Well, I've been wrestling with this one since Dragon #293, and I've done a tabletop version, but it didn't really end satisfactorily.
I'm interested in starting up a play-by-post game based loosely on the Hell Squad campaign premise invented by Robin D. Laws in an article in Dragon #293, with elements of d20 Dark*Matter, Heroes of Horror, and a teensy touch of H.P. Lovecraft thrown in.
I can usually post about once a day, more if things get good, but I'm employed full-time on a rotating roster, and things sometimes get very busy for me. If this is OK for your posting schedule, read on. If you're looking for 2-3 posts a day... sorry.
One of the most important things about this game is that I'd like to run it as "rules-light". That is... if your character is a fighter (or warrior-type, whatever), I'll take it as a given that, against most equal-level opponents, you hit and cause damage. If you're a cleric, you can pray and grant miracles.
But I won't allow someone to play a half-troll black dragon death knight ("because it's unkillable") or just Superman your way past anything in your way.
This will be a roleplay-heavy game, and I like my D&D story-based rather than high-magic. If you're looking for inspiration... think Conan. Or King Arthur. There are priests and mages, but they're not common, they don't just walk around throwing fireballs down every street, and they're certainly not Super Saiyans.
So, if anyone is interested, let me know, my email address is: blue_eyed_paladin@hotmail.com .
I am willing to take interesting characters, but if you don't have an idea, let me know what kind of character you like to play ("brooding angry reluctant heroes like Captain Mal" or "heroic mages like Palin Majere" will do), and I have a few concepts I can run past you, and see what you think.
As I said, let me know.
Oh, I should probably mention- it's (as yet) not set in any particular campaign world, so there aren't really any established deities, countries, etc. It will be largely city-based, but characters from farther afield can be accommodated.
I would absolutely love to be in your game. Please reserve me a spot. I'll be churning a character presently. Just one question. Could you give a little more information on the Dragon article? I looked up the issue and got that it was an article on writing TV inspired campaigns? Something like that? Anyhow it sounds fascinating, but I'd like to hear a bit more so I can make someone that fits. Love your idea about running a rules light freeform game that's heavy on character and roleplay. That sounds GREAT! Oh and another thing, how are you with regards to books/magazines? Core only? Core and suppliments? Classes etc. from Dragon okay? Just trying to get a feel.
Anyway thanks a ton. Looking forward to hearing more about it!
I'm actually not requiring you to have read the article- it was just what inspired the game idea.
Basically, the premise is that the game is episodic- somewhere between CSI, D&D, and a bunch of Buffy. Plus tons of Hawk and Fisher. It's a reasonably open-ended game, with an "exaggerated, black humour tone, with over-the top action".
Umm... not to give too much away, but the PCs will be part of a 'specialist squad' in the city, dealing with supernatural and horrifying threats to peace and order.
In terms of rules, go with what you like, but the story is much more important than rules.
Okay here's what I've got:
Hague Kotair was born and abandoned beneath the city streets, left to die in the sewer as a meal for rats, but was found by the sewer cleaners who turned him in for a bounty from the local temple. As he grew, he showed no hint or inclination toward faith despite the earnest efforts of the clergy to incorporate him into their order. So in time he was abandoned again to an orphanage.
He was found there by a wealthy old widow in town, who took him in--not to raise him, but as free help. He cleaned up after her in her large, spooky and increasingly eccentric house, and just as he felt that her feelings toward him were beginning to soften, she died. Everything she had reverted to her grasping family, who threw him from the house and into the street, not a man by several years but too old to be considered a proper child or be offered any support. Half-starved, he headed back to the sewer, the same where he had been found as an infant. There he sat and waited to die.
He was found by a dwarven monk, an old hermit, hateful and bitter, who resided in the sewer sprawl. He taught the boy how to subsist off of fungi and carrion, how to feel his way through the dark, how to fight with whatever was at hand. Finally in the monk's last active years he let Hague know why he had taken him in. He was dying, and there were arts that he had developed and in his pride had never shared, but now he was ill and afraid that his name and skills would be forgotten. Hague was to be the repository for his training. His training began in earnest--a harsh, unrelenting pattern of abuse and unfair expectations.
At the end Hague was prepared, given the texts to continue his training, and the old dwarf became bedridden. Though he thoroughly hates him, Hague tends him in his illness, coming down to the sewers every day to bring him food, helping him eat, cleaning him and fetching things for him. He takes what jobs are available, anything to earn some money to help him support his elderly charge. He would let the mean old monk die, but that would mean he would be abandoned again--and he just can't let that happen. He's been abandoned too often. He can't let it go.
Interested in the prospect of a good story-based game. I'm spinning up some ideas now, but reserve me a spot on this one.
Nice char - by the way - Grimcleaver.
That's him in all his messed up glory. Wow is he dark. Anyhow I figured I would pitch the story before getting into the mechanics, but I'll crunch those out and give them to you. I'm thinking of Blind Fighting as one of his feats and something to let him use improvised weapons.
I'm thinking of using the default array for his stats unless you've got your own way you want to do it. Just let me know.
Good to have you Durendal!
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Must... battle... inner impulse...
Cannot... join... 5th... PbP... while still running... another....
GAH! Okay, fine. I'm in. I'll wait to see a little more detailed info on what kind of setting we're dealing with before I cook up a character. You're saying that magic-users are somewhat uncommon, but I'm tempted to play one (if it's allowed). Probably one of those "closet casters." A mage who doesn't necessarily want anyone to know that he is.
Either that or, if the setting and DM permit it, a psion of some persuasion.
Crunch: This may be asking for trouble, but I'm of a mind to allow players to give whatever stats their character deserves. No Conans need apply, please.
Magic won't be impeded in any way, but the flavour is as I said earlier- magic is meant to be uncommon, scary (for the common folk), and unknowable. People don't cast magic missile, they evoke "eldritch spears of energy that unerringly seek out their foes and hammer them to the ground". They "sink into a trance whilst peering into a silvered bowl, and divine the knowledge of where the Maltese Falcon was taken", they don't cast locate object. I'm just looking to "bring back the magic", pun intended. If you really want to play a psion, well, I guess, go for it. Actually, I don't have any problems with it, if you want.
As for levels, feats, and so on, think of characters in the 3rd-5th level range. Low enough to be threatened by hordes of minor undead, high enough to have 'hero moments' charging through them.
Fluff: The city is gritty, overpopulated, underpaid, unhappy, and thoroughly miserable (don't we love our dystopian fantasy?). It is occasionally wracked by supernatural events (attacks by the undead, things let loose from the Temple District that gather sacrifices and then slip away into the night again, and so on) that the regular guard just cannot handle- they're not equipped for it.
Around five years ago, the mayor attempted establishing a Hell Squad, which was like a SWAT team- they were tough, fast-response, dangerous people given good resources (for this city, anyway) and a free rein. No-one really knows the specifics, but something went wrong, and they disintegrated spectacularly (with some kind of explosion in the Clock Tower), and the few members who survived were sentenced to exile from the city.
It seems events are getting bad enough again to warrant re-forming the squad.
Grimcleaver: Hague really is quite dark. He sounds like he'll be fun. I like the character so far, but we need a way to connect him with the Hell Squad. Possibly, he's hard (or desperate) enough to accept a job advertised in something called the 'Hell Squad' without asking too many questions, but they do mostly recruit from the guard, after that nightmare a couple of years back.
GAH! Okay, fine. I'm in.
HOLY CRUD! Wow! If Fatespinner's in, then this really is gonna' be an awesome game.
...I get to game with Fatespinner. I'm still in shock. This is gonna' be awesome!
Grimcleaver: Hague really is quite dark. He sounds like he'll be fun. I like the character so far, but we need a way to connect him with the Hell Squad. Possibly, he's hard (or desperate) enough to accept a job advertised in something called the 'Hell Squad' without asking too many questions, but they do mostly recruit from the guard, after that nightmare a couple of years back.
Y'know interestingly that's pretty much exactly what I had in mind. I think that backstory is going to work out great.
No worries with deciding Hague's stats. Conan he ain't. Lots more wretched than Conan. Heh. I'm just happy I can finally play a monk and have him feel how he should, y'know? I've always loved the idea of a monk so much more than how they usually play at the table. This will be a fun change, hopefully. I'm excited. This is gonna' be a blast.
Let me know how this works for ya. I took some liberties with the story (and character). If there's a conflict with what you have planned, I'll change it (or throw it out altogether):
Lily Voortman was a normal child growing up on her parents' farm. She went to school, fed chickens, and lived life as any traditional young woman would... until just a few weeks after her 16th birthday, the hellspawn came from beyond the Black. They attacked her homestead, exposed and unprotected so far from the city. They butchered her parents, slaughtering them and feasting on their flesh like ravenous animals. They would've done the same to her if it hadn't been by divine providence that one of the neighbors arrived to distract the monsters.
Wounded by the claws and teeth of her attackers, Lily fled from the farm and secluded herself in the deep woods nearby. She never learned the fate of the neighbor, but presumes he is likely dead. The wounds she suffered from the hellspawns blackened and Lily began to feel increasingly warm and sick. She thought for certain that the wounds were infected, possibly poisoned, and had all but resigned herself to die in those lonely woods. Instead, however, the injuries imparted upon her a strange metamorphosis... one that made her both human and monster. Her body withered, sickened by some dark force, but her mind blossomed, learning dark secrets that she was never meant to know. The whispers were bothersome at first, then maddening, but finally, her will to survive beat back the dark thoughts that wanted her to kill and feed. She would not become the monsters that destroyed her life. She would fight them.
Knowing that her form would not be well-received amongst the public, Lily turned to the city, the only place she thought that would be safe, and kept herself in rags to hide the truth of her nature. In secret, she waged something of a shadow war on the monsters that prowled the night, employing the powers bestowed upon her by her change against the very creatures that inflicted them. She does not know if the change is complete. She does not know if she will forever be of her own mind. Still the whispers come. Still they feed her dark thoughts of malice and death. But until her mind is crushed, she will not heed them. She will fight and, when her mind is at it's breaking point, she will die, unwilling to surrender herself to the hellish creatures that destroyed her family... and her life.
I've never done PBP before, but playing with Grimcleaver and Fatespinner would be a great privelege. If I can come up with a cool character concept within the next 24 hours, I'd very much like to participate. If not, no worries in passing me over for this great opportunity.
OK -- Here goes.
Hellard was born into a moneyed family, and grew up spending more time in their hunting preserve outside the city than in his own home town. His birth has given him entree into the society of the city, however, and it pained him to learn -- gradually, through pieced-together hints -- that all is not well, that forces from beyond sanity could threaten eveything he used to take for granted. It scares him even more to suspect that some of those he likes or even admires in society might even be in league with such forces...
Hellard is an athletically-built redhead, hale and hearty, always with a slap on the back and a glass of wine. He maintains the pose of a clueless spoiled rich young man, even while he seeks more solid knowledge about the dark hints he'd surmised. One day, with that knowledge in hand, he hopes to act.
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If this will work, please count me in! If not, no hard feelings.
OK -- Here goes.That avatar reminds me of Haggard from the Final Fight video games!
Heh! I just needed a guy who looks rich. I'll change it if I can find a better one, but I wanted to get him out there quickly.
OK, Hellard seems fine and I don't have any worries about having a member of the Quality as part of the Hell Squad. The Quality themselves would probably rather have one of their number "commanding" the squad (of course, if a member of the Quality were a member, they'd assume he was in charge anyway).
Pariah... while I like the backstory and feel, I have slight reservations. If she looks even faintly demonic, she's likely to get herself lynched... and pretty darn quickly. If her scars are just metaphysical (as in, she's tortured and slightly creepy), she'd fit right in.
OK, three players. Anyone else?
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OK, three players. Anyone else?
How many players are you looking for? I've never done a PBP game myself but if it's a post a day I'm sure I can manage that.
What are the limitations for PC creation if any? I noticed you said level between 3-5? Does that mean you are still thinking of the starting level or we can submit a character of any of those levels?
How do you want to do the stat creation?
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I'm interested!
When you said 'Hell Squad', I had a vision of a cross between Call of Cthulhu and Godlike. Or 'Fiends of the Eastern Front'. LOL
What was that DC comic from the '70s, where the Wolfman and Frankenstein's Creature were dropped behind enemy lines to give Hitler a good kicking? Wierd War Tales? The Monster Squadron?
This sounds great fun, and don't worry about the limited postings; I've not done pbp before, so I'm glad to have a chance to ease in gradually, and fit this in among everything else.
I'm easy on class and race; whatever fits with the others. I have played a wizard every week for 2 and a half years, though, so I'd be glad of a rest!
Pariah... while I like the backstory and feel, I have slight reservations. If she looks even faintly demonic, she's likely to get herself lynched... and pretty darn quickly. If her scars are just metaphysical (as in, she's tortured and slightly creepy), she'd fit right in.
Okay, adjusted it a bit. Backstory is essentially the same, except that the "metamorphosis" is almost purely mental. That said, however, she does bear some rather wicked looking physical scars as well.
With regards to her magic, it will become clear that her magical talent is not entirely her own. I'm choosing spells for her that fit a decidedly "forbidden" theme, tending towards necromancies and evocations. Many of the things she will do will likely be viewed very suspiciously, but she is effectively turning the enemies' powers against them in a way.
Disregard my last, got it figured out now. :)
Riven Golarsson
Wretched cites can be known for their corruption or the foulness that can infest more often for the Heroes that reside within. Often those heroes are forgotten or never heard of as it seems the darkness that envelopes can never be beaten, but sometimes the heroes do make their mark.
Rivens father Golar was of the city watch and did his best to raise his son as a single parent. You see Rivens mother passed in child birth. Golar knew this city was a tough place to survive and did his best to instill confidence in his son, to teach him how to earn his way, to teach him how to defend himself. Rivens childhood was filled with much battle training; something his father could easily give him and something that with the city watch in such need of valuable warriors did at no fee to Golar. Riven learned from the best the watch had to offer and excelled showing his birthright as his father’s son, never did he have to linger to hear of his father’s pride in him. When Riven became of age he too followed his father’s footsteps and joined the watch as the only way to free the city from its darkness was to face it head on. But sometimes in battling the darkness the side of goodly men takes their losses…Rivens father paid that price and soon the loss proved too much for Riven.
But all was not lost for Riven for he soon found salvation in drink, and drink he did. Known well in many of the lower taverns and pubs and by his watch for starting or being involved in many bar room brawls, which soon cost Riven all he had. He lost his place on the watch for his misconduct and was quickly thrown onto the streets. Riven still survived as a strong warrior, earning his keep at a local tavern, “The Tipping Tankard” as a bouncer. His drinking lessoned but still remained as it was the only way to end the pain of his loss. Riven knows he owes much to Hafford, the inn keep of “The Tipping Tankard”, and knows if it was not for his father’s memories Hafford may never of given him a chance.
With the news of the possibility of the “Hellsquad” reforming Riven has sobered some hoping to re-earn his family name and do just honor to his father’s memory, and to show his thanks to Hafford for his kindness.
Note: I threw in a name for a tavern, which of course subject to your approval, but this would be my character concept if you like it.
Pariah... great, sounds like she'll fit fine.
Riven... excellent, this will fit perfectly. Note: your father's funeral was a decidedly "closed-coffin" affair.
Snorter... please join in. It will be more of a fantasy setting but I think this could prove to be really good, so whip together a character idea and let me know.
Character creation: pick what ability scores and level you think your character has. And remember, this is for posterity, so please, be honest.
As I said, this will be storytelling rather than dice-rolling, so as long as your character makes sense, I won't complain overmuch.
Pariah... great, sounds like she'll fit fine.
Riven... excellent, this will fit perfectly. Note: your father's funeral was a decidedly "closed-coffin" affair.
Snorter... please join in. It will be more of a fantasy setting but I think this could prove to be really good, so whip together a character idea and let me know.
Character creation: pick what ability scores and level you think your character has. And remember, this is for posterity, so please, be honest.
As I said, this will be storytelling rather than dice-rolling, so as long as your character makes sense, I won't complain overmuch.
As for it making sense, one last question, which rules are we using and what source books can we use? Is it just 3.5 core...pathfinder RPG..etc?
Thanks, Paladin! I've dropped his age a bit and lowered his level by 1 to account for his relative inexperience in serious stuff. If you can tell me more about the Quality, that would be a help; I lack the source article you referred to. Other than that, I'm very much looking forward to starting!
My stance is that Hellard would not want it widely known that he's a member, assumung that he'd be more effective incognito. So there will be some negotiation and mutual feeling about, as far as signing him up for the Squad. Indeed, he'd have to fail a Bluff check for anyone to guess his real interest... probably not too hard, given the Sense Motive that a senior member of the Quality would likely have!
Stats:
Str: 14 - his strenth is a fairly new development in his life, a product of the rigorous training he recieved at the hand of his dwarven taskmaster. He'd always been hard, but where his former exertions had been mostly mindless and exhausting, now he was being called upon to perform feats beyond his ability. His regimen has left him completely spent at night, unable to move, motivated only by blows from his master's cane. Through this mistreatment he's found new reserves of strength.
Dex: 16 - quick, and twitchy from a dangerous life that's convinced him to treat everything as potentially deadly. He's made a life out of barely avoiding injury in a world where getting hurt is as good as being killed. This permanent level of stress and high alertness makes him haggard and shakey, but when he turns his mind to stilling himself and moving carefully he can have a precision born of sweating desperation.
Con: 12 - surrounded by sickness and hard work he whole youth has given him a sick kind of toughness. He's never really well, but likewise he's gained a bit of resistance to all the vile things out there, having immersed himself in them.
Int: 8 - a bit of a dim candle due to poor nutrition in his youth and the utter lack of any kind of mental cultivation. He's not the archtypal slurring moron half-orc. He's just always in a fog, and trying to think things to their ultimate conclusion is an effort. He forgets the little things, and it takes him forever to learn things that others take for granted.
Wis: 16 - even before his training, which honed his perceptions, he's always learned to look for the little signs that fortell a storm brewing within a person. He watches the world greedily, jealously and sifts it over for information the way a rich nobleman mulls over the notes of a fine wine.
Cha: 10 - years of abuse and servitude, as well as the fear of abandonment have worn down most of his rough edges for good or ill. He's malliable, bland and a shade needy.
As for it making sense, one last question, which rules are we using and what source books can we use? Is it just 3.5 core...pathfinder RPG..etc?
Use whatever source books you like, but keep it within 'campaign-believable' terms- it's a gritty, dark world where necromancy are deviltry are uncommon (well, rare and dangerous... like Sith Lords) but probably one of the most feared things around. This isn't a game where there will be lots of exotic monsters, more of your opponents will be reasoning, nasty people. Plus undead, demons, devils, and all that.
Grimcleaver had a good idea with the stats breakdown, so I'm going to do the same.
Pariah's Stats:
STR: 10 - not particularly strong nor particularly weak, Lily did grow up working on a farm and so maintained an above-average physique. When the metamorphosis took her, it atrophied her body somewhat, but not to a debilitating degree.
DEX: 18 - Lily was always graceful and nimble, but the metamorphosis honed her natural talent to nearly-preternatural levels. Her poise and gait are fluid, almost serpentine, and she is very quick to react to changes in her environment, owing to her current state of being.
CON: 8 - The metamorphosis blighted Lily's body and afflicted her with a fragile constitution. She is often sallow, sickly, and pale due to the alien affliction within her.
INT: 14 - Though certainly no genius, Lily was also no slouch in the mental department. The dark whispers that frequent her also seem to mingle with own thoughts and allow her to deduce things that she might not have been able to normally.
WIS: 12 - A woman of average conviction would've been crushed by her affliction, but Lily's thirst for vengeance and strong will to live have permitted her to survive this far. However, the whispers distract and befuddle her at times, leaving something to be desired for her perceptive abilities.
CHA: 16 - Lily was a pretty girl before the metamorphosis. Afterwards, her features gained a decidedly more exotic appeal. Her appearance is both sinister and tantalizing, capable of attracting the eye of even the most devoted husband... or terrifying the most hardened criminal.
STR 15 - Hellard is the happy recipient of good nutrition (as befits a wealthy kid), plenty of exercise (in his family hunting preserve) and a naturally large frame.
DEX 12 - Genteel sports (polo, skeet with crossbows) and archery (while hunting) have helped a bit here.
CON 15 - Hellard is known for his glowing health and near-limitless energy. The idea of him falling ill, or so much as having a bout of depression, is laughed at. He can outdrink many of his friends, party all night and then get up the next morning for classes, and otherwise push himself without breaking much of a sweat; at 4th level I'll probably bump this by +1.
INT 12 - Hellard is brighter than he sometimes lets on, although he spent more time ogling girls in class than actually paying attention to his lessons. This is a secret regret, now that he has decided there's more to life than just enjoying the benefits of inherited wealth.
WIS 8 - Growing up with wealth, Hellard was rather spoiled; he's used to getting whatever he wants, and it's difficult for him to accept that life just isn't that way. Told by his parents that popularity in society was a key virtue, he unfortunately spends so much effort trying to be affable that he fails to accurately read people in turn. He rarely plans ahead, preferring action to guile, has very little patience, and his imagination is rather limited. When engaged in serious business, it's easy for him to become distrated by a girl... especially if she's dark-haired and sad-looking, in which case he's a total sap.
CHA 15 - The amount of effort Hellard puts into comradery is quite impressive. He always smiles, claps people on the back, tries to remember their names (which is difficult for him), offers them a drink (and tries to remember what they prefer... again, a difficult task for him), a cigar, tickets to the theatre. He makes it a point to include others in his sports, even if everyone else finds them a total bore, and cheers them even if they are inept.
Seemingly, he'd be an ideal leader...
Alright, my characters so far are as follows:
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* Hague Koltair (played by Grimcleaver)
* Lily Voortman, 'Pariah' (played by Fatespinner)
* Hellard Byzenkampf (played by Kirth Gersen)
* Riven Golarsson (played by Azoun the Sage)
* I'm still waiting on characters from Durendal and Snorter.
Six is about my maximum number of players, guys, so I'll be kicking off very soon with personalised emails detailing your background/lead-in, if you could all please send an email to blue_eyed_paladin@hotmail.com, I'll probably be beginning to work these out tomorrow. Make sure to let me know who you are.
If anyone else really wants in, let me know and I'll consider it, maybe having a few extra players in a Pbp game will be easier than I thought.
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Alright, my characters so far are as follows:
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.* Hague Koltair (played by Grimcleaver)
* Lily Voortman, 'Pariah' (played by Fatespinner)
* Hellard Byzenkampf (played by Kirth Gersen)
* Riven Golarsson (played by Azoun the Sage)
* I'm still waiting on characters from Durendal and Snorter.Six is about my maximum number of players, guys, so I'll be kicking off very soon with personalised emails detailing your background/lead-in, if you could all please send an email to blue_eyed_paladin@hotmail.com, I'll probably be beginning to work these out tomorrow. Make sure to let me know who you are.
If anyone else really wants in, let me know and I'll consider it, maybe having a few extra players in a Pbp game will be easier than I thought.
I'll be able to send you an email tonight when I get off work, (time for you recieving it not sure as i'm in the UK), i'll also finish Riven up with stats equip, feats..etc.
Stats:
STR 17 – True to his ancestry from the Northmen and due to his rigorous training that began at an early age with martial weapons has seen his development well in this area. An area that he has always had uses for and never let slack, for many of a bar brawl has it alone saved him.
DEX 14 – Quick still even after his drinking escapades, in fact those events might have even helped his situation or at least has helped him keep an exceptional agility during his sobering process.
CON 15 – Though not as stalwart as he once was the drink has clearly caused him more harm than good. But due to Haffords help his endurance is once again approaching heights it had in his youth. (4th lvl Stat boost used here)
INT 11 – Though not as dimwitted as some, due to actually receiving a decent education from the City Watch in his youth, but neither is he a scholar. The Watch isn’t known for a member’s intelligence being a prerequisite for the job, because of this not much more training was placed in this skill.
WIS 12 – Memory is key to a good warrior’s ability…after all when one is struck enough in the side one quickly learns and remembers to block and protect the side.
CHA 10 – By no means is Riven ugly or for that matter attractive, his plain and somber looks only reflect his inner turmoil of dealing with his father’s demise…and the lack of never be able to say his final good bye.
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OK; so I see we have Monk, Sorceror, Ranger, and Fighter. No problems having a scrap, then?
In a normal game that would leave a divine caster and trap-monkey still required to cover the bases, though I'm not sure if the setting would support the typical 'cleric with a halo of holy beams' theme. It would seem to give too much proof of the existence of the supernatural, and imply a concept of objective good/evil.
I'm getting the sense you'd prefer something much grimmer, like an Inquisitor, or Exorcist. Would the authorities insist on placing such a person in any mission, to tidy up loose ends?
Can I get a Sean Connery avatar? :)
Work's been distracting from the fun, but I'm still spinning up a concept. I was leaning toward a skill-monkey, so if Snorter wants to cover whatever passes for divine in this setting that's cool.
I ought to have something up in a short bit.
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No problem; I'm at work, but I'll dig up Heroes of Horror tonight, to see if there's a 'darker' variant divine caster.
I've re-read the posts so far, and I see that normal magic rules apply.
However, if you're aiming to run a horror mystery, would you be restricting the use of such effects as Detect Evil, or amending them to only apply to 'current evil intent' or actual Things From Beyond? I'd suggest doing so, since it does reduce the immmersion or need to do any actual clue-gathering, if PCs can just ask "Adventure; which way? Scan/Smite, Scan/Smite, etc". I recall there are some discussions on mood in the HoH and BoVD.
No problem; I'm at work, but I'll dig up Heroes of Horror tonight, to see if there's a 'darker' variant divine caster.
Archivist. I seem to remember they might fit the bill. Dunno what source they're in, though.
One issue that may come up is that I occasionally need to travel for work, so there might be, for example, a week in July when I have no access to a computer. If that occurs, I have no problem with Grim or Fate playing Hellard temporarily -- as long as they promise not to get him killed off too quickly!
Here's Breyr Calishul, hopefully I've kept the typos to a minimum. Email to follow.
So apart from stats here's a few extra details about Hague:
Monk 4
Ability Increase: +1 Strength
Feats-Starting: Blind Fighting, Skill Focus (Survival-Underground)
2nd Feat: *some kind of improvised weapon feat
* I know I've seen feats like this somewhere, but have had lousy luck finding them--basically they reduce the -4 penalty on fighting with a random weapon at hand. Pathfinder has a couple--one that's ranged only called Throw Anything and a melee one that I don't at all qualify for that's much better than I need called Razor Sharp Chair Leg. I know there's something like that out there...but if not I'll pick something else. Endurace would be good as a fallback.
Survival +7*(+4, +2 focus)
Listen +6(+3)
Move Silently +6(+3)
Tumble +7(+4)
*Not sure if Skill Focus makes a cross-class skill into a class skill. If so then Survival goes up to a +9
Just let me know if there's anything else you need.
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No problem; I'm at work, but I'll dig up Heroes of Horror tonight, to see if there's a 'darker' variant divine caster.
Archivist. I seem to remember they might fit the bill. Dunno what source they're in, though.
Funnily enough, they're in Heroes of Horror.
LOLI've given them a read, and they look interesting. I don't know if I'd play one in a standard game, but this looks like as good a time as any to playtest one.
Effectively a divine caster with a spellbook, I'm intrigued that they're not limited to the cleric list. They have some inspiring abilities as well. I also like that they don't have to specify a deity to follow, since this makes it easier to fit whatever background you come up with, polytheistic, monotheistic, or nihilistic.
I'm up for this. I'll get thinking on a backstory. Some details of the setting may spark some ideas.
I like his expression; sort of "Oh, no, not again!".
One issue that may come up is that I occasionally need to travel for work, so there might be, for example, a week in July when I have no access to a computer. If that occurs, I have no problem with Grim or Fate playing Hellard temporarily -- as long as they promise not to get him killed off too quickly!
I should probably mention that I'll be at GenCon Oz for the first week of July, and may be out-of-contact. I am stealing my wife's laptop to go along, so if internet connection permits, I'll be posting as normal.
Aright, with Breyr and Brother Thomas joining, we're set. I'm looking forward to some information on Brother Thomas, but whenever that arrives, we're good to go.
In terms of detections and so on... I'm not going to completely cripple you. Using detect evil is a smart and useful tactic, but I think it'll just detect current intent (that is, probably about half the people in a crowded room... in this city, at least) or large 'karma stains' (big bad guys, demons, and so on)... you can't just use it as a 'magic compass' to find your criminal unerringly.
Alright... background information.
I'm keeping things intentionally vague (so I can make it up on the fly later), but I've collated what you've given me for character information and started a wiki with a little detail on the city, and extra space for people you meet, ideas/plots you have, etc.
The link is Hell Squad PbP Wiki. Please join up and add whatever you like- pictures, thoughts, anything you feel will help. We'll still be running the actual PbP here, but this will be a useful tool for keeping track of things. (Yeah, it has a bunch of ads, but it was free.)
Nice! Bodes well for this game.
Alright... background information.
I'm keeping things intentionally vague (so I can make it up on the fly later), but I've collated what you've given me for character information and started a wiki with a little detail on the city, and extra space for people you meet, ideas/plots you have, etc.
The link is Hell Squad PbP Wiki. Please join up and add whatever you like- pictures, thoughts, anything you feel will help. We'll still be running the actual PbP here, but this will be a useful tool for keeping track of things. (Yeah, it has a bunch of ads, but it was free.)
Just signed on to the wiki! Nice!!!
Are you all full up, or is there room for one more? I was just reading through this thread and would love to join if you are still taking players.
Well, if you twist my arm...
Sure. Whip together a character in the same manner as the others, send me an email, and we'll begin shortly.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Are you all full up, or is there room for one more? I was just reading through this thread and would love to join if you are still taking players.Well, if you twist my arm...
Sure. Whip together a character in the same manner as the others, send me an email, and we'll begin shortly.
Excellent!
I was just working up some details of a background story. I should have it posted in a little while. I can have stats and stuff by tomorrow afternoon.