GM Captain Trips, I know that your opening post said that any hardcover was fine, and Catfolk are in the ARG, but you also said you wanted something more traditional, so I wanted to make certain it was ok that I'm turning in a Catfolk submission for the thread. Thanks!
I'll go on record to say I would prefer a game with standard races. Humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, etc. I don't have a "scoring system" per se, but when I look at a character I am picking/grading on some of the following guidelines:
- Is it iconic? Does it have that old school feel?
- Does the background really make me care about the character?
- Does the background give me ways to blow the player's mind?
- It is all "min/maxy"? In order words, is the character based on mechanics or an actual concept?
- Does the character seem fun from an RP sense?
- Is the player literate? (Yes, you have to ask that)
- Does the player post regularly?
- Would I want to deal with the character at a table at level 12+?
- Can I envision the character as heroic?
So while a catfolk wouldn't fit my idea for "iconic", the character/player might excel in every other area. In the end, the character is a sum of the parts listed above. And hopefully that will allow me to put together an awesome, and remember-able, party.
Dotting with this character. He's currently in another recruitment for this AP, and I may need to make a few minor adjustments, but the meat of the character is there. When I have a little more time, I will post answers to the questions in the recruitment.
This trait from the Cheliax book would be perfect for my escaped slave ...what do you think, Trips?
"PFS Legal Successful Shirker [Link]
Source Cheliax, Empire of Devils pg. 19 (Amazon)
Requirement(s) Halfling
Born and raised a slave with no hope of advancement, you are adept at avoiding your overseer’s ire and attention, the better to spend time on your own interests. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Stealth checks and a +3 trait bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy checks to avoid punishment by lawful authority."
|
I'll go on record to say I would prefer a game with standard races. Humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, etc. I don't have a "scoring system" per se, but when I look at a character I am picking/grading on some of the following guidelines:- Is it iconic? Does it have that old school feel?
- Does the background really make me care about the character?
- Does the background give me ways to blow the player's mind?
- It is all "min/maxy"? In order words, is the character based on mechanics or an actual concept?
- Does the character seem fun from an RP sense?
- Is the player literate? (Yes, you have to ask that)
- Does the player post regularly?
- Would I want to deal with the character at a table at level 12+?
- Can I envision the character as heroic?So while a catfolk wouldn't fit my idea for "iconic", the character/player might excel in every other area. In the end, the character is a sum of the parts listed above. And hopefully that will allow me to put together an awesome, and remember-able, party.
Thanks very much for the reply! I know that a catfolk doesn't fit the iconic image; I just wanted to make sure it was ok to use that for a race at all. Just have to hope I've created a robust enough character to make up for shortcomings elsewhere!
Going to throw this one onto the table and see what happens. Cap, if you have issues with the character, please let me know and I will make changes to suit. I originally applied for a giantslayer campaign with a dwarven bloodrager, but decided that was too cliche for you, so I came up with this concept instead.
You already know that I post regularly and that I value role-playing over roll-playing. I hope that Sasha meets with your approval. She's a bit different, but I can see great potential with her.
My original intent was to build her as a rogue/ranger, but I like the hunter concept better. Her future is definitely as a giant-slayer, and I look forward to picking up appropriate skills and feats.
|
|
One more question for you, GM Captain Trips. If selected, I would very much like one of Songan's personal goals to eventually be to become a member of the Pathfinder Society. To that end, there is a PrC from one of the "splat books" you mentioned that flows very well with the Archaeologist archetype that, with your permission, Songan would eventually want to pursue. The prestige class was originally printed in the "Pathfinder Chronicles: Seeker of Secrets" book as the Pathfinder Delver and is available for viewing as the Dark Delver on the PFSRD, linked here. If selected, is this an option you would be willing to allow?
My current idea is an avenging Halfling Barbarian (Titan Mauler) who was orphaned by giants and seeks revenge on all giant kind.
My only problem is i almost feel min/maxy were it not for the fact that he is a halfling. I have the formation of a background in my head by will need time to solidify it proper. GM opinions on whether that wiould cross the line into powergaming land?
GM are you okay with what I have used for my character? Do you have problems with goblins for this? Does my background cover enough for you with my traits and whatnot?
Hmm... I've some ideas. We'll see how they pan out.
This trait from the Cheliax book would be perfect for my escaped slave ...what do you think, Trips?
"PFS Legal Successful Shirker [Link]
Source Cheliax, Empire of Devils pg. 19 (Amazon)
Requirement(s) Halfling
Born and raised a slave with no hope of advancement, you are adept at avoiding your overseer’s ire and attention, the better to spend time on your own interests. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Stealth checks and a +3 trait bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy checks to avoid punishment by lawful authority."
Fine with that as long as it fits your backstory.
Dotting for interest.
One more question for you, GM Captain Trips. If selected, I would very much like one of Songan's personal goals to eventually be to become a member of the Pathfinder Society. To that end, there is a PrC from one of the "splat books" you mentioned that flows very well with the Archaeologist archetype that, with your permission, Songan would eventually want to pursue. The prestige class was originally printed in the "Pathfinder Chronicles: Seeker of Secrets" book as the Pathfinder Delver and is available for viewing as the Dark Delver on the PFSRD, linked here. If selected, is this an option you would be willing to allow?
Totally fine with anything related to the Pathfinder Society, in fact I'll say that is one of my strong areas of expertise. I have countless plot hooks and fun things if someone ventures along that path.
As I said in my original post, which could have been missed, I will allow any starting character to already be a member of a faction. The book you pointed out has several contained within it. Cyphermages, Pathfinders, Riftwardens, Acadamae, etc. are all doable. The background must support it, but I'm totally for anything that adds that extra bit of flavor and gives me things to hook into the game.
GM are you okay with what I have used for my character? Do you have problems with goblins for this? Does my background cover enough for you with my traits and whatnot?
Yep, I'm good with it. While I haven't started going through the process of really reading every background story posted yet, I am scanning for any red flags and will let people know about those.
I love goblins. They are ultra fun. Having said that its a little harder to fit them into an "iconic" themed game, its not impossible.
Going to go ahead and tiptoe into this recruitment and leave a dot.
I, like others, am in the other recruitment thread... but I think I'll work on a different character. See which of the two, if either, wins out in the end.
I passed on buying Giantslayer because I couldn't see myself running it, but I'm interested in seeing what it's like from a player's perspective. I'm able to post during the week, most likely in the mornings, and evenings (Pacific time), and on Saturdays. Sundays may be possible during the evenings. I also can check (and make short posts) around midday during the week.
Her time as part of the militia gave Kodra an opportunity to redeem herself in the eyes of the town, and she made the most of it. A cunning and savage combatant, Kodra prefers the personal feel of beating an orc to death to shooting them from the wall with arrows, but she has also spent more time than most maintaining Trunau's defenses, and has learned quite a bit about siege warfare as a result. She has grown into a hard woman, but not a bitter one, and tries to focus her violent tendencies towards the town's many enemies, hoping to repay the food and shelter that Trunau gave her when she was too weak to care for herself.
STR 16
DEX 16
CON 13
INT 10
WIS 14
CHA 12
AC:16 TOUCH:13 FLAT-FOOTED:13
CMB:4 CMD:17
HP:11 FORT:3 REF:5 WILL:2
SKILLS
Acrobatics (Dex) 1+3+3=7
Climb (Str)
Craft (Int)
Escape Artist (Dex)
Handle Animal (Cha)
Intimidate (Cha) 1+1+3=5
Knowledge (engineering) (Int) 1+0+3=4
Knowledge (local) (Int) 1+0+3=4
Perception (Wis) 1+2+3=6
Profession (Wis)
Ride (Dex)
Sense Motive (Wis) 1+2+3=6
Swim (Str)
FEATS
Combat Expertise
Enforcer
TRAITS
Trunau Native: Hopeknife, +1 Will Saves
Courageous: +2 vs fear effects
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Martial Flexibility 4/day
GEAR
Studded Leather Armor 25gp
Shortsword 10gp
Cold-Iron Dagger 4gp
Fighter's Kit 9gp
2 Alchemist's Fire 40gp
Potion of Cure Light Wounds 50gp
12 gp
GM are you okay with what I have used for my character? Do you have problems with goblins for this? Does my background cover enough for you with my traits and whatnot?Yep, I'm good with it. While I haven't started going through the process of really reading every background story posted yet, I am scanning for any red flags and will let people know about those.
I love goblins. They are ultra fun. Having said that its a little harder to fit them into an "iconic" themed game, its not impossible.
Awesome, literally the last game I applied for I was told I don't like goblins and that was that. This is probably the most fun character I have built in easily 5 years, so I was bummed to say the least. I feel I incorporated all my traits into my background, associated myself to the community and explained the CN alignment as well.
OK this is the back-story for Bane88's CG Human male oracle of bones, whose patron is Urgotha.
Anyone feel free to read it and I appreciate feedback.
Aaron woke in a sweat, chest heaving. His wife Illenya stirred in the fur blankets next to him. He had not had that dream in nearly a year. They had lost his mother that night, nearly twenty years ago. Illenya rolled over and propped on a shoulder. ”Nightmare, love?” she asked. She was gorgeous and pale, with the same blonde hair that Aaron himself had. Like all residents of Trunau, both Aaron and his wife had rough hands. It was cold and Aaron stood to put a few more logs on the fire. ”Just the fire again.” he said to her, giving her a reassuring smile. This was one of several recurring nightmares that Aaron had. Another involving a counter raid five years ago when he had been forced to use his hope knife to slit open the veins of his wounded father and spare the middle aged man capture. He was surrounded by the memories of loss. As it was in Trunau. This house was the very one that had burned down when his mother died. His father had rebuilt it, as had Aaron himself when it had been put to the torch again just a year before. The blade he had used to kill his father was resting beside his wife on her nightstand. The fire rekindled Aaron looked on his wife in the low light and flickering shadows. She held open the blankets and said ”Come to me.” He fell into her loving embrace.
The next months were same as the last. Aaron worked in the fields, and Illenya worked in the tavern. At the end of a long day Aaron would go to the tavern and Illenya would bring him a bowl of whatever they happened to be serving that night, then she would sing. Oh she had a lovely voice. She would sing to uplift the spirits of all, but she always waited for him to arrive, and Aaron felt like she was singing only for him.
The bell sounded, Illenya’s singing cut short. An Orc raid was coming. Men and women alike rushed to the palisade. It was dark, the throng of people pushed Aaron and a spear was shoved into his hands. He followed the group scanning the crowd for Illenya, but did not see her. The night raged on, he stood with his fellow townsfolk against the Orcs, killing and defending against their vicious assaults. The morning came, he was bloodied and tired, walking back up the cliff towards the town, Sara Morninghawk approached him. She spoke in a somber tone, ”Aaron, Illenya is among the fallen this night. I am sorry.”
His throat welled up. She could not be gone. He rushed to the square where the bodies were laid out. A medic was attending her, Aaron shouted through his tears. ”Get away from her!” Her clothes were bloodied but her face was unmarred, it was apparent to him that she had had to resort to using her hope knife. A voice not his own spoke into Aaron’s mind. ”Something beautiful. Something torn from your hands.” the sound in his mind was unconcerned like someone uncaringly looked down at him, saw his plight and shrugged. He let out a gut wrenching sob, falling to his knees he screamed. ”I’m not ready for you to die!” the sorrow shook his whole body and he knew not how long he knelt there holding her hands. Eventually the cleric lay his hand on Aaron’s shoulder and said, ”I’m sorry but we must prepare her for the funeral pyre.” Aaron brushed the man’s hand aside, hoarsely responding. ”I’ll do it”
In a daze he lifted his fallen wife and walked with her body back to their home. Laying her on the bed he cried more, clenching his teeth and stammering through the tears. ”You can’t leave me here like this.” The voice in his head returned.
”This day will end with a life complete.” it whispered
He continued to talk to Illenya ”This is not all that you are.”
”This day will end with a life complete.”
”I don’t want to say goodbye yet.” he choked back sobs.
”You wanted to know if it was worth all the pain it has caused you.” the voice grew menacing.
”My closest friend, my love, my wife, here in front of me.”
”Both of your lives, subtract one life, to know why it is you deserve this.”
We wished for her to live, more than he had ever wanted anything in his life. His soul was her’s his life was her’s she wasn't meant to die before him.
”We can bring her back” the voice shouted.
The corpse stirred. Aaron looked up, a hope in his heart, had the god’s answered his prayers? Illenya drew breath! But she didn't, his eyes growing wide in horror, Illenya’s eyes, soulless. She turned toward him, with no recognition in her lovely face. ”No, no no.” Aaron stammered unsure why this horror was visiting him further. ”NO!” he shouted, taking a candle from the hearth and throwing it onto his bed. The furs went up in flames, consuming the undead body of his beloved.
For the third time his house burned down. Aaron felt a new and bizarre power within him. A kinship with the dead. With hollow and sunken eyes he sat watching the house burn.
|
|
Totally fine with anything related to the Pathfinder Society, in fact I'll say that is one of my strong areas of expertise. I have countless plot hooks and fun things if someone ventures along that path.As I said in my original post, which could have been missed, I will allow any starting character to already be a member of a faction. The book you pointed out has several contained within it. Cyphermages, Pathfinders, Riftwardens, Acadamae, etc. are all doable. The background must support it, but I'm totally for anything that adds that extra bit of flavor and gives me things to hook into the game.
Cool! Thank you. I must say, I'm not terribly familiar with the faction aspect of Pathfinder. I've always liked the Pathfinders and their love of exploration, and do have some base knowledge of the Cyphermages and Riftwardens from running a Second Darkness game and playing in Wrath of the Righteous, but my knowledge of each of the factions pretty much ends there.
The background I have written up for Songan basically has him not yet a member of the Pathfinder Society, but with a strong desire to prove himself worthy of becoming a member of the organization.
Dotting for interest; made a halfling rogue (knifemaster) for another Giantslayer game where he didn't get picked up. I'll make suitable adjustments and submit here.
Do you consider it min/maxed when we try to get the most out of our buy? I not referring to the person who submits a fighter and has 16 str, 16 dex and 16 con after racials. I mean having 14 in five different stats and 10 in one stat before racials as to get the most out of our buy, or 14 in four stats a 12 and a 13, as in we aren't losing that buy.
I think Morgrim's profile should include everything you asked for. In the interest of full disclosure, I already submitted him to another PbP of this AP and if selected there I will withdraw my application.
My most frequent posting times are between 8 to 11am and 9pm to midnight EST. Wednesdays and Sunday mornings are sometimes difficult for me to post much on.
His primary weapon (the dorn dergar/dwarven chain-flail) is from a splat book, I think (dwarves of Golarion, iirc), but I could drop it or replace it with a longhammer if you prefer. The other campaign is using a 3rd trait; if accepted in this campaign I would drop Blooded.
I like characters to develop naturally, but my tentative plan is to start with 1-2 levels of ranger then take probably 4 levels of inquisitor (then most likely split levels somehow between the two, unless something in-game redirects that).
Okay, I looked him over, and there are only two changes I will need to make if I get selected for this campaign.
1. I would lose the Armor Expert trait
2. Drop my gold by 30 gp
Other than those two things, everything else should be good to go.
I left his actual dragon heritage blank, as I have no real preference except not one of the Acid ones (Black, Green, or Copper). Other than that, I'm willing to leave it up to what he learns about his family history.
Also, I may or may not intend to go into Dragon disciple (when I meet the requirements), based on how I want to take the direction of the character once I get a feel for him in play.
As to my posting habits, I tend to get wife aggro for the amount of time I spend on my PbP's. I am in multiple games, and am running three (and one at the table on Fri). I work rotating shifts, and can often post from work. With my real life game, and the family, Fri and Sat tend to be my two days where it's hard to find time to post.
Whoah hey, Captain Trips is back. Castor here. Nice to see you again.
I'm looking for inspiration for my character, but I figured I'd drop in and dot for interest.
|
. In the small farming town of Trunau, we find a small ragged tent near the city's farmers market. Outside the tent is a crude sign labeled "Fortune Telling". Inside sits a tiefling named Akvius Syrthos. He passes time between the few patrons that seek his insight, by shuffling a Harrow Deck and occasionally flipping a few over on yop of the barrel in front of him concealed with tablecloth decorated in moons, suns, stars and the like. Obviously an attempt to add credibility to the promised services.
. As he turns over the 1st card, an energy showers over him. More so than the occasional "vision" he receives from the mysterious patron that, depending on your perception, either curses or blesses Akvius with his abilities. It signifies a king! As soon he sees the card a picture forms in his head. It's that of the Storm Tyrant. The 2nd comes with a higher intensity of energy. It signifies an army. A different sight comes to focus in his mind. It's a vast collection of warpainted Orcs. Akvius flips card after card over, and each continues to provide increased intensity. A cloud castle. Several powerful giants. A mystical orb. Each card he turns shocks him with a higher intensity of power, followed by a single "photograph" imprinted in his head. He flips each card over faster than the previous. Finally he grabs one last card and as he goes to flip it over, he's struck with such a powerful blast of energy that he is propelled off the small wooden milking stool he was sitting on... unconscious to the ground. When he wakes up, he struggles to grab the barrel and pull his head high enough to see a single card sitting in the center of the table. The card of DEATH!
. Knowing this prophecy must not be allowed to manifest, Akvius begins a journey to find the right group of "heroes", with the skills to thwart this future from happening. Willing to lend his gifts of magic, intellect, languages, and social skills... he only hopes whatever being controls this world will grant him the opportunity to help mold an alternate reality than the horror he has predicted.
The race is easy to change if needed, tiefling just seem to be perfect for the stigma and mystery of a witch and tarot card reader to fit the archetype (Cartomancer). I've only recently tried out the witch class and really enjoy the "make the rest of the party look good" aspect of the buff/de-buff classes. If I can help the fighter make that exciting final blow that brings down the enemy; or, make it possible for the magic user to have that "cool" spell... not to be lost to an unexpected saving throw, then I have made a valuable contribution to the party AND the player.
I have been playing PFS pbp for almost a year. Ever since my IRL group was separated by RL events. I have not had the opportunity to play a non-pfs game yet, and would love the opportunity.
I still find myself checking posts of games I'm in 4-5 times a day (min), anxiously waiting to see a "new post" is available. As such, I may post anytime of the day. I live in Wisconsin (central time zone) if that helps suggest better posting times.
While my character doesn't have a vorpal sword hidden underneath the trap door of his house, I'm pretty sure an ancestor of his from Cheliax mailed him a Deck of Many Things!
I too am drawn to the old style and remember fondly when a dwarf only could be a fighter, a thief and a priest.
Throwing my hat in the ring for one of the oldest oldies but totally goldies. A dwarven cleric of Torag. A rock to lean on, a strong ally and dedicated smith.
I am a 40 year old gamer with 25 years of gaming and mastering experience in quite a few genres. I offer reliable posting 360 days a year, usually from 7 a.m till midnight CET. While english is not my native tongue, I do have a decent grasp of the language. If I use sloppy grammar, it is in character. BUT I won´t deny that sometimes I do make mistakes. (And I for sure do not mind being corrected). I am no fun of powergaming and prefer to play the spirit of the game.
Currently considering a Chaotic Good Ulfen Fighter with the Two-Handed Fighter archetype. Most probably wielding a greataxe, he is to be a man who enjoys the good things in life, those mostly being good drink and food, good fun, good friends and comrades-in-arms and good fighting. He will have the Armor Expert combat trait (being a sort of Golarion-flavored viking kind of guy), the Veteran of Battle religion trait (as he follows Gorum more or less) and the Dwarf-Trained campaign trait (as he has had the luck and privilege to have become fast friends with a dwarf during his time away from his birthplace). Being a proud and honorable fellow sometimes to a fault, he has the Pride drawback.
How is it that he finds himself in Trunau? Well, the dwarven friend of his has a younger brother, who, much to his -slight- dismay, has not followed in his older brother's footsteps of battle and brawling and mead quaffing, but chose to become a merchant instead. And as a merchant he tends to travel and, on occasion, get attacked a bit more often than what is considered average for travelers that have chosed a decidedly un-merchant-like lifestyle. Thus, the need for some sort of armed escort seems to be a given, a role usually filled by his warrior brother and a couple of his decidedly bushy-bearded mates. But on this latest trip, said mates indulged slightly too much in mead quaffing and... well, you can imagine the rest. So, with a vacancy in need of filling, the dwarven brothers turned to the somewhat less vertically-challenged Ulfen to lend a hand and a rather large axe.
The above is basically the gist of the whole thing. I am going to have something a bit more detailed as far as both crunch and fluff are concerned as soon as the whole thing settles in my mind.
ok, here's what I got:
This guy (current working title: "Buck") is an orphan from a giant raid; adopted into the church of Desna by a passing cleric, he dedicated himself to 2 things: Desna and preparing for the day he can get payback on the giants. Naturally, he fell into the role of a warpriest, concentrating on a reach weapon (bardiche probably) as the best way of dealing with a giants superior reach, and adding cestus for close-in fighting. (I will probably also give him a bow for those occasions he cannot close with an opponent).
When he was ready, he made his way to the nearest Mountains that contained giants, looking for a chance to get revenge; thus it was he found himself in Trunau.
As a follower of Desna, he is interested in exploration, and opposing oppression wherever it can be found. he seeks to encourage others to do whatever is in the common good, though not by legislation but by freely choosing to do what is right.
In terms of factions, Liberty's edge seems the most logical choice. Regarding factions: Does this mean we are all members of the pathfinder society and do we need to add that to our backgrounds?
Daily update on applicants
If your name isn’t on this list that means either your application wasn’t obvious, you dotted (which I’m not tracking as an application), or there was something fundamentally wrong with your character concept. If you feel you should be on this list, but aren’t, feel free to contact me via PM and we can discuss. Also note that unless the application is in the form requested in my original post it will not be included in these updates. If you have questions about that please re-read my requirements.
Note that any applicant with a * next to their names means that they are a returning player of mine from a previous PbP game, and are almost guaranteed a spot in the game (barring them submitting a half-dragon warforged evil anti-paladin of DOOM). Applicants might be inclined to use this information to get an idea of what the party may already have in place in terms of talent.
I will separate applicants by basic function for simplicity. Rogues can be either melee or ranged, so they fall into “skilled”. An alchemist might have some arcane touches, but I’d consider them “ranged”, and so on. Divine types obviously fall into the last category, despite their deity of choice.
Melee Applicants
Valax Soars-on-Land – Half Orc Barbarian (Mad Dog)
Grok – Oread Fighter (Titan Fighter) - Conditional application based on dual acceptance
Dolgrym Giantfoe – Dwarf Ranger
Dundin Larringfass – Dwarf Ranger (Infiltrator)
Crag "the Igneous" Felhammer – Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord)
Spectrevk (Kodra) – Human Brawler (Steel Breaker)
Kulak Kreech – Bloodrager (Primalist – Dragon) – Some arcane here, but primarily Bloodragers are a “smash face” class to me so he falls under melee.
Morgrim Ironbeard – Dwarf Ranger (Divine Tracker) – And yes, a dorn dergar is fine with me
Ranged Applicants
Racket – Wayang Alchemist – Conditional application based on dual acceptance
Dingle Dangle – Goblin Alchemist (Winged Marauder)
Skill-Based Applicants
Bellanie Bursk – Halfling Rogue (Vexing Dodger)
Arcane Applicants
Songan – Catfolk Bard (Archaeologist) – Of course bards are a little of everything, but for this list’s purposes, I consider them arcane.
Szacha the Fiddler – Human Skald – This is almost a melee applicant, but since there’s a touch of arcane it falls here.
Akvius Syrthos – Tiefling (Grimspawn) Witch (Cartomancer)
Goody Two-Shoes Applicants
*Sasha the Mouse – Halfling Hunter – Hard to really place this class. Because of the druid roots I am going to put it here, but it could easily fall into melee, ranged, or skilled as well.
Mitleid – Dwarf Cleric of Torag
Responses to questions
@Guru_of_the_Sands - Nothing min/maxy about a halfling barbarian. You are not only challenged by the hit to strength but you also are using smaller than average weapons. I've always been a fan of crazy halflings. Eberron halflings were some of my favorites.
@Bane88 - I really like the back story, awesome job.
@DoubleGold - Min/max would be the character with a 20 in one stat at the start and a couple of 7's in others. Yes, we know fighters get the shaft with skills, and dumping int is popular, but roleplaying a drooling idiot can be challenging.
@Gavmania - No, everyone is not considered a member of the Pathfinders. You are free to choose any faction that fits your background, or none at all. I'm offering it as an optional choice that is rarely used in most games. Those unfamiliar with PFS might have a harder time grasping how factions work.
For those with questions about factions, this offering from Paizo will assist.
Pathfinder Chronicles: Faction Guide
Because this publication deals specifically with Golarion based lore I do not believe it is freely available on the web in SRD format. If you have questions about a specific faction I'd be happy to answer them. Being a member of a faction allows you to earn prestige and fame, which can then in turn be spent on tangible benefits when in a city or society large enough to support a faction presence.
I am Sakaan and I wissh to join your adventure.
Sakaan is completed and I even had his original story about a mission for JalaiJatali (Empyreal Lord he worships) and thus he has a faction that he works for.
If he's to.. just too... please advise as this game sounds great and i'd like the chance to apply with a different character if possible.
Male Halfling Rogue 1
Small Humanoid (halfling)
Init +3 ; Perception + 8 (9 for traps)
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 16 (14 touch, 13 FF)
hp 8
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will 0 (+2 vs. Fear)
--------------------
Offense
BAB + 0
--------------------
Speed 20 ft.
Melee: Dagger +1 (1d3)
Melee : Club +4 (1d4)
Ranged: Sling +4 (1d3)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 9, Cha 17
Base Atk +0; CMB -1; CMD 11
Feats: Skill Focus (Perception)
Traits: Successful Shirker, Vexing Defender
Skills:
Acrobatics 10 (14 when tumbling to avoid AoO) (3+1+3+2+1)
Appraise 7 (3+1+3)
Bluff 7 (10 vs. lawful authority) (3+1+3)
Diplomacy 7 (10 vs. lawful authority) (3+1+3)
Disable Device 10 (3+1+3+1+2)
Escape Artist 7 (3+1+3)
Knowledge (local) 7 (3+1+3)
Linguistics 7 (3+1+3)
Perception 8 (9 for traps) (-1+1+3+2+3)
Sense Motive 3 (-1+1+3)
Sleight of Hand 7 (3+1+3)
Stealth 12 (3+1+3+4+1)
Languages: Common, Halfing, Dwarven, Goblin, Elven, Giant
--------------------
Racial Abilities
--------------------
Small: Halflings are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to their Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.
Slow Speed: Halflings have a base speed of 20 feet.
Fearless: Halflings receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear. This bonus stacks with the bonus granted by halfling luck.
Halfling Luck: Halflings receive a +1 racial bonus on all saving throws.
Keen Senses: Halflings receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception skill checks.
Sure-Footed: Halflings receive a +2 racial bonus on Acrobatics and Climb skill checks.
Weapon Familiarity: Halflings are proficient with slings and treat any weapon with the word “halfling” in its name as a martial weapon.
--------------------
Class Abilities
--------------------
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Rogues are proficient with all simple weapons, plus the hand crossbow, rapier, sap, shortbow, and short sword. They are proficient with light armor, but not with shields.
Sneak Attack: If a rogue can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from her attack, she can strike a vital spot for extra damage.
The rogue's attack deals extra damage anytime her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the rogue flanks her target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6 every two rogue levels thereafter. Should the rogue score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet.
With a weapon that deals nonlethal damage (like a sap, whip, or an unarmed strike), a rogue can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. She cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual –4 penalty.
The rogue must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A rogue cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment.
Trapfinding: A rogue adds 1/2 her level to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device skill checks (minimum +1). A rogue can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps.
EQUIPMENT:
Mwk Thieves’ tools
Backpack
Sling
Leather armor
Daggers x4
Club
Caltrops
Rope
Wrist Sheaths x2
Chalk
Bedroll
Merchant’s Scale
Cards (marked)
Cards
Cheapish Absinthe Bottle
16gp 8sp 9cp
Charlie is the son of two Halfling slaves owned by a minor Chelish lord, Montgomery Hallifax. His mother worked in the house, cooking and doing laundry, while his father worked the farm, enduring backbreaking labor every day. They both soon realized Charlie was a bright young boy, much to their dismay. It’s easier to explain the realities of slavery to a less observant child. Their misgivings seemed appropriate when Charlie early on started to chafe under the yolk of slavery. His mother Consuela tried to focus his intelligence on literacy, hoping to make her son a useful house slave, desperately hoping to avoid seeing her son broken like her husband Maurice, who died of heat exhaustion in the fields after Charlie’s fourth birthday.
Small even for a Halfling child, Charlie went mostly unnoticed by the humans. However, one day Lord Hallifax was receiving his daily grooming via Consuela when he began to speak of the boy. “He’ll be a fine, strong worker like his father. You should be proud,” he said as she cut his hair. She mentioned his skills with figures and letters, but the Chelish Lord laughed off the idea that the boy would be of intellectual use to him.
That was the day Consuela changed everything. Moments later, she was in her hovel, holding Charlie with hands covered in blood. “You get out of here, boy. You go east. You get out of this devil-spawned place and you use your mind to make a better life. Never let anyone own you. Never.”
Charlie had never seen his mother like this in all of his 16 years. He protested, tried to convince his mother to come with him. “My old legs would slow you down. Besides, I’m not quite finished here.” Charlie then saw the look in her eyes, the blood on her hands, and knew what she had done. “They’ll forget you …all they’ll remember is what I did.”
Charlie took off and ran for what seemed like days. On the road, he survived at first by snatching up scraps other travelers left. But over time he got bolder and bolder, and better and better at not being noticed. By the time he hit his first major village he was an accomplished thief. Charlie at first enjoyed the life of a drifter …thinking the complete freedom the absolute opposite of being owned. He never thought much about the future, instead reveling in the pleasures of the now. Trunau changed all that forever.
Here was a people united by danger and oppression. Their hard lives reminded him of his parents and the other slaves …the eyes that have felt pain. But instead of being crushed they banded together. Humans, Halflings, dwarves …all united as one by constant threat of orc domination. This stirred something in the little thief, something he found hard to explain …hard even to understand. He had been running for years, with no home to speak of, family long left behind in sorrow, and friendship mostly understood in the abstract, not in the practical. These people fought to defend their home, and it made Charlie realize that what he really wanted was a home. He stopped drifting when he hit Trunau. His skills and abilities may not be the most noble. His moral core is only now developing to include empathy. But he will stand and fight (well, hop around and fight). He will make this exceptional town his own. He will learn to trust. And if he becomes rich and powerful, well, all the better. Maybe one day he can go back to that hellhole and root out the evils of slavery.
But that’s not anytime soon. Now, his new home needs him.
I am a public school teacher on the east coast. Paizo boards are accessible at work, so during prep periods and lunch, I can read and post. I get out around three and can post after work as well. I can, in theory, post multiple times a day, but when I was learning the craft of writing, it was drilled into me to pack every word with power. That is to say, though this application may seem verbose, my actual in character posts are not always this voluminous. I prefer to show and not tell, to play off other characters as we all find exactly who are characters are. This is all to say I prefer quality over quantity in my own writings. My posts can be short, but that is because I craft them to be so. I’m not a huge fan of spelling out the internal life of a character through massive blocks of inner monologues.
I see Alignment as a storytelling tool, as in character arcs can be defined by changes in alignment. Charlie is currently CN due to his effed-up childhood. But the steadfast heroism of Trunau has begun a shift towards CG, as he finally has something to believe in other than his own pleasure and the evilness of others.
@Gavmania - No, everyone is not considered a member of the Pathfinders. You are free to choose any faction that fits your background, or none at all. I'm offering it as an optional choice that is rarely used in most games. Those unfamiliar with PFS might have a harder time grasping how factions work.
That's good. I'd hate to have to tweak the background at this stage to make him part of the pathfinder society, though it wouldn't be too difficult.
Had to change the name, Buck was taken (as was Buckle, Ash, and Redjack). Finally went with Redjak; I am currently putting together the character sheet for your perusal.
Changed my build some, added an archetype and changed my gear around, otherwise same as before.
@ GM Captain: Grok and I were talking, and wanted to point out that we'd be more than happy to change to more "traditional" races if it makes our applications more amenable to your game. I would be fine with being a halfling, and Grok could be a dwarf with little change to his character concept.
Here is Kain, I am still working on his crunch, but just wanted to go ahead and let you look him over. I'll be fleshing out background with a paragraph or two after I finish up the crunch, let me know if you see anything that needs to be changed.
trait- Orphaned by giants.
@ GM Captain: Grok and I were talking, and wanted to point out that we'd be more than happy to change to more "traditional" races if it makes our applications more amenable to your game. I would be fine with being a halfling, and Grok could be a dwarf with little change to his character concept.
Totally up to you all. As I've said before, play what you will have the most fun with. I don't want someone changing their concept just to make the cut. As such this is one of the reasons I haven't provided direct feedback about most builds.
Sadly, we already have awesome applicants and I'd already be VERY hard pressed to make a selection. If all 4 of my previous players return it is going to make that decision unbearable. This happened last time and I ended up running a Kingmaker game of 12 players and got in way over my head in terms of time requirements, lol. :) Running multiple PbP games is one thing, running two side by side that have to interact and coordinate dates, party members, etc. is pure insanity!
Where in KY are you, Trips? I visit my folks in Ashland two or three times a year ...I've played with the WV group, but KY would be more proper, hahahah.
Hannah is my submission for this adventure. She is mostly complete; she needs to get her gear in order and stat out her familiar, but other than that she is good to go.
She isn't part of any faction yet, but I would be interested in exploring that in character.
A Brief Note on My Posting Habits:
I enjoy a fast paced game and will post multiple times per day if things are happening. Weekends are slower posting times for me, but I will always check in at least once. I prefer being DMPCed if doing so will keep momentum going. I never want to think that my absence might slow down a game that is firing on a cylinders. Coming back to see a ton of posts is awesome.
I don't begrudge other people the spotlight, and I don't need to be the biggest badass. I take pleasure in having my character concept fulfilled.
Like many others my interests flags when a game grinds to a halt. I value a GM who believes that the world continues moving even if the players are twiddling their thumbs. In my opinion, part of the GM's job is to keep the narrative coherent and moving.
Toramin is my longest running character and is a good example of my commitment to a game where the DM and the players are all interested in the story.
Louisville, a pretty good distance from Ashland.
|
|
Totally up to you all. As I've said before, play what you will have the most fun with. I don't want someone changing their concept just to make the cut. As such this is one of the reasons I haven't provided direct feedback about most builds.Sadly, we already have awesome applicants and I'd already be VERY hard pressed to make a selection. If all 4 of my previous players return it is going to make that decision unbearable. This happened last time and I ended up running a Kingmaker game of 12 players and got in way over my head in terms of time requirements, lol. :) Running multiple PbP games is one thing, running two side by side that have to interact and coordinate dates, party members, etc. is pure insanity!
If that's the case, I say you should go ahead and call the recruitment over. Why make it any harder on yourself by letting it remain open for five more days? ;)
I haven't been to Louisville in ages. Before I moved to New York, Louisville was my go to for arty movies, nerd stuff, etc. Great city, though.
Now, now, no need for rush decisions. ;-)
If that's the case, I say you should go ahead and call the recruitment over. Why make it any harder on yourself by letting it remain open for five more days? ;)
Hah! Smooth. :)
Call me a glutton for punishment!
hah, I know I am a bit late to the party but I've been pretty busy, I hope the character sheet formatting is acceptable?
I'd be very interested in this game.
I actually have two ideas running around in my mind.
The first would be for a Half Orc Sacred Fist Warpriest and devotee of Kurgess who is in Trunau on her way to Urglin where she seeks to compete in gladiatorial fights. She'll however find that there is plenty to do in Trunau. This would be a melee focused character with a good amount of divine buffing and some healing.
The other idea would be for a Vanguard Slayer who is a Trunau native, probably human. He'd be a part of the town guard and an officer in training though he'd rather lead squads outside the town walls to make preemptive strikes against the local Orc tribes. This would be a switch hitter with a preference for ranged combat and a large, supportive skill set.
Any idea which would be a better fit for how you envision your game?
From Sarabian - here's Adrian, my aforementioned halfling rogue (knife master)!
My personal game philosophy is that I'm here to tell a story with the other players and the GM; dice and whatnot are certainly fun, and there is a certain thrill to the occasional BIG DAMAGE ROLL!!!1! but that's not what the game is all about.
While Adrian's current alignment is LN, I suspect that's primarily due to a sheltered upbringing, and not really having been exposed to much in the way of overt evil. Once he sees how nasty the world can be, it's very likely that he'll set himself up to oppose it, and shift to LG. Similarly, while he's a worshipper of Abadar currently, that's most likely due to a lack of exposure to Erastil, whose ideals he's probably more sympathetic to.
Captain my Captain... could you check if you find any flaws in my application!
Hey so was thinking about this and a character concept came into mind. Zavier Vitoly, a grappler from the frozen north of Brevoy for your consideration please!
CG Medium Humanoid
STR: 18 DEX: 14 CON: 16 INT: 9 WIS: 12 CHA: 9
Init +4 (2 trait +2 dex)
Perception +5 (1 rank +1 wis +3 rank)
DEFENSE:
AC 14 (2 armor +2 dex)
T 12 (-2 armor)
FF 12 (-2 dex)
HP 14 (10 + 3 con +1 fcb)
Fort 5 (2 +3 con)
Ref 4 (2 +2 dex)
Will 3 (0 + 1 wis +2 feat)
Conditional:
Fort +2 against cold climates
+2 to avoid tripping and falling (heart of the snows trait)
CMD 17 (1 + 4 str +2 dex)
+2 vs trip (heart of the snows trait)
+2 vs grapple (improved grapple feat)
+2 vs awesome blow (Giant-Blooded feat)
OFFENSE:
Speed 30 feet
Unarmed Strike 1d6+4 (crit x2)
BAB 1
CMB 5 (1 +4 str)
7 to grapple (Improved Grapple feat)
TRAITS:
Human: Bonus Feat
Heart of the Snows: +2 bonus on Fort saves against cold climates, +2 any checks or throws to avoid slipping and falling and to Trip
Giant-Blooded: half attack roll penalty for using larger weapon, +2 CMD bonus asgainst awesome blow
Reactionary: +2 initiative
FEATS:
Iron Will +2 to Will Saving Throw
Improved Grapple +2 to grapple CMD/CMB. No Aoo
SKILLS:
Acrobatics +6 (1 rank +2 dex +3 class)
Appraise -1 (-1 Int)
Bluff -1 (-1 Cha)
Climb +8 (1 rank +4 str +3 class)
Diplomacy -1 (-1 cha)
Disguise -1 (-1 cha)
Escape Artist +2 (+2 Dex)
Fly +2 (2 dex)
Heal +1 (1 wis)
Intimidate -1 (-1 cha)
Perception +5 (1 rank +1 wis +3 class)
Ride +2 (2 dex)
Sense Motive +1 (1 wis)
Stealth +2 (2 dex)
Survival +1 (1 wis)
Swim +4 (4 str)
LANGUAGES:
Common
GEAR:
Leather Armor 10 GP
Adventurer's outfit (starting outfit)
Barbed Vest 10 GP
Brawler's Kit 9 GP
Lantern, Bullseye (waterproof (17)
10 points Oil for lantern (1)
Crowbar (2)
Potion of Cure light wounds
51 GP to spend
Special Abilities:
Brawler's Cunning Int counts as 13 to qualify for combat feats
Martial Flexibility 3 times per day gain beneift of a combat feat you don't have for one minute as a move action.
Martial Training Count as Fighter and Monk to qualify for feat and magic items
Unarmed Strike: Unarmed Strike does 1d6 damage
Tracked Resource:
Martial Flexibility: 3/3 per day
I am a stranger to this land but I can already tell that it is no stranger to me. Haha! If there are big things to fight then it feels like home. I am born and grown of Port Ice in the North of Brevoy where all men and women are big and strong.
Even in Port Ice my size and strength were of note. More than 7 feet tall and more than 200 pounds my Da said to me "Boy, they say my great grandmother was a giant and I look at you and think the story must be true.. You were not meant to be fisherman or sailor." and he was right. The only thing else to do there was gamble and fight. Haha! I did both. I bet on myself and made myself many silver pieces. For my Ma and Da too for they came to bet and cheer me on whenever they could find time from their ship repairing and fish cleaning. I set myself goal of earning them enough that they can retire and rest easy.
Once that was done I grow bored with fighting. It is too easy! I started drinking more heavily and started even losing fights! Hah! My Ma set me straight, as all mothers should, "Boy" she said "You are too large for this place. You have already done your duty by us and it breaks my heart to see you waste away here. Go. You were meant for greater things than Port Ice."
This new goal invigorated me. I got back into shape even more fierce than before and left. I had heard tell of the wonders of the warmer lands so I went south and soon I got to place where melted puddles were actually warm and then there is no ice at all! I do not like it. Worse I find nothing good to fight and resorted to hunting and wrestling animals for sport. I heard of some problem in town named Trunau where there is much need for big and strong people. I say to myself "Zavier Vitoly. This sounds like the place for you." And so I, the Giant of Port Ice, am here. The people here are not as big as my people but they are strong fighters. I think for now I have found where I should be!
PERSONALITY:
Zavier Vitoly is a large and gregarious soul. Always up for a laugh and a drink and more importantly a fight. He's wise enough to know what he's good at and what he's not good at and so very sensibly focuses on his strengths. He's not the smartest person around and his rough manner is just a bit offputting but people who get past that find him to be a steadfast and loyal friend. Right now he's intersted in pitting himself against the orcs but when he runs across his first giant his goal is going to change into proving himself in combat against these fearsome creatures.
I think he's pretty iconic, maybe not Pathfinder iconic. I think the inspiration is pretty obvious though. :)
Edit: Oh yeah posting frequency. I can commit to posting at least once a day. If you look over my posting history I think it's a pretty good one with a lot of different concepts all active in their respective game threads. I enjoy the role playing aspects of the game as much as the rolling and fighting.