veering into "don't look at my sheet" goes right further into that we're not so much a group as people who apparently shouldn't even be looking at each other's sheets. We're all in the same campaign dude.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote></p>
<p>"what do you feel..." - Do i feel that there being an evil person whose motives can align with something other than evil adds to the story? Yes. There is a reason the genre of fantasy literature has so many antiheroes and secondary characters with hidden/dark pasts. it makes for a good story. That is also part of the reason you don't see a long series of novels about cuddly CareBears. we don't necessarily have to like each other to cooperate.
<br />
</blockquote><p>Your character is an evil elder brain who goes around spreading insanity and enslaving people. What work of fantasy are you particularly talking about where something like that is a member of team protagonist?
<p>That you are basically saying that being prevented or asked to tone your character's stuff down would be like turning the group into the carebears is an oddly extreme response.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote><p>"if you dropped..." - your post crosses even further into offending me. You, a fellow player, my peer in a shared roleplaying venture, presume to request that i remove an element of my character inherent in the race's description?
</p>
A.) creating thralls: this is what the race does. I am content for these things to happen off-screen, because 1.)they are inconsequential and 2.) it would be unwise to do so in good-aligned company and 3.) i dont create thralls, my minions do. i dont travel in a troupe of minions, and that is the way they biologically breed. it could even be argued that they arent even thralls, as for the most part they become full members of the race (which was the point i tried to make, albeit in a comical manner, in my earlier post).
<br />
B.) robbing people of sanity: if you had bothered to read my backstory in its entirety, i explained why Thoon must be careful not to sow too much madness. the insanity is an interesting aspect I would like to "play up" from time to time. It is not a new concept for my character concept, and you are just now voicing concern. To ask me to change an aspect around which i have made MANY character choices this late in the creation process is extremely unfair. To remove that aspect, I would have to get rid of 12 levels of one side of the gestalt and the ENTIRE other side.</blockquote><p>Serious question, do you feel that people having problems with "my character drives people insane and enslaves people as an evil elder brain" is actually that extreme a response?
<p>The party makeup is predominantly good aligned. Those not good aligned include people who hold to freedom as one of their highest principles. Would it be so terrible to at least somewhat adjust to that?</p>
<p>In Pathfinder especially, even the developers note that race alignment is not universal. Nothing stops you from being a neutral elder brain. Nothing stops you from, if indeed it's all fluff, being an elder brain that doesn't do the sorts of things you note that he gets up to.</p>
<p>Nothing stops you from at least toning them down and still being evil. Cripes, if he was even like, some kind of alien thing that thralled and made crazy the willing who came to him for it, that would certainly be disturbing, but it would at least be more acceptable in a "doesn't make people feel you are doing terrible things that should be stopped" sort of way.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote></p>
<p>pragmatism: that was also meant as somewhat of a joke, and i hope you can take this as somewhat of a joke as well, but a creature that is insane is not necessarily going to agree with a sane creature as far as what is and is not "pragmatic".
<br />
</blockquote><p>Once again, I'm not actually asking for you to justify your character's actions within their concept or race. I'm sure they make sense just fine as part of your character's concept or race. I am asking you to consider that they fit poorly with multiple characters in this group.
<p>"Well he's insane" is nothing really more than again "this is my character, deal with it".</p>
<p>I'm not asking you to not be an elder brain. I'm not asking you to drop your evil alignment. I'm asking you to consider that "you should be forced to deal with me exactly as I am" is maybe not the best way to be approaching this.</p>
<p>I'm also noting that you seem to be treating as minor, major details as far as your character actions and how they should be viewed by others.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote></p>
<p>reminder: the GM was the one who originally suggested this race to me.
<br />
</blockquote><p>then my question goes out to the GM as well as why they feel an evil elder brain who makes people insane and enslaves people is a good fit with multiple characters in this group beyond a "we are forced to work with you and accept what you do" situation.I am again not looking to internet debate you on your character's justifications for why they do what they do, repeating how elder brains are evil and that this is what elder brains do is not actually responding to what the concerns are here. That's again just going this is my character, deal with it.
Quote:"Group cohesion": do you like everyone you work with? I know I don't. Even if you don't actively hate them, there are almost assuredly people in your life you dislike. can you not join...Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-16T10:28:37ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=3#1132014-04-16T08:43:31Z2014-04-16T08:43:31Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tenro wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Peredur Anwyl wrote:</div><blockquote> I'm honestly myself finding the whole Thoon thing mildly problematic, having read the backstory for the character. The guy bopping around enslaving people and spreading insanity and driving people insane and so forth, it's something of an extremely rough fit with my own character. </blockquote><i>enslaving</i> is a bit of a stretch. they are <i>captured</i> and then a tadpole is placed in their brain, whereby they <i>transform</i> into something new. It is all quite beautiful, actually. </blockquote><p>That really doesn't actually address the issue of your character as regards the qualms the rest of us are having with them being anything but a rough fit with several other characters.
<p>If anything that went and made it worse, you now both deprive them of freedom and previous personhood. And I'm not saying that to philosophically debate it with you, I'm saying that in a "doing that is a bad fit with multiple characters in this game".</p>
<p>There was a question in the initial app about "will your character foster group cohesion" and your answer seems to at this point be "yes, because he will treat the rest of the group like dupes he will conceal what he does and believes from". It may just be me, but the idea that my gaming experience with your character will be "your character's dupe" does not encourage me to want to much interact with your character. And if instead we otherwise just straight up know what you get up to, I don't see a lot of fun in having to accept/deal with that either.</p>
<p>I'm really not thrilled about all that. It makes your character exist in a level of default antagonism to several other characters, in that you're already now talking about how you've designed your character with considerations in advance to blocking your fellow players from being able to know much from him. I don't particularly feel like playing your character's dupe. I'm not really looking to game in a group with built in antagonism in character relationships from day 1.</p>
<p>To ask it another way, what do you feel playing this character in a group of nonevil to good characters adds to this group of characters? And I don't mean in a mechanics way. I'm not looking for an "I'm playing an elder brain and this is how they are" answer in that sort of perennial, I'm just playing my character sort of response people seem to give in situations like these. Several people have expressed concerns on a level of gameplay and your replies seem to read right now like "deal with it, this is my character". </p>
<p>If you're thinking "hey, pantheons have evil gods". They sure do. They are also things that exist in stories people read about, not games you are sharing as an experience with other players.</p>
<p>I can for instance picture some friction every so often between, say, Trazzle's individualism and freedom loving and Peredur's inclination towards order and nation building, but that's more a matter of something they might debate or mildly exasperate each other by. That's character stuff, sure. Thoon's activities and perspectives blast right past that. And I think on some level you know that as far as this character and interacting with even something basic like a typical party makeup, let alone this one more specifically, or you wouldn't be talking about how your build ninjas you out of anyone knowing what you get up to as your response to concerns about your concept, as far as waving away concerns like that with responses involving mechanics. It feels like basically completely dismissing the concern as having any validity because you can say how stats let you ignore it. </p>
<p>We're, or certainly I'm, not talking about mechanics, we're talking about things like cohesion, characters at least somewhat complementing each other, and being able to overall fit to make a group that resonates and is an enjoyable experience, as a group.</p>
<p>There's at least levels of evil, if you're hellbent on having an evil character, ones that might not require you having to point out that we'll never get to know what you get up to anyway because of your mechanics. If you even dropped the "creating thralls and robbing people of sanity", that would be something.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>the brain is more of a neutral, pragmatic evil.</blockquote><p>The guy spreads insanity and enslaves/"captures and transforms" people, that's not the most pragmatic of things.Tenro wrote:Peredur Anwyl wrote: I'm honestly myself finding the whole Thoon thing mildly problematic, having read the backstory for the character. The guy bopping around enslaving people and spreading insanity and driving people insane and so forth, it's something of an extremely rough fit with my own character.
enslaving is a bit of a stretch. they are captured and then a tadpole is placed in their brain, whereby they transform into something new. It is all quite beautiful, actually. That...Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-16T08:43:31ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#972014-04-15T22:03:08Z2014-04-15T22:03:08Z<p>Whereas for Peredur it's one of his big hallmarks of a great society, yeah.</p>Whereas for Peredur it's one of his big hallmarks of a great society, yeah.Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-15T22:03:08ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#952014-04-15T21:46:08Z2014-04-15T21:46:08Z<p>I have knowledge as well, but like I say, don't mind the overlap at all. I much imagine Trazzle and Peredur have completely different perspectives on that whole aspect of things anyway.</p>I have knowledge as well, but like I say, don't mind the overlap at all. I much imagine Trazzle and Peredur have completely different perspectives on that whole aspect of things anyway.Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-15T21:46:08ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#912014-04-15T18:24:49Z2014-04-15T18:24:49Z<p>Which reminds me, I'm still finalizing my own crunch stuff and all (and might just take the template down one track ultimately), but I think most of our character backstories are up. </p>
<p>Now seems like a good time to eyeball each other's and to express concerns/ask questions anyone might have on them amongst the group.</p>
<p>I mean, the GM can ultimately say we're all forced to work together by the circumstances regardless, sure, but that's less of an amicable situation than it is, well, the characters having to play being forced to work together, or otherwise some characters having to treat the others like dupes and conceal what they do, and any other sort of thing.</p>Which reminds me, I'm still finalizing my own crunch stuff and all (and might just take the template down one track ultimately), but I think most of our character backstories are up.
Now seems like a good time to eyeball each other's and to express concerns/ask questions anyone might have on them amongst the group.
I mean, the GM can ultimately say we're all forced to work together by the circumstances regardless, sure, but that's less of an amicable situation than it is, well, the...Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-15T18:24:49ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#892014-04-15T18:13:43Z2014-04-15T18:13:43Z<p>I'm honestly myself finding the whole Thoon thing mildly problematic, having read the backstory for the character. The guy bopping around enslaving people and spreading insanity and driving people insane and so forth, it's something of an extremely rough fit with my own character.</p>I'm honestly myself finding the whole Thoon thing mildly problematic, having read the backstory for the character. The guy bopping around enslaving people and spreading insanity and driving people insane and so forth, it's something of an extremely rough fit with my own character.Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-15T18:13:43ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#842014-04-15T17:12:15Z2014-04-15T17:12:15Z<p>I'm myself okay with something like domain overlap. I'd figure that such domains as have been picked were intended to be reflective of conceptual stuff, in that sense, a domain might overlap, but the particular character's implementation/interpretation of the notions behind it and why it ties into them provide differentiation.</p>
<p>With that said, was looking to go with knowledge, strength, protection, nobility and good. I could switch out strength for war and good for glory, if that helps anyone all the same.</p>I'm myself okay with something like domain overlap. I'd figure that such domains as have been picked were intended to be reflective of conceptual stuff, in that sense, a domain might overlap, but the particular character's implementation/interpretation of the notions behind it and why it ties into them provide differentiation.
With that said, was looking to go with knowledge, strength, protection, nobility and good. I could switch out strength for war and good for glory, if that helps anyone...Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-15T17:12:15ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#822014-04-15T15:53:44Z2014-04-15T15:53:44Z<p>I'll drop the cohort then if everyone would rather it be avoided. Opens up a feat slot I s'pose.</p>I'll drop the cohort then if everyone would rather it be avoided. Opens up a feat slot I s'pose.Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-15T15:53:44ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#662014-04-14T03:28:02Z2014-04-14T03:28:02Z<p>Battle Scion and Rogue 4/Paladin 3/Fighter 7 (buckler duelist) as my classes. Pretttty much melee stuff with some mild ranged capacity from the force blasts and such.</p>Battle Scion and Rogue 4/Paladin 3/Fighter 7 (buckler duelist) as my classes. Pretttty much melee stuff with some mild ranged capacity from the force blasts and such.Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-14T03:28:02ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#602014-04-13T23:47:09Z2014-04-13T23:47:09Z<p>Oh, and put my backstory and description in the profile. As far as the notion of if the characters have run into each other previously, it might be better to go with not necessarily. I can't really picture my character having much previously bopped around with a neutral evil elder brain for instance.</p>Oh, and put my backstory and description in the profile. As far as the notion of if the characters have run into each other previously, it might be better to go with not necessarily. I can't really picture my character having much previously bopped around with a neutral evil elder brain for instance.Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-13T23:47:09ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the DivinePeredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion&page=2#592014-04-13T22:54:36Z2014-04-13T22:54:36Z<p>Apologies if this was already asked and I missed it, if you take a cohort (and we're allowed to have cohorts) and they have levels, are they done as gestalt as well?</p>Apologies if this was already asked and I missed it, if you take a cohort (and we're allowed to have cohorts) and they have levels, are they done as gestalt as well?Peredur Anwyl (alias of mark kay)2014-04-13T22:54:36ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the Divinemark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion#252014-04-12T01:06:27Z2014-04-12T01:06:27Z<p>At any rate, I can repost my various backstory stuff here for ease of not having to jump about different pages to find it, if that would be of any use.</p>At any rate, I can repost my various backstory stuff here for ease of not having to jump about different pages to find it, if that would be of any use.mark kay2014-04-12T01:06:27ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Whispers of the Divinemark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/discussion#212014-04-11T22:54:39Z2014-04-11T22:54:39Z<p>Just to check, and also hey to everyone else in this one, for templates, you apply them to both gestalt progressions?</p>
<p>Most just looked a bit weird for people otherwise putting monster crs if they're some sort of thing or other down the one track, justwanted to make sure I had that right.</p>Just to check, and also hey to everyone else in this one, for templates, you apply them to both gestalt progressions?
Most just looked a bit weird for people otherwise putting monster crs if they're some sort of thing or other down the one track, justwanted to make sure I had that right.mark kay2014-04-11T22:54:39ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Echoes of the Sephira: Mythic, Legendary, Deific Epic Across the Planes!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/recruiting&page=12#5922014-04-09T22:42:23Z2014-04-09T22:42:23Z<p>I'd prefer a more serious game and less jokey characters, if that influences what group I end up in.</p>I'd prefer a more serious game and less jokey characters, if that influences what group I end up in.mark kay2014-04-09T22:42:23ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Echoes of the Sephira: Mythic, Legendary, Deific Epic Across the Planes!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/recruiting&page=12#5822014-04-09T21:03:35Z2014-04-09T21:03:35Z<p>As a suggestion, if you're looking to split people into groups, it might be better to do so via thematics, compatible alignments, and the like. </p>
<p>There's a bunch of characters that don't look like they'd necessarily be great fits with each other from that list and all.</p>As a suggestion, if you're looking to split people into groups, it might be better to do so via thematics, compatible alignments, and the like.
There's a bunch of characters that don't look like they'd necessarily be great fits with each other from that list and all.mark kay2014-04-09T21:03:35ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Echoes of the Sephira: Mythic, Legendary, Deific Epic Across the Planes!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/recruiting&page=12#5572014-04-09T08:23:25Z2014-04-09T08:23:25Z<p>Glargh. Forgot to post a description with the character and for some reason I can't edit that post now, so..</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>Glargh. Forgot to post a description with the character and for some reason I can't edit that post now, so..
[Spoiler omitted]mark kay2014-04-09T08:23:25ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Echoes of the Sephira: Mythic, Legendary, Deific Epic Across the Planes!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/recruiting&page=12#5522014-04-09T05:42:48Z2014-04-09T05:42:48Z<p>Hokay, reaaallly hoping to have managed to make the cut off time, took longer than I had thought, anyway!</p>
<p>So, the character is Peredur Anwyl, human (half celestial template) battle scion 14//rogue 4/paladin 3/fighter 7 (buckler duelist archetype) </p>
<p>1. Well, holding off on full crunch since apparently the fluff matters more now, so see above for noted level spread. I would if possible like to take the leadership feat simply to represent that he came out from a kingdom he built of himself, and has taken at least the one personal friend on a ride with him out into the multiverse. Mostly for the cohort thereby. </p>
<p>2. Peredur Anwyl is essentially a god of nobility and aspiration. A civilizer from barbarism and darkness, a nation builder and king, and even something of a scholar and engineer. Of dreaming big and not letting anything like "the way things are" get in the way of realizing dreams. That ambition can be a force for good, if only properly channeled. </p>
<p>Simply for that he himself is human and lived largely amongst such on his world, he is a bit humanity focused, but in general the great adventure he himself is on is one that he tries to inspire others to take up their own.</p>
<p>His domains are likely to be knowledge, good, nobility, protection and strength (I might revise that a bit).</p>
<p>His servitor race, I'm generally picturing either Archons as made up of the souls of the people of the kingdom he founded as a mortal when they arrive in the afterlife, or.. actually no, I really like that image.</p>
<p>3. The Summer King, The Golden Dreamer, The Great Civilizer</p>
<p>4. The Golden Dream. As the kingdom of his homeworld grew, some of even its darker warlords would come to bend knee to him, seeking purpose, meaning, even atonement in a burgeoning better age. It became practice (though were you to ask him, he was mildly befuddled at the origins of such) to cast of their old crowns before him, and sunder them.</p>
<p>He was never particularly fond of acts of pure destruction, and resolved to turn the performance to a better purpose, as he did with most things as almost habit.</p>
<p>The sundered crowns thereby were taken, and some of their metals reshaped into resplendent badges of office he would give to his new followers. </p>
<p>Touched by the gesture, they in turn took what remained and shaped from it a new crown, though as these men were just barely out from barbarism, it was a rough working, a simple circlet of iron. It was presented almost with shame, until in response Peredur wept from surprise, joy and gratitude to be so gifted. Proclaiming that this act of creation was the truest pledge these men could make, and he would wear this crown for them always.</p>
<p>On placing it to his brow, it flared to brilliant light and life, a manifestation of his people's hopes in him, and his in them. It takes the form of a golden nimbus of radiance about his head, granting ease, protection and succor to what can sometimes be a mind far too quick keen and restless, supplanting insight with sight beyond sight, banishing darkness and malign presence, and bolstering and strengthening the spirits of those who behold it.</p>
<p>5. Given his shtick, I picture his realm as one he would basically fight to form from parts of the metaphysical layers of reality lost otherwise to evil and chaos, pulling them away and purifying them to form the nexus of a growing divine realm tied to more celestial planes. That it would take the shape of a greatly idealized kingdom after the one he had build. A green and golden forever Summerlands, of castles of silver and gold, shining majestically on tall hills. Resplendent cities bent towards growth without depletion, learning without scorn, of celebration and inspiration. Of rallying forces to challenge entropy, despair and evil.</p>
<p>6. It's a bit long, sorry! S'why things took me so long, aside from life stuff.</p>
<p>The child of a fallen world with blood that hearkened back to a better one, Peredur had been marked out for a life of either challenge or despair from upbringing alone. Though his family was but one petty kingship amongst patchwork brutal barbarism, their blood was ancient, and parents raised their shining son as if it still flowered in full strength and reign. Such lore and gifts as they had yet managed to hoard, they used in his shaping, in a demanding training to ideals and standards that no longer existed in a dark age of plundering warlords and burning kingdoms. This could only ensure he would look out on the world that was with dissatisfaction, with desire for more than it was now, and instead for what it could have been. In that sense, that in him all the promise of that old blood sang for burning potential was not necessarily a gift, for with the paltry means available to him, it could only mean a reach that would forever exceed his grasp.</p>
<p>With a self assured smile, Peredur himself, quick witted and keen enough to understand the travails and limitations before him, said simple “they only matter if I fail.” There was something in him that could only look to impossible standards, to elegies of once great kingdoms as challenges to be met and promises to be honoured. He was a restless soul in his youth, driven by will that came from within, yet beyond, gathering together a group of companions to ride outward, to seek and claim every hidden or buried remnant of their world’s glorious past as they could find. Ruins were explored, occulted wise men and spirits tracked down, even plundered riches, held by those with an ignorance of their use, were claimed, or as Peredur preferred to say, reclaimed. </p>
<p>And he grew strong, and wise, and powerful. He walked secret paths and learned hidden masteries. His fervor and force of personality drove those around him to rally and swear to similar purpose, uplifted even by his company to better themselves. But still he felt challenges before him, still his will and soul burned. It was not enough to satisfy him, to bring him a sense of peace within his spirit. The world had been ripped apart by the strong after all, was still daily torn to shreds by those who had made themselves mighty. Power alone then, self growth alone then, was meaningless, or it would have made meaning in the world, instead of showing the height of its creation to be slag.</p>
<p>As much from himself whole cloth as works he studied, Peredur built a philosophy to guide himself by. Did his companions bleed for him? Then they deserved to be honoured for what they bled. Could he have risen himself up without his family, his people? Of course not, and so they too, should be able to rise. Even the legends and stories of the old world that was, if that world had not been glorious enough to create a legacy of inspiration, then the fires of his own soul might never have been stoked. His own power, his own glory, was held in obligation to them, long dead though they were. He would take his might and put it into the service of right. And that right did not especially exist in this world meant only that he would have to create it. He was challenged by some as to how that made him different from any other conqueror of the moment, putting their will and ambition on the world. His reply was a simple one, that he was creating something for he himself to serve, and that ambition, if held for all men, as a promise to all their potential, could make one man’s rise as all their own. </p>
<p>These conclusions, these convictions, these quests, they sanctified his soul somehow, gave it radiance and resonance. He came into his own throne, he gathered followers. He traveled into depths of horror simply to reach out his hand and offer a better way, to join him in a better world. He endured hardship and privation in refining himself further to be an example for the world, an inspiration. And where he could not inspire, or persuade, he fought. Against warlords and petty kings, against monsters and foulness that had swept into the world after its collapse. His deeds were a wonder, as was his intent, for there was an underlying methodical rigor to his efforts. Though inspired by one that was, in many ways, he was building a new order, a new world, out of almost nothing, and care and thought needed to be twinned with the staggering aspiration and pride in himself and others that were necessary to believe such a working could be possible at all.</p>
<p>It could not be said that he conquered his world, such things are vast after all. But within its vastness he forged a great society all the same, heralded as the Summer King of a shining nation, a symbol of defiance against terror and despair, a testament to the idea of aspiration. And such forces as preferred his world a dark and wretched thing, its races degraded and brutal, near constantly assailed it. Yet from each war, victory was found, and strength ever heightened. In a city of silver and gold he gathered lore, sponsored learning and innovation, fostered culture and art, encouraged nobility to live as exemplars. He swore to himself this would not be yet another cycle of rise and fall, that he would rise his people to a point of touching eternity.</p>
<p>It made him attentive to such as were his enemies yet, to their motivations, and particularly to the patterns he intuited behind them. There were forces larger than them, larger than his world, that much desired its fallen state, and he could never strike at them while bound to a terrestrial sphere, could not shield his people from them. But that was just one more challenge to face. He had made himself powerful before, and made that power have meaning, purpose. If there was a world beyond his world, then it had power besides, that could be made his own yet, and put into better service yet. Securing his kingdom, he moved beyond it and into a wider reality, plumbing its depths, learning its knowledges, reaching infernal lows and celestials heights, transforming himself in high ritual to make his sanctified spirit manifest in his body. He found as he moved through the multiverse others in peril, in need, hungering, though they might have known it not, for an example to help them not just reach beyond themselves, but succeed in doing so. And in doing so, make their world a better place for having tried.</p>
<p>He learned besides of concepts he found distasteful, of cosmic balances, of gods, even principles of evil enshrined into the fabric of reality itself. He did not despair all the same. This was but a path his entire life had prepared him for. After all, these forces are only inviolate if he fails. </p>
<p>7. Dat and Yesod were tempting, but Malkuth fits the whole concept the most.</p>
<p>8. I'm a bit late obviously, but I'd be happy to talk the character out with anyone as far as working off/with others. </p>
<p>9. I like the idea of a character who doesn't simply view good as a maintaining of a status quo, restoring what has been lost, or the like, but that it can be a means to build big, new and glorious things. THat ambition doesn't have to be bad, if it can just be put into a proper use and context. Of a young glorious conquering hero king, but one who does such things because he wants people to be inspired to live boldly themselves. That even the simple craftsman looking to what could otherwise be a cold world and resolving all the same to make things in it is not just the hero of their own story, they are a hero, in his view.</p>
<p>In that sense, as far as group cohesion? He's the guy cheerleading people to take their craziest dream, as long as it could do some good, and saying "no, go for it! damn the naysayers! nothing is impossible!"</p>
<p>Said more glibly, he's Chris Trager from Parks and Rec as fused with King Arthur ;p (I kid, he's not)</p>
<p>Less glibly there is of course also something perhaps mildly terrifying about someone who turns an eyeball out at reality and goes "I can definitely improve that. And so can you."</p>
<p>edit: gargh, forgot to note the half celestial template</p>Hokay, reaaallly hoping to have managed to make the cut off time, took longer than I had thought, anyway!
So, the character is Peredur Anwyl, human (half celestial template) battle scion 14//rogue 4/paladin 3/fighter 7 (buckler duelist archetype)
1. Well, holding off on full crunch since apparently the fluff matters more now, so see above for noted level spread. I would if possible like to take the leadership feat simply to represent that he came out from a kingdom he built of himself, and...mark kay2014-04-09T05:42:48ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Echoes of the Sephira: Mythic, Legendary, Deific Epic Across the Planes!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/EchoesOfTheSephira/recruiting&page=10#4572014-04-07T18:42:46Z2014-04-07T18:42:46Z<p>hey, is the thread still taking character submissions? Got kind of slammed by real life before I could put one together a few days ago, so figured to ask.</p>hey, is the thread still taking character submissions? Got kind of slammed by real life before I could put one together a few days ago, so figured to ask.mark kay2014-04-07T18:42:46ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Combat (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy95b1/discuss&page=3?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Inner-Sea-Combat#1042014-03-29T02:53:52Z2014-03-29T02:53:52Z<p>As regards the changed description, are the Lion Blades still getting some detail in this one?</p>As regards the changed description, are the Lion Blades still getting some detail in this one?mark kay2014-03-29T02:53:52ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=700?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#349672013-08-21T01:30:11Z2013-08-21T01:30:11Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">mark kay wrote:</div><blockquote><p>The first crusade though was specifically noted as just Deskari wanting to give the impression of demons as a defeatable, disorganized mob that he intended to lose, and largely otherwise more or less provide cover for various demons bopping off to other corners of Golarion to fester and monger influence there.</p>
<p>The book even goes so far as to note that nothing is really stopping the demons from marching out to the north or west if they really, really wanted to, and that Deskari is keeping a focus on the Crusade because he wants them to ruin themselves by falling completely into corruption, with accompanying allowing wine to come to flavour over time metaphor.</p>
<p>It seems difficult to read into that the Crusades having ever really accomplished anything in their time. </blockquote><p>I'm not really sure what you're trying to accomplish here.
<p>If you're trying to find a way to justify the return of Nexivar to the setting... this isn't going to help. The "it marginalized the accomplishments of the crusaders" is a relatively minor part of the reason why I ret-conned Nexivar out of the setting.</p>
<p>The major reason is that from a storytelling viewpoint it felt WAY too convenient and lazy. Nexivar isn't coming back in our print products, in any event, and I'm hoping it'll not come back any more in PFS, so that's not an issue.</p>
<p>In any event, the crusade HAS accomplished a lot in their time. Trust me, if they hadn't spent the last better part of a century doing what they did, the Worldwound would be MUCH larger. The reason the Worldwound is the shape it is today is because of the Crusaders (and to a lesser extent the barbarians of the Mammoth Lords to the west and the siabraes to the north) </blockquote><p>I don't have some hidden intent here as regards retconned out special materials, is what I guess I would say to that. My question wasn't particularly inspired by nexavar, I don't honestly care about that stuff one way or another, it was more the notion of the Crusade as a force that managed anything being mentioned. It seemed to fly in the face of how the Crusades were presented in the Worldwound.
<p>To get to the heart of it, it was something of a massive bummer, that book, coming in the midst of stuff like Champions of Purity, Chronicles of the Righteous, so forth. And I don't mean in the sense of painting a depressing picture of a situation, I mean in the sense of organized good having come off as, well, easily manipulated and somewhat shmucky, and getting by on the largesse of evil not quite wanting to step all over them yet as part of master plans their enemies don't even have an inkling of.</p>
<p>It's nice to hear these things in an ask James Jacobs thread and all, but that's just not how their presentation in Worldwound comes off, which is mostly a talk on the Crusades as easily suborned and corrupted failures, that as an overall effort largely played into what Deskari wants anyway, even from the get go.</p>James Jacobs wrote:mark kay wrote:The first crusade though was specifically noted as just Deskari wanting to give the impression of demons as a defeatable, disorganized mob that he intended to lose, and largely otherwise more or less provide cover for various demons bopping off to other corners of Golarion to fester and monger influence there.
The book even goes so far as to note that nothing is really stopping the demons from marching out to the north or west if they really, really wanted...mark kay2013-08-21T01:30:11ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=700?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#349622013-08-20T22:15:18Z2013-08-20T22:15:18Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">mark kay wrote:</div><blockquote><p> James,</p>
<p>On the whole taking away from the accomplishments of the Iomedean Crusaders notion, what in the main do you feel they've accomplished to date?</p>
<p>I ask largely because the Worldwound book itself presents such few victories as they've managed to be against initial disorganized mobs of demons, and that even those were a "just as planned" sort of thing by Deskari, that a large part of them getting by seems to come down to the demons specifically not trying as hard as they could be, again as part of more "just as planned" sort of things by Deskari, and that they amount to a degraded, easily corrupted force, whose strugglings in the main provide the higher up demons with amusement. The book notes the entire demonic plan to basically be to wait and let the Crusaders ruin themselves, for all that they could be doing more.</p>
<p>In that sense, particularly when the Inner Sea World Guide itself presented the situation as a more valiant defense that happened to have issues, it doesn't really feel like the Crusades have accomplished much of anything. The various Crusades to date are given detail as to why they've been failures or just the Crusaders having been gulled, whereas the ISWG at least presents some of the later ones in a context of having some relative triumphs as far as either purging corruption, tamping down on extremism, or what have you. </blockquote><p>The whole point of the Worldwound situation is that it's supposed to be grim and dark and depressing, so that when and if heroes arise to solve the situation, those heroes feel suitably mythic.
<p>The MAIN thing the crusaders have accomplished is the containment of the demons, though. This, coupled with their creation of the wardstones, is huge. And they DID manage to defeat the first wave of demons to erupt from the Worldwound. The 1st crusade was a GREAT success... it was just, unfortunately, not the main invasion as the crusaders had originally assumed.</p>
<p>If the crusaders weren't there at the start, our campaign setting would have... </blockquote><p>The first crusade though was specifically noted as just Deskari wanting to give the impression of demons as a defeatable, disorganized mob that he intended to lose, and largely otherwise more or less provide cover for various demons bopping off to other corners of Golarion to fester and monger influence there.
<p>The book even goes so far as to note that nothing is really stopping the demons from marching out to the north or west if they really, really wanted to, and that Deskari is keeping a focus on the Crusade because he wants them to ruin themselves by falling completely into corruption, with accompanying allowing wine to come to flavour over time metaphor.</p>
<p>It seems difficult to read into that the Crusades having ever really accomplished anything in their time.</p>James Jacobs wrote:mark kay wrote:James,
On the whole taking away from the accomplishments of the Iomedean Crusaders notion, what in the main do you feel they've accomplished to date?
I ask largely because the Worldwound book itself presents such few victories as they've managed to be against initial disorganized mobs of demons, and that even those were a "just as planned" sort of thing by Deskari, that a large part of them getting by seems to come down to the demons specifically not trying...mark kay2013-08-20T22:15:18ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=699?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#349492013-08-20T19:16:15Z2013-08-20T19:16:15Z<p>James,</p>
<p>On the whole taking away from the accomplishments of the Iomedean Crusaders notion, what in the main do you feel they've accomplished to date?</p>
<p>I ask largely because the Worldwound book itself presents such few victories as they've managed to be against initial disorganized mobs of demons, and that even those were a "just as planned" sort of thing by Deskari, that a large part of them getting by seems to come down to the demons specifically not trying as hard as they could be, again as part of more "just as planned" sort of things by Deskari, and that they amount to a degraded, easily corrupted force, whose strugglings in the main provide the higher up demons with amusement. The book notes the entire demonic plan to basically be to wait and let the Crusaders ruin themselves, for all that they could be doing more.</p>
<p>In that sense, particularly when the Inner Sea World Guide itself presented the situation as a more valiant defense that happened to have issues, it doesn't really feel like the Crusades have accomplished much of anything. The various Crusades to date are given detail as to why they've been failures or just the Crusaders having been gulled, whereas the ISWG at least presents some of the later ones in a context of having some relative triumphs as far as either purging corruption, tamping down on extremism, or what have you.</p>James,
On the whole taking away from the accomplishments of the Iomedean Crusaders notion, what in the main do you feel they've accomplished to date?
I ask largely because the Worldwound book itself presents such few victories as they've managed to be against initial disorganized mobs of demons, and that even those were a "just as planned" sort of thing by Deskari, that a large part of them getting by seems to come down to the demons specifically not trying as hard as they could be, again...mark kay2013-08-20T19:16:15ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Midgard Tales (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy90qs/discuss?Midgard-Tales#292013-07-29T22:48:33Z2013-07-29T03:10:06Z<p>The premise itself and the promise of something higher level were already pretty engaging, yeah (I really like that scale of gaming, but there's not a lot of formal support for making it go as a gm I find), but knowing it will be an avenue for use of the mythic rules ontop of that kicks it into a must have for me (um, no pressure or anything though!)</p>The premise itself and the promise of something higher level were already pretty engaging, yeah (I really like that scale of gaming, but there's not a lot of formal support for making it go as a gm I find), but knowing it will be an avenue for use of the mythic rules ontop of that kicks it into a must have for me (um, no pressure or anything though!)mark kay2013-07-29T03:10:06ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Midgard Tales (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy90qs/discuss?Midgard-Tales#262013-07-29T12:26:22Z2013-07-28T02:24:45Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Christina Stiles wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">mark kay wrote:</div><blockquote> Does this one still have the freeing Nethus related adventure in it? </blockquote>No, it does not. That is a standalone that I am still finishing. I want it to be mythic, do I am awaiting the final rules on that. </blockquote><p>That's actually incredibly cool to hear, I'm looking forward to it now moreso than I was before (and I'd been looking forward to it like crazy).Christina Stiles wrote:mark kay wrote: Does this one still have the freeing Nethus related adventure in it?
No, it does not. That is a standalone that I am still finishing. I want it to be mythic, do I am awaiting the final rules on that. That's actually incredibly cool to hear, I'm looking forward to it now moreso than I was before (and I'd been looking forward to it like crazy).mark kay2013-07-28T02:24:45ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Midgard Tales (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy90qs/discuss?Midgard-Tales#212013-07-27T22:12:16Z2013-07-27T22:12:16Z<p>Does this one still have the freeing Nethus related adventure in it?</p>Does this one still have the freeing Nethus related adventure in it?mark kay2013-07-27T22:12:16ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=669?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#334132013-07-04T02:13:48Z2013-07-04T02:13:48Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">mark kay wrote:</div><blockquote><p> That sounds honestly a lot more workable, yeah. Is there ever any chance of the firearms rules getting some kind of revision? Guns just trumping monsters as well feels somewhat off.</p>
<p>If by some freak turn of events Pathfinder ever does a more technologically advanced setting or set or rules or campaign area or what have you, something in the rules to compensate for how good guns ultimately get once they start to proliferate and become both common and more advanced would be nice. </blockquote><p>A revision to how guns work in this edition of Pathfinder is highly unlikely... but Jason's in a game I run where Rob's character regularly does over 100 points of damage in a round with guns, so who can say?
<p>If we do a new setting/ruleset for a more modern or sci fi genre, that would be a place to adjust how guns or touch AC or both work as well. </blockquote><p>It has made me mildly dread the "the party goes to Alkenstar" module mind you, since by my understanding guns are more common/advanced there. Unless I'm off about that one and the place still works like the rest of Golarion as regards firearms.James Jacobs wrote:mark kay wrote:That sounds honestly a lot more workable, yeah. Is there ever any chance of the firearms rules getting some kind of revision? Guns just trumping monsters as well feels somewhat off.
If by some freak turn of events Pathfinder ever does a more technologically advanced setting or set or rules or campaign area or what have you, something in the rules to compensate for how good guns ultimately get once they start to proliferate and become both common and more...mark kay2013-07-04T02:13:48ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=668?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#333892013-07-03T19:03:41Z2013-07-03T19:03:41Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">mark kay wrote:</div><blockquote><p> James,</p>
<p>This was a bit inspired by the recent Reign of Winter AP. So if a campaign goes with the much more common and advanced firearms options as a regular thing for its setting, what stops the fighter from ending up hosed by that to a certain extent?</p>
<p>By which I mean, an armor bonus generally seems to be something a fighter (and certainly a paladin and the like thereby) truck in to get by, but in a world of advanced and readily available guns, an armor bonus becomes pretty sweepingly useless. </p>
<p>What would you suggest for compensating for that? Magical bulletproof armor/shields (i.e. that thereby lets its armor bonus still apply vs firearms)? Working up some kind of per every so odd levels ac bonus thing that some d20 games used to do? Just tell the would be fighter to play a gunslinger? Other? </blockquote><p>It doesn't stop at fighter—guns as they currently work are really REALLY strong against most monsters as well.
<p>My original design for firearms was that they had a penetration value, and that value was the number of AC points they ignored against armored (be it armor or natural) foes. So, say a pistol might have a penetration of 2, and thus ignores 2 points of armor class bonus when used against a fighter in armor, but a higher powered rifle might have a penetration of 8. What EXACT numbers those scores were at I can't remember, alas...</p>
<p>Makes it a little more "calculaty" to play, but it also keeps guns from ignoring armor completely.</p>
<p></blockquote><p>That sounds honestly a lot more workable, yeah. Is there ever any chance of the firearms rules getting some kind of revision? Guns just trumping monsters as well feels somewhat off.
<p>If by some freak turn of events Pathfinder ever does a more technologically advanced setting or set or rules or campaign area or what have you, something in the rules to compensate for how good guns ultimately get once they start to proliferate and become both common and more advanced would be nice.</p>James Jacobs wrote:mark kay wrote:James,
This was a bit inspired by the recent Reign of Winter AP. So if a campaign goes with the much more common and advanced firearms options as a regular thing for its setting, what stops the fighter from ending up hosed by that to a certain extent?
By which I mean, an armor bonus generally seems to be something a fighter (and certainly a paladin and the like thereby) truck in to get by, but in a world of advanced and readily available guns, an armor...mark kay2013-07-03T19:03:41ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=668?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#333682013-07-03T01:39:46Z2013-07-03T01:39:46Z<p>James,</p>
<p>This was a bit inspired by the recent Reign of Winter AP. So if a campaign goes with the much more common and advanced firearms options as a regular thing for its setting, what stops the fighter from ending up hosed by that to a certain extent?</p>
<p>By which I mean, an armor bonus generally seems to be something a fighter (and certainly a paladin and the like thereby) truck in to get by, but in a world of advanced and readily available guns, an armor bonus becomes pretty sweepingly useless. </p>
<p>What would you suggest for compensating for that? Magical bulletproof armor/shields (i.e. that thereby lets its armor bonus still apply vs firearms)? Working up some kind of per every so odd levels ac bonus thing that some d20 games used to do? Just tell the would be fighter to play a gunslinger? Other?</p>James,
This was a bit inspired by the recent Reign of Winter AP. So if a campaign goes with the much more common and advanced firearms options as a regular thing for its setting, what stops the fighter from ending up hosed by that to a certain extent?
By which I mean, an armor bonus generally seems to be something a fighter (and certainly a paladin and the like thereby) truck in to get by, but in a world of advanced and readily available guns, an armor bonus becomes pretty sweepingly
...mark kay2013-07-03T01:39:46ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=656?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#327652013-06-12T21:58:01Z2013-06-12T21:58:01Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">mark kay wrote:</div><blockquote><p> James,</p>
<p>I know Taldor isn't one of your favourite nations, but I figured I might as well ask this and see what your own view is. So, the army of Qadira is noted at clocking in at 100,000+, which can be further swelled by conscripts and slaves. The shtick of the Taldan army is noted as being underfunded, but still impressive, and further potent enough to hold its borders. Certainly they've at least been powerful enough to have discouraged a Qadiran invasion to this point.</p>
<p>How big an army do you figure that would have to be to be managing that, as far as the hosts of Taldor? </blockquote>Without a super-robust set of rules for mass combat, and without an extensive gaming background in mass-combat wargames, I can't really answer that question. At this point, the answer is merely, "As big as it needs to be but not one soldier more." </blockquote><p>Ah well, was worth asking as far as some campaign work I'm trying to do. Appreciate getting a response regardless.James Jacobs wrote:mark kay wrote:James,
I know Taldor isn't one of your favourite nations, but I figured I might as well ask this and see what your own view is. So, the army of Qadira is noted at clocking in at 100,000+, which can be further swelled by conscripts and slaves. The shtick of the Taldan army is noted as being underfunded, but still impressive, and further potent enough to hold its borders. Certainly they've at least been powerful enough to have discouraged a Qadiran invasion to...mark kay2013-06-12T21:58:01ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=655?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#327292013-06-12T12:21:47Z2013-06-12T12:21:47Z<p>James,</p>
<p>I know Taldor isn't one of your favourite nations, but I figured I might as well ask this and see what your own view is. So, the army of Qadira is noted at clocking in at 100,000+, which can be further swelled by conscripts and slaves. The shtick of the Taldan army is noted as being underfunded, but still impressive, and further potent enough to hold its borders. Certainly they've at least been powerful enough to have discouraged a Qadiran invasion to this point.</p>
<p>How big an army do you figure that would have to be to be managing that, as far as the hosts of Taldor?</p>James,
I know Taldor isn't one of your favourite nations, but I figured I might as well ask this and see what your own view is. So, the army of Qadira is noted at clocking in at 100,000+, which can be further swelled by conscripts and slaves. The shtick of the Taldan army is noted as being underfunded, but still impressive, and further potent enough to hold its borders. Certainly they've at least been powerful enough to have discouraged a Qadiran invasion to this point.
How big an army do...mark kay2013-06-12T12:21:47ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *Wes Schneider* ALL your questions here!!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pow7&page=6?Ask-Wes-Schneider-ALL-your-questions-here#2812013-06-07T23:21:48Z2013-06-07T23:21:48Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>The Grittiest Good: For groups seeking a darker, grittier style of play, actually treating Ragathiel's obedience as a necessary ritual sacrifice could be pretty sweet. While it's probably the darkest way to play good ever, I can definitely see a stoic crusader of Ragathiel keeping a band of unrepentant demons caged up to sacrifice as the days go by on the frontlines of the Mendevian war effort. Maybe the heroes are awaiting much-needed reinforcements before they march back into the throbbing heart of evil that is the Worldwound; they're haggard and worn down, and most can only look away as the crusader carries out his unsavory but necessary task so that he may use his god-given powers to keep the ramshackle border camp safe in the meantime. (As a side-note, can anyone guess that I'm really excited for the Wrath of the Righteous Adventure Path?)</blockquote><p>I kind of thought the whole intent of the trifecta o good related publications (Champions of Purity, Righteousness, the Worldwound AP) was to put out some stuff that didn't really for their stretch truck in that whole dark and gritty, good is a grodily brutal murderous hypocrisy ouvre. Or as Wes put it in another thread, to avoid the whole being too cool for school thing vis a vis good related stuff.Quote:The Grittiest Good: For groups seeking a darker, grittier style of play, actually treating Ragathiel's obedience as a necessary ritual sacrifice could be pretty sweet. While it's probably the darkest way to play good ever, I can definitely see a stoic crusader of Ragathiel keeping a band of unrepentant demons caged up to sacrifice as the days go by on the frontlines of the Mendevian war effort. Maybe the heroes are awaiting much-needed reinforcements before they march back into the...mark kay2013-06-07T23:21:48ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Chronicle of the Righteous (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xe9/discuss&page=10?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Chronicle-of-the-Righteous#4662013-06-07T07:20:04Z2013-06-07T07:20:04Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Amber Scott wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">mark kay wrote:</div><blockquote><br />
<br />
Just to ask, as it didn't really get a clear answer I think, was Ragathiel's obedience intended to be full out ritual sacrifice? Would full out ritual sacrifice qualify for it despite being, well, full out ritual sacrifice of someone likely bound and helpless for it? My own takeaway had been that killing someone appropriately evil in the course of battle as it might come up would qualify, along with requisite ritual prayer after. </blockquote><p>It was intended to be the latter—the mystery cultist comes across Evil Person, slays Evil Person, and gets boons. Not all the obediences would necessarily take an hour, but none should take longer than an hour. For example, Black Butterfly's obedience of doing an anonymous act of charity could involve leaving some gold on a doorstep, knocking, and running—no need to turn it into an hour-long ritual.
<p>I see under Celestial Obedience on page 5 it says the rituals are "typically an hour" but for the feat it says "only an hour." The former was my intention. I'm guessing the discrepancy occurred when the feat text was aligned with the Demonic Obedience feat. (I am only the author though and don't have the 'official' answers :) ).</p>
<p></blockquote><p>Whoops, missed the reply, just wanted to thank you for taking the time for it, and for what is one of my favourite books released for Pathfinder at this point.Amber Scott wrote:mark kay wrote:
Just to ask, as it didn't really get a clear answer I think, was Ragathiel's obedience intended to be full out ritual sacrifice? Would full out ritual sacrifice qualify for it despite being, well, full out ritual sacrifice of someone likely bound and helpless for it? My own takeaway had been that killing someone appropriately evil in the course of battle as it might come up would qualify, along with requisite ritual prayer after.
It was intended to be the...mark kay2013-06-07T07:20:04ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=649?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#324232013-06-02T07:12:30Z2013-06-02T07:12:30Z<p>James,</p>
<p>First up, thanks again for answering my various random-y queries when they've popped up in thread. Anyway, a couple of questions that aren't again really related to each other.</p>
<p>1) Just to turn an earlier reply into a question, would Artifacts and Legends mentioning the good elemental lords as being alive but imprisoned be another one of those things that slipped into canon that you would want to correct some day (like the merged Mwangi deity thing and such)?</p>
<p>2) Is there a chance of there being rules someday for paladins and cavaliers having flying mounts (pegasi, griffons, the like) as their special/bonded mount or are they stuck having to take leadership and take them as a cohort? Rangers managed to get the Sable Company Marine and all. I ask largely because, well, this was something I asked before, and you noted to wait on Animal Archive for it. Archive came and went, no such stuff in it.</p>James,
First up, thanks again for answering my various random-y queries when they've popped up in thread. Anyway, a couple of questions that aren't again really related to each other.
1) Just to turn an earlier reply into a question, would Artifacts and Legends mentioning the good elemental lords as being alive but imprisoned be another one of those things that slipped into canon that you would want to correct some day (like the merged Mwangi deity thing and such)?
2) Is there a chance of...mark kay2013-06-02T07:12:30ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Chronicle of the Righteous (PFRPG)mark kayhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xe9/discuss&page=9?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Chronicle-of-the-Righteous#4272013-06-01T01:51:13Z2013-06-01T01:51:13Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Amber Scott wrote:</div><blockquote><p> A few comments here—</p>
<p>1. Ragathiel's obedience is pretty onerous. My thought process as I created his boons and obedience was the idea that this is an incredibly powerful empyreal lord with very strict standards (and correspondingly powerful rewards). I think most games in which a PC plays a mystery cultist would see the PCs come into conflict with evildoers on a regular basis and that would allow for the obedience to be fulfilled. During downtime/between adventures there may not be opportunity to fulfill the obedience which I think is important too. Even the most devout servants can't serve perfectly all the time.</p>
<p>I think what I didn't do was anticipate how popular Ragathiel would be as a choice for players. I could have taken that into account more as I created the entry. If the obedience is too strict for an individual game, I agree that Dammerich's obedience makes a good substitute.
<br />
</blockquote><p>Just to ask, as it didn't really get a clear answer I think, was Ragathiel's obedience intended to be full out ritual sacrifice? Would full out ritual sacrifice qualify for it despite being, well, full out ritual sacrifice of someone likely bound and helpless for it? My own takeaway had been that killing someone appropriately evil in the course of battle as it might come up would qualify, along with requisite ritual prayer after.Amber Scott wrote:A few comments here--
1. Ragathiel's obedience is pretty onerous. My thought process as I created his boons and obedience was the idea that this is an incredibly powerful empyreal lord with very strict standards (and correspondingly powerful rewards). I think most games in which a PC plays a mystery cultist would see the PCs come into conflict with evildoers on a regular basis and that would allow for the obedience to be fulfilled. During downtime/between adventures there...mark kay2013-06-01T01:51:13ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=647?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#323282013-05-30T07:07:16Z2013-05-30T07:07:16Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Secane wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Not sure if this has been asked before.</p>
<p>But would we ever see an Adventure Path or Module, where the goal is to free the "Good" Elemental Lords?</p>
<p>Would/Are the "Good" Elemental Lords even possible to be set free at all? </blockquote>No. Because the "good" elemental lords are dead, not imprisoned. They were murdered LONG ago by the evil ones. </blockquote><p>The Artifacts and Legends book refers to them all being existingly imprisoned, is what I think they're talking about. The Moaning Diamond for instance keeps the essence of Sairazul the Crystalline Queen trapped within it as far as what makes it go, the entry for the Diamond gives the various names of the good elemental lords and such, talks about them like they're still alive but trapped.James Jacobs wrote:Secane wrote:Not sure if this has been asked before.
But would we ever see an Adventure Path or Module, where the goal is to free the "Good" Elemental Lords?
Would/Are the "Good" Elemental Lords even possible to be set free at all?
No. Because the "good" elemental lords are dead, not imprisoned. They were murdered LONG ago by the evil ones. The Artifacts and Legends book refers to them all being existingly imprisoned, is what I think they're talking about. The Moaning...mark kay2013-05-30T07:07:16ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!mark kayhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=624?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Questions-Here#311882013-04-28T03:33:37Z2013-04-28T03:33:37Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote><br />
<br />
<p>That's a bit of edition creep, unfortunately, that probably shouldn't have been added to Pathfinder. </blockquote><p>Thank you for the answer.
<p>Is there any chance of a supplement or something sometime more firmly noting the whole "if an evil outsider dies, it dies" thing?</p>James Jacobs wrote:That's a bit of edition creep, unfortunately, that probably shouldn't have been added to Pathfinder.
Thank you for the answer. Is there any chance of a supplement or something sometime more firmly noting the whole "if an evil outsider dies, it dies" thing?mark kay2013-04-28T03:33:37ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion&page=2#672012-10-09T01:06:25Z2012-10-09T01:06:25Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Akor Scourgebane wrote:</div><blockquote><p> You do know we've basically been given unlimited wealth, plus an army, or what have you. So we can already churn out tons of magic items, if that's what we desire. Though obviously not in the same manner as what Sparel is suggesting.</p>
<p>Besides, I believe only he truly benefits, as he's the only immortal one, in his narrative of course. Not like he has a slew of immortal craftsman, totally dedicated to magic item creation. </p>
<p>For him to really take advantage, he'd need to spend most of his time in the demi plane, creating magic items. Which I not •think• he plans on doing... </blockquote><p>He can do this outside the flow of time. He can spend nigh endless time doing that there and no time will pass in the real world for him doing so. He could note that he spends decades on end at that and only need to just note that, as no actual time will pass because he does it all during time stop.
<p>It's, even with followers and armies and what have you, more than a bit much.</p>
<p>Neverminding that there's no plausible reason everyone else who could do it, which are a lot of people even just in the world, wouldn't do it either. It opens a door as far as just simple setting logic that doesn't seem like it should be opened. There's stuff you can go "well we can just say that doesn't happen" and then there's.. this.</p>
<p>It just seems like it's too much.</p>Akor Scourgebane wrote:You do know we've basically been given unlimited wealth, plus an army, or what have you. So we can already churn out tons of magic items, if that's what we desire. Though obviously not in the same manner as what Sparel is suggesting.
Besides, I believe only he truly benefits, as he's the only immortal one, in his narrative of course. Not like he has a slew of immortal craftsman, totally dedicated to magic item creation.
For him to really take advantage, he'd need to...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-09T01:06:25ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion&page=2#642012-10-09T00:05:23Z2012-10-09T00:05:23Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Sparel Radtymah wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Korin Telemar wrote:</div><blockquote> ••Lots of stuff about my demiplane••</blockquote><p>Demiplanes can have the timeless trait in regard to magic. SO you can cast a spell and while in the plane it's effectively permanent until you leave. Any spell with a duration greater than instant can be affected this way.
<p>That Plus Time Stop = all the time I need to do whatever needs to be done. Of course I'll need to make sure I have all my supplies up front as time will be normal for everyone and everything else. Also if I didn't have a way to live forever (such as immortality) it would really suck. I would appear to age at a fantastic rate. </p>
<p>Hope that clarifies. </blockquote><p>That's uh.. I'm moderately certain that's not really the intent as far as something like using time stop in a demiplane. It otherwise makes for that any caster with 9th level spells and a way to be ageless (be it the immortal discovery feat, undeath, or what have you) can now crank out magic items at seeming rapid fire, limited really only by money and feats.
<p>I realize we're supposed to be high end and all, but even for that, it seems a bit much. It's not like there aren't a bunch of casters in the Realms who couldn't do that either.</p>Sparel Radtymah wrote:Korin Telemar wrote: **Lots of stuff about my demiplane**
Demiplanes can have the timeless trait in regard to magic. SO you can cast a spell and while in the plane it's effectively permanent until you leave. Any spell with a duration greater than instant can be affected this way. That Plus Time Stop = all the time I need to do whatever needs to be done. Of course I'll need to make sure I have all my supplies up front as time will be normal for everyone and everything...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-09T00:05:23ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion&page=2#572012-10-08T18:37:23Z2012-10-08T18:37:23Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Krigare wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Korin Telemar wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Krigare wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Korin Telemar wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Sparel Radtymah wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I'm still working on the wording, but I made my second greater demiplane. This one is more a matter of function than security. I'd be interested to hear thoughts and questions about it. I'm still tweaking, so any questions or constructive feedback would be good. </p>
<p>Essentially it's a way station and means of fast travel for not just Shae, but any whom he decides has need and/or worth. It's a powerful negotiation tool for Shae's political needs. </p>
<p>•• spoiler omitted ••... </blockquote>Just to ask.. how are you doing all this stuff with demiplanes? The one with the permanent time stop for magic item making, this thing. I've been looking at the Create Demiplane spell and it doesn't seem to cover this sort of thing, unless I'm missing something. </blockquote>Its not a time stop that he is doing. It is the timeless planar trait. Not real sure he is using it exactly as it should be as far as spell duration is concerned, but it is a valid selection using greater create demiplane. It can really bite you though if your not truely immortal. </blockquote>Right, Timeless I know from, but Timeless wouldn't provide a demiplane of infinite time to work on magical items while no time passes in the real world while you work on them. </blockquote><p>I didn't see him mention doing that. I'll have to reread it but yeah, that's a no no lol.
<p>And on a somewhat fun note, I hate, hate, hate naming characters. A whole week of thinking about it, a couple hours of looking on the internet, and still got nothing that strikes my fancy.
<br />
Bleh. Found a chick name that I like that would kinda work, but I figure naming a character Morrigan might be lil much lol. </blockquote><p>It was a thing the fellow mentioned during the recruitment thread, between that and the latest demiplane thing I was just wondering where this stuff was coming from.Krigare wrote:Korin Telemar wrote: Krigare wrote: Korin Telemar wrote: Sparel Radtymah wrote:I'm still working on the wording, but I made my second greater demiplane. This one is more a matter of function than security. I'd be interested to hear thoughts and questions about it. I'm still tweaking, so any questions or constructive feedback would be good.
Essentially it's a way station and means of fast travel for not just Shae, but any whom he decides has need and/or worth. It's a powerful...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-08T18:37:23ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion&page=2#552012-10-08T17:57:16Z2012-10-08T17:57:16Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Krigare wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Korin Telemar wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Sparel Radtymah wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I'm still working on the wording, but I made my second greater demiplane. This one is more a matter of function than security. I'd be interested to hear thoughts and questions about it. I'm still tweaking, so any questions or constructive feedback would be good. </p>
<p>Essentially it's a way station and means of fast travel for not just Shae, but any whom he decides has need and/or worth. It's a powerful negotiation tool for Shae's political needs. </p>
<p>•• spoiler omitted ••... </blockquote>Just to ask.. how are you doing all this stuff with demiplanes? The one with the permanent time stop for magic item making, this thing. I've been looking at the Create Demiplane spell and it doesn't seem to cover this sort of thing, unless I'm missing something. </blockquote>Its not a time stop that he is doing. It is the timeless planar trait. Not real sure he is using it exactly as it should be as far as spell duration is concerned, but it is a valid selection using greater create demiplane. It can really bite you though if your not truely immortal. </blockquote><p>Right, Timeless I know from, but Timeless wouldn't provide a demiplane of infinite time to work on magical items while no time passes in the real world while you work on them.Krigare wrote:Korin Telemar wrote: Sparel Radtymah wrote:I'm still working on the wording, but I made my second greater demiplane. This one is more a matter of function than security. I'd be interested to hear thoughts and questions about it. I'm still tweaking, so any questions or constructive feedback would be good.
Essentially it's a way station and means of fast travel for not just Shae, but any whom he decides has need and/or worth. It's a powerful negotiation tool for Shae's political...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-08T17:57:16ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion&page=2#522012-10-08T14:28:21Z2012-10-08T14:28:21Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Sparel Radtymah wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I'm still working on the wording, but I made my second greater demiplane. This one is more a matter of function than security. I'd be interested to hear thoughts and questions about it. I'm still tweaking, so any questions or constructive feedback would be good. </p>
<p>Essentially it's a way station and means of fast travel for not just Shae, but any whom he decides has need and/or worth. It's a powerful negotiation tool for Shae's political needs. </p>
<p>•• spoiler omitted ••... </blockquote><p>Just to ask.. how are you doing all this stuff with demiplanes? The one with the permanent time stop for magic item making, this thing. I've been looking at the Create Demiplane spell and it doesn't seem to cover this sort of thing, unless I'm missing something.Sparel Radtymah wrote:I'm still working on the wording, but I made my second greater demiplane. This one is more a matter of function than security. I'd be interested to hear thoughts and questions about it. I'm still tweaking, so any questions or constructive feedback would be good.
Essentially it's a way station and means of fast travel for not just Shae, but any whom he decides has need and/or worth. It's a powerful negotiation tool for Shae's political needs.
** spoiler omitted **...
...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-08T14:28:21ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion#272012-10-06T01:44:42Z2012-10-06T01:44:42Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Dogbladewarrior wrote:</div><blockquote> As I mentioned earlier I'm willing to shift the game towards a more classic DM run play style for those who want the structure and consistent scene setting from another player but I'm going to have recruit some straight up co-DMs to make that work given the amount of material involved and my sometimes wonky RL schedule. </blockquote><p>I guess to say it more directly.. if it's basically just a series of personally written novels where everyone talks about how they awesomely succeed at their own goals and various opponents are defeated/fall into line/are converted because I just decide they are, regardless of their own heft or plot significance, and then ocassionally we get together to interact with a main plot. I'd.. really be uncomfortable with that. It's definitely not what I was thinking this would be like.
<p>I had thought it would be more.. I suppose traditional is the word, where we are certainly attempting high scale things, but we don't just ourselves note their success or failure, that there's moderation and interaction with it, the element of unpredictability to roll with and factor in that comes with things having something of a game element as opposed to an "it happens this way because this is how I want it to happen" element.</p>
<p>I mean, for instance, Korin wants to raise up more enclaves. I had pictured this as something I need to work for as far as coming up with strategies, presenting them to such as is running the game, working at them thereby, so forth. If it's really just something I can ultimately go "it happens", well.. that would feel awkward.</p>
<p>Or.. Korin wants to try and convince all the people of Halruua to embrace their ancient Netherse heritage hardcore styles. I'd rather that not be something that ultimately just boils down to my saying "and then it happened" no matter how prettily or with extra detail I might dress up saying that.</p>Dogbladewarrior wrote:As I mentioned earlier I'm willing to shift the game towards a more classic DM run play style for those who want the structure and consistent scene setting from another player but I'm going to have recruit some straight up co-DMs to make that work given the amount of material involved and my sometimes wonky RL schedule.
I guess to say it more directly.. if it's basically just a series of personally written novels where everyone talks about how they awesomely succeed at...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-06T01:44:42ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion#182012-10-05T03:36:55Z2012-10-05T03:36:55Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Dogbladewarrior wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Ah, sorry, this kind of narrative style is quite common in my real life circles and I guess I just assumed people would know what I was speaking of when I talked about the game being narrativly open and largely player driven. I realize now that prolly has different connotations most other places outside my personal gaming circles. However, I don't want y'all to feel like you have wasted your time with something you weren't expecting so I am willing to take a much more active role in narration if you wish.</p>
<p>What style would you the players prefer for this game? </blockquote><p>I'd basically prefer major npcs to be run by the DM, is what it is. I don't want to determine their actions and responses myself, it would feel, well, wanky, to put it more bluntly.
<p>I'm totally cool to outline what my plans are and how I intend to pursue them, and etc, but I don't want to only self determine how they go, if you follow.</p>Dogbladewarrior wrote:Ah, sorry, this kind of narrative style is quite common in my real life circles and I guess I just assumed people would know what I was speaking of when I talked about the game being narrativly open and largely player driven. I realize now that prolly has different connotations most other places outside my personal gaming circles. However, I don't want y'all to feel like you have wasted your time with something you weren't expecting so I am willing to take a much more...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-05T03:36:55ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion#142012-10-05T02:48:36Z2012-10-05T02:48:36Z<p>I suppose I'm just looking for something more involved than a DM yes or no, that I have to plan approaches and take time at them and not just dictate for myself, and such.</p>I suppose I'm just looking for something more involved than a DM yes or no, that I have to plan approaches and take time at them and not just dictate for myself, and such.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-05T02:48:36ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion#112012-10-05T01:52:42Z2012-10-05T01:52:42Z<p>I suppose the way I'm looking to put this is.. I'm not really inclined/comfortable to npc the major high muck a muck npc cast of the Realms vis a vis my character, just of myself. I'm certainly fine to note how his followers, his city, etc. gets by, and certainly of people and things below his scale but beyond that feels a bit, I don't know.. presumptive? A bit "I'm so awesome", if that makes any sense? I was kinda hoping for more DM input when it's on that scale.</p>I suppose the way I'm looking to put this is.. I'm not really inclined/comfortable to npc the major high muck a muck npc cast of the Realms vis a vis my character, just of myself. I'm certainly fine to note how his followers, his city, etc. gets by, and certainly of people and things below his scale but beyond that feels a bit, I don't know.. presumptive? A bit "I'm so awesome", if that makes any sense? I was kinda hoping for more DM input when it's on that scale.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-05T01:52:42ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion#92012-10-05T00:57:11Z2012-10-05T00:57:11Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Dogbladewarrior wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Korin Telemar wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Well, various of those people mentioned are into the epic levels themselves, wouldn't that fall under the need to hash it out with the DM sort of thing?</p>
<p>I mean.. how narrative is all this intended to be? </blockquote><p>Yes, but a simple nod from me is all that is required to move forward, unless it bumps up against a specific issue.
<p>The answer is very narrative, it will largely be a cooperative storytelling venture, the epic events i set will follow more standard D&D format of DM narrating to players but otherwise you are free to tell whatever stories you wish, mixing it up with the DM and the other players as you see fit. </blockquote><p>That's a bit.. I dunno, it's a bit closer to just being outright freeform than I was thinking this was going to be. Was that the intent?Dogbladewarrior wrote:Korin Telemar wrote:Well, various of those people mentioned are into the epic levels themselves, wouldn't that fall under the need to hash it out with the DM sort of thing?
I mean.. how narrative is all this intended to be?
Yes, but a simple nod from me is all that is required to move forward, unless it bumps up against a specific issue. The answer is very narrative, it will largely be a cooperative storytelling venture, the epic events i set will follow more standard...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-05T00:57:11ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Ambitious Hearts: The Discussion ThreadKorin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/discussion#72012-10-05T00:25:13Z2012-10-05T00:25:13Z<p>Well, various of those people mentioned are into the epic levels themselves, wouldn't that fall under the need to hash it out with the DM sort of thing?</p>
<p>I mean.. how narrative is all this intended to be?</p>Well, various of those people mentioned are into the epic levels themselves, wouldn't that fall under the need to hash it out with the DM sort of thing?
I mean.. how narrative is all this intended to be?Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-05T00:25:13ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1832012-10-03T23:24:54Z2012-10-03T23:24:54Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Samnell wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Dogbladewarrior wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Krigare wrote:</div><blockquote><br />
<br />
<p>Oh, and a question for some realm historians, 1372 had a lot going on, and I know it got ruled that this starts after Shade came back and Azoun was killed, but wasn't Bane resurrected in 1372 as well? If so, anyone know a place with a good month by month breakdown of what all went on that year in chronological order? </blockquote><p>For simplicities sake I think I am gonna say that all big events that happened that year have already occurred, just to make things easy to keep straight.
<p>Edit: Tried to find a breakdown online and couldn't with a quick search, I'll try and find a bit to link to about it later when I have more time.</p>
<p></blockquote><p>Player's Guide to Faerun (the FR rules update for 3.5) has a month-by-month thing to about halfway through the War of the Spider Queen stuff in an appendix.
<p>Also if people want to be from/interested in a different fallen human realm than Netheril, the Shoon Imperium, or Imaskar: Calimshan has been massive a few times aside the Shoon era and Unther and Mulhorand have both been as well. Myth Drannor was multiracial at its height.</p>
<p>My slowly-evolving concept is someone who is near-contemporary, probably only a century or two old. I'm not sure where his original stomping grounds will be yet. </blockquote><p>THere's also Jhamdaath, though they were more all about the mind powers.
<p>Oh! And Narfell and Raumathar besides.</p>Samnell wrote:Dogbladewarrior wrote: Krigare wrote:Oh, and a question for some realm historians, 1372 had a lot going on, and I know it got ruled that this starts after Shade came back and Azoun was killed, but wasn't Bane resurrected in 1372 as well? If so, anyone know a place with a good month by month breakdown of what all went on that year in chronological order?
For simplicities sake I think I am gonna say that all big events that happened that year have already occurred, just to make...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T23:24:54ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1802012-10-03T23:14:59Z2012-10-03T23:14:59Z<p>any chance of a sub thread for the people needing to talk out Netheril things?</p>any chance of a sub thread for the people needing to talk out Netheril things?Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T23:14:59ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1722012-10-03T21:57:17Z2012-10-03T21:57:17Z<p>Hrm, so, I would suppose everyone going for a Netheril influenced vibe, we should probably talk out things like character backstories, if people knew each other and interacted back in the day, that sort of deal.</p>
<p>Korin I generally picture being born in Netheril's golden age at its apex, probably -1600 DR or so, ascending to godhood around 1450 after a big ol stretch of fightan round the world, as it were.</p>
<p>I don't suppose we can make some sub thread to talk this all out or something, or use skype or what have you to otherwise avoid clutter..</p>Hrm, so, I would suppose everyone going for a Netheril influenced vibe, we should probably talk out things like character backstories, if people knew each other and interacted back in the day, that sort of deal.
Korin I generally picture being born in Netheril's golden age at its apex, probably -1600 DR or so, ascending to godhood around 1450 after a big ol stretch of fightan round the world, as it were.
I don't suppose we can make some sub thread to talk this all out or something, or use...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T21:57:17ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1672012-10-03T21:22:22Z2012-10-03T21:22:22Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote> Yeah, up north is gonna feel pretty full </blockquote><p>Well, Akor will probably be busy mixing it up in Cormanthor, and I think a few other people will be about in other places. Lord knows any Harper players are probably going to be busy with, well.. Akor, really.
<p>And I do intend to dip to Cormyr and Halruua at decent clip with Korin, so there should probably be some breathing room in the North.</p>Quote:Yeah, up north is gonna feel pretty full
Well, Akor will probably be busy mixing it up in Cormanthor, and I think a few other people will be about in other places. Lord knows any Harper players are probably going to be busy with, well.. Akor, really. And I do intend to dip to Cormyr and Halruua at decent clip with Korin, so there should probably be some breathing room in the North.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T21:22:22ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1642012-10-03T21:07:15Z2012-10-03T21:07:15Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Akor Scourgebane wrote:</div><blockquote> My three main locations, in order of most important/frequented are Cormanthor, the High Forest and Evereska. </blockquote><p>So definitely Akor vs the Dales eh?Akor Scourgebane wrote:My three main locations, in order of most important/frequented are Cormanthor, the High Forest and Evereska.
So definitely Akor vs the Dales eh?Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T21:07:15ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1632012-10-03T21:05:01Z2012-10-03T21:05:01Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Lord Manticore wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I would love to get into a campaign like this. I was with a group years ago that played in Faerun so it (hopefully) won't take long to get up to speed. I'm thinking about an "old-fashioned" wizard (battlefield controller type). I'm going to be at a medical conference all weekend, and since it calls for rain the whole weekend (figures), I'll have plenty of time to do some crunch and create a good character. I did have a couple of questions though, based on the thread that I have seen so far:</p>
<p>As long as we can explain it, we can have "+5 to X stat" across the board kind of a thing, do I understand it correctly?</p>
<p>Can we use the Stronghold Builder's Guide to create our keeps/towns/villages, etc.? I know it's not supported on the SRD site, but it does make a handy guide for that sort of thing?</p>
<p>For those who take Leadership, can we use the Epic Leadership tables on the 3.5 SRD site to determine an accurate count of our followers/cohorts? I know we are not "true" epic yet, but the Leadership formula used by both 3.5 and PF will likely give us "epic" numbers by 20th level.</p>
<p>Finally, how close will all of us be when the game starts? Are we going to be close together (relatively speaking) and we just meet/know each other at the outset, or is this more exploring Faerun and running into each other? I might have missed it in one of the posts, but I didn't get a sense wither way how this will go. </blockquote><p>I think, just from what has been said so far, the intent is more that we can specify how we like (subject to approval) as far as towns/villages and the like, and have room to note a big ol pile of followers besides, but that taking the leadership feat marks out from such the whoa super loyal no matter what segment.
<p>And yeah, the DM noted that taking +5 inherent across the board is fine.</p>
<p>From what has been talked out so far, it seems to be a bit of, everyone is in places in Faerun relevant to their interests, and they may or may not already know from each other/run into each other as they pursue those interests and or big plot things come up. Or simply may be famous enough to be known of generally.</p>
<p>That's only been my own read though.</p>Lord Manticore wrote:I would love to get into a campaign like this. I was with a group years ago that played in Faerun so it (hopefully) won't take long to get up to speed. I'm thinking about an "old-fashioned" wizard (battlefield controller type). I'm going to be at a medical conference all weekend, and since it calls for rain the whole weekend (figures), I'll have plenty of time to do some crunch and create a good character. I did have a couple of questions though, based on the thread that...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T21:05:01ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1602012-10-03T20:23:29Z2012-10-03T20:23:29Z<p>And you know, from my understanding, you can be based pretty much wherever in the Realms as far as where your character puts out a shingle, though someone in Maztica will probably feel very alone after a while..</p>
<p>But yeah, tricky if you want to orient around the North. Still, like I say, if Halaster can do it, so can you! And maybe with about 95% less insanity.</p>And you know, from my understanding, you can be based pretty much wherever in the Realms as far as where your character puts out a shingle, though someone in Maztica will probably feel very alone after a while..
But yeah, tricky if you want to orient around the North. Still, like I say, if Halaster can do it, so can you! And maybe with about 95% less insanity.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T20:23:29ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1592012-10-03T20:03:38Z2012-10-03T20:03:38Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Krigare wrote:</div><blockquote><p> @Korin Mmm, seems you did lol. I'll admit to not having remembered seeing it. I really wish there was another advanced fallen ancient human civilization in this part of the realms, Kara-tur characters always feel so clunky when imported this far west. Of course, some of that is probably my attachment to playing humans(since 1985, all but maybe a dozen characters have been human, or at least half human). But yeah, it can get funky with to many of them. If it starts to feel cluttered with that as an origin, I'm pretty sure I can alter mine lol. By the way, how do you feel about cultured, civilized sociopaths who are NEish? Not the torture kittens and baby seals for fun type but the kind that orders assassinations and mass murder(if needed, not just for the sake of killing) with the same ease and lack of concern that he orders food and wine?</p>
<p>@Warsor: I'll admit to fondness for LE myself, its an interesting alignment when done well, I look forward to seeing someone else do it =) And while I think about it...lichdom is cool, wish I didn't have a char in my home game that is/will be a lich, depending on how recreating the group after a tpk goes. Lack of coordination and grandstanding on a night of bad party luck/good dim luck is bad, very bad, especially in CR20+ fights. </blockquote><p>Hrm. Imaskar isn't.. well, they're not anywhere north, they're more around Raurin.
<p>Hum. You could always be Imaskari that fled the hell to the North when that place got stepped on? It worked for Halaster. </p>
<p>There's the Shoon, if you don't mind the whole Twisted Rune thing you probably then have to have an opinion on one way or another. Though they're similarly around Calimshan/Amn/Tethyr, which is at least closer to central Faerun, relatively.</p>
<p>As for evil alignments, I mean, Korin, you know, he's all up in being lawful good and such. It's not to say he can't have a polite conversation, and is generally capable of discussing magical theory with whoever, and he at least tries to see if someone can be reached first, but he's probably not going to be regularly palling around with such types. It's not as though he doesn't have things of his own to deal with (Shade, the Nether scrolls, Thay, casting a wary eye at the Harpers, helping the Steel Regent, goading vast societal change in Halruaa and to a lesser extent Silverymoon, so forth) as far as having to be all up in some other player's business though.</p>
<p>I suppose the best way to say would be, if someone's particular demense comes off more like Latveria when Doom is being written as the lawful evil guy who at least rules his own people wisely and well and with honour, Korin could more or less grudgingly leave off on that.</p>
<p>edit: and I mean, you know, he's cognizant of that if he ever manages to refound Netheril, the diverse nature of people makes for that not everyone within it will be good off the bat, he simply expects for them being able to operate respectfully within a larger socio-political framework that is such (though he also figures "fake it till you make it" will eventually take hold and all).</p>Krigare wrote:@Korin Mmm, seems you did lol. I'll admit to not having remembered seeing it. I really wish there was another advanced fallen ancient human civilization in this part of the realms, Kara-tur characters always feel so clunky when imported this far west. Of course, some of that is probably my attachment to playing humans(since 1985, all but maybe a dozen characters have been human, or at least half human). But yeah, it can get funky with to many of them. If it starts to feel...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T20:03:38ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1562012-10-03T19:14:16Z2012-10-03T19:14:16Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Krigare wrote:</div><blockquote><p> @Korin: man, looks like someone else liked the idea of a Netherese survivor. I had a few questions so I sent a pm to Dogblade with a short summary of a character idea and my questions lol.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, who else is looking at setting up shop in the far far north, spine of the world/great glacier etc? I know I am thinking about it, I always liked games set in frozen wastelands or at least being from there. Cause I'm starting to get the impression that some of us may need to figure out whether we any overlap/interaction/whatever going on before we ever start. </blockquote><p>'twas something I mentioned wayy back on page 1, as far as it goes. Sorry?
<p>I admit too many of such concepts and it starts getting a bit funky.</p>Krigare wrote:@Korin: man, looks like someone else liked the idea of a Netherese survivor. I had a few questions so I sent a pm to Dogblade with a short summary of a character idea and my questions lol.
Out of curiosity, who else is looking at setting up shop in the far far north, spine of the world/great glacier etc? I know I am thinking about it, I always liked games set in frozen wastelands or at least being from there. Cause I'm starting to get the impression that some of us may need to...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T19:14:16ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1542012-10-03T18:27:24Z2012-10-03T18:27:24Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Warsor wrote:</div><blockquote> Korin that summary of all your views of the different neighbors and organizations was pretty amazing. I hate to ask but Netherese interests me, though it seems you've already established yourself there nicely. Where near it would be possible for me to set up kingdom? (Looks like most of us want northern kingdoms) </blockquote><p>Well, being Enclave based means Korin can fly his city about like in days of yore, he just sort of favours alternating between Cormyr/Halruua/Silverymoon (the first being more central, the second being more south-ish). If he manages to raise up a second or even a third enclave city (which is a goal of his), he'll probably start looking at being more sedentary and claim actual lands somewhere.
<p>Really though, if you want to have survived Netheril, don't feel as though you can't, I'm not going to say I completely own the idea. Admittedly if everyone starts doing it, it might get a bit out there.</p>
<p>But anyway, map of the Realms!</p>
<p>http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/wd_maps/FRposterLarge_150.jpg</p>
<p>As far as it goes, Korin's gripe with a lot of other survivors of Netheril is they seem to have basically done nothing with themselves. Fat!Lich is a fat horrible lich who bloats around, Larloch collected a bunch of liches like pokemon and moulders in a mountain, Giant Brain is... a giant brain, and Immortal Barmaid tends bar. Shade is breaking his heart, but at least they're trying to do something with their lives, he can respect that, even as it anguishes him and he tries to talk them out of it.</p>
<p>In that sense, a fellow with a kingdom is at least doing /something/. Something evil that might have to be stopped with extreme prejudice someday, but, you know, something. </p>
<p>Anyway, if you want to be somewhere relatively near one of the places where Korin and his city float around with regularity, and also be relatively close to where the returned Archwizards of Shade and their place kick about, eyeing the map, there's a swath of empty land around a river just past the high forest, and just above the greypeak mountains. It's in the northern chunk of the map. You could pretty easily drop a kingdom in there and say one has been about.</p>
<p>If you also want more character involvement not so potentially antagonism based, you could always go with your fellow being an archlich (which are basically.. non evil liches, pretty much), but I don't want to discourage people from concepts they like.</p>Warsor wrote:Korin that summary of all your views of the different neighbors and organizations was pretty amazing. I hate to ask but Netherese interests me, though it seems you've already established yourself there nicely. Where near it would be possible for me to set up kingdom? (Looks like most of us want northern kingdoms)
Well, being Enclave based means Korin can fly his city about like in days of yore, he just sort of favours alternating between Cormyr/Halruua/Silverymoon (the first...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T18:27:24ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=4#1522012-10-03T18:00:02Z2012-10-03T18:00:02Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Akor Scourgebane wrote:</div><blockquote> It will be interesting to see how Korin and Akor interact, as I will be playing up the whole "elven supremacy" thing a fair amount, and doing my best to unite all my people and then go about removing non elves from the forests and natural places of the world. Especially the unnatural ones... </blockquote><p>Korin just a touch believes that left to their own devices, the elves will perennially eat themselves like the orouboros, or at least that's his take on their history of civil wars, banishments and every so often self inflicted bloodbaths. Which is to say, he doesn't exactly 100 per cent care about stabby isolationists in the primal depths of a forest, barring them trying to blow up Faerun again. The world's big enough that he can live with going "so keep Cormanthor then, the world is huge, and you don't have the numbers to live anywhere else as a group and also sustain a society". That and he'd likely find it counter productive to get in the way of a frothing at the mouth Harpers/Chosen/whoever else that would rise up from efforts to kick out the Dalesmen, as far as how unwelcome his aid would likely be by them.
<p>With /that/ said, if Akor was doing up his people Crown Wars style as far as forced unification, he'd care then, as far as deaths and suffering of the innocent and all such things. He might find the elves mildly jerktacular, but that doesn't mean their children and non combatants deserve suffering and to be crushed under tyranny.</p>
<p>And you know, if all the power groups in question were losing to the point where he could go "want some help?" without being told "screw you, narcissistic megalomaniac!" it might be something he'd then put his hand in.</p>Akor Scourgebane wrote:It will be interesting to see how Korin and Akor interact, as I will be playing up the whole "elven supremacy" thing a fair amount, and doing my best to unite all my people and then go about removing non elves from the forests and natural places of the world. Especially the unnatural ones...
Korin just a touch believes that left to their own devices, the elves will perennially eat themselves like the orouboros, or at least that's his take on their history of civil...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T18:00:02ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=3#1502012-10-03T16:23:27Z2012-10-03T16:23:27Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">lynora wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I think I'm going to go with the master spy idea. She has multiple personas and nobody knows which one is real. She's what you'd call morally ambiguous and has a network of rogue types who report to her.</p>
<p>Could definitely use some suggestions for location though. Not as familiar with the realms as some. :) </blockquote><p>If you're looking to go with moral ambiguity, you might want to look to the Amn/Tethyr/Calimshan area (secretive merchant oligarchy/feudal kingdom/arabian-y group of city states, respectively), it's a hotbed of various competing secret societies all seeking overall shadow domninance and intrigues you could be mixed up in with your own organization.
<p>If you can find it, Lands of Intrigue is a 2e product that pretty nicely delves into the first two nations and Empires of the Sands the last one. They're basically all in the same geographical chunk of the continent and fairly mixed up with each other.</p>
<p>It's an alternative to the Harpers anyway, who are more good aligned than ambiguous, and would be something of belonging to them, instead of being a thing of your own self, if you're looking for that.</p>lynora wrote:I think I'm going to go with the master spy idea. She has multiple personas and nobody knows which one is real. She's what you'd call morally ambiguous and has a network of rogue types who report to her.
Could definitely use some suggestions for location though. Not as familiar with the realms as some. :)
If you're looking to go with moral ambiguity, you might want to look to the Amn/Tethyr/Calimshan area (secretive merchant oligarchy/feudal kingdom/arabian-y group of city...Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T16:23:27ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=3#1492012-10-03T16:13:24Z2012-10-03T16:13:24Z<p>Next thing I'm working on is a writeup of his enclave/city.</p>Next thing I'm working on is a writeup of his enclave/city.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T16:13:24ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: High Level Forgotten Realms Sandbox Recruitment.Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)https://paizo.com/campaigns/AmbitiousHeartsTalesFromTheForgottenRealms/recruiting&page=3#1482012-10-03T15:55:32Z2012-10-03T15:55:32Z<p>Hokay, just to put it all again in one place and to add some recent stuff signed off on as far as a sample platter of Korin's relationships/opinions on various Realms groupings..</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>Hokay, just to put it all again in one place and to add some recent stuff signed off on as far as a sample platter of Korin's relationships/opinions on various Realms groupings..
[Spoiler omitted]
[Spoiler omitted]Korin Telemar (alias of mark kay)2012-10-03T15:55:32Z