We've all seen the various films, read the stories. All those things that go bump in the night and the rush of fear as you realize that it's real. The chill as that silken soft voice gives life to all of your fears, and hidden fantasies.
Greetings everyone! I'm developing a world-building, vampire themed campaign as my first DM project here on the Paizo forums and would like to extend my invitation to all who might be interested to check this out as I flesh out all the kinks.
I've always been fascinated with vampires. Stories like Dracula and Interview with the Vampire inspiring almost an obsession when I was younger and now as I'm getting older I'm finding that this particular obsession plans to stay. So, without further ado, this is what I'm looking for.
-Interest. Feel free to just dot, ask any questions that you may have and provide any suggestions you may have for what you would like to see as a player.
-Role-play experience. How long you've been playing, your favorite system, character, AP, etc..
-Concept. I think this is our favorite part, no? Tell me who your character is as a person. What their goals are and a bit about their history. Where they come from and where they wish to go.
Initially I'll be looking for anywhere from 1-3 players. This may be subject to change.
I myself have been playing tabletop games for almost nine years. Only recently have I begun to explore the wonders of PbP and I find that unfortunate, as some of my favorite experiences have been purely text-based in games ranging from things like Tera, World of Warcraft and other MMOs, to even just role-playing for the sake of it with friends.
Don't worry about crunch, as of yet. I'm not prepared to provide the rules for it and would not ask for anyone to go through the trouble until I have.
As for the world in which you will be coming into. It will be based in Golarion, in my own, twisted and somewhat less developed version, during what is the equivalent to the Dark Ages. Humans, Dwarves, Elves, and Halflings all find themselves at the bottom of the food chain. Vampires and other creatures of the night rule this world with a cruel and far-reaching hand. The gods are still young, and will have little to do with us mortals though you may choose to worship. For all sakes and purposes, Rovagug has already been dealt with. The main issue now is that evil finds itself at an extreme advantage as a result of the other gods' focus. However, alignment will be working slightly different in the campaign, and I will provide further details concerning that when I've more to give you.
You are a vampire. You were "lucky" enough to have been turned by another, and now you find yourself in the "middle" class and as such command great respect and fear over the lesser beings of the world. However the inner hierarchy of your coven is not the haven one would hope for and as time goes on, you realize that vampires alone are the least of your worries.
*cough* Or at least you will be. I intend on role-playing each turning, and rebirth. xD
With all of that said, this will be role-play over roll play. However that does not mean the total absence of combat, as I'm sure certain situations will indeed end in at the very least a bloody brawl whereas others will result in someone's death. Background and flavor is key, and I will be selecting those that have provided the criteria I've asked for based on my own preferences, grammar and other such factors. Depending on interest, recruitment may be on the horizon! If there is such a thing. :D
I'm looking forward to meeting you all!
So, what sort of game did you have in mind? Your description does not make it clear.
It will vary, but politics and inner turmoil will be the early focus as each PC works to rise in the ranks. Some tasks may include something as simple as working for another as a sort of servant, performing simple upkeep duties or depending on the individual, you may be sent on missions of another variety. It will depend entirely on each player's concept, as I will be designing a great deal of the campaign based on your backstories.
With out knowing the system, one idea that comes to mind is someone who can command tiny spirits that can only work when unseen.
Say one PC wishes to become a prominent leader, either in the coven or in the general region. The methods will be unique to that character's personal tastes, so if they wish to become a King, then they will be performing tasks and making connections as necessary.
Say another PC seeks power to overcome some adversary from his past or present. Or another seeks divinity. Or even another wishes to serve the other when divinty or kingship is attained. All of which will be a goal that each character pursues on their own time.
The party, for there will be a party, will be considered a group of connections that have been made in your early days with the coven, and as such are allies upon which you have placed a degree of trust and have come to rely on in times of need.
There will be certain storylines that will include the party as a whole, but those are still in the works. Basically I'll be using some of the down time rules to fit our needs while the core plot is developed.
I hope to provide more soon, but a lot of the game elements will be focused on classic vampire lore.
I want it to be player driven, and give you all the freedom to be who you want to be in this world. Everyone will have their goals, and should be able to pursue them. Here is some more food for thought.
The coven you belong to places great pride on its discpline when it comes to feeding. The others do not, and have come to view you and your kin as weak. The coven's master has also been rumored to have allied with mortals against others of your kind.
Rumors of a greater darkness have reached the coven. This greater evil threatens the survival of all who prey on the mortal races as they are the ones targeted. Plagues, civil wars and other catastrophes have dwindled the mortal populations to dangerous levels. If nothing is done, war will break between the clans over sustenance, not to mention the possible extinction of your prey.
Your master has approached you and a few others. Having given you your freedom, he asks for your aid in the troubled times to come and the restoration of the world's populace and balance of power.
Level 1
-25 pt buy.
-2 Traits. No drawbacks. No chosen child or rich parents. No traits that give weapons/proficiencies.
No templates.
No starting gold.
This will be PbP.
All Paizo material allowed.
3PP content allowed on a case-by-case basis.
Absolutely no Androids, or other tech content.
No other restriction on race or class.
There is no alignment, you are who you are. As such, alignment restrictions have been waived from all classes. Though should you play a divine, you will still fall if you betray your patron/deities beliefs or your own personal code. If you're a naughty individual, have good reason to be loyal at least to the party. Same if you're nice. I'm implementing this to provide some unique RP opportunities.
This will be going from 1-20, with the possibility of mythic though not garunteed.
Do you have access to Razor Coast material? The class that I am currently thinking of is not in the SRD.
I do not, unfortunately but I'm sure we can work something out.
I should also mention that the current playtest material is off-limits.
Level 1
No templates.
“Vampire” is an acquired template that can be added to any living creature with 5 or more Hit Dice
I'm confus. Players don't start as vampires?
No, as we'll be role-playing the transformation and events immediately afterwards. What I mean by "No Templates" is that other than Vampire, you cannot take or gain any other. Unless a class ability specifically applies a template.
What sorts of environments will we be in?
What sorts of environments will we be in?
If you mean climate and weather conditions, you'll begin in temperate plains.
If you mean what sort of location, it will be in the poor district of a small city called Hyran. One of the last mortal cities you know of in your region. It's about three miles off the west coast where there is a prominent shipyard that was once famous for its fishing industry.
I also seem to have confused some things, and haven't been very clear and I do apologize. The first 1-5 (subject to change) levels will be played as your base race before you are turned into vampires.