Okay as promised here’s the OOC thread for all would be adventurer’s in my Iobarian Saga (UK2/3: Sentinel & Gauntlet PFRPG Conversion)PBP. Game will be looking to begin late August [want plenty of time to prep characters and digest UC/Inner Sea Magic].
For the time being we’ll use this to discuss character creation, backgrounds and the upcoming game itself.
This is my first time GM’ing a pbp, so they’ll no doubt be a feeling out process as we kick off. I’m a pretty regular poster as well so will hopefully keep the game ticking over nicely too.
Most of you know me as a player, so know what to expect in terms of style etc. I enjoy roleplaying as well as roll-playing, so please indulge yourselves when we get underway and don’t take myself too seriously [see Kaul’s exploits for an example ;)]. That being said the Iobarian Saga will be at times be pretty grim, as befits the land you’ll be travelling to. I’m drawing from Beowulf, Old Slavic, Old Norse and Old English mythos, horror and languages to create a feel of Iobaria as a place with an old, cold legacy.
This has been a labour of love for me for some time – finally coming to fruition, but I’m not going to be precious about it – if there’s something you don’t like or want me to address feel free to comment. Know there are at least two of you who are running pbp games, so all input is much appreciated [with that in mind any advice on combat map generation will be most welcome].
Recap of those interested in writing their names into this Saga:
Won't hold you to the above concepts folks as I know UC & other sources might throw up some new inspiration. Had a party of 5-6 in mind so we're pretty much there [you guys will get first refusal for the game].
May open a recruitment thread if needbe, but if any of you know of players in other pbp looking for a game and have had good experiences with then please direct them here.
Character Creation
Okay now onto the nitty-gritty [most of this is under my DM Black Dow profile, but I’ll reprint for ease of reference]:
Classes: All classes/archetypes from Core, APG, UM, Inner Sea World Guide, UC* & Inner Sea Magic. The only party proviso is that it would be hugely beneficial (hint-hint) to have an arcane spell-caster in the group.
* Gunslingers, Ninja & Samurai will need a great validation/background before I let them in; it’s not that I’m not a fan – just don’t them fitting into this mini-campaign too well.
Races: Standard only please.
Starting Level: 1st [may bump to 2nd, but I’ll let you know as I fine tune the adventure, for time being presume 1st]
Ability Scores: 20 point buy.
Feats: Core, APG, UM, UC, ISMagic & ISWG. Other sources must be approved by me.
Traits: 2 traits [one of which must be a Campaign Trait - see below,other sources as above]. May well be awarding traits as part of advancement rewards [will choose those that fit characters particular in-game achievements].
Campaign Traits
These character background traits for the Iobarian Saga campaign are available at first level and seek to add an Iobarian flavour to the characters involved:
1. Comfortably Numb
2. Conqueror’s Heart
3. Friend o’ Nomen
4. Hearth Wisdom
5. Ken of the Kodlok
6. Kodlak-blōd
7. Lochfolk of Lodovka
8. Proud & Free
9. Survival of the Fittest
10. Touch of Frost
Comfortably Numb:
Benefit: You gain a +4 trait bonus on all saving throws made to resist the effects of cold environments. You also acquire energy resistance 1 against cold.
Drawback: Your senses are dulled also and you suffer a -1 penalty to Perception checks.
Conqueror’s Heart:
Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus to Initiative when you personally instigate combat. Combat started by an ally does not count. You also gain a +1 bonus to Intimidate checks and Intimidate is always a class skill for you.
Drawback: In your eagerness to engage in combat you fail to fight as savvy as normal and suffer a -1 AC penalty in combats where the above initiative bonus is in effect.
Friend o’ Nomen:
Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks when dealing with centaurs. Ride is always a class skill to you and in the event that Ride is already a class skill you then receive a +1 trait bonus to Ride checks.
Drawback: Your admiration for these creatures makes it difficult for you to battle them. Anytime you engage a centaur in combat you take a -2 penalty on your attack rolls.
Hearth Wisdom:
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus to any two of Knowledge (History), Knowledge (Nature) and Knowledge (Religion). The two chosen skills are always class skills to you.
Drawback: Your hasty impatience in seeking to experience the old legends for yourself means you suffer a -1 penalty on one Dexterity-based skill check chosen from Ride, Sleight of Hand or Stealth.
Ken of the Kodlok:
Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus to Initiative, Knowledge (Nature) and Sense Motive checks with regards to any creatures of the Monstrous Humanoid type.
Drawback: Hostile creatures with the Monstrous Humanoid type encountered in Iobaria instinctively sense your keen acumen regarding them and target you in combat, gaining a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls whilst fighting you.
Kodlak-blōd:
Benefit: Animals have a strange reticence when they attack you, and as a result suffer a -2 penalty on all attack rolls made against you. If you have the wild empathy ability you receive a +1 trait bonus to any wild empathy checks.
Drawback: Due to your legacy you suffer a -1 penalty to saving throws resisting lycanthropy, and take +1 point of damage from attacks with silvered weapons.
Lochfolk of Lodovka:
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus to Profession (Fisherman), Survival and Swim checks. Swim is always treated as a class skill for you.
Drawback: A proverbial “fish out of water” you struggle socially in areas devoid of a large body of water. As such you take a -2 penalty on any Knowledge (Local) checks in non coastal and lakeside locales.
Proud & Free:
Benefit: Pride for your lineage fortifies your mind and soul. You gain a +1 morale bonus on attempts to intimidate you, saving throws against fear and mind affecting powers, spells and effects.
Drawback: You abjectly refuse to bend knee to any nobles that you encounter, and as a result suffer a -2 penalty to Diplomacy checks when dealing with them.
Survival of the Fittest:
Benefit: You gain a +4 trait bonus on all saving throws made to resist the effects of disease.
Drawback: You suffer a -2 penalty on initiative when in combat with creatures that are diseased or can inflict disease with a supernatural ability or extraordinary ability.
Touch of Frost:
Benefit: You may cast the 0-level spell Ray of Frost once per day as a spell-like ability. This ability is cast at your highest arcane caster level gained; if you have no caster level, it functions at CL: 1st. The frost spell-like ability’s save DC is Charisma-based. Additionally any cold based damage you deliver by spell or spell like abilities does bonus +1 damage.
Drawback: Like the fey that empowered you, cold iron weapons are your bane and deliver an additional +1 damage to you in successful attacks.
Languages: All characters start off with Common and regional language. Auld Iobarian [a blend of Skald, Sylvan & Hallit] is also an optional regional tongue.
Experience Track: TBC, will be either Standard or Fast.
Hit Points: Max at first level, rolled or class average [PC choice] from their-on in.
Alignment: No Evil cheers. You’re heroes, albeit potentially hard-bitten ones lol.
Starting Gold: Maximum for class. If we’re starting @ 2nd level you’ll get a bonus cache to reflect your experience.
Background: For those of you familiar with Kingmaker AP, you will probably begin the Saga in Brevoy as a group not selected to forge a realm in the wild Stolen Lands of the River Kingdoms. However another opportunity to slake your wanderlust will soon present itself ;) If you’re not I’ll provide an overview here to aid character background.
Missed anything? Let me know :)
Here's the pre-amble for the conversion of the classic UK 2 & 3 series The Sentinel & The Gauntlet aka "THE IOBARIAN SAGA":
Hope that gives a little background to the pbp. I'm happy to give more flavour to my take on Iobaria if anyone wants it, but with potentially 2 Iobarian natives in the group, they may want to relay that info in-game...
The basic premise of the game is to journey to the village and solve their murderous mystery. Of course its never as simple as it sounds lol. Iobaria's past and present will play a role in how the pbp evolves.
The framework of the Sentinel element [first part] is more sand-box, while the Gauntlet [second part] element is more railroaded due to a more static locale.
I'll be upping the flavour and feel or Iobaria and using cold weather rules to give you all something else to think about.
The in-game start date will probably be in late Lamashan/early Neth [mid-late Autumn]... plenty of time before winter bites...
Dotting up. Will check back in with the character partial build later on tonight.
Ok, here's what I've got so far:
Not sure on a name yet, but picked up the 2nd to 4th trade paperbacks of Northlanders in the last few days so will hopefully get inspired.
Looking to play him as a big ol' hulking hunk of prime Northman. Not too nimble and prefers to take the direct route.
Believes himself a descendant of one of the warriors that originally sought out Iobaria and settled it.
Currently a disgraced son of a coward. His father refused call to armament to battle raiders that were approaching their village.
Disowned his family and swore a blood oath to come back covered in glory from Iobaria.
Set off with his dog.
Archetypes of Interest from UC: Armored Hulk, Titan Mauler
Human Alternate Features: Heart of the Wilderness
Traits:
Proud and Free (Campaign): +1 morale on attempts to be Intimidated and saves vs fear / mind-affecting powers. -2 Diplomacy with nobles.
Know the Land (Green Faith – Faiths of Balance): +1 on Knowledge (Nature) and Survival.
Feats:
Rugged Northerner (Inner Sea Guide): treat extreme cold as severe cold, severe cold as cold and not impacted by cold. No fatigue from frostbite or hypothermia.
Endurance: +4 bonus on Swim to resist exhaustion, Con made to continue running, Con to avoid damage from force march, Con to hold breath, Con to avoid nonlethal damage from starvation or thirst, Fort saves from hot or cold environments and Fort saves to resist suffocation. May sleep in light or medium armor without becoming fatigued
Skills (4+Int): Handle Animal, Intimidate, Knowledge (nature), Perception, Survival
Gear: 180gp start
Greatsword (50gp): 2d6, 19-20/x2, S, 8lb
Scale Mail (50gp): +5 AC, +3 Max Dex, -4 Armor Check, 20ft speed, 30lb
Guard Dog (25gp) – a Norsk Elghund (Norwegian Elkhound)
With an Int of 2, can know six tricks: Down, Fetch, Heel, Guard, Seek, Stay
Str 13, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6; Skill Focus (Perception)
Acrobatics +1 (+9 to jump), Perception +8, Survival +1 (+5 scent tracking)
Cold Weather Outfit (Free) - +5 circumstance on Fort saves against exposure to cold weather, 7lb
Deity: The Green Faith
Ahhh Northlands... like it - great series. Have actually been thumbing through them myself for some inspiration!
Basic build looks good. Nice background... we'll see what UC throws up regards archtypes.
Glad your character's background has a legacy in Iobaria... have a nice bittersweet surprise planned which I'll tailor towards your Ulfen's heritage ;)
BTW your Norsk Elghund actually knows 7 tricks - you missed play dead... no wait that's what the Is Trow will teach him... I joke of course...
ok...stop nudging me, I'll take an arcane slot ;)
It is always difficult to imagine a a cool back ground and then have to limit it to a first level character that has never done anything.
Will definitely be interested in Runes and Ruins.
Will work on crunch tonight with your blessing
When the old man dies, his last instructions are to travel to Brevoy to settle his affairs. Confused the lad goes, only to find out the hermit was a noble. A will that had been prepared a few years earlier passed on the hermit's estate to his family, but rewards him with some money or his trouble and service and his equipment.
The lad buys a book in a street market as a memento of the the old man. It had been recovered in the Stolen Lands written in Cyclopean, a natural history treatise (or so a crude translation of the title would suggest), so it is not considered all that valuable. But what is natural for a cyclops is quite unnatural, and fuels his new advancement. The book is full of strange formulae and methods to collect plants and minerals to create even stranger magics. Book in hand, he is about to set out and return to his homeland and pick up the efforts of where his old master left off.[/background]
Chirurgeon Archtype from UM (so will have some arcane healing) and possibly Mind Chemist (Mental mutagens instead of physical and bonus to knowledge) also from UM.
Meow you make a good point regards starting level...
Okay let's all shoot for a 2nd level start - that way any multiclassers get an opportunity to... err multiclass, and it refects you all have a little more experience under your belts.
Also means I can unlease harder nasties upon ye all ;)
****************Revised Character Creation**************
Starting Level: 2
Additional Wealth: 500gp [yeah I know 1000gp is the recommended amount for 2nd level but I'm a stingy Scot... if your desperate for something outwith your wealth range - then I'm open to ideas...
Really like the concept... the region your all heading to has a resident sage known for his historical (and bizarrely) horticultural knowledge... Could be he was a colleague/friend/rival of your deceased master??
By all means crunch away sir :)
I could be this person's apprentice if that would work. I could have been sent to Brevoy for supplies or to collect warriors to help. Or I can stick with the first background and see my master as a friendly rival, with his equally weird ideas. Whichever works better for your story.
Think I will go with Kodlak-blōd as my trait. Something my master maybe recognized as worthy of keeping an interested eye on. The alchemist mutagens could represent Cyclopean means of awakening his Kodlak-blōd.
I give you Luke Falgren, Male, Iobarian, Human Ranger (Guide)! Still need to rebuild for 2nd level, though.
2nd Level will be cool as I at least get a Rage Power to play with. Will wait on UC before finally deciding that too. 2nd level HP will help this low AC brute soak up a few more hits too....
I see my barbarian as still on his way through to Iobaria when we take on the quest in Brevoy. 2nd level can reflect the experience he picked up on the path from the Linnorn Kings to Brevoy.
With the increased wealth can I upgrade my dog to masterwork? - maybe a +1 on Fort vs massive damage :P
DM BD - I'm assuming that the 500gp is additional over and above what we got at 1st? - so a Barbarian would be 680gp total?
I see Luke in Brevoy collecting his fee from a recent job as a Guide for a caravan into Iobaria. He has since returned to Brevoy with the caravan, and he has just collected his fee.
Impressed with the character concepts thus far gents... Glad 2nd level fits with everyone's approval :)
Over the coming week I'll start firming up some background knowledge on Iobaria for each of you.
Any other info/feedback that I can give you all?
@Mark: Yup the 500gp is ontop of max starting wealth, again this'll reflect coin and potential items gained through your advancement. MW dog... like it lol. Your Ulfen has probably carved a bloody path across Avistan to reach Brevoy lol.
@Luke: Looks good. Remember to take a regional language... Auld Iobarian is probably a good fit :)
An Iobarian guide will prove pretty handy... I'll supply you with some more background regards possible regional caravan/trade info. For sake of the campaign we won't have him come from the beleaguered village, but he'll know of it...
Have some cunning ideas that I'll come back to you on... heheh.
Will have a more detailed scan over Luke over the next couple of days.
Currently leaning towards the idea that your master was an acquaintance of the sage you might encounter. That way you've heard of him but not familar with him? Also perhaps in your master's will he bequeath's a book, knowledge or an item for you to deliver? Would give you added incentive and open up a opportunity for a side quest too... Like the rational behind the trait too... giving me plenty of inspiration at this end.
Sounds awesome! I will add the second language and level upgrade tomorrow. Thanks, look forward to hearing some more info on Iobaria!
DM BD - what's your go-to google translate for 'Ulfen'?
I've half decided to go with the always classic Ragnar as a first name and am thinking of the surname Sköld Född (shield born in Swedish according to Google) to reflect the fact he's disowned his family name and is forging a new one upon the story of his arms.
I'm warming to the Armored Hulk archetype from what I've heard of it. Splint Mail and a Heavy Shield gets me an 18 AC even with the -1 Dex penalty.
@Luke: No probs and no rush.
@Mark: Ragnar Sköld Född is an great name... one for the Sagas.
Not really fussed on the default for Skald - in the game myself and Drayen play Ulfen we communicate via Icelandic [online translator] but any of the Scandanvian tongues would fit as Skald dialects. The translator we use is: Online Translator, Swedish might be a good shout - but not fussed either way. Check out my character Skäne “Countless” Ingvârssonn for how we use in in DMRandall's 3 Days to Kill.
Here's a trait from Humans of Golarian you might find use for given the Armoured Hulk archtype:
Shield Bearer (Ulfen): You have survived many battles thanks to your skill with your shield. When performing a shield bash, you deal 1 additional point of damage. Also, once per day on your turn as a free action, you may provide one adjacent ally a +2 trait bonus to his Armor Class. This bonus lasts for 1 round, so long as you and the target remain adjacent to one another. You can only use this ability if you are using a shield. You retain your shield bonus to your armor class when using this ability.
Luke is upgraded to Second Level! Waiting on UC to see if there are any changes. Added MW Cross Bow and CHain Shirt with extra 500GP! Rolled 8 on HP for 2nd.
Luke is upgraded to Second Level! Waiting on UC to see if there are any changes. Added MW Cross Bow and CHain Shirt with extra 500GP! Rolled 8 on HP for 2nd.
Notice you've 90-odd gold left. Might I suggest some MW/cold-iron/silvered ammo? Just a suggestion...
Will have a proper trawl over Luke this afternoon - looks good though. Excellent scout and ranged combatant - no probs regards changes, until we start I'm open to rebuilds etc....
Yep, that is definitely my next purchase...just contemplating. Skills might not be totally accurate due to quick math at the office - I was going to level up on Hero Lab when I get home from work and re-post profile over to be certain that all is perfect.
Quick question - do you know of any feats that will allow me to increase the number of times per day that I can use the Ranger's Focus from the Guide Archetype from 1/day? I could not find any. It may be that there just are not any?
Yep, that is definitely my next purchase...just contemplating. Skills might not be totally accurate due to quick math at the office - I was going to level up on Hero Lab when I get home from work and re-post profile over to be certain that all is perfect.
Quick question - do you know of any feats that will allow me to increase the number of times per day that I can use the Ranger's Focus from the Guide Archetype from 1/day? I could not find any. It may be that there just are not any?
No probs re: the crunch. Plenty of time to hammer things out. Re: the feat, nothing springs to mind at present [I'll root about though] could be that UC has something?
I've seen the Shield Bearer trait, but as you say it's probably a little too defensive for Ragnar.
I'd like to fit him out as a stereotypical viking - bearded axe, longsword, wooden shield, spear and chainmail - so will probably still play around with the stat figures and maybe even the archetype.
Even dallied with the idea of building him up as an Unbreakable archetype Fighter - which gives Endurance and Diehard as 1st level bonus feats.
I kind of see him running from Linnorm to Brevoy in full battle kit, not even taking off the armor to sleep.
Obviously still some pondering to do - but I have time at least to decide.
Placing a dot fot further references.
@Mark: have you looked at the Invulnerable Rager Archetype. It was pretty much right on for your description..gotta love the DR and the adaptability to elements based upon the cold we will be dealing with in this PbP?
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@Mark: have you looked at the Invulnerable Rager Archetype. It was pretty much right on for your description..gotta love the DR and the adaptability to elements based upon the cold we will be dealing with in this PbP?
I would also check if BD is amenable to the barbarian variant in the PCCS which trades Trap Sense for Cold Resistance.
Welcome aboard Randall & Drayen... what's yer thoughts guys?
Invulnerable Rager is a pretty cool fit. Anyone got UC yet? [I'm a pdf guy so won't get it in deadtree until I've had a look see first...]
Absolutely good with swapping out Trap Sense for Cold Resistance, always thought it fitted Norse barbarians much more than say a Tarzan trap sense type of fella...
Cold Resistance (Ex): At 3rd level, a barbarian gains cold resistance 2. This resistance increases by 2 for every 3 additional levels the barbarian attains, for a total of cold resistance 12 at 18th level. this ability replaces Trap Sense. PCCS page 41.
Luke is accurately leveled as a Guide. I hope to see pdf of UC tomorrow night to see if I need to change to Battle Scout, or make any other small tweaks.
Invulnerable Rager is indeed a good fit, but I've always had Rugged Northerner from Inner Sea Guide in the build which basically gives me close to that level of cold protection from 1st level. And DR is fun and all, but I was hoping for some more flavorful abilities.
Wild Rager (UC) would be fun, but I'd have to make a morale save each time I killed something or get confused and start potentially attacking you guys. You do get the equivalent of a Monk's flurry though...
PS - I have been able to skive a little looksie at UC, so if you have any directed questions I can answer them.
Luke - Battle Scout looks cool, but the replacement abilities start at 4th level. You lose animal companion and some favored enemies to be very good at ambushes on your favored terrain.
I love Warden though - you don't get 'any' favored enemies, but your favored terrain bonuses are insane. At 2nd level you can take 20 on Survival checks in your favored terrain if not distracted, and can take 10 even if distracted. At 4th you get the same 'leading a group' bonuses in favored terrain as you do with the Guide archetype.
Falconer is pretty cool too.
Yeah, I was considering Falconer after a small peek myself. I want to get the extended look before I decide. Thanks for the input!
Massaging the background a bit more:
Ragnar's father was a húskarl - which makes his refusal to take arms more poignant. Plus gives me a reason to use a two-handed bearded axe as his main weapon. Will still have the longsword and shield as back-ups.
DM BD - would you be open to a mish-mash of a couple of archetypes?
I like the DR bent of the Invulnerable Rager, but not so much the Extreme Endurance (as I get most of that through Rugged Northlander).
Instead of swapping Trap Sense for Extreme Endurance, would you be open to the following trade-off (for trap sense only):
Sixth Sense (Ex): At 3rd level, the superstitious barbarian gains a +1 bonus on initiative and a +1 insight bonus to AC during surprise rounds. This bonus increases by +1 for every three levels after 3rd. This ability replaces trap sense.
@ Ragnar: The trade off looks fine enough, would fit with that notion that Ragnar has had to leave the North due to a blod-feud, and thus is always on his guard [something that will become steadfast in his character by 3rd]
This applies to everyone actually - want you all to have the best characters [both conceptually and mechanically] so if there's anything you're mooting feel free to run it past me :)
@ Luke: Falconer would be cool - you'd just have to go for one of these tho; Gyrfalcon, amazingly beautiful artic birds o' prey.
Great, with a potential bird and hound in the party, you guys are really playing to my animal loving sensibilities! Damn yease :)
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Great, with a potential bird and hound in the party, you guys are really playing to my animal loving sensibilities! Damn yease :)
Is someone making a character with a hound? I was looking at the Hound Master cavalier archetype from this year's RPG Superstar contest and was juggling that idea with the Savage Skald bard archetype. Please let me know if anyone is going with a hound theme already as I don't want to step on any toes.
Drayen - I've just gone and bought a generic 25gp guard dog (calling it a Norsk Elghund), so feel free to keep your hound master in consideration :)
@ Drayen: Houndmaster is cool, its a great archtype and one that conjures up elements of Fionn mac Cumhaill (for a celt like me anyway).
Would be happy for you to go with it... will need to think about Ragnar also having a hound as combat's could get hugely messy with three dugs, but with a party of 5 it'll work... (just no tricks entitled Leg Hump or Crotch Sniff please :)
Just better hope there's no artic goblins in Ioberia ;)
First Kes now the Dog Whisperer... I had such high hopes for this game... double damn yease lol.
Just to clarify that my pet dog will not be a combat entity in any regard. He doesn't even have any combat tricks taught. He'll just be my character's confidant... had to have someone to talk to on the big run across Golarion right?
Gyrfalcon looks awesome...I will definitely use that if I build as the Falconer. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the UC and see if I want to go that route!
Just to clarify that my pet dog will not be a combat entity in any regard. He doesn't even have any combat tricks taught. He'll just be my character's confidant... had to have someone to talk to on the big run across Golarion right?
Deal - you try and keep him out of combat, and I'll try and keep him out of harm's way lol.
Least I now have a "miraculous" last gambit should the Is Trow get you all early...
Groggily Ragnar is pulled into conciousness by his hund's incessant licking...
His eyes widen as the brutal events of the morning return, the painful memory of the ambush and of the sight before him... Somehow, against the odds, his hund had dragged all the fallen back to camp... But what of the Is Trow???
As he rises the Northman catches a glimpse of the all-too-familiar clawed hand of an Is Trow lying in the light snow..."Nei... it cannot be... is that... chew marks?!?!"
Or more likely:
Ragnar came upon the broken and lifeless body of what was once his closest companion. Teeth marks and missing portions of it's belly showed that the Is Trow had fed after they had killed the elghund.
His eyes grew dark with intent as his pupils dilated. Heavy breaths cast waves of steam into the frozen air. A growl started low in his stomach and grew in intensity as Ragnar howled into the sky.
A crack to his side brought his eyes around as one of the foul creatures lingered still. Unlimbering his axe Ragnar began chanting rhythmically "Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil" as he charged the beast.
Hahah. Excellent - epic like the Saga you all shall write in the bloody flecked snow...
No I'll not let brave Fïdø fall victim to anything for a while yet lol
As for the Is Trow... none in this adventure... nope... ahem none.. move along...
Just updating the party list reflecting intent thus far:
Ragnar - Two-Hand Barbarian
Luke - Crossbow Ranger
Meowzebub - Chirugeon Alchemist
drayen - Houndmaster / Savage Skald
randall793 - ?? possible healer
Thinking of going with the Beastmorph archetype as a tie in with Kodlak-blod(adding even more animal-ness to the team). Sort of alchemical lycanthropy. Unfortunately, it interferes with Chirugeon so that will be dropped. That would have allowed me to help heal a little bit, but now the brunt will be on Randell's concept. I can still pick up infusion (which would allow others to drink my elixirs) but I will have to take a discovery for that and that won't happen right away.
Meowzebub - Beastmorph would be very cool. I'm correct in assuming your 2nd Level discovery will be Feral Mutagen? That will pretty much give us two frontline fighters (three if drayen goes Houndmaster).
Looks like we'll be able to dish out the hurt, just a matter of how much we could take....
Yeah group is defo loaded for Cave Bear lol... And the animal vibe is pretty cool also.
Its possible that the group may need a "face" as well... [depending on what Randall opts for] as at present any diplomacy you guys get involved with is likely to be the gun-boat style ;)
If Randall opts for a druid I'll be tempted to rechristen the game "Iobarian Menagerie" lol or run a seperate game thread for your pets [a la Pet Avengers ;)]
Overall am loving the character concepts - Drayen while I've not played the MMO, that Dark Ages feel is definately one I'm going for. Likewise I'm drawing on the much-maligned [but hell I enjoyeded it] Viking: Battle for Asgard.
Meowzebub - is the Beastmorph from UC? Speaking of which anyone who has UC fill me in a little on the Skirnir Magus archtype...
Anything you guys would like to see from me? [in-game or prior to...]
BTW - I had been tinkering with Iobaria maps [published ones] but seems I can't post them on the boards without breaching copyright issues. I'm happy to try and rustle up some or can email them as/when necessary? Anyone else overcome this problem...???
Oh and advice on combat maps would be greatfully recieved. Apologies for all the questions!
drayen could have face-like qualities as either the Houndmaster or Savage Skald.
Beastmorph is indeed from UC - lets you take on animal qualities (as per Beast Shape spell) when you drink your mutagen. I fear for our enemies... at low levels especially, Meowzebub will likely outdamage me.
Gives up one spell per level, but can wield shields with no arcane spell failure.
Can use the arcane pool to boost the shield with enhantments like a weapon.
Can spellstrike through a shield bash.
At 4th gets to use the shield to help cast defensively.
Good luck with the maps, might be worth askin' the Cap'n for pointers as well.
Cheers Ragnar - Skirnir sounds interesting...
With regards the Savage Skald i planned to make Skane [my Ulfen Shielded Fighter in another game] a SS before the bard slot went. My biggest gripe was the bard weapons weren't that "savage" so am open to "vikinging" up any Weapon Proficiencies [should Drayen still consider the class - tho' Houndmaster is very cool indeed]
Good to know as a group you'll be a damage buzzsaw (runs off to hastily re-design low-level encounters :)
Aye will head over and ask the Cap'n, see what pearls o' wisdom he can provide.
Do we need a face? - we could probably get by on deed alone, and could still rustle up some decent Diplo bonuses if we use aid another, etc.
Or alternatively I can re-jig my trait selection to get Diplo as a class skill...
New Cavalier Orders:
Blue Rose - promoters of peace.... likely not much use in this PbP ;)
Seal - protectors of secrets: gets defensive bonuses mostly
Tome - preservation of knowledge: get knowledge skills and can use scrolls at 8th level
Cav Archetypes:
Beast Rider - can ride a mastodon at level 4...
Emissary - mobility focus
Gendarme - charge focus
Honor Guard - basically a bodyguard
Luring Cavalier - range weapon focus
Musketeer
Standard Bearer - boosts standard and delays mount to 5th level
Strategist - focus on the teamwork feats
Do we need a face? - we could probably get by on deed alone, and could still rustle up some decent Diplo bonuses if we use aid another, etc.
True. The folk o' Iobaria are pretty stoic and insular anyway so deed may well outweigh silver tongue...
@ Drayen: In addition to party face, you forgot party healer, strategist, main frontline fighter AND leader... tis a heavy burden the Great Bear carries... ;)
OK...have to call Bull Shat on Bjorn being any of those things in Randall's game! Besides, I can't understand a damn word he says! LOL!
@DM O' The North: I read the Falcolner archetype, and I am undecided. I may stick with the Guide because it fits the PbP so well to have someone familiar with the area. I guess that I could use the Falconer and still keep that background for use as a Ioarian guide with a Gyrfalcon?