Well, it seemed like the appropriate time to start this thread, so I did. We'll finish up character creation discussion here, establish posting rules and conventions, and I will hand out background information here. Once we've got the party assembled, I will create the play thread, and we'll be off!
*Traken waves to anyone that shows up to the thread.*
Nice to see everyone here.
With that frivolous thing out of the way, I have two character sheets being developed at the moment. The first is a really plain Elven Wizard. Nothing special. The second is a Gnomish Cleric of Wee Jas. I'm not quite finished with this one, but I can see myself having a lot more fun with it than the wizard. So I guess you could consider a Cleric spot filled up. Not that we can't have more than one. I think an all-cleric party would be quite a hoot.
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One thing that I think most people seem to neglect: Starting wealth?
If ya'll feel someone looking over your shoulder it's just me...lurking.
One thing that I think most people seem to neglect: Starting wealth?
Standard starting for whatever your class is. Or feel free to just pull a starting package from PHB I or II, or a complete book.
Got a convincing argument that it should be more or less than standard?
I've started a character, human Rogue, I'll multiclass into Soulknife and probably Swashbuckler later.
Okay, so to summarize what we, probably, have right now:
Arctaris: Human Rogue -> Soulknife -> Swashbuckler?
TwiceBorn: Arcane caster (from ToM)
Traken: Gnome Cleric (Wee Jas)
Jonventus: Cleric (Fharlanghn, Kord, or Wee Jas)
Some muscle might be needed... I'll keep that in mind as I mull it over.
p.s.: waves at Traken :)
Okay, so to summarize what we, probably, have right now:
Arctaris: Human Rogue -> Soulknife -> Swashbuckler?
TwiceBorn: Arcane caster (from ToM)
Traken: Gnome Cleric (Wee Jas)
Jonventus: Cleric (Fharlanghn, Kord, or Wee Jas)Some muscle might be needed... I'll keep that in mind as I mull it over.
p.s.: waves at Traken :)
Don't know if I'd really classify the class I have in mind as an arcane caster, even though it will come from the ToM. If the cat must come out of the bag, I was thinking of making a binder. But if this ends up being too complicated for the DM, I'll be happy to make something else, whatever is needed to fill party gaps...
I'm here. Let me know if there are any changes that I need to make.
I'm here. Let me know if there are any changes that I need to make.
Man, are you ever fast!
I probably won't be able to finish my character until Monday. My best friend's getting married this weekend, I'm the Best Man, and I've still got stuff to prepare for the wedding... thanks in advancefor your understanding, Sean!
EDIT: Plus, I need to familiarize myself with the binder class... they look cool, but I've never played one...
Hey guys,
Hmmm...I was leaning towards playing a priest of Wee Jas, but it sounds like Traken's pretty keen on his gnome dude. No problem. I'd still like to play a priest, but I'll try to find something a little more combat-oriented so we aren't overwhelmed by the first group of city guards we run afoul of :)
So here's my character:
Name: Rend
Race: Half-Orc
Class: Barbarian/Cleric of Kord
Alignment: CG
Although he's been initiated into the Church of Kord, Rend's lack of discipline and struggles with the written word have pretty much forced him to focus more on weaponry and combat rather than spellcasting. As a result, he's taking his first level as a barbarian. But, for the purposes of party planning, subsequent levels will be as a priest.
Question: Are we starting with Max HP or rolling? Also, based on the previous posts, I'm assuming we're rolling for starting wealth...
Ah, I see that starting wealth = standard package.
Sean, as an aspiring priest of Kord, any objection to me trading in the barbarian's great axe, short bow, and quiver for a greatsword?
In any case, I'm finished my character sheet. Do you want me to post some or all of the details? This is my first PbP on the Paizo boards, so I'm not sure if there's a place to post characters, etc. Let me know
Jon
I had already started the character as soon as I was accepted into the PbP.
Joventrus; when you create an alias for your character you can just enter your charater sheet into the profile. That mkes it easily accessible for both the DM should he need to NPC you and for yourself.
Sean, as an aspiring priest of Kord, any objection to me trading in the barbarian's great axe, short bow, and quiver for a greatsword?
No, not at all. Go right ahead.
In any case, I'm finished my character sheet. Do you want me to post some or all of the details? This is my first PbP on the Paizo boards, so I'm not sure if there's a place to post characters, etc. Let me know
Yes, you can create an alias for yourself, in the guise of your character, by clicking on "My Account" in the top bar of the Paizo page. Once you're there, you can create an alias by clicking in the box under the one with your avater image.
Once you've created an alias, your profile page (available by clicking on your own name in a post) is where you post the details of your character.
Click on Shamus Car'das's name in his post for an example (the profile page is also where anybody is informed who you really are, or that Shamus is an alias for Arctaris).
And yes, everyone please start first level with max hit points.
I'm here. Let me know if there are any changes that I need to make.
I'm generally good with that character. I do have one question -- I noticed you're using flaws, but neither of those flaws is in UA. Are these flaws from Complete Scoundrel, or some other source?
I'm good with them, I just want to know where they're from. If it's Scoundrel, I don't have that one, but I'm good with flaws, so I'm good with those. Just tell me what they do, so I can keep track of it.
Further character creation/gameplay notes for everybody:
Prestige Classes: For those of you who are already building ahead, you should know -- you'll be able to multiclass and/or level up in whatever base class you want, more or less at will (I'll typically hand out XP at the end of every encounter, just for simplicity's sake), however: PRCs will require you to find a trainer or join an organization of some sort. and yes, this is to prevent cherrypicking PRC levels willy nilly.
Magic Shops and Items: Also, as to the subject of magic shops -- there will be magic shops here and there, but they do not stock everything available up to the city GP max, nor do they have unlimited supplies of cash to buy everything you want to get rid of. I'll frequently roll randomly for what's available (and everywhere you go, minor items will be more common than anything else), but this does mean that occasionally you'll find something unusual or outside of the normal city GP max.
Because if this, as the AP progresses, if there's a specific item you want for your character, let me know, and I will try to custom craft treasure hoards (which I'll try to be doing anyway, but I have in the past included items I thought a player would love, but which the player just dropped like a bad habit at the first opportunity).
This is me as the DM for the adventure. I kept the avatar the same for this alias, so you know it's me.
I may change that.
Both flaws are from a Dragon issue (I can't remeber which one at the moment). I'm at work and don't have my stuff with me but if you'd like I'll post the pertinent info on those flaws when I get home tonight. Will we be playing with the rules about XP penalties involved in multi-classing?
Will we be playing with the rules about XP penalties involved in multi-classing?
I want to keep "house rules" to a minimum, but no, I think we will not be using multiclass XP penalties. They're a pain in the ass, cause more math than is really worth it, and since pretty much every other incarnation of the d20 system does away with multiclass penalties, I see no reason to keep them (I never play with them IRL, either).
Also, Shamus: I like your bakcground and am good with it, but I'll be providing some general background (possibly not until this weekend) that affects everybody (and puts everybody in Diamond Lake to start). So after you've read through the background material, you should consider making minor adjustments as necessary, to weave yourself more solidly in with the story. Mostly just let my details inspire your details.
Serial post:
I'm at work and don't have my stuff with me but if you'd like I'll post the pertinent info on those flaws when I get home tonight.
That's fine, just so I know what mechanics are involved (though they seem pretty self-explanatory).
And yes, if anybody else wants to use flaws to gain extra feats, go ahead. My inclination at this point is to put a cap of two on everybody, but I'm willing to listen to counter-arguments for more.
I'll revise my backround as needed once you post those details. I'm glad that you aren't using the XP penalty rules, I never use them either. Would you allow another flaw if it fit a character well? I think there might be another one in the same dragon magazine that fits my character well. I can't recall what its called though. I'll look it up later tonight.
Another summarization:
Arctaris: Human Rogue -> Soulknife -> Swashbuckler?
TwiceBorn: Binder (from ToM)
Traken: Gnome Cleric (Wee Jas)
Jonventus: Barbarian -> Cleric (Kord)
GentleGiant: Wizard
TwiceBorn's Binder can fill a lot of roles, especially melee and ranged attack, so I'm thinking of going with a Wizard.
With that party combination, how are things looking party roundedness-wise regarding the AP?
Also, Arctaris, do you have a level progression already made up for your multi-classing (I'm mostly curious how many rogue abilities/skills we're going to have available to us - might influence spell choice later on)?
Lastly, the Flaws are from Dragon Magazine #328 (February 2005), the article is called Nobody's Perfect and starts on page 41.
http://www.hanshortes.com/dmindex/issue/issue328.html
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It’s looking like an interesting party guys. *Sigh* - you’re all enthusiastic too, so Mister Number 3 on the reserve list isn’t likely to get a look in, is he?
Twiceborn, I know nothing about Binders, but I know James Jacob created a new vestige or aspect or whatever it is those guys bind, for his character in this campaign: The Green Lady. Seems pretty campaign specific and flavoursome. If Sean’s ok with it, I’ll see if I can post a link to the relevant thread in the Age of Worms messageboard, to save you the risk of spoilers.
It’s looking like an interesting party guys. *Sigh* - you’re all enthusiastic too, so Mister Number 3 on the reserve list isn’t likely to get a look in, is he?
Twiceborn, I know nothing about Binders, but I know James Jacob created a new vestige or aspect or whatever it is those guys bind, for his character in this campaign: The Green Lady. Seems pretty campaign specific and flavoursome. If Sean’s ok with it, I’ll see if I can post a link to the relevant thread in the Age of Worms messageboard, to save you the risk of spoilers.
Cool! Thanks, Moth!
"Bizrip!" Dalzig giggles like a Japanese schoolgirl.
I think I'm ready. I'll update my background, etc. if I have to.
Also... why doesn't Paizo allow your own avatar? I'm not seeing any good gnomes at all. *Crosses arms*
"Rend here, reporting. If you've got a problem with me, you've got a big problem."
Another summarization:
Arctaris: Human Rogue -> Soulknife -> Swashbuckler?
TwiceBorn: Binder (from ToM)
Traken: Gnome Cleric (Wee Jas)
Jonventus: Barbarian -> Cleric (Kord)
GentleGiant: Wizard
GentleGiant... what race are you planning on making your wizard? I'm trying to decide between human and halfling for the binder... and I'm also wondering whether I shouldn't start as a fighter and then multi-class as a binder (I've got a good back story in mind for that), or vice versa. Would this be acceptable, Sean?
I have a flaw in mind but it is one of my homebrew flaws.
Nagging Cough
You are relatively unable to resist maladies of both a magical and mundane nature.
Prerequisites: Constitustion 10 or lower
Description: You take a -2 on all saving throws to resist the effects of an supernatural, magical or mundane disease or illness. In addition you take a -1 penalty on all other Fortitude saving throws.
What do you think? Too few penalties? Too many?
If you'll allow this flaw I'd like to take it as a third flaw because I've been toying with playing a slightly sickly but charismatic and daring person. I'd always be interested in whatever local 'cure-alls' are around even though I know that most of them are scams.
I'm planning on the follow class build
Rogue 2/Swashbuckler 3/Soulknife 15, taking the Daring Outlaw feat from the Complete Warrior so that my Rogue and Swashbuckler levels stakc for Sneak Attack damage, Grace and mabye something else.
Okay, it's confirmed, I'm making a halfling binder... his abilities are rolled up and I've got a background in mind, but it might take me a few days to complete him. Feat and skill selection for this class require quite a bit of thought... it's a fairly mechanic-heavy class, but I think it'll offer enormous roleplaying opportunities. Plus, I've never played a halfling before, so it should be fun.
I thumbed through ToM at my FLSG earlier. Binder did look like it could be extremely interesting. So did Shadow Caster (?). Truenamer just looked "meh." It doesn't really fit in to the world I imagine. But I guess it would be better if it was worked into a campaign setting.
Here's an interesting thought. What if you take the Unreactive flaw (-6 init) to take Improved Initiative (+4 Init)? Why do I always come up with stupid, mildly funny ideas?
What with the influx of clerics, I'm thinking of doing something similar themed (no, not another cleric).
But I want to hear what Sean's take on Book of Exalted Deeds is (in particular some of these prestige classes: Celestial Mystic, Exalted Arcanist and Sentinel of Bharrai?).
I'm thinking Sorcerer first and then two of those prestige classes (haven't decided which ones and in which order).
Let me know what your thoughts are on those and I'll think of something else if those aren't up to snuff.
As for race, I'll probably go human no matter what.
Leaning more towards Sorcerer than Wizard at the moment, though (I've actually never played a Sorcerer before).
Urgh. Ow. Morning.
Okay, let's see if I can catch everything....
Mothman, go ahead and post that Green Lady Vestige. I've looked over the Binder class a little bit, and I've tried to make arrangements to be able to get a copy of the important material (I still have to look over the vestiges a little more closely), but I think I'm good with the Binder class. Especially if it's been used successfully in somebody else's AoW campaign.
So, TwiceBorn's Binder is okay, and Mothman, you are cleared to post the Green Lady vestige.
GentleGiant... what race are you planning on making your wizard? I'm trying to decide between human and halfling for the binder... and I'm also wondering whether I shouldn't start as a fighter and then multi-class as a binder (I've got a good back story in mind for that), or vice versa. Would this be acceptable, Sean?
It looks like you've already made up your mind about what you're going to make, TB, but either incarnation of this is acceptable.
I have a flaw in mind but it is one of my homebrew flaws.
Nagging Cough
** spoiler omitted **
What do you think? Too few penalties? Too many?
Don't forget to post me the texts of Insomnia and Lightweight, too please.
Let me compare it to a couple of other flaws and I'll get back to you.
Here are the other flaws.
Insomniac
Lightweight
Effect: You have half the base weight of a normal character of your race. Height and weight modifiers are added normally. You suffer a -4 penalty when making or resisting bull rushes, grapples, overruns, or trip attacks. You gain no attack bonus on when you charge, but you do suffer the -2 AC penalty and trake double damage from weapons set against charges that you make.
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So, TwiceBorn's Binder is okay, and Mothman, you are cleared to post the Green Lady vestige.
It should be here.
I don't think there are any real spoilers in the thread.
Question: Does the Shaky flaw (-2 ranged attack rolls) apply to spells like Scorching Ray? I'm pretty much set on taking it anyway, just wanted to know.
Just a heads up, folks... I probably won't be able to post tomorrow, and I'm not sure about much of Friday-Sunday, either... my best friend is getting married on Saturday, and as best man, I've got a few things to attend to before and after that. I'll try to poke my head in whenever I can though... thanks for your understanding!
My character will definitely be ready by Monday, though...
So, TwiceBorn's Binder is okay, and Mothman, you are cleared to post the Green Lady vestige.
It should be here.
I don't think there are any real spoilers in the thread.
Thanks, Mothman. I just scrolled down to the vestige description and printed it out without reading anything else. An additional vestige is always welcome, even if for my own home games...
I'm also good-to-go by Monday. All my stats are done, I just want to
write a short bio and description, and make my profile a little more organized.
Sean, is there any background info we should know about Diamond Lake?
Gah. Sorry gang, the show went a little kerflooie over the last 24 hours. I've only got a brief moment here this morning, then it's out the door again.
I know there's still stuff left I need to respond to, and I will try and squeeze it in sometime today.
I am so over this show already, and it opens this coming Saturday. That's a bad sign. Anyway, it really will calm down, hopefully by tomorrow.
But I want to hear what Sean's take on Book of Exalted Deeds is (in particular some of these prestige classes: Celestial Mystic, Exalted Arcanist and Sentinel of Bharrai?).
I'm thinking Sorcerer first and then two of those prestige classes (haven't decided which ones and in which order).
I think I'm good with any of those PrCs, though I was a tad surprised Sentinel of Bharrai granted +1 existing spell levels at first level. The other two skipped that at first level. Would you have a problem with it if I altered SoB (nice abbreviation) so that it doesn't start granting +1 existing spell level until second level, were you to take levels in that class?
Also, a reminder to you and everyone else about the PrC thing -- you can level at will in any basic class, but to take a level in a PrC, you will need to find a trainer or organization of some kind, both to enter and to level in the class.
For my end of that bargain, just make sure to let me know a couple of levels below when you want to start taking a class, and I will make arrangements for you to find the training you need.
Question: Does the Shaky flaw (-2 ranged attack rolls) apply to spells like Scorching Ray? I'm pretty much set on taking it anyway, just wanted to know.
It does. A ranged touch attack is still a ranged attack.
Sean, is there any background info we should know about Diamond Lake?
There is. I'll post more details over the weekend, and as we go along (so's not to deluge you with background info).
But briefly -- Diamond Lake is a muddy speck of a mining town, three days east of the city of Jhesail, capital city of the Freehold Nations. Diamond Lake, along with much of the area around Jhesail, has recently been hit with a wave of refugees from the neighboring nation of Tynear, to the East. Tynear, always something of a frontier province, has recently been overrun by barbaric, invading armies made up of orcs, goblinoids, giants, and worse (some say). The last vestiges of the Tynearean army still struggles to hold the gate cities of the Shining Passes, but the governors and lords of the Freehold Nations are no fools and have already dispatched the main force of their own armies to the border along the Wyvernskull Mountains to greet the invaders, should the Tyneareans fail.
The flow of the first part of the campaign is meant to take the PCs from the mining town of Diamond Lake, into the capital city of Jhesail, so characters who are from, or have been to a big city are not from Jhesail, but some other city, possibly even displaced from somewhere in Tynear. Shamus, you're a perfect candidate for this. PCs who wish to be from the area should be from Diamond Lake itself, or from one of the rural areas nearby.
That's it for now. More over the next several days, including more detial about Diamond Lake itself.
If you'll allow this flaw I'd like to take it as a third flaw because I've been toying with playing a slightly sickly but charismatic and daring person. I'd always be interested in whatever local 'cure-alls' are around even though I know that most of them are scams.
I've thought about it. I'm good with your third flaw as written.
So I'm a refugee? Sweet. I can think of all kinds of fun things to fo with this. I'll modify my backstory accordingly. I'll also add the flaw and another feat (I love feats, I can never get enough of them).
EDIT: The changes have been made.
Olaf the Stout, otherwise known as Number 9 in this little secret society, reporting in. Since I am 4th in line, I doubt my chances of getting a look-in here. I hope you guys have fun with it though.
Sean, Invisible Castle is a good site to use for dice rolling in a PbP campaign. It keeps players honest and is pretty simple to use. All the players would have to do is provide a link in the PbP thread to their rolls.
Olaf the Stout