I have a homebrew campaign world with a couple of first level adventures I'd like to try and run in the PBP format. (Using PF beta rules although with "standard 3.5 gods").
I've never DMed a PBP before, but have a fair bit of spare time and would be keen to try. It's an urban feel, although unusual in that the base city is under the thumb of evil warlords, the churches of Pelor, Heironeous and Boccob are outlawed, slavery is rife, magic-use is heavily licensed. The players who I DMed for previously were devout underground rebels-without-a-clue, which probably works best, although it's fine to play more disreputable characters if preferred.
I can post more background stuff etcetera if there's any interest. I would envisage the commitment being at the "1 post/day" level (I'm in Australia if that matters, although I can always check the boards three times a day and usually more often).
Hmm...not sure what else I should include to check interest. Ask if you want to know something else...
I would be interested in participating in a Pathfinder RPG Beta PbP. I could manage the 1 post/day as I usually have time and computer access during my lunch hour, and sometimes some extra time in the evenings.
I just finished DMing Age of Worms for a group of co-workers and friends and was looking forward to being a player for awhile. Then my kids wanted me to play and that leaves me DMing again, so a PbP would give me a chance to play with the little free time I have.
Let me know what method of character generation you would like used, and any other things I will need to know to get started.
I look forward to playing if we can get a group together.
Thank,
DJ
I would be interested in joining. I would like to hear a little more about the setting to get some character ideas going that would mesh well. Look forward to hearing more about it.
I would like to play. I can post daily/every 2nd day.
Beta rules don't have warlocks,binders, truenamers, per se. I would like to be one of them or a combination of two if possible.
I'm also interested. I'm thinking of a rogue/sorcerer, eventually going into arcane trickster.
I'm not interested, but I have a piece of advice for a first-time PbP DM -- don't give up! People will have to drop the game sooner or later (for good reasons or for no reason, it doesn't matter). When it happens, I really recommend that you just get some new players to take over the characters and move on rather than ending the game prematurely.
Just my two cents!
I wouldn't mind playing a elven cleric of Corellon Larethian. I don't mind serving as the healer of the party, but I also like to bash a few heads, so I won't be specializing in healing, but will do what I can to keep them healthy.
I'll start working on the details for my character and post them when I get it done.
I'm interested if you have room for one more. 1/day is no problem.
I am thinking of an urban ranger/bard mix. good in social situations and knows his way around the business end of a weapon. Rakish but with a heart of gold.
Could also go with the Paladin of Heironeous or Pelor who must work for justice from the shadows lest he be caught and imprisoned or worse.
I can do whichever works best with the adventure ideas you have.
Bill
I'm thinking some sort of swashbucklery type fighter. Or maybe a monk. Whatever works best.
I would be interested in playing in this campaign. I would prefer to run a CG Ranger. But would be willing to run anyting that the party could use.
Ok it looks like we have 5 or 6, that seems enough. State of play at the moment:
Doug Greer - Elven Cleric of Corellon Larethian
Wolfheart - Ranger/Bard or Paladin
Davi the Eccentric – rogue/sorceror
Lynora - Swashbuckling fighter or Monk
Tempus Silvanus - CG Ranger
Patrick Murphy – Interested, however with regard to class: I’d rather keep it all familiar for me at the moment and stick with just what’s in the standard Beta Rules. Partly because it’s my first time DMing a PBP (not that that’s particularly rational, but there’s only so far out of my comfort zone I’d like to go...).
That said, if it’s a success then prestige classes, splatbook classes and so on will I’m sure be possible – however I cant help thinking that PBP levelling is going to take quite some time...
Some background stuff...
Life in Bastion
The social structure in Bastion is tightly regimented. At the bottom of the heap are the slaves – they are the property of their owner and there are no laws governing their treatment. In general, they are a symbol of power and a means to wealth, so in general people take at least rudimentary care of their slaves. Nonetheless, there are many examples of brutality and mistreatment.
Slightly above slaves are foreigners. Visitors to Bastion who choose not to make it their home are denied almost all rights. They are technically allowed through most city wards, however face frequent interrogation and harassment. In the interests of supporting trade at some level, there are laws against attacking or robbing foreigners. Nonetheless, it would be a desperate foreigner who turned to the local authorities for help.
The next class is the most numerous in Bastion. Known technically as Good Folk of Bastion, they are universally referred to as Low-lifes. They are granted “third class freedom” which entitles them to some nominal protections. Nonetheless, life is tough for these people – patrols through their districts are few and far between and they are regular targets for the military press gangs, not to mention other more sinister random acts of violence and degradation.
One step up from low-lifes are the Residents of Bastion, granted “second class freedom” by the ruling powers. This includes successful tradesmen, merchants and a few labourers who have been rewarded (typically for informing on criminal actions or serving the state in some other way).
The final class are the Citizens of Bastion, who enjoy “first class freedom”. This class is restricted to the very successful merchants, priests of Hextor, Nerull, Erythnul or Wee Jas and the Warlord and his barbarian cohorts. They enjoy a privileged status over the other classes of the city (including such things as increased rights to bear weapons, a presumption of truth in any public utterance, etcetera).
The City of Bastion
Geographically, the city covers a large island at the mouth of a large river as it empties into the ocean. It is built around an imposing bluff, atop of which is the heavily fortified citadel of the Upper City where only the most wealthy and powerful citizens are allowed. The rest of the city is divided into several wards:
The Holy Quarter is built on the edge of a great plaza, dominated by the imposing cathedral to Hextor, but with most other Gods having temples or churches there as well.
The Royal Quarter lies at the foot of the bluff and is home to successful merchants and those born into wealth and influence. It is the most commonly patrolled ward and is also closed to most residents and especially to lowlifes unless they can show good reason for visiting (typically only if working for a noble house or merchant).
The Race is the largest ward within the city and is where most businesses are based. It also contains many homes, the docks and the daily market. Most residents live in the race, though there are a few down-on-their-luck citizens and a small neighbourhood of lowlifes near the docks .
The smallest ward of the city is the Foreign Quarter. This is devoted primarily to the needs of visiting merchants and contains many inns, businesses dedicated to the needs of travelling caravans and so on. It is only lightly patrolled as, under Bastion law, foreigners have very few legal rights and are expected to look after themselves.
The final ward is the slums. Here is where the majority of the city’s population lives. Almost exclusively populated by low-lifes, life in this ward is desperate and hard. People eke out a living working the surrounding farms, the mines in the hills to the west or in some other low-paying job.
Churches of Bastion
The leading religion in Bastion is Hextor. Other dominant religions are Nerull and Wee Jas. Erythnul is also venerated by the warlord and his barbarian tribes and as such is granted special privileges. These four are rumoured to have enormous temple complexes in the upper city, as well as maintaining temples and cathedrals in the Holy Quarter.
Other churches with temple complexes in the holy quarter are:
Fharlanghn, Gruumsh, Kord, Moradin, Olidamarra and St Cuthbert. The church of Obad-Hai maintains a small shrine by the banks of the river a short distance from the city.
The holy quarter also contains a ruined temple to Pelor which has been almost completely destroyed. A defiled temple to Heironeous is also preserved, littered with the now skeletal remains of his highest priests.
A small shrine to Ehlonna is maintained by the faithful in the slums, there are also small temples to Corellon Lorethian and Yondalla, legal under Bastion law, but not granted the right to maintain a full complex in the holy quarter.
Worship of Pelor and Heironeous is outlawed and punishable by a life of slavery. Worship of Boccob and Vecna is also outlawed, as Wee Jas claims pre-eminence as the god of magic. Any followers of Boccob or Vecna discovered face immediate execution.
Magic in Bastion
Magic use is outlawed in Bastion without being ordained as a lay-preacher and follower of Wee Jas. The only legal way to trade in arcane magic of any description is through their temple. For spellcasters who are not willing to submit to Wee Jas, it is necessary keep their arcane talents secret.
There is an underground movement of arcane spell users called the Cabal. Organised into small groups, they meet in cognito, wearing hoods and long robes, with only the leader of each cell being known to the others. The churches of Boccob and Vecna are both heavily represented amongst the Cabal and do not always work in unison.
Organisations in Bastion
Besides the churches, there are a few well-known groups operating with various spheres of influence.
The warlord and his barbarians are ruthless followers of Erythnul. Hell bent on conquering more and more of the outside world, in general their depredations are focussed beyond the walls. Nonetheless, sometimes boredom will set in whilst resting in the citadel and this has given rise to the practise of “hunting”. Groups of four or less(sometimes one barbarian on their own) will rampage through the slums in the dead of night, hunting anyone who is out and cutting them down in the name of their dark god. Relationships between the warlords troops and the followers of Hextor are strained at best, nonetheless the barbarians remain at least the notional rulers of Bastion and are usually treated as being above the law.
The cabal are a secretive group of underground wizards and sorcerers. Closely allied with the forbidden churches of Boccob and Vecna, they often have cryptic goals and seem to work towards mysterious ends. Feared by most of the residents of Bastion, this group is often blamed for unexplained mysteries or unusual phenomena.
The Family is a ruthless, criminal syndicate. They hold a virtual monopoly on illegal activity through The Race and the Royal Quarter, a situation they work to preserve with murderous enthusiasm. Their primary sources of income are smuggling (both of people and contraband), robbery, extortion and blackmail. Rarely venturing inside the slums directly, they nonetheless have many contacts through the gangs and smaller criminal operations which do operate there. Their reach is broad and their ruthlessness legendary.
Gangs arise frequently throughout the slums. They rarely last more than a year or two before splintering or running afoul of a newer, more vicious gang. Their primary source of income is extortion. In fact, given the sparse nature of official patrols through the slums, they do perform something of a service to most citizens. The exact relationship they have with their neighbourhood varies based largely on the personality of the leader. As a general rule, though, they are tolerated as a necessary evil.
Information for interested players:
The default social class for starting players is as a Low-life (3rd class freedom). I will use the 20 point stat buy system, with starting gold the average amount as listed on table 7-1.
All the standard classes are available, although if you are a Sorceror or Wizard you should be aware that spellcasting in the presence of witnesses is a risk (Bardic magic is tolerated by the church of Wee Jas on the ground that “it’s not real magic” other arcane magic is dealt with harshly. This doesn’t mean that you’ll be caught and killed if anyone ever sees you cast a spell – in general the lower classes follow a strict code of non-informing. However, it would mark you as someone dangerous to be associated with.
Any followers of Heironeous, Pelor, Boccob or Vecna are also at risk of serious consequences if you were to ever be caught. Nonetheless, if anyone wishes to serve these gods, underground church organisations do exist.
My preference would be for a good-aligned, working-from-the-shadows-against-oppressive-evil type party. Although I have also run evil-aligned “agents of the state” campaigns in Bastion, from above comments it seems like there is a preference for good characters and I’d rather not have half-and-half (let’s not make it too hard, hey?)
Starting adventure seed:
It’s a little brief at the moment, although it will tighten up based more firmly around any specific character ideas that come up (if that seems sensible).
Essentially you need to be unemployed, skilled people in need of cash. You’ve heard through contacts, word-of-mouth, etcetera that there is a job on offer for discrete, talented individuals. The campaign opens at the initial meeting point to hear more – the Strangled Chicken tavern in the heart of the slums, you’ve been told to ask the proprietor, Conthus de Gore for Antius’s private table.
From experience, given the paranoia which often develops amongst PCs in an environment like Bastion, it often helps if the characters have connections with each other. Whether that be best-buddies or casual acquaintances. It’s not necessary, but it helps.
...Hmmm let me know if there’s anything else you might want to know.
I'm not interested, but I have a piece of advice for a first-time PbP DM -- don't give up! People will have to drop the game sooner or later (for good reasons or for no reason, it doesn't matter). When it happens, I really recommend that you just get some new players to take over the characters and move on rather than ending the game prematurely.
Just my two cents!
Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it. I've been browsing these boards for several months although only playing for a teeny bit, so I have a hunch about what to expect. I figure it cant hurt to try - I like DMing and life being life, I dont always get the hours at a time free that I would like.
I won't take it personally if people drop out. ;)
It seems we have a lot of people angling toward ranger/ rogue/ swashbuckler. I would be willing to come up with a wizard of some sort. Maybe he is an outlaw, practicing his craft outside the law or a legal wizard who works to subvert the law of the warlords. Would like some background to flesh this out if you have time.
I just read the background info and think i will be doing an Elven Enchanter who will be trying to pass for a bard and will be heading for the eldritch knight prestige class.
I started a discussion thread to post characters, backgrounds and so on here.
I forgot to include in the background spoilers that it is allowable to wear weapons and armor, however only citizens with first class freedom are licensed to wear heavy armor, or to use exotic or two handed melee weapons. This doesnt mean you can't have them, but you would need to keep them stashed during the day, at least until you can afford a forged license.
Okay, I have a question. My character concept is someone who pretends to be clumsy and manages to beat the snot out of people 'accidentally', sort of the same concept as a drunken master without the alcohol. So she definitely has a habit of turning anything into a weapon. Now I could build this character as either a fighter or a monk, but the alignment restriction for a monk is a problem. Are you okay with a chaotic good monk, or do I definitely need to build this as a dex-based fighter?
Okay, I have a question. My character concept is someone who pretends to be clumsy and manages to beat the snot out of people 'accidentally', sort of the same concept as a drunken master without the alcohol. So she definitely has a habit of turning anything into a weapon. Now I could build this character as either a fighter or a monk, but the alignment restriction for a monk is a problem. Are you okay with a chaotic good monk, or do I definitely need to build this as a dex-based fighter?
Ultimately, I'd prefer the dex-based fighter - merely because I'm struggling to get my head around some of the monk abilities without the focussed, disciplined, drive to self-mastery that goes along with being a monk. Having said that, I'm willing to allow it if you think you can motivate the monk's class abilities through an alternate character concept.
So - my preference would be the fighter, but a monk is ok.
Ultimately, I'd prefer the dex-based fighter - merely because I'm struggling to get my head around some of the monk abilities without the focussed, disciplined, drive to self-mastery that goes along with being a monk. Having said that, I'm willing to allow it if you think you can motivate the monk's class abilities through an alternate character concept.So - my preference would be the fighter, but a monk is ok.
No problem, I can do it as a fighter. It just adds more emphasis to the improvised weapon idea as opposed to using unarmed strikes. Not a big thing.
Starting hit points? Using the standard method?
Starting hit points? Using the standard method?
Sorry, I forgot about that. Starting hit points are maximum plus constitution add (+1 if you choose that option as favored class benefit).
Is it to late to join?
I would like to play this character(I used 32 point buy but can change it) Flint.
Is it to late to join?
I would like to play this character(I used 32 point buy but can change it) Flint.
If you'd like to re-generate stats as a 20-point buy, that would be fine. One potential problem is that the campaign is heavily urban based - although it is likely you will leave the city at some point, it won't be for particularly long stretches. Both druids and rangers are extremely rare within Bastion and may find it difficult to shine. Do you think you can work within those constraints?
Ok, we're waiting on a few more characters:
Doug - Elven Cleric
Tempus - CG Ranger (although as per my comments in the above post, there will not be extensive wilderness opportunities, so bear that in mind with background, motivations, etcetera - if you want to play something else pretty much any non-evil character is fine)
Patrick - I know I ruled out your preferred classes, so I'm not sure what that means. Let me know if you're still interested in playing one of the core classes from PF or if nothing else really appeals.
There's a bastion discussion thread where you can post characters/backgrounds and so on. I'll make some suggestions to help mesh them with the campaign (you can accept or reject as much of that as you like).
With any luck we'll be able to get going in the next couple of days.
I will come up with a new class shortly, maybe a bard. Not certain yet. I will let you know tomorrow.
I will come up with a new class shortly, maybe a bard. Not certain yet. I will let you know tomorrow.
No trouble. We have a fighter, rogue and wizard so far. Plus I believe Doug is going to play a Cleric so pretty much anything will do. :)
Patrick Murphy – Interested, however with regard to class: I’d rather keep it all familiar for me at the moment and stick with just what’s in the standard Beta Rules. Partly because it’s my first time DMing a PBP (not that that’s particularly rational, but there’s only so far out of my comfort zone I’d like to go...).
I have a 1st level Varisian monk (wrestler) from a campaign that never picked up steam. Can I use him?
I have a 1st level Varisian monk (wrestler) from a campaign that never picked up steam. Can I use him?Patrick Murphy – Interested, however with regard to class: I’d rather keep it all familiar for me at the moment and stick with just what’s in the standard Beta Rules. Partly because it’s my first time DMing a PBP (not that that’s particularly rational, but there’s only so far out of my comfort zone I’d like to go...).
Sure, a monk would work fine.
Well Tempus Silvanus is no more, gone into gamer heaven. His replacement is Grunther Firbolg (Name stolen from Rhapsody Series by Elizabeth Haydon) He is a Half-orc Barbarian.
Pathfinder has a number of ways to compute first level hit points (page 14 of Beta release.) Which method do you want to use?
Sorry I haven't checked in all weekend, but it's been a bad one. I'm still interested in playing so I will get my character info posted on the other thread ASAP.
Well Tempus Silvanus is no more, gone into gamer heaven. His replacement is Grunther Firbolg (Name stolen from Rhapsody Series by Elizabeth Haydon) He is a Half-orc Barbarian.
Pathfinder has a number of ways to compute first level hit points (page 14 of Beta release.) Which method do you want to use?
Maximum plus con bonus for first level, +1 if you select that favored class option.
Sorry I haven't checked in all weekend, but it's been a bad one. I'm still interested in playing so I will get my character info posted on the other thread ASAP.
No trouble.
If you'd like to re-generate stats as a 20-point buy, that would be fine. One potential problem is that the campaign is heavily urban based - although it is likely you will leave the city at some point, it won't be for particularly long stretches. Both druids and rangers are extremely rare within Bastion and may find it difficult to shine. Do you think you can work within those constraints?Is it to late to join?
I would like to play this character(I used 32 point buy but can change it) Flint.
The 20-point buy from beta or from DMG 3.5?
Well, this is a Pathfinder game, so Pathfinder point buy.
The 20-point buy from beta or from DMG 3.5?If you'd like to re-generate stats as a 20-point buy, that would be fine. One potential problem is that the campaign is heavily urban based - although it is likely you will leave the city at some point, it won't be for particularly long stretches. Both druids and rangers are extremely rare within Bastion and may find it difficult to shine. Do you think you can work within those constraints?Is it to late to join?
I would like to play this character(I used 32 point buy but can change it) Flint.
From the PF beta release.
Ivan Boldreiva reporting for duty. Tell me what changes need to be made as I have not touched him since the beginning of the last campaign.
Ivan Boldreiva reporting for duty. Tell me what changes need to be made as I have not touched him since the beginning of the last campaign.
Just a couple of things:
1. It looks like you have used 25 points instead of 20 (assuming you’ve taken +2 on strength as your human stat adjustment) so you’ll need to tweak those a little.
2. I’m not using traits, just the standard feats from the PF Beta rules.
3. I don’t know that Earth’s Embrace feat, it looks overpowered to me – is that left over from some other rules set?
I'll come up with some background to post in the Bastion discussion thread and you can see if you like it.
I'll have his stat changes and background up sometime in the next 24 hours.
To clarify ,do you have a specific amount of gold for us to start with or should we use what the beta says we get(for our class) at first level?
I'll have his stat changes and background up sometime in the next 24 hours.
To clarify ,do you have a specific amount of gold for us to start with or should we use what the beta says we get(for our class) at first level?
Please use the average starting gold based on your class. There's not any restriction on what you can buy, although using exotic weapons and/or two handed martial weapons is illegal for characters of your social standing. If you were going to use one of these kinds of weapon as your main attack, it should be no problem after dark and in the slums. However, there will be probably be times you'll need an alternative weapon as well, to avoid complications with city patrols.
Ivan Boldreiva reporting for duty. Tell me what changes need to be made as I have not touched him since the beginning of the last campaign.Just a couple of things:
** spoiler omitted **
I'll come up with some background to post in the Bastion discussion thread and you can see if you like it.
I'll make the changes, no problem. Where is the bastion discussion thread? Did I miss it somewhere?
Should be at the top of the play-by-post discussion area, as I just posted some ideas there.
Interesting locale, Sign me up as an alterante please.
Will do.
Where is the bastion discussion thread? Did I miss it somewhere?
Discussion thread is here.
Ok the game will be starting up in around twelve hours. There are a few last minute things in the discussion thread.
You can find the discussion thread including backgrounds and so on here.
Ivan if you'd like to OK the suggested background I posted there (or modify it if I didnt quite come up with what you were looking for) then that would be good.
Flint, if you could make a post in the discussion thread regarding background/character concept/etcetera then we can finalise that and get started.
Doug, if I could run my eye over Damandor's character too, that'd be good.
Thanks
A few more details still to come, but I think we can get started anyhow. I dont want to lose momentum. I hope you all enjoy it. :)