Varisian Companion?

[Lord Fyre]

Since I don't think that a Pathfinder Companion - Varisia is in the cards any time soon, here are some ideas that I would like to throw out to fill the gap until one becomes available.

Varisian Regional Traits:
These traits are available for any character native to the Varisia region or to the Cinderlands. These traits are keyed to specific races and ethnicities, to which your character must belong to select the trait.
These, hopefully, should be useable with all three Adventure Path's set in Varisia and with the stand-alone adventures set there (like the Seven Swords of Sin for example).

Astute (Half-Elf): While not despised like the Half-Orc, Varisian Half-Elves don't belong either. Like the crystals that intrigue them, half-elves are often able to see multiple facets of any given problem. Coupled with their inner need to fit in, this perspective has helped many a half elf develop a talent for smoothing over problems. Thus the hero's unique situation benefits the hero with a +2 trait bonus to all Diplomacy checks.

Curious (Gnome): While gnomes themselves are often mysterious, perhaps to stave off the Bleaching, or their ties to Faerie, the gnomes of the Sanos Forest want to learn or experience everything about Golarion. The hero's inquisitive nature and sense of wonder gives the hero a +2 trait bonus to all perception checks.

Fierce (Half-Orc) – Given the often dark circumstances of their birth, Half-Orcs in Varisia (as in all of Avistan) must struggle to survive almost from birth – regardless of whether they were raised in human or orcish culture. This constant readiness to fight has wins the hero a +2 trait bonus to initiative checks.

Hardy (Human – Ulfen): Eking out a life in the cold Lands of Linnorm Kings or frozen Irrisen, a desire for glory or lust for treasure draws many an Ulfen south to Varisia. The rugged conditions of their homelands though have inured them to cold and ice, aiding the hero with a +4 trait bonus made to resist the effect of being in arctic or freezing conditions and a +1 trait bonus on all saving throws against cold effects.

Mercantile (Dwarf): The dwarven citadel of Janderhoff is a center of trade for all the good peoples of Varisia. However, the dwarves rarely haggle, relying instead on fair prices and excellent craftsmanship. The “no nonsense” approach buys the hero a +2 trait bonus to Appraise skill checks.

Proud (Human – Chelaxian): Of all Varisian peoples, decendents of the Chelaxian settlers tend to be the most prideful, even those who do not live in Korvosa – the others are just not as arrogant about it. This inherent sense of self-worth rewards the hero with a +1 trait bonus to willpower saves.

Prudent (Halfling): Despite their optimistic natures, Halflings are not fools. Varisian halflings are well aware that they were, are, or easily could be enslaved – as Halflings are in so many other parts of Golarion. So, hopeful but with eyes wide open the halfing enjoys a +2 trait bonus with Sense Motive checks.

Nimble (Human – Varisian): The agile bodies and quick minds of the native Varisians allow them wander in their vagabond ways, dance with carefree delight, and channel wondrous magic. This inborn dynamism gives a +1 trait bonus to reflex saves for the hero.

Resilient (Human – Shoanti): Their traditionally austere and spiritual lifestyle has made the Shoanti people strong – even those not living in the Cinderlands. This innate toughness, whether or not the hero continues to keep to the ancestral ways, earns a +1 trait bonus to fortitude saves.

Secretive (Elf): While rare a Varisian elf's circumstances call on him or her leave the Mierani forest to seek adventure elsewhere, but the elf is forbidden to discuss the lost city of Celwynian or why the elves had to abandon it. Even so, when encountering a Fiend of any stripe the hero attacks with surprising intensity adding a +1 trait bonus to any damage the elf inflicts on any kind of evil Outsider.

Strange (Planetouched): Whether cursed and hated for their tainted blood or revered, even worshiped, for their divine heritage, the planetouched are truly “outsiders” in more then just name. They often, out of necessity, become quite adept at altering their appearance, gaining a +2 trait bonus with Disguise checks.

Let me know what you thnk, and any fixes or improvents you see with these. :)

[Set]

Very cool. These seem pretty well balanced, and appropriate thematically. (Although the description of the elven Secretive trait and it's effects seem at odds, even if it's perfectly sensible and appropriate, given the elven 'secret' in question.)

I'm particularly fond of the flavor and feel you captured with stuff like the Chelaxian and Shoanti save-bonus Traits. Nice work.

The Gnomish curious Trait made my knee-jerk for a second, but that's a product of my notion that a +2 to Perception is 'worth more' than a +2 to many other skills. Assuming that all skills are equal in value, then yeah, it shouldn't be any different than a +2 to Knowledge (engineering). Still, the eye, she twitches, and that's no fault of your write-up.

I'm actually kind of interested to see how the Traits port over to Pathfinder. With unlimited Cantrips (for example), I wonder if the Traits that granted 1 use / day of a Cantrip (or Orison) might be bumped up to 3+Cha mod/day, at the minimum.

And I clicked on this thread wondering whether it dealt with Animal Companion choices for Varisian Druids and Rangers (Cinderpelt!), or a 'companion' in the boom-chikka-wow-wow sense. Imagine my surprise. It was just referring to a supplement. :)

[Lord Fyre]

Set wrote:

Very cool. These seem pretty well balanced, and appropriate thematically. (Although the description of the elven Secretive trait and it's effects seem at odds, even if it's perfectly sensible and appropriate, given the elven 'secret' in question.)

I figured that something "secretive" should be confusing and surprising. :)

Set wrote:

I'm particularly fond of the flavor and feel you captured with stuff like the Chelaxian and Shoanti save-bonus Traits. Nice work.

The Gnomish curious Trait made my knee-jerk for a second, but that's a product of my notion that a +2 to Perception is 'worth more' than a +2 to many other skills. Assuming that all skills are equal in value, then yeah, it shouldn't be any different than a +2 to Knowledge (engineering). Still, the eye, she twitches, and that's no fault of your write-up.

You're right! :( And given that they have a racial ability that also does this, having this as a trait might be a little much.

[Lord Fyre]

By the way.

With the re-org of the site, does this belong under the "House Rule" section?

[Lord Fyre]

Lord Fyre wrote:

Set wrote:

The Gnomish curious Trait made my knee-jerk for a second, but that's a product of my notion that a +2 to Perception is 'worth more' than a +2 to many other skills. Assuming that all skills are equal in value, then yeah, it shouldn't be any different than a +2 to Knowledge (engineering). Still, the eye, she twitches, and that's no fault of your write-up.

You're right! :( And given that they have a racial ability that also does this, having this as a trait might be a little much.

Okay. How about?:

Curious (Gnome): While gnomes themselves are often mysterious, perhaps to stave off the Bleaching, or their ties to Faerie, the gnomes of the Sanos Forest want to learn or experience everything about Golarion. The hero's inquisitive nature and sense of wonder gives the hero a +2 trait bonus to one knowledge skill of his or her choice.

Does this work better for you?

[Set]

Lord Fyre wrote:

Okay. How about?:

Curious (Gnome): While gnomes themselves are often mysterious, perhaps to stave off the Bleaching, or their ties to Faerie, the gnomes of the Sanos Forest want to learn or experience everything about Golarion. The hero's inquisitive nature and sense of wonder gives the hero a +2 trait bonus to one knowledge skill of his or her choice.

Does this work better for you?

Very cool.

Indeed, the wandering curious Gnome thing could lend itself to all sorts of things, like Knowledge (local) checks and Diplomacy checks to Gather Information, or, alternately, the ability to Gather Information in 1d4 *rounds* at a +10 to the DC check (representing the Gnome wracking her brain to remember something she overheard about someone, instead of 'hitting the bar to chat people up').

I hadn't even realized the potential nuisance of having a race that already has a +2 to Perception checks then stacking up on Traits and Feats to further enhance Perception... That sort of min-maxing just throws off DCs for everyone else, IMO, and it probably would be best to nip it in the bud.

[Black Dow]

These are all very cool, like Set mentioned all well balanced and will fit nicely into some Riddleport stuff I'm planning for my group - so big thanks from the North!

BD