I am interested in running a Pathfinder campaign in which the characters begin at fifth level. That is only one short of the highest level which a character has ever reached in any of my campaigns. I am interested in experiencing a higher level campaign.
I have been considering various ideas. One is that the players would play the newly ascended heirs to a throne of an established barony or other land (perhaps a bisphoric), using the Kingmaker rules for Kingdom Building. The problem is that it might be a bit difficult to set up.
Another idea is that there might be two teams of good and evil, based on the fact that there was such an arrangement in the Blackmoor campaign run by Dave Arneson. Yes, this would likely involve PVP, an element that many dislike in their campaigns. However, the fact that these are two teams should result in less of the problems that result from this. The two teams will be expected to get along, though.
If any one has any other ideas feel free to share them. I hope I can find some interested players.
Could you possibly combine the two? Two dominions seeded by two seperate groups; one evil and one good. Perhaps they were once of the same ilk/heirs but have went their seperate ways? Perhaps a great/powerful ruler has died and his realm has descended into chaos/petty kingdoms... One group seek to keep his ideals alive and reforge his kingdom... The other forge a new path (be it good or evil)
My 2 runes worth
i would likely be interested depending on what idea prevails
Sounds interesting.
1. I think that having pvp with one group against another may be difficult for PbP. It would necessitate making the timelines match to a degree. That might not be too hard in general but will be very difficult once combat begins, especially if the groups are not in combat with each other or if one group is in combat with only part of another group. Of course, that all depends on what is mean by "The two teams will be expected to get along, though." :D
2. Would this be in Golarion, or another setting (such as the previously mentioned Blackmoor), or in a homebrew setting? Or, undecided?
3. If all the players would be heirs, would that make them relatives? If so, that would probably make them the same race. Or, if human based, they could include the half-breeds.
4. Possibly make the players scions of a royal or noble family looking to increase their power to make a play for the throne? Then, two teams could be in competition as representing different houses but have different areas of power and prestige. Perhaps the ruler of the kingdom is on his (her?) deathbed and all thew houses are jockeying to rule upon his passing or perhaps a regent is in control already. Or, perhaps the nation has disintegrated and various houses want to repopulate/resettle and put it back together or build their own kingdoms.
5. Although the flavor could be used from the kingmaker modules (small quests with an overriding theme) perhaps that could be worked in using various modules not necessarily a part of an adventure path.
Just some scattered thoughts...
I would love it.
With PFS starting at 1 and multiple TT campaigns starting then stopping, i've had less play time above 3rd then i'd like.
I'd be interested as well. I'm a fan of mid to high level games and pbp never seems to get there. Highest I have gotten is 8th and that was after a looooooooong time.
I'm interested too. I'd like to see both concepts combined, as Black Dow suggested, but either idea on its own will work for me.
I'm interested. I like the idea of knights and lords and barons and what not.
Lots of AP PbP die during the first module. Starting with the second sounds good to me. I would be interested, but not in PvP.
A module might be another way to start at level 5.
I would be interested, too. It sounds great.
Here are a couple of ideas:
1. There was a battle between the two domains killing many nobles. The PCs inherited, whether they survived the battle or were away at wizard university. Therefore, the PCs can realistically have zero political experience while being higher level.
2. The PCs grew up with up with an NPC who inherits or becomes a major noble. After a coup attempt, the NPC leader reaches out to the players to replace his/her privy council. So again, PCs can have little political experience while being higher level.
cheers
Hi! (^_^)
I have a 5th level character developed.
I put up my hand, volunteering for a go.
Hope everything is going swell for yourself Dungeon Master Zack.
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Count me in for anything mid level. I like the idea of PvP, but that usually dominates the character builds and campaign. While fun, it might be more fun just to start an AP at mid level. Due to the pace of most PBP seems like I am always stuck at first or second level for 6 months or longer. Of all the APs I would think being thrown into a Skulls and Shackles game might be the easiest. I have not played that AP yet, but I would think it would be as simple as being on a boat and being boarded by pirates. Poof, you are in the campaign. :)
I can enjoy playing most any role in the group. Let me know how I might help.
Hey-ya! Suny again. (^_^)
Presenting Meera.
ill spin up a character once i get more specifics. i'm not trying to rush you though. i'll be watching the thread though
I'd be interested in joining. I've never done a PBP before but I'm wanting to try. Also, if your planning on including evil characters I'd suggest checking out this thread: Evil parties how they fail and how to fix it
It really helped me realize evil characters can work, and that I almost want to play one.
Unfortunately I only have Rise of the Runelords Volumes 1 and 2, and Kingmaker Volumes 1-3, so running an AP won't really work.
Note, when I mentioned that the players would be heirs, I had imagined that they would each be the heir of an allied domain. So everybody would be the Ruler of their own barony. However, having just one barony would work as well.
Combining the two ideas seems feasible.
I kinda like the one barony idea. Having each character be somewhere in the line of succession. Be it a sibling, spouse, child, uncle, nephew, niece or cousin. Would there be intrigue involved as well as to whether the old king's death was natural or helped along? Maybe have someone play a general wanting to stage a military coup during this uncertain time as well. I could see any alignment working for that kind of game.
Do you have a tentative go date? Do you want help designing anything? Many of your domain-building ideas may be time-consuming.
If each PC has a barony, maybe set it at 7th level, so the Leadership cohort can run the barony while the PC is away doing PC things
Likewise, interested in either/both, and quite flexible once things are more nailed down. :)
I'm go for 'bout any of the ideas.
i like the special operations group angle. i havent played a game like that in a long time, but it was fun.
Special Ops idea does sound rather fun. :)
I like the ideas, but PvP and evil characters are just not for me. So I will wait until that is decided :)
I would be game to up this character to level 5 or 6, I really like him, but his PbP has died
I don't have a 5th lvl character prepped but I can throw one together pretty quickly. I'd think I'd enjoy a spec ops game.
Meera was created to be a 'special'/'undercover' type...who's game unfortunately stopped but a few posts in.
Looking forwards to seeing what is decided.
Pencil me in.
Special operatives might work.
I think it is pretty clear that she intends to betray us at an opportune moment.
Sorcerer, Crossblooded with the Aberrant and Verdant bloodlines
Alignment: Neutral Good
Worship: ?
Race: Human
Age: 23 yrs Height: 5'9" Weight: 157#
Str: 8, Dex: 12, Con: 14, Int: 12, Wis: 10, Cha 19 (20 pt buy)
Languages: Common, Draconic, Giant
HP: 8 (6+2)
Fort: +2 (base +0, con +2)
Refl: +1 (base +0, dex +1)
Will: +0 (base +2, wis +0, cb -2)
?: atk ?, dam ?, crit ?
Human: +2 to one ability score (charisma for Rangles)
Human: bonus feat
Human: +1 skill point each level
Trait: ?
Trait: Focused Mind, +2 concentration checks
Aberrant: knowledge dungeoneering is class skill
Aberrant Arcana: polymorph spells duration +50% (min 1 rnd)
Verdant: knowledge nature is class skill
Verdant Arcana: cast pers rng spell nat arm +1/2splv dur d4 rnds
Verdant Power: tanglevine, 15’ trip/disarm/steal sorc lv +cha mod = CMB, 3=cha mod uses
favored class bonus to skills for levels 1-3, to additional spell after that
feat bonus: skill focus perception
feat: bouncing spell
+1 = acrobatics (ranks 0, dex +1, acp 0)
+1 = appraise (ranks 0, int +1, class 0)
+4 = bluff (ranks 0, cha +4, class 0)
-1 = climb (ranks 0, str -1, acp 0)
+1 = craft (ranks 0, int +1, class 0)
+4 = diplomacy (ranks 0, cha +4)
+4 = disguise (ranks 0, cha +4)
+1 = escape artist (ranks 0, dex +1)
+1 = fly (ranks 0, dex +1, acp 0, class 0)
+0 = heal (ranks 0, wis +0)
+4 = intimidate (ranks 0, cha +4, class 0)
+5 = know arcana (ranks 1, int +1, class 3)
+1 = know dungeoneering (ranks 0, int +1, class 0)
+5 = know nature (ranks 1, int +1, class 3)
+1 = linguistics (ranks 0, int +1,)
+3 = perception (ranks 0, wis +0, sf +3)
+4 = perform (ranks 0, cha +4)
+1 = ride (ranks 0, dex +1, acp 0)
+0 = sense motive (ranks 0, wis 0)
+5 = spellcraft (ranks 1, int +1, class +3)
+1 = stealth (ranks 0, dex +1, acp 0)
+0 = survival (ranks 0, wis +0)
-1 = swim (ranks 0, str -1, acp 0)
+8 = use magic device (ranks 1, cha +4, class +3)
Start ?, remaining ? gps
Lv 0: dancing lights, detect magic, ghost sound
Lv 1: ray of sickening
2: lv 0 spell = ?
3: aberrant long limbs, eldritch heritage accursed bloodline, lv 1 spell
4: +1 charisma, lv 0 spell
5: feat, lv 2 spell, lv 1 spell
The de’Morcaine family tree has been heavily ‘influenced’ (some would say warped) by various magical forces over the years. A lot of those influences have come together in Rangles. His magical powers started manifesting at an early age in unexpected ways. This said to Rangles that he has a specific destiny. He has been trying to figure out exactly what that is ever since.
Rangles has understood for a long time that his appearance would probably prevent him from ever being a great leader. But that’s ok with him. Great leaders probably have to spend most of their time worrying about what people think of them. Rangles would rather be the unacknowledged power broker or advisor to a great leader. That way he can put his efforts toward what needs to be done rather than what people think.
His parents tried to get him apprenticed to a local hedge mage, but it just didn’t work out. Rangles magic seems to be more a matter of practice and instinct than trained learning. Rangles has bounced around from looking for the place he belongs. Then he heard about this opportunity. This seems tailor made. The chance to be in at the start of something great.
Rangles an odd looking man. He has light brown almost blond hair that won’t lay stay in any style for long, so he tends to just tie it back in a messy ponytail. Dark bushy eyebrows over grey eyes. His scrawny gangly frame is hardly appealing. Even his face is pockmarked from the usual childhood illnesses. But his physical appearance seems not to bother him at all. He dresses as appropriate for the occasion, puts his best foot forward, and moves into all situations with confidence (even when he shouldn’t).
dot for interest - I especially like the concept of good- and evil-aligned teams running in parallel in the same setting. I was just putting together a nifty LE cleric for something else that fell through, and he speaks to me :)
I'd also throw in one of the core concepts from (older) Ars Magica - rotating characters (a troupe idea). The basic concept in Ars Magica is that mages are bad-ass. Superhumanly, unbalancably bad-ass. So the solution is not to balance mages. Each player has a mage character, and a couple of 'companion' characters (generally support characters), and there's a collective 'grog pool' of mid- and low-level fighters.
For any given session, each player plays either their mage character, a companion character, or runs the grog pool.
So instead of the organizing concept being the 'party', the the organizing principle is the 'covenant' - the collection of all the mages, companions, and servants (a.k.a. 'covenfolk').
Notably, in a pbp setting, you could run several scenarios in parallel, with different mixes of the coven.
OK - now my own GM juices are starting to flow. <heh>
Alright, let's take a poll on who is interested in what.
I have a melee brawler and a large, magical sword swinger. So both fighter types. Just one is a Magus and the other a Monk.
Much cheers to all.
Alright, let's take a poll on who is interested in what.
I would be interested in a competition, but not out and out PvP.
Aha, my demnese is growing faster than yours! Yes.
Actually attacking other players. Not so much.
Any of the ideas could be excellent and I would be more than willing to give any a go. Specific build would depend quite a lot on whcih concept was chosen.
Alright, let's take a poll on who is interested in what.
Can you focus our options? Interest in which plotline? Or interest in which character type?
It sounds like you wanted to start a campaign where players ran barons and now you're on to special ops. Please let us know what you want to run.
cheers
Alright, let's take a poll on who is interested in what.Can you focus our options? Interest in which plotline? Or interest in which character type?
It sounds like you wanted to start a campaign where players ran barons and now you're on to special ops. Please let us know what you want to run.
cheers
That's not going to happen, because I don't really have any preferences as to what to run. That's why I'm asking the potential players.
Either of the special operations choices above could be lots of fun.
I think the church team would be great, possibly. It would kinda depend upon which church is picked and if the 'dogma interpretation' is clear enough. If it is not clear, it is likely to just devolve into somthing like most of the paladin threads.
"There's no way a champion of Fleezer would countenance such activity."
"What are you talking about? Anyone who reveres what Fleezer stands for would be first in line to do it. He has no choice."
Etc...
It can be a great way to tie a group together if those arguments are cut short. Or by a church that is so focused on one goal (kill Dhakar at any cost) that anything else goes.