Hi, this is the first time I am asking advice here, so please forgive me if I am a noob.
Right here is the situation
I'm trying to level up this gunslinger I built for a PBP game that I joined last year, and it went on hiatus last June. It's starting back up again, and the DM said to level up to level 2, and make tweaks. After doing some book keeping(and realizing I had forgotten to allocate 2 skill points as well as other things), I realized that I might have painted myself in a corner in regards to the stats I choose. 25 point buy. I am more of a creative writer and roleplayer, and I am not really good at working with the mechanics. Utterly horrible at character building.
So I am wondering if this build is workable and I have a few questions about what to allocate my 16 skill points into. Seeing as the game is starting up up again, I have been given permission to "tweak" my build. With my DM saying this: "Tweaks means adjusting gear, feats, skills, traits, whatever." Don't know if that means I can tweak my stats too...but I digress.
This character is meant to be more of a "practical" gunfighter(at best, maybe Hard Boiled level of "Gun-Fu"). He's a traveling merchant, with some campaign-unrelated backstory(he's in a Curse of the Crimson Throne campign, just one shot Lamm :P). Sort of a doesn't look like a adventure type thing going on, Overweight Foreign Merchant with Spectacles. Wrote a bunch of little things for him when I was bored, might post it to give a idea of his character concept.
I was wondering though, if I should invest in social skills? As a traveling merchant should be one to talk and negotiate. He is working(on and off) for a family trade company, so Appraise isn't that needed and what he sells he makes himself with a +10 Craft Alchemy.
I took Disable Device in this version because Gunslinger gives Gunsmithing feat automatically, and that sort of implies a mechanical know how. So I am also wondering if that might be best spent somewhere else?
Plus, when I built him, it was before UC came out, so I accidentally messed a few more things up when converting to the Rules As Written, like languages at first level. I took a point of Lingistics to keep it honest and to keep it close to the character concept.
Please forgive the character sheet, it was copy pasted.
Any tips, suggestions, comments, or thoughts will be very much appreciated.
Name :Li Rong Bai | Race :Human, Tian | Height:5'9"
Player:Eight88 | Gender:Male | Weight:230LB
Update: | Age :20-24 | Eyes :Brown
Align :NG | Size :M | Hair :Black
Deity :Animist/A. Ven./TBA | Speed :30 | Hand :Right
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Ability | Temporary | Class Level
Score Mod | Score Mod | Gunslinger 2
STR 10 +0 | | xxxxx x
DEX 16(+2) +4 | |
CON 10 +0 | |
INT 14 +2 | |
WIS 16 +3 | |Total Level: Extra Feats: 1
CHA 10 +0 | |XP : xxxxx Next: xxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Total Current Subdual | Total Dex Misc
HP : 20 20 | Init : +4 = 4 +
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Total Armr Shld Dex Misc
Full : 17 = 10 + 02 + + 4 + 1
AC : 17 = 10 + 02 + + 4 + 1
Touch : 15 = 10 + xxx + xxx + 4 + 1
FlatFoot: 16 = 10 + 02 + + xxx +
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
SAVES Ability
Bonus Base Mod Magic
Fort (Con): +2 = 2 + 0 + +
Ref (Dex): +6 = 2 + 4 + +
Will (Wis): +3 = 0 + 3 + +
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Base Total Base Str Misc | Base Total Base Dex Misc
Melee : +2 = 2 + 0 + | Range : +6 = 2 + 4 + *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Combat Total Base Str Misc | Mnvr Total Base Str Dex Misc
Mnvr : +2 = 2 + 0 + x | Defense: +6 = 2 + 0 + 4 +
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Weapon:Bayonet Weight: 1LB
Move Name Type Atk Damage Crit Range Type Special
Attack |Melee | +02 | 1d6+0 | xx/×2 | - | P |
Charge |Melee | +xx | xdx+x | xx/xx | - | x |
Weapon:Kukri Weight: 2LB
Move Name Type Atk Damage Crit Range Type Special
Attack |Melee | +02 | 1d4+0 | 18-20/×2 | - | S |
Charge |Melee | +xx | xdx+x | xx/xx | - | x |
Ranged:
Weapon:Musket Weight: 9lbs
Move Name Type Atk Damage Crit Range Type Special
Attack |Range | +6 | 1d12+x | xx/x4 |40ft | B&P | Misfire 1
Weapon:Coat Pistol Weight: 1lbs
Move Name Type Atk Damage Crit Range Type Special
Attack |Range | +6 | 1d4+x | xx/x3 |10ft | B&P | Misfire 1
Armor: Lamellar Cuirass Weight: 8lbs
AC MaxDex Pen. SplFail Speed Special
+2 | +4 | -0 | xx% | 30ft | None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABILITIES/FEATS/TRAITS
Deeds
-Deadeye
-Gunslinger’s Dodge
-Quick Clear
Grit
Nimble +1
--
Gunsmithing
Point Blank Shot
Skill Focus, Craft Alchemy
--
Rich Parents, +900GP
World Traveler, +1 Sense Motive
Missing Child, +Diplomacy & +Sense Motive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELLBOOK:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELLS KNOWN/PREPARED:
0:
1:
2:
x:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELLS PER DAY / SAVE DC (Spell Level + Ability Mod + 10)
1: / DC xx
2: / DC xx
x: / DC xx
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKILLS (Max Rank = Level, Class Skills get +3 bonus with at least 1 Rank)
Key Total Ability Class Misc
Ability Mod Mod Ranks Skill Mod
Acrobatics (Dex) +8 = 4 + 1 + 3 +
Appraise (Int) + = + + +
Bluff (Cha) + = + + +
Climb (Str) + = + + +
Craft:Alchemy (Int) +11 = 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 1
Diplomacy (Cha) + = + + +
Disable Device^ (Dex) +5 = 4 + 1 + 0 +
Disguise (Cha) + = + + +
Escape Artist (Dex) + = + + +
Fly (Dex) + = + + +
Handle Animal^ (Cha) +4 = 0 + 1 + 3 +
Heal (Wis) +7 = 3 + 1 + 3 +
Intimidate (Cha) + = + + +
Knowledge:Local^ (Int) +6 = 2 + 1 + 3 +
Knowledge:Engineer^(Int) + = + + +
Knowledge:_____^ (Int) + = + + +
Linguistics (Int) +3 = 2 + 1 + 0 +
Perception (Wis) +8 = 3 + 2 + 3 +
Perform:_____ (Cha) + = + + +
Profession:Merchant(Wis) +7 = 3 + 1 + 3 +
Ride (Dex) +8 = 4 + 1 + 3 +
Sense Motive (Wis) +9 = 3 + 2 + 3 + 1
Sleight of Hand^ (Dex) +8 = 4 + 1 + 3 +
Spellcraft^ (Int) + = + + +
Stealth (Dex) + = + + +
Survival (Wis) +7 = 3 + 1 + 3 +
Swim (Str) + = + + +
Use Magic Device^ (Cha) + = + + +
^Trained only
Languages:
AUTOMATIC: Taldane, Tian
Bonus: Kelish, Gnoll, Varisian(Something else?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
MONEY: Starting 900GP [Current 0GP]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
GEAR (Weight):
Class Provided
01 Musket(Percussion Cap)
01 Explorer's Outfit
GEAR, Player Bought, Major (Cost)(Weight):
01 Carriage(Large Enclosed Lockable Wagon?)- 100 gold- 600lb
02 Pack Animal- 16? gold- --lb
10 Days of Feed for 2- 1 gold- 100lb
01 Kukri- 8 gold- 2lb
01 Dagger- 2 gold- 1lb
01 Portable Alchemist’s Lab- 75 gold- 40 lbs
(202 Gold Spent, Weight 742lb)
GEAR, Player Bought, Minor, "Is any of this even necessary?" (Cost)(Weight):
01 Backpack- 2 gold- 2lb
01 Bedroll- 1 silver- 5lb
01 Winter Blanket- 5 silver- 3lb
10 Canvas, Sq Yd- 1 gold- 10lb 3.6/20
04 Poles, 10ft- 2 silver- 32lb
10 Piton- 1 gold- 5lb
03 Sacks- 3 silver- 1.5lb
01 Chest, Empty- 2 gold- 25lbs
01 Rope, Hemp, 50ft- 1 gold- 10lb 4.5/73.5
01 Case, Map- 1 gold- --lb
01 Crowbar- 2 gold- 5lb
01 Shovel- 2 gold- 8lb 5/13
01 Ram, Portable- 10 gold- 20lb
01 Flint and Steel- 1 gold- --lb
01 Lantern, Hooded- 1 silver- 1lb
10 Pints of Oil- 1 gold- 10lb 13/30
01 Pot, Iron- 8 silver- 4lb
01 Eating Utensils- 1 gold- 1lb
01 Belt Pouch- 1 gold- 0.5lb
01 Flask- 3 copper- 0.5lb
03 Waterskins- 3 gold- 12lb 5.83/18
01 Water Bucket- 2 gold- 2lb
01 Signal whistle- 8 silver- --lb
01 Signet Ring(Tian Family Stamp Seal)- 5 gold- --lb 7.8/02
01 Fishhook- 1 silver- --lb
01 Sewing Needle- 1 gold- --lb
01 Fishing Line, 10ft spool- 3 silver- --lb
10 Chalk- 1 silver- --lb
01 Inkpen- 1 silver- --lb
10 Candle- 1 silver- --lb 1.7/--
39.43/158.5
(241.43 Gold Spent, Weight 894.5lb)
GEAR, Player Bought, "Just to Round Up."(Cost)(Weight):
02 Weapon Cord- 2 silver- --lb
01 Tian Toilet Making Paper Kit- 3 silver, 7 copper- 0.5lb Note: Joke
Purchase
(242 Gold Spent, Weight 895lb)
Gear, Player Bought, "Last Stuff" (Cost)(Weight):
01 Dog, Combat-Trained- 25 gold- 90lb
(267 Gold Spent, Weight 895lb)
Gear, Player Bought, "Class Change Stuff" (Cost)(Weight):
01 Gunsmith Kit- 15 gold- 40lb/(2lb)
01 Bayonet- 5 gold- 1lb
01 Pickpocket Outfit- 5 gold- 3lb
01 Lamellar Cuirass- 15 gold- 8lb
01 Powder Horn- 3 gold- 1lb
01 Spring-loaded Wrist Sheath- 5 gold- 1lb
01 Backpack, Masterwork- 50 gold- 2lb
01 Compass- 10 gold- 0.5lb
01 String, 50ft. Spool- 0.01 gold- 0.5lb
03 Powder Horns- 9 gold- 3lb
01 Ladder, 10ft- 0.2 gold- 20lb
01 Drill- 0.5 gold- 1lb
01 Board Game- 0.1 gold- 1lb
02 Earplugs- 0.06 gold- --lb
01 Saw- 0.04 gold- 2lb
01 Kite- 0.1 gold- 3lb
(385.01 Gold Spent, Weight 983lb)
Crafting:
10 Musket Balls- 1 gold- --lb
10 Gunpowder Doses- 10 gold- --lb
(396.01 Gold Spent, Weight 983lb)
01 Pistol, Coat- 375- 1lb
(771.01 Gold Spent, Weight 984lb)
Crafting:
100 Bullets, Musket- 10 gold- 1.5lb
100 Bullets, Coat Pistol- 10 gold- 1.5lb
100 Powder, Doses- 100 gold- 5lb
027 Tinder-Twigs/Matches- 8.99 gold- --lb
(900 Gold Spent, Weight 992lb)
TOTAL WEIGHT: 992lbs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
CURRENTLY CARRYING: Light Load[38lb]
Armor: 8lb
Lamellar Cuirass: 8lb
Gear: 9lb
Hooded Lantern: 1lb
Spring Loaded Wrist Sheath: 1lb
+Coat Pistol
Backpack, Masterwork: 2lb
-04x Powderhorn: 4lb
-30x Musketballs: 0.5lb
-20x Coat Pistol Ammo: --lb
-20x Matches: --lb
-01x Sack: 0.5lb
-01x Flint and Steel: --lb
-01x Earplugs: --lb
Weapons: 14lb
Coat Pistol: 1lb
Kukri: 2lb
-01x Dagger: 1lb
Musket: 9lb
-01x Bayonet: 1lb
TOTAL: 31lb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
LOAD: Light Medium(-3) Heavy/Max(-6) Lift(x 2) Push/Drag(x 5)
33lb 34-66lb 67-100lb 200lb 500lb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
MAGIC ITEMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
DESCRIPTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
BACKGROUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
|
Okay, to start with I'll note that your basic stats are fine. No worries there.
Secondly, your Feats are the real problem, and it's easily solved: Replace Skill Focus with Rapid Relaod (the one 'must have' Feat for a Gunslinger). Do that and you'll do fine, mechanically. a +8 Craft (Alchemy) is lenty anyway, and will only go up as you level.
Thirdly, you really want to specialize with either muskets or pistols (not both). Pick one, and take the associated archetype (Musket Master or Pistolero). Either will do fine, though I'd go Pistols for appropriateness (the description of the character really doesn't fit carrying around a musket). Obviously you then either replace the Musket with a Pistol, or ditch the Coat Pistol and get your GP back (depending on which gun type you go with.
Fourthly, yeah, skip Disable Device and grab social skills. Tinkering with guns and lockpicking are a bit different. Put the rank in Diplomacy (a needed skill for a merchant). Maybe skip Heal for another rank of Diplomacy or one of Bluff, too.
Fifthly, it will cost you quite a bit more (the 120 GP you've got in bullets will only buy you 20 Cartridges), but you should almost exclusively be using Alchemical Cartridges in your musket (if you choose to go that route) since it reduces reload times and you'll have to if you wish to fire it every round. If you go with pistols, you'll have it down to a Move Action with Rapid Reload even without special ammo, and can skip them for now, though when you eventualy get multiple actions a round you'll want to switch to using them then.
Do that, and the character should be both effective, and thematically appropriate, with relatively few changes.
1. Good to know.
2. Hmm, I don't think I can replace Skill Focus, it is because he's a fireworks maker too. I feel squeamish about doing that, but I can do that...but the Skill Focus is a pretty big part of the character concept...I need to think about it, being sleep deprived and having a rum cocktail is not a good combo for well thought out decision making. :P
3. I would like not to go that route, seeing as a base Gunslinger can use all the guns, I plan on having him be a marksman type with a rifle, but being able to use all guns is a big part of the concept too. Can I ask why specialize? I want him to be comfortable hiding a double barreled shotgun under a clock to being perched on a rooftop waiting for a shot to holding a pistol under a table. Having to spent feats to be able to use other firearm types sits wrong with me...although i could be remembering it wrong. >.>
4. I can do that, worst comes to worst, I'll just roll a keg of powder up against the door. Let the Rogue handle the chests. Diplomacy it is. Although, I meant it more in the way of breaking machines in general.
5. I will do that, but I need to ask some questions to my GM about crafting costs.
---
Thanks for the advice DeadManWaling. You free to discuss this a bit more? ^_^
I can post up a bit of my character fluff if needs be.
Hmm, I planned on taking either Quick Draw or Persuasive on 3rd level, that a good idea?
Nevermind about that though. I'm sorry if I'm being a idiot by not taking most of your advice, it's just hard for me to give up somethings. <_>
|
|
1. Good to know.
Glad to provide the info. :)
2. Hmm, I don't think I can replace Skill Focus, it is because he's a fireworks maker too. I feel squeamish about doing that, but I can do that...but the Skill Focus is a pretty big part of the character concept...I need to think about it, being sleep deprived and having a rum cocktail is not a good combo for well thought out decision making. :P
Hey, +8 is damn good. The listed farmer (a second level character whose put his life into it, as well as a Skill Focus) only has a Profession (Farmer) at +9. And you can Grab a Masterwork Lab and be back up to +10.
3. I would like not to go that route, seeing as a base Gunslinger can use all the guns, I plan on having him be a marksman type with a rifle, but being able to use all guns is a big part of the concept too. Can I ask why specialize? I want him to be comfortable hiding a double barreled shotgun under a clock to being perched on a rooftop waiting for a shot to holding a pistol under a table. Having to spent feats to be able to use other firearm types sits wrong with me...although i could be remembering it wrong. >.>
Well, for one thing, Rapid Reload only applies to one particular firearm type, so you're only gonna be using one round after round, and you're only gonna be able to afford one magical one anyway.
Frankly, Pathfinder simply doesn't reward trying to be good with lots of different weapons simultaneously, and less so with Firearms than anything else.
You can skip the archetypes and still be proficient with all of them and do some of this, but when it comes right down to it, you need Rapid Reload, and you need only one gun to be magical, so you have to pick what gun he favors anyway.
Personally, I'd go Pistolero and leave the sniping to hardened warriors, he can do the rest with short guns. He's a merchant, after all, not some ruffian or professional soldier. The gun up his sleeve is purely for personal protection...
4. I can do that, worst comes to worst, I'll just roll a keg of powder up against the door. Let the Rogue handle the chests. Diplomacy it is. Although, I meant it more in the way of breaking machines in general.
Yeah, but you can use it untrained if you want, with a bonus only 1 less. The same is not true of Diplomacy.
5. I will do that, but I need to ask some questions to my GM about crafting costs.
Well, the flat cost of Alchemical Cartridges (paper ones, specifically) is only 12 GP a pop, but unlike bullets and powder, they're only half cost for you to make yourself (so 6 GP a piece), not the mere 1/10th cost of normal bullets and powder.
---
Thanks for the advice DeadManWaling. You free to discuss this a bit more? ^_^
Absolutely. :)
I'm always happy to help out someone in need of a bit of systemic knowledge.
I can post up a bit of my character fluff if needs be.
If you like. :)
Hmm, I planned on taking either Quick Draw or Persuasive on 3rd level, that a good idea?
At 3rd level, you really want Precise Shot. Trust me. Quick Draw at 5th isn't necessarily a bad idea, though I'd probably go Rapid shot instead.
If you want to increase Diplomacy, just put in the ranks, the skill increasing Feats are almost never worth it on their own.
Nevermind about that though. I'm sorry if I'm being a idiot by not taking most of your advice, it's just hard for me to give up somethings. <_>
Nah, it's your character, and making the character you want to play is vastly more important than creating the most mechanically efficient character posible.
Heh, glad you're glad then.
2. Really? But, hmm...right...but this is suppose to be his specality...man, that makes Li a very good merchant. ;3
3. Rapid Reload Revolver? I don't think I plan on stick with the Musket, so investing on Rapid Reload now on something I don't have is weird, and doing it on something I'm not going to be able to get my hands on for a while is weirder. Hmm, the way you phrase the draw backs makes me thinks it fits. The character is not a warrior or a cut-throat, he's a proficient amateur that likes to build and play around with his toys...and he has a pistol up his sleeve. :P
4. You're right, plus I can get some Masterwork Thief's Tools. :)
Would this be good for the next few levels? Levels 3-5: Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Far Shot?
Nah, it's your character, and making the character you want to play is vastly more important than creating the most mechanically efficient character possible.
Thanks.
Hmm, I have a couple of story snippets detailing Li's progress to Korvosa. A bit grandiose for a 1st level character, but it was to represent the World Traveler trait. You want to give those a look?
Heh, I wrote them before I really started to get into writing little stories. So the grammar and prose might needs work.
Here's the character profile too. :)
---Fluff---
Character Name: Li Rong Bai( 力 融 白 )[Rong Bai Li, western naming convention]
Gender: Male
Race: Human, Tian
Alignment: Neutral Good
Height: 5"9'
Weight: 230LB
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Skin Tone: Mid Tone Asian
Description and Personality: Five foot and nine inches tall, two hundred and thirty pounds, overweight. Appears to be in his early twenties. Dark hair and eyes, wears spectacles. He prefers wearing a mix of traditional Tian clothes and western travel wear or strangely enough desert travel wear popular with traveling merchants in Nex. Over all he looks more like a merchant or bookkeeper then a adventurer. He also habitually wears a silver ring on his left ring finger. Notably he has several scars on his shins.
A quiet professional when working, he is not one to throw his weight around bragging about past exploits. When relaxing, Li Rong Bai prefers reading or playing with his fireworks and is not much of a social drinker. His most obvious character flaws is a slight tendency to hoard things and a love of sweet things.
Background:
Li Rong Bai is the first son of a fireworks maker and silk merchant, he spent the first years of his life around the smell of gunpowder and the business of selling silk. His parents, the heir to a somewhat large trading company and a master craftswoman, were not overly spoiling in terms of gifts, but they were spoiling in terms of sweets. They were both loving, even though they both were serious. His father built his reputation himself and had to work for his position as heir; his mother was a artist and wished for her dangerous techniques to be preserved.
Li Rong Bai grew up being trained by both although he was more expected to follow in his mother's footsteps. The position of heir was promised to his eldest sibling, his sister, but a position in the company was his by right too as eldest son. At age sixteen, he was sent along to learn the ropes of foreign trade with his paternal uncle and to develop his own techniques in his mother's craft. After the months long journey, the uncle and nephew pair set up a trade office in Quantium, Nex. Over the next three years, Li Rong Bai would learn his responsibilities as merchant and even oversee a few transactions that would take him to Geb and Alkenstar. It was during these three years that he fell in love with firearms, they filled him with a sense of nostalgia and home.
At age nineteen, his life entered a turbulent state when agents unknown ruined his family's Nex office and his uncle was murdered. Li Rong Bai sent word to his father and tried to pick up the pieces the best he could. After a few months, he received word that he would be expected to head to the Absalom branch of the trading company. However life was not so easy as Li Rong Bai discovered the identity of his uncle's murderer, a archer from Taldor named Pieter Wilgot and that he was hired to do it. Li Rong Bai swore revenge, planning on burning Wilgot and whoever hired him in a fiery(and colorful) explosion. Li Rong Bai was able to secure his parents permission for a wandering journey, freeing him from most of his responsibilities. He is now a part-time transporter for his family's company, making the rounds between several offices around the Inner Sea when able.
Li Rong Bai uses his now massive amount of spare time to investigate Wilgot and his unknown employers. However in practice, this has left him a drifting vagrant that gets involved with other people's troubles. Such as this strange incident involving Gaedren Lamm, his cousin's family, and a Harrow card.
Snippet 1(1st Person POV from Li and a unnamed employee)
Bitter smoke. Familiar, yet not. A cracked door stubbornly stays shut, like it does not want me to see. The rough wood refuses to open, I kick at it. It stays shut. This is not suppose to be. This was my room, my domain. Why did this happen? My eyes tear, I fall to my knees. The remains of my clothes dirty, I cannot bring myself to care. Why did this happen? Am I so weak that a mere door can stand in my way?
I can still see it, my Uncle, my friends, my home. It is all burning. Fire, my companion has betrayed me. No, that is not true. That man. He did this, him and his men. Why did he do this? The memory is fresh, with pain and fear. The archer. I feel the pain remind me. I lean against my door, my burnt door. The remains of my room denied me. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I look up. A bandaged and burned face greats me, I feel ashamed. I who have survived unscathed, cannot draw the strength to push open a mere door while my friend walks on his two own feet.
“Get up kid, the Boss would not have wanted to see you like this.” The man says, helping me up. I feel guilt, shame, and remorse. I am nineteen years old, and to this man I am still the young kid that sailed into port. There is a kind smile on his lips, as he helps me kick in the door. There is pain in his eyes, but he helps me. The door scratched open, its shape warped beyond measure. I look to see the room, my room, burnt. My bed gone, and everything else covered in soot. He looks to me, and says nothing. I say nothing in return, neither of us will pity the other. I walk to my desk, the remains of my calligraphy kit lie tucked into a corner. The gnarled remains of a clockwork curiosity sit opposite to it, it was a mechanical calculation device my Uncle awarded me for my first job well done in Mechitar…I was so unnerved there, and frightened…he had imported it from Alkenstar…for me.
I sweep the soot away from the top of the desk, and I open a drawer. Nothing is left of my papers and plans, half thought out drawings of my hobbies, or the small picture of my family. I pick up a fist full of cold ash, it falls like sand through my fingers.
“…” The man turns and leaves me, and I watch him go. The warehouse was still intact, we could still do some business…but the employees are leaving. They cannot stomach the threat. I do not blame them. I continue to look through my room; it was beyond recognition. I open a work chest, to find to my surprise, my tools still intact. The gleam with polished shine, their container still strong even after the fire, I am amazed. A small doodle sits on top of a parchment rag I had used to wrap my musket balls in. It is design I fancied, but never tried…I look over my shoulder to the desk, the calculation machine sitting there. Was this fate?
-x-x-x-x-x-
The kid is not the mess he used to be. He sits in his office, going over the books. The boss would have been proud. Most of the guys are gone, their families on their minds and other jobs to go to. Smart men them. I walk in, the kid is looking over the chicken scratch that the boss always said was his sister’s handwriting. A look of sadness was in his eyes.
“I-I have to get to Absalom…my parents are going to send one of my sisters in a year…to rebuild…I am to leave you most of the funds to start repairs...” He says, looking down. He was in over his head; I don’t think he should be so hard on himself. I will be sad to see him go.
Snippet 2(1s person POV from a Gnoll exile, and why Li knows Gnoll, sort of inspired by the cover art for the Ketapesh setting book):
I am Arrnor Flampaw, Hunter of Shadows! I will not die here, with my bones bleaching in the sun. I laugh, stupid tribe. They will all die because of the fake prophet. To attack the humans where they are strongest. Madness. Stupid tribe. I growl as the sands start to move, perhaps I am stupid too, to walk into the desert with nothing. I will show them though, I will go to the human city and I will make a name. I will have many slaves and money. While they die. I am smart. The humans with their pactmasters are smart. They have all the slaves and money and comfort. They work hard to get it…I will work hard. Hehehe, yes, I will show the stupid tribe. How long have I been walking, I hurt…I hunger…I thirst…I can hear Lamashtu call for my carcass. The sand booms around me, I laugh at the sting. No, she will not have me. Never. Because the false prophet…is…is…ah…false! HAHAHAHHAHHHAHHAHA! Everything is so funny. I think I will lie down…I feel tired…The bones of the big beast are near…I should find them…hide…so tired…lie down is good idea…
-x-x-x-x-x-
The sands howls…am I dead? I feel something cold on my forehead…between my eyes. I open them, I see a fat human, with its weird hidden face. Why is there glass in front of his eyes. He is holding something. A weird metal thing…it feels heavy. A try to move…the human has tied me up? Grrr….stupid human…I will not be a slave for him.
“I hope you can understand me, because it would shame me to kill you because of a misunderstanding. This is a gun, it can take your head off…because it is magic…I am going to give you some more water. If you try to bite me, I will kill you. Nod if you understand.” The human says in that weird human tongue, why can’t the not-gnolls speak gnoll. I nod. He gives me some water. It is warm, but pure. I drink. It is very good. Good thing I am smart, learning the human tongue is always good idea. Can help find ambush spots that way.
“Now, once the storm is over I am going to untie you and leave you be. Now here is some food. Same rule applies.” The human says, putting meat into my maw. It is dry, too dry…but it is food. I eat. The human sits there, next to me, feeds me and waters me. I get strange ideas. Maybe this human goes to the city. I pant.
“Human...can Hy go vit hyu?” I ask boldly, the human surprised looks at me. I laugh at him.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Four Eyes…Smoke-scent…Fire Thower…I call the human these names…because his human name is puny. I do not want to say it. I laugh at him because of it. He is a grown pup, almost stupid…but he is smart…makes lot of fire easy…but he is weak…sort of. I challenge him to fight; he tricks me…smart. I like smart. I try to teach him to fight, because I do not want to die when the raiders come. He is weak without his firesticks and his loud things…but he knows how to use them. Four Eyes is smart. He teaches me too. How to do things…how the city works…What to do or not to do. He is smart. I am smart too. I will make money, and get a slave in the city. A broken gnoll b$&!#, former cleric, Four Eyes says maybe I will find one. I laugh, maybe. Stupid Lamashtu. This Abadar sounds interesting. Lots of money there. I wonder…hehehe…hahahaha…Hmm…Four Eyes is angry again, lots of booms today. I sit on wagon, waiting for Four Eyes, food will be full of holes today.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Four Eyes is leaving today, he was good…friend…really smart. Helps me start business. I have money now, slaves come soon…lots of business for me. I am smart, I will be slow and careful...and will work hard! Will not loose my money or stuff by being stupid like other gnolls. Like that stupid slaver, pisses off human warrior. No, I will not be that stupid. Will not have stupidly skilled warrior cut off head. I will sell when I need to, buy when I need to, kill when I need to. I see gnoll b!@+* working at Pesh Den, she is nice looking. Live in city her whole life. She is smart. Maybe together we have smart pups, make our own tribe in city. Show stupid tribes in desert. Hard work is bad? Bah, look at the humans with their city and good drink…and pesh, lots of pesh. I pack up stand, lock away things. Make sure den is safe. I have to go to the docks. Four Eyes leaves tonight. Hope stupid slavers do not try to start trouble with him, he pay for passage to island city with more money. Four Eyes likes fire too much, will burn boat down if slavers are stupid. Four Eyes doesn’t like slavers, but need to get to island city fast. Only boat to island right now.
|
|
2. Really? But, hmm...right...but this is suppose to be his specality...man, that makes Li a very good merchant. ;3
Pretty good, yeah. Bear in mind that his stats are a lot better than most people's.
3. Rapid Reload Revolver? I don't think I plan on stick with the Musket, so investing on Rapid Reload now on something I don't have is weird, and doing it on something I'm not going to be able to get my hands on for a while is weirder. Hmm, the way you phrase the draw backs makes me thinks it fits. The character is not a warrior or a cut-throat, he's a proficient amateur that likes to build and play around with his toys...and he has a pistol up his sleeve. :P
Well, I'd bet that (especially if you grab the Pistolero Archetype, which is really pretty cool) any GM wo's letting you switch out Feats will let you switch a Musket for a Pistol, so you can have Rapid Reload with that. And be quite effective, really.
4. You're right, plus I can get some Masterwork Thief's Tools. :)
Absolutely. :)
Would this be good for the next few levels? Levels 3-5: Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Far Shot?
Very workable, certainly. Rapid Shot and Deadly Aim'd be better as level 4-5 feats, though, from the perspective of being effective at killing things.
Thanks.
Like I said, always happy to help. :)
Hmm, I have a couple of story snippets detailing Li's progress to Korvosa. A bit grandiose for a 1st level character, but it was to represent the World Traveler trait. You want to give those a look?
Heh, I wrote them before I really started to get into writing little stories. So the grammar and prose might needs work.
Here's the character profile too. :)
Fun vignettes. I particularly like the Gnoll one. :)
2. Right.
3. Well, I just one shotted Lamm with the Musket(barely), don't want to retcon that part out. I'll check out Pistolero to see if I can use it in other games.:P
Hmm, I'll take a look at Rapid SHot and Deadly Aim...why get those? I'm not very good with the math and the mechanics. >.>
You're a pretty cool guy, thanks again.
Glad you found them fun.
Well, it's past dawn, I had two glasses of rum cocktail, better get to bed soon. It's past 10AM. x.x
|
|
3. Well, I just one shotted Lamm with the Musket(barely), don't want to retcon that part out. I'll check out Pistolero to see if I can use it in other games.:P
Well, unless it was at huge range, retconning it to be done with a pistol isn't that big a deal. Especially since a Pistolero with a pistol can do more damage than a musket if he burns some Grit.
Hmm, I'll take a look at Rapid SHot and Deadly Aim...why get those? I'm not very good with the math and the mechanics. >.>
They both directly add a large amount of damage to your attacks, at a slight cost to your to-hit...which is an easy roll for you since you're usually aiming at Touch AC.
You're a pretty cool guy, thanks again.
You're very welcome. :)
Glad you found them fun.
Well, it's past dawn, I had two glasses of rum cocktail, better get to bed soon. It's past 10AM. x.x
Talk to you some time later then.
Hmm, right, maybe...hmm, next time I run this character, I'll see about using Pistolero. :)
Let's see, Deadly Aim would be great. Might replace Far Shot with it...however, Rapid Shot...2 shots from a muzzle loader in a single round(6 to 10 seconds right?)? That might not work...unless I fluff it as converting the muzzle loader to be a breech loader with paper cartridges...that might work. Hmmm...which would you say is better if I take Quick Draw or Far Shot? What's the mechanics there?
|
|
Hmm, right, maybe...hmm, next time I run this character, I'll see about using Pistolero. :)
Cool. :)
Let's see, Deadly Aim would be great. Might replace Far Shot with it...however, Rapid Shot...2 shots from a muzzle loader in a single round(6 to 10 seconds right?)? That might not work...unless I fluff it as converting the muzzle loader to be a breech loader with paper cartridges...that might work.
You actually need to use Paper Cartridges to do it, so that's no bad idea, and entirely consistent with both the flavor and mechanics.
Hmmm...which would you say is better if I take Quick Draw or Far Shot? What's the mechanics there?
For a gun? Quick Draw. You desperately want to be inside the first range increment so as to hit Touch AC. The -2 penalty is almost meaningless next to the los of that capability, andso Far Shot isn't usually worth it. Leave sniping to the archers.
Hmm, cool, cool. Taking Levels 3-5: Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot?
Precise Shot definitely has priority I take it? Rapid Reload would probably be good to switch in if possible...
Would keeping a few splash weapons like the 2d6(B)+1d6(F) Grenades be good?
|
|
Hmm, cool, cool. Taking Levels 3-5: Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot?
Workable, though I'd go with Rapid Shot before Quick Draw, personally. And grab Deadly Aim sometime, maybe 7th.
Precise Shot definitely has priority I take it? Rapid Reload would probably be good to switch in if possible...
You need Rapid Reload. It is the single most important Feat for you to have, IMO. Like I said, I'd switch out Skill Focus for it.
After that, yeah, Precise Shot is probably next in importan, and isce wonderful. Avoiding the -4 for shooting into melee just makes a character so much more useful.
Would keeping a few splash weapons like the 2d6(B)+1d6(F) Grenades be good?
Absolutely. :) Splash weapons are wonderful against groups of weak enemies or against swarms.
Yeah, I'm being told that switching out Skill Focus is probably the way to go. That way I have standard action reload without the paper cartridges.
I'll be at Alchemy +8 at level 2 though, so I'd have to roll a 17 or better to make the DC 25 craft check for grenades...if I go with Rapid Reload.
Exchanging a +11 for a +8 is cheesing me off a little.I could get it later on, but I want to have grenades now. :P
Strangely enough, Fuse Grenades cost 100GP, while the raw gunpowder is cheap as dirt for a Gunslinger.
Hmm, what would a +8 in Alchemy for a Level 2 early twenties human be in terms of narrative competence? Going by life long framer is +9, I take it a +8 is neighborhood expert?
I have also been told if I invest in Linguistics and Stealth, I might have fun forging things, and sneaking around. I am sure I am going to try and get some Diplomacy, Intimidate, and some Bluff as I go along...