"A ruined monument to folly and ego, the Shadowed Keep stands atop an isolated bluff deep in the mist‐wreathed Arthfell Forest. Sacked by marauding goblins decades ago, the place was thought abandoned, but shadows now creep among the forest's great boles and footprints have appeared on the single, overgrown track leading to the keep. Travellers have begun to disappear with alarming regularity from the nearby road and the local folk fear some slumbering evil has claimed the ruin as its own."
"Dare you brave the terrors of the Shadowed Keep to crush that which lurks within or will darkness shroud the surrounding lands?"
What is it? Raging Swan Press's 1st Edition Pathfinder adventure for first level characters. An homage, but not reboot, to the classic Keep on the Borderlands. Unlike that classic module, the Shadowed Keep is a specific adventure and not a sandbox setting.
What is this? This is me seeing if there's any interest in a classic-feel game for 4 - 6 characters built with more-or-less the CORE rules. Core races only, Core classes, and whatnot. (Considering some of the Base classes as well as some of the Unchained versions) Classic fantasy feel, I guess you could say. In any event, this is rookie adventurers doing what they do.
Stats would be 4d6, drop the lowest result, arrange as you like. Full Hp at first level, Average starting wealth. (1)Trait, with the option to earn another for characters that complete the adventure. Background Skills and Elephant in the Room Feat rules would be in play. Archetypes would be considered on a case-to-case basis, but no guarantee.
The setting Golarion, specifically in the region near the Arthfell Forest which makes up one of the most infamous woodland regions in the nation of Andoran.
What this is NOT An actual recruitment, because I'm simply not prepared...yet. But I will be soon. Just wanted to see if there's anyone likely to want to play.
Sure, I'd be down
This really takes me back. I played the Keep nearly 40 years ago. I'd love to experience it or a version of it again!
That would make an interesting character. Generally good but one major flaw somewhere. :) "I have 6 intelligence. I know what I'm doing."
Sounds like fun. Consider me interested.
Sounds like fun.
I might throw some dice and see what happens, but I’d be more interested if the race/class/archetype stuff wasn’t so restrictive. I bet you’ll have more than enough interest to run the game with or without me, though.
Definitely interested :)
Hopefully you keep it as close to Core as possible.
Since PF places way more emphasis on ability scores than older systems, I would personally prefer a point buy.
But if you prefer to go with rolling for ability scores, I would suggest an external die roller, so people cannot preview their results. Keeping it fair for all. As Crom intended.
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Definitely interested :)
Hopefully you keep it as close to Core as possible.
Since PF places way more emphasis on ability scores than older systems, I would personally prefer a point buy.
But if you prefer to go with rolling for ability scores, I would suggest an external die roller, so people cannot preview their results. Keeping it fair for all. As Crom intended.
An easy rule:
First post in thread must roll for all stats. No questions, interest, dot. Lose priority on choosing if you don’t follow rule.
I'd be interested. A core only game I was just in ended so it would be fun to try again. When the time comes, knowing stuff like posting expectations would be helpful.
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Definitely interested :)
Hopefully you keep it as close to Core as possible.
Since PF places way more emphasis on ability scores than older systems, I would personally prefer a point buy.
But if you prefer to go with rolling for ability scores, I would suggest an external die roller, so people cannot preview their results. Keeping it fair for all. As Crom intended.
An easy rule:
First post in thread must roll for all stats. No questions, interest, dot. Lose priority on choosing if you don’t follow rule.
I like that. Fair.
Will definitely use that when I post the recruitment.
Let's see how my dice support my interest...
-2 = 15
-2 = 13
-2 = 8
-4 = 17
-3 = 14
-1 =12
(This one was rolled in error)
Overall higher than average. I'd be game to play - when can we expect more details?
Definitely interested :)
Hopefully you keep it as close to Core as possible.
Since PF places way more emphasis on ability scores than older systems, I would personally prefer a point buy.
But if you prefer to go with rolling for ability scores, I would suggest an external die roller, so people cannot preview their results. Keeping it fair for all. As Crom intended.
An easy rule:
First post in thread must roll for all stats. No questions, interest, dot. Lose priority on choosing if you don’t follow rule.
Simple and perfect - love it. You mean in the recruitment thread, right?
Definitely interested :)
Hopefully you keep it as close to Core as possible.
Since PF places way more emphasis on ability scores than older systems, I would personally prefer a point buy.
But if you prefer to go with rolling for ability scores, I would suggest an external die roller, so people cannot preview their results. Keeping it fair for all. As Crom intended.
An easy rule:
First post in thread must roll for all stats. No questions, interest, dot. Lose priority on choosing if you don’t follow rule.
I like that. Fair.
Will definitely use that when I post the recruitment.
Solid!
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Yay, I did a thing! :)
Also I’m certainly looking forward to the recruitment thread. Though I’ve got a sinking feeling that the dice will punish me for my rising hubris.
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True to old-school, if the dice gods are unforgiving, maybe your character dies in the first encounter. We toast to him/her and build another, MAYBE better one :D
Would definitely be interested. Core games are their own kind of fun, and I like the limited scope of a PbP that's not trying to complete an entire PbP.
Will keep an eye out for the Recruitment thread.
True to old-school, if the dice gods are unforgiving, maybe your character dies in the first encounter. We toast to him/her and build another, MAYBE better one :D
Ahhh. Such cheerful thoughts. :D
that's not trying to complete an entire PbP.
That should read "...that's not trying to complete an entire AP."
I'm real good at writin'.
Except that Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands is not, from my experience, one of them. It is an homage to the original Keep on the Borderlands. In much the same way that Iron Gods is an homage to Expedition to the Barrier Peaks.
And with any homage, you will get…various results. In both of these cases I felt the homage… missed. But each person’s mileage most definitely varies.
True to old-school, if the dice gods are unforgiving, maybe your character dies in the first encounter. We toast to him/her and build another, MAYBE better one :DAhhh. Such cheerful thoughts. :D
The world is a dark and foreboding place!
Dot for interest
I would be interested in this. As much as I like all the options I find myself drawn to the core games. It simplifies things, alot. Even when it isn't the rule I am tending to stick more to core.
Core only is a great way to keep that "classic fantasy feel." Call me basic but I like it that way.
I'll be looking forward to a recruitment thread for this.
I'm torn when it comes to "core only." On one hand, it feels "fair." In that those with and without system mastery are on an even playing field. It takes away a lot of what might be called "unbalanced." On the other hand? It means taking away part of what makes Pathfinder so unique: the customization. I mean, when everything is on the table you can have a grippli cleric who heals people at range by touching them with his tongue, alongside a dwarf with who wrestles people with his beard. Very different campaigns!
13
9
12
12
13
12
Dot. Not in a rush
I'm torn when it comes to "core only." On one hand, it feels "fair." In that those with and without system mastery are on an even playing field. It takes away a lot of what might be called "unbalanced." On the other hand? It means taking away part of what makes Pathfinder so unique: the customization. I mean, when everything is on the table you can have a grippli cleric who heals people at range by touching them with his tongue, alongside a dwarf with who wrestles people with his beard. Very different campaigns!
To be honest, I think people who prefer Core-only are less looking for a hold on “balance” or more looking to restrict the feel to that oldskool classic fantasy. No grippli tongue-healers, no dwarf beardwrestlers. A good GM can hold the line on balance, but once you open the door to gonzo concepts, well then you have to have folks up for a gonzo game.
The reason I don’t like Core-only is because I find the Core mechanics stifling in terms of feats (which EitR goes *some* way to ameliorating), traits, classes and archetypes. I’m definitely not wanting to play with the more gonzo tongue-healers and beardwrestlers, but I do want to be able to play a Witch or an Inquisitor. I’m not a powergamer or cheesebuilder so those crazy trait/archetype/feat builds don’t interest me.
Classic games just can’t tell enough stories that are even in “classic” tales.
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Come on OSW, amazing adventures have nothing to do with class options, character builds, feats or traits. It is all a matter of DM and players. That is all. Now just admit you are interested ;)
I'm torn when it comes to "core only." On one hand, it feels "fair." In that those with and without system mastery are on an even playing field. It takes away a lot of what might be called "unbalanced." On the other hand? It means taking away part of what makes Pathfinder so unique: the customization. I mean, when everything is on the table you can have a grippli cleric who heals people at range by touching them with his tongue, alongside a dwarf with who wrestles people with his beard. Very different campaigns!To be honest, I think people who prefer Core-only are less looking for a hold on “balance” or more looking to restrict the feel to that oldskool classic fantasy. No grippli tongue-healers, no dwarf beardwrestlers. A good GM can hold the line on balance, but once you open the door to gonzo concepts, well then you have to have folks up for a gonzo game.
The reason I don’t like Core-only is because I find the Core mechanics stifling in terms of feats (which EitR goes *some* way to ameliorating), traits, classes and archetypes. I’m definitely not wanting to play with the more gonzo tongue-healers and beardwrestlers, but I do want to be able to play a Witch or an Inquisitor. I’m not a powergamer or cheesebuilder so those crazy trait/archetype/feat builds don’t interest me.
Classic games just can’t tell enough stories that are even in “classic” tales.
That's more or less where I'm at. There's just no way to play something like a Magus (probably my favorite class) in a Core game. I mean, ok, maybe an Eldritch Knight can get close with their Spell Critical feature, but that means you're talking about probably a 16th level character at minimum. Most games are long dead by then.
Part of what appeals to me about a Core-only game is the lack of decision paralysis when it comes to selecting spells and feats on a level up. And I have strong feelings about traits, too!
But a Core-only game (or a game limited in scope, such as Core + ACG + ARG) alleviates the decision paralysis that I struggle with in a game where all 1st-party material is allowed, for the most part.
I'm torn when it comes to "core only." On one hand, it feels "fair." In that those with and without system mastery are on an even playing field. It takes away a lot of what might be called "unbalanced." On the other hand? It means taking away part of what makes Pathfinder so unique: the customization. I mean, when everything is on the table you can have a grippli cleric who heals people at range by touching them with his tongue, alongside a dwarf with who wrestles people with his beard. Very different campaigns!To be honest, I think people who prefer Core-only are less looking for a hold on “balance” or more looking to restrict the feel to that oldskool classic fantasy. No grippli tongue-healers, no dwarf beardwrestlers. A good GM can hold the line on balance, but once you open the door to gonzo concepts, well then you have to have folks up for a gonzo game.
The reason I don’t like Core-only is because I find the Core mechanics stifling in terms of feats (which EitR goes *some* way to ameliorating), traits, classes and archetypes. I’m definitely not wanting to play with the more gonzo tongue-healers and beardwrestlers, but I do want to be able to play a Witch or an Inquisitor. I’m not a powergamer or cheesebuilder so those crazy trait/archetype/feat builds don’t interest me.
Classic games just can’t tell enough stories that are even in “classic” tales.
FWIW, my favorite "simplified" approach is Core + Advanced Player's Guide + Unchained + Ultimate Equipment. Not so much for the added classes, though they are nice, but just a *few* archetypes, alt race abilities, feats, spells, better rounded gear, and, especially, traits to help reflect that background without requiring a whole new class to do it. Unchained is part of the group because it adds improved rules/fixes for Barb, Monk, Rogue, and Summoner, and the option of background skills. All allows for some modularity and building to a specific concept without requiring the players or GM to memorize dozens of books' worth of complex systems.
I myself prefer not to play Core Only most of the time, but for a change I'm definitely open to it, and I appreciate how its limitations force me to get creative in other ways (e.g., backstory and approach to playing the character). While it's true the feat tax issues become more apparent with Core only, you at least don't have many competing feats to take the "requisite" feats' place. As it is I find I often choose core feats for characters regardless of allowed sources... Precise Shot, Combat Casting, Power Attack, etc. all are preferred go tos before I start looking at combat styles and the like.
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This conversation has given me reason to rethink this, and so when I post the recruitment in the near future, I'll probably offer it more like this:
Aiming for a classic feel, and will be far more likely to choose Core-type characters than not. That said, I don't want to stifle creativity...and so will allow: ....(and there I'll add any changes to what I'll consider)
Or something like that.
Thanks, folks.
~ PD
Love it. Great compromise while clearly showing your preference
More than fair.
Agreed, that sounds plenty fair.
Nice compromise. Make it clear what you're looking for but give those who want to try something new a chance.
dotting
- 2 = 14
- 1 = 16
- 1 = 9
- 1 = 7
- 1 = 12
- 1 = 10
other than roll 4 I’m happy with this result. I can probably think of a martial class.
EDIT: question-I absolutely understand the preference for Core races + classes, but what about things like alternate racial abilities, feats, bloodlines, subdomains, etc from other book sources? Will those be included or do you want the builds to be as Core centric as possible?
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This conversation has given me reason to rethink this, and so when I post the recruitment in the near future, I'll probably offer it more like this:
Aiming for a classic feel, and will be far more likely to choose Core-type characters than not. That said, I don't want to stifle creativity...and so will allow: ....(and there I'll add any changes to what I'll consider)Or something like that.
Thanks, folks.
~ PD
Hear ya loud and clear, boss. One half-cyborg grippli ninja/gunslinger incoming.
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So…grippli constructed pugilist brawler at lvl 1. For the constructed arm that lets him trip anyone that comes close to him. Like a ninja.
Then level 2+ eldrithc archer Magus, with a pistol as a bonded object.
And finally VMC gunslinger. So all together a cyborg grippli who fires spells through his pistol and has a flexible robot arm.
You know. Basically core.
Well dang. Numbers like those I could make anything, though I think a Paladin would be the first idea.
I’m under the impression that when the thread opens roll there, have to roll in the first post you make.
So if I rolled now and got a good roll like that, it wouldn’t count. Because I’ve already posted here.
I honestly will go with a half orc or human barbarian with my stat spread
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Are we "Charactering" now or waiting for the new recruitment board?? Just wondering so I don't get great rolls here and then crap on the actual recruitment page...lol
Edit....Hummm the guy above looks kinda familiar....
I believe Plastic Dragon intends to do a separate recruitment post at some point.
Before you get too pleased with your rolls, remember to drop the lowest dice. :)
Hear ya loud and clear, boss. One half-cyborg grippli ninja/gunslinger incoming.
The first 2e PFS game I played had a party that contained a fish, a minotaur, and a robot. My elf was the only race from the CRB. I haven't gone back to it.
(Yea, I know PFS encourages that sort of thing, I guess I just underestimated how many playable options there are. 1e at least has a fairly small number of legal non-Core races.)
I would assume until told otherwise that the recruitment hasn't started yet as Plastic Dragon said he was planning to post a separate recruitment thread.