So, I'm applying for a Skull & Shackles game, and the characters already approved are a half-orc tetori monk, an undine witch, and an ifrit sea singer bard.
Races are any core + Aasimar, Catfolk, Ifrit, Merfolk, Nagaji, Oread, Samsaran, Sylph, Tengu, Tiefling, Undine, Vishkanya.
Summoners and gunslingers are vetoed, and I'm personally vetoing an alchemist, since that's what I'm most known for playing.
Any thoughts on race and/or class?
" I'm personally vetoing an alchemist, since that's what I'm most known for playing." - That's too bad. A crazy bomb-throwing alchemist who likes to fire the ship's cannon until the other ship gets close and then lobs explosives with a fine disregard for friend or foe was one of my favorite concept-characters for S&S. I was gonna give him the ships chirugeon trait. "Hold still. This is gonna hurt. A lot."
The character I'm going to be playing is a Druid who is one of the "Kuru" people - the natives of the islands. They have been driven to the fringe islands by the freebooters and turned into degenerate cannibals by the worship of the "Blood Queen". Only a few tribes remain free of her enslavement to remember the old ways. He is from one of those tribes and his goal in life is to free his people from the "False God".
I'm using Maori culture, weapons, and images for his design.
For you, I need to know what type of character you are interested in? You have a melee, a magic, and a support so far so you are pretty open. You want to lob spells or hit stuff?
I'm definitely going the hit stuff route. And yeah, I love alchemists, but I played one that was quite infamous and he was, in fact, the ship's surgeon. Infamously known as "The Mob Doctor". The joys of vivisectionist.
But I was seriously thinking maybe a dwarf barbarian, since I just think that a dwarf with the saltbeard racial trait was just born to say "Arrr...". What I'm trying to decide, though, is whether to go sea reaver or invulnerable rager/urban barbarian. The jovial dwarf that you just shouldn't make angry.
Cause you won't like him when he's angry. >.>
But yeah, I think it could be a fun route. I know I get 2 traits, and I think I wanna go with Bucaneer's Blood (just so I can make people quiver in fear at the mention of hearing the name "Stormbeard").
But as far as the other trait, I've got no idea.
Thoughts?
Random thoughts:
Barbarian Pirate is a completely do-able trope. There are many stories of pirates going into rages in battle and fighting like madmen - even Captains. Most of those weren't very nice men, though.
Adding the Dwarf part makes it particularly interesting. I can't wait to hear his back-story and motivation! "Stormbeard" is an inspired name.
The classic advice for traits is to pick something that fits your backstory. The problem with that advice is that most traits that "fit" are redundant and give nothing you don't already have. I think better advice is to pick a trait for where you see yourself being in the future. Do you want to be Captain? Then consider Inspired Leader and plan to take the Leadership Feat (It was created for this path). Do you see yourself as the party's point man on jungle expeditions? Then take a more traditional Barbarian trait - geared toward tropical jungles. The other characters are very "water" oriented, but the player guide (I haven't played the path yet) says that there are likely to be jungles, ruins, and pirate treasures too. It would be a shame if the whole party ended up flopping around like Halibut every time they step off the boat.
It wouldn't hurt to think about what roll you want to play on the ship. "Captain" as previously mentioned, is one, but there are many others. "Artillerist"; Barbarians aren't noted for their love of siege engines, but Dwarves certainly are. "Navigator", "Helmsman", or even "Quartermaster" are all fun choices. "I lay around and get drunk and dare people to say anything." may sound like fun, but everybody else is getting to roll dice and participate in the sea chases. You will have more fun if you have a job. An example of how role-playing differs from real-life.
I like the idea of him definitely having a little bit of social skills. The Leadership feat isn't going to be allowed because of how many chances there are to gain additional helpful folks on the journey.
I think he'd be a good Captain or First Mate. Sort of laughing and smiling to people who are nice. But when you make him mad, he's one of the scariest dwarves you've ever met.
Was thinking of taking Bucaneer's Blood & Clever Wordplay for Diplomacy. Then take the feat Intimidating Prowess so that Intimidate & Diplomacy are strong skills.
I like the idea of him being able to us his brains as well as brawn. There definitely are a variety of environments, and you spend a lot of time on the ocean and off.
I definitely like the idea of him being a strong sailor. That he knows being a dwarf (even the grandson of a famous one) means he has to work twice as hard for recognition. That he's had to learn about people.
I think, though, that spreads me a bit too far. I think he'd be one of those nice guys who's a bit too rough around the edges to really make good friends and that because of that, he makes people nervous. So I really think it'd probably be smarter to just go Intimidate and then put points into Diplomacy later on.
But what I really am unsure about is his place in the game. I know I'll be fighting hard for a place in the game since so many folks are applying for a place in the melee area. It makes me concern that he's not a strong enough showing to get in, during the short timeframe.
I'd reccomend a Human Invulnerable Rager & Urban Barbarian, specifically the high DR build I posted a while back... it was played in our SnS game to tremendous effect from start to finish and is one of the best melee characters I've ever seen.
Merfolk. Lots of appeal there.
Sea Reaver Barbarian, along with a lot of the stuff you have already said, OP
Melee undine druid
Running an invulnerable rager barbarian right now who took skill focus in profession:sailor and went with a normal build aside from grabbing improved unarmed strike and dragon style. It's ungodly hilarious to escalate a simple fistfight into a raging two handed unarmed attack that one shots someone.
It sounds like the suggestion is really heading barbarian. I don't want to be so optimized that I cause problems for the other characters (which happened in one of the games).
So obviously we're going barbarian. Invulnerable Rager or Sea Reaver is now the deciding factor.
dotting for interest. ;-)
lol Yeah. I figured you would. :P
Ok. So I think it's come down to Sea Reaver or Invulnerable Rager/Drunken Brute.
Votes for each and why?
Ok. So I think it's come down to Sea Reaver or Invulnerable Rager/Drunken Brute.
Votes for each and why?
As I said, the Invulnerable Rager build we used is field-tested and proved incredibly effective, in this AP in particular though its strong across the board.
The character has excellent skills at 6 ranks/level plus a big boost to his Profession: Sailor, he's a credible ranged threat as well as a terror in melee combat, high hit points and tremendous DR (you have DR 14/- by 12th level) makes for a highly survivable character even in circumstances where armor isn't ideal. He also has obscenely high saving throws, particularly against spells.
He's a tank if you need him to be. He's a killer if you need him to be. He is versatile and useful outside of combat. What more could you want?
The trick is you have to know how to build him ;)
EDIT: He's Human though and that might be a problem for that menagerie you're going to be running with - a fire elemental with a love for the sea? I'd make him a half-dragon/half-drow for you if I could but the numbers just wouldn't work... its gotta be plain old, boring Human.
;) Yeah, the building is the hard part for me. I know that he's strong, from having read it. At least I think this is it.
I definitely like how useful that he can be. I'm a little concerned about being TOO good across the board. I played a vivisectionist/internal alchemist the last time I played through S&S, and I stepped on some toes.
I definitely want to be a team player, enjoy myself, but not be so great at my job that nobody else gets a chance to shine.
Edit: I guess I could go human, although the dwarf was really callin' to me. As far as his skills, I might shift those around, just so he can be a really good sailor. :) I'm still keeping his name as "Stormbeard", though. :P
;) Yeah, the building is the hard part for me. I know that he's strong, from having read it. At least I think this is it.
I definitely like how useful that he can be. I'm a little concerned about being TOO good across the board. I played a vivisectionist/internal alchemist the last time I played through S&S, and I stepped on some toes.
I definitely want to be a team player, enjoy myself, but not be so great at my job that nobody else gets a chance to shine.
Wow - haven't seen that in ages. Yeah, that's the original version though its been tweaked a bit here and there to streamline it some.
The way I see it, a tank is by definition a team player... though I've never had much patience for people who cry that someone else's character is 'too good' when everyone builds their own characters. Last time I played on a team, I wanted it to have a star player, even if I wasn't him. We tended to win more and I generally prefer the team winning to my looking good personally. besides, its only in pure combat games that that kind of thing tends to happen, and SnS isn't that kind of game. Your skill monkeys will get a chance to shine, your face-men will get a chance to shine and so will your hammers and your casters.
Our group featured a Human Sea Singer, a Human Rogue, a Human Barbarian and a Half-elven Master Summoner an no one at any time felt as if they didn't have enough to do.
At any rate, he's a solid character who fills all the roles your team is lacking. If you want the updated build, just let me know.
I definitely would like the updated build. lol As long as you don't mind me running with it. I've got a good bit of fluff rolling around in my head, so I can definitely see having fun with him. Especially with the group.
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I definitely would like the updated build. lol As long as you don't mind me running with it. I've got a good bit of fluff rolling around in my head, so I can definitely see having fun with him. Especially with the group.
Here you go:
Human 2nd level Unbreakable Fighter / 18th level Invulnerable Rager & Urban Barbarian
Heart of the Fields alternate racial trait, Human favored class option for Barbarians
Attributes: (20 point buy)
STR - 15 (+2 racial bonus, +1 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th level)
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 14
WIS - 12
CHA - 7
Traits:
Threatening Defender (reduce Combat Expertise penalties by 1)
Auspicious Tattoo (+1 Will saves)
Feats & Rage Powers by level:
1st - Combat Expertise
1st - Power Attack
2nd - Superstition
3rd - Combat Reflexes
4th - Lesser Beast Totem
5th - Stalwart
5th - Diehard
5th - Endurance
7th - Deadly Aim
7th - Reckless Abandon
9th - Extra RP: Extra DR
9th - Beast Totem
11th - Improved Stalwart
11th - Greater Beast Totem
13th - Dazing Assault
13th - Come and Get Me
15th - Extra RP: Extra DR
15th - Extra DR
17th - Extra RP: Flesh Wound
17th - Witch Hunter
19th - Extra RP: Eater of Magic
19th - Strength Surge
20th - Improved Initiative
Skills: (6 ranks/level)
Climb* - 1/odd level
Swim* - 1/even level
Handle Animal* - 1
Ride* - 2
Knowledge: Nature* - 3-20
Survival* - 1-20
Stealth - 1-4, 6-19
Perception* - 1-4, 6-19
Profession: Sailor* - 1-20 (+1/2 character level)
Fighter levels taken at 4th and 20th. If you have any questions regarding figuring out DR by level or whatever, just drop me a line.
I'm toying with a Scared witch doctor winter witch build. Could be fun.
Well that's good. :) Definitely don't want to make decisions I'll end up regretting.
I definitely would like the updated build. lol As long as you don't mind me running with it. I've got a good bit of fluff rolling around in my head, so I can definitely see having fun with him. Especially with the group.Here you go:
Human 2nd level Unbreakable Fighter / 18th level Invulnerable Rager & Urban Barbarian
Heart of the Fields alternate racial trait, Human favored class option for BarbariansAttributes: (20 point buy)
STR - 15 (+2 racial bonus, +1 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th level)
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 14
WIS - 12
CHA - 7Traits:
Threatening Defender (reduce Combat Expertise penalties by 1)
Auspicious Tattoo (+1 Will saves)Feats & Rage Powers by level:
1st - Combat Expertise
1st - Power Attack
2nd - Superstition
3rd - Combat Reflexes
4th - Lesser Beast Totem
5th - Stalwart
5th - Diehard
5th - Endurance
7th - Deadly Aim
7th - Reckless Abandon
9th - Extra RP: Extra DR
9th - Beast Totem
11th - Improved Stalwart
11th - Greater Beast Totem
13th - Dazing Assault
13th - Come and Get Me
15th - Extra RP: Extra DR
15th - Extra DR
17th - Extra RP: Flesh Wound
17th - Witch Hunter
19th - Extra RP: Eater of Magic
19th - Strength Surge
20th - Improved InitiativeSkills: (6 ranks/level)
Climb* - 1/odd level
Swim* - 1/even level
Handle Animal* - 1
Ride* - 2
Knowledge: Nature* - 3-20
Survival* - 1-20
Stealth - 1-4, 6-19
Perception* - 1-4, 6-19
Profession: Sailor* - 1-20 (+1/2 character level)Fighter levels taken at 4th and 20th. If you have any questions regarding figuring out DR by level or whatever, just drop me a line.
So just to make sure I understand, the Climb, Swim, Handle Animal, Survival, Stealth, Perception, and Prof: Sailor are all taken at first level. Correct?
And from the build, it's looking like Fighter was taken at 5th level, not 4th. Just wanted to make sure I am seeing right.
I would just add: Don't give up the dwarf! It's a fun, under-played, core race. It's got some fine abilities that will likely stand you in good stead and it's not like you're going to be scrapping for feats. Mostly, though, it's that you really have the character personality and fluff worked out and you seem like you will really have fun playing him. That's way more important than any min-maxing - especially since you are more concerned with having a good role-play experience with your party than with being an uber-all-star.
I like the "Firstmate" idea. He could be great in that role. The Firstmate is the ship's disciplinarian (among other things) and your character would be scary-good at that. If you have a problem, you can talk to the Firstmate; he's a fine fellow and will try to help you if he can. But if you screw-up, he's your worst nightmare. If you screw-up really bad - show cowardice in battle, betray a comrade, hold out on loot, etc. - you may not live to be keel-hauled. Probably won't, in point-of-fact.
I think there's quite a lot of room to expand and the way you've phrased it just makes it so much fun. I'm definitely going to combine ideas and just make it great. :)
And his name will be....Diabolito Stormbeard.
@Suthainn: Extra Rage Power: Extra Damage Reduction. I had to think too. lol
Nagaji
Oracle (Battel or Wave)
Barbarian
Rage Prophet
Nagaji
Eldritch Heritage Chian (Serpentine Blood Line)
or
Gnome
Oracle (Battel or Flame)
Barbarian
Rage Prophet
Eldritch Heritage Chian (Fey Blood line or Elemental Fire Blood line)
Well, sadly, ladies and gents, the old barbarian didn't quite make the cut this time. Maybe next go around though.
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@Suthainn: Extra Rage Power: Extra Damage Reduction. I had to think too. lol
Doh! Of course, many thanks sir! :)
Well, sadly, ladies and gents, the old barbarian didn't quite make the cut this time. Maybe next go around though.
Aw, that's a shame. I recently started playing in a Skull & Shackles campaign myself, we just finished book 1 and it's been a blast of a time. Very piratical and good at both giving characters a chance to shine and also showing them they are very definitely small fish to start with. My terribly un min/maxed abomination of a Bard (Archaeologist), Ranger and Monk (Martial Artist) who will be going into Dragon Disciple got voted Captain, mostly thanks I think to the fact he's one of the few with any social skills other than intimidate!
Good luck getting into a S&S game, I think it will be a lot of fun :)
I know that he'll end up in one. I like him, just because of how different he is. And how fun the roleplay with him was. He made a comment in an early it of roleplay with a cleric asking if they were in a Calistrian whore house or if they were gonna get to drinking. The cleric just happened to be of Calistria. Lol it was great.