Welcome! Rahr ferocious kitty avatar.
I will again list the players for the Crown of Dawn group, and they are:
nomadicc - Sihdrin
Anatidate - Hazem Al Kareem
Stomphoof - Marketus Jackson
Sir Jolt - Yantur "The Sly"
KMBCross - Khasud al-Rasad
Sunshadow21 - Alfred Windbottom
Now, Sihdrin, Hazem, Khasud and Alfred, it appears all four of you have the Reclaiming Your Roots Campaign trait (something I just now realised). This won't be a problem - if you want to change it, that's fine. I believe you can use it to weave in your backgrounds. Maybe some of you could be siblings - though this is ultimately up to you.
What I want, prior to our beginning, is for you to discuss your backgrounds and get familiar with one another. Melding backgrounds is also encouraged, but not required.
When the campaign starts, you will all have been travelling for a little over a week, from the town of Solku - and as such, you should all know each other on a name basis. I still want you to describe yourselves, and I won't frown upon an introduction - whether in past tense to when you first met one another or how else you prefer.
I will announce when we start, right now I need to do a LOT of preparations. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
If I may: This is my first AP. And while I have myself to blame for hosting two groups instead of one, please be patient while I figure out how to handle everything. I will do my best to be a worthy DM.
Given that Mark here is from out of town, he could very easily have met any number of you in port, and joined up once discovering that we were all heading to the same place.
Also, does anyone here care about me switching Burning Disarm to Freezing Disarm (The oracle/cleric spell)? Basically instead of heating up it freezes, causing the same level of damage (cold burns ya know), and instead of boiling water it drops the tempreture to arctic levels (and still does half damage)
Its a flavor thing, since I am an Oracle of Waves.
I honestly don't - I'd love to be able to reflavor spells too, not necessarily to circumvent resistances or anything, but to encourage my theme. Being very air/lightning element-focused, I'll probably be asking to do the same with the spell list given.
In fact, I might be doing that soon - though generally just descriptions at this point.
Back to the work of restoring my sheet, ho hum.
Since two of you want to change the energy type of your spells, I want to suggest a house rule.
Whenever you obtain a spell dealing energy damage, with an energy descriptor (fire, cold, electricity, acid, positive energy, negative energy, ect), you may change the energy type to one of your preference - this is mainly for thematic consistence.
However, changing spells that channel positive or negative energy removes its capability of healing the living or the undead. Furthermore, while you may modify a spell to either use positive or negative energy, it will not gain the quality to heal the living or the undead. Instead, consider positive energy as light and negative energy as darkness for the sense of theme. (this is a suggestion)
When a spell is changed this way, it is permanently modified. If you modify your Fireball to be a ... burst of light (positive energy) or a burst of electricity (I think scintillating sphere was essentially electric fireball) or an explosion of ice slivers (cold), then your spell is forever "Burst of Light" or "Ice Slivers", or whatever you wish to name your spell.
Any spells with a secondary effect that relies on the energy in question (such as Searing Ray, which deals extra damage versus undead or Ice Storm, which causes sleet and heavy rain in the area of effect) is very likely to lose its secondary effect when you change its energy.
I say this is a suggestion because I do not want to enforce any house rules upon you if you dislike it. It is only meant to support your concept and theme. You will also require my approval for any changed spells, so I can make sure balance is still maintained.
What do you think? Yes or no? Anything unclear?
Since two of you want to change the energy type of your spells, I want to suggest a house rule.
Whenever you obtain a spell dealing energy damage, with an energy descriptor (fire, cold, electricity, acid, positive energy, negative energy, ect), you may change the energy type to one of your preference - this is mainly for thematic consistence.
However, changing spells that channel positive or negative energy removes its capability of healing the living or the undead. Furthermore, while you may modify a spell to either use positive or negative energy, it will not gain the quality to heal the living or the undead. Instead, consider positive energy as light and negative energy as darkness for the sense of theme. (suggestion) F
When a spell is changed this way, it is permanently modified. If you modify your Fireball to be a ... burst of light (positive energy) or a burst of electricity (I think scintillating sphere was essentially electric fireball) or an explosion of ice slivers (cold), then your spell is forever "Burst of Light" or "Ice Slivers", or whatever you wish to name your spell.
Any spells with a secondary effect that relies on the energy in question (such as Searing Ray, which deals extra damage versus undead or Ice Storm, which causes sleet and heavy rain in the area of effect) is very likely to lose its secondary effect when you change its energy.
I say this is a suggestion because I do not want to enforce any house rules upon you if you dislike it. It is only meant to support your concept and theme. You will also require my approval for any changed spells, so I can make sure balance is still maintained.
What do you think? Yes or no? Anything unclear?
Seems fair to me. I am just sad at the lack of cold spells for a Cleric/Oracle when they have a mystery devoted to cold/water effects. I am perfectly willing to give up things in exchange for theme :D
Beaten to it by 2 people. I was actually looking at doing something similar. I personally have permanently changed elements that way for flavor in the past, and it doesn't hurt anything. I am personally probably looking to use fire, electricity, and sonic more than the others due to heat, and the violence of desert storms. I vote yes for the houserule.
As for background, I don't know what race the others are, but Alfred would be old enough to remember the family names at least of the others. As for the PCs themselves, it is likely with that many from Kelmerane in the party, that there is some sort of unifying group of the scattered survivers that kept in contact with each other, and we would know each other through that group, and might possibly have even been recruited through that group.
Beaten to it by 2 people. I was actually looking at doing something similar. I personally have permanently changed elements that way for flavor in the past, and it doesn't hurt anything. I am personally probably looking to use fire, electricity, and sonic more than the others due to heat, and the violence of desert storms. I vote yes for the houserule.
Is Alfred's icon the avatar you intend to use for him? Am asking because I'm working on resources for maps.
Unless you can find a good scorpion picture in the options, yes. I've already used all the gnome and halfling pictures for other characters, and decided that at least the gnoll picture makes sense is a twisted sort of way.
Reposting the list of the party so you can see their race and class as well.
nomadicc - Sihdrin (Elf Cavalier)
Anatidate - Hazem Al Kareem (Human Rogue)
Stomphoof - Marketus Jackson (Human Oracle)
Sir Jolt - Yantur "The Sly" (Halfling Wizard)
KMBCross - Khasud al-Rasad (Human? Magus)
Sunshadow21 - Alfred Windbottom (Gnome Druid)
Thirty-five pages of avatars and every single one that was a clear halfling male was either a cartoon or looked like he had just seen Cthulhu. :/
Anyone from the area that might have bought curio's or minor magical items from Rabensur, my late owner, might have met Yantur as well. Yantur, as a slave (which he technically still is) rarely got to leave the compound though so it's unlikely he would have met anyone anywhere else.
I need to reread everyone's background again to see if there are any good conjunction points. If I don't see a good one, or no one suggests one, then I'll just post Yantur's introduction to the group.
SJ
I just realised that I haven't created my starting Spellbook (duh). I'll add that to my page later today.
SJ
Sihdrin would probably be old enough that he and Alfred could have known each other before the town was destroyed. The other two would be known by their family name to the gnome and the elf probably.
I just realised that I haven't created my starting Spellbook (duh). I'll add that to my page later today.
SJ
If I may, what is your opinion on the suggested houserule?
No problems with it at all.
I was always disappointed that, in 3.x, there was little in the way of Air magic. I always thought that Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed/Evolved did a good job of representing all of the elements.
SJ
Ok so Trait Wise we have:
Me - The Pathfinder One (I am from out of town!)
Yantur - Earning Freedom
Everyone Else - Reclaiming their Roots
That about sum it up?
If this is the case, how bout this scenario. Yantur was loaned out to the guys who want to Reclaim the town as part of his earning his freedom. He is to assist them with reclaiming the town.
I was found because I had put the word out (once I arrived in town) that I was sent by the Pathfinder Society to explore the area, and was willing to lend my skills for a fair share of any plunder with no upfront costs, to any expidition out there.
Thus we spent some time getting to know eachother, our particular skills, and getting supplies. I would have offered to help defray some costs (I got 130gp left) of supplies, but only a bit.
Ok so Trait Wise we have:
Me - The Pathfinder One (I am from out of town!)
Yantur - Earning Freedom
Everyone Else - Reclaiming their RootsThat about sum it up?
If this is the case, how bout this scenario. Yantur was loaned out to the guys who want to Reclaim the town as part of his earning his freedom. He is to assist them with reclaiming the town.
I was found because I had put the word out (once I arrived in town) that I was sent by the Pathfinder Society to explore the area, and was willing to lend my skills for a fair share of any plunder with no upfront costs, to any expidition out there.
Thus we spent some time getting to know eachother, our particular skills, and getting supplies. I would have offered to help defray some costs (I got 130gp left) of supplies, but only a bit.
I can work with that.
Hazem begins to manifest himself in this reality.. after a few seconds of blurriness, he finds himself in a world identical to the one he was just in..
"Wow.. that was.. peculiar.. "
Hazem starts patting himself down..
"well.. I *think* all of me made it...OH NO!!"
Hazem's eyes go wide as he looks around on the ground for his pack of belongings
"Wha.. where's my pack?!?! My father's wand! I've los... Oh wait, it's on my back.."
It is at this time that he finally realises he is not alone.
"Oh! Hello! Glad to see you all made it! My name is Hazem Al Kareem!"
He does an awkward, sweeping bow, resulting in a blue rock, a rubber chicken and a used torch tumbling out of his opened pack, the torch slightly grazing his head
"Owchh stupid razza frazza.. Hey, I know you!" he points at Marketus "ermm.. you look different tho.. it's like you're.. slightly more.. humid.."
After consideration and drafting with the other group, if the houserule goes in place, changing a spell's energy type to positive or negative energy will not be allowed - this is because otherwise resistances would be useless.
We only need Sihdrin to post, and then I will verify your character sheets. When all six are approved, and my preparations are complete, the adventure will start.
After consideration and drafting with the other group, if the houserule goes in place, changing a spell's energy type to positive or negative energy will not be allowed - this is because otherwise resistances would be useless.
We only need Sihdrin to post, and then I will verify your character sheets. When all six are approved, and my preparations are complete, the adventure will start.
Fine by me. I dont want to change TO Positive or Negative anyway! :D I want to change to COLD
COLD COLD COLD
Here is the final sheet (hopefully). And for removing positive and negative energy from it, fine by me.
I tried posting a couple hours ago but the board imploded and took my message. >.< Still, happy to be with a new group! =D
For Sihdrin, I'll happily change his campaign trait to 'Gnoll Killer' for some variety. It won't change too much of his backstory, and would make sense as part of a horse-borne warrior tribe. DM, just let me know if you have a preference one way or the other.
Either way, I didn't think through the age issue very much before, but a hundred years is a pretty long time. Figure he was a young child (not just a babe) when the town was destroyed and his parents slain, or last seen.
I agree with the revised houserule. I had to sleep today (yeah, funny times and all), otherwise I'd have posted earlier.
As for linking backgrounds, Khasul has spent almost his entire life in Katapesh, save when he was young - so most likely, he could have acted as a guide (and he does have Survival, trained too!)
And my first retailored spell is Hydraulic Push, named Tailwind for evocation [air]. No longer douses fires!
After consideration and drafting with the other group, if the houserule goes in place, changing a spell's energy type to positive or negative energy will not be allowed - this is because otherwise resistances would be useless.
We only need Sihdrin to post, and then I will verify your character sheets. When all six are approved, and my preparations are complete, the adventure will start.
I'm going to step out of character real quick to just point out that there is a metamagic feat that does this exact thing in the APG called "elemental spell". It boosts the spell by 1 level, but replaces the energy type to the energy type you specify when you choose the feat.
Not sure if that makes a difference, but yea. I think the basis behind why certain spells *don't* have equivalent energy types is based mostly in fluff and historical tradition. IE, the destructive nature of fire lends itself more to evocation type spells (ie fireball), and thus the development of these spells in a fantasy world becomes more "intuitive" then say, a "cold ball".
At the end of the day, tho, if you're really looking for that level of customisation of your spells, look into the Words of Power option in the APG. That takes your "energy substitution" idea a step further, allowing you to specify not only that, but also other intuitively customisable things in a spell, such as area of effect, etc..
Hazem comes out of his trance, ".. whu..? what happened?! Did I say something?"
I will argue in favour on the houserules based on two thematic elements that neither the elemental spell metamagic feat nor the words of power system can really support:
The elemental magic feat is inconvenient on the basis of increasing the spell's level by one higher, which means most casters here interested in the theme of their character won't be able to utilise said theme until level 3 or 4 - in addition, its limitations is restricted to damage spells, which makes it awkward for casters like Khasul, who wants to change an utility spell's descriptor from one element to another(and even weakens the spell itself - no longer douses fire, it's just a windy bull rush).
As for Words of Power, while it is a flexible system, it struggles with not having the flexibility that normal spells exhibit - I know this sounds like massive misinformation, but let me elaborate: the WoP system is flexible in that you can mix and match a multitude of meta and effect words, but there are many spells that cannot be "duplicated" with the WoP system. I assume this is intentionally - but for the sake of my current argument, this limitation works against the other players' desire to have tailored spells fitting their theme (such as with Tailwind from Khasul - by the way, love that modification.)
Having said that, I can see both sides of the argument. I suggested the same house rule in the other LoF thread, and some of the concerns raised were primarily in regards of positive/negative energy, which has been addressed, and in regards of resistances, specifically fire resistance, which is plentiful (supposedly).
I had no intent of suggesting the house rule for the sake of cheese like circumventing energy resistance or making overpowered spells. I hope it remains clear that my intent is to allow my players to play with thematic consistency.
I apologise for turning this house rule into a big deal. Not very professional of me.
After consideration and drafting with the other group, if the houserule goes in place, changing a spell's energy type to positive or negative energy will not be allowed - this is because otherwise resistances would be useless.
We only need Sihdrin to post, and then I will verify your character sheets. When all six are approved, and my preparations are complete, the adventure will start.
I'm going to step out of character real quick to just point out that there is a metamagic feat that does this exact thing in the APG called "elemental spell". It boosts the spell by 1 level, but replaces the energy type to the energy type you specify when you choose the feat.
Not sure if that makes a difference, but yea. I think the basis behind why certain spells *don't* have equivalent energy types is based mostly in fluff and historical tradition. IE, the destructive nature of fire lends itself more to evocation type spells (ie fireball), and thus the development of these spells in a fantasy world becomes more "intuitive" then say, a "cold ball".
At the end of the day, tho, if you're really looking for that level of customisation of your spells, look into the Words of Power option in the APG. That takes your "energy substitution" idea a step further, allowing you to specify not only that, but also other intuitively customisable things in a spell, such as area of effect, etc..
Hazem comes out of his trance, ".. whu..? what happened?! Did I say something?"
The WoP doesnt give me, as an oracle, the ability to really do what I wanted (believe me, I checked)
And that metamagic feat would, as a spontaneous caster, make all my spells at longer AND take up a higher slot. Just so I can make them do cold damage.
I mean, if its that big a deal I can drop it. *shrugs* I will just be a cold theme character with no cold spells till I hit like 12th level and can take the swift action cone of cold.
And while normally in this case I would suggest giving me access to a 3rd party product...none really give access to cold spells to oracles/clerics!
Druids, Sorcs/Wizards yes.
Which of course makes me wonder why would you have a cold themed mystery with nothing to back it up....
One suggestion that WAS given by a 3rd party developer (when I asked about a product and number of cold spells in it for clerics) was to have the DM add the druid cold spells to my spell list. But that seemed a bit silly.
If you would prefer us not to houserule it Hazeem thats fine though. I dont mind at all.
I've decided to ditch the houserule. If you have a great idea for a thematic modification that doesn't break the spell, then I may allow it. Otherwise, let's keep to the books as closely as possible.
As such, I will allow you to modify Hydraulic Push to Tailwind, Khasud.
I'll go over your character sheets during the course of today. Khasud, you will need to post yours soon.
The APG version of Elemental Spell is actually more complicated than the 3.5 version. It lets you replace either all or just half the damage with the chosen type, where the 3.5 version let you choose an element, and you could change any elemental spell to that element. The APG version also includes more energy types; the 3.5 version was restricted to fire, electricity, acid, and cold. For the cost, I personally preferred the 3.5 version, as I tend to find the spell slot cost of the metamagic feats in general too expensive for my tastes.
I've taken a look at your profiles. Here's the rundown:
ALFRED
Skills need to be sorted out; should have statistics for the scorpion companion; start with nil EXP.
MARKETUS
Can't find any faults. Approved.
HAZEM
No faults with the numbers. Your profile is a little bare. I wouldn't mind seeing more information, such as class features, encumbrance calculations and such - like Marketus's profile. Still, Approved.
KHASUD
In fear of repeating myself, I still need to see your profile.
SIHDRIN
What language is "Commom"? (I jest) You have two Race traits - according to the trait selection rules, you cannot pick more than one trait from each list. There are several other traits that grant the same bonuses, however - Reactionary for initiative, Resilient for Fortitude. Please sort this out. Other than that, I would like to see more information, same as Hazem.
YANTUR
Can't find any faults. Approved.
Whoa, what? No no no.. I was in no way saying I was against houserules! Heh. I was simply offering up options. I sincerely apologize if I came across as being a wet blanket, that was most definitely NOT my intent. The changes do not affect me one way or another, and thus, I am firmly entrenched in the "abstain" column..
ALFRED
Skills need to be sorted out; should have statistics for the scorpion companion; start with nil EXP.MARKETUS
Can't find any faults. Approved.HAZEM
No faults with the numbers. Your profile is a little bare. I wouldn't mind seeing more information, such as class features, encumbrance calculations and such - like Marketus's profile. Still, Approved.KHASUD
In fear of repeating myself, I still need to see your profile.SIHDRIN
What language is "Commom"? (I jest) You have two Race traits - according to the trait selection rules, you cannot pick more than one trait from each list. There are several other traits that grant the same bonuses, however - Reactionary for initiative, Resilient for Fortitude. Please sort this out. Other than that, I would like to see more information, same as Hazem.YANTUR
Can't find any faults. Approved.
I will put more work into it today. Sorry, I generally like to come up with a skeleton structure and then flesh out the character "on the fly" thru dialogue and interaction with others (which has worked pretty well in Hazem's case, I think.. I never intended for him to be as happy go lucky as he turned out, but hey, them's the breaks)
Whoa, what? No no no.. I was in no way saying I was against houserules! Heh. I was simply offering up options. I sincerely apologize if I came across as being a wet blanket, that was most definitely NOT my intent. The changes do not affect me one way or another, and thus, I am firmly entrenched in the "abstain" column..
I will put more work into it today. Sorry, I generally like to come up with a skeleton structure and then flesh out the character "on the fly" thru dialogue and interaction with others (which has worked pretty well in Hazem's case, I think.. I never intended for him to be as happy go lucky as he turned out, but hey, them's the breaks)
I'll go with modified spells rather than perma-changing energy types. It'll be easier for all of us.
There is no need to apologise about your profile - it would simply be easier for me if I could see class features and such instead of having to whip out the rulebook or open tabs of the SRD whenever I went fuzzy on your class features. I did approve you, you silly, loveable rogue.
As I'd posted earlier in the other thread, I borrowed Marketus' layout for information. The sheet is complete, unless I've missed something important. In other news, I'm ready to go!
KHASUL - APPROVED
Can't find anything wrong with your character. Thank you.
Can I ask what timezone everybody is in? I am GMT+1 / CET, last I checked.
EDIT: HURR sorry for misspelling your name earlier, Khasul. So many names to get used to.
I myself am in EST, though my sleep schedule is erratic at best right now. It's the result of staying up late, pushing all-night through a 8-1pm class, and falling asleep sometime around 2-3 pm and it jumps about from there.
I'm probably going to be asking to modify a bunch of spells in the future, so let me see if I can locate any now before we dive in.
EDIT: Oh, it's fine. I was wondering if you misspelled it to make me post faster - or just didn't see the L. *cough* I can't find too much else at the moment, since I should be looking for touch-oriented spells and most are elemental cold or lightning or chosen.
Hazem furrows his brow.. "hrmm... OH! I know now!"
Hazem shrugs off his pack and starts digging.. a moment later, he comes up with a stack of cards with strange writing on them, "ok! Fireball! does 1d6 fire damage per.. wait.. no.. that's not it.. Lay on Hands, no.. Channel Energy, no.. Rage! wow, that sounds cool!" Hazem starts flipping thru the stack of abilities, throwing them away one by one, until finally, "Sneak Attack! there it is!" He takes out a pin and carefully pins the card to his vest, " now.. I need to find trapfinding.. hrmm..."
<--- Toronto, Canada (eastern standard time)
EST
I've glanced at your backgrounds and am summarising them thusly:
ALFRED
Born and raised in Kelmarane. Was in Yavipho when the settlement was destroyed. By urgings of his uncle he became a druid. Went to Solku.
MARKETUS
Born and raised in Augustana, Andoran. Mother was from Kalapesh. Expressed desire to visit Kalapesh, and joined the Pathfinders, and consequently was assigned to Majordomo Garavel.
HAZEM
No backstory on profile.
KHASUL
Born in Kelmarane. Father died in the tragedy, while mother survived; mother's name is Aatara. Had a mentor, Khalid. When he turned 20, Aatara died. Returning to Kelmarane to seek vengeance and reclaim the town.
SIHDRIN
Born in Kelmarane - not sure where raised. Unaware of his link to the past until recently.
YANTUR
Unknown birthplace. Bought by Rabensur Senb-Etef. His master died mysteriously. Still considered a slave by the Pactmasters, he has been given a shot at freedom by being assigned to Majordomo Garavel.
Sihdrin, could you specify where you were raised? Yantur, where were you held as a slave?
Yantur and Marketus, you're both assigned to this task regardless of circumstance - would it be possible that you two got to know each other before meeting the others?
Also, how much freedom am I allowed in regards of using the elements from your backstory?
I'm also EST (GMT -5 I believe).
SJ
EDIT: You can use/modify elements from my backstory as needed; especially if you think it improves group dynamic. In fact, the whole point of the AP Traits seems to me to be to make it easier to tie everyone together without having to say, "You all meet in a tavern," so I have no problems with any background tweaking you want to do.
EDIT EDIT: And I'll just apologise in advance for all the times I end up posting as Sir Jolt instead of Yantur "the Sly". If I notice that I've done that, I'll edit it (as I have here) to try and avoid confusion.
Okay - I updated Sihdrin's profile with encumberance totals, and fixed the trait snafu (replaced WoO with Reactionary). I tweaked a couple cosmetic details for his background.
I'm CST (Texas).
Use what you want / need / change as needed :)
Well cept the part about gaining my powers and whatnot :P
I thought I had updated it. I will have to get on my laptop tomorrow and try to do so again as that is where I have the updated file.
HAZEM
No backstory on profile.
"At great personal turbulance, I have remedied this problem!"
SIHDRIN - SHEET APPROVED
Now we just need Alfred to fix the errors on his profile and we can start.
Background ties:
HAZEM
Born in Kelmarane - not sure where raised. Father died, left a wand.
SIHDRIN
Born in Kelmarane, raised in Badawi. Unaware of his link to the past until recently.
Now, who of you want to know each other prior to the adventure starts? Marketus and Yantur, I'll ask again if it's all right that you two know each other, at least.
"I, Khasul of the Tempest Winds, would not mind knowing any individual from Kelmarane. It is honorable to want to return, to undo the past - nothing can be greater than that."
A tall elf riding a dusty-brown warhorse pulls the turban scarf from his face to reply. "I am from Kelmarane, though I do not remember much of it. I was little more than a child when I left."
I would say that Alfred and Sihdrin would know each other as both are wanderers by nature, and Alfred would have wanted to maintain whatever connection to Kelmerane he could, even if he never mentioned it to Sihdrin until the elf brought it up.
Now, who of you want to know each other prior to the adventure starts? Marketus and Yantur, I'll ask again if it's all right that you two know each other, at least.
That's fine with me.
I would say that Alfred and Sihdrin would know each other as both are wanderers by nature, and Alfred would have wanted to maintain whatever connection to Kelmerane he could, even if he never mentioned it to Sihdrin until the elf brought it up.
Certainly, prehaps if my tribe visited your druid circle regularly, we may have met before.