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Thunderscape: Shadows of Carraway
Spring is in the air in the nation of Carraway and many have travelled far and wide to the City of St.Lucca. With the growing Nocturnal threat in the land, there has been an increased demand for Mechamagic and Science in the nation. In addition with the coming of spring is the great festival of Saint Leria attracting bards and entertainers throughout the land to take part in numerous festivities. You have arrived in the city by fate, fortune or choice to take part in the festivities. But little do you know that this trip shall be your first step on the path of heroes.
Greetings gamers. When checking out the Play By Post boards I was VERY surprised that no one had taken up the mantle of running a game in the new "Thunderscape: World of Aden" setting. I am looking to start my own game based in the nation of Carraway. For Golarion comparisons, Carraway is somewhat like the nation of Ustalav, a land marked by darkness and threatened constantly by the Undead as the Nocturnals. The nation resembles mostly Renaissance Romania, with cold winters, mild summers and middling temperatures in Fall and Winter. The government is benevolent and highly influenced by the Church of All Saints who revere ancestral spirits of great heroes in ages past. Despite this, Carraway is somewhat backward in technology compared to other nations but is seeking to change this, especially under the influence of newcomers from the destroyed magical kingdom of Aramyst.
Character Creation
Characters will be using a 20 Point Buy mechanic.
The races available are:
Common Races: Human, Elf, Dwarf, Half-Elf, Half-Orc
Aden Specific Races: Faerkin, Ferran, Goreaux, Jurak, Rapacian
Rare Races: Echo, Oread, Ifrit, Undine, Sylph, Sulis, Tiefling
As for other races, those will be considered on a case by case basis. Gnomes and Halflings could easily fit in as an offshoot of the Faerkin Race. The Tengu could be a rare throwback of the Ferran race for instance.
It is suggested players purchase or acquire the Thunderscape: World of Aden book for this game. I would like at least some of the party to play an Aden-Specific class or archetype. The book is easy to get in PDF format through a number of different sources (including the Paizo site).
There is no Gods in Aden, although there is Divine Magic. Clerics and Oracles get their powers by upholding the ideals of their chosen Domains or Mysteries. There is some established religions however, such as the Church of All Saints. As Clerics do not serve gods, instead of a favored weapon they may chose ONE martial weapon of their choice to be proficient with. This weapon should relate somewhat to the Domains they chose. A Cleric with the Mechamagic Domain might have a proficiency with Rifles but a Cleric of Nature would more likely take a Staff as their favored weapon. Druids in the setting get their power from nature itself represented by their Nature's Bond (Either giving them a domain or an animal companion respectively)
As your characters may be traveling with a good deal of their life savings all players start with max gold for their class.
You may choose two traits. Traits may be any Golarion trait (Save Rich Parents) or traits from the World of Aden book.
The game will be using a limited Hero Point mechanic. Player characters get a flat 1 Hero Point per level and may never have more than 3 at one time to promote using them or losing them. Other than that, Hero Points may be rewarded for completing a major quest or storyline milestone.
The Critical Hit deck will optionally be used in this setting with the following adjustments.
1. You only can draw from the deck by rolling a natural 20 on your attack roll. For weapons with higher critical ranges, you merely just get the normal result.
2. When you score a critical you can chose either to draw a card or do the listed critical hit damage for your weapon.
3. If your weapon has a critical multiplier higher than x2 then you draw an additional card for each multiplier (So 2 cards for x3 or 3 cards for x4). You then pick which kind of critical hit you wish to apply from the drawn cards. Monsters will always draw from the deck on a natural 20 critical hit.
If a PC takes a critical hit, they can spend 1 hero point to have the monster discard the card and pick another. You must accept the result of the 2nd card.
Dotting for interest. I'll pick up the Thunderscape: World of Aden book before I post again.
Interested! Bought the PDF recently, and have been dying for a chance to play around in the world. Will come up with a concept a bit later....
I just got my kickstarter hardcopy in the mail a couple days ago...
extremely interested, but I don't know if I'll have the time...
When were you planning on starting this?
Very interested. I just got my hardcopy yesterday.
I will definitely come up with something Aden specific but not sure what yet since there are too many good choices.
Maybe an entomancer or a golemoid...
Any further information as to where the campaign will take us or what it will be about is much appreciated so I can come with some characters that will fit better with your theme.
Arbiter, Thaumaturge, Fallen or Seer...
Tough choices!
Looks like a great game - but not for me at this time. I'm sure you'll have a great time.
Interested as well. I have to get my hands on the book, but after looking at the website, I'd either play a thaumaturge or a golemoid. definitely human.
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Well glad to see some interest is in the setting. As for the game it will be located majorly in Carraway although depending on how the campaign develops you may end up leaving there to find some McGuffin that you'll need to succeed in your quest. Suffice to say, your characters will may or may not know one another to start but circumstances will bring you together. The game will start with you attending the spring Festival of Saint Leera (The saint of Music), in the port city of St.Lucca.
A Ferran sneak Seer...
Would that be ok?
I'm ok with that if the rest of the party is...
sounds like you're gonna need a bodyguard Kyrzbyn. Still haven't gotten a book yet, (had something come up financially so I'm more or less broke until next month), so let me present:
Morthune, Oathbound paladin.
That works!
If you want to use an Aden race, maybe a Jurak would fit?
+2 to One Ability Score: Jurak are an innately diverse and
adaptable people, and thus may add a +2 bonus to an ability score
of their choice.
Medium: Jurak are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or
penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Jurak have a base speed of 30 feet.
Low-Light Vision: Jurak can see twice as far as humans in
conditions of dim light.
Hardy: Jurak are naturally resistant to illness. They gain a +4
racial bonus to saving throws made against disease.
Blood Frenzy: Jurak gain a +2 racial bonus to damage rolls
against any enemy who has dealt damage to them within the last
3 rounds.
Orc Blood: Jurak have many common traits with orcs, not the
least of which is a similar physical appearance. Some consider
the two races distant cousins. Jurak still count as orcs for the
purposes of mechanical effects and abilities that specify orcs
(such as dwarven hatred). They are also considered to have the
orc subtype.
Survivalist: Jurak are adept survivalists, and gain a +2 racial
bonus to Survival checks.
Wastelander: Jurak are adept at surviving for long periods
without food or water. They can go for six days plus a number
of hours equal to double their Constitution score without water
before requiring a Constitution check, and must only make a
check every two hours. They can go up to six days without food
before requiring a Constitution check, and must only make a
check every three days afterward. The discomfort they feel from
hunger and thirst is a great deal less than it is for other races,
granting them a +2 racial bonus to all saving throws which induce
hunger or thirst artificially.
Weapon Familiarity: Jurak are proficient with all axes and
treat any weapon with the word “jurak” or “orc” in its name
as a martial weapon. (Orcish weapons are referred to as
Jurak weapons within the Thunderscape
campaign setting.)
Alternate Racial
Traits
You may replace the
default jurak racial traits
with any of the following
racial traits:
Throwback: A jurak
throwback possesses the
raw bestial strength of his
primitive ancestors.
Juraks with this trait
gain a +2 bonus to
Strength. Juraks with
this ability score bonus
may not also apply their
+2 ability score bonus
toward Strength. This
trait replaces blood
frenzy and hardy.
Urban: Jurak with this trait have embraced civilized life. They
gain a +2 bonus to Knowledge (local) checks. This trait replaces
survivalist.
Steppes Dweller: Jurak with this trait are extremely resistant
to the rigors of harsh weather. They gain a +2 racial bonus on
all saving throws against weather and environmental effects such
as extreme heat and cold. This trait replaces weapon familiarity.
Hexed: Some jurak are placed under a powerful hex by their
tribal shamans, to act as a defense against evil magic. Jurak with
this trait gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against spells
and spell-like abilities. This trait replaces blood frenzy.
They're an orcish race...I hope it's ok to post that here...
How do you see the interaction of Tieflings among the races of Aden? I'm considering a Tiefling Arbiter, but I didn't want to make things difficult for myself and the party by being considered a complete threat just for the way I look or heritage :)
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A tiefling would be difficult to be accepted as an Arbiter. The Arbiters generally are trained by the Church of All Saints in their techniques. A Tiefling could easily be seen as "Tainted" by the Darkfall and would not be trusted to join the Arbiters. The only way it could work is if your character was a human who was transformed by the Darkfall. You'ed still be an outcast from the Arbiters but would have the training of the class thus allowing you to take levels.
As for a Half-Orc they are allowed in the game if she wants to play one. They're either Jurak-Human half-breeds or Orc-Human half-breeds. Either way it works.
Ok, cool. No worries :)
lol he. And although the Jurak are definitely neat, I like the race stuff for Half-orcs a bit more. I'm still working on his backstory, and I might post a question or two here. Actually, one just occurred to me: do paladins have to be members of the church of all saints? I like the idea that he's just a guy who gains power from his belief in loyalty, sans the religious context that the default paladin has.
second: Is there a well-known bodyguard or mercenary organization in the setting? I'm kinda liking the vibe of being on long-term assignment working as a protector to kryzbyn's seer (it might even be better if I don't know he's a seer).
apologies, thought that you said 25 points...i'll get that corrected.
EDIT: Aaannnddd done.
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If you're a Paladin in Carraway you likely will be a member of the Church of All Saints. It is a righteous church that honors and worships canonized saints of the past and upholds their ideals. You also could be a member of the Radiant Order, a hallowed organization dedicated to upholding the ideals of Compassion and Justice and they are well known to be relentless in their war against the Darkfall.
As for mercenary organizations there is plenty of them although being a member of them would be more appropriate for Fighters rather than Paladins who are more servants of religious causes.
By the way the mechanics for Paladins are slightly different in Aden. As Paladins do not worship a god (As there are no Gods), they instead uphold a vow which is a personal code of honor. You need to chose one of the following vows. If you grossly violate your vow, you lose your divine class features until you make proper atonement. Here is a list you can pick from.
Vow of Celibacy: The Paladin vows to abstain from sexual relations.
Vow of Charity: The Paladin vows to donate his wealth to the needy and will never refuse those in need.
Vow of Chivalry: The Paladin will protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Vow of Compassion: The paladin will be kind and courteous to those he meets and will not tolerate cruelty or impoliteness.
Vow of Courtesy: The Paladin vows to avoid giving offense and forgive slights when asked for forgiveness.
Vow of Courage: The Paladins vows never to flee the field of battle or turn his back on a foe.
Vow of Faith: The Paladin vows to defend the tenets of his faith or philosophy and spread its teachings.
Vow of Honesty: The Paladin vows to uphold the truth and eschew dishonesty and not tolerate the dishonesty of others.
Vow of Honor: The Paladin vows to deal fairly with others. He will show mercy to an enemy an never refuse a challenge from an equal.
Vow of Loyalty: The Paladin vows feality and loyalty to a ruling body a specific nation or political or religious body.
Vow of Perseverance: The Paladin vows to finish any enterprise he begins.
Even though I have oath of loyalty, I'm thinking vow of perseverance is more apropos for what I'm building in my head: He took the job, and now he's gonna finish it no matter what. I think that, given that I guard a Seer, being a member of the Radiant Order is more apropos than a member of the church.
I see him as "for the most part I'll follow the seer around, but if the seer is going to do something stupid, then i'll say something" kind of bodyguard.
Here is what I've got so far...still have some shoring up to do...
Done, I think. I put in a wee bit of a background. Vrog you can choose how we met.
This thing gonna happen? Or we waiting for more players?
Ok fair enough
I'm good, but not that good =D
Well, let's hope we get s'more interest!
I just haven't had an opportunity to flesh outa concept as I've been dealing with family in hospital in another state :(
I should be able to expand on concept this evening....
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Character, for comments, I'm not too familiar with the setting other than what I've read over the last few hours...
Wyrwhill
Chaotic Good Female Faerkin (Dryad-Blooded) Oracle (of Winter)
STR 8 (-1)
DEX 16 (+3)
CON 12 (+1)
INT 10 (-)
WIS 13 (+1)
CHA 18 (+4)
HP: 9 (8class +1Con)
AC: 13 (Touch 13; Flat Footed 10) (+3Dex)
Init: +3 (+3Dex)
Speed: 20ft
Fort +1 (+1Con)
Ref +3 (+3Dex)
Will +3 (+1Class +1Wis)
> +2 vs Enchantment; +1 vs Cold Effects; +2 vs Cold Weather; +2 vs Fire
Attack: -1 Melee (-1Str) / +3 Ranged (+3Dex)
Low Light Vision See twice as far in low light conditions
Natural Magic +1DC to single school of magic (enchantment)
Arcane Blood +2 racial bonus Spellcraft & Use Magic Device
Fey Blood +2 racial bonus against Enchantment Effects
Fey Brotherhood+6 Diplomacy with Dryads, +2 with other Fey, generally well-disposed.
Dryad Blood +2 Survival (always a class skill) Always succeed Survival to find food and water for self in woods.
Snowbound +1 trait bonus vs cold effects, +2 trait bonus on Fort saves vs Cold Weather.
Flotsam +2 bonus on Reflex saves vs spells and effects with Fire descriptor.
Proficiency Simple weapons, Light & Medium Armour + Shields.
Favoured ClassOracle (+1Skill Point)
Revelation: Wintry Touch Standard Action Melee Touch attack dealing 1d6 cold +1/2 Oracle Levels. Usable 3+Cha Mod times day (7/day). 11th level any weapon wielded is treated as Frost Weapon.
Curse: Blackened -4 Weapon Attack Rolls. Add Burning Hands to spells known (add Scorching Ray & Flaming Sphere at 5th; Wall of Fire at 10th & reduce attack roll penalty to -2; Delayed Blast Fireball at 15th).
Skill Focus: Knowledge Nature
4+Int
Class Skills: Craft, Diplomacy, Heal, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (planes), Knowledge (religion), Profession, Sense Motive, Spellcraft.
Winter Mystery: Intimidate, Knowledge (Nature), Stealth, Survival
Knowledge (Nature) +7 (1Rank +3Class +3focus)
Stealth +7 (1Rank +3Class +3Dex)
Spellcraft +6 (1Rank +3Class +2Racial)
Survival +7 (1Rank +3Class +1Wis, +2Racial)
Use Magic Device +7 (1Rank +4Cha +2Racial)
Languages: Eastern Common
4x1st/day
0-level (4 known)
Detect Magic
Light
Mending
Spark
1st Level (2 known/4per day)
*Burning Hands
*Cure Light Wounds
Command
Sanctuary
180gp (max)
Background is still working out the kinks, but she's from a rural area of Carroway/High Steppes (maybe she's not sure which side of the border she's even from), I'm thinking she's been sent south at the behest of aging Seer (grandparent) who has had visions similar to Orthos'. She's lost in the more civilised areas but latches onto Othos as somewhat familiar in his visions.
Personality-wise she is a spirit of winter, sometimes fun, sometimes cold and can switch and turn on a sixpence. Her heart is generally in the right place though.
Appearance: Her burned hands look almost like burnt wood, rather than flesh, elsewhere her skin is almost white as are her eyes. Her hair is green with a peculiar texture that is reminiscent of pine needles.
Sorry guys but I'm just busy to dedicate enough time to learn a new setting and making this work.
Have fun!
Fabian
Awesome!
Thanks anyway Fabian. Happy gaming!
bumpity bump bump bump
Looks like we have 3 and a tentative...
Ya, I was just bumping to make sure it stayed somewhat near the top.
okay, I'll join, but I don't have thunderscape. I assume the rules and classes and feats are the same as pathfinder?
Found a players guide for it. this of that is this the right one, a free version, because I'm cheap.
If not, let me know where I can find the basic rules for free. I'm hoping to play a gunslinger.
Still interested, just delayed on getting stats together due to work and family...
Haven't actually got the PDF yet, though I have the idea of a steamwright/thunder scout who mounts Belchers and other offensive inventions on a steamwagon.