
DM Ender |

Hey ya'll,
Gonna take a swing at DMing a PbP. Long time DM and player, Red Box to present, definitely try to make cool stories happen, but am big into swashbuckling adventure stories. No (or at least) very little smoke and mirrors here :) Setting will be home brew, exploring lost empires sort of thing, semi-heavily S/SE Asian influenced (Mainly Indian, but also thai and others). Lots of travel by ship. Think somewhere between 1001 Nights, Earthsea, and Erol Flynn movies. Region is a continent shattered by the gods, and now ruled by a loose conglomeration of Rakshasa princes, some trying to regain the lost glories of empire, some content to live in the decadent ruin of their former glory. Semi-sandbox, but if you stumble across plot hooks, I'll reel you in.
Rule set will be PFRPG (Core +APG), not giving any more char gen rules than that just yet. I want CHARACTERS, not BUILDS. I would like to see a short (1-3 paragraph) back story for your character, appropriate for about level 3-4. More setting info can be found in my profile page.
I am looking for daily posts to keep it moving along. I am in the EST (-4 GMT) timezone, will probably post early afternoon. I will decide on players by this Sunday (22 AUG). Looking forward to your submissions.

DM Ender |

Races-
1. Core races- Humans, Dwarves, 1/2 Orcs, Halfings, and Gnomes. No elves or half elves, sorry.
2. 1/2 Orcs are refluffed as Common Rahkshasa and have tiger or other large cat heads.
3. Naga are humanoid from the waist up, snake from the waist down. They are the most common race outside of humans and common Rakshasa. More details forth coming.

xyrophobic |

I feel the need to jump on this, since I've been trying to hook up with you guys for more than a year now. Of course, I'll probably need to bow out of another game that just started . . .
I posted in that Virginia thread, btw, so give it a peak when you get a chance.
Woot! I responded to the other thread.

Billzabub |

Cool. I like the setting, Patrick. I'll take a look at the APG and try and come up with something in the next day or so. Hmmmm . . . maybe an oracle or alchemist? Of course, a swashbuckling pirate type ranger with a monkey sidekick might be fun.
Jeff, thanks for the head's up. Burke sounds doable. I'll shoot you an email tonight.

DM Ender |

Ok, FYI- Xyrophobic and I are friends IRL and he has played in this setting before (just finished a 9 month weekly campaign in it) so he has first call on a bard so he can use his meta-game knowledge to best effect. Consider him your Gandalf.
Though FWIW, I have NO objections to an all bard party. Muwahahaha....

Michael Lenehan |
What pantheon would you be using? A homebrew one or the Pathfinder one?
would you allow 3.5 feats as well as Pathfinder feats?
I ask because I have an oprhan Paladin of Sarenrae who dual wields scimitars, but to pull it off he uses the Oversized Two-weapon Fighting feat from the Complete Adventurer to pull it off.

DM Ender |

What pantheon would you be using? A homebrew one or the Pathfinder one?
would you allow 3.5 feats as well as Pathfinder feats?...
Assume just PFRPG core and APG for now. And I'm torn on homebrew or PF for the Pantheon. I HAVE a homebrew, but I'm not sure it's ready for primetime, ya know?
As far as I am concerned, you can probably make up your own deity, domains subject to my approval. But I encourage you, do not submit BUILD info and mistake it for a CHARACTER. In fact, the fewer game terms I can identify in your submital, the better :)

AlQahir |

Here is my concept for a druid. Not the most ship friendly of characters so it may need some adjusting. I really like the character though so . . .
In time a priesthood stepped forward and said they could communicate with the gods, and could provide direction to the people so the gods would return sooner. These Shaman said that they were called by the gods, and proved with their ability to turn into jaguars, creatures sacred to the gods.
Balam was found at a young age, to have an affinity with the great cats that roamed the jungle outside his city. One of them had chosen to be Balam’s spirit guide. The city was a shell of its former greatness but there was a group of devoted men and women that kept the temples in good repair and performed all the religious rituals. Balam and Jax his spirit guide were taken in by this group and given guidance on how to use and harness these gifts given to him by the gods.
When Balam was working in the temple a complete eclipse revealed a text and a map unreadable at any other time. It mentioned a golden book that contained the secrets of the gods. And talks about a time when the city wasn’t on an island at all. The shaman’s decide to send Balam in search of this book to expedite the return of the gods.
So Balam and his spirit guide Jax sail in the direction of the lost city. When he arrives in the city it is only to discover his gods inhabiting the city. Multitudes of them. So a lone in a city full of the gods Balam and Jax begin their search for the truth.
I was originally thinking Jaguar Shaman, but now I am just thinking generic druid who has an affinity for jaguars. Let me know what you think.

DM Ender |

Any problem with me and my brother submitted one each with a common background? Not the same just have some intertwinned elements that is.
You and your bro both post here? Cool. I have no problem with overlapping back stories at this point, though that's no guarantee both will get a spot.

Lynore |

Lynore wrote:Any problem with me and my brother submitted one each with a common background? Not the same just have some intertwinned elements that is.You and your bro both post here? Cool. I have no problem with overlapping back stories at this point, though that's no guarantee both will get a spot.
Understood, we have been dealing with that our whole lives, being twins does that. Kicking around the idea of a rogue/witch or rogue/oracle combo between the two of us.

DM Ender |

Understood, we have been dealing with that our whole lives, being twins does that. Kicking around the idea of a rogue/witch or rogue/oracle combo between the two of us.
See, you just hit a soft spot for me, I have twins, only 10 months old and not quite game ready yet :) We have a boy and a girl, how are you two distributed?

DM Ender |

I'm thinking of a Rahkshasa character. Are they the most common race?
The Common Raks? (1/2 orcs) yeah, pretty much. They tend to do the administrative tasks the Nobles can't be bothered with, and many in the Prince's service are often Eunuchs. Not saying your PC has to be, just syain :)

Tarondor |

Another member of the Virginia contingent here. Hey, guys!
I'd definitely like to play. I'm a longtime (since the white box - 1977) player and GM. Love a balance between roleplaying and action.
My concept:
As a young man, Andros was a hunter and canoe-maker. He fell in love with a hunter's daughter named Liana and the two planned to marry. Andros was hunting with his future father-in-law when the slavers came and razed the hunter settlement and took many prisoners, including Liana.
In his fury, Andros began to take an oath by the gods below to do their will if they would give him the means to free Liana. He was interrupted by an abrupt blow to the side of the head. It was the staff of an aged and toothless man who spat at Andros's foolish impetuousness. "Put not your faith in the gods of woe!" he cried. "Put your faith in the Lady of Liberty! Seek her aid, if you would ever see your girl again!"
Interrupted in his oath, Andros considered, and felt the rage drain away from him, if not the determination. He took the old man's advice and finished the oath, but to Desna instead. He swore to be her servant for his whole life if only she would give him the means to free Liana from slavery. The old man, whose name was Peland, was a wandering cleric of the goddess. Peland trained Andros in the ways of the clergy and of the teachings of Desna.
Four weeks ago, Andros's training ended when Peland suddenly died. Taking his master's holy symbol, Andros buried him. Now Andros needs to find a way to free his fiancee from the slavers.

markofbane |

Here is Akros for your consideration. I know I said later this week, but inspiration was rife after reading your blurb on the campaign world.
Before long his master placed before him his greatest challenge yet. A bizarre scroll was put before him, written in incomprehensible script and notations. Young Qashal tried several times to duplicate it, but each time the man commissioning the work turned it away, demanding it be more exact. Akros knew the only way he would ever be able to copy it was to understand it fully. He put it aside to mull it over and went back to another project, a heroic epic. While copying the tale, he came to a passage where the hero faced a wizard. The description was intricate and his subconscious tugged at him as he worked. He went back to the scroll and studied it again. This time it started to fall into place: the scroll was a wizardly cantrip, complete instructions on how to cast a magical spell. With this context to work with, Akros copied the document again, and the following day the customer picked it up, smiled in satisfaction and paid his master handsomely.
The customer returned periodically, each time with a different document. Slowly Akros’s comprehension grew until, in the privacy of his cell at night, he was able to perform true wizardly magic! He began sneaking ink and paper so that he could copy the documents for himself, compiling them and hiding them in the small space allotted to him. His day dreams took flight and he allowed himself to imagine being a true hero and explorer, like so many he read about before.
It all came to an end one night when he returned to his cell. His master was there with Akros’s precious papers on his lap. He stood when he saw Akros enter. “You are stealing from me!” The accusation was all that was said; the scimitar in his hand made it clear what the punishment would be. Akros lashed out with arcane power, slamming it into the big man. It threw him back into the wall, where he slumped to the ground unmoving. Akros acted quickly. He gathered up the fallen papers as well as a few odds and ends as he quickly made his way out of the hall. He made his way down to the docks and never looked back.
Akros took odd jobs as he could, occasionally resorting to petty theft, making his way south and west across the sea and away from the city that had been his home as long as he could remember. Having now arrived at Bel Akhana, he continues to scrape by, trying to make ends meet, trying to rekindle his dreams of a different life, a life worthy of epic tales.

Kalderaan |

Used the Custom Tiefling variant from the Council of Thieves Adventure Path, Bastards of Erebus. Replace standard tiefling stats with +2 CHA, +2 DEX, -2 WIS instead. Deft and charming, these bestial tieflings inherit much of their subtlety and guile of their proud rakshasa progenitors.
Kryton is a tiefling, but one of a very unusual nature. He is the embodiment of a true Rakshasa, a prince among the common rabble that claim their ancestry.
Through his younger years, Kryton became somewhat cocky and flaunted his purer birthright to most. This caused consternation and pain to his family, who asked that he leave due to the trouble caused.
My most recent round of bad luck came at the "tender mercy" of an upstart nobleman. I was sent to a noble woman to aid her in a minor spellcraft session. She was so taken with my exotic nature and skills, she requested me more and more, to the point that her jealous husband discovered that she had sold family heirlooms to pay for my services. Needless to say, he was pissed and he had his goons beat me to within an inch of my life and throw me into the sewers.
It was there that I was visited by a strange dream - a welcome respite from the usual nightmares. I was visited by a spirit, a well-muscled man scarlet skin and fiery eyes - an efreeti perhaps? He wore a white, hooded robe and carried me to safety. He spoke strange words in an elaborate ritual. I remember incense and candles, and strange runes. I awoke with a searing pain to my forehead and the beast who rescued me howled ferociously as if in pain as well. I looked in his direction and noticed a glowing rune upon his forehead - one that matched my own. We were bound in a mystical way, such that I knew his thoughts and shared a link to him.
From that day on, I possessed the ability to call upon other spirits, celestial allies that come to my aid whenever I need them. From that day on I know fate preserved me to fulfill a destiny I was not aware I possessed.
The trick is to survive long enough to discover what it is!

Me'mori |

Here's my submission:
--But they never doubted the elements.
Man and beast alike breathed the Air, trod the Earth from which they were made, died without Water's attention, and remained careful of Fire's warmth.
He often joked that he was a child of fire, else, a moth at some point lower in the karmic chain. When his home and village was given up as a "decision of the gods", he gave them up as well. All the religious figures that spoke for "their gods" did so out of one mouth, and something entirely different from the other.
Fire-- like the other elements-- never lied, never spoke, and never claimed to be more than it was. It beckoned, it coaxed, it warmed, it burned. So he followed Fire. He learned Fire. In time, it came to his hand, followed his direction, but never once did he dare to think that it was his to control.

Lynore |

They found themselves on the street scrounging for food and too undersized to apply for guard training or to apply for the Sellsword Guild.
Dram has always felt compelled to take care of his brother who was a dreamer and often appeared to talk to himself. Through many odd jobs and hard knocks Dram has found he has skills with his knife and working with traps and locks, which naturally lead him to join the local Thieves guild. He and his brother have manged to make a somewhat comfortable life for themselves, but always seem to want a little more.

Billzabub |

Introducing Ashwatthama:
Fleeing the bandit camp on horseback, with his pet monkey, Raj, and his father’s sword, Ash was, at first, at a loss at what to do. However, he remembered fondly the sea-faring stories of Cha’an, the camp cook who took care of him and who once served on a pirate ship, and decided to set out for the port of Bel Akhana, hoping to find passage and work.
Ash is a strong and good-looking young man, although not quite as dashing as he would like to think. Free spirited, but rough around the edges, he has turned his back on his father’s ways, and he is filled with a new sense of wonder at the world, looking for nothing but adventure and excitement.
Raj is a monkey. Fun loving & carefree as his master, Raj tends to find himself in trouble more often than not. Among all things, however, he is loyal to Ash for saving him from the bandits, who abused him, and frequently pitted him against all sorts of creatures. Together, the two have set out to find adventure and their place in the world.

Bryan Bloomer |

Kael was born amidst a maelstrom. Aboard the research vessel Daughter of Dawn, Kael came into the world by accident, the product of a whimsical night of passion in what would turn out to be sincere yet short-lived romance.
Kael's father, Bastion, was a successful and famous researcher and chronicler, a man who devoted his life to uncovering the secrets of a lost age. He possessed a keen mind and a strong intuition, and had a habit of making those around him fabulously wealthy. This trend quickly made Bastion friends with several would be "merchant princes", those men and women with the coin to associate in the sort of social circles where normally only nobility would suffice.
His mother, Celeste, on the other hand, was very familiar with such circles. Born of both money and exquisite genetics, she rose to a position few humans could hope to achieve - that of royal maiden and confidant to a rahkshasa princess. However, she could not ignore Bastion's handsome face, his wicked charm, or his complete disregard for the trappings and beauracracy of nobility.
It was this disregard that would prove to be Bastion's undoing. On that fateful, stormy night, with his eloped and very pregnant wife, Bastion was on the verge of a monumental discovery that would rewrite history, a breakthrough that threatened to undermine the rahkshasa conglomeration and unseat them from power. Alas, the rumors of this discovery proved deadly enough, as the rahkshasa leadership dispatched a ruthless band of pirates to overtake the Daughter of Dawn and eliminate everyone on board.
Everyone, except for one.
To this day, Kael does not know how he survived, a fragile newborn tossed into the angry depths of the sea. But over the years, he has been able to piece together his early history.
He miraculously washed up on a tiny island deep in the heart of the ocean. He was rescued and taken in by the island's inhabitants, a nomadic fishing people who thrived off of the ocean and traded in its exotic bounty.
Growing up as the only pale skinned boy in a village of brown bodies was not easy, and as an outsider, or epahne he was relegated to slave status, where he was given the most strenuous and deadliest of duties, and forbidden to arm himself. Kael, though, was a resourceful child. He would shirk his duties to spy on the older boys practicing hand to hand combat with one another, and then rehearse the moves night after night by firelight until they became second nature to him. He took to the sea like a fish, far outpacing the other boys, and grew so comfortable in the water that the villagers would say he had more in common with the sea spirits than he did with land folk. This newfound talent had another unexpected yet lucrative consequence: Kael found he excelled at the villages most profitable and dangerous task - pearl diving.
He went out farther, dove deeper, and held his breath longer than even the village's most experienced divers, and as such, Kael became a profitable commodity to the villagers, and was afforded a measure of respect among their ranks. Kael kept the largest and rarest of his pearl findings in a secret cache, and used his newfound wealth to buy clothes, gear, and most importantly information.
It did not take long to catch stories and songs that sang the sorry tale of the Daughter of Dawn and her ill fated crew, specifically Bastion and his pregnant bride. After years of rumors and here-say, and even purchasing a few books on the subject, Kael set out to find the remains of his family.
Now a young man, Kael seeks to align himself with others like him, mercenaries for coin or lovers of adventure who will bring him one step closer to uncovering the truth behind his parents death, and possibly the secret that his father was willing to die for.

Glod |

Being undersized he was not cut out for the work his father had done as a guard for one of the local guilds, and was never compelled to try his hand at the Sellsword Guild.
Always feeling like an outsider he strode to scrap together a living with his brother using his wits. While his brother would use his quick hands to bring food to their table he would use his talents with fortune and water.
He discovered he had an affinity with a raven that he befriended and it did not seem to be an ordinary bird. He named him Ja and he has been a constant companion ever since.
He and his brother have managed to scrap together a tolerable living with his little cons and his brothers reliable work at the Thieves guild, but he has always yearned for more.

MundinIronHand |

Damn ghosts ate my post, anyway can posts daily, probably more than once a day, eastern time zone usa
Zan prefers to not be seen or heard, at least until he has a good feel for the area or situation and how he can benefit. His affinity for shadows goes beyond his races affinity for stealth, though its source remains a mystery to him. He is innately curious about the arcane, especially magical items and he has ended up in his fair share of trouble while trying to acquire these items. Zan has a hard time trusting others, especially those larger than him. He has no friends, and few associates, though he has no trouble with women.
The port of Greed, for all it's corruption, seemed a good place to for Zan to make use of his talents. It has a strong trade market and those in power need explorers. Exploration often leads to lost things, and people seem to loose everything, cities, gold, and most importantly artifacts of magical power. Bel Akhana definitely has some possibilities, as long as Zan stays alive long enough.

Llaelian |

Hi,
Here is my submission. I hope I'm not too late. The character has no class or build defined and the background can indeed fit to a few different ones. If I'm chosen, I will select the class and build according to the rest of the party needs.
Llaelian
While most ships need the help of a local pilot to enter a port, the Guild Highliners do not as they need to come and leave whenever the tide is right and none of them can afford to wait for a pilot to come. Each of those Highliners carry their own pilot. A respected officer, ranked only second to the captain, he is often an old bosun or a magic wielder with water or weather affinity. His job is to guide the Highliner into any port or to find a safe harbour when a storm is coming. But the job is risked as the Guild allows no failure where its Highliners are concerned, a pilot never beaches a Highliner twice.
Anan is neither respected nor an officer of the Guild. No, up to this morning, he was a slave. And he had been since he was born some forty years earlier. Born or sold in slavery, from unknown parents, Anan first memories were of being on a ship, cleaning all the place only a small child can reach. In his teens, he got assigned as personal slave to a Highliner Pilot, a Rakhshasa mage wielding water magic. When his master retired, he was posted as assistant to another one and for the next twenty years, moved from one ship to another in this position. Along the way, he learnt to read the tides and currents, to feel the water and the wind, to maintain maps and some of the little tricks that make a good pilot. but his life was not an easy one and he was a broken man, toiling on demand with no more future that that of a slave.
The last week was a different experience for Anan. The Mighty Pearl, a ten year old Highliner had just changed Pilot. The new one, Sihar Sid'Alian, a young mage with connections in high places had already managed to antagonize the whole crew and the Captain by his arrogance. As the ship entered Bel Akhana at dawn, Sihar managed to give orders so contradictory that the ship looked to be steered by a drunk. When he directed the ship on a sandbank, Anan could not resist and blurted out instruction to turn the ship hard to port to avoid it. The helsman, on the capitain's instruction, followed the slave recommendation and all heard the rattle of the sand on the keel as the ship brushed against the bank.
The following day was chaotic as the Captain and the Pilot came to insults and blows over the incident. Anan did not realized any of it as he was in the hold, waiting for his death sentence for his behaviour. To his surprise, instead of being killed, he was brought to the Captain desk and freed on the spot both to antagonize the Pilot and to thank Anan for saving the ship reputation and the Captain honour and maybe life.
Now a free man, with the few belongings he has and a hefty bonus from the Captain, Anan sets foot on land for the first time and looks at the port of gluttony with the startled eyes of a rabbit caught in the tiger's claws.

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Dayada would be a Rakshasa sorcerer.
Dayada Rituparan was born the seventh son of a seventh son. On his forehead blazed a golden swastik that faded away over the next several hours. According to the midwife present at his birth, Dayada was destined for greatness. The midwife was found dead in her bed the next morning, a look of great terror on her face.
Despite her prediction, Dayada seemed determined to be as ordinary as possible. Not particularly strong, nor fast, not clever or charming, the only skill he ever displayed was an uncanny ability to start trouble and then escape any ramifications of his actions.
On his 20th birthday, Dayada rose as normal and resigned himself to another day’s frustrations. Today’s schedule included weapons training and horsemanship. He shuddered, praying that any injuries he suffered or caused would be minor. Lost in thought, he noticed neither the gasps of the chambermaid as he exited his room nor the startled looks of other servants.
It was not until he had donned the practice armor and weapons and made his way to the training field that he realized people were staring at him. The Master at Arms stalked over, a puzzled expression on his craggy face.
“By the gods, Dayada,” Master Barubi thundered, “What is that on your forehead?”
Dayada’s hand flashed to his forehead but he felt nothing out of the ordinary. “Wh-what?” he stammered.
Without speaking, Barubi drew his sword and held it so that its highly polished steel acted as a mirror. To his horror, Dayada saw the golden swastik glowing on his brow. His hand tightened on the strap of his shield which suddenly blazed with the light of a dozen torches. Barubi staggered back in shock, crying out, his sword pointed at Dayada who dropped the shield as if it were as hot as a torch though he felt no heat.
Dayada bolted from the training field and ran through the halls of his father’s home, bowling over the smaller human and halfling slaves not quick enough to get out of his way. He threw open the doors of his father’s study, interrupting a fat Rahkshasa factor complaining he wasn’t making enough profit. His father, Greshanul, looked, saw the symbol on his son’s forehead and, with a grim look, commanded the factor to leave them. Once they were alone, Greshanul said, “The day foretold has come to pass.” He proceeded to tell Dayada what had happened on the day of his birth, a tale Dayada had not heard before. Dayada told his father about the burst of light from his shield and Greshanul’s grim look became even grimmer.
“My son, your destiny awaits you, and you must go to meet it.” Greshanul led his son to the storerooms, where Dayada was given supplies and a horse. He said his goodbyes to his mothers, his sisters and his brothers and his father led him to the gates. “May the gods bless you and keep you, my son,” said Greshanul as the gates swung closed behind Dayada.
Thus begins Dayada Rituparan’s quest for his destiny.

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Hope I'm not too late to submit. Aynar's a sly gnome of a bard!
He'd have to send another litter to his teacher soon, thanking him yet again for teaching him all these great tricks!

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Okay, below is a little concept I'd like to run with. Enjoy!
Description: Blessed with a muscular and athletic frame, Kahir is generally considered to be an attractive young man, a fact which he takes a great delight in. The callouses on his hands and the scars that mark his body speak of one who is no stranger to combat, while his presence indicates that he has so far proved more than a match for the troubles that have crossed his path. His blonde hair and blue eyes mark him as one who's blood is impure, and the markings around his neck indicate time as a slave.
Kahir
Concept/Background: Purchased by the great arena of Bel Akhana when he was still a young child, Kahir showed his gift for survival early, through his unorthodox victory over one of the older boys in the stable. Despite the beating he took for it, Kahir never explained exactly how he obtained the scorpion poison that laced his makeshift wooden dagger. His master Boaz was secretly pleased at the natural talent the boy displayed, and this single act boosted the lad to legendary status amongst the arena stables.
Unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), this meant that Kahir's training as an arena fighter began in ernest. Before, it had been simple weapon drills and strength training so that he developed well, but now it was intensive training with all manner of weaponry, tests of agility and athleticism, lessons on anatomy and stealth, and, perhaps most importantly, how to fire up a crowd.
Over a relatively short period of time, Kahir became popular as 'The Spider', famed as much for his lightning-fast assaults, agility and ferocity as he was for his tendency to lace his weapons with debilitating poisons. His fame continued to grow as he beat others who were far larger or older than he, and Boaz saw an ever increasing chance to earn money out of the precocious lad.
To that end, his master brought in a special tutor for Kahir, a master of turning the body into a weapon as potent as any blade. It was under the tutelage of Mariq that Kahir truly blossomed into a deadly warrior. No longer reliant on surprise and underestimation, but capable of being a formidable opponent against even the greatest of foes. During his new training, Kahir took on the philosophy of his tutor, a strict code of ethics that surpassed petty morality, and gave him the compass that has guided him ever since.
Only a few short months ago, Kahir finally earned his freedom from service to Boaz, and his destiny is now his own...

DM Ender |

Thanks for the heads up!
Ok, so I made the decision. The characters and players that are going forward are:
Xyrophobic
AlQahir
Billzabub
Lynore
Glod
For you 5, please head over to the Discussion Thread for char gen info.
For everyone else, it has been a real privilege to be able to read your ideas. I’m glad my little setting was able to inspire you. If other players drop out, or I decide to run a second game in this setting in parallel, I’d love to be able to contact you all again.