TOZ's Dragons Demand

Game Master TriOmegaZero

Thank you all for your interest in The Dragon's Demand!

The important matter to get out of the way is 'Sanction Content or Campaign Mode?' I was not sure what the group was requesting when they posted it on the signup, if we just wanted to play the first level of sanction content, or something more.

From the messages I have received back, we are about evenly split between doing the full run versus just the sanctioned content. While I was uncertain how viable doing an entire module would do due to real life commitments often interrupting participation, I just committed to a full run of Season 1, so that concern is out the window.

The compromise suggested is doing Campaign Mode, while allowing players to enter and exit as sanction content is finished. So you only have to commit through the part you want to play. I don't know how well this would work, but the alternative is just rocking the sanctioned content as a series of dungeon crawls. I'm perfectly fine with either option.

Mighty Glacier

Granta
Sethran
Upaynao

Thoughts?

Campaign mode sounds good to me. What characters will people be bringing? I'm going to create a new one, so I can try to fill in whatever gap is left.

Right now, my preference is to run the whole thing with the option for players to opt out after a part of sanctioned content.

For Part 1, I have (in no particular order):
* Wizard 3
* Spiritualist 2
* UnSummoner 2
* or maybe someone 0XP? Probably not.

Campaign Mode is fine by me ^^ I was considering playing my Druid who has 1xp, he is currently the Drake archetype but may well be changing to elemental ally ^^

Hello everyone! I have a choice between an ifrit swashbuckler with 1xp or a dwarven air kineticist with no xp. I'm all for campaign mode if it makes sense.

Campaign mode does indeed free you all to play whatever I let you. And I am notoriously open to most Pathfinder options. Does that change anyone's mind? :)

It might, actually. Sweet. Would we all start at 1st-level, then?

Correct. Brand new 1st level characters, running through the entire module to about 7th, and four chronicle sheets for you if you stick it out the whole way. :)

Ace I will go with that! Hmm, I would like to play an Eldritch Archer Magus if i can?

Archetype Link, in case ^^

Hm, I might take this as an opportunity to try out something that wouldn't be possible in PFS. Would it be okay to play a non-jerk Evil character? Though I don't have a class or anything in mind yet: I was thinking about LE Tyrant Antipaladin, but then I remembered that Smite Good is pretty much useless, at least in a pre-made module that assumes good/neutral PCs.

Is the hobgoblin race okay? What about dhampirs? Drow? VMC? Cunning Caster?

If we are allowing non-PFS options, my interest would be in a new race, most likely an orc, changeling, samsaran, stix, svirfneblin, or vishkanya.

Eldritch Archer looks fine, dhampir, hobgoblin and Cunning Caster shouldn't be a problem. VMC will be okay after review. I think I might even be cool with a drow, but I'll have to look at how the module might react to that. May be that no one has heard of them yet. Sounds like we might have a menagerie strolling into town, which will certainly change the dynamic. Changling, samasaran, and vishkanya are all fine. I'll have to look at strix and svirfneblin.

Huh. That does certainly change things. I'll have to think about that. Especially if people start making characters with uncommon races, I may play something more "normal".

A thousand blessings be upon you, good sirrah. :)

My unique snowflake-ish character will thank you for the the normalcy, too. By the way, TOZ, is it just us four players, or do you plan to recruit a fifth or two more? In other words will this be 4 players, or more?

I think I might play a hobgoblin kineticist. Maybe?

EDIT: What point-buy (or do we roll)? 2 traits?

I have not heard anything from our fifth player. If anyone can point Alexander Draft here to get his input, I'm more than happy to offer him a spot. I'm thinking 5 is a good solid limit for this table, although I probably owe rknop a slot for running it for me.

I'm pondering a 20 or 25 point buy with the caveat that you cannot earn points back by reducing a score below 10.

Interesting, interesting. I do know the module (having run it for TOZ and others two years ago), but I'd avoid spoiling it. I am tempted, however, to make a character that I think might have some fun things to do in the scenario based on my pre-knowledge.

* A LN or LG Irori Monk who trained down in the Isle of Jalmaray, and then wanted to go on something of a walkabout.

* A cleric of Sheyln who grew up on Westcrown and eventually left because it was just too depressing there.

* A Pathfinder Lore Warden in search of ancient (and perhaps forbidden) knowledge.

I also have a PFS character I haven't played yet who is a human raised by a silver dragon. He starts a Paladin of Apsu, then will take a few levels in Sorcerer, and by level 6 or 7 starts taking levels in Dragon Disciple.

Re: Drow, I'm reminded of one of the Pathfinder Tales short fiction about half-elf druid, and her elven half was drow. Most people assumed she was half-elf, half-mwangi. Even if drow aren't heard of, one could show up and people will think, "stupid weird elf colors his skin funny".

<_<

I'm currently exploring a changeling druid, but don't quote me on that.

>_>

I'd love to give some input here but I haven't had much time for character building of late. In fact, I'm behind on a couple other threads. I hope you'll forgive me. I'll try to have something on Friday, but I'll be done with all this RL madness next Tuesday. I do plan on playing something that puts me out of my comfort zone and have not played before. So far bard, straight cleric, ranger, sorcerer, slayer and vigilante are on my shortlist. Which, to be fair isn't really a shortlist as much as a list.

Not a problem, I'm at Disneyland this weekend, so I won't be able to start until at least after that.

So far bard, straight cleric, ranger, sorcerer, slayer and vigilante are on my shortlist. Which, to be fair isn't really a shortlist as much as a list.

Hey, narrowing it down to six is pretty good. My list is a maelstrom of countless ideas.

Sooner or later I want to play: every imaginable necromancer build, a teleportation specialist wizard or arcanist, a pyrokineticist as well as a telekineticist (I've heard things about shooting coins at foes!), a tower shield specialist fighter, a barbarian/brawler, a Cunning Caster-abusing mesmerist, a natural weapons user, a sea druid with some kind of octopus companion, a spell warrior skald, an abomination psychic that spams mind thrust, a knife master unchained rogue, a master summoner (which is pretty difficult to do because everyone bans it, ha!), a serial killer vigilante, some kind of vampire hunter like an inquisitor, an oradin, a magus that isn't a run-off-the-mill shocking scimitar-user, and a tyrant antipaladin.

And then Starfinder comes along, so I'll probably want to play that for a while, too. Geez, what a hobby this is.

Not a problem, I'm at Disneyland this weekend, so I won't be able to start until at least after that.

Disneyland Resort, in California? I have a friend who works there (in a snack bar, but still). Remember to take pictures.

That's cool, I should have something up over the next coupl of days, if it helps choices I will be a ranged combatant and have minor arcane casting ^^.

TOZ: I was thinking of creating someone either from town or near it, if that is plausible? I can have a look on the Wikia at the town to see if there is someone to be apprenticed too or the like?

That's entirely possible. Let me take a look at the module and put together some options, just so you don't stumble across anything you shouldn't know.

Alright, well I've looked into a slayer moreso than the other classes so pencil me in as a human or half-orc slayer. TOZ, does half-orc count as menagerie material in your eyes? And have you come to a decision regarding what point buy we are looking at?

Going with my initial gut reaction of 25, no buy downs. Half-orc is fine, you don't HAVE to be a menagerie. :)

Starting cash: PFS 150gp standard, roll, or average for class?

PFS standard wealth. Class totals are ridiculous.

Tell me about it.

Kineticists get on average: 35 = 35 gp
I would have gotten by rolling: 1d6 ⇒ 1 x 10 = 10 gp
PFS gives me: 150 = 150 gp

I'm still not convinced if I should play a kineticist, mostly because there's already a ranged combatant in the form of the archer magus. Hmm.

TOZ, how well would a necromancer fit the module? Asking from a "ranger's favored enemy" point of view: if it's nothing but outsiders and constructs or whatever, or if there's not a single undead enemy in the module, then it wouldn't be that much fun. Also asking from the in-character point of view: if there's like a some kind of Pharasman culture everywhere in the town then it'd be weird for my necromancer to show up adventuring.

Is gravewalker witch OK? Hex channeler?

That would make you a midas amongst kineticists.

Here's Ranbir, Monk of Irori.

(I still am open to playing the Cleric of Sheyln, or the Lore Warden, or a number of other things as well! I sorta like making characters, so this wouldn't be wasted time even if I play something else. We'll see what the party needs and what people want me to play.)

Ranbir trained as an initiate at a remote mountaintop monastery on the Isle of Jalmaray, spending several years isolated from society. He found that he had a desire to see the greater world, and with the approval of his superior, went on a walkabout. He is now seeking experience and enlightenment living the life of an adventurer.

Full character sheet here

That reminds me for whatever reason, did TOZ say anything about traits?

Still here, busy as all hell, I'll have a character to submit for consideration on Tuesday.

I don't think TOZ said anything about traits; I assumed it would be 2 traits, as that is the Pathfinder default. If I am wrong, he will show up and SMITE ME DOWN.

(He might do that anyway.)

I smite because I care. Two traits, no more, no less. No drawbacks. Extra Traits is fine.

Cool, I am basically done, just need to get it typed up which will be finished this evening ^^. (I should say i'm in the UK so around 7 hours ^^)

Dakeryas Waylander, Tiefling Magus (if Tiefling isn't fine, I can easily switch to human ^^).

Dakeryas was abandoned at a young age due to his fiendish heritage, his right arm covered in horrific scales and ending in wicked claws. Adopted by a woodsman who overlooked the disfigurement, Dakeryas would occasionally visit town during market days to sell catches and trade for goods needed, always wearing heavy clothing and thick gloves, his master declaring them to be due to horrific scarring.

With his master's eyes starting to fail, Dakeryas was to be sent to the town to apprentice under Hunclay, who had recently joined the community. With a battered spellbook from one of his Master's old friends he makes his way to town...

(Basically I merged the two ideas so that while he has been to town and might be recognisable, he isn't part of the inner community so is neither well known or had a great deal of interaction to avoid the module not meshing ^^)

So for my Arcane Bond I am taking a composite Longbow, general consensus for this is that it is the basic +0 strength as there are no concrete rulings.

I have finals to grade.

And when you have something like that to procrastinate, you really procrastinate.

Here are my two other characters, the cleric of Shelyn and the Lore Warden. I'm happy to play any of the three; I'll pick which one I play based on a combination of what other people want and what roles it seems the party is missing. (If it turns out we have no arcane caster other than the Magus, I will gleefully make a wizard character!)

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Fyliriana, half-elf cleric of Shelyn

Fyliriana was raised in Westcrown, but because she was obviously born out of wedlock (those pointy ears don't come from humans!), she was always a shame to her mother. Her mother was a strict Asomedan, and tried to do penance for her transgression, and tried to drag Fylirana into a dour life of guilt and self-denegration. Fylriana had too much of the free spirit in her, however, and ran away when she was 16. She fell in with a group of Shelyn worshippers, and realized that the worship of Shelyn had been her calling all along. She trained as a cleric, and is now out in the world to find her way, and to see really awesome things.

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Sabina, Human Pathfinder and Fighter (Lore Warden)

Sabina was born and raised in Taldor. Always very physically powerful, but also with a keen scholarly mind, her parents encouraged her to enroll in the Pathfinder Society's training for field agents when she was 18. She did so, and has just recently graduated. He rmentor, Ambrus Valsin, has given her a solo mission as her Confirmation trial: go to the village of Belhaim in Taldor, and make contact with the wizard Hunclay there. Attempt to enlist Hunclay as an ally of the Society. She is to find her own way to Belhaim; Valsin recommended that she find travelling companions, as there are strength in numbers. (Indeed, frequently he sends out teams of Pathfinders to accomplish missions, buthe trusts Sablina to complete this one on her own.)

Sethran here ^^. Magus is built and sheet on the Alias. Will iron out the bakstory and fluff ^^

The druid has become a cleric, working out her details now. How is the party on skills? I will definitely have Diplomacy and Knowledge (religion) maxed out, and can do one of the following as well: Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (planes) or Spellcraft.

If I play my Monk, he'll be mostly physical skills; not a lot of interpersonal or knowledge skills. He should be able to hold people still, however.

If I play my cleric (probably not needed if you have one), there's very good Diplomacy, as well as some Sense Motive and Heal.

My Lore Warden has some Diplomacy, and Knowledge (Arcana, Dungeoneering, History, Local, and Planes). At second level, she'll pick up the rest of the knowledge skills.

Okay, I think I've managed to narrow my choices down to two: this kineticist and this occultist. The latter has some capacities of being a skill monkey. For early levels he'll summon skeletons and zombies, and assist in melee. For later levels I hope he has enough spellpower to throw save-or-sucks. He'd be kind of a jack-of-all-trades, I guess.

Now that people are creating their aliases, can we please get a gameplay thread created for dotting?

Just realized something important--How are you going to handle loot, and will you allow crafting?

If you want to take the time, you can craft during the adventure. There may be some opportunity for it. Loot will be mostly as is in the module, but item purchasing may be limited.

Some people are born depraved; for others though, it is a way of life. Oenemaus believes he is of the first, but it is only through constant effort that the bounty-hunter is able to project the aura bestowed upon from a long life in the city of strangers, Kaer Maga. Was it boredom, lack of favor from the mighty Ardoc family which placed him at the mercy of those he had wronged in their service, or some wanderlust that pushed him onwards? Probably a little of all three. But perhaps... Just perhaps, there is something greater compelling him forward.

My characters generally flesh out through play, I'm sorry if that's an issue. You can check out the character's crunch through his link, although I'm more than happy to provide you with a .por file should that be necessary.

I'm also going to try and explore redemption, working Oenemaus' way out from his brutal ways.

Finally, I'm not super sold on taking Power Attack at level 1, but I'm not certain taking improved trip will be all that better at such a low level. Please, if you have any input on that, message me or post here.

The real question: do you see Oenemaus as the kind of guy who would try to pound the crap out of his opponents, or who would try to hamper his opponents so as to make it easier to defeat them?

That should tell you which to take....

Of course, Improved Trip has the prerequisite.

So far we have:

Upayno: Oenemaus the Stranger, Human Slayer
Mighty Glacier: Hobgoblin Kineticist or Dhampir Occultist
Wynne Glimerling: Cleric, good @ Dilomacy and Know (Religion)
Sethran: Dakeyras Waylander, tiefling ranged Magus
Alexander Draft: Playing?
rknop: ...

Unless I'm mistaken, Oenemaus is the primary frontliner. The occultist could provide a secondary frontliner (via summons), whereas the kineticist is more likely to be ranged. The magus is ranged, and is also arcane. And we have a cleric, whom I'm hoping is a good healer, as well as facey.

What are we lacking? Perhaps more people skills. Perhaps more frontline. Perhaps more arcane magic.

Of my three characters, the one that comes the closest is the Lore Warden. No arcane magic, but OKish people skills (thanks to traits), will have OK ranks in all knowledge skills by level 2, and is a secondary frontliner.

Maybe I should make a bard....

For now, I'll assume I'm going with Sabina, the Pathfinder and Lore Warden.

He strikes me as the sort of person who has been taught to "play" with his prey. Improved Trip it is.

Also, Dirty Fighting is a hell of a feat.

So is that avatar. Yikes!

Sabina, reporting on behalf of Ambrus Valsin and the Pathfinder Society, ready for duty.

(Unless we decide I should play a bard or a wizard or something instead....)