Run-down on character creation:
- 1st level characters, standard (15 point) point buy
- Races/classes limited to PFRPG core rules and supplements subject to DM approval
- Max starting gold, one trait
The campaign will be a somewhat episodic narrative of your characters and their adventures throughout Golarion (despite the name, it won't be solely constrained to the Inner Sea region). A well-rounded group is an advantage, as there will be a variety of challenges to test their mettle. If there will be any major feel or theme, pulp sword and sorcery would be it, though it will likely span many of the genres that fall under the fantasy umbrella. It's helpful if your characters are amenable to the Pathfinder organization, though they don't have to be members right out of the gate.
We open at a Taldane noblewoman's new country mansion where she is throwing an elaborate masquerade. Rumor has it she and her wealthy family have begun dabbling in the sponsorship of adventurers and archaeologists in the Inner Sea and the invitation boasts that the masquerade will host their most recent find.
Well, I should be done now.
EDIT: Except that the pbp this character used to be in started with a good deal more money than the 120gp I'm starting with here. Should be done now though.
Malatar Kane, human fighter.
No stats up yet, just want to establish my avatar and get my dot up.
Cool, so far we have:
Radavel- Cleric of Calistria
Davi- Zareby Grenache, Human Sorcerer
Mothman- Malatar Kane, Human Fighter
Bryan- Rogue type
Ragadolf- Wizard
Callum- ?
Take your time, we've got a little more than a week or so before we get the ball rolling.
Edit: Some questions to consider in the meantime:
Where are you from? How do you make your way in the world?
How did you come to the masquerade? Were you invited, are you crashing it, escorting another attendee or are you a servant of some sort? (I realize there aren't a lot of specifics yet, but we can work on a good point of entry)
Do you have friends, family, a mentor or another person you feel you can trust? Where are they? If not, why?
2nd Edit: I'm going to change my mind and say two character traits of your choice, since that's the standard in the trait pdf and since the 15 point buy is stingier than you may be used to.
Thx James. Most of the games I play in, we DO tend to use the higher point buys. This will be more challenging!
OK, lots of things to think about, thx again.
Question for YOU, Do you want 100% from the PFRPG, or can we bring in feats from splats? I'm fond of finding feats that boost Caster Level. (Not that there are THAT many of them out there!) ;P
Primarily thinking 'Spell Thematics' as outlined below;
Spell Thematics:
Your spells have a visual theme, such as ‘sphere’ or ‘lightning’. Spells you cast have special effects based on your theme, such as Summon Monster I manifesting as the creature springing from a thrown sphere.
1. Since your spells look different, Spellcraft checks to identify what spell you are casting are at +4DC.
2. For each of your current and future caster levels, you may designate one spell as a ‘thematic spell’, which is thereafter cast at +1 effective Caster level.
Note: you cannot make your spell invisible & the effects of your spells are not changed in any way.
No big deal if not, There are plenty in the PFRPG and various Player's Guides to make me happy!
I'll start hammering the new guy out tomorrow. I'm going to try to decide on a character personality and background tonight! :)
I'm gonna stick mostly with Pathfinder at the start, Ragadolf, since I figure it's easy to broaden the scope later on.
Yeah, everyone is pretty used to having higher stats but I kind of like the idea of playing a grittier game. And it is easier to fudge in your favor if things are too difficult than it is to ramp up the challenge if a couple of you are way more powerful than the others.
Rags, you're going pokemon!
HAH! "Summoned Celestial Hound, I choose you!" :)
Actually, MY favorite quote when summoning a critter is,...
,... wait for it,...
"Say 'ello to my leetle freend!" ;P
(Yeah, like you didn't see THAT one coming) ;)
NO worries James, just checking. And the lower stats will help (force) me to play a 'regular guy' hero instead of the 'I'm too smart and quick for my own darn good' heroes. (Sigh, exeunt the 'Dr Who personality of the day', and enter 'the companion'!) :)
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I'm gonna stick mostly with Pathfinder at the start, Ragadolf, since I figure it's easy to broaden the scope later on.
Yeah, everyone is pretty used to having higher stats but I kind of like the idea of playing a grittier game. And it is easier to fudge in your favor if things are too difficult than it is to ramp up the challenge if a couple of you are way more powerful than the others.
Hey James, are you allowing anything from the Tome of Secrets? Specifically, I was wondering if we could take a Drawback (which, unlike flaws in 3.5, give 4 extra skill points instead of a bonus feat).
I'm thinking of going with a slightly dissolute bard - an impoverished actor who thinks he's much more famous than he actually is. Would that work for the rest of you?
Hey James, are you allowing anything from the Tome of Secrets? Specifically, I was wondering if we could take a Drawback (which, unlike flaws in 3.5, give 4 extra skill points instead of a bonus feat).I'm gonna stick mostly with Pathfinder at the start, Ragadolf, since I figure it's easy to broaden the scope later on.
Yeah, everyone is pretty used to having higher stats but I kind of like the idea of playing a grittier game. And it is easier to fudge in your favor if things are too difficult than it is to ramp up the challenge if a couple of you are way more powerful than the others.
I don't have the Tome of Secrets yet. I'd have to review the rules. But if you're playing a rogue, why would you need 4 more skill points? The PFRPG skill system is pretty lenient and there are plenty of traits that add class skills to the list to get that +3 bonus. If you play a human, that's 1 more skill point per level and you can get an additional skill point from favored class. That's 10 skills per level, even if you don't have an intelligence bonus.
Keegan, will the party be a masquerade party?
Yes, it will. The theme is the Ancient Azlanti Empire; if you don't have a costume or can't afford one, one will be provided for you.
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I don't have the Tome of Secrets yet. I'd have to review the rules. But if you're playing a rogue, why would you need 4 more skill points? The PFRPG skill system is pretty lenient and there are plenty of traits that add class skills to the list to get that +3 bonus. If you play a human, that's 1 more skill point per level and you can get an additional skill point from favored class. That's 10 skills per level, even if you don't have an intelligence bonus.Hey James, are you allowing anything from the Tome of Secrets? Specifically, I was wondering if we could take a Drawback (which, unlike flaws in 3.5, give 4 extra skill points instead of a bonus feat).I'm gonna stick mostly with Pathfinder at the start, Ragadolf, since I figure it's easy to broaden the scope later on.
Yeah, everyone is pretty used to having higher stats but I kind of like the idea of playing a grittier game. And it is easier to fudge in your favor if things are too difficult than it is to ramp up the challenge if a couple of you are way more powerful than the others.
I was actually going half-elf, but what can I say? I likes my skillz ... :-D
James only
EDIT: Only reason I even asked was because I just got the ToS and read that section over the weekend, and a few spurred some ideas. I thought they were a better idea than flaws in 3.0/3.5 were, so thought I'd ask.
Hah! Impoverished bard! Oh wait, that's my REAL life! NM,... :P
Radavel, I can wingman with you! Sounds like fun!
Of course, if I go my usual route of personalities, my character will probably be a 'sidekick' who has convinced himself that YOUR the wingman! ;)
Has anyone actually joined the Pathfinders yet? Because I haven't really selected a personality/background yet, though I'm tossing a few around. With the low point buy I'm going to forego my usual "I'm a super-wiz" personality and try something a little more,... subtle. (Well, knowing me, maybe not subtle!) ;P
Bt the Pathfinders are all about learning ,... things, and that goes double for a wiz, it sounds like a perfect fit! :)
Question for James But welcome all opinions,...
A Wiz can select either a bound item, OR a familiar.
IT may not be 'core' (Can't recall where I saw it, I thought it was on the D20SRD under gestalt characters), but I have seen the feat 'Familiar' where a character can acquire a Familiar 'just as if he were a sorcerer'.
So, the question is, If I take bonded item, and then use a feat to take a familiar, what are the thoughts on that? It might make for an interesting scenario or two, and as I see a bonded item possibly gaining sentience at higher levels, I can see jealously between the familiar and the item!
(sigh) see, THIS is what happens when I have too much time on my hands! :)
I was actually going half-elf, but what can I say? I likes my skillz ... :-DJames only** spoiler omitted **...
A Wiz can select either a bound item, OR a familiar.
IT may not be 'core' (Can't recall where I saw it, I thought it was on the D20SRD under gestalt characters), but I have seen the feat 'Familiar' where a character can acquire a Familiar 'just as if he were a sorcerer'.So, the question is, If I take bonded item, and then use a feat to take a familiar, what are the thoughts on that? It might make for an interesting scenario or two, and as I see a bonded item possibly gaining sentience at higher levels, I can see jealously between the familiar and the item!
(sigh) see, THIS is what happens when I have too much time on my hands! :)
Sorry to be a killjoy, but I'd prefer you pick one or the other. If, down the line, you still really want a familiar, how about making a homunculus at 7th level after taking Improved Familiar? It's a long way off, I know, but I want to keep things a bit simple. And your item's not going to be talking to you in a while, anyways, right?
As for the Pathfinder background, I had a few ideas. My initial thought, since you guys are all going to be 1st level, was that a mentor (possibly a recent promotion to Venture Captain) dispatched you to the the party in his/her stead to check out this supposed find of the noblewoman's. Maybe they don't like parties or they're too busy getting settled into their new position or they're looking to slight the woman and her family for some reason. Either way, your first mission is to go to the party and see what's happening and find out if independent operators have made a big find or if she's just looking for attention. I'm open to other suggestions, too, and if you want to know each other first, even better.
I noticed you guys are going to be a little light on the hp side, since Mothman's the only side o' beef tough guy. Again, if you folks really want to do a more cloak and dagger sort of game, I'll look for stuff along those lines. But don't think the whole campaign will be that way: this is D&D after all, even if we're starting in a Taldoran masquerade. There'll be monsters, dungeons, all the regular stuff. I guess I'm just saying that you should cover all your bases (which you are, just heavily on the skills/magic side).
I was planning on going a sword and board style fighter, but as the only warrior-type in the group, maybe we need a two-handed wielder power attacking monster ... what do you all think?
We need a meat shield more than a beat stick, stay with the shield.
No 'killjoy' this time James, just tossing ideas around.
I do that,... a lot. Feel free to say 'NO', (everyone else does!) ;P
I'm great with that intro for my PC to the party. I'll be the 'official' pathfinder member then (though I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have 2?)
NOW I just have to come up with the REST of my background/personality. Oh, and actually build a character. ;P
Radavel, I'm liking your thoughts. We could have met on one of my previous (probably training or testing) missions. We just need to decide if we each KNOW that we're both going to the party, and show up together, or if we trip over each other there! :) That way at least some of the party knows each other to start!
Hmmm,... Personality,...
I was planning on going a sword and board style fighter, but as the only warrior-type in the group, maybe we need a two-handed wielder power attacking monster ... what do you all think?
I'm with Davi on that one. Of course I haven't really examined the new feats, or the mods to the fighter. But in 3.5 I've seen a 'regular' fighter look like Yoda vs Dooku in Attack of the Clones. (We fondly called him our armored Cuisinart!) And that was only at 5th lvl or so!
If we REALLY NEED a 'power' attack, you can just use a big weapon in both hands and get the extra str dmg. (?Yes?)
Just my 2cp,...
Awesome Rad! JUST like when I was in college! (I was the trainee then too!) ;P
Question, WHERE did I remember reading that if you started out as a member of the Pathfinders, you had a wayfinder?!? (And WHERE is the description of a Wayfinder? I can't find it in any of the player's guides! Is it in one of the adventure paths?)
Awesome Rad! JUST like when I was in college! (I was the trainee then too!) ;P
Question, WHERE did I remember reading that if you started out as a member of the Pathfinders, you had a wayfinder?!? (And WHERE is the description of a Wayfinder? I can't find it in any of the player's guides! Is it in one of the adventure paths?)
It's a possible trait in the Council of Thieves AP, linked to the sealed lodge in Westcrown. I recall that a Wayfinder grants a +2 survival bonus vs. getting lost and can emit light as the spell as a standard action. They cost about 500 gp.
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For Rags
It's a possible trait in the Council of Thieves AP, linked to the sealed lodge in Westcrown. I recall that a Wayfinder grants a +2 survival bonus vs. getting lost and can emit light as the spell as a standard action. They cost about 500 gp.
Ah, ok. I thought that I read "somewhere" that if you wanted to play a Pathfinder you 'automatically' started with a Wayfinder, given when you were vested I guess. Perhaps I merely read someone's version of the trait on the messageboards?
OK, so if I want a wayfinder, I take that trait. Otherwise, I'm still an initiate i suppose. Cuz even with max starting GP, I ain't gonna be able to afford that! ;P
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Awesome Rad! JUST like when I was in college! (I was the trainee then too!) ;P
Question, WHERE did I remember reading that if you started out as a member of the Pathfinders, you had a wayfinder?!? (And WHERE is the description of a Wayfinder? I can't find it in any of the player's guides! Is it in one of the adventure paths?)
Malatar is a mercenary; he’s heard that working for the Pathfinder Society pays well, so he went after this gig, but he may not be a full member himself. Maybe he’s along as a bodyguard for this band of squishy caster-types.
He likes parties – lots of free booze and pretty women … he doesn’t so much like dressing up, ‘specially if he’s on a bodyguard job and dressing up means leaving his weapons and armour behind … he’ll try to go in as well armed and armoured as the fancy-dress will allow.
I'm only gonna say this once, Promise.
I was hoping that they would fix just ONE thing with Wizzies in PFRPG. The fact that Wizzies, who are supposed to be bookworms, get the SAME number of Skill points as fighters! I understand if they don't want to make them overshadow the rogue, and high Int helps a little, but come on! More than the melee classes at least! ;P
(/rant)
OK, I'm done.
Thanks, I needed that! :)
NOTE- The above is (MOSTLY) a joke. Mainly I'm just frustrated at work, and needed to vent a little! The skill point disparity has always bugged me a little though.
I keep coming up with versions of characters that sound great, a caster who wants to be a swashbuckler, (I've done that one), a whip-wielding caster who explores/plunders lost tombs and crumbling ruins,... etc.
Unfortunately, while they would be fun to play, they always end up being too squishy! No matter how fun the caster/swashbuckler was, he couldn't even take one hit in a swordfight! It seems to me that one day I'll have to play a rogue with max'd points in use magic device. maybe then the concept would work,... ;P
<sigh> I really should be working now. (And I don't mean on my character!) :P
Laters,...
Looking over skill and feat choices,
Hm,... Am I reading this right guys?
As a caster, you must still make a 'concentration check' in order to cast a spell defensively, or to prevent you from losing a spell if you take dmg, etc. And the Combat Casting Feat still exists, providing you a +3 bonus to Concentration checks.
HOWEVER, it seems that Concentration NO longer exists as a Skill! So no 'Skill Focus' for Concentration, or skill bonuses or anything else to your Concentration check?!? Did I read that right?
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Looking over skill and feat choices,
Hm,... Am I reading this right guys?As a caster, you must still make a 'concentration check' in order to cast a spell defensively, or to prevent you from losing a spell if you take dmg, etc. And the Combat Casting Feat still exists, providing you a +3 bonus to Concentration checks.
HOWEVER, it seems that Concentration NO longer exists as a Skill! So no 'Skill Focus' for Concentration, or skill bonuses or anything else to your Concentration check?!? Did I read that right?
You are reading correctly (except Combat Casting gives +4, not +3). Concentration checks are on page 206 of the core book, or in the PRD here.
OK, James, Adelaine is ready for your perusal ...
For everyone - she is also a Pathfinder Society member
Bryan
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Oooo, a sexy girl!
Do you mind if Rags and I practice some of our techniques on you?
For Keegan
Bryan: Looks good, I think you're all set.
Rad:
I'm hoping to get started next week around this time. So take your time getting everything together, make sure you're happy with your characters, etc.
Hey, I've got the basic ideas and stats/skills penciled in. Exact details to be decided by race.
Basically since we've got the casting covered, I'm not building a battle-caster. SO NOT an evoker. (ALthough I also won't take Evocation as an opposed school, I don't want to hamstring myself here!)
Tell me how this sounds,
A bookworm wizard, specializing in languages and knowledge of ancient civilizations. Takes himself a little too seriously (at least at first) perfectly good for feeding others straight lines and not realizing it.
HE wants to be an explorer, and has the knowledge skills, but this is basically his first time in the field. He doesn't use a LOT of offensive spells, but he does carry them. So when he uses the fireball, the reaction should be 'Oh, it's always the quiet ones!'
I'm thinking a DIviner actually. An extra spell each day that can tell you where the secret door is, or give you an extra +20 to your to hit roll is nothing to sneeze at!
Sounds great, Rags. Let me know how the rest of you plan on getting into the party. Since it's a masquerade, it probably won't be too hard to crash. She's holding it in her newly renovated country house on the southern coast of Taldor and since she's a minor noblewoman, there are merchants, craftspeople and town leaders in attendance as well, since she needs their support as well as the high-ups.
Just throwing a post up for the dot. I'll keep an eye out as things progress.
How's everything coming? Any questions? Ideally, I'd like to get started around Wednesday, unless everyone needs a few more days.