Hi People,
I'm totally new to the Paizo forums but I have a hankering to run the Serpent's Skull adventure. I'd be looking for four to five players but I'd have to limit the character options to those presented in the Pathfinder RPG core, the Advanced Player's Guide, the Adventurer's Armoury and the GMG. Its not that I hate other source material but I just can't get my hands on it since I don't own much beyond that. Oh, and character options presented in the adventure itself.
People would be starting off at level one as per the adventure and if there are any other details you need to know before we get going please feel free to ask, I've played many a 3.5 but this will be my first Pathfinder foray so I might make a few dumb assumptions and I won't be offended if you point them out.
I would be so on board for this. I have a plethora of character ideas, but I've read the Player's Guide for the AP, and my initial idea is either a Chelish wizard (and a bit of a diabolist) who is obsessed with ancient civilizations and magic, or an eccentric dwarven explorer (likely a rogue) who just wants to see new places and experience new things, and definitely wants his own ship. In any case, I'd LOVE to play in the Serpent's Skull AP, as long as you don't mind me being on GMT+8. My time might be a little weird, but I can commit to AT LEAST one post a day, and far more on my days off (Wednesdays and Thursdays will likely only yield a single post, though).
As a Western Australian I believe I actually share your timezone :)
One thing I should have mentioned in the first post but forgot was that I'd be leaning towards characters being on the neutral/good scale of the alignments. Hopefully that doesn't muck you up too heavily.
My dwarven rogue would absolutely be CN with leanings towards CG. He believes in free-choice and bullies and tyrants really get under his skin, and he'll oppose them we're he finds them, but he doesn't go out of his way to do so. In the end, he cares more about his freedom than the freedom of others.
The wizard I've got in mind, on the other hand, is a little tougher to nail down (I've had him in mind for years, and have been trying to choose an alignment for him for just as long), but I think I'd peg him as neutral. He is a scholar, first and foremost, obsessed with lore and magic. He believes that some knowledge is dangerous, and such knowledge should be controlled, but NEVER destroyed or forbidden. He feels that there are few worse crimes than the destruction of an idea, and he'd murder hundreds to stop such an occurrence if he had to. That being said, he has no great love of bloodshed. In fact, he takes a certain pleasure in intrigue, and one of the reasons he employs the services of devils is the requisite wordplay of dealing with them. He doesn't shy away from questionable methods, but he cannot stand evil committed for evil's sake, and doesn't tend to get along with zealots. This is really the character I'd prefer to play, but if you think he'd be too questionable, that's fine. He's a re-imagining of an old character from a campaign that ended abruptly. He's pretty ambitious, so if he's in the party, you won't have to worry about the players being indecisive, but on the other hand, he (or rather his predecessor), has been known to hijack story arcs and bring his own schemes into the limelight (what was intended to be an adventure to depose a vampire queen ended up with the party owning a city and starting a merchant empire).
I'd lean towards the half-orc, not because I loathe the idea of a Hob but more because I'm still a bit of a rough newbie when it comes to running pathfinder and I'd forget things like their natural loathing of magic etc (just read the bestiary entry) but the Rhino would be fine as a companion, he was in the hold and when the ship hit the rocks he swam out to the beach (I hope Rhinos can swim, I know elephants can :P )
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I'll toss my hat in for a Ranger, I'll post up a Character concept shortly, How do you feel about Play Test Material? a Gunslinger would be intresting to try out.
Either way, the Ranger will be a Big Game hunter, think Allan Quatermain, Older (just for fluff), wise, mostly quiet, boarded in Magnimar as a hired Gun (Or bow), to help see the cargo through, then do some hunting in the Mwangi Expanse.
It's Serpent's Skull, which I have been really trying to join, so let me ask: are you willing to allow psionic characters from Dreamscarred Press' Psionics Unleashed? I'm willing to post as verbosely as possible to help out the GM. First choice is the character and profile shown, a Chelaxian human on the run. His slot would be mapping/craft/knowledge and secondary fighter.
I do have to say I love double dealing word games, I ran a Changeling the Lost LARP when I was living in Adelaide and that was always one of my favorite parts, RPing the deal brokering with the more silver tongued players (rolls for those who couldn't follow the double meaning streams of conversation). So honestly I like the sound of the wizard, I guess its more up to you, if you think he'll clash with party dynamics too much go for the easier character but if you want to play the morally gray wizard I'd be up for that too. I just don't normally like evil characters due to the prevalence of people that read an "evil" tag in their alignment as "Sociopathic".
I'd be interested in playing. I haven't yet read the player's guide, but I am thinking about a halfling ranger or inquisitor (depending on what would fit best with the rest of the party) , a former slave in Cheliax who escaped and spent a few years helping others escape. Here is his background:
Hern Davisham
Hern was born a slave in Cheliax. Even from a young age, he resisted his lot, suffering numerous beatings. Even now his face and body bears the scars of his mistreatment: a gouge that crosses beneath his right eye and a second one that runs down his right cheek; a mass of scars from whippings mar his back; and the pinkie on his left hand is missing. On his left forearm he bears a tattoo of a blue bellflower, a recent addition now that Hern feels no need to hide his beliefs. Hern has black hair and blue eyes.
Hern eventually learned to hide his simmering anger and resentment, biding his time. And then, it came, the moment Hern had been waiting for: his master was alone with only Hern, his master turned his back, and Hern killed him. Fleeing into the wilderness, Hern vowed to help other halflings escape from their servitude.
He spent several years as a tiller, leading escaped slaves through the wilderness to friendly communities. He also became increasingly reckless, provoking confrontations with slaveowners and Chelish authorities. After a few attempts to sow slaves turned into needlessly violent clashes with slaveholders, the Bellflower Society suggested that Hern retire from actively liberating slaves.
Purchasing him passage to Sargava, Hern's former companions wished him luck in his new life. Hern tends to be reticent, his years of slavery and then guerilla resistance overcoming the natural cheerfulness of most halflings. However, as his travels take him farther from Cheliax, the natural openness of halflings is starting to bloom. He occasionally finds himself laughing jokes, enjoying the company of others, and smiling at a pleasant song. Hern can be short-tempered, especially when he feels that weaker folks are being victimized. Even worse, he can be cruel when former oppressors are at his mercy. He knows that he should temper his viciousness, but it is a struggle.
Hopefully, he sounds like an interesting addition.
Hi Petronicus,
bah, I'm a softy when it comes to saying yes to things but this time I'll have to say sorry. I just have always had a fairly adverse reaction to psionics thanks to some experiences when I was a younger, greener gamer. I'd be happy to have you join us but I don't really want to have psionics in the game.
No problem. I'll keep trying psionics elsewhere.
Wow, I have to mention people are hungry for a game, 3 or 4 interests in 30ish minutes :)
Alright then, I'll toss my name in as Lydran Entelios, traveling from Cheliax. He's a half-elf, and his human relatives never let him forget it. Alienated by his colleagues from a young age, he sequestered himself in his studies, and became fascinated with the great empires of ages past, a glorious mirror of former Cheliax. His studies naturally lead him to wizardry, and he soon took up the practice of diabolism so common in his country. Still, he found himself sickened by the sense of entitlement his fellow Chelaxian wore on the ends of their sleeves, their unearned pride only surpassed by the insufferable Taldans. Though raised Chelish, he does not consider himself a Chelaxian, and has left his homeland in disgust, intent on finding his own place in the world, a place of his own choice and making. In his more idylic moments, he dreams of sitting at the head of the next Azlant or Thassilon. Naturally, he is fascinated with relics leftover from such a bygone age, and will eagerly delve into dungeons or ruins connected to them.
That's what I've got for him so far, but if you'd like something more, I can certainly come up with it.
Serpent's Skull looked like a very interesting storyline. If you're still recruiting, I'd like to toss my hat into the ring of contestants.
I was thinking something of a gnomish ranger, something of a big game hunter/explorer. A bit of an adventure seeker with something of the gentleman explorer kind of attitude. Let me know if you're still interested.
I'm still open to hands being up though at this stage with have a wizard, a druid and three rangers so that might need some working :)
Its funny to me though, people barely ever played rangers back when I was running 3.5, I can't remember if they were mechanically poo (how PG are the forums?) or something similar though.
Ah, not sure if it really matters, but I'd be specialized in Conjuration, with my opposition schools being illusion (too frivolous) and necromancy (too crude).
I'll change Hern to an rogue with the scout archetype from the APG. If that makes things fit better. I think that fits the character just fine.
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I'll toss my hat in for a Ranger, I'll post up a Character concept shortly, How do you feel about Play Test Material? a Gunslinger would be intresting to try out.
Either way, the Ranger will be a Big Game hunter, think Allan Quatermain, Older (just for fluff), wise, mostly quiet, boarded in Magnimar as a hired Gun (Or bow), to help see the cargo through, then do some hunting in the Mwangi Expanse.
Aldon Rook.
LN Human Ranger (or gunslinger, Or ranger with a firearm, either works.)
Aldon has seen more than his fair share of Adventure. A known Huntsman, risk taker, and thrill Seeker, Alton Hunts big game. "The bigger, the Better" is his Motto. Now, he has his Eyes Set on some of the Biggest game ever.. Dinosaurs. Booking passage as a Hired hand aboard the Jenivere in maginmar, He heads to the Eleder in Sargava, Hoping to Hunt, and Maybe take down the Greatest Challenge of his Career..
Aldon is Tall, Grizzled, and a bit set in his ways. With a Ragged beard, Keen blue eye, hes mostly quiet, watchign his suroundings. He believes the only good kill is a fair one. He relys on his Skills and talent, rather than use arcane Magic to help him track. "Its cheating! just wiggle your fingers, and find your prey! Bah too Easy!, no sport in it"
No stress on changing your character yet, now that we most likely have a full compliment we'll just need to hash out the party so that roles and such are filled (wow, refering to party dynamics as "roles to be filled", Wow and 4E have ruined me :P ).
Nah, parties always had roles to be fulfilled. 4th edition and such just brought it to the forefront, no harm in it at all.
If there's too many rangers (I was looking at Guide archetype from APG) then it can be easily changed to Fighter (either Archer or Crossbowman). I mostly had the concept of character in mind, but the race/class can always be changed up.
Not to sound to presumptuous, but is it to early to ask what the criterion for character creation will be? You mentioned the sourcebooks that are allowed, but how are we handling ability scores and starting wealth, instance?
Hm, how does point buy with 20pts sound, as for money I'd say the averages based on class since the ap has a bit of a survivalist focus.
Seems reasonable. Shall I begin statting a character, or are we still figuring out who's in and who's not?
Sorry Solarious missed the question. Where are the Gunslinger/Amature Gunslinger feat, aren't they still playtest material or have I missed them in one of the books?
Oh, and feel free to stat out you character Marinaj :)
Honestly, I'm more interested in the character concept-halfling former freedom fighter trying to find his place in the world-than the particular class combination. I think lots of classes would fit: ranger, inquisitor, rogue. I'll assume right now that I'm building him as a rogue (providing, of course, that he makes it into the game).
Heh, apparently I'm not a fan of saying no but here goes twice in one night :P
Yeah, I'd prefer not to include playtest material until I'm more familiar with Pathfinder itself, I mean I'm already going to make enough flubs with the differences between 3.5 and Pathfinder. Also I'm not sure how well black powder (Do pathfinder guns use black powder? I have to ask because I remember dwarves carrying compressed steam rifles in some setting I read ages ago) would work with the survivalist angle of the campaign.
I'd still love to have you as a player though :)
Also lovelydwarf, at this stage consider yourself part of the party :)
Oh, and just so you guys are clear :)
at this point we have...
Martinaj - Half-Elven/Wizard
Diskordant - Half-Orc/Druid
Solarious - Human/Ranger
Lovelydwarf - Halfling/Rogue
Sorvahr - Ranger or possibly fighter :)
in the party. If someone drops or we have a mighty personality clash on some issue we'll open a space up but that appears to be the current line-up :)
We've gone with the option of purchasing from the core book (pg. 15/16) with 20pts allotted. Hopefully that'll make you guys a little epic without making you stroll around owning the AP :)
Oh, and a question for you guys, do you know a good image host for these forums (for maps and the like) or should I find on off site host?
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Oh, and a question for you guys, do you know a good image host for these forums (for maps and the like) or should I find on off site host?
I personally use Flickr.com paizo's site doesn't have an immage host.
As for the Background traits. Most AP's allow 2, to help build a background for your character, or tie you into the AP, Its usually suggested to take one from the players guide, and one from another Paizo source, to help flesh your charater out. Roughly they are the equivlent of 1/2 a feat, they mostly offer things like skill bonuses, extra class skills, sometimes small anounts of gold etc.
Oh, sorry I thought you meant traits as in abilities, yeah two traits, one from the ap's player guide and one from one of the mentioned books should be fine, sorry about my confusion :)
I'm honestly pretty excited for this. Working on detailing the mechanics of the character currently. Is the Guide archetype for Ranger in the APG acceptable? As well, what is the starting gold for everyone?
Yup, I have no problem with a guide so go for it, as for money each player is starting with their base class' average (pg.140 of the core) so for a Ranger such as yourself it'd be 175gp, hope that helps.
Gullin: Yep, that helps most excellently. Thanks!
Solarious: The original idea was to do a ranged ranger concept, but I'll go melee instead. You can keep your fancy pants bows and such.
Nah, melee is fine. Kind of getting an image of an explorer gnome awkwardly wielding a machete too big for him to cut through jungle vines and other things.
Gnome with a machete versus a t-rex... this must happen :D
Oh, and its getting quite late here, approaching 2am, so I may disappear for a few hours before my next post, don't lose hope though, I shall return :)
Hope you're getting some good rest.
So . . . the traits in the Serpent's Skull player's guide don't really seem to fit Hern. Can I just take two from the APG?
No rest yet, apparently I must be one of the wicked that saying alludes too, I don't have a problem with two from the AGP, I guess my only caveat would be the couple that reference the town you live in or the dad you have on call (I think there were a couple like that, its late and the books not open so I may be wrong :) ) should be avoided.
Rook here, supplies all gathered, and ready to make our journey!
One gnomish explorer, right here. Hopefully the math adds up properly. I'll be honest that I had no quite expected things to gather together and launch off quite so quickly!
Here is Hern. I, too, hope everything adds up properly. I ended up taking Freedom Fighter and Poverty-Stricken. I'm reinterpreting poverty-stricken to mean that I spent several years living on the land, helping slaves escape.
So, one former freedom fighter facing an uncertain future ready for the voyage!
uh.. Fugg here. Still need work but I'm here...
Wow, you guys have been busy :)