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What's goin on people? Sad to say we've lost Talia Grace, our Cleric/Wizard due to some RL stuff.
Here's a link to the original recruitment thread.
We are now looking to replace her, and I am accepting applications.
Although she was the primary healer for the group, you are a group of mercenaries, and should be able to make due without a healer. My point is that you should feel free to make whatever you want, since my decision will not be based on class, but on substance and ability. I did have some players on deck, and have given them time to show interest. If you've already got a player built for this campaign, feel free to repost him, or make something new. Here are the recruitment guidelines:
“Thank you for coming, please close the door behind you… We have brought you to the Mierani Forest because you have been chosen as candidates for the Shin’Rakorath. Our brotherhood has existed for nearly two thousand years, since the time of the return of our kind from Sovyrian, and our motto has remained the same: ‘To be the light against the coming darkness’. If you are selected, you shall be called to the noble task of protecting Elven-kind on Golarion.”
Campaign Summary:
Welcome to the recruitment thread for Second Darkness: Quest of the Shin’Rakorath. This adventure will begin towards the end of “Shadow in the Sky”, and proceed through book 2 from there (potentially further).
Where this campaign differs from your average second darkness campaign, is that you are not just a party of sells-swords, adventurers, capitalists, gamblers, etc. You are new recruits from of a society of organized Elven hunters, called the Shin’Rakorath (an actual part of the Second Darkness series). As a recruit, you don’t know much about the organization other than the fact that it works to protect the Elves of Golarion, and to protect Golarion from the Elves. The party will be injected into the story-line near the end of book one as the adventuring party, but with a much stronger purpose: to hunt renegade elves and eliminate them. I will be using the Pathfinder mechanics for all of the encounters in this campaign. Leveling will be event based, rather than XP based.
Posting Requirements:
• Minimum of once per day during the week
• Minimum of once over the entire weekend
These requirements aren’t hard and fast, but if not adhered to over a period of time I will start looking for replacements.
Crunch Guidelines:
• Level - 3rd
• Attributes - 20 point buy
• HP - Max at 1st, average +1 for levels 2 and 3, rolled in thread after that.
• Race - Elf or Urban Elf (Half elf stats)
• Classes - All except: Paladin, Gunslinger, Witch, Samurai, and Anti-Paladin.
• Wealth – 3,000 gp (nothing over 1,500 gp market value to start, with no more than 500 left over in gold)
• Three traits (No more than one from the same category)
• Sources - All Paizo is valid. Please list the source if it’s not core. 3PP will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Alignment – All except Evil. Remember the motto: ‘To be the light against the coming darkness’.
Fluff Guidelines:
While you may or may not have a recognizable name, your acts have been recognized in secret by the Shin’Rakorath. The Shin’Rakorath has agents in many parts of Golarion. As such, you may have received transportation from just about anywhere other than the Far East. Your character, regardless of origin, should have a loyalty to the elves.
Application Format:
Please include the following listed as spoilers in the thread (if you don’t know how just paste it as normal). Please feel free to complete an alias or include more if you would like to during recruitment.
• Class, Race, and Attributes
• Skills, Feats, and Traits (just tell me which skills you’ll have ranks in)
• Backstory, Personality, and Appearance (very important to me)
• Function (justify your characters existence in a party)
• Equipment (itemized breakdown including prices)
Good luck to all of you!
May I inquire as to why Witch's are contra-indicated? This character was originally intended for a Second Darkness game & I would very much like to use her in such, but the concept basically requires she be a Witch.
*tips hat*
Still here and waiting, GM Spider-lady. Just say when.
I still have Azrael available here. He has an archer/arcanist function.
Needs a bit of cleaning up as I've been playing around with it since the original app.
Working on a submission. When's the deadline?
Wei (yes he's from the East, but began his adventuring career in Varisia. Read the backstory. There's something interesting there, I promise.)
Class: Sohei1/Empyreal Sorc2, with intentions to go into Eldrith Knight and Pathfinder Savant
Race: Urban Elf
Alignment: NG [yes, he will no longer be able to advance as a Sohei; this is intentional, read his backstory =)]
Attributes:
Str 14
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 12
Wis 18
Cha 7
Skills: Max UMD, Perception and Spellcraft, other ranks will be in various knowledge skills
Feats: Will focus on prereqs for Pathfinder Savant and metamagic feats.
Traits: Magical Knack, Resilient, Warrior of Old
From the Dragon Empires Gazetter, the elves of the Mierani forest did NOT all become drow. There was a group of elves who split off from them, led by an elf named Jinisiel. Jininsiel led this splinter group through the Darklands and eventually emerged in the Eastern kingdoms. The elves found the kingdom of Jinin, and settled there. Now here's where things start to get interesting. Wei is a direct descendant of Jininsiel.
Through a series of misadventures (explained in his narrative, which cover how he came to be a Sohei/Sorcerer in Varisia), Wei came into contact with the Pathfinder society, who initially took an interest in an old Wayfinder in Wei's possession. Whilst the wayfinder itself proved relatively uninteresting, it bore a rune that identified it as the wayfinder Jininsiel used to in her travels through the Darklands. Furthermore, Wei is in possession of a few maps that detail some of the tunnels in the Darklands. Whilst it remains to be seen just how useful they will be to the party (if at all), they would likely be of interest to the Shin’Rakorath by virtue of their very nature.
Wei himself knows enough about the general history of Jinin to understand the threat of the Darklands, and to know that his ancestors long ago came from what was once the Mierani forest. When he finds out the origin of the drow, however (I'm not sure when in the adventure this is supposed to happen-does it happen before the start of the campaign?), Tuillen will come to see it as his responsibility to preserve the honour of his ancestors by containing the drow threat.
The Shin’Rakorath for their part are initially interested in how Tuillen came by the maps he had. As they come to realise the significance of his heritage, however, they may intend to use him as a symbolic figure, being a descendant of the Mierani elves who resisted the path that led their brethren to turn into drow.
This narrative will come to live alot more if you refer to the general map of the Dragon Empires. Some Varisian caravans apparently often came to the Eastern kingdoms, facilitating Wei's travels to Golarion.
“It was my brother who brought me to the Shen Feng Tang monastery in the Wall of Heaven. He never told me what happened to our parents, and to be honest, I was too young to think to ask. Life is simple when you are an elf of 30 years. He simply told me that our parents were gone and that we were leaving Jinin for the Wall of Heaven to study martial arts. And when he told me, I followed.
Over the next few decades, I came to learn that elves are usually rather highly regarded in the monasteries of the Wall. Our longevity gives us the patience to cultivate…*ahem* “discipline, stillness and awareness of one’s surroundings”. Well, my brother proved true enough to the stereotype, I suppose. He was master Duan’s star pupil. I on the other hand, well…well I took to the lessons well enough. In fact, I always thought I fared better than even my brother at the whole “awareness of one’s surroundings” shtick. I was hopeless at shaping Ki, though. Not that it was entirely my fault, of course. I was always able to feel some sort of energy, but the instructions I was given for harnessing that energy never seemed to work for me at all. Frustration got in the way of my meditations and focus, and…ah who am I kidding? I guess there was also the fact that I was just never particularly good at being still.
I suppose the library had something to do with it. I was often locked in the room as punishment, and told to read and meditate upon the manuals that were stored there. However, it was the small collection of charts and books of strange and foreign lands that I found in a corner of the library that caught my attention, and I soon began to enjoy being locked in there with those books, where I dreamed of visiting those foreign places and meeting those exotic peoples.
I eventually left the monastery, leaving but a note for my brother and taking from our shared possessions a few of the curios he had taken with us when we left our childhood home. There was that little box with the floaty needle that always pointed in the same direction. It had always been a favourite of mine. I could feel the energies within it, energies that were similar to the energy I sometimes felt within me, and because no one else could feel those energies or even believed they existed, I grew all the more attached to it. It was a validation of the strange energy that I alone could sense. And there were the curious rolls of parchment that seemed to be maps of some massive network of caves. I had no idea where those caves were, of course, but they were maps, and I felt that if I ever came to visit those caves, I would probably sorely regret not having those maps.
My wanderings brought me south to Goka, where I joined the local guard and learned to supplement my incomplete monastic training with the use of martial weaponry. It was also there where I first met the Varisians. I was entranced with their foreign mannerisms, their exotic dances and their peculiar card game, and my fascination with their culture soon persuaded them to allow me to join their caravan as they made their way home to this place. Varisia.
It was a thing of fortune, really, that I met the Varisians, for the energies I had felt as a youth were getting stronger, and I began to manifest strange powers. The Varisian elder, Mikaila Mvashti, taught me to harness my powers, and we shared more than a few laughs over how the learned masters at the monastery had failed to realise that the energies I had felt had all along never been Ki, but magic. It was also through the Varisians that I came to learn of the Pathfinder Society, who seemed to take a strange interest in my needle-box, and eventually the maps I carried. It was they who told me of the mysterious group of elves who could tell me of my heritage. Well, more people to meet and places to see. Sounds fun.”
Personality: Wei has a little bit of a mischievous, happy-go-lucky streak to him, but when the situation calls for seriousness he is able to put aside his levity and display level-headedness, maturity and a wisdom beyond his years. He is fascinated by new things, and loves to meet new people. However, his upbringing in the East has instilled in him a sense of honour, and he is compassionate at heart.
Appearance: A relatively young elf, Tuillen is slight of stature, though his body is well-toned from his earlier days of monastic training. His light-coloured hair hints at the trace of celestial blood in his veins, and he greatly prefers wearing simple, functional clothing but comfortable clothing. He has a thing for broad-brimmed hats, which fascinate him and which he sports as a fashion statement. His ancestry renders him indistinguishable from the elves of Golarion, though his attempts to adopt a 'Golarion' accent have achieved him a somewhat bastardised accent that ends up sounding foreign to everyone on both sides of the Okaiyo Ocean.
Function: Wei is a front-line warrior who sports a mixture of buffs and offensive spells. He is a versatile warrior capable of contributing through both arcane and physical means.
Equipment:
Wayfinder -500gp
Other items to be determined
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@Restless Cherry Blossom
I'm more open to the idea of a witch now. Feel free to build one.
I've not forgotten you. You're current character concept may fit into the mix after the next planned dungeon is completed, but that has nothing to do with this recruitment. I'm pretty sure I'm going to give you a shot at that point, and see how the characters respond.
@Dark Netwerk
I'll give it a good read, and get familiar with the concept. I'll share any thoughts or impressions at that point.
@Fiddlers
I'd like to be ready to go by mid next week, probably Thursday at the latest. I want to make sure I'm bringing someone who fits our current playstyle.
As for your application so far, it looks great. When I have a good minute and some focus, I'll sit down and read the Narrative portion. I think there are some good opportunities for RP and story integration there. I would like to see a few more specifics about how your character will be useful in combat. Maybe you could flesh out your crunch, and spend just a second explaining the purpose of his build.
@All
Thanks for all you're applications! Keep em commin'.
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@Restless Cherry Blossom
I'm more open to the idea of a witch now. Feel free to build one.** spoiler omitted **
@Dark Netwerk
I'll give it a good read, and get familiar with the concept. I'll share any thoughts or impressions at that point.@Fiddlers
I'd like to be ready to go by mid next week, probably Thursday at the latest. I want to make sure I'm bringing someone who fits our current playstyle.As for your application so far, it looks great. When I have a good minute and some focus, I'll sit down and read the Narrative portion. I think there are some good opportunities for RP and story integration there. I would like to see a few more specifics about how your character will be useful in combat. Maybe you could flesh out your crunch, and spend just a second explaining the purpose of his build.
@All
Thanks for all you're applications! Keep em commin'.
Thanks for the positive feedback. I put quite some effort into the backstory, so I'm glad you liked what you've read thus far.
The narrative fleshes out Wei as a character, explaining how he came to be a Sohei/Sorcerer, why he left the monastery and to some extent his outlook on life. More recent events may need to be fleshed out with you, as I have not played this AP before, and have no idea whether Wei would have had reason to tell the Shin'Rakorath of the history of Jinin. There are plenty of elements that are related and can be woven into the general plot, however, and I'm happy to RP or flesh out details as you require to fit Wei into the story.
Crunch-wise, Wei has been fleshed out in this profile. He will be defined by his spell selection to a large extent, which allows me to customise him for greater offence or defence as the party requires. The end-goal is a character who walks around with several (extended) hour/lvl and 10min/lvl buffs maintained on himself 24/7, with a variety of short term buffs, damage spells and utility spells to round out the selection and keep him versatile. Between quickened and swift action spells, he should never need to devote more than one round to solely buffing himself.
Wei will boast a high perception score at all levels, as he will be maximising WIS and perception (between him and Ziyad, they should rarely fall into ambushes). He will be taking craft wondrous item to qualify for Pathfinder Savant, and will thus serve as a crafter as well. Due to the disproportionate number of defensive buffs available to him at lower levels and offensive buffs available at higher levels, he will use item crafting to smooth the curve in his relative offensive and defensive abilities. By the time he gains third level spells, however, his offensive abilities should start to catch up rapidly. His feat selection will be somewhat flexible, but crane style mastery will be aimed for. I have made it a point to leave several spell options open at each level to accomodate for Ziyad's spell selection, so that between the two of us, we should be able to meet the party's arcane casting needs without feeling too constrained.
At the moment, he has one of the highest HPs in the party, and the highest AC when buffed with mage armor. His second spell is shield at the moment, but I am happy to change that for another spell depending on the role the group needs him to play (at the moment, it seems he may be designated meat 'shield'). Other options include true strike for a guaranteed combat maneuvers, chill touch to add more punch to his punch (pun completely intended ;p), sleep or possibly burning hands. Holy fire is his ranged attack at the moment, but can double as a mini (ranged) heal in a pinch. If he sticks with shield, his high armor class should enable him to set up flanks for Vhalas' sneak attacks easily, even if he has to provoke attacks of opportunity to achieve it.
By 5th level, Wei will have Mage armor, shield, true strike and either stone shield or hydraulic push. His second level spell will be pilfering hand. Again, the choice between stone shield and hydraulic push will depend on the party's need. If the party is happy for Tuillen to play the meat-shield, he will have no problem, being able to generate an armor class as high as 30 through stone shield and crane style. At this level, he will be using his hydraulic push and pilfering hand spells tactically, in conjunction with true strike if required, to procure effective disarms and bull-rushes as required whilst standing right in the midst of battle.
Once he gets third level spells, he will start aiming to maintain several long-term offensive buffs on himself. Extended heroism spells will boost his attack bonus whilst monstrous extremities will provide him with extra hoof attacks. Since this is when he starts taking Eldritch Knight levels in earnest, this is also the stage at which his offensive potential really starts to take off. Ablative Barrier and Resinous skin will also be considered, but may give way to haste (if Ziyad does not cast it regularly), vampiric touch or other similar spells. At this point, second level spell slots will be used to maintain long-term defensive buffs like bullet shield and resist energy.
Wei's 4th level spells will include boneshatter and improved invisibility. From there, options include calcific touch (delivered via a punch, and since I will be using an Amulet of Mighty Fists to boost my hoofs, it will not be a light punch either). Once he attains 5th level spells, Wei will be using Eaglesoul and Divine Power in combat regularly, which should easily allow him to maintain a solid damage output.
Oh yeah, I figured. :)
I just saw your recruitment and just wanted to say hi.
Would you want a build similar to the position vacated? Cleric/Wizard?
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Still fine-tuning my character at this point. Feats have been finalised. Have also decided to use wands for shield, and have him learn true strike for combat maneuvers and sure-hits. Have decided on another monk level for the extra feat. However, his overall build will remain the same.
Also just realised that with Pathfinder Savant levels, Wei will be able to learn some healing spells later on if the party feels we need a healer.
Working on an Wizard 3... Is there anything different about gear/wealth if they are a crafter? Craft Wondrous Item?
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Wei is finished.
Decided to take infernal healing as a known spell so with that and heavenly fire he can pull healing duty. He's also a high AC and is not afraid to wade into combat.
He's got good spot and will be able to craft items. As he gains levels, he will also become much more of a close-range bruiser as outlined in my previous post.
Take a look and give me some feedback?
While I realize this character does not fit your current vacant spot, I'd still like to present him for your consideration.
I conceived him for another SD game which started by-the-book (the same one in which Restless Cherry Blossom played), so I had to force him on a self-imposed exile from Shin'Rakorath. But I like your alternate take on the story much better, so for this game he will have returned to the organisation after a string of failures out in the open.
If he looks potentially interesting to you, perhaps for a future replacement, I'll level him up as needed. I intend to keep him in a scout/trapper/skirmisher role.
Hi,
I just want a little bit more info before committing to a game. I know you don't care about the new character class but what are the current characters? Am I right in assuming: ranger (3), inquisitor (3), rogue (3) and rogue/wizard (1/2)?
What about Kybryn? Is he along for the ride as well; if so, what is he?
I know it's potentially late but you kept the game going for a couple of months so chances are you'll hang around.
Thanks for the info and happy gaming.
I hope not getting an answer doesn't mean that applications are closed. :)
In any case, please consider Galael for inclusion to your story.
I think everything is answered in the alias with the exception of Galael's function in the party.
Here’s where it gets tricky. :)
In combat, I see Galael as a very decent ranged combatants using his bombs (7/day) and then resorting to his short bow. Depending on how you handle poison (availability, price, etc.), this could augment his use of the bow.
Outside of combat, Galael is a very good skill monkey with excellent bonuses on: disable device, knowledge nature and arcana, craft alchemy, and perception and decent bonuses on: survival, stealth, and use magic device. He can also be a part-time healer by saving his extracts to be learned on an as-needed basis and using a cure light wounds wand or similar devices.
Please note that I left one trait to be selected as I would like to work that with you to make the ‘introduction’ of Galael as smooth as possible. On that note, his recent history is still to be ‘written’ depending on his tie-in to the current party.
If there’s anything else that you need to properly evaluate my application, please let me know.
Happy gaming!
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Party makeup is as follows:
1. Dendarial - Ranger 3
2. Ziyad - Rogue 1/Wizard 2
3. Eladlara - Inquisitor 3
4. Vhalas- Rogue 3
5. Kybryn - Haha that's my default Avatar... disregard him :)
@Hassan
Sorry for the delay. You may come in with 1 item at crafted price.
@Wei
Great work! Your application is complete as far as i'm concerned.
@Kresham
He does look interesting. I really like the idea of a redemption type mission... maybe replacing Talia to prove himself since she will inevitably be bowing out. I want a backstory if you're interested in him getting in right now
@Galael
Good work.
@All of you
Let me know if you have more questions. I'll should be able to answer them same day from now on.
Decision will be made Thursday. I will also be referring to my party to pitch in their opinions.
Great work so far all of you. Thanks for applying.
hey i am going to submit my build when i get home from work, are you opposed to having new players?
by new players I mean someone new to the game :)
A solid healer would be nice though, we have alot of melee at this time
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by new players I mean someone new to the game :)
Ummm no I'm not opposed to it if you are:
1. Rules smart: You can figure out what the rules mean without slowing us down too much.
2. Excellent roll-player: You will be able to fit in with our short but very sweet roll-playing style.
3. Understand how to build a powerful player: I want to see through your application that you are capable of building a powerful PC(demonstrating and understanding of basic mechanics) while still having some flavor (personality) in his build.
@All
It looks like I might be pushing the deadline back a few days, depending on what my party wants. I don't want to rush things if it will only impede us from making the best decision. I'll keep you all posted.
Until then, i'll be around to answer questions!
1. Rules smart: You can figure out what the rules mean without slowing us down too much.2. Excellent roll-player: You will be able to fit in with our short but very sweet roll-playing style.
3. Understand how to build a powerful player: I want to see through your application that you are capable of building a powerful PC(demonstrating and understanding of basic mechanics) while still having some flavor (personality) in his build.
Good points Drider,
Right now, I can tell you that we are weak on divine buffs, healing and a debuffs.
Two potential builds that would dove tail quite well into the party include:
A bad-touch cleric: Someone who uses devastating melee touch attacks using Domain Strike, he/she would have a high AC, able to act as a flanker for the rogue, and destroy the opponenet with domain ability's from the Protean / Madness domain. This would also be a healer that would be able to top us off after battles and still provide combat buffs.
A debuff witch: using hex's like cackle, slumber and such able to weaken opponents at a distance, the slumber witch would be particularly useful for setting up coup-de-grace combos with the rogue. This character would also be able to provide the occasional heal, and I would recommend going Shadow patron.
2. Excellent roll-player: You will be able to fit in with our short but very sweet roll-playing style.
Did you mean 'roll' or 'role'?
I thought that:
Backstory, Personality, and Appearance (very important to me)
Why is the above 'very important' if you're looking for a 'roll' player?
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:) I definitely meant role-playing
I mean, I meant roll-playing. To answer your question, I think that the ability to move things in a circular motion while playing Pathfinder is crucial.
For example:
Dice. Dice are important
Soda cans. For when you're bored
Conversations. I love meaningless banter during my D&D sessions
And probably more stuff too.
:) I definitely meant role-playing
Whew, OK now I feel a lot better about the time I spent making the character. :)
At the risk of becoming obnoxious and not getting selected because 'this guy argues about everything', isn't it more important to have a better role player than a 'min/max roll player'?
Granted that the role player needs to be 'somewhat proficient' with the rules to create a viable character but many people will forego the 'perfect build' because it just doesn't fit with their playing style. For example, I know that for a fighter/paladin, it's best to have a 'smashing small shield' but I always like how they 'feel' with a 'large defensive shield'.
When you think of a good book or movie, how many of the protagonists really were 'the perfect build'? What's more, I always have the players in my campaigns pick a 'flaw' (negative trait) just for roleplaying flavor.
YMMV and again, I don't want to impose any playing style on an established group that's obviously doing alright. However, if it were me, I would be looking for good roleplayers and not a min/max build.
Fabian, are you familiar with the Stormwind Fallacy?
This concept has come up a lot throughout the years, enough so that it's even gotten it's own title.
I'm pretty sure that what GM Drider is saying is that this game needs someone who can role-play, and roll-play.
You have a point in that it is generally better (especially in PBP games) to have a player who is expressive and engaging rather than someone only interested in winning through superior math, but the only reason that is the case is because it's easier to teach someone how to use the system than it is to teach them how to write.
Really, system mastery and ability to convey ideas are equally important considerations when it comes to being a "good" player.
1. Rules smart: You can figure out what the rules mean without slowing us down too much.
2. Excellent roll-player: You will be able to fit in with our short but very sweet roll-playing style.
3. Understand how to build a powerful player: I want to see through your application that you are capable of building a powerful PC(demonstrating and understanding of basic mechanics) while still having some flavor (personality) in his build.
1. I have played some 4th edition, and have been studying up on the rules in the Core Rulebook, I can figure them out as we go, but I might have questions from time to time.
2. I think I will fit right in.
3. I will post my build here once I make it, for you and the others to scrutinize. You can give me advice and decide if I can make a powerful enough player. I will make a cleric, since the group needs a healer/buffer.
I will roll my character right now and post it as soon as its made, then you can decide what you think.
Fabian, are you familiar with the Stormwind Fallacy?
I was not aware of the name for it but certainly of the concept. That was a good read, BTW, thanks. Needless to say, I agree with what's stated there.
However, teaching someone who knows how to write the 'math' as you call it is fine. What I don't agree is forcing a player to change the flavor of his character because the 'math' supports it. The idea of forcing my paladin to use a 'smashing small shield' instead of my 'large defensive shield' comes to mind.
I was also worried about someone else's post about taking the Protean / Madness domain ability. Granted I didn't know what the Protean domain was. :) But once I found out, I scratched my head thinking: how is anyone playing 'a good elf' with the motto 'To be the light against the coming darkness' going to justify having access to those domains?
Again I'm not picking on anyone because of their playing style. This is a game and we all play to have fun.
In the end, I think we agree that the best scenario is to have a player who can express himself, whether 'live at the table' or 'writing at the computer' and also knows the rules to make his character effective.
Happy gaming.
I think I like this group. :)
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Fabian, are you familiar with the Stormwind Fallacy?
This concept has come up a lot throughout the years, enough so that it's even gotten it's own title.
I'm pretty sure that what GM Drider is saying is that this game needs someone who can role-play, and roll-play.
You have a point in that it is generally better (especially in PBP games) to have a player who is expressive and engaging rather than someone only interested in winning through superior math, but the only reason that is the case is because it's easier to teach someone how to use the system than it is to teach them how to write.
Really, system mastery and ability to convey ideas are equally important considerations when it comes to being a "good" player.
Heh, well put, mate. The ability to roll-play and role-play are not in any way mutually exclusive, and are in fact both aspects of a good player.
To Vhalas and Zhiyad, thank you for voicing what you feel your present party needs. I'd like to suggest that whilst Wei is not a divine caster, he actually does have the capacity to fill the role of a healer to some extent, and with the advent of the Page of Spell Knowledge in Ultimate Equipment, Wei can now obtain mage armour through the Page, and learn a debuff or damage spell in lieu of Mage Armor. Furthermore, I hope I can also convince you that true strike is actually a surprisingly good debuff spell in the hands of a monk.
Another tactic would be to cast true strike and trap an enemy caster with either a net or a lasso. A creature entangled in a net needs to make caster level checks to cast, and can't move further from the person who cast the net (i.e. stranded next to a melee warrior)-a caster's worst nightmare. Now you may have noticed that Wei has yet to purchase a net, and that would be correct, as I am still waiting for James Jacobs to clarify how the lasso, which serves a similar function, works. Depending on his answer, I will be purchasing one or the other.
True strike: terrorising humanoid BBEGs since 3.0. =)
Apart from the above points, Wei also has the AC and HP to wade into combat and set up flanks. That he uses a reach weapon only makes this easier. In fact, with his AC and HP, I am expecting Wei to often be the first one in melee, and just as often be the last to need to pull back. Wei will also be stepping up to the plate for buffs and to a lesser extent debuffs, in the near-future learning bless for free and subsequently learning glitterdust, heroism and haste if Zhiyad does not get haste first.
I hope the above points will help to convince you of Wei's suitability for the team. If you think that there's a particular 1st level sorc spell you'd particularly like Tuillen to learn, I'm open to suggestions. At the moment, I am partial to Touch of Gracelessness, which reduces dexterity (increases our hit rate) and, if they fail their save, limits their movement substantially. Alternatively, there is colour spray, which Wei can position himself well for since he's a front-liner. =)
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I invite you guys to check out our discussion thread for some feedback. I ask you to refrain from posting there, but rather here regarding anything you see there.
2/4 of the players have already mentioned that filling the missing gap in the party is important to them. This will play a role in the decision making process, but my first priority will be on picking a quality player.
Fabian, I personally agree with you. Generally speaking I choose to balance flavor and utility equally, after all, these are heros and must be able to accomplish amazing tasks while being interesting and engaging.
In your shield example, that sounds like something I would do if I felt it made the most sense for the theme of the character.
Ok so here is my character:
Race: Dwarf Class: Cleric 3 Diety: Erastil Domain: Community, Good
Str 15
Dex 8
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 18
Cha 11
AC: 16 (10+4 armor -1 dex +3 shield) 9 Touch 16 Flat Footed
Skills: 2 ranks in Diplomacy (+5), 3 into Heal (+10), 2 into Sense Motive (+9)
Feats: Extra Channel, Shield Focus
Traits: Child of the Temple (Erastil) Courageous, Focused Mind
Offensive:
Battleaxe +4 1d8+2
Defensive
Mithril Heavy Shield
Mithril Shirt
Other Gear
Feather Token, Anchor
Oil of Bless Weapon
Potion of Cure Light Wounds x3
Potion of Protection From Evil x2
Backpack, Bedroll, Cleric's Vestments, Crowbar, Flint and Steel, Hammer, Holy Symbol, silver: Erastil, Spell Component Pouch and a Whetstone.
and 421 gp left over.
What do you think of that build? If I have forgotten anything let me know. As far as the background goes, I will wait until I hear from you because I want to read through the Pathfinder Companion for Second Darkness before I make Xenoz's back story. I will also look through the traits in the Companion and might swap out one that I have chosen for a campaign trait.
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What do you think of that build? If I have forgotten anything let me know. As far as the background goes, I will wait until I hear from you because I want to read through the Pathfinder Companion for Second Darkness before I make Xenoz's back story. I will also look through the traits in the Companion and might swap out one that I have chosen for a campaign trait.
Looks great so far (I haven't crunched all the numbers). I think your concept is solid, but something is wrong...
You've overlooked one of the most important details of this game... EVERYONE IS AN ELF OR URBAN ELF (stats of a half elf)!!!
Get that fixed ASAP hahaha.
Some things I want to see are:
1. What is your average day spell selection?
2. Why is your shield bonus +3 instead of +2? Is it a +1 mithral heavy shield?
I like the courageous combat healer concept. Get crackin' on that backstory!
And make sure to read up on the campaign summary section in the original post, and the "More on the Shin'Rakorath" section in the campaign info tab.
edit: Remember that this campaign starts as i've described it, and as you can read in the gamplay section of the actual thread, not like the original intro. The setting is equal to what you'll read in the companion.
I was also worried about someone else's post about taking the Protean / Madness domain ability. Granted I didn't know what the Protean domain was. :) But once I found out, I scratched my head thinking: how is anyone playing 'a good elf' with the motto 'To be the light against the coming darkness' going to justify having access to those domains?
Well, Protean is a sub domain of the Chaos domain, and considering the way that our inquisitor plays herself as a follower of Calistria, that makes perfect sense. Madness, well that’s harder, but still doable depending on how you built the character. Your building a level 3 character, so you could go with a 2nd level Elven (natural-werewolf) cleric of Groetus. Crazy? Sure but I could see the character as someone who literally worships the moon, almost a spinoff of some druid sects. Perhaps a worshiper of the darker side of nature. Play a True Neutral. Now that I think about it, I think it might be a *great* concept. Just because we are a light against the darkness, doesn't mean that the light can't be masking a blade in the shadows... just some food for thought.
EVERYONE IS AN ELF OR URBAN ELF (stats of a half elf)!!!
Get that fixed ASAP hahaha.
Riiiiight, I thought I read that, but I couldn't remember if that was this thread. Ill change that right now and edit my stats.
The mithril heavy shield (according to HeroLab) is +3. Which makes sense to me since it is a step up from a Heavy Steel Shield. I will read up on the campaign summary and make my back story.Edit: The extra bonus from the shield is from the feat Shield Focus.
here are the new stats
Race: Urban Elf Class: Cleric 3 Diety: Erastil Domain: Community, Good
Str 14
Dex 10
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 18
Cha 10
AC: 17 (10+4 armor +3 shield) 10 Touch 17 Flat Footed
HP 24 +0 Initiative +2 BAB +4 CMB 14 CMD (14 Fl)
Fort +5 Ref +1 Will +7
Skills: 2 ranks in Diplomacy (+5), 3 into Heal (+13), 2 into Sense Motive (+9)
Feats: Extra Channel, Shield Focus, Half elf Skill Focus Heal
Traits: Child of the Temple (Erastil) Courageous, Focused Mind
Offensive:
Heavy Mace +4 1d8+2
Defensive
Mithril Heavy Shield
Mithril Shirt
Other Gear
Feather Token, Anchor
Oil of Bless Weapon
Potion of Cure Light Wounds x3
Potion of Protection From Evil x2
Backpack, Bedroll, Cleric's Vestments, Crowbar, Flint and Steel, Hammer, Holy Symbol, silver: Erastil, Spell Component Pouch with 402 GP leftover.
Average spells per day:
Domain spells: 1 Bless 2 Shield Other
1 Gorum's Armor 1 Magic Weapon 1 Protection From Evil
2 Bull's Strength 2 Hold Person/ Resist Energy
Calming Touch: 7 times per day heals for 1d6+3
Touch of Good: 7 times per day +1 sacred bonus to ally's attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks and saving throws for 1 round.
Edit: Function: Buffer and support melee. High diplomacy for negotiating with any one I can communicate with.
Fixed the errors, but correct me again if I have made another mistake. I am now Urban Elf.
I am currently reading up on the campaign and setting to make an appropriate backstory. Even before reading I have an idea of what I want my character to be like. I'll post it when I have a formal concept.
Well, Protean is a sub domain of the Chaos domain, and considering the way that our inquisitor plays herself as a follower of Calistria, that makes perfect sense. Madness, well that’s harder, but still doable depending on how you built the character. Your building a level 3 character, so you could go with a 2nd level Elven (natural-werewolf) cleric of Groetus. Crazy? Sure but I could see the character as someone who literally worships the moon, almost a spinoff of some druid sects. Perhaps a worshiper of the darker side of nature. Play a True Neutral. Now that I think about it, I think it might be a *great* concept. Just because we are a light against the darkness, doesn't mean that the light can't be masking a blade in the shadows... just some food for thought.
Neat idea. A literal "Lunatic". I like it.
Okay here is the bacckground for my character. Turns out I didn't really need much from the campaign, I just made most of this up, using my map of Varisia from RotR and information on dieties from CRB. I don't know much about Gorleon, since I am new to PF so much of what I have written is based on nothing specific in the game, except for some RotR reference. Let me know what you think of my character now. and if there are any holes or things that need to fixed to fit with the story let me know.
Xenoz was found at the scene of a massacre next in a small church near Wartle. A group of passing priests of Erastil found him in a pool of blood, death all around him. It seemed to be the result of a goblin attack on an unsuspecting group of worshippers on a day to honor the dead. They raised him to study the teaching of Erastil, and Xenoz was constantly reading the tales of the gods. He took the lessons to heart, but couldn’t stand being told how to worship. He believed that each creature was made to worship the gods in their own manner.
One day, when he was not quite 20 years of age, he fled the monastery and ventured into Sanos Forest. He was propelled by searching for clues of his origin, although he has not found anything that would shed light on his parents. He was in no way prepared to face the perils of the woods, and quickly realized he was in way over his head. A pack of wolves had tracked him and had him cornered against a cliff, he was saved by two elves who had also been following his movements. They did not have much interest in him, but since he was at least half an elf, they didn’t think it right for him to die alone in the woods at the jaws of the wolves. They guided him to edge of the woods and sent him on his way.
His travels brought him to Magnimar, where he made his living telling stories of lore and the might of the gods. The first few months of his time in the city were tough. Earning barely a few coppers a week he was barely getting by, living in the streets with the other vagrants and outcasts. One evening, after telling a tale in a tavern he had a stroke of luck. A man clad in black came in through the door, his presence was daunting and the room fell silent. At this hour not many people were still up in the common room. Xenoz was sitting in a corner eating his meal, and went unnoticed by the interloper. He began an incantation and the lights in the room began to go out. Shadows leapt from the walls, and someone screamed. Xenoz flew into action, tackling the man, interrupting his spell. The other civilians held him down and authorities were called. The man was taken into custody, but never said a word of who he was or what his intentions were. The barkeep thanked him profusely and lets Xenoz stay in his rooms free of charge.
The man turned out to be an agent of Lamashtu, around the same time as Nualia was plotting her revenge on Sandpoint. Recently, Xenoz received a letter from the Shin’Rakorath and proceeded to Riddleport.
Xenoz is about6’2” with fair blond hair. He looks more elf than human, and is forever grateful to the elves that saved him in the Sanos Forest. He has no memory of his parents and is constantly looking for clues of where he came from. After years of searching he has almost given up hope, and has begun to forge his own destiny instead of dwelling on things past. He has a soft spot in his heart for the weak and defenseless, as he was so many times before. He is just in his trade, never cheating a person for his own personal gain. Xenoz would rather avoid physical conflict with his words but is quick to anger, and when provoked rushes to violence.
Working on Thallan Mourne
Male Cleric 3
NG Medium Humanoid (Elf)
Init +3, Senses Perception +3
SQ
Channel Energy (Su): 2d6, 4/day, to harm undead DC 12
Domains: Rune , Protection (Defense)
AC 19 (10 +4/armor, +2/shield, +3/Dex), touch 13, flat-footed 16
HP 18
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +5
Spd 30ft.
Spells Prepared (CL 3rd, * denotes Domain spell slot)
Orisons: Detect Magic, Guidance, Light, Read Magic
1st: Bane, Burning Disarm, Obscuring Mist, Shield*
2nd: Barkskin*, Silence, Lesser Restoration
Feats: Weapon Finesse, Craft Wondrous Item, Scribe Scroll (from Rune)
Str 10, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 12
Items:
Mithril Shirt & Darkwood Shield, 1357gp
Amulet of Healing - Cure Moderate Wounds 2d8+3, 50 Charges, 3x/day, 1350gp
More details, later.
Hey guys,
I think I'm going to retract my application and let you find the right person for your game. I enjoy the role playing aspect of the game more so than the roll playing aspect and I don't want to ruffle any feathers with the way I play. I can just see myself getting into trouble for not doing the 'perfect roll-playing maneuver' in the middle combat or something like that. I'll just have to find me a PBEM to play in or find the time to host another one.
Anyhow, thanks and happy gaming!
Fabian
I invite you guys to check out our discussion thread for some feedback. I ask you to refrain from posting there, but rather here regarding anything you see there.
2/4 of the players have already mentioned that filling the missing gap in the party is important to them. This will play a role in the decision making process, but my first priority will be on picking a quality player.
Had a quick glance over there. I just wanted to point out that Azrael was the submission I had put in during the original request for subs. I guess I was being lazy, but I have yet to find a home for him.
Progression-wise the monk (Zen Archer) levels are done with and he'd be continuing Wizard before a 3-level dip in Eldritch Knight before finally being able to park his butt in Arcane Archer. The original concept was with a fighter level instead of two monk levels, but I wanted to see how this played out (although I'm not sure how much I would see as he wouldn't hit AA 'till 11th or 12th [10th if I went with Ftr). I could go with more levels of monk (or Ftr) to get into the AA earlier but then he'd be behind on some of the interesting spells. His spells would focus on his archery (things like Gravity Bow, Arrow Eruption, and spells that would ultimately work with the PrC).
I suppose he partially steps on the Wiz/Rogues toes (in that they're both arcane casters) but they do seem to have different directions. I expect he's also pressing gently down on the toes of the ranger as well since they both seem to have more of a focus on archery.
In other words he wouldn't really fit into the healer niche that has gone missing (unless you count Infernal Healing, I guess, although I wouldn't). I already have a couple of characters in other games for that, but have no archers yet. Thus the re-sub.
Thallon Mourne
Race: Elf
Attributes: Str 9, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 12
1 Diplomacy +5
2 Kn (arcana) +7
1 Kn (history) +6
1 Kn (nobility) +6
1 Kn (planes) +6
2 Kn (religion) +7
1 Linguistics +6
1 Prof (librarian) +7
1 Sense Motive +7
3 Spellcraft +12
1 Use Magic Device +8
Feats:
Magical Aptitude
Scribe Scroll (Rune)
Craft Wondrous Item
Traits:
Theoretical Magician
Underlying Principles
Researching the Blot*
Alt Racial:
Lightbringer
Urbanite
Backstory: Thallan has been an enigma from the day he was left abandoned as a babe at the temple steps, with nothing more than swaddling, a lantern which either served as light or warmth.
He displayed more curiosity than an alley full of cats. The priests could not turn away an infant. And, when he smiled with his eyes, they were touched.
He grew in mind and body in the temple's care, devouring equal parts of food and knowledge.
To learn more, he'd do chores and run errands and menial labor. They'd reward him with knowledge both arcane and divine. They waited for the boy to get bored... He didn't.
Considering the Shin’Rakorath motto: ‘To be the light against the coming darkness’, Thallon's being a Lightbringer made their choice that much easier.
Personality: NG Respecting and defending Life, Freedom and Beauty in that order. Quiet, pensive, accepting... until observation and inaction is unbearable.
Appearance: Dark complexion, and chiseled angular jaw. Emerald eyes and black shoulder length hair that is usually kept in a ponytail. Typically wears charcoal and all manner of grey from near black (and black) to light heathers. The tall cool one.
Age 135 yrs Height 6'2" Weight 170 lbs. Hair Black Eyes Green
Dark completion means slightly olive or tan, with black hair and somewhat pensive or brooding. Not black/drow.