For a while now, I've had the idea of making a character, who'd be a Paladin of the minor deity Kurgess, but a few problems have gotten in the way. First would be taking into consideration the code. What kind of philosophy would fit a Paladin of Kurgess? Would I need to develop some custom Paladin code of conduct for him, like the ones that other deities have? Also, if I played a Sacred Servant of Kurgess, which domain should I pick?
Advice and feedback appreciated.
I actually have this character in PFS right now. I'm going with a more good than lawful bent. I plan on solving every conflict with a competition of some kind, if possible. Aspis wants the artifact? Wrestle me for it, etc...
Luck and Travel are probably your best bets.
Homebrew race. It seems to stick to all my Paladin and Cleric concepts like glue.
If not, then the boring and bland Human.
Any non-third party.
Usually standard ones, but to hell with the DM who banned my precious creations.
Being efficient while taking into account the RP value of the character concept. Oh, know any good traits?
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Hard to judge things when I know nothing about the custom race, so I will assume human(not boring by the way).
Okay, of the Domain choices, Travel is the best.
Reactionary is a good trait. Strong Arm, Supple Wrist if you want to focus on Javelins.
You will want to pick up a Consecrated weapon or shield, as the Channel Foci count as a Holy Symbol.
What is the concept?
I consider them boring compared to the alternative, and I stick to my opinion. And the homebrew race is one I've mentioned off-hand on other threads, basically a cross of minotaur and human with emphasis on human. +2 to Str and Wis, -2 to Dex.
And the concept is a problem. I have no idea what kind of Paladin's code and missions would a Paladin of Kurgess have. You did check the link, right?
Philosophy: competition & fairness
Code: good idea, I'll see what I can do
Domain: travel for sure for a front-liner (constant increase to base speed, 1st-level power is a free action, and domain spells are non-paladin)
Race: Angel-Blooded or Archon-Blooded aasimar from Blood of Angels (it would be awesome if you made a Small one)
Traits: gimme a minute
Kurgess, one of my favourite gods. Right up there with Groetus (smiling skull moon god of the end times) and Zyphus (god of accidental death).
Rock that pally.
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Kurgess, one of my favourite gods. Right up there with Groetus (smiling skull moon god of the end times) and Zyphus (god of accidental death).
Rock that pally.
Guess we are more alike than I had expected, since we seem to share similar tastes when it comes to deities. Also, I'd totally rock the Pally if the only DM capable of running a decent story didn't have a vehement hatred on humans who are a bit taller than average and happen to have hooves and horns as well a bovine tail and ears, which would in essence be my homebrew race in a nutshell. And the race happens to be all female, but that's a minor detail.
As to what you were saying Blackblood, I am well-aware of the potential Humans have (they are a cheap race with that extra feat, I tell ya), but given what a spoilsport said DM can be, I'm pretty sure he'd rule out a Human who has a tail and can breathe fire just as quickly as he would the part-minotaur half-giants that I had created.
Finland doesn't do Congress jokes. That would work if I were an American. And yeah, I'm just waiting for the posts about "that's a really weird race" instead of actually helpful commentary from now on. Wouldn't surprise me at all. Also, I wonder what that one Bag of Devouring is doing right now.
Those human options I mentioned are pure RAW.
Is he houseruling out RAW options?
Knowing him, he totally would.
Also, Kord is Chaotic Good, but I like him.
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If there's one thing that makes me want to throw up, it's humanocentrism (my main gripe with Golarion at times, and a problem in some other settings as well), as if they're always so much more important than other races. If I wanted to play a "champion of humanity", I'd play a Lawful Evil Cleric of Zarus (from the 3.5e book Races of Destiny), not a Lawful Good Paladin of Kurgess. And yeah, this thread is more speculatory than anything because my mind's dead set on the homebrew race, and the chances of the DM changing his mind on them is 1%, if even that.
Okay! I think that I have your traits. This assumes a Small halfling-descended aasimar. If you don't make this awesome character, then I will. (Paladin code still to come.) ...and I see from the intervening posts that I have wasted my time, so never mind about that code. Oh well!
Social: Adopted (halfling)
Race (halfling): Helpful
Regional (Andoran): Andoren Freedom Fighter
Would be funny to have a partially monstrous half-giant adopted by halflings. Then again, one such character of mine that I did get to play had a soft spot for the short folk (even though she was a Cleric of Zon-Kuthon) so there's potential in that. Also, don't the Eagle Knight and Golden Legionnaire prestige classes give that Improved Aid Another thing as well? Kurgess kinda fits as an Andoren deity, given his Taldan origin and Neutral Good alignment now that I think about it. The latter trait seems a bit situational despite the flavor of it.
Depends on the campaign, usually yes.
What do you mean? Do I need to hand out the homebrew race's stats here, too?
I only got to dislike them after years and years of "humans rock, all else sucks" and the fact that I've grown slightly misanthropic over the years.
(Also won't be responding for around 10-12 hours, I need some sleep...)
Make sure the pally does alot of flexing. Good stuff.
Would be funny to have a partially monstrous half-giant adopted by halflings. Then again, one such character of mine that I did get to play had a soft spot for the short folk (even though she was a Cleric of Zon-Kuthon) so there's potential in that. Also, don't the Eagle Knight and Golden Legionnaire prestige classes give that Improved Aid Another thing as well? Kurgess kinda fits as an Andoren deity, given his Taldan origin and Neutral Good alignment now that I think about it. The latter trait seems a bit situational despite the flavor of it.
I was actually picturing him or her as being part halfling, not just adopted. Did you read the link about how Small aasimar only have the usual adjustments for Small, not any penalties to Str or base speed or anything like that? I will freely admit that I'm trying to seduce you away from your fixation to something that's equally cool. But I'm not sure what bbt is talking about, so I'd need him to explain how it would work to make that look.
I can't find an Eagle Knight prestige class, and the Golden Legionnaire takes until level 9 to give +2 to your Aid Another, so I can't imagine that as a reasonable replacement for Helpful. I admit that the Andoren Freedom Fighter trait is very situational; but combined with the other stuff, it ties the race into the place, and gets away from the usual boring "oh lovely, another Armor Expert". If I could find a good Str-based trait then I would recommend that instead.
Edit: Unless you mean the Steel Falcon prestige class? But they only give Superior Aid to AC, so that's not even close to the same thing.
Yes, and so the Angel-Blooded heritage would work well with that. But how would you make the "half minotaur" look?
Kurgess, one of my favourite gods. Right up there with Groetus (smiling skull moon god of the end times) and Zyphus (god of accidental death).
Rock that pally.
Guess we are more alike than I had expected, since we seem to share similar tastes when it comes to deities. Also, I'd totally rock the Pally if the only DM capable of running a decent story didn't have a vehement hatred on humans who are a bit taller than average and happen to have hooves and horns as well a bovine tail and ears, which would in essence be my homebrew race in a nutshell. And the race happens to be all female, but that's a minor detail.
As to what you were saying Blackblood, I am well-aware of the potential Humans have (they are a cheap race with that extra feat, I tell ya), but given what a spoilsport said DM can be, I'm pretty sure he'd rule out a Human who has a tail and can breathe fire just as quickly as he would the part-minotaur half-giants that I had created.
The minor deities of Golarion are extremely interesting, the major ones are bland and found elsewhere.
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If there's one thing that makes me want to throw up, it's humanocentrism (my main gripe with Golarion at times, and a problem in some other settings as well), as if they're always so much more important than other races. If I wanted to play a "champion of humanity", I'd play a Lawful Evil Cleric of Zarus (from the 3.5e book Races of Destiny), not a Lawful Good Paladin of Kurgess. And yeah, this thread is more speculatory than anything because my mind's dead set on the homebrew race, and the chances of the DM changing his mind on them is 1%, if even that.
Ha! Me too, and since I am also tired of Tolkien fantasy my setting is one in which the monsters are actually moving to the fore, elves don't exist but the fey and druids are strong, and the dwarves were wiped out by human tribes they civilised. The humans are around yeah, in large numbers and not only in feudal domains, but the age of the monster (lizardfolk, otyugh, minotaur, ratfolk) is approaching.
If you are interested, here are the races I've allowed.
Races:
Humans from over eleven cultures. From tribes, to collapsed regions, to feudal territories to free peoples. As per 3.5, but humans gain one martial proficiency.
Under-realm Ibixian: warlike goatfolk. +1 ECL
Boggard: medium frog. +2 ECL
Small lizardfolk: modified kobold.
Burly medium-sized lizardfolk. +1 ECL
Young Otyugh: tentacled eating machine. +2 ECL
Thorn: small fey rogues +1 ECL
Woodling: plant spellcasters. +2 ECL
Wood woad: plant guardians. +2 ECL
Ratling: medium rat. +1 ECL
Centaur or southern Zebrataur. +2 ECL
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I want to like Kurgess but he always feels like a watered-down Kord.
=(
Here's the cure for that.
Either:
Read Flex Mentallo.
OR
Imagine Charles Atlas risen to godhood.
;)
I see nothing exclusively human about Kurgess. Then again, the homebrew race I had in mind seems to favor humans over minotaurs. And to an earlier post, I think just the thought of anything even looking like the idea will get the DM's "knee-jerk ban" reaction out of him. And as much as a Halfling Aasimar sounds unusual and possibly something I'd try out, it's beneath my interest at the given time Fredrik.
3.5e Loyalist: I think I actually recall James Jacobs saying you COULD run Pathfinder as a world where humans are going into a stage of steady decline, what with Aroden being dead and such. Also, I'd take some of those Level Adjustments off (do you know how horrible an idea they were in the first place?) and use those races actually, but I've yet to finish my own campaign setting thanks to a lack of time and ideas, but I'll get to it some day.
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Well, I suggest Angel-Blooded Aasimar then. The +2 strength and +2 charisma will work great for you.
Also, as an added bonus, if your DM get's frisky with your looks, your alter self ability will bypass it.
I still suggest the Shield and Javelin route.
Flavor yourself up as a being who is a master of physical prowess due to your divine nature.
Nicknamed the "The Golden Bull", you spent much of your early life in the gladiatorial arena, a shining beacon physical perfection.
...I'm pretty sure it's unintentional, but do you know how funny calling my character the Golden Bull would be given me and my friend are both jewish? It's not like there was a Golden Calf or something in the Bible. Also, I guess one way to bypass this whole DM issue is if I find a DM who's NOT against homebrew races, which might be possible as well. Anyway, thanks for the advice but doesn't the Javelin give a penalty if used in melee?
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Some good ways to do this as an aasimar/tiefling:
AASIMAR (agathion-blooded) +2 con, +2 cha, specifically noted as having bestial features.
alternate appearance stuff (if you're allowed to pick, rather than roll):
build: well-muscled, ears: pivoting (dunno how well this may fit, as i'm not really familiar with bovine ears), head: animal features (cow/bull horns), other: unusual footprints (since there's no aasimar leg option for hooves listed). Theres also a furred body one too if that's what you're aiming for as well.
TIEFLING (demon-spawn) +2 str, +2 cha, -2 int, noted as monstrous, which may or may not fly with your DM.
alternate appearance stuff (as above):
ears: other (bovine), horns: other (cow/bull), legs: cloven feet, tail: other (bovine), as above, if youre also aiming for furred skin you could use skin: other I guess.
also, you seem rather fixated on the "I wanna be a half-minotaur" thing (which I can completely understand, since it sounds awesome) which may be raising some red flags for the DM; There've been bad experiences at some of the games I've played where players will get a tad... involved with their characters and cause games to veer into the creepy zone.
Now, I'm by no means accusing you of such a thing (particularly because you're coming here for good ways to play a paladin of an interesting deity), but your DM may have dealt with similar types in the past and be reacting accordingly (or just may not like homebrew stuff). Only thing I can say if you really want your homebrew race is talk it out with them and make a good case for yourself.
Mmm. I'm not sure that's such good advice. I haven't even tried to play a female character in about twenty years, due to a single bad experience. And it wasn't even mine, really. I had a bad experience with a fellow player who flipped out at the prospect of a guy playing a gal, because of a bad experience of his own. (The way I remember it, I practically had to go all Tetsuo on him to make him calm down -- and that was after changing my character's gender.) So if the DM had a bad experience with an anthro, then it's likely that anything that reminds him of it will be verboten, and talking about it will be ineffectual.
Good lord, I'm NOT a furry. I said I want to play something more Human than Minotaur, not a damned Tauren. I even houseruled with a friend that his Catfolk ranger looks like a Human with cat ears and a cat's tail. And yeah Mask, the whole issue was that my DM had his misconceptions about the race, banned them without giving me adequate reason and it then devolved into a very, very heated argument. I felt my blood, sweat and tears that was poured into the backstory, mechanics and fluff of the race was stomped only because the DM said "no" and "because", and he was the one who never told me "I thought these cowgirls are like a fetish thing", which they weren't. If I were to upload ALL the damned info I've written on them (or on any other homebrew race of mine, which includes half-plant elf-like beings and pirahnafolk) I'm pretty sure nobody would really have the same gripes he did.
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Someone must have serious issues if they freak out because their guy buddy is playing a female PC.
Half my PCs are female. In fact, unless gender is important to a concept, I flip a coin for my gender.
I even played a small Tiefling hermaphrodite alchemist.
Nobody shat themselves. Nobody had any issues with it.
Has this person even had long standing interactions with real world females?
How would I know? It was twenty years ago. I was a freshman in college. I don't even remember his name; he was just the awesomest tactics guy, who was also the ride for the awesomest roleplay guy.
Godsdammit, I'm making my next character female. It's my issue now, and it's about time I got over it.
I think it's only the fact that I added bovine features into the mix that he freaked out, which is kinda silly when you think about just how weird a female PC could look depending on race. *Shivers as he is reminded of the Nagaji picture from ARG* And Blackblood, you'd be surprised to hear that this guy has a girlfriend. Though even that girl was more accepting of my ideas than he is, so yeah.
If I asked my DM if I could play that, I think his response would be "NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE" in a maddened mantra. Thinking about that makes me sad, since I do know one DM who would allow that, but I had to leave the online game she was running because time zones are a killer (Had to wake up 04:00 AM every Wednesday and try to work on the same day when I normally need my eight hours of sleep).
Also, that Tiefling picture is cool AND freaky. Which fiend heritage?
He might secretly be a fan of humanocentric settings, since he is a total Game of Thrones fanboy. He did make one setting slightly based off it (seemingly) and called it "Low Fantasy". Though I still translate "obsessed with humans and what is normal" as "is not fully utilizing the fantasy genre and being a boring killjoy", but it's all conjecture since the guy himself is too much of a dullard to come here and elaborate, though I'd dare him to do so now. He also seems unwilling to compromise a sliver of his comfort for the sake of the fun a player could have, which might be bad DMing depending on your view.
He ran two custom ones before switching to Golarion. I've written up a backstory for all five of my homebrew races for the Golarion setting, and I've more or less managed to place them so they aren't really in the way or stealing any other race's shtick from what I've seen. I haven't fully finished the write-ups if I recall right, but I could throw them over somewhere if anyone wants to see.