Hello, everyone! Congratulations for being selected for this adventure. If you haven't already, please complete your character sheets using the character creation criteria below. Please complete this by end of day Wednesday, so we can start the adventure on Thursday. If this is going to be difficult, just let me know.
Character Creation
1) 20-Point Buy, 1st Level
2) Core races only and Published Core Sources only (Core, APG, UM)
3) Two traits. One should be from the player's guide, but if you can provide a good story reason, I'll allow others. The second can be from the pre-approved sources.
4) No evil characters.
5) Max HP at first level (roll thereafter).
6) Average starting gold
7) No words of power
A quick question for input before getting started: Are you ok with my rolling initiative for the group, rather than individually? I've found that for PBPs, this speeds things up a bit. However, if one of you are pumping your Initiative modifier, that takes some of the power out of your hands. What do you think?
I'm looking forward to getting started!
Thank you for choosing me, and I'm looking forward to getting started too. If it's important, I'm at UTC -5 (US Central Daylight Time), and I can be reached via email at my yahoo account. Username is jbwoodford, and the rest of the address should be obvious.
Since your character guidelines are the same as the abortive campaign Dragolan was originally created for, he should be ready to go. Take a look and let me know if I need to fix anything.
ETA: I'm fine with you rolling initiative.
Thank you for choosing me as well. You rolling initiative is fine with me. I disclose I've never been in a PbP before Here is my PbP v-card!, but I can only imagine combat is rather slow. Its slow enough in person.
I still have to spend my 370gp, double-check everything, and flesh out my backstory. Something to do tomorrow at work!
If you want to discuss my cargo or anything, my gmail account is olondir.
Reporting for duty! I'm thrilled to have been selected, and really excited about this game. I think you've selected a good group of players, as evidenced by the quality of the role-playing in the recruitment thread. Brin's character sheet will be completed tomorrow, as requested!
Also, I am in favor of DM rolled initiative, or really, any measures which will help the game maintain forward momentum.
Thank you as well for accepting me. I'm almost done with the charsheet, half the information is already in the profile, I know there's still stuff missing and the current format for it isn't good.
I'll write it down somewhat better and fill out the blanks, having it done till wednesday evening shouldn't be a problem.
Yes, I have no problem with you doing initiative. I also don't mind you rolling preception for us,and telling us the results, instead of saying "now everyone roll perception", or any other skill that you think is appropriate for a situation.
Can we/should we keep interacting in the old recruitment thread till the actual game starts?
Hello folks, I'm in the Eastern Daylight Savings Time myself, and GM Todd, I have no problem with you rolling initiative. Or leveling without counting xp, which is what they're doing in another PbP I'm playing in. Thanks to GM Todd for choosing me!
Role/Functions!
Petry - Psion - treat as Sorcerer (ranged) until I can gain a few levels, he doesn't get longswords, only daggers and crossbows
Allia - Bard
Meraxes - Sorcerer
Dragolan - Oracle of Life (healer)
Crecy - Inquisitor of Iomedae (primary meatshield)
Brin - Ranger (ranged attacks)
I know most, if not everyone here, has not seen the new Psions in play from Dreamscarred Press. The third-party book has been translated online at the OGC SRD here. I'll be doing my best to show everyone that psionics is viable in roleplay. I've also been looking forward to playing Serpent's Skull for months, given the favorable reviews on Pazio's messageboard. I've also been taught to put "temporary stats / effects" at the top of battle postings, as well as a "future actions" at the bottom to help out the GM with AC numbers, spells left, what to do, etc.
I've chosen a Kineticist for Petry, which means energy attacks, and lots of them, as he levels. But not much for melee unless I choose a prestige class. So he'll be standing back from the front of the party, if that helps anyone choose their own class' specifics.
I chose a trait that gave Petry an extra 200 gp to spend, and I have it all on a spreadsheet for gp spent and weight. My profile only has these limits, not the details. I'll have to either list them or post to Google spreadsheets to show GM Todd what Petry has among his very heavy three backpacks.
Petry is young, slightly naive, and on the run from the devil-worshipers back home. He could change into anything as the adventure path progresses - optimistic fighter, embittered loner, silent killer. Everybody help to shape Petry into an adventurer!
As far as mechanics go, I am hoping to use my bloodline arcana to the best effect. Any people or animals we encounter in the jungles of sargava could be potential friends. I won't be able to speak with the animals but at least they might stop mistaking us for lunch.
I'm also considering re-doing my stats a little bit and using a scorpion whip. I'm thinking True Strike + disarm / trip for a little bit of control. Flavor-wise a whip with the tip customized and barbed like a viper's head would be awesome. Mechanically I'm not sure if it is viable, but I think it would be great and give me more flexibility in case of undead or other things resistant to enchantments.
Rather than RP in the recruitment thread, I've gone ahead and set up the game thread. Feel free to interact there as we wait for everyone to get their characters updated.
I've reviewed Dragolan and Meraxes' character sheets - both look good. The only thing I didn't check was encumbrance. While I'm not going to be super-strict on this, it will play a factor. So please, at the least, list your current encumbrance based on the amount of gear you're carrying and your strength. If you don't have an easy way to calculate that, let me know, and I'll do it for you.
Finally, I have a gmail address with the username thetoddblog. If you have any questions, want to chat or need to share some character secrets that you don't want the other players to know, feel free to email me/chat me there.
Thanks everyone!
Edit: Allia - it looks like you have one point left to spend for your ability scores. Not sure how you'll want to adjust, but feel free to do so!
Edit 2: Petry - Please specify (in your profile or via email) what is in your two backpacks. Thanks
Edit 2: Petry - Please specify (in your profile or via email) what is in your two backpacks. Thanks
I just finished putting the Excel spreadsheet into Google, DM Todd. Here's the link. It's under the "Equipment" tab. For reference I've also put the psionic Call Item power's limits as to what Petry can conjure up in his hand.
I can also e-mail you the Pathfinder PDF character sheet, if needed. My e-mail is my name, or jeremy at jeremy h pace, (all one word), .org.
I see we're without a Rogue in the party, so the lockpicking skills will fall upon Petry! He had the skill due to several kidnapping attempts in his past, but he can keep adding to the skill each level.
Meraxes' character sheet should be about done besides thinking a bit more about backstory/personality.
I basically took the easy way out and spent most of my cash on scrolls (purchased at the full retail value of 25gp/scroll).
Role/Functions!
Brin - Ranger (ranged attacks)
I thought it worth pointing out that Brin is actually more focused on melee than ranged attacks at the present. Eventually, I hope to build him to be effective at either, and he does have a bow now. But he has high strength, a greatsword, Power Attack and Cleave....so, yeah, he's a frontline combatant for sure.
Unless our inquisitor shows up, you're currently our ONLY frontline fighter. I wonder why no fighters/barbarians/monks applied to his campaign?
We have a very likable group, but we'll see if you can survive any encounters - or talk your way out of them - to leverage all that charm. ;)
Good to know, Brin. You can tell I was making assumptions. I was trying to avoid a repeat of the tabletop game where all the characters looked at each other over the first trapped treasure chest, saying, "I thought YOU had the Disable Device skill!" :) Needless to say, the Key to the City (i.e., a club) was used quite often in that game...
Allia, also, it looks like you have an extra 0-level spell. You should only be able to take four at first level.
Merax, are you updating your stats to use the whip? Or did you decide against that?
Edit: Allia - it looks like you have one point left to spend for your ability scores. Not sure how you'll want to adjust, but feel free to do so!
You're right, thanks, will fix that.
Allia, also, it looks like you have an extra 0-level spell. You should only be able to take four at first level.
That's the alternate favorite class bonus for humans:
"Add one spell known from the bard spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the bard can cast."Till level 4 that's only cantrips.
Speaking of cantrips: Would taking one or two cantrips from the 3rd Party List be ok?
Ah, gotcha. I thought you took an extra skill - my counting is off somewhere. EDIT: I see what I did wrong. You're good to go on the skills.
I think the 3rd party spells are probably ok. Which are you thinking of taking?
Yes and no. I'm not going to adjust my stats but I'm going to bring it along. I already bought the whip but forgot to recopy that part of my statblock over. Even though I'm not proficient and have low a strength, with truestrike (when I get it), I'm looking at a +15 to hit/disarm/trip so I'll be ok for now.
Ah, gotcha. I thought you took an extra skill - my counting is off somewhere. Can you please asterisk the skills you've taken a rank in?
I think the 3rd party spells are probably ok. Which are you thinking of taking?
No, have 9 skills, 6 from bard, 2 int, 1 human. Will do the asterix thing later when I overhaul the entire sheet. :)
I was thinking about Canny Effort, however that spell might be a bit too powerful.
As for my role:
I was thinking about buffer, debuffer, support and sticking more in the back.
I was actually also thinking about using a whip as my main weapon, to have a 15 ft trip/disarm weapon to help further control the battlefield. A normal one for the start, eventually getting a scorpion whip of course. But if Merexes is already doing this, I'm not sure.
Was also planning to pick up Dazzling Display with the whip at level 5 (i think thats the earliest I can do it), and at level 6 I can substitute Intimidate with Perform, for a powerful aoe debuff.
One of the main reasons, I'm still considering not to pick the Geisha archetype is that they lose proficiency with the whip.
Guess I could spend a feat on learning it, but the Geisha already traded in alot more than she gains, spending yet another feat ...
Trust me, Meraxes would not have a problem if a lady wanted to have a whip. ;)
I don't expect to be using the scorpion whip much. I won't be going the dazzling display route or anything. I will most likely be relying on diplomacy and spells so I think you should still go ahead with getting the whip. It is your call though.
GMT, Brin's character sheet is all set for your perusal. Please let me know if you'd like anything changed.
Allia: You're good to go on skills - still can update ability scores. I'm concerned about Canny Effort - it seems a little overpowered as a 0-level skill. Is there another 0-level that catches your eye? I'm not saying no officially, but let me think on it.
Merax: You look good to go. Technically, you're only supposed to buy mundane equipment with your extra gold, but I'll allow it.
Brin: Everything looks good to me.
Dragolan: You're good.
Petry: I think you're good. Your crazy Psionness is going to give me heartburn.
And, finally, Crecy: Where are ya?
Should Crecy not show, I do think we need to add another character. Was there anyone who jumped out at you in the recruitment thread?
I thought only "borded in cheliax" was restricted to mundane equipment because it says so in the trait. "Get the cargo through" just says additional wealth. Thus I thought I was ok to spend it on scrolls. Thank you for allowing me to keep them. :D
Should Crecy not show, I have no preference in whom he is replaced by. Maybe Jasper?
Allia: You're good to go on skills - still can update ability scores. I'm concerned about Canny Effort - it seems a little overpowered as a 0-level skill. Is there another 0-level that catches your eye? I'm not saying no officially, but let me think on it.
At first, yeah I thought so too.
But then I thought a bit more about it.There's the official cleric orison Guidance, which is similar.
Some differences:
- only +1 instead +2 but it also works for attack rolls and saving throws, not just skill checks
- can be cast on someone else, not just myself
- lasts 1 minute not just 1 round (that doesn't sound huge, but it is)
So basicly it trades the ability to help someone else, and to affect attacks and saving rolls, and 90% of the duration for another +1.
Also, it's a standard action, and has verbal and somatic components.
Using it in combat, well I basicly spend my action on it, that should balance it out.
And using it in diplomatic situations and so? Well, I think people get suspicious if you wave your hands around and mumble arcane words, right before trying to convince them to lend you money or sell you something.
So yeah, I could use it to enhance my performance for example or some other things, but it's not a "+2 to everything".
Merax: You're right. My bad. Spend away!
Allia: Good points. Additionally, a +2 isn't necessarily game-breaking. I was thinking we could house-rule it, so it only applied to a certain number of skills, but I like you're thinking of only being able to use it when people wouldn't be weirded out by your incantations. Let's go with it.
Allia: Good points. Additionally, a +2 isn't necessarily game-breaking. I was thinking we could house-rule it, so it only applied to a certain number of skills, but I like you're thinking of only being able to use it when people wouldn't be weirded out by your incantations. Let's go with it.
Hey, as long as you houserule it so I can use it on diplomacy and perform skills all the time, not just when people aren't watching, and maybe knowledge (but not so important), I'd be ok with that ;)
btw, sent you an email.
Petry: I think you're good. Your crazy Psionness is going to give me heartburn.
Argh, I didn't mean to! :)
I have no idea why Crecy would roleplay the way he did and then just drop out. Jasper would give us a Rogue, but I think we might need some staying power with some iron behind it (i.e., a meatshield).
Dragolan, did you change a spell to your list? I had down that you had detect magic, not detect poison. I'm fine with the change, I just want to get it right.
Dragolan, did you change a spell to your list? I had down that you had detect magic, not detect poison. I'm fine with the change, I just want to get it right.
That reminded me- I changed my traits yesterday to magical knack (lullaby) and picked up acid splash instead of ray of frost. I just wanted to make sure you saw that.
I didn't see that - but what does Lullaby have to do with Magical Knack?
Yes, I did. I was reviewing the character sheet before we started, and figured detect poison made a bit more sense from a character motivation point of view (after all, when he's looking for mushrooms for stew, it helps to be able to spot the amanitas without relying on a Knowledge (Nature) check).
Sounds good, Dragolan. I think we have plenty of magic detectors in our group.
Just a heads up, I put out a call for another character in our group. I didn't pick any of the specific characters submitted already, as we really, really need a true fighter. It was going to be pushing it with the Inqiusitor as our only "tank."
If any of you are in other PBPs with players who you think would be good, please encourage them to apply with a fighter/barbarian/cavalier/paladin (blech).
I'm here. Was going to wait until I finalized the sheet before posting. If you need a more polarized striker/defender I don't mind bowing out till your next campaign Todd.
Crecy, I'm sorry. It's completely my fault. I mis-cast the group. Would you rather submit a more melee-focused character than bow out?
If not, I would love to have you play in one of my future games, if you're willing.
Have fun in your other games and thanks for your flexibility!
If it's any help, Crecy, I thought we needed you in the group as the main armored fighter. At least, that's what I thought you were going for. Your Inquisitor mindset would have been fun to roleplay, the "straight man" of the team.
So, finally finished the charsheet and got it into a decent format, that's readable on this forum :)
You might have to check everything again, I did make some changes.
Ok: Time to vote. We have three proposed characters (4 if Crecy decides to stick around). Does anyone have a preference:
Tiefling Barbarian (Previously submitted Tariro the witch)
Paladin - Returning from Mendevian Crusades (Previously submitted Nosh the summoner)
Two-Handed Fighter (Previously submitted Jasper the rogue)
I don't have any backstories yet. Feel free to check out the Recruitment Thread if you want more info.
I'd like to get the final character locked down so we can get this show on the road. Or this boat into port, I suppose.
Hmmm I'm not sure how I feel about tieflings. I'd like to read his backstory.
I like paladins.. but I'm not sure if he'd agree with my skillset of charms, deception, and seduction.
Jasper's fighter seems like a good bet.
I'd put my full support behind he or she who submits the best character backstory/personality.
I'd put my full support behind he or she who submits the best character backstory/personality.
I have to agree here, they all seem like solid choices for front line fighters, I'd also say it should be one with the most interesting backstory.
But in the end the choice is yours.Some IC tension is ok, as long as its not hatred or open hostility.
Some IC tension is ok, as long as its not hatred or open hostility.
Absolutely. I can handle it. It could be really fun! I'm not the one who loses my powers if I overstep my bounds. I'm also not even evil. Simply manipulative..for the greater good of course!
As long as the paladin can keep himself from trying to tread on me too much I welcome his company. It is hard to find and play a paladin who can handle it.
I also wanted to add that Crecy, should he come back, be weighted more heavily against the other submissions.
#1 Crecy (if he comes back)
#2 Paladin
#3 Two-Handed Fighter
My sticking point would be someone who's going to stick it out in the AP, and not try to break up the party in the name of "roleplaying".
Assuming Crecy has indeed stepped aside (which would be unfortunate, because I liked that character)...
I know scranford didn't get the opportunity to role-play Tariro very much, but he has a strong history on these boards as an active and capable pbp player. Also, I think a tiefling would present some very interesting role-playing opportunities for Brin, as he would be hard-pressed to overcome his inherent mistrust of the character. (Note that, while I would play up some tension between the two, I would certainly not allow the party to be split, or otherwise harm the game).
imimrtl is also a good player, currently playing in my goblin campaign. And, I thought he role-played Jasper well in the recruiting phase.
The paladin would be my least favorite choice.
Is the Inquisitor completely out? I don't really know that class, I never played it, nor seen it played.
I know they only wear medium, but so do Barbarians most of the time, are they in any way a worse melee fighter than them?
Inquisitors are 3/4 BAB characters w/6 levels of spells accessible, plus some other goodies to punch them up in a fight. Best way to think about them, I think, is as the divine equivalent of a bard, or as a ranger that traded some combat prowess for improved spellcasting. I'm currently playing one in a PbeM Carrion Crown game. (We haven't gotten far, though...mostly RPing.)
Ah, missed the 3/4 BAB. But thats not so bad, I guess it depends on what else they can do.
Bard for example can offset their 3/4 with the Inspire Courage almost completely, the Inq could have similar things, or stuff to make him take less damage etc. Depending on spec/archetype it might make a good frontline fighter.
Inquisitors have their Judgment ability which can grant them a wide range of combat bonuses and abilities (one at a time, at least at lower levels, and only once/day at lower levels). In some ways they make better missile support, since they all get longbow proficiency, but an inquisitor of Iomedae can use a longsword. (My inquisitor of Pharasma in the Carrion Crown game is sticking with bow--Pharasma's sacred weapon is a dagger, which isn't really the best melee weapon in the world.)
ETA: Re which character to choose, I'm with everyone else. Let's see some backstories. Any of them will fit mechanically; I'd like someone whose personality and goals play off well against the rest of the party.
The Inquisitor isn't out. I'm kind of anxious to get going, so I'm leaning towards the fighter. His sheet is ready to go, and he's active on the boards. He also role-played well as Jasper.
Are you guys doing ok or do you want to get the AP started?
My only concern is to have your typical party - arcane, divine, lockpick, and meatshield - covered. Brin sounds like he wants to step up to the meatshield plate, but I would hate to leave Cercy out just because he's slow. On the other hand, I've been waiting for Serpent's Skull for about four months, and have been turned down twice already, so I'm rarin' to go.
I can roleplay another day on the ship if needed. I was holding action thinking that we were about to start.
I'm good to go, but have no problem to RP for a bit longer.
I like those RP sequences, and considering the usuall speed of PbP they can run for a few days, without problem.
As for being worried to start something? Oh, why? If we get interrupted by something big we get interrupted if we do something or not :)