@Nogwear: I hate to say no but that would contradict plans involving my tabletop game. I'm trying to keep everything connected and in the same world.
I'm tentatively interested and am thinking about concepts. Can you talk a little bit about what your plans are if you finish Half-Dead City? Would you continue using the Mummy's Mask modules or start working with something else? Do you have a broader theme in mind if this continues to higher levels?
Rikash: Good questions. I am of a mind to continue past Half-Dead City with further parts of the Mummy's Mask (and what happens will change how the history of Krystallos is viewed) but I'm not locked into that. I'm a big believer in letting the PCs guide the story. If they want to go somewhere new or not follow the plot threads, I'll make new plot threads. I think them picking their path is more important than me picking their path.
The armies of Tiamat are not the only visitors to have come to Krystallos they are merely the most noisy...
The Elans themselves merged from the murky depths of the Immaterium, the psionic universe the underlies the material universe. They settled their crystalline starship behind one of the planet's moons, as for when they arrived no one can rightfully say...
All that is known is that mysterious figures clad in strange, crystalline armor and wielding even stranger weapons arrived just around the time of Tiamat's invasion.
Attempts to contact them universally have failed and many believe these figures to be a myth, those who believe in their existence however posit one eerie occurrence. Whenever these mysterious figures were reported something bad happened to Tiamat's forces in the area.
Assassination, sabotage and even the outright slaughter of entire camps as they slept are events commonly attributed to these mysterious figures.
Once the war concluded reports of these figures still emerged every now and then, yet no one using psionic, divine or even arcane means could pin them down...
The Elans are the very incarnation of psionics, they alongside the dragons were the first beings to awaken in the cosmos. Ever since discovering each other the Elans and Dragons have waged war, for they each represent the other's anathema.
The mental power of psionics is in sharp contrast to the arcane which is conjured forth from the material universe rather then from oneself.
The Elans are also the "origin" species for numerous races across the cosmos humans, elves and even dwarves are somehow (most likely mutation over millenia) connected to the Elans. Also they did not sire the illithid...
The Elans themselves resemble half elves...if half elves had their sheer Romanesque countenance and radiant form. In addition to the eyes that glow like crystal...
Elans armor and equipment is always made of crystal and ectoplasm, they generally favor strange tube like weapons that fire crystal shards propelled by unstable ectoplasm (reflavored muskets)...
Thoughts?
Thanks for the answer JGray. It's late here and I'm still mulling over concepts. When I come up with something, I'll post it here. Thanks.
@Rikash: Cool.
@Viluki:
That being said, I think the Elan could work in the world but in a very different way. Instead of being celestial beings from beyond the stars, they would be disciples of the Sky Turtle who draws them up to it in their dreams and teaches them how to transform themselves into beings of psionic energy inside mortal shells - with a promise to make Krystallos a better place.
I'm thinking that some form of Evangelist cleric with a focus on ranged combat sounds interesting. Class will preferably be either Human or Elf. Alternatively, are there any gods not yet listed that might have a longbow as a favored weapon?
STR: = 14
DEX: = 13
CON: = 13
INT: = 12
WIS: = 17
CHA: = 17
Edit: Well, that doesn't really help much with me wanting to be a ranged combatant. Maybe a more support focused cleric? I'll give it some thought.
I'm going to actually withdraw. I need to read more on Pathfinder and so on before I get myself into the game ATM. It's all a little overwhelming.
No, they don't have to be star people... But no... Attempt number 2. Aiming for a something akin to "Vulcans", neither good nor evil. Just what they are, not what others expect them to be.
The ancient people who would become the Elans were the first human civilization to ever arise, they hailed from the region now known as the Citrine wastes. These ancient humans predated even the pharaohs and were perhaps the greatest psions of that era...
Their psionic prowess led these ancients to things beyond the comprehension of most, including immortality.
The ancients had longed for a way to defeat death, the one adversary that seemingly taunted them at every turn. Eventually they found it, through psionic rituals and the use of specially prepared gemstones immortality was achieved.
The gems (called soulstones) were infused with the entirety of one's soul and then a ritual began. This ritual effectively filled the void left by the soul with raw psionic energy. By this process the Elans came about, while immortal however the Elans were also cursed. They could not procreate naturally, limiting their numbers to a scant million.
The Elans soon after their transformation endeavored upon a massive project, the creation of a great demiplane which would serve as their dominion forevermore.
This massive domain is called "Prospero", it stretches over 100 miles from end to end and is a glimpse into an ancient past. A past of soaring, glimmering pyramid cities that dominate the eternal twilight of the skyline. A past where true glory was achieved by a staggeringly advanced and powerful culture that rivaled the Illithids in sheer psionic power.
"Prospero" is a legend that has been glimpsed by few and even those who glimpsed it often thought is was a mirage, a cruel trick of the desert. In truth these "mirages" are often gateways into Prospero although getting through them without an Elan guide can be tricky...
Prospero itself is a true desert, little precipitation and composed entirely of sand and dunes. It has no vegetation beyond the vineyards which manufacture the only substance that Elans drink (they also export it), wine.
Prospero itself is divided into five cities, four of these cities are gathered around the fifth in a circle. These cities themselves reside within the interior (about fifty miles in from the portals) of Prospero.
You ask why we did not seek to hold dominion in the wastes. The answer to that question is simple kobold, we have no need of it. We need neither food nor drink, we desire to pursue our arts in the peace of isolation.
Some may call us selfish, some say that we should do more to assist the world and it's peoples in their troubles... Yet we arose thanks to our own efforts and self reliance, perhaps the peoples of this world should help themselves instead of asking for it...
Absylon, "diplomatically" informing his kobold companion of why the Elans don't seem to care about the rest of the world.
The Elans are an inward and focused people, immortality allows them to perfect their chosen path in life. And even death while adventuring does not truly stop them, for when an Elans dies his soulstone acts like a lich's phylactery although it takes decades rather then weeks to reform.
This reformation is more like reincarnation then true resurrection, the being formed comes from the same soul but is ultimately a different individual who possesses fragments of his previous lives.
While Elan society as a whole is isolationist many Elans are not, this is especially true of those who have devoted their focus to mastering war, these Elans who seek martial mastery invariably fight in the many wars and conflicts that ravage the face of Krystallos. Their appearance is strange and often surprising but to any army who is graced with their presence they are a godsend, Elans are exceptional warriors and are often ideal scouts as well.
Elans tend to value scholarship, learning and civilization over barbarity and ignorance. As a result many disdain melee combat and instead focus on the inherent "elegance and nobility" of ranged combat with their strange weapons (reflavored firearms) and psionic abilities.
As for morality Elans tend to neither extremes of good or evil, most are LN or N and are profoundly logical and analytical. Emotional appeals have precious little effect on the cold and calculating mind of an Elans.
Thoughts GM?
JGray I am a new Player, thinking about submitting an Amazonite Tribeswomen Rogue (because Ninjas are evil in your setting :( )
@Saithor: I am sorry to hear that. I do understand, though.
@Viluki: I hate being a naysayer but that revision won't work. The ideas don't fit into what may or may not have come before the first civilizations - things that might be important plot points as the campaign goes on. Also, the barriers between Krystallos and other planes were, until recently, incredibly thick so the building of a demiplane wouldn't have been possible. I get the impression that you're looking for an ancient, almost Atlantis-like civilization that's slightly more advanced than the mortal races but that's not going to work in Krystallos for world background reasons I can't reveal. Small pockets of hidden societies can work but an entire kingdom of a million people will not. I wish I could say yes to your ideas. They are very well developed but not quite right for Krystallos.
@Yokaiboy: An Amazonite Tribeswoman wouldn't be a ninja anyway - they're pretty much the province of the Jade Kingdom. :) Still, the Amazonite Tribeswomen are quite awesome - and come in two flavors. Pure-born (those who haven't been altered by the extensive plant-extract herbalism the Amazonites experiment with) and Plant-born (those who have).
Doing a quick tally of interest so people know what's being considered:
- Cam James: Summoner
- Browman: Barbarian
- ElementalXX: Human Gunslinger
- Rod Benteft: Kobold monk
- Johnnycat93/Gil Odalis: Human urban barbarian
- Viluki: Elan
- Saithor: Witch
- Rikash: Cleric of some sort
- Tuyena: Human (Amethystish) human investigator
- Yokaiboy: Human (Amazonite) rogue
Did I miss anyone? I apologize if I did.
Would it be possible for a dwarf in your setting to become a barbarian? Maybe an outcast from the ruby mountains?
Edit: Perhaps even in a warhammer dwarf way similar to that setting's slayers who take an oath to seek death against a worthy foe to redeem their lost honour.
GM would my concept work if the elans instead of having a demiplane were parked as it were on a far away land mass? Say's the world's equivalent of Australia. The culture could still be very ancient but have virtually no effect on the main continent.
@Browman: Indeed, yes. The dwarves do fit things that crawl up from the Depths - this world's equivalent to the Underdark.
@Viluki: I'm sorry. There are no other landmasses. You go far enough, you literally fall off. I appreciate that you're trying to find a way to work your version of the Elan in but a new, ancient and hidden civilization isn't going to work.
I am potentially interest, but have several submissions in right now and don't want to over commit to too many games. So if several of them pan out, I will be withdrawing my submission.
4d6 14
4d6 14
4d6 10
4d6 15
4d6 13
4d6 16I can work with that.
Thinking Barbarian.
I will go dwarf barbarian then.
Stats after racial adjustment
Str 16
Dex 14
Con 17
Int 14
Wis 12
Cha 11
@Browman: Cool. Something to keep in mind is dwarves have a caste based system akin to ancient India. Being kicked out of your caste would be the greatest shame a dwarf could face.
Dotting for interest. Will have to think about what to play.
@Browman: Cool. Something to keep in mind is dwarves have a caste based system akin to ancient India. Being kicked out of your caste would be the greatest shame a dwarf could face.
Which might explain why he is half the world away, trying to find a way to redeem his honour, perhaps through his death as part of something more important than him? It might also result in him having anger problems resulting from his shame? Seems to me like a perfect fit for a dwarf barbarian, to proud to simply kill himself, but still attempting to die.
Edit: also are archetypes acceptable? thinking invulnerable rager.
It seems Elans just won't fit, but Maenads may be a different story. Are the Pearl Islands available (have they been used for anything in your setting besides being there) or could I make up my own island chain near the land mass?
@Tirion Jörðhár: Awesome! Can't wait to see what you come up with.
@Browman: Absolutely. There are small communities of dwarves who live in the Grand Sultanate, here and there. Mostly exiles who have been away from the stone for a long time. And I think invulnerable rager is fine. It isn't over the top with damage reduction.
@Viluki: No one's done much with the Pearl Islands, no. I've considered using it some day for another adventure path along the lines of Isles of Dread.
There aren't any native races to Krystallos beyond the ones on the wiki - though some might have come as part of Tiamat's slave-armies and stayed behind (much like the modron did). Any who did would be battling a large amount of prejudice and be seen as no better than the goblins, lizardfolk, trolls or other corrupted.
Cool, it has no impact on my character at level 1 but is good to know. My character probably was exiled himself, rather than descended from exiles.
Gold ouch, 40 gold Guess I have hide armour, a great axe and 5 gold worth of gear.
JGray, you've got some interesting ideas developing in your setting.
Would the treesinger archetype from the ARG be appropriate for one of your Amazonite plant born?
@JoshB: I love that archetype's idea! I hope to play one myself, someday. Most treesingers would be elves in the Sapphire Forest but I think, yes, there might be some Druidic treesingers among the Amazonites, too.
Since you're open to the idea, I'll fiddle around with an Amazonite plant born treesinger.
Probably with a domain, instead of a plant companion. I'd rather be the angry tree, not hide behind an angry tree.
= 11
= 14
= 14
= 6
= 14
= 9
not really stellar, but I think it will do (that's exactly a 10 point buy!)
I have 8 gp to share around for whoever needs it (with the consent of the GM of course).
The GM consents to sharing gold.
@JoshB: You'd be developing a lot of Amazonite culture from wholecloth. They're an isolated group and rarely interact with outsiders.
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yeah well, after i put that 6 in charisma we will all know why they don't interact with outsiders.
maybe the 6 can go in dexterity instead. Nobody ever accused Treebeard of being nimble.....
The saga of the Maenads begins quite appropriately with the greatest of their heroes, Argos of Pericles. Long ago one of the first civilizations (but not the first, trying to respect thou canon here) emerged upon the peninsula north and west of modern day Iolite.
This civilization was not perfect and would eventually come under the dominion of the tyrant Korgos of Andrepolis, the great hero Argos of Pericles was unable to defeat him and instead gathered all of his followers (some 15000-30000 depending on who's version of the tale you listen to) and formed a great fleet.
They sailed south having heard of the legendary tales of the Pearl Islands, rumor said that the Island chain was littered with so many pearls that one could not walk without stepping upon them. So the Maenads came, driven by their lust for glory and riches. Rather then finding pearls however the Maenads found madness...
For the Pearl Islands were the seat of the Abolethic Sovereignty and as soon as they set foot upon the islands the Maenads came under the assault of these ancient horrors. Many fell to madness and brother fought brother until noble Argos alongside his mighty warriors discovered the secret of the Pearl Islands...
At the heart of the caverns underneath what would become Argopolis the heroes found the terrible abominations known as the Aboleth, Argos and his loyal warriors set upon these abominations and in their fury struck them down. In doing this the psychic presence that had driven the Maenad mad lessened greatly.
Yet it was not gone and Argos realized why, they had not slain all the Aboleth. From then on Argos waged a lightning war against the Aboleth, moving from island to island and striking down the Aboleths that lurked within the caverns underneath.
This assault caught the arrogant abominations by surprise, they had not considered that mere mortals could resist them after they had so easily enslaved the Darfellan... They also did not anticipate the ability of the Maenad to rally the formerly controlled Darfellan to rebel.
Finally the last island was within reach, the dreaded domain of the mother of all Aboleths herself. Argos and his warriors struck into the depths as their fellow Maenads and Darfellan allies waged war against the horrific guardians of the Island.
Argos himself would fell the Mother himself, however not all was well. For when Argos struck her down the Mother unleashed a psychic death scream that rang across the Pearl Islands. From then on the Maenads suffered their curse, the curse of rage...
Thoughts GM? If you like the Maenads I will of course expand them.
Since you're open to the idea, I'll fiddle around with an Amazonite plant born treesinger.
Probably with a domain, instead of a plant companion. I'd rather be the angry tree, not hide behind an angry tree.
[dice=roll]4d6 = 11
[dice=roll]4d6 = 14
[dice=roll]4d6 = 14
[dice=roll]4d6 = 6
[dice=roll]4d6 = 14
[dice=roll]4d6 = 9not really stellar, but I think it will do (that's exactly a 10 point buy!)
You don't want a sapling treant groot with you?
@Viluki: As I said, the native races of Krystallos are already established. The Maenads would have had to come with Tiamat's slave-armies. An entirely new, pre-existing civilization disrupts certain balances. I appreciate what you're trying to do but, I think, if you want a native psionic race you should look to the illithid.
Actually I was thinking GM that the Maenads originally were indeed human but became what they are when Argos slew the Aboleth, effectively they are human but are cursed. You could treat them as an ethnicity similar to the Amazonite Tribeswomen.
Viluki: That's possible. They'd need to be MUCH smaller group of them with a more modest origin story - a small wandering tribe, for instance. Iolite has always been Iolite. Remember, it is named after the Totem that sits at its center and that Totem has always been there. The same is true of every land in Krystallos. Travel to the Pearl Islands would have found the natives, copper skinned humans akin to the Polynesians of our world. But certainly a small group of Iolites, perhaps looking for a better life (Iolite has always been a rather bleak place) could have sailed with a hero/leader southward - perhaps as many as a few hundred - and found the horrors you described beneath caverns on islands not even the native Pearl Islanders would tread upon.
Also, the darfellan are native to a completely different area so they wouldn't have been enslaved here. Though some of the Pearl Islanders might have been.
I will ask, though. Is an aquatic based psionic character the best fit for a game that will start with exploring a tomb in the middle of the desert?
One possible solution is that Iolite is already essentially "greek" (that is whom I am basing the Maenad on) and that the Maenads were a group of warriors that came to the Islands for riches and glory. they would likely have numbered about 300-500 give or take 50 and would have slain the Aboleth and become inflicted with their curse.
This curse would have subsequently been passed down to the natives as the Maenads got promoted to positions of leadership and interbred with the local populace. I'm thinking they would have arrived at roughly the beginning of the Age of Constant war. As such they would have had enough time by the present day to have fully "intermingled" (e.g virtually every human in the Pearl Islands is Maenad) with the original inhabitants.
Thoughts?
Viluki: That won't work, I'm afraid. Iolite is more akin to German than Greek. The Chalcedoniks are Spatan in style while the Zirconians are more Athenian.
I don't see the Pearl Islands being filled with aquatic psionics, either. The Amethystian Empire would be much more worried about them if that were the case. Like I said, a small population of them would be fine. A large one would not.
And, as I noted above, we'll be playing in the middle of a desert. Is this the best choice?
After seeing the brave souls that have come before me, I have no choice but to do the same, inspired by their courage.
Probably not quite the proper order, but the principle is the same.
Strength 12
Dexterity 14
Constitution 15
Wisdom 16
Intelligence 11
Charisma 14
I officially surrender and leave this thread forevermore.
Illia-: Welcome!
Viluki: I'm sorry to hear that. You've got very good ideas but they felt more like they were for your world than the one I created. I hope you get to develop them more.
This is browman's character.
I was wondering a bit about the pearl totem.
Specifically, whether a Freedom subdomain Chaotic Good Evangelist would work. Though, I imagine the character I'm coming up with as more of a joyous singer whose lyrics give good hope than a forceful orator, so I was wondering if I could change Perform(oratory) for Perform(vocal).
Basically, I envision a character who emphasizes the positive of the Pearl Totem, rather than the downsides (of which there are) of Liberation and Competition, and is just generally happy to spread joy wherever.
Still haven't a clue for what fighting style I'm giving her, but I hope to carry enough buffs around I won't need to often. :)
I think I will make her an Alchemist instead of Rogue
@Telthes: Looking good! Can't wait to see the finalized backstory.
@Illia-: You're interested in being part of an Icon cult, I suspect. Icons are sort of like Saints: they accomplished something so amazing in life that, in death the Totems elevated them to become divine servants, acting as intermediates between them and their worshipped. Cults are sects of the main faith that are inspired be an Icon's example.
I envision the native Pearl Islanders to be Polynesian-like in culture with a heavy leaning towards Hawaii. Of course, not all followers of Pearl are from the Pearl Islands. The Totem has followers all over Krystallos, especially as the Cartrl ramps up the black market slave trade.
Let's talk more and work out your Icon and cult!
@Yokaiboy: Amazonite alchemists tend towards a strange form of herbalism that makes use of swamp plants and fungi. Hard to come by in the Citrine Wastes but you can certainly adapt.
To help people with their ideas and backstory, I thought I could share the inspirations for the various nations/ethnic groups in Krystallos. I freely admit I borrowed ideas from various sources to use as building blocks.
- Kingdom of Amethyst/Amethystian Empire: A fusion of the English and Roman empires
- Tourmaline Alliance: A somewhat medieval Nordic land with fewer vikings. Think the ice breaking scene in Frozen.
- Kingdom of Alexandrite: France with a heavy dose of Orlais from Dragon Age (including the mask idea).
- Iolite: Rural medieval Germany with a strong mixture of blue collar early America - Maine lobster fishers and Appalachian miners.
- Thulite Steppes: Native American with a lot of inspiration from David Eddings' Atan, a seven foot tall race of running warriors from the Elenium/Tamuli books.
- Scapolite Theocracy: Very medieval Italian mixed with some Victorian sensibilities.
- Onyx Cryptocracy: "What if goths got their own country" mixed with some Mexican influences.
- Pearl Islands: Natives are Polynesian with a heavy emphasis on Hawaiian culture. Non-natives are more pirates of the Carribean.
- Sapphire Forest/elves: The elves of Krystallos are nature based with strong Hebrew/Talmudic overtones in how lore and tradition govern their lives.
- Topaz Rift/gnomes: Modern neo-pagan without the specific religious overtones.
- Peridot Grasslands/Free City: Celtic (Scottish and Irish specifically) with the Cartel being an odd combination of old school thief's guild and more modern syndicate.
- Amazonite Tribeswomen: Greek Amazons mixed with native people from the Amazon river basin.
- Ruby and Garnet Mountains/dwarves: A lot of Indian (the sub-continent, not the American type) with some heavy influences from both Earthdawn (arguing dwarves!) and Dragon Age (especially their visual style).
- Emerald Shire/halflings: Very much the traditional Hobbit type halfling.
- Citrine Grand Sultanate/kobolds: Egyptian for their past. Modern is more Prince of Persia/Arabian Knights.
- Chalcedony Protectorate: Sparta mixed with a heavy dose of "what if the US Marines were a country".
- Quartz Territories: Five entire cities that are essentially art colonies. Bohemian.
- Turquoise Shire/other halflings: More new style D&D halflings mixed in with some nice cowboy.
- Zirconian Commonwealth: Athenian Greek though with heavy African influences.
- Diamond City: Fairly unique - sort of like the Vatican or Switzerland in neutrality.
- Jade Kingdom: Very obviously borrowing from Legends of the Five Rings, Jade Empire and other Japanese/Chinese cultural fantasy fusions.
- Tanzanite Shores/darfellan: Heavy Inuit and rural Finland influences.
- Obsidianu: The original Kingdom of Obsidian (which no longer exists) was based on African kingdoms with a dash of European feudalism mixed in and some Egyptian added on top.
- City of Gears: Straight modron right from Planescape.
- Mount Opal/illithid: An entire race of Tibetan monks, essentially.
There we go! I hope this helps everyone.
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You don't want a saplingtreantgroot with you?
I will freely admit that there was a moment last night when I cackled madly to myself and thought: "I could put at least a 13 in Cha, take skill focus knowledge(nature) at level 1, eldritch heritage: arcane at level 3, pick a raccoon as a familiar, and then wildshape into a tree at level 4 .... I am She-Groot"
I believe rationality has returned and I have stepped back from that precipice.
I have a question. If you aren't allowed to take a subdomain unless you worship an icon, how do Icons come about in the first place?
"I know during your life you were a champion of Liberation, but now, you're my Icon of Freedom."
"Oh, ok."
Illia-: You don't worship an Icon. You follow their example. A subtle different but a difference. The subdomains were always there, of course, but the Icon comes to personify that subdomain once they ascend into a higher being because they personified the ideals of that subdomain in life.
So, if I wanted the endgame goal for my character (out of character) to be becoming the Icon of Freedom for the Pearl Totem, I would have to actually take the Liberation domain because a Icon of Freedom doesn't exist yet? Icons actually add new powers to the Totems that the Totems didn't have before?
There is more than one Icon per subdomain, most likely. I don't have a complete list. The Totem always represents all the subdomains of a domain. The Icon just puts a more understandable face on it.
= 14
= 13
= 14
= 17
= 15
= 17
Hmmm . . . can work with that. Now to think about what to create.
So, the primary reason my character needs an Icon to use a subdomain is because she's not good at understanding things and needs someone to explain and demonstrate it for her?
That's ok, I guess, but, meh. Suppose I'll come up with a cool Icon to compensate or something.
Amazonite alchemists tend towards a strange form of herbalism that makes use of swamp plants and fungi. Hard to come by in the Citrine Wastes but you can certainly adapt.
that will be her reason for Adventuring, allmost all reagents of the Amazonite swaplands are known already, so she left her home to find new ones.
for her name I was thinking of Lilia Aconite (two plant names(for thair plant theme) and both sound somewhat similar the the Amazon names I found on Wikipedia :) )
JGray would you allow taking the Bramble Brewer Archetype for an Amazonite (it fits thair fluff quite well)