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Campaign Seed
The village of Woodcroft is like any other forestry village in Razmiran, but for one thing. It is a village of heretics, worshipping not Razmir, the god-king of the nation, but Desna, Song of the Spheres, goddess of dreams, stars, travelers, and luck. This has gone on for some four to five years, since a troop of Varisians came from neighboring Ustalav and showed the wonders of their goddess, inspiring the village elders (or most of them) to promote the new faith to the residents.
However, three days ago, word came of a raid organized by one of Razmir's Visions -- one of the counciil of high-ranking clergy that carries out Razmir's erratic mandates. It seems that even here, under the eves of the Greenwood on the banks of Lake Encarthan, the isolation is not sufficient, and Razmir has learned of the heresy. Fortunately, there was one to give warning.
The forces of Razmir are approaching, and the village is evacuated of all but a few stubborn souls -- notably including the village headman and his wife, standing for their faith, and the captain of the village militia, not willing to run. The bulk of the villagers flee -- children, animals, and what belongings they can carry -- into the Greenwood, crossing the border into neighboring Ustalav.
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Characters
Most of the PCs are residents of Woodcroft. Some may be malcontents, some may be respected young adults -- the next generation of leadership. Perhaps one is the son of the headman or another is the respected apprentice to the elderly village healer, and might be looked to for direction. One might even be a scout from the raiding forces -- a Razmiran who sees that the crofters are doing no harm, and betrays his officers by warning the heretics. All of them end up taking the risks of helping the others. They shortly find themselves looked to for direction as the hapless crofters go deeper into the wood as refugees than they ever did as loggers.
I'm not anticipating significant house rules for this game, at least until we have more of a feel for 4E, but there are a few things to note.
First, character points are point-buy, with the default 22 points and the pricing scheme laid out in the PHB. The "standard array" and many other example combinations of stats based on 22 points are in the PHB.
All PHB races are permitted, though Dragonborn and Tieflings are quite rare. Eladrin and Elves are viewed as subraces of the same stock. Gnomes from the MM are permitted.
All PHB classes are permitted.
Much non-setting-specific Dragon magazine content will be permitted; just ask.
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Woodcroft
Woodcroft is a hamlet of about 90 adults and as many children. It is governed by a headman, with advice from the town elders (those too old to work, but not yet too old to think clearly). A new headman is elected by the elders as needed, but they do not remove any who has the support of the villagers.
The current headman is Algrim Bray. A hale man of about 45, he has been headman for 8 years. Woodcroft has been prosperous under his guidance. Algrim is both well-liked and well-respected. He sees to it that the proceeds from the tree harvesting are fairly allocated, and that the farmers and gatherers get the support they need to feed the village.
Woodcroft's primary internal economy is barter; few villagers see gold on a regular basis. Goods the village can not produce itself are traded for with lumber from the Greenwood. About every four to six weeks, a quartet of teens and young adults is sent to take the lumber by barge to the next lakeport for trade -- this duty is highly sought after by the young people of the village, and rotates with a mix of experienced and new tenders. They trade primarily for metal goods, cloth, and luxury items the village can not produce itself, as well as a supply of salt and seasonings. They are usually tasked with bringing home some coin, as well, for trade with merchant trains and for future emergency purchases.
Most of the healthy men of the village are loggers, except for a few skilled trades such as smith, boatwright, and wainwright. Most are also capable hunters. The women do most of the crafts and home needs, including dressing the game, curing the meats, and tailoring the clothing.
Prominent Citizens
Algrim Bray, Headman
Dorothea Bray, Algrim's wife, schoolteacher
Narwyn Moonshield, Village healer/priestess of Desna (elf)
Yurk, Militia leader and armsmaster (dragonborn)
The Greenwood
The Greenwood stretches across the border between Razmiran and Ustalav, though the bulk of it is in Ustalav. On the Razmiran side, the village of Woodcroft is under its eaves. The loggers generally are fairly safe, at least so long as they do not go too far in. They seldom meet any threats worse than a few gray wolves, though there are rumors of evil humanoids further in. On the Ustalav side of the Greenwood, though, there is no knowing what may haunt (literally) the forest.
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Custom Content
Starknife:
Military melee weapon:
Prof: +3
Damage: 1d4
Range: 6/12
Price: 20gp
Weight: 3lb
Group: Light blade
Properties: Light thrown; Off-hand; High Crit
Feat: Desna's Luck (Divinity)
Prerequisites: Channel Divinity class feature, must worship Desna
Benefit: You can invoke the power of your deity use Desna's luck.
Channel Divinity: Desna's Luck (Feat power)
Encounter * Divine
Immediate Reaction Ranged 10
Trigger: An ally fails a saving throw.
Effect: The ally immediately rerolls the saving throw, taking the second result.
Special: You must take the Desna's Luck feat to use this power.
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GM Style
Largely simulationist. This means that GM responses will be based on what I believe to be plausible reactions of NPCs and other in-game entities to PC actions. What makes "the best story" is not a principal consideration. I find this often makes good stories in retrospect, but the fun I get from RPGs is based in part on having things make sense within the context of the setting and rules.
I generally believe in the dice. Among other things, this means that "script immunity" is not in the contract for either PCs or NPCs -- if the actions, reactions, and dice indicate that something particularly good or bad happens, so be it. Obviously, if a PC dies irretrievably or becomes otherwise unplayable, the player will be urged to bring in a new character. I don't mean to come aross as a "killer GM", but at the same time I find that if there is no real risk of serious consequences, it kills part of the fun. I do not guarantee that everything you encounter is an "appropriate" challenge level for the PCs to take out in combat -- use some sense and look for clues. I don't intend to put the characters in no-win situations, as that is Hurting Wrong Fun, but attacking is not necessarily always the way to "win."
I enjoy both the roleplaying and tactical aspects of the game (which certainly can and should be influenced by roleplaying as well). However, I am not great at dialogue. I'll do my best, but sometimes you'll find me short-cutting a dialogue scene with a summary. In use of social skills, many players are not as good (or as bad) at charisma-based skills as their characters are. This does not mean if you act like a jackass everyone will ignore it because you have an 18 Charisma. I try to take into account both the set-up the player provides and the skills and rolls.
Party unity: I encourage some degree of metagaming for party unity, but not as an absolute. PCs doing their own thing is fine in moderation, but can disrupt or delay the game for the others if it happens excessively. Sociopathic loner PCs are discouraged. This does not mean that the PCs should not debate or argue with each other -- play your character. It does mean that things like the PCs coming to blows should only happen in extremis -- and don't necessarily expect the other PCs to welcome the victor back in their midst, that's up to them.
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PBP Mechanics
Try to post at least once a weekday and, if possible, at least once on the weekend. Let me know if you anticipate an absence that will interfere with this. In tactical scenes, the more frequently you can check in the better; if you haven't posted in 24 hours or so after your turn is called, I may do something conservative on your behalf to keep things moving.
Use whatever system you like for die-rolls; honor system. Just make sure it's clear in the post what the dice, adds, and total were.
Use spoilers for things that the other characters are unaware of, but not to excess.
It would be helpful if you would roll a set of 5 initiatives and put them at the top of your profile character sheet, so we don't have to delay while everyone sees that.
I generally prefer to roll Perception and Insight checks. Let me know when you want a roll done (vs. using the passive value).
When posting an attack or other action requiring a roll, go ahead and roll attack and damage when you announce the post, just to keep things moving.
That's all I can think of offhand.
I'm leaning towards warlock or cleric. Let me see which I can come up with a good backstory for.
- Ashavan
I'm thinking Elf Ranger for race and class.
One might even be a scout from the raiding forces -- a Razmiran who sees that the crofters are doing no harm, and betrays his officers by warning the heretics.
Is and interesting idea and i would like to play with it but could I get more in for on the Razmiran.
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Is and interesting idea and i would like to play with it but could I get more in for on the Razmiran.
(Paraphrased from the Gazetteer)
Razmiran is a theocratic dictatorship. It was founded 47 years ago by Razmir, who claims to be have passed the test of the Starstone and ascended to godhood. Razmir has an army of zealots and increasing influence on trade on Lake Encarthan.
The state religion (and thus the priests) contol life in Razmiran. Defiance is treated by assault or imprisonment; heresy by exile or execution. The priests, on the other hand, do very well for themselves. Any misgivings seem to vanish after their training in the Exalted Wood.
Governance is by the council of Visions, high-ranking clergy with impressive powers. Some are more brutal than others, but they dress alike, so they are generally obeyed without question.
That help?
Yes, thank you I'll play him as having had a close friend who was executed for heresy that will give him motivation to betray the Rasmiran. Will that work?
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Yes, thank you I'll play him as having had a close friend who was executed for heresy that will give him motivation to betray the Rasmiran. Will that work?
Sounds good. And having him as a Ranger will make good sense for being in the advance party scouting Woodcroft. Getting the villagers to trust you will, of course, be a role-playing challenge!
I think I'm going with a star pact warlock. I'll work on the character this evening and create a profile for him when I'm done.
- Ashavan
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Hey, I'm more than interested in playing! This will be my first 4E adventure, tho my table group is starting up soon.
We're in a few already together, and I'm not sure if there's space for me, but I'd like to join up.
I'm currently thinking Tiefling Paladin of the Raven Queen.
Or a Dwarf fighter.
I usually stick to casters, so this would be a departure for me, to fill either of those roles.
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Dahn, welcome aboard!
Though, as we're playing in Golarion, no Raven Queen. Technically, all of the regular Pathfinder deities are available, though in practice it will be hard to justify anyone but Desna, at least at the start.
Razmir has been a monotheistic state its entire existence, and the campaign start is based on the heretic Desnans.
Aside from the entry for Razmiran in the gazetteer is there any thing else I should read (assuming its ok to read that)? I'll have access to a lot of books tomorrow that I normally don't have access to.
Sadly my profile got eaten by the paizo post muncher. *Sigh* I'll redo it again tomorrow.
- Ashavan
Okay, here he is. A few tweaks and a character description and background and he should be good to go. I'll have to add those in the morning, it's getting late here on the east coast.
Heres my character I just kinda winged it on the background so let me know if any thing doesn't fit the region.
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EDIT: i might have missed it but how do the new races fit into Golorian in your pbp?
Dragonborn and Tieflings have always been in Golarion.
;-)
I just don't want to restrict players from working with the shiny new toys. Dragonborn and Tieflings are less common than the other races, but not completely exotic. I really haven't worked out details.
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Status:
Adar Revic (Ashavan) - Human Warlock (striker) - mechanics done
Teven (Grailhawk) - Elf Ranger (striker; Two-Weapon) - done
TBN (Dahn) - Dwarf Fighter (defender)
TBN (David) - Dragonborn Warlord (leader)
TBN (French Wolf) - Half-Elf Wizard (controller)
Looks well-balanced. I'm holding the sixth space open in case Kayos or Wrath decides to join us, but five is plenty if they're spread around the roles.
I'm kicking off the face-to-face version of this game in a few hours. I'll probably do an intro post to this one late tonight or tomorrow, just so those who are ready have something to react to. Ideally, we'll all be underway by sometime Tuesday.
In your backgrounds, I encourage you to help me populate Woodcroft -- names, professions, family relationships, that kind of thing. Remember, you're adventuring to save your friends and family, not setting out to rob tombs (at least not a first).
Stats, background, personality and basic combat stuff done.
Rest to follow.
Cheers
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Hiya Pat,
Just read that you were holding a possible 6th place for me on this one. As much as I'd love to jump in on this I've already got three toons running at the moment (Armelio you know, I've also got one with Kayos' game and another with Valegrim). I'm already spending too much time on the boards so you may want to give this slot to someone else.
Thanks for the offer though. I've been following some of your other game threads and it would have been fun.
Cheers
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Status:
Adar Revic (Ashavan) - Human Warlock (striker) - mechanics done
Teven (Grailhawk) - Elf Ranger (striker; Two-Weapon) - done
Varlis Larward (French Wolf) - Half-Elf Wizard (controller) - story done, some mechanics
TBN (Dahn) - Dwarf Fighter (defender)
TBN (David) - Dragonborn Warlord (leader)
TBN (Kayos) - Eladrin Rogue (striker)
And that's everyone. Heavy on the strikers, which is fine. No Paladin, and only one leader, so a little light on the healing.
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I'll gladly turn that boisterous dwarf fighter, into a cleric of desna if the group would prefer? I'm as lost with a fighter as i am with the new cleric...
Dahn, If that's a response to my prior comment, defender might be the most important role, in the sense of most dangerous to do without. Play what you want, of course.
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Feel free to respond here whenever you're ready. In your introductory post, include a brief description, both physical and what is common knowledge in the village.
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Ugh, I feel like an uber jerk here, but I think I will have to bow out of this game.
The more I read the 4E phb, the more I feel lost. I really have no interest in 4E now that I have taken more than a glancing look at it. I don't think I would be able to create a successful, interesting and engaged character within the scope of the 4E ruleset.
Pat, I'm def. appreciative of the work you put into this, and feel bad for leaving, but the more I read the book, the more I'm convinced this game is not for me!
Much love to the others here too, sorry to leave you, but Greylan, Flash, Smith and Fern will still be around!
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Does one of the current strikers want to try a defender? If not, I'll try to recruit one more. From I've seen of 4E in play, it's really tough to do without either a fighter or paladin. Either that, or if fits a character to take either Student of the Sword or Soldier of the Faith (multiclass feats), that gives the ability to mark a target once/encounter.
Let me know what you want to do.
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Hiya Pat,
I've had a rethink and reckon I might be able to get a 4th character up and running. I'll happily play a defender since you seem to be short one now (dragonborn Paladin if you don't already have a dragonborn, if so then a pally of some race definitely).
I'll work on character today but was thinking along the lines of a guy who was caught up in a border skirmish a few years ago and got nursed to health in the village.
If you'll stil have me I'll get it sorted and posted tonight (its 6:30 am here atm and I'm about to go to work)
Cheers
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Hiya Pat,
I've had a rethink and reckon I might be able to get a 4th character up and running. I'll happily play a defender since you seem to be short one now (dragonborn Paladin if you don't already have a dragonborn, if so then a pally of some race definitely).
I'll work on character today but was thinking along the lines of a guy who was caught up in a border skirmish a few years ago and got nursed to health in the village.
If you'll stil have me I'll get it sorted and posted tonight (its 6:30 am here atm and I'm about to go to work)
Cheers
Excellent, welcome aboard! We do already have a dragonborn, and honestly I'd prefer to have only one of the new races, since we're in Golarion.
Thanks!