patha787's page

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted, I've been so busy between reality and our community world-building project group I haven't had a chance to check this forum.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll try to address each in turn as best I can.

@Mortuum - an interesting idea, though I'd first like to say due to the nature of our group/project I'd never use someone's idea without the ability to give them credit/be able to trace the source. You have made me consider cannibalism's role in the setting, however, though it'll by no means have a significant role.

@SmiloDan - on the topic of bleakness, I'm trying to avoid making the setting oppressively bleak - I feel this would be an all too easy trap to fall into. As I mentioned, I'm aiming more for a heroic fantasy setting with dark fantasy elements, rather than a true dark fantasy setting. I think if that's what people are after, Midnight and several other settings are already available.

@HalfOrcHeavyMetal - because it's a community world-building group that's been rebooted, we already have a rough outline of our setting's backstory which we're in the process of developing. We're trying to stay away from the "evil won" type stuff as it's straying perilously close to Midnight (or similar) terrain. I can't give too much away here, but our setting is more in a state of "the decadence of humanity's ancient empires caused its own fall, and we're now entering a 'Dark Age' of civilization's decline, while all the while cosmic horrors threaten to invade, a corrupt and intolerant church's power is rapidly growing and arcane spellcasters are hunted". Evil hasn't won, but humanity has done a pretty good job of wrecking the world all by itself. That doesn't really do justice, but it's as good a one sentence summary as you're going to get. Coincidentally, I have mentioned the "taint" mechanic in discussion with our team as a possible option.

@pobbes - Because of the important (indeed, central) role arcane spellcasting will play in our setting, we are investigating many options in this regard - ideally I'd like to do something different, maybe even move away from the traditional Vancian/D&D system, though this has yet to be decided.

Again, if any of you are interested, you can check out our group (as linked in one of my previous posts).

Thanks for all your responses.

@nightflier - The goal of this community world-building project is not to make a setting for a particular campaign, but rather create one that could be used for a variety of purposes - d20 campaigns, fiction writing, etc. I personally intend to use it to write fiction. We want/need to build something entirely our own, though as I mentioned, we have a multitude of influences. Indeed, brainstorming has resumed in our group (which was dormant for a long time) over at: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/realmsofdarkfantasy/

@Mortuum - Thank you for the link, that looks useful/relevant. Your suggestions are also in line for what we're looking for, though the focus of our group is on world-building/"fluff" as opposed to mechanics.

@SmiloDan - We're considering the role of undead in our campaign and have been mulling over similar ideas. We're also still in the process of agreeing upon the magic system/laws of magic in our world - I personally would like to use something other than the standard D&D Vancian magic type system, but we shall see. Whatever we end up going with, magic will likely have a "cost" in some fashion or another - whether it's risk of corruption, some form of sacrifice, madness, etc.

@Moox - Sorry, your post came while I was writing mine. Check out our group link for further details (creating a Yahoo account is free if you don't have one).

The group and project is still in its infancy but we're gathering some talented minds and I feel there's great promise.

Just one word for you:

Midnight

We have many sources of inspiration, and Midnight may number among them. To be honest though, perhaps this thread is a misnomer. Our setting (as developed so far) is more of an heroic fantasy/low fantasy setting with dark fantasy elements; think more akin to the world of Dragon Age than that of Midnight.

To all creative minds,

I have recently resumed work on an original ("homebrew") Dark Fantasy Campaign Setting, which I intend to serve as the backdrop for d20 OGL campaigns, fiction writing and so on. The goal is to make something richly detailed and immersive and original, and yet retain a sense of familiarity. The focus is more on the setting itself than any game mechanics, though we will likely be incorporating d20 OGL content.

If you're unsure of what "Dark Fantasy" entails, I recommend the amusing (and quite accurate) summation here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DarkFantasy

I've been working with a team of like-minded individuals brainstorming ideas, and I'm on the lookout for more. I'm interested with working with people from all kinds of backgrounds and with all kinds of influences. If you're interested and feel like you're up to the task, please PM me and we can discuss it further.

Okay, went over Rath's character sheet and made a few corrections (class skill ranks, max hp per level, etc).

Grufflehead, thanks for pointing out the spells - I spent one on "Detect Magic" - I selected Divination as one of my prohibited schools so I didn't get 0-level Divination or Enchantment spells for free (although I did give myself Read Magic for free, since all Wizards can prepare this without having their spellbook; if this is incorrect, let me know and I'll spend my other spell selection on that). I'll also have to use two spell slots instead of one to prepare either spell. But still, I'm with you - the Pathfinder cantrips are very cool.

I think you were right about the AC too, I must have added the enhancement bonus twice while drawing up the sheet.

As for whether or not it was easy to use those sheets, it wasn't too bad, but in all honesty I prefer the look of Larry's sheet - it's easier on the eye. I'll keep my DnDsheet, but I might make a Paizo one too for my own reference.

Oh, and glad you like the character - plenty more development to come.

Larry - cool character, man. I've got a feeling this campaign is going to be a lot of fun.

Larry, nice to have you aboard.

I'm really liking our party composition - we've got an arcane caster (Greyblade), a divine caster (Larry) who may even have some rogue abilities, and myself, another arcane caster focused on self-buffs and melee efficiency. It's a nice mix, and our respective roles should compliment each other nicely.

Now, I've rolled my character and wrote it up using the character sheet site link provided. Grufflehead, I'm submitting it to you for approval. You can view it here:

http://www.dndsheets.net/view.php?id=1879

I had some nice rolls when it came to hit points and used my racial ability (which gives two favored classes) to add a bonus hit point each level, so I'm fairly durable for a caster. If you need to, I should be able to provide you a link to the rolls on Invisible Castle.

Since we're starting at 4th level, I've essentially spent my coin on a couple of weapons and some armor. I'm just about flat broke, but that's fine with me.

I did my absolute best to ensure the accuracy of all the stats on the sheet, but if there are any errors be sure to let me know. There wasn't any room to explain some of the bonuses to various things (I have a +1 bonus to Strength thanks to being a Transmuter and spent my level ability raise here as well, for example) so if you have questions in this regard, let me know.

Also, because the Pathfinder skill system has some differences to 3.5e (which is where my experience comes from), I need to ask: as a multiclass character, do skills from both classes count as class skills, or only the class I leveled up in most recently? If they both count, some of the skill bonuses on my sheet may need revision as I won't have factored in the +3 class skill bonus.

I haven't selected any bonus languages as I have no idea what languages will be used in the setting.

I listed the XP levels according to the "Slow" progression from the Core Rulebook - if this isn't the way you're running things let me know and I will change it.

That's everything I can think of for now, but no doubt I've forgotten something.

Hi folks, and glad to onboard! I hope to bring some Irish/French (my two countries) madness to the table! :0)

Right, if everyone is happy with that, I'll play a human Sorcerer - I'll come back with the skills and gear later if that's ok.

My name is Flamakin Timbertwig (call me Timbertwig), and as the name suggests, I like everything related to fire and fire magic, maybe because of my red dragon ancestry. I am faily young, around 25, and I have the trappings of a young man who has grown up in a big city, I was a student in a magic academy of some sorts.

Can't say I'm good, can't say I'm bad - I am a follower of the middle way and I mostly follow my instincts. I know that in oder to survive, I need copmpanions around me, and I respect and admire physical mights as well as agility and grace. My goals are to accumulate enough power and fame to gain social weight in my home city, and show the noble scmucks there how it's done.

...I'll wait for the others to develop the background a bit more... ;)

Howdy Greyblade, glad to have you as part of the team.

I'll be playing a half-elf Fighter/Transmuter named Rath (pronounced Ray-th) - he doesn't have a last name as his parents are unknown (and any questions on this subject are likely to be met with a hostile glare and uncomfortable silence). He's essentially a mercenary adventurer - what coin/possessions he has he's made by selling his sword and spells to adventuring groups or otherwise "solving problems" - i.e. if a village needs a bunch of goblins slaughtered, he's the man for the job, provided the reward is ample. He will gladly (and efficiently) cooperate as part of a team/party, it's just that his motivations are self-centered and he enjoys his own personal freedoms. Further background can be developed down the line, once I get a feel for the setting. Likewise, character sheet related stuff to follow shortly.

On a party composition/character building note, Greyblade, I'm guessing your spell selection will include a number of offensive (fire-related) spells? As a transmuter, I figure to focus primarily on buffing type spells which will enhance my character's combat efficiency, and thus I expect my role will be more of a front-line combatant than a true caster (indeed, if we're still soldiering on a few levels from now, I plan to head into the Eldritch Knight prestige class). Just figured it'd be a good idea to discuss our roles and spell selection.

I've also got a Yahoo account (which I can access at any time).

Moving the game there is actually not a bad idea, not only because of the increased options (another minor issue with here is the ability to go back and edit posts) but because it allows it to be 'open' enough that if we ever need an alternate player, they have all the old material available to catch up AND it's also 'closed' enough that if I ever want to run it again, I can do so with little worry that anyone will accidentally have read the plot!

I've never set up a Yahoo group before so might need a bit of help with that side of it, but if Larry gives it the thumbs up I say motion carried!

I've set up Yahoo groups before, so I could set one up and make you an admin if we all agree to take this road. Just let me know what you want me to call it.

In the meantime, I'm fine with starting it here to get things rolling, or staying here if that is the way we want to go. Thanks for the link to the wee article on PbP.

Hello and well met to all the other players, by the way - I look forward to adventuring with you all soon.

That reminds me, for party composition purposes:
I was thinking about going Fighter/Transmuter with a view to head into the Eldritch Knight prestige class, if this is all good. I figure if we're going to have a small party, the more versatility the better.

Sounds great to me - what you're saying makes a lot of sense in every respect.

I'd never heard of E6 before and would in honesty prefer to go without, but I'm an open-minded player, especially when it comes to anything that will improve the game and increase the level of fun. If you feel that E6 is the way to go, I'd certainly be willing to give it a shot.

As for whether we conduct the gaming here or elsewhere, I'm easy. If you're interested in other options, I can recommend starting a Yahoo group for this game; from my experience, it's nice to everything in one place exclusively dedicated to the game, you get a bunch of other features (like the ability to upload files) and so on. This option would require all players to have a (free) Yahoo account however, which may be too troublesome for some. Anyway, just an idea.

Hey all, it's me, the "other guy". :)

I'm definitely interested. Just let me know the details.

No idea if you're still around/in Dunedin/looking for fellow gamers, but I live in Dunedin, and have been seeking to fill my gaming desires online. You can read more about my background here:

http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/community/gaming/connection/experience dAdventurerSeeksOnlineCampaign

I have no doubt other Dunedinite gamers are out there.

Alternatively, perhaps we can find enough people interested in playing an NZ online Pathfinder campaign? Put the call out nationwide, get ourselves a good DM, then conduct live gaming sessions online, getting together once or twice a week at a convenient time for everyone? We'd all be in the same time zone. Could be awesome. Let me know what you think.

I'd like to put my name forward in the event that you need another reserve player.

If I were to be required, I'd try my hand at a half-elf fighter/transmuter/eldritch knight.

All the best with the game.

If I have made this post in an inappropriate forum, I humbly ask that the moderator put it elsewhere.

I'm an experienced roleplayer with D&D gaming experience in both 2nd Edition AD&D and 3.5 Edition D&D. I recently discovered Pathfinder and was really impressed by the system. I have decided that (for me at least) it is the future of D&D-style gaming.

I am seeking a well-DMed online game in practically any format - PBp, PBeM, forum/messageboard, chat/instant messenger, whatever (the last group I participated in used MSN Messenger with maps via NetMeeting). I will readily admit that I have no playing experience with Pathfinder, only 3.5 Edition D&D, but am a quick learner and would be happy to put in the required effort - like I said, I love the system.

I'm all about playing the game and having fun, which to me includes a balance of solid roleplaying and good old fashioned adventuring/dungeon-crawling. I have all the required source books (as well as many non-Pathfinder D&D related resources) at my disposal. As a player and person I am friendly, co-operative, polite and perhaps most importantly, dedicated. In spite of this post reeking of almost job-interview-esque banality, I also possess a good sense of humor. ;)

Please get in touch with me if you feel I could be a potential candidate for your campaign. I look forward to hearing from you.