Here is Galadan. I don't yet have a profile for him, (will make one if I get into the game). I also haven't finished spending his starting wealth, but I will get back to it after work this evening. Just wanted to get approval on the character before I get too into it.
Galadan Teresthin
Male elf inquisitor* of Pharasma 1
N Medium humanoid (elf)
Init +1; Senses low-light vision, Perception +7
DEFENSES
AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +1 Dex)
hp 9 (1d8-1+1 favored)
Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +5
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee battle aspergillium +2 (1d6+2, crit. 20/x2)
Ranged light crossbow +1 (1d6, crit. 19-20/x2)
Special Attacks
6/day - gentle rest +2
Inquisitor Spells (CL 1st, Concentration +4)
1st (2/day) - detect undead, wrath
0 (at will) - detect magic, disrupt undead, sift, read magic
STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 12, Con 8, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 13
Feats Sharp Senses
Skills Bluff +6, Disguise +6, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (Religion) +5, Sense Motive +7, Stealth +5, Survival +7
Traits On the Payroll, Undead Slayer
Languages Elven, Common, Draconic
Gear battle aspergillium, light crossbow, 20 bolts, leather armor.
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Gentle Rest (Sp) Six times per day, Galadan can cause a living creature to become staggered for one round as a melee touch attack. A staggered living creature falls asleep for one round instead. Undead creatures are staggered for 3 rounds.
Judgment (Su) Once per day, Galadan can declare a judgment upon his foes, which lasts until the end of combat. The type of judgment can be changed as a swift action. Galadan's bonuses are sacred.
Lightbringer Galadan is immune to light-based blindness and dazzle effects, and is treated as +1 caster level to determine effects of light-based spells or effects. At will, as a spell-like ability, Galadan can cast the spell light.
Monster Lore (Ex) Galadan adds his Wisdom modifier on knowledge skill checks when making skill checks to identify the abilities and weaknesses of creatures.
Stern Gaze (Ex) Galadan has a +1 morale bonus on all Intimidate and Sense Motive skill checks.
Background and gear done. Cassandra is ready for final inspection.
Made some minor modifications to profile layout and changed starting wealth. No problem with extra characters at the start..my experience is that someone will usually drop out fairly early on.
Indeed it lets the reserves get themselves established into the story line from the start and is a lot easier than just having them materialise from nowhere.
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Galadan
looks good to me. I've only have been able to look at it without any rulebook etc.
So if there is a change needed, then it will be pretty minor.
Andrea
welcome. Does it mean we are now jinxd.
Thanks for you opinion about number of players. This is exactly how I see it as well.
Varnulf
expect more later tonight.
Thod
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Starting Languages
The typical languages in Ustalav are Common, Skald and Varisian.
This AP plays in Ustalav. As such feel free to add Skald and especially Varisian to the allowed starting languages for high Int.
I rather have a player with Varisian to start with as one with Goblin and not a single line mentioning where that character got the language from. An Elf living in the country for fifty years should have been able to pick it up.
Thod
I gave Galadan, Draconic as a bonus language, because I felt it was more of a magical research language than something else. He has mainly been researching abuses of necromantic magic, so if there is a better language for that, let me know if its okay to have it as a bonus language.
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I gave Galadan, Draconic as a bonus language, because I felt it was more of a magical research language than something else. He has mainly been researching abuses of necromantic magic, so if there is a better language for that, let me know if its okay to have it as a bonus language.
Galadan
All official starting languages you have access to and that you feel fit with your character are fine. No need to ask. It is YOUR character after all.
I did add the option here as RAW (as far as I understand it) an elf from Ustalav with Int 18 and 4 extra languages wouldn't be allowed a common (common lower case to distinguish it from Common) language spoken in Ustalav while a monk from far away Vudrani with Int 12 could be perfect in the language. I did read a few discussions that the Inner Sea Guide might change this as it has been a frequent discussion on the PFS boards. The Osiriani faction member who wasn't allowed to take Osiriani as additional language was a frequent topic. Not sure if it happened. So I just want to ensure players here are aware that I have no problems with this option.
I do understand why this rule is in the rule book - but to ensure Versimilitude I'm offering this as an option.
Thod
Thanks for the extra info on languages. I picked common, elf, dwarf, skald, draconic, and varissian. Height and weight are in the profile...forgetting anything else?
About extra players, obviously I'm down for it, otherwise I wouldn't be in ;)
Just read the rules on harrow points and liked what I saw. Are you just going to "deal" them out and let us know what we get?
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Thanks for the extra info on languages. I picked common, elf, dwarf, skald, draconic, and varissian. Height and weight are in the profile...forgetting anything else?
About extra players, obviously I'm down for it, otherwise I wouldn't be in ;)
Just read the rules on harrow points and liked what I saw. Are you just going to "deal" them out and let us know what we get?
Nym
You should be fine either way - as we had one dropped player. But thanks for the heads up on the topic.
About the Harrow Points. I'm looking into some good way how to 'deal' them out. Right now I don't yet have a deck but could be tempted to get one. I contemplated buying them anyhow.
Alternativly I look into ways how to 'roll' them here using the dice.
Either way - it is likely that you get them rather after Act 1 or 2 and not at the start.
Thod
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Nym
I've just added your equipment.
Chain mail should be chain shirt as far as I can tell.
There is a buckler - HeroLab claims you need shield proficiency for it that you seem not to have. You also didn't add it to the AC. I haven't looked at the play test. Can you enlighten me.
I'm off by one Silver piece :)
Looks ready to go.
Thod
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Cassandra
I've added everything.
I added Explorer Outfit for free.
I have 1gp more, 1sp less according to my spent.
I have you on medium load - just that you are aware of it.
I don't want anyone to feel I'm too much of a stickler here. Transferring the characters serves two main purposes.
A) I'm getting a much better feel for the character and will be less surprised during play
B) I want to ensure I'm not missing something important
The minor bits are just my way to say - I looked at the character.
Thod
::POOF!::
"I am here," she announces to no one in particular before beginning to preen herself.
Thod: I'll be sending you an updated Herolab file quite soon, but the alias is built.
Cassandra
I've added everything.
I added Explorer Outfit for free.
I have 1gp more, 1sp less according to my spent.
I have you on medium load - just that you are aware of it.
Thod
That's probably a Herolab thing, I had originally bought 20 bolts but decided to return 10 of them. Occasionally HL doesn't do refunds very well.
That's the drawback of a nine strength.
Thankfully someone else took Aklo as a language, otherwise communicating with Cassandra during combat was going to be a pain.
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Andrea
I've added your character. For some reason the 3HP for the toad aren't added. That must be a HeroLab issue (or I do something wrong).
1 additional language left
Cauldron Hex - there was a question from Wren if PFS guidelines apply for crafting. I'm flexible here - but taking it and starting with 5 potions and hardly anything else seems on the cheeky side.
You can keep it if you insist. But I thought I point it out in this other vice great build. It's not game breaking - but as I said - I felt it was cheeky and replacing at least two of the potions for something else would look a lot better in my view.
Thod
Cauldron Hex - there was a question from Wren if PFS guidelines apply for crafting. I'm flexible here - but taking it and starting with 5 potions and hardly anything else seems on the cheeky side.
Thod
Thank you.
If you need me to swap out Scribe Scroll for Spell Focus, I can happily do that.
-Wren
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Cauldron Hex - there was a question from Wren if PFS guidelines apply for crafting. I'm flexible here - but taking it and starting with 5 potions and hardly anything else seems on the cheeky side.
ThodThank you.
If you need me to swap out Scribe Scroll for Spell Focus, I can happily do that.
-Wren
Your choice
The following applies also for Andrea !!
As a general rule for crafting - some of the adventure keeps track of time. And I don't know how well crafting might work while on the road.
I just say this now so that there is nobody disappointed later. If you have the time and place - fine. But I won't go out of my way to ensure you have that.
Thod
Yep, I'm dumb. Forgot magi don't have prof with any shields. So if it's cool I'll strike the buckler and replace it with a sented handkerchif (so Nym can be a total snob). And yeah, chain shirt is what I meant.
Was I over or under on the silver?
Thod-
Upon thinking upon it, and given my natural PFS aversion to crafting, I think I will take you up on the offer and switch out Scribe Scroll for a SF feat. I'll make the change when I get back to my nest.
Galadan
I haven't forgotten you. But I promised my better half some quality time. Will get you done as soon as possible. When I looked at the character, it looked fine.
And minor bits like a silver or gold off or a missing starting language are not of that much importance.Thod
There's not really a lot of need to remember him unless we know for certain the other players aren't here or active yet. We have quite a few strange classes here, and I guess thats a good thing, except I'm sure the rules would start giving me a headache quickly if I had to DM the thing.
Andrea
I've added your character. For some reason the 3HP for the toad aren't added. That must be a HeroLab issue (or I do something wrong).
1 additional language left
Cauldron Hex - there was a question from Wren if PFS guidelines apply for crafting. I'm flexible here - but taking it and starting with 5 potions and hardly anything else seems on the cheeky side.
You can keep it if you insist. But I thought I point it out in this other vice great build. It's not game breaking - but as I said - I felt it was cheeky and replacing at least two of the potions for something else would look a lot better in my view.
Thod
Well it was worth a try..grins..
I've dropped 2 potions and taken a healers kit instead as it was the obvious choice and I'm kicking myself for not taking one in the first place.
Added Skald as my additional Language
As for crafting on the road..well a CLW potion takes 2 hours and probably uses natural ingredients..I would think if I can make a DC 15 knowledge nature I should be able to gather the relevant plants for one dose during the days march..with perhaps an additional dose for every 5 or 10 above that(off course I'd still have to pay the relevant costs)). This means in any nights camp I could probably produce at least one potion..but that's up to you Thod.
Thod, after trying to figure out whether or not I could juggle another game, I've decided to do the better thing and step down. I don't know how hectic it will become once my boy is born so I don't want to end up playing only for a couple weeks before it becomes too much.
Thanks for the offer my friend and as much as it pains me not to accept, I would rather see someone else enjoy it. I will however be lurking nearby. =) See you in serpent skull Amisi~ =)
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Thod, after trying to figure out whether or not I could juggle another game, I've decided to do the better thing and step down. I don't know how hectic it will become once my boy is born so I don't want to end up playing only for a couple weeks before it becomes too much.
Thanks for the offer my friend and as much as it pains me not to accept, I would rather see someone else enjoy it. I will however be lurking nearby. =) See you in serpent skull Amisi~ =)
Atzi
Thanks for letting me know. We still enjoy the Serpent Skull together.
Thod
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All
With Atzi having dropped out (to be fair - her initial comment was tentative) I decided we should start with seven.
We have
Galadan
Wren
Andrea
Nym
Cassandra
Kevin
Aldous
Official start will be on Sunday. But I will post a prelude later today. I've been working on it yesterday. It should give everyone a change to shorten the time in character until Sunday.
Thod
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Galadan
I've now added your character as well. Took me a moment to figure out the Respose Domain.
Your Sense Motive is one higher thanks to Stern Gaze
You have spent 52 gp so far. So quite some money left. Feel free to upgrade leather to studded and add other stuff.
Unless there are any surprises, I should be fine.
Thod
I am certainly looking forward to it :-)
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All
Feel free to do any minor swaps of items ahead of Sunday. For example the buckler can just be exchanged - similar goes for above with leather vs studded.
There are also opportunities to shop in Ravengro. But these will be more limited for exotic / special items.
2Nym - I had you on one sp less. Doesn't really matter - but don't expect a free drink in the Ravengro pub on your first visit.
Thod
I find it interesting that despite living in the land of Gothic Horror (tm), none of the party members has a single rank in Knowledge(Religion), although Arcana, Nature, and Planes are well represented ;-)
I have Knowledge (Religion). If you'd like me to rewrite the gentle rest ability on the character sheet so its a little clearer, I can.
Also, if you'd like me to "show my work" for purchases, I can do that too.
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I have Knowledge (Religion). If you'd like me to rewrite the gentle rest ability on the character sheet so its a little clearer, I can.
Also, if you'd like me to "show my work" for purchases, I can do that too.
No problem with the rest ability. I think the issue was rather that I didn't spot your domain spelled out in the summary and worked backward from the power granted to find out what domain you had taken.
The way I work and transfer all the characters might be not the most efficient? But it gives me a much better feel for each character.
For example - Galadan has an interesting choice of feat - but lacks a skill point in Perception. Not sure if I should point it out now as skill points can be easily added at lvl. 2 and with the current perecption you should be fine until then.
I also stumbled first across all the potions - until I spotted the 'In the Payroll'.
Not sure what you mean with 'Show my work' for purchases??
One last bit for Galadan - check out post 6 in this thread - pretty at the beginning. There is a spoiler for Pharasma followers.
Thod
Galadan is mostly an outsider. He assisted the Professor from a distant university (where he was studying negative energy effects), and their relationship was primarily a distant one. If they met in person, the Professor likely visited him at the university. He doesn't know about the church, except probably the basics from his superiors.
By "showing my work", I mean having a line-by-line accounting for purchases made.
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All
I have just updated Thod's profile. You will find there a running total for your Trust level as well as XP.
I will keep XP the same across the whole group as this makes (my) life easier. If you wonder what the Trust level means - here is a copy from a paragraph of one of the reviews:
'I like the trust mechanic - a simple variation on the fame mechanic used in CoT. There's a concrete reaction to the things the player's do (or don't do). Rewards (or punishments) await.'
To avoid spoilers - all I will say at this stage - earning the trust of the village is beneficial - squandering the trust you start with can be fatal. Think about this before you post actions after Sunday.
Enough help given
Thod
I find it interesting that despite living in the land of Gothic Horror (tm), none of the party members has a single rank in Knowledge(Religion), although Arcana, Nature, and Planes are well represented ;-)
Oops, that rank in Planes was supposed to be Religion. That's what I get for converting Cassandra from a Witch to an Oracle, sometimes you miss a little thing.
That being said, Thod, is it OK if I switch that rank to where it originally was supposed to go (Religion)?
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I find it interesting that despite living in the land of Gothic Horror (tm), none of the party members has a single rank in Knowledge(Religion), although Arcana, Nature, and Planes are well represented ;-)Oops, that rank in Planes was supposed to be Religion. That's what I get for converting Cassandra from a Witch to an Oracle, sometimes you miss a little thing.
That being said, Thod, is it OK if I switch that rank to where it originally was supposed to go (Religion)?
No problem
Was wondering about all the people who had Knowledge Planes.
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All
It seems I underestimated you all - especially the 'travelling in style'. The first two members arrived by coach.
Just in case questions are raised - feel free to 'pay' - but whatever you pay - this is fluff only.
And no - don't even assume this is an invitation to pay a high level wizard to be teleported in :)
So far I like the arrivals. Well done.
Thod
Thod: Taking Additional Traits as my lvl 1 feat. Taking SF Conjuration instead of Scribe Scroll. I love traits in general. I should have the final changes by the morrow...still pondering a few things, but I'll send you an updated Herolab doc.
I guess I should make my way to the house.
Aldous "Not a half-elf at all" Preklikin, Male Half-Elf Summoner 1
Wren the FeatherMage, Female Elf Diviner 1
Galadan Teresthin, Male Elf Inquisitor 1
Kevin Darlock, Male Human Fighter 1
Andrea Greenholt, Female Human Witch 1
Nym Vallidorn, Male Elf Magus 1
Cassandra Blackmoore, Female Changeling Oracle 1
It's ok we have a lot of elves! Everyone loves elves...oh yeah right I forgot. ;]
Wren the FeatherMage, Female Elf Diviner 1
Please call me a feathermage...I know not what a 'Diviner' is, nor a wizard.
:)
Well you do have a Witch..and the people of Ustalav seem to trust us..it's like being in a negative image of everywhere else in Golarion.
Well you do have a Witch..and the people of Ustalav seem to trust us..it's like being in a negative image of everywhere else in Golarion.
I just like the feel of the start of this series...it seems like *EVERYTHING* is stacked against us, though I have no idea what everything is.
It's just a creepy weird sense of WTF and I can't explain it.
We have to build trust? Me?
We'll see how we do, I like challenges.
Wren the FeatherMage, Female Elf Diviner 1
Please call me a feathermage...I know not what a 'Diviner' is, nor a wizard.
:)
Certainly! For future reference, do you prefer Original Recipe, or Extra Crispy...? ;-)
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All
So there I'm - waking up - checking if anyone has posted - and I'm blown away. Thanks everyone. There are some great bits of role-play here.
So there I try as GM to write a sturdy sandbox of prelude and people already stray :) no worry - as long as you stay close by and just pick flowers growing next to the sandbox that is great.
I will come around with Kendra a little bit later for a moment. And I also have planned another guest later. But for Cassandras sake I will wait until the weekend to fully jump in. It will also give me a few more days to prepare a few bits.
Seeing how the prelude plays out so far I don't see any problems coming up soon to handle the first three acts. somewhere else I saw a player complaining about the most boring AP ever. Well - this morning was exiting to me - and we haven't even started.
More later today.
Thod
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Aldous
It might be useful to make an Avatar for Hastur as well and post as Hastur occasionally. You did a great job including him in your posts - but I have to admit I sometimes forget him in counting the number of 'persons' around.
No overdoing it - but an occasional appearance as Hastur could be good.
Thod
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I just like the feel of the start of this series...it seems like *EVERYTHING* is stacked against us, though I have no idea what everything is.
It's just a creepy weird sense of WTF and I can't explain it.
Creepy feeling is good!! That is how it should be
Evil laughter ...
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On a different note
Thanks for all the detailed postings by everyone. It helps me a lot to plot future events and to tie in what will happen. In the same way that the dead cat was never envisioned by me as bait (well played !!) I can feed off innocent remarks.
You might think it's fluff what you are writing. All fluff can and will be used
More evil laughter
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Vanulf / Cassandra
I just want to ensure you don't feel left out when you come back and see posts over post. The prelude is meant to get everyone into the right mood. If I got your dates right, then the game proper will start when you are back - aka the weekend.
You might have missed some fun - but you won't have missed anything crucial.
All
It seems the most active posting happens when I'm sleeping (UK night). That should be fine and I try to get longer postings out in the evening. Wednesday evenings might be the exemption as this is our regular game night. Alas we have a cancelation tonight for our PFS game. So you might get lucky and will have an appearance of Kendra later.
Please don't feel bad if you are unavailable a few days (like Cassandra right now). There is still real life happening. Just post here if you are away for several days so I can plan ahead or don't wait for an answer.
Please also let me know of stuff you like or dislike in the game / my style / etc. We are hopefully together for a while. After all - we need to overcome the Jinx that Andrea brought with her. If you don't want to post here - drop me an e-mail in private.
I didn't see yet a Painlord guide how to be a better PBP GM or PBP player. And no - I'm not always agreeing with everything he writes. But I always read them with interest as there is always something I can improve and take to heart. In a game here this is more personal. But you can be assured I'm not that easily offended.
What else:
Timeline and plans: as mentioned - I want to do the official start on the weekend. There have been a few reasons for that. To have time to prepare ahead (partly done - some more work to do). To have characters ready for everyone (thanks - here we are ahead of time). To also have this in line with my private life (I expected a PFS game tonight and another one as GM on Saturday).
Looking ahead I will post the start Saturday night. The first scene is a little bit difficult as it is half a scene - the chance of input from everyone - followed by ??? I will see if I get feedback from everyone on Sunday. If not - I will wait until Monday morning to react.
Until then - well - I'm sure we manage to get the time filled with idle chatter, getting to know each other better in character and maybe planting a few first seeds for later. All your role-play helps me to better keep things moving.
After all I need to allow free role-play while at the same time I need to steer you in the right direction. I'm sure we will manage well.
Thod