So, here we go! First off, it's probably good if you bandy about character concepts, whilst I decide on point buy etc.
A few things it would be nice to bear in mind for that AU/AE feel of the Lands of the Diamond Throne:
a) As a general rule, the civilised races get on well or at least tolerate one another
b) Rituals and ceremonies are a very important part of life; Monte Cook writes somewhere that he imagines that people in this society probably have individual rituals before going to bed and waking up, for meals etc
c) The very strong racial identities are there for a reason, to give strong hooks for roleplaying and motives for adventuring. I would rather not have people create exceptions to their race - at least initially (a verrik who really really likes people and games, a sibeccai who hates other sibbecai and giants etc etc). It's fine to have conflict but it's easier if people play to a race's identity.
d) Don't be a homebody; have outside interests, have a role in your community - these are fine. But don't (and I have made this mistake before) play a character who would never realistically leave their home for an adventure. Coal-chewers aren't that much fun...
e) 'Evil' characters (I know their are no alignments but...) are not welcome. It becomes tedious as a DM to have to deal with despicable people.
Wow, I come across as really proscriptive! But I thought I'd put those out there so we're clear what I look for in a game.
Let the character wrangling begin!
So. Much. Choice.
Proscriptive maybe, but I appreciate the limit-setting early on!
I'll delve into the book and post later in the day. The recruitment thread didn't seem to uncover a lot of interest in spellcasters, so I won't skip that section. No promises...
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My initial character ideas;
Verrik Wood Witch, disheveled, often has hay stuck in hair or grass-stains on clothing. Seems scatter-brained and disorganized, often muttering to self and fiddling around in his pouches for stuff that he's misplaced again, not terribly hygenic, and usually smells like whatever he's been doing (but not sweat or other bodily odors, he tends to pick up the smells of his surroundings, but doesn't seem to have a terribly distinctive odor of his own). Touches everything superstitiously, as if confirming that they are solid and real, often rapping gently on random items, as if testing them for secret compartments.
Mojh Magister or Runethane, quiet, often appears sickly or tremulous, but capable of insane focus, standing firm in the most unsettling conditions. When using magic, he's confident and secure. In social situations, he clams up and hides deep within his robes, since he's aware that it is best that he keeps his mouth shut and appears mysterious and aloof, rather than begins stuttering and wheezing his way into conversation and looking like a fool. Magister 'aspect of power' would be something that keeps his clothing calm and clean in all but the most extraordinary circumstances (in a moderate wind, his cloak wouldn't even flutter, and walking down a muddy road, his boots would remain clean, but in a Gust of Wind, he'd be as affected as anyone else). At higher level, his clothing would animate and could 'dress' or 'undress' him at his command, snaking over his limbs like a living thing.
Sibbecai Warmain, some distinctive scar (fake fang of shiny steel, as he took a mace to the snout during weapons training and had a tooth knocked out *or* hoarse throat from an arrow taken to the neck from a treacherous rival, considered a miracle that she survived), single big weapon if male, shieldmaiden concept if female.
Loresong Faen Magister or Runethane, grandiose and pompous, prone to talking loudly about everything and anything, because he considers himself an expert in *everything.* Has a bit of a Nnapoleonic complex and tries to live larger than everyone else, and gets sulky when something backfires and he looks Falstaffian.
Of the four, I'm most interested in the redneck Verrik Wood Witch and the Mojh Magister who is no way inspired by Raistlin.
The only AU I've played was at a convention, and, sitting down last, I got handed the Akashic, who ended up contributing 5 pts of damage and a single skill roll to the 2 hour session (my friend next to me, playing the Magister, contributed over 300 pts of damage, and made the same skill roll I did, having the same ranks in that skill, and rolling better! The adventure was designed so that the Akashic's class abilities *and* magic items were ineffectual, and every single party member had to use a healing potion to get her back up at least once, since she was just sad in combat. Despite this experience, lovingly crafted by fans of the system who should have known better than to make this some hapless con-goers first experience with the system and setting, I really, really love the systems that Monte designed, particularly the magic system and the 'modular' classes like the Totem-Warrior, Champion and Witch, and have always wanted a chance to play again.).
There are so many scenarios where an Akashic could be useful, but one armed with a magic rapier, specialized in sneak attack, and with a magic item that does a mental blast effect in a game session geared entirely around fighting undead resistant to piercing damage and immune to sneak attack and psychic damage? Not so much.
32 point buy for ability scores. Please create 1st level PCs initially. If you are unclear about point buy, please ask.
Ugh, that sounds like a bum deal indeed.
Oh, and no dracha.
:D
I'd like to set the game before the dragons return.
Some kind of Oathsworn. Still working my way through scads of material... Too much temptation by half.
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So many choices indeed! (And good call on the dracha, Fabes - I dind't like their addition in AE).
I'm having trouble narrowing down my choices too, but I'm pretty set on faen - probably loresong, but maybe quickling too.
As for class, I'm torn between winter witch and mage blade. Having only been a GM for AU, I want to play around with the magic system, do I definitely want to play a spellcaster.
I really like the akashic, but as Set said, it seems like there can be situations where he'd really shine, but plenty of others where he might be effectively useless. But I like it enough to seriously consider multiclassing into akashic, if we go up enough levels. (Then again, having to wait until 5th level to get a new witchery power, not to mention racial levels if I want to go spryte, may mean akashic falls by the wayside.
I guess more & more I'm learning towards winter witch, but I could certainly do the mage blade if Set covers our witchery role.
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Fabes/everybody, don't know if you're aware of these sites:
The AU/AE Wiki: The Akashic Record
Collected fan-created variants: The Diamond Throne
Lots of really good stuff there. In fact, looking back at The Diamond Throne, I might revisit my character ideas, if you'll allow some of the variants.
I was aware but thank you for the links. :)
I wrote down three choices:
faen magister
giant oathsworn
human warmain
It looks like there is already interest in a spellcaster, and in oathsworn, so warmain it is.
Since human was just a place holder, I'll give giant a try.
So 'giant warmain' is my pick for this iteration of the 'create a party' loop.
The book I have is Arcana Evolved. Obviously Dracha are out...any more broad areas I should ignore?
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I guess more & more I'm learning towards winter witch, but I could certainly do the mage blade if Set covers our witchery role.
Thanks to the multiple options for Witches (and Champions and Totem-Warriors), it's perfectly feasible to have an all-Witch party, with each character being quite different.
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c) The very strong racial identities are there for a reason, to give strong hooks for roleplaying and motives for adventuring. I would rather not have people create exceptions to their race - at least initially (a verrik who really really likes people and games, a sibeccai who hates other sibbecai and giants etc etc). It's fine to have conflict but it's easier if people play to a race's identity.
Not to be too difficult, but I came up with a another idea that may conflict with rule c) above.
I was thinking a giant witch (iron or winter, probably winter), who was apprenticed to a faen witch after her parents were killed. The faen mentor believed that witchery is a gift from the gods and that witches are able to communicate with the gods in some way (in the same way faen akashics do). Although giants don't usually believe in gods, being young and impressionable, the giant apprentice came to believe in the faen gods as well, and prays to them just as a faen would.
Of course, the village elders ensured that she had a proper giantish upbringing as well. Her strange belief in faen gods was just another quirk in addition to becoming a witch (an unusual role for a giant), and she had always been a bit odd since her parents were killed.
Basically, in most ways she is a typical giant: protective, responsible, solemn, etc., she just happens to believe in the faen gods as well, and may have adopted a few faen characteristics like faen clothing or hairstyles.
I like the idea of creating faen gods, but then I got the idea for this big giant witch, calm and peaceful on the outside, but able to rage mightily when angered (with the Chi-Julud feat), and thought it might be interesting to mix the two together.
So what do you think? Is that going too far from the stereotypical giant? Again, I'm planning to be mostly giantish, with only a few faen "quirks" (like faen gods) that sometime make people scratch their heads.
Smell of Orange - No, nothing else leaps to mind.
Rob - sounds fun, go for it.
Is Ritual Warrior an allowed class?
Once I've looked over Rosey's copy of AE it might well be. :D
Once I've looked over Rosey's copy of AE it might well be. :D
AE is not easy to find. Pricey too - starts at $99.99 over at Amazon. PDF was reasonable, and will have to do for now, but I prefer a book. My power cord is too short to reach the tub.
Ritual Warrior looks like it could add some spice to a straight Warmain/Giant character. For the direction this character is heading, and for the sake of having a character that can take some damage, I think Warmain is the better starting class anyway.
I'm going to take another look at the Totem Warriors and see if there is a lighter armoured, more skilled route I could also take.
Going with Litorian Oathsworn. It's been ages since I did a 32 point build and allocated skills, so can you all help me out with eagle eyed nit-pickery please. I'm very prone to getting these things wrong.
Rob,
Would a second giant in the party, also relying on Chi-Julud (seems to be an essential part of any giant build) cramp your style too much?
'Cause if so, the max-min maniac in me is happy to play a human. Might lighten up the atmosphere in the party a bit too. What do you think?
OK. The barest of bare bones.
Fabes, I'm going to need some background to sort out an appropriate oath. She's disciplined in and for herself, but doesn't apply the same rules to others.
Might be nice to have a mix of races. But that's just me ;D
Rosey - I'm still in a toss-up between where your escapades will be set, and wotnot. But you know me and pirates....
Yeah, I'll go human. As soon as I made that last post I knew the answer. Human feels right anyway: I'd rather chafe at being coddled by giants than do the coddling. I haven't read the history section at the end of AE yet, that should give me some ideas.
Arrrrr matey, if we be going to sea, I'd like to know aforehand so's to not sink into the briny deep in me heavy armour.
Pirates are a bit of a theme, I must admit. Ah well, at least Tzuchaleny will be able to fall off masts without taking extensive damage. All the dex has to come in handy for something.
Pirates are a bit of a theme, I must admit. Ah well, at least Tzuchaleny will be able to fall off masts without taking extensive damage. All the dex has to come in handy for something.
'sigh' and here i was, all geared up to be a greatsword swinging, power charging warmain.
now, now just fish food.can take the damage falling from the mast, mostly worried about carrying on THROUGH the deck and into the ocean below.
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Rob,
Would a second giant in the party, also relying on Chi-Julud (seems to be an essential part of any giant build) cramp your style too much?
'Cause if so, the max-min maniac in me is happy to play a human. Might lighten up the atmosphere in the party a bit too. What do you think?
Orange,
I totally forgot you had already posted for giant when I made my post. If you want to play a giant, go right ahead. A giant warmain with Chi-Julud would be a force to be reckoned with - my idea for the giant witch with Chi-Julud was more like it just comes over her every once in awhile, in stressful situations.
In any case, I'm happy to just play a faen witch (poss. multiclassed into akashic. I missed a few posts where you changed to human, but please play the giant if you want.
Akashic might be the way to go anyways, based on the character types chosen:
Orange: warmain (fighter)
Rosey: oathsworn (different fighter)
Set: witch
Me: ??? (multiclassed akashic witch might be good)
So I went and statted up a Verrik Wood Witch, which took for-freaking-ever, since I can usually bang out a character in about 15 minutes (I kept losing the thread of it and wandering off to play EverQuest...).
So instead, I'm gonna go with the Mojh Magister, whom I indeed banged out in no time flat, so I'm gonna take that as an omen that the Wood Witch and I were not meant to be.
Stats are in the profile. Note that he took the Unique Spell feat, and that's always a GM call, so if you hate it, it's gone and I'll find something else. Compared to the Eldritch Armor spell, the Parrying Staff spell is actually a little gimp (since it only affects the caster, has half the bonus and requires the Magister's staff to be in hand), but I felt that it fit the flavor of a Magister to enhance his staff.
Rob, stay as a giant if you'd like to - thanks for being so considerate.
Human is my preferred race now - with the point buy I was feeling pretty constrained as to where my points had to go in order to build a giant with Chi-????.
I am delighted with the idea of an 'average man swept up by events'. And I think I'm in love with the 'power charge' feat. I have a funny feeling the 'ritual combat' feat might not be in AU, but there are several others equally fun and well suited to this character.
Hard as it might be to believe, Boromir (Lord of the Rings) is likely my favourite character in Fantasy.
Rob,
Just saw Set's post...maybe something 'skillier' is a good plan
Looks good, Set.
I'd like everyone to have a connection to at least one other character, if possible.
The game will be set in the port city of Khorl; don't worry, I'll give you warning if boats are in the offing! As someone who played a knight character in a Savage Tide game, I can empathise! *guess I'll just leave my armour in the rowing-boat, then...*
Ritual Warrior is fine if someone does want it.
How are things looking?
Rosey - you wanted a reminder of 32 pt build?
All scores start at 8 and you can raise them to the following scores by spending the indicated number of points
Ability Score Point Cost
9 1
10 2
11 3
12 4
13 5
14 6
15 8
16 10
17 13
18 16
Also re: your oath - Khorl has a dangerous area of ruins, much of which is inhabited by goblins and other dangerous enemies. Perhaps your oath could be along the lines of "protect the people of Khorl from the ruin-dwellers", "drive the goblins from Khorl", or maybe something like "prevent crime in the docklands area" or "ensure merchants do business unmolested" - feel free to ask me.
How are we all doing?
Thanks for that. You'll need to check me once I get some stats up.
From what I'm reading, the oath needs to be pretty specific as one of the conditions is that it needs to be fulfilled within a year. I'll have a think along the lines you've suggested and see if I can come up with anything.
I live!
Thanks to Set...I copied your formatting vigorously! In the process I finally learned how to use spoiler and other tags.
Although this one isn't working in preview, hope it works when I post.
Bit of a buzz-kill.
Thanks for that. You'll need to check me once I get some stats up.
From what I'm reading, the oath needs to be pretty specific as one of the conditions is that it needs to be fulfilled within a year. I'll have a think along the lines you've suggested and see if I can come up with anything.
I think Oathsworn can renew their oath if it remains unfulfilled at the end of the year.
I'm shamelessly lifting Set's profile and fiddling with it. Which would be why anyone looking at Tzuchaleny at the moment would be justified in feeling utterly bewildered.
Yes - I realised that the oath could be renewed about 30 seconds ago when I re-read that section. That makes things a bit easier. I must have got side-tracked by AC requirements and my astonishing abilty to eventually chuck a handful of carrots and make them lethal weapons.
Hmmm. Fabes, would an oath to rescue the bit of town that surrendered to the goblins be a gamebreaker?
Does Monte Cook acknowledge a debt to Steven R. Donaldson for inspiration?
Oathsworn and Giants are almost identical to Giants and some sort of Oath bound martial artists in the Thomas Covenant books
Shekebbet now has a backstory, and I've written in a tie to Pendrick, as they grew up in the same town, and Shekebbet used to be a human friend of his named Soren.
Pendrick will be the only one who can get away with calling him Soren, 'though. :)
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Hmmm, now I don't now which way to go. I really like my giant witch idea (esp. if there's not going to be another giant in the party), but we could certainly use someone with more skills, i.e. an akashic. I could go with a faen multiclass akashic/witch, but then I have to wait at least a level to get one of the class's abilities.
Fabes, how do you feel about the apprentice-level character rules from the 3.0 DMG, allowing 0-lvl/0-lvl multiclass characters at 1st level? I worked out a chart for the AU classes for my old home game. Here's the relevant info:
Class.......BA.....Fort.....Ref.....Will....Special
Akashic....+0......+0.......+0......+1......Skill memory (usable on untrained skills only)
Witch.......+0......+0.......+0......+1......Witchery (caster level 0), Spell Slots/day: L0: 1, L1: 0
Add 'em all together, to get the L1 abilities.
Let me know what you think. I may just make up both of them and see which one grabs me better, but if I can multiclass at L1, I'll lean more to the faen akashic/witch.
Gradually coming together.
She's native born to Khorl, but like a lot of folks raised in different cultures, has a strong affinity and interest in her own birthright. Which also means she gets it a bit wrong - she's following a kind of idealised mental image of a Litorian Oathsworn. Nice lass, not the smartest, but tries very hard.
Rob - I always liked the apprentice rules. Yes, you can certainly do that.
Rosey - it's not that that area surrendered to goblins; it's not inhabited by anyone but them and other monsters now. Your goal would not be a likely one to be achieved in a year, but that's oaths for you.
Pendrick - I like the background. Nice bit about the guard being just like another gang. This will be fun...
Set - re: the unique spell - it looks pretty cool to me, but I'm no expert. :) It's interesting and I like the idea of empowering his staff, so you can have it.
Set,
Great call having your character know mine, and having such a sympathetic transition story. Pendrick was going to have trouble trusting a Mojh otherwise. Humanity surrendered for stupid reasons by the young...never happens ;)
Rob,
Pendrick could start out as an Akashic, and then move into Warmain.
I'm a lot concerned this will make the party weaker in cbt for first level, but it would let you start with a non-gibbled character.
And really, how good at combat does the party have to be to fetch toast for the Lord Mayor?
Looks like I'm mostly done! Yay! I'll get the background up soon - not really sure how to connect with anybody else...
Keiva's not from Khorl, so maybe she met Rosey's litorian as she first came to the city... Rosey, I've only got 5 hp - you can swear an oath to protect me! ;)
Orange, don't worry about it! I've got akashic and witchery covered - we'll see as we go which one I'll focus in.
Fabes, I'm assuming max hp. What about starting money?
That's not a ridiculous idea at all Rob. Like it much better and I can work it into Tzuchaleny's rather idealistic personality.
Want to go for it?
Max hp for first level as per normal.
Roll for starting money as per the book.
So the relationships are:
Pendrick is friends with Tzuchaleny and Shekebbet.
Keiva is an aquaintance of Tzuchaleny (whether friendship or oathsworn bodyguard or both)
I'm mega-excited about this group. I like Pendrick and Tzu being idealistic and into cleaning up the city. This will be fun... :D Bwahaha Rosey - I swear there will not be an evil old man.
I will be create a new Discussion thread for the game proper when everyone' sorted with their characters. I just need to check something:
Has anyone played the adventure Fine Print (from the Diamond Throne site)?
The day you run an adventure without a sinister old man or a pirate theme is the day I run one without a frothing fanatic or a wise-ass NPC of some kind.
I am as innocent as the dawn about Fine Print.
Read the fine print? I didn't SEE any fine print!
that's a no.
no
no
yup, bigger and smaller aren't working
Not so orange. I can see them. Sort of. There is some difference, just not as much as you'd expect.