Patron?
Diety.
I have a slight negative preference for cartoonish avatars, but that may just be me.
Honestly both those goddesses are really creepy. XD
The pirate queen seems to emulate your characters adventurous spirit and selfish nature, while the ever burning flame the rest. I'd say its up to you, but being that your not a cleric you don't have to limit yourself to one goddess. Heck, as a more self inclined being, your character may pray to multiple patrons at certain times. -shrug-
I've been resisting the urge to read your backstory so I'm not spoiled on anything, so if I missed any big sign that says my idea is bad then let me know. XD
I will not dictate what deity you choose, but IMHO you might not have even been exposed to elven gods. The elves are more prominent in the south, far away from where you were born and raised.
I've never thought of them as creepy. =P
Calistra may have her roots as an elven deity but in Golarion she has a lot of worshippers from all different types of peoples. Is that not the case in your world? Also, what's your world called?
I suppose you're right about the layworshipper thing. He can worship anyone and everyone he wants to.
Gabriel, feel free to read as much of Bjorkus's background. I'm open to criticism and suggestions. In addition, I find it helps during in-character development to know OOC what sorts of things might be good triggers or segues into backstory land.
Absolutely, but Bjorkus isn't the most intelligent and informed individual. I have no problem with you worshiping Calistra, there are plenty of people you could have came across who could have introduced you to her. That was me speaking as another player, not a DM.
Eayntara. Can't believe I forgot to put that in the original post.
Of course. Bjorkus is a big dumb animal that's only good at a few things. Extended religious studies is not one of them.
Stupid question: Are women accepted in the army? Are they treated any different than men?
Not a stupid question at all. On paper, they are treated exactly the same as men. But of course you might get a few whistles or be underestimated when you're around the men. You don't get private changing quarters either. They have equal rights as far as army privileges go, but mankind is far from not being sexist anymore.
Another reason why dwarves are better. ;-)
I just realized a Stone Lord gets an earth elemental for a bond at level 5. Do you know how cool that is?! Its fricking awesome.
I have a feeling this group, no matter who gets chosen, is going to be about as subtle as a brick to the face. Accept for that inquisitor who is hiding... somewhere... how can I silence competition if I don't know who they are?!
Bricks can teach valuable lessons. I would be more worried about being with the most foolish of all possible dwarves. :-)
@Toramin: You opposed to suggestions or anything for your character?
Mechanical suggestions? Not at all. I'm a Pathfinder newb. Some of my choices such as my skill investments were intentionally suboptimal, but I have a lot to learn. Besides as two Paladins on Geoffery's staff we should try to get along.
In that case, two quick points. First, Scale Mail offers +5 AC, so with your dex you should be at 16 total. And second, an Armored Kilt is a poor mans best friend. Unless the DM has anything against it, its quite the valuable little piece of armor. For an extra 20 gold you add it to your existing armor. Your armor type goes up one category, so if you had light armor it becomes medium, and medium armor becomes heavy. For that bump, you get an extra +1 to your AC. I figure since you're looking to be the tank for the party, any extra AC you can squeeze out at this level would be welcome.
Technically Gabriel isn't a paladin yet story wise, but he'd probably welcome the insight of another paladin, even one as different as a Stonelord. You'll be the first dwarf he's ever met though. XD
Thanks! I am so into that. Where is the Armored Kilt from?
Its an item from the Adventurer's Armory. Its listed on the Armor and Shields on the pfsrd at the very top of the lists.
Oh, I kept looking for it unsuccessfully on the PRD.
Huh... its a Pathfinder Companion book published by Paizo.... hmm...
DM Omen: Is the Armored kilt a legal item? I kinda assumed it to be pathfinder, since the Adventurer's Armory is Paizo stuff, but I might have been wrong with that one.
If I am, apologies to you and Toramin. XD
I'm in love with the idea of stone plate! Though making custom power armor does seem more fun.
Cultures are mixing more so than ever, so yes things like that would be available.
Stone plate is hilarious. I don't even give you a check to swim.
Awesome! I'm re-adding it to Gabriel then.
And Stone plate.... XD Just... just... I don't know what to say.
Anyway, Toramin, Armored kilt is definitely a poor mans best friend. Only downside is I'm not sure if it works with Heavy armor but -shrug- we can't even afford any heavy yet.
Thank you, Gabriel, I'm enjoying my AC of 17.
Least I can do for the guy whose going to get a broken nose in my place. Least I could do.
It does not work with heavy armor.
jhspace1-Darien Smith-LG Human Conjuring Sorcerer
Ixos-Toramin Gearsmith-LG Dwarven Stonelord Paladin
Fomiel-?-?? ? Some sort of alchemist
Edward Sobel-Velterra-CG Human Oracle of Stone
Drayen-Alleran-?? Human Falconer Trapper Ranger
Marko-Gabriel-LG Tiefling Paladin
Walter das Sombras-?-?? ? Druid (probably)
Feral-Bjorkus the Lesser-CN Half-Minotaur Barbarian (multiclass into sorcerer)
hustonj-Mas'ud-?? Human Rogue (possibly bard)
tomtesserae-?-CG? ? Rogue
True Repentance-?-?? Drow ?
If there is a question mark in the row with your name, please tell me the information necessary to fill it in.
If I missed you, please tell me so I can include you.
I'm also looking forward to the Stonelord protection from critical hits. GM Omen made it sound so . . . messy.
Yup, figured as much. Heavy Armor typically has the legs covered already so that makes sense.
Also, I just read Toramin's back story (hope that was okay) and invite you to read Gabriel's. Its likely that they know each other a little at the very least, and if we both get in I think it'd be cool to work something out between them!
Edit: Also, bit jealous of how you managed to write Toramin's back story. I wish I had been able to give that kind of personal touch to Gabriels, since I really got a feel for Toramin from your back story and I feel thats a bit lacking from my own. Although if the DM asks I'll deny saying that so I can get into this game.
Of course. I wouldn't have spent so much time writing it, if I didn't want people to read it. :-)
In game, Toramin is obviously keeping his "diplomatic duties" on the DL. He is also mum on the subject of tech. Other, than that, I would be happy to work something out. Toramin has never really been topside before now. He is friendly, naive, and eager. He is definitely enjoying learning more about humans.
Thanks! You are making me blush. I'm about to delve into Gabriel's story.
Ironic, then, since Gabriel is a tiefling. XD Then again he was raised as a human and grew up with them so he can offer about the same insight. Maybe an insight that someone from Andril would not have too, given that his home city of Hielra is probably like nothing Toramin's ever encountered. Corrupt, hard, brutal. Gabriel's learned a lot since then under Geoffrey, but his experience as a tielfing has still been pretty similar with the army.
Toramin doesn't understand this whole idea of being half-anything. It's all humans to him. Humanity he thinks is a fecund race that -- like dragons -- can and will breed with anything. The resultant children are just another flavor of human. The idea that skin coloration or even horns makes you inhuman strikes him as crazed and nonsensical. It would be like hating an orc because it is green, and there are so many better reasons to hate orcs.
XD Thats pretty funny.
I think that might be a good starting point of any relationship between Toramin and Gabriel. Toramin doesn't go out of his way to "make nice" to Gabriel. There is none of this seeing past your circumstances bs. You would never be his "one tiefling friend." He just doesn't see any difference between you and any other human.
Working with him on Geoff's staff would lead you to believe that he is obsessed with doing everything "just right." He believes the dwarven way is the best way, but thinks that is an obvious fact and it would be gauche to mention. The spread of order on the surface is something, Toramin sees as a great good. He has a head for numbers and is good with logistics and tech. If Gabriel is particularly insightful, he might suspect that Toramin's perfectionism is a result of low self-esteem.
Hmm... that attitude will profoundly confuse the heck out of Gabriel. I can see it now. The tiefling spends weeks wondering what the dwarfs game is, and slowly comes to realize that the dwarf really doesn't see a difference between him and humans.
I imagine that Toramin is pretty intelligent, so around that point Gabriel would probably be asking him for help with the more scholarly aspect of his training. He can focus very well on the physical and even spiritual aspect, but I purposefully gave him no points in Knowledge religion. He knows, at the very best, the basics. XD
I don't think Gabriel is insightful enough to pick up on something like that consciously, but he has a habit of saying the right thing without really meaning too, so who knows where that will go. -shrug-
Here is the writeup you requested, I am still adding to it but this will give you an idea of the character.
The would-be thieves, or rather desperate refugees, finally realizing they bit off more than they could chew trying to rob the loan dwarf. He stood only a little over 4 feet tall, in a worn outfit of studded leather, his piercing green eyes the only true part of him that stood out from the dirty appearance. Well that and the waraxe in his hand, but then again they didn’t exactly see that until they tried pulling a knife to rob him.
The other two panicked at the sight of their fallen friend lying in the dirt, a deep gash running from his shoulder and down his chest. They turned and fled, not giving a second look back at the dwarf or their friend. Garn stood there for a moment, it was almost like being back in the arenas of Yenrick, he could almost hear the roaring of the crowd, the clanging of steel, and the sound of life escaping a man’s lungs. But where was the pain, the desperation, the feeling of life?! The recollection faded quickly as he came to focus on the dying man in front of him, a scowl coming across his face at the sight.
“WEAK!” He shouted, kicking the man sharply, eliciting only a groan of pain from the man. “WHERE WAS THE FEELING, THE PAIN, THE LIFE?!” He screamed in frustration at the wasted motion before bringing his axe down on the man in a frenzy of rage, again and again until he stopped moving and then some. Finally ceasing the fruitless endeavor and coming back to his senses. So far this entire trip had been a waste, nothing like the arena back in Yenrick. Ever since that feud or some such with the nobles had escalated everything had changed. The arena was gone, burned to the ground, his “employer” most likely face down in a red pool somewhere. Garn didn’t know such things, only that when rival thugs showed up and started killing the pit slaves that he wasn’t going to join them. Tore the first one to step into his cell throat out, and then high tailed it out before they torched the place. He had heard rumors of some sort of war or some such going on up north. He didn’t know what it was about but as long as it had what he needed he didn’t care.
Ever since he had been taken by slave traders and sold to the pits of Yenrick, some sort of syndicate, not like some filthy street gang, these people were big time. He didn’t know much, he was just a slave after all, no introductions necessary for his like. The only name he ever heard from the guards was Gatz, of course that could have just been a nickname. One thing was sure though, they wanted one thing and they saw to it that he wanted it too, to fight. The torture they exposed him to, both mental and physical, had been conditioning him to fight in the arena for the noble’s amusement. At first he hated it, feared it almost, he was young back then, but soon he was embracing it. Actually counting the hours until the next fight, the thrill, the rush was the only thing that made him feel anything anymore. The pain of broken bones, bleeding tissue, the fear that it might be over at a moment, all of it made him feel alive. Soon they didn’t even have to “encourage” him anymore; he was inflicting it to himself. And when all that ended, the only thing left was emptiness, but that was all going to change soon. He was going to find this war, immerse himself in it, learn from it, and find that feeling again, maybe even pay the bastards who burned the arena down back someday. Not out of some sense of duty or anything, they burned down HIS arena, tried to kill him too, but that came with the territory.
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Good morning! I saw this thread last night, and I must say, the world you've created interests me. There are also some well-written applications, and I'd like to toss my hat in the ring as one of them later today if you'll let me - I know the recruitment closes tomorrow.
The idea of a siege-based start sets a different tone than in most worlds. Party members generally have a common short-term goal, but as usually is in war, the long-term goal (and outcome) is as varied as the soldiers present. Reading-over applicants' posts, it seems there is indeed a spread of help in the military, and there is a good deal of interest judging by the number of new posts since last night!
Geoffery and my-yet-unnamed wizard knew each other from childhood. While Geoffery was of the good blood, the arcanist was one of the family's tutor's sons (he had a brother that succumbed to illness in his youth). They often saw each other for lessons, though the children were not to keep company otherwise, differences in social class being what they were. After the death of Geoffery's parents, the two went into their separate worlds, but they reconnected years later when the transmuter designed some medals for Geoffery and his soldiers. His personal connection to the commander from years past got him into the thick of things, but he'll have to push through the fight to its end now; desertion isn't looked-upon kindly.
As an overview of what I expect may happen with the character's personality, I can start by saying he's got your average dash of avarice for a merchant, but his above-average mind and arcane talent will develop, having the possibility to overpower the former vice. Whether the smarts and greed work in conjunction or in opposition to each other as he develops is something the dynamics of the campaign would determine later. Perhaps the quest for knowledge is more important than material goods later. Perhaps arcane power is the new obsession. Only time will tell.
His personal interests are mostly material. A love of fine cooking costs him a fair amount of silver as does his desired wardrobe. However, as not a master in his field yet, he can't actually get all the things he wants. Sometimes these tastes of food/clothing can seem a bit outlandish. Chartreuse slacks ... salty snails .., but they are always brought back into the fold by his focus on jewelry, deft hands working the metals to set yet another gemstone. One habit of his that doesn't cost much is collecting trinkets from near and far. They might not be worth anything to others, but a stein from the far South's twice-former kingdom and the slippers of a mildly-popular alto from 3 generations ago give him great pleasure to keep and remember. He can be a bit garrulous about these objects from time to time. His occasional eccentricity can be off-putting to some, but it actually works as a tempering counterpoint to his overbearing intellect.
I feel backstory is more important than worrying about numbers for now, so I'd like to make sure his meshes with you. Let me know if you think of such a personality would work in your world & if you're still accepting applications. If so, I'll create the sheet and whatnot later today as well as select a name.
@Mac K. Thank you. Please do, remember recruitment closes in about 36 hours.
@Stratos. By all means throw your hat in.
Yes, backstory is more important than crunch.
I'm actually a fan of battlefield control wizards myself, although more so a conjurer than a transmuter. I think Treantmonk is a genious.
You seem to have good groundwork, but make sure your character has something motivating him other than money. He doesn't need to be on a holy crusade or be patriotic or anything, but I don't want a character who's only goal in life is to get rich.
@hustonj. Mechanical write-up not necessary. It's nice to look at but it influences my decision little, if at all.
jhspace1-Darien Smith-LG Human Conjuring Sorcerer
Ixos-Toramin Gearsmith-LG Dwarven Stonelord Paladin
Fomiel-?-?? ? Some sort of alchemist
Edward Sobel-Velterra-CG Human Oracle of Stone
Drayen-Alleran-?? Human Falconer Trapper Ranger
Marko-Gabriel-LG Tiefling Paladin
Walter das Sombras-?-?? ? Druid (probably)
Feral-Bjorkus the Lesser-CN Half-Minotaur Barbarian (multiclass into sorcerer)
hustonj-Mas'ud-?? Gnome Rogue (possibly bard)
tomtesserae-?-CG? ? Rogue
True Repentance-?-?? Drow ?
Mac K.-Garn-CN? Dwarven Barbarian
True Repentance-Lindale Assa-NE Drow Inquisitor
If there is a question mark in the row with your name, please tell me the information necessary to fill it in.
If I missed you, please tell me so I can include you.
You can fill in my characters line.
Lindale Assa - NE - Drow Inquisitor(infiltrator) of Asmodeus
Blah I put you in there twice instead of editing the original one. Oh well, you get the point.
So it seems things are wrapping up a bit. Walter PM'd me and is finishing his character up, but I haven't heard from Fomiel, Drayen, or tomtesserae. Deadline is 10pm EDT
The deadline is 10pm tomorrow. That was my bad.
Well the DM did say he wanted a fast-paced game.
This should be a good litmus test for people that can keep up. =P
This is Stratos from earlier, submitting Dalton Barrowwheel for your consideration.
I'm editing-in the crunch for the profile now, and I'll copy in the story when I'm done with the crunch (probably in the next 1/2 hour or so). It's hard to find a pudgy half-elf avatar!
@Dalton Barrowwheel. Crunch stuff is nice, let's see the fluff.
@Dalton Barrowwheel. Crunch stuff is nice, let's see the fluff.
Will do! I consider the "fluff" to be more important than the crunch, actually. I just have a tendency to not be as rigorious as formatting my profile after I've finished it. I just have traits and skills to finish, then typing my background in.
Also, the extremely fashionable trait is PERFECT for this character. I didn't even know such a thing existed until a few minutes ago.
jhspace1-Darien Smith-LG Human Conjuring Sorcerer
Ixos-Toramin Gearsmith-LG Dwarven Stonelord Paladin
Fomiel-?-?? ? Some sort of alchemist
Edward Sobel-Velterra-CG Human Oracle of Stone
Drayen-Alleran-?? Human Falconer Trapper Ranger
Marko-Gabriel-LG Tiefling Paladin
Walter das Sombras-?-?? ? Druid (probably)
Feral-Bjorkus the Lesser-CN Half-Minotaur Barbarian (multiclass into sorcerer)
hustonj-Mas'ud-?? Gnome Rogue (possibly bard)
tomtesserae-?-CG? ? Rogue
Mac K.-Garn-CN? Dwarven Barbarian
True Repentance-Lindale Assa-NE Drow Inquisitor
Stratos-Datlon-LN Half-Elf Transmuter Wizard