This is a Discussion thread for March of the Dead.
1. This game is private recruitment, in case anyone wanders in here.
2. The number of PCs is TBD. There will be at least 4, and up to 6. Four players are rolling over from another Adventure, and two others have been PMed.
3. The adventure is written for Level 3 PCs. I am willing to scale down to Level 2 or up to Level 4 if everyone agrees.
4. The adventure is undead-themed, and while I won't require all PCs have vitality healing, it would be advantageous to do so.
5. For character creation, PFS-like rules will apply: Remastered required when available, no evil characters, for instance. However, you can have two Uncommon boons to select Uncommon items/feats, or use them both to select one Rare item/feat. I'm also going to request that every character choose an item/feat from Book of the Dead, and that item/feat won't count against the rarity limit. These character creation rules are negotiable: the hard limit is that I don't want to have to scale the adventure beyond using Weak/Elite templates.
6. Ownership requirements. In general, I support ownership requirements, and I own many of the rulebooks, which I am allowed to "share" with the group for this game. I'm just going to list which resources I have, and state simply that you can use the following guilt-free. I own: PC1, PC2, GMC, SoM, BotD, DA, G&G (pre-Remaster only), HotW, RoE, WotI, LOWG, LOCG, LOAG, G&M (pre-Remaster only), LOGB, LOME, LOTXWG, LOTXCG. Notable omissions are: Treasure Vault, LOIL, and Knights of Lastwall (unfortunately, for this adventure).
Feel free to dot into Gameplay with your main alias, and to discuss character creation here in Discussion so you don't have to lock in your game alias until gameplay begins. I'll clean up the PC list in Gameplay when we begin.
I expect that most of this week will be recruitment, and that we'll spend with week of the 9th on character creation. We'll aim for a 6/16 game start.
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This is Lawric, a halfling cleric of pharasma.
He is currently built as a level 3 but could easily flex him per the party. I think it might be a challenge to get a mandatory feat/spell from book of the dead at level 3 as there just isn't a lot to choose from at that level. It opens up pretty significantly at 4th level with the additional feat.
If we played at 4- Lawric would probably pick up the https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=3454
Hey, definitely interested - thanks for the invite. Will need to think about what to play. Just to clarify, I should build a new level 3 PC rather than using one of my existing PFS characters in that range?
You can use an existing PFS character if you want, but there's no advantage to doing so. As a matter of fact, it might be confusing if you use a PFS character and some stuff needs to be modified, like you'll need to remove PFS Lore and anything from your hireling.
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This is Lawric, a halfling cleric of pharasma.
If we played at 4- Lawric would probably pick up the Exorcist Dedication
Fixing the link because I did it wrong...
Ok I’ll make something new. We start at Level 3 and will we reach higher levels over the course of the adventure or is it all at level 3?
Hey Watery, thanks for having me here. I would like to play Animist lvl 3. I think that class would fit here as they are divine casters with a bit of flavor. When it comes to levels as long as it is above 2 I don't mind ;) Below casters have to few spells ;) And I don't want to be swinging a walking stick.
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Hello!
Will get some character ideas sorted shortly - Level 3 works.
So we have any obvious gaps in the current line up?
Hello!
Will get some character ideas sorted shortly - Level 3 works.
So we have any obvious gaps in the current line up?
Hey Shifty!
so far it is still in the air. So far what was mentioned:
- cloister cleric of pharasma
- animist
- maybe kinecist
;)
I’m just starting to think about what to play - maybe a summoner - but I haven’t had a chance to look at the Book of the Dead options yet.
I wonder if playing at level 4 - with appropriate difficulty adjustment - would be doable? It just seems like it opens the door to much more interesting character choices, including archetypes for those so inclined - since it will allow for a second class feat.
There’s some wild options coalescing in my head
One part of me sees a delicious opportunity to be something odd like a skeletal champion pushing on due to his faith and commitment to the cause - not even death could give him rest from duty
The other side could be a melee bodyguard/enforcer and riff off the pharasmin cleric - because sometimes words and holy water just isn’t enough
We also lack a thief, perhaps a reformed grave robber who saw a few too many overly active corpses and has had a change of tune.
There’s some wild options coalescing in my head
One part of me sees a delicious opportunity to be something odd like a skeletal champion pushing on due to his faith and commitment to the cause - not even death could give him rest from duty
I created a version of this dedicated to Tsukiyo but, unless someone knows of a good way to allow a skeleton to benefit from vitality effects, keeping their HP up is going to be difficult and I suspect they're going to return to their final reward quickly.
There's also the potential for conflict with the Pharasman (which may be good or bad.)
If you want to see what I worked up, I can send it over via email.
My 2nd option is a Lashunta from the Starfinder 2e playtest with a Shotalashu animal companion/mount. I like the concept but from an optimization standpoint, I don't know how many dungeon crawls there would be (which would restrict the participation of a large creature) and the Shotalashu's support ability does Mental damage so it may not be that effective if we're facing hordes of skeletons/zombies.
My 3rd option is a remake of a Starfinder 1e character and would be a Hungerseed Hobogoblin Inventor. I would borrow Watery Soup's G&G because I don't own it. He would also have a Harmona, which would be his uncommon item, unless we're using the PFS rule that makes all the uncommon items in G&G available to Pathfinders (although he's not a Pathfinder so...)
I'm also tempted by a Ruffian Rogue, but I don't have an idea beyond that (although a Dickensian halfling ruffian rogue might be entertaining.)
I went with an Orc Champion, also of Pharasma. I'm planning to riff off the Lawric the cleric as that's an easy relationship to build off.
“My kin taught me to survive. My goddess taught me why.”
Thurgan, his broad orcish frame still marked by the scars of Belkzen’s brutal wilds, tightened the straps on his worn steel shield while keeping a wary eye on Grump, the oversized bear cub with a coat of scruffy fur he was still growing in to and a permanent scowl, who was already tumbling through the underbrush and knocking over a pile of rations with careless paws. “We need to go and do our duty in service of Pharasma,” Thurgan rumbled, his deep voice steady with resolve. “Not all of the undead will lay down and accept finality without a struggle; that cleric will need our support.” Despite the cub’s grumbling frustration at being kept from its curiosity at what was inside a backpack he wasn't allowed to pull open, Thurgan smiled quietly. Grump was more than a companion; he was a reminder that even the fiercest orcs must learn patience before they can truly serve fate.
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I am game. I also don’t mind idealogical conflict in parties as long as the story can advance- but a void healing would be a challenge.
Of note: Lawric is a weird/strange (and mildly offputting if IRL) character. It shouldn’t cause any party problems at all, but it will add a layer of RP between the orc and him that can be leaned into.
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He doesn’t take up much space, but he’s hard to ignore. Pale, quiet, and wrapped in a black cloak, Lawric has a way of standing still that makes people notice him only after he’s already been there too long. His eyes don’t blink enough, and when he finally speaks -WHICH IS USUALLY ABOUT DEATH- his voice is high, strained, and grating, like a child’s voice that needs to crack but won’t.
He carries a small straw poppet in one hand, clutched gently but always visible; a doll with no face, just thread where the eyes should be. He never explains it.
Lawric never introduces himself with flair. He just says he serves Pharasma and is "JUST KEEPING TRACK”. What he’s tracking exactly isn’t always clear, but he pays close attention when people mention the dead. And even closer attention when they don’t.
I could also dust off (and remaster) this guy. My Fleshforged Ancestor Oracle whose ancestors are (probably) the people who went into making up his body.
And because I am bad at making decisions, I think I'm going to wait until everyone else has locked in and fill in any missing roles.
Looks like we have a frontliner and a healer. I think animists are...blasters?
@Watery
Didn't really have anywhere to spend the feat/item limit - so everything is common; 75gp didnt go far once the he got dressed (Plate+Shield+Barding) and throw on the basics and he's got about 18gp to his name.
Wasn't much in the Feats for him either, backgrounds had some interesting options like Scion of Slayers or Seer of the Dead - both of which were interesting Rare backgrounds.
Hey guys, sorry for being a little distant. I'm trying to get used to my summer schedule. I'll start looking through characters/posts and commenting.
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Dealing with kids over the summer (even if it's just getting them to and from a day camp) really skews a schedule.
I, for one, am not in any hurry. This is a space full of people I like so the journey is the reward and the friends we've made along the way are the destination.
I'm very sorry but I think I'm going to bow out. I've just got too much on my real-life plate at the moment and as tempted as I am, I think I need to resist the temptation. Thanks for the invitation and I hope y'all have fun!
Hey Folks,
So this is my prepared character, I have the skills, spells and stuff prepared, currently I struggle with pickin gitems ;) (what kind of items are available on lvl 2 that are worth it for the caster!)
I'm very sorry but I think I'm going to bow out. I've just got too much on my real-life plate at the moment and as tempted as I am, I think I need to resist the temptation. Thanks for the invitation and I hope y'all have fun!
Bummer! Hope to see you next time.
I've removed you from the players list, so you won't be getting notifications for this game any more.
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To the rest of you:
We will proceed with 5 PCs, per prior discussion with those rolling over from Troubles in Otari.
I promise to look over characters as soon as I have time, maybe later today.
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Shifty: Do you have a profile for your orc champion?
Ebonfist: Do you have a profile for 3rd level Galimus?
Farol / Niaqun: I'm reading over animist in general. I've never played one or GMed one, so I'll be relying on you to keep things in line.
RxGus / Lawric: Looks pretty standard. I note that you didn't use any Uncommon or Rare options, if you want to add some, feel free. But they're not required.
-Weren't really anr Rare/Uncommon feats.
-Didnt really have the starting wealth to buy anthing funky
-Backgrounds were good, but I took the rare/uncommon was feats and equipment, not background, otherwise Scion of Slayers or Seer of the Dead would be fun!
Champion of Pharasma.
Thurgan
Orc champion 3 (Player Core, Player Core 2)
Medium, Humanoid, Orc
Heritage hold-scarred orc
Background squire
Perception +6; darkvision
Languages Common, Orcish
Skills Acrobatics +6, Athletics +9, Medicine +8, Nature +6, Religion +6, Warfare Lore +5
Str +4, Dex +1, Con +3, Int +0, Wis +1, Cha +0
Items full plate, steel shield, battle axe, hatchet, hatchet, shield boss, warhammer, backpack, bedroll, chalk (10), crowbar, flint and steel, grappling hook, lesser antidote, minor elixir of life (2), rations (1 week) (2), Religious symbol (wooden), rope (foot) (50), soap, torch (5), waterskin, animal companion, light barding, purse (18 gp, 5 sp)
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AC 21 (23 with shield raised); Fort +10; Ref +6; Will +8
HP 51
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Speed 25 feet
Melee [1] battle axe +9 (sweep), Damage 1d8+4 S
Melee [1] hatchet +9 (thrown 10 ft., sweep, agile), Damage 1d6+4 S
Melee [1] hatchet +9 (thrown 10 ft., sweep, agile), Damage 1d6+4 S
Melee [1] shield bash +9, Damage 1d4+4 B
Melee [1] warhammer +9 (shove), Damage 1d8+4 B
Ranged [1] hatchet +6 (thrown 10 ft., sweep, agile), Damage 1d6+4 S
Ranged [1] hatchet +6 (thrown 10 ft., sweep, agile), Damage 1d6+4 S
Focus Spells 1 Focus Point, DC 15; 2nd lay on hands
Ancestry Feats Orc Ferocity
Class Feats Beastmaster Dedication, Defensive Advance
General Feats Diehard, Fleet, Shield Block
Skill Feats Armor Assist, Hefty Hauler
Other Abilities animal companion, blessed armament, justice, shield block
*****
Grump the Bear
Bear
Small, Animal, Minion
Perception +6; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +8, Intimidation +5
Str +3, Dex +2, Con +2, Int -4, Wis +1, Cha +0
Items light barding
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AC 17; Fort +7; Ref +7; Will +6
HP 32
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Speed 35 feet
Melee [1] claw +8 (agile), Damage 1d6+3 S
Melee [1] jaws +8, Damage 1d8+3 P
I need to update him to remaster, but I'll get started on it. I don't think it will take me too long.
Alright, he's been updated and ready to move from the weird and scary to the spooky and scary.
I'll dot in with my PC later today. At the last minute I decided to try out a Harbinger cleric. I have played this and am replaying for zero Society Credit (last time I played it we almost got wiped out and had to retreat)...
Okay. Just so you're aware, I don't have Divine Mysteries, which means I'll be counting on you to police your own class mechanics. :)
It looks like we've got all five PCs up. Slides are up. Please fill in your icon on Slide 2, as well as your Perception and default initiatives. If more than one of you is using an icon which is not your Paizo.com avatar, please label the icons so I know who's who.
just so people know -- Pandak in Filipino means 'short'. So essentially, my PC is a shorter than usual dwarven cleric of Torag with an anger issue :)
EDIT - when I played this it was when MotD first came out. I was on Discord so I don't remember anything. The only thing I remember is that we were almost TPK'ed :)
So...much...Divine...magic...!
Kinda made Pandak's demeanor similar to Ulfgar (he CAN talk, he just doesn't see the need). Plus he's a bit shorter than a regular dwarf which caused him to be looked down upon... oh yes, he has an anger issue :)
So...much...Divine...magic...!
Pandak is not a traditional cleric/healer, btw. I'm test driving a Battle Harbinger so I don't have a healing font... I can cast Bless though :)
Niaqun, can you link me to an Archives of Nethys page for the spiritual companion? I want to see how this may, for instance, trigger combat or whatever. Can it open doors? Can you see through its eyes?
I'm assuming you'll use this for every building?
Niaqun, can you link me to an Archives of Nethys page for the spiritual companion? I want to see how this may, for instance, trigger combat or whatever. Can it open doors? Can you see through its eyes?
I'm assuming you'll use this for every building?
On it!
Shaman speaks of getting feat called: Spirit familiar it's just like another familiar but it gets Spirit tag => Spirit tag - effectively claim that it lacks physical form -> Something like INcorporeal? shrug
I don't have a way to share senses with familiar, but I took 2 master abilities:
Flier + Speech, so that it can refer what it saw.
For now I added the pet stats to Niaqun profile, I could create a separate just for the familiar. If we find the familiar impractical/annoying/destroing the fun of the game, I could treat it as unmovable parrot :D
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The Spirit trait doesn't automatically make something incorporeal. They're just usually associated with each other.
Whether or not your familiar is incorporeal would be a GM ruling, I think.
But, it still might make a good scout since it can fly and talk.
apologies. been sidetracked for the last few days. I'll catch up.
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Yeah, basically, what Galimus pointed out.
The familiar (I'd like you to choose a form for it, because when NPCs interact with it, I'd like to figure how they react to it) gains the Spirit trait, and Spirit can be incorporeal, but in the context of the feat, it just sounds like it has a spirit and can be damaged by spirit damage.
I also see specific familiar abilities called Spirit Familiar and Anchored Incorporeality, suggesting that these are limited to very specific circumstances (although BotD came out way before WotI).
I'm going to rule your familiar is corporeal. It's still great for scouting, but I'll just do one room at a time.
Yeah, basically, what Galimus pointed out.
The familiar (I'd like you to choose a form for it, because when NPCs interact with it, I'd like to figure how they react to it) gains the Spirit trait, and Spirit can be incorporeal, but in the context of the feat, it just sounds like it has a spirit and can be damaged by spirit damage.
I also see specific familiar abilities called Spirit Familiar and Anchored Incorporeality, suggesting that these are limited to very specific circumstances (although BotD came out way before WotI).
I'm going to rule your familiar is corporeal. It's still great for scouting, but I'll just do one room at a time.
I can live with that ;) I think in that sense the spirit trait does not give anything to it ;) Unless it also means that it can claw at incorporeal as it can interact with spirits, not that it would ever do ;)
About the form, let's make it a magpie, I know that Shifty likes those ;)
Well, mechanically, Spirit means it will be damaged by spirit damage, so, for example, spirit damage AoE, or if undead deal alignment damage.
Well, mechanically, Spirit means it will be damaged by spirit damage, so, for example, spirit damage AoE, or if undead deal alignment damage.
Yes, what I meant is, that it gives them yet another vulnerability, and to be honest everything with spirit can suffer spiritual dmg, so only constructs are immune to it (I think), so that is why I don't see a point, as every familiar is impacted by spirit damage from AOE (at least for me they should)
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In character Lawric has no interest in the chest, and he doesn't have detect magic to determine if something magical might be in it or not.
In terms of direction, I think we can either continue to head deeper into the city (A1) , or we can cut around the north counter clockwise and try to keep the "safety" of the woods behind us (A3, A6)
Thurgan also has no interest in the chest.
He would be keen to keep clearing across town, so A1
"We cannot get out. They have taken the bridge and second hall"
"The end comes… drums, drums in the deep. They are coming"
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I wanted to share a quick thought about pacing. I’ve noticed the game has felt a little slow lately, and I think part of that might be on me. With Lawric’s posts, I’ve been intentionally leaving space and hooks for others to jump in and interact with him, the environment, or the story. My hope has been to create more chances for engagement and back-and-forth, rather than just moving things forward by myself.
That said, I also know PbP can bog down if we all wait too long. If you see something in my posts you want to grab onto, please feel free to jump in, even if it’s just a short reaction. I’m also happy to adjust if my approach is making things harder to respond to. I’d love to keep the momentum moving so it stays fun for everyone.
Thanks for bearing with me. I love playing Lawric and I’m really enjoying the story we’re building together and want to help keep it alive and moving.
For this sort of game, I don't mind a slow pace. It gives me more of a chance to investigate the character, especially since there is more content to deal with, anyway.
That being said, I will try to interact with Lawric and the others more to improve the story.
I've sort of reworked Galimus as a grave robber so I'm trying to figure out the right approach to make the tension between him and Lawric interesting without completely offending Lawric.