The recruitment is restricted to the posters in the ‘What would you like to play?’ thread for now; if I don’t get enough interest I may decide to open it.
As I have gotten into a game following the ‘What would you like to play?’ thread, I’d like to return the favor and start my own recruitment. I’ve decided to run ‘Tears at Bitter Manor’, which is a 64-page module for levels 5-8. I will be looking for 4 players.
I also want to use this as a chance to try out the Unchained rules, so will be looking to implement them along with my own take on some of them. If you need help keeping track of stuff, you can PM me your character choices and I’ll send you the Hero Lab output for your character.
Character creation rules:
Level 5, 20 point buy, 2 traits.
Races: core only
Character options: PFS-legal only.
Alignment: no evil or CN.
Hit Points: PFS Style.
Unchained rules by the book:
- auto bonus progression,
- diseases & poisons,
- wound thresholds,
- consolidated+background skills,
- skill unlocks (apply to all uses of a consolidated skill),
- spell attack rolls.
Combat Stamina: all creatures gain a stamina pool equal to their Con score -10 (to a minimum of 0), which recharges at a rate of 1 point per hour. Combat Stamina feat increases this pool by BAB, and the recharge rate becomes 1 point per minute. Fighters get this feat for free at level 3.
Limited Magic: by default, spells are cast at their minimum CL and DC. There are two ways to increase the spell’s potency (‘supercharge’ it):
- Passing a Spellcraft check DC 20 + 2x spell level + minimum CL (take 10 is allowed out of combat). Failure by less than 5 still allows the spell to be cast at minimum potency. Failure by 10 or more causes a spell fumble.
- Spending costly esoteric components worth 5 x spell level x actual CL in gp. I will not be tracking different types of components per school, but feel free to use the names for flavor or invent new ones.
Rolling a natural 1 on a supercharged spell attack roll is a confirmed spell fumble, natural 20 is a confirmed spell critical.
If you use the costly esoteric components and pass the spellcraft check, you can further charge up the spell beyond its normal maximum, choosing to increase either CL or DC by 2. This is a risky affair: Failing the check wastes the spell slot, and failing by 5 or more, or rolling a natural 1 or 2 on the spell attack roll, triggers a spell fumble.
If the spell is cast without supercharging it, a concentration check of DC 25 + spell level + minimum CL allows to not expend the spell slot.
Starting wealth: 5,250 gp. However, it is reduced by the assumption that the character has used a portion of it to cast spells with costly esoteric components, as per below table:
- Full casters: -450gp for 4,800 gp.
- 6-level casters: -250gp for 5,000 gp.
- 4-level casters: -50gp for 5,200gp.
Background:
2-4 paragraphs should be enough. The plot is primarily driven by a married couple who have been members of a retired adventuring party called ‘The Golden Watch’. They have been famous decades ago but have now reached advanced age. There are a few reasons why your character could get involved: you could have been asked by the Pathfinder Society to safeguard the respected old-timers; one of the Golden Watch could have saved your character’s life in the past; or you could be a friend, relative, or an associate of theirs. Whatever the case, you are directed to meet the pair at the Sword Point Inn in Cassomir.
Verus “Igneous” Crandel: Brawny and strong-willed, Verus is reliable as a rock. He owns a small ranch in southern Andoran that he bought with treasure he gained adventuring. Igneous is married to Branda Tulles, and the two split their time between the ranch and Absalom.
Branda Tulles: The public face of the Golden Watch, Branda has always had a way with words and a penchant for snagging precious treasures - but only if they belonged to evil people. After she stopped adventuring, she invested her gold well and has been free to do what she pleases ever since. She rents a posh penthouse in Absalom, and has made waves among higher social circles. As Igneous is far less social, the couple takes frequent trips back to Andoran.
1) No, I don't want to allow the consolidated spellcraft to be based on any casting stat. What I will do instead is change the supercharging check away from spellcraft (tying it to a skill seemed strange to me anyway) to concentration, with a DC of 20 + spell level + minimum CL.
2) Yes, as it's still expending a spell slot to cast a spell. It wouldn't allow extra uses of the ability though.
The thread is very quiet; is it because of all the optional rules? If you don't apply because of them, let me know and I'll consider dropping them. Otherwise I'll open up the recruitment by Jan 1st.