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Ahem.
So! I was pretty active here on the boards six moths ago, and was then diagnosed with a pretty serious illness, soooo...I disappeared. Which was a good decision because my illness has been treated and I have a clean bill of health.
And I am ready to rock once more.
Some of my players went through a couple of different DM's to try to keep the game alive, and they're still interested. There are two or three of them (Mary/The Wisp, are you around?), and I'm rolling with five or six players, depending on how I feel. So I'm looking for two or three players.
For anyone familiar with the AP (which is not a barrier for entry), the players are still early in the first book but have had some of the initial encounters.
If you submitted a character for this thread last time around, chances are you're going to have preference over others for this game. Here is the original recruitment post for your perusal;
"From the idyllically peaceful coastal town of Sandpoint to an ancient lost city at the top of the world, Rise of the Runelords takes a party of adventurers from 1st to over 18th level and delves into the mysteries of Varisia's ancient past. Millennia ago, the powerful empire of Thassilon ruled the land, dominated by despotic runelords who maintained their power through harnessing the power of rune magic. Thought gone forever, the workings of Thassilon are not so far beneath the surface and one of the runelords plans a return to power. Only the brave adventurers stand in his way."
Hey gang! I'm looking for a few players to add into the game. Players are still first level and it's quite early in the campaign. We did lose our divine caster and arcane, so one of those would be appreciated! Other than that, most roles are filled party-balance wise, so just make whatever sounds appealing to you!
A bit about me, first! I'm a gamer with over twenty years of experience, and a quite experienced GM as well. I've rolled dice almost as long as I can remember and love no gaming experience so much as role-playing games. I'm new to the Paizo boards but an experienced player and runner of Pathfinder. I also have quite a lot of experience with the PbP format.
The format will be Play by Post, if that wasn't obvious!
Posting expectations are one post per day from every player. Weekends are exempt but I will post on weekends, so if you're free we'll get through stuff that much faster! If something comes up and you won't be able to post for a while, that's just fine. Just let me know, and we'll work something out.
Just to get it clear, no third-party material will be allowed.
Attributes: Roll 2d6+6 six times on this thread, or 20 point buy, whichever is higher! You may assign the results however you wish. Shamelessly stolen from DM Mathpro!
Races: Core preferred. Featured races from ARG are also fair game. Anything else will be a case-by-case basis. Racial archetypes and alternate traits from Paizo are all kosher.
Classes: Core/APG preferred. I have not yet read through Occult Adventures or Path of War, so those classes will not be available. All other Paizo is available, though Summoners must play the Unchained variant, and Gunslingers are restricted to the Bolt Ace archetype.
Traits: Two traits. One must be a campaign trail from the Rise of the Runelords Player's Guide. A third tree may be taken if you take a drawback. However, the drawback must be explained in your character background. Which leads me to my next subject...
Backgrounds: At the least, I would like a 10-Minute Background. Candidates that have both that and a regular background consisting of a few paragraphs will be considered most strongly. If you're having trouble with your character background send me a PM! We'll work on something.
Skills: We will be using background skills. We will also be using one consolidated skill- Athletics, replacing Acrobatics (jumping), Climb and Swim.
Starting Wealth: Starting wealth is max for your class.
Recruitment will be open until Friday the 16th. I will consult with my players to see who they're interested in taking. We have a vigilante and a fighter, as well as (I think) a rogue, so casting classes are preferred.
Super interested! I actually have a bard pretty much good to go for this, but I'll take some rolls to see if I can get some better stats for him.
Out of curiosity, though, will Athletics use Strength or Dexterity? I assume Strength?
Dot - will read more on the details ;)
So many odd numbers! :)
Athletics will be strength-based, yes. However, Acrobatics is still a skill; it will be used for tumbling or balance. The only part of Acrobatics covered by Athletics is Jump checks.
Cool.
Oh, and it's not quite listed; are variant Aasimars (Musetouched, specifically) okay?
dot
Yeah, variant Aasimar and Tieflings (Oni-spawn or what have you) are okay. You can also do the variant roll for something to replace the SLA if you want; Glitterdust once per day isn't super exciting ;)
Why thanks! Good to be back and not, y'know...unalive.
Well in that case...
*runs off to PFSRD*
To be clear, if I don't really want what I roll for, can I still elect to take the standard SLA?
Chrona would have a damn good shot...
Also yes you can opt to take the SLA if you don't like your result.
Sweet! Those were all the questions I had; time for some stats!
Well those are nice! I can definitely roll with those. Now, variant ability;
AASIMAR AM STRONG LIKE HULK. Sure, why not?
Sadly, Serolt was in a Runelords campaign that died before we even made first level. So he's ready to roll, and will need little tweaking to match your desired build rules. He's a Hunter, so some casting, but he's not a full caster. Is that a deal breaker? Might roll up something new if you don't like him. Just let me know please.
I do have one question too - I love role play and build characters with depth. I am happy to expand on his background if you like, but what's a 10-minute background? Not familiar with that term.
I’ve DMed and Played on these boards for a few years now and been in the D&D realm for a few decades. I’ve always been an active and supportive poster in every game. Please feel free to peruse my aliases and campaigns.
If selected, I can also help with treasure tracking if you like. I have a useful spreadsheet that I use in campaigns I'm in to help track that sort of thing so you don’t have to. You should be able to see a version of it here (link).
Interested. The only other time I played Runelords I came in near the end of book 3, and the game sadly died at the door to the final boss. Hopefully I can fill in those gaps. Last character was an Orc Barbarian linguist, so I probably won't be playing a beatstick. But let's see what the dice say.
Hm, not a bad spread unless I want to play something Cha based (I have an irrational hatred of properly dumping any stat but Cha). Might finally be time to play an Alchemist or Magus.
Interested. Gonna roll then write something up.
Or Ill just be using the point buy. >>
Hmm..20 buy will be slightly better.
No problems with sage sorceror.
And being a 6th level caster is in no way a deal breaker. They're some of my favorite classes.
Lame, 20-pb it is. I do have a ranger I made for this AP but since it looks like you have no shortage of martial characters already I'll go with a caster instead.
dot, I, am not sure what to make. I'll come up with something.
Possibly a fighter. lets see what my creative juices cook up for a character and go from there. Looking at either a local with goblin watcher trait, or someone that journeyed from afar to hunt the monsters of renown.
EDIT: would you allow spheres of power?
I am not familiar with SoP and do not have time to rectify that so I'm saying negative to that, as well as other 3pp material.
Step 1
1- Kain was a member of a frontier town in the wildlands
2- He was just accepted into an elite unit of Calvary whose job was to run down any orc raiding parties, and rapid maneuvering to keep giants from being able to stone the town.
3- Kain is rough and practical but Kind-hearted to many.
4-One day, not long after he was accepted into the Calvary unit a small raiding party was sighted and drew him, 2 other members, and a senior member off from the main town. They easily rode down the 10 or so orcs on a nearby hill. It was then they saw boulders raining down on the area of the town. They rode fast and hard, but by the time they got to the town half of it was flattened. Kain was 18 at the time
5-Kain is the son of Rydell and Anna,
6-Views on life- Life is precious, spend it well and do not waste it, any life is worth protecting. Hard work, will, and dedication can overcome anything. Glory is for fools, the only true glorious death is a death in which you defend something you love. If something is a threat to his loved ones/friends he won’t hesitate to kill them, if he is labeled bloodthirsty for protecting those he loves he will happily accept their scorn over mourning their death.
7- He doesn’t give himself the title of hero, no matter what he does, he merely would respond with “just doing what I can”
8- Holds an underlying hate for giants, he rarely loses his temper, but when he does it is usually around giants as it brings up painful memories of his home town.
9- Kain is 6’2”, 225lbs, Black hair, Green eyes, with handsome features. He usually keeps a rough 8 O’clock shadow, his hair is long.
10- He has recently taken to working as a mercenary, be it a caravan guard, solider for hire, or even a bounty hunter. He has heard of dire straits in Trunau and comes to offer his services.
11- Knows when to keep his mouth shut, disciplined from training.
12- While he may not be open about it, he forms bonds of friendship quickly with those he deems worthy and just, and would sacrifice himself for those friends, even if he never says so openly.
13- Kain had a brother and a sister, their bodies were never found at the site of the town’s destruction he keeps eyes and ears out for rumors for them, but holds little hope knowing they were most likely taken captive.
Step 2- Goals
1- He seeks to put an end to the chapter of his family and find out what happened to his younger siblings, saving them if need be no matter the cost.
2- Seeks only to make a living protecting people he deems worth of protecting.
3- He has always loved riding, the wind in his hair, one of his dreams is to ride on the back of a Pegasus, not as a mere mount, but as a friend and ally.
4- He wants to find the creature that lead the assault on his town, and slay him once and for all.
Step 3- Secrets
1- He doesn’t know his siblings are alive, however, where they are is something even the gods save the big one can’t say ;)
Step 4
- Kain’s brother, 3 years his younger was physically weak. He had always wanted to be like Kain, to join the Dragoons, but his physical condition was a large hindrance, but what he lacked in physical fitness Kain’s little brother made up for in intellect, It was his brother that showed Kain a new technique for holding a spear so as to be allowed to spin and wield it as a club for enemies that get close. Kain nor his brother were able to master the style and so it was dismissed, but Kain still practices it to this day, determined to master it.
- Kain’s sister was 10 when the giants leveled the entire community she would be 13 now if she is still alive. She had always been helpless, unable to do anything for herself. Perhaps that changed now, perhaps not. It doesn’t matter, Kain would still do everything for her.
-An orc boss that lost most of his warband to a counter-assault by the few remaining dragoons. The orc boss rode a warg and faced off against Kain, Neither landed a lethal blow, but Kain managed to come out ahead, knocking the orc off his steed and down the side of a steep hill. The orc warboss, having been humiliated, and losing his warg and his warband has sense sought revenge on the mounted warrior.
- The Creature that lead the attack that destroyed the frontier town has no real interest in the rider known as Kain, but he will one day. He sees kain, and any dragoon from the town as lesser, and unworthy of his time.
- The Ranger in the wilds indeed, it was at a time when Kain was overcome with anger, hate and grief, when he was found by the ranger. It was this encounter that kept Kain from a path of self-destruction and attempted revenge.
Step 5-
- I remember running the orcs down, our senior member inspiring the rest of us as he slew 5 of the beasts, I managed to claim 2 of the rest, my first orc kills as a dragoon. We laughed and talked of our victory as we made our way back to town. That’s when we saw them. Boulders the size of trolls raining down on the town. It was continual, devastating bombardment. We watched as the Dragoons of the town, with no other options charged out of the gate. We could only sit and watch as the boulders focused onto them. There was no glorious charge, no meaning to their deaths. They simply died like animals, crushed flat under tons of rock. It was then that the orcs made their move, almost all of the defenders dead and crushed under the boulders, the walls crushed and splintered. Over 3 score of orcs poured into the town killing, raping, pillaging. We rode swift as shadows, but by the time we entered the Towns fields only one warband remained. Staying behind to try and salvage any looked over “loot”. I remember feeling the purest of rage, anguish and hatred that day. I spurred my mount onwards in blind hate and would have charged to my death, had the last senior officer of the dragoons not rallied the other 3 and charged off behind me. We broke into the score of orcs, felling several before they could strike back. In the following melee one of our own was felled. That was when I saw him, the leader of the band a horrid orc upon a dire wolf, or warg, in their tongue. Seemingly by divine purpose a path opened between me and him and I looked into his eyes. He smiled, and I hated that smile. We struck at each other several times, but in the end, using the technique my brother taught me, caught the orc off guard. Even though I had far from perfected it the strike was enough to knock him from his mount and send him rolling down the hill. His remaining orcs tried to flee, we ran them down like dogs. I remember laying to rest all the bodies we could find, ones that weren't paste. It was sickening. I also remember finding the broken and battered bodies of my parents, but never finding my siblings. Not knowing their fate haunts me more than anything still...
- Kain is often a quiet man, but when he speaks, he speaks with purpose and meaning. He often prefers to speak with his action, rather than his words and often judges’ man based on their actions alone. For good or ill.
- I remember my family, in the summer when the sun warmed the valley and the mountain I and my brother and sister would often enjoy the day in the fields, after I was old enough to ride a horse I would often take them horseback riding, letting them experience what I loved so much. How I wish for those days back…
-I remember the pride I felt at finally being accepted into the dragoons, I remember the pride of my family, and my brother when I came home, wielding the spear of the dragoons. A spear I still wield to this day, both in honor, and for its remarkable make.
-Kain has developed a habit of speaking to his horse, whether or not the horse understands, or even listens no one, not even Kain knows. But he enjoys it, and enjoys the humorous discussions he has with the longtime friend and companion who he has named Valere, (valor).
- Bit of story from the day everything he knew fell to ruin.
Smoke rising from the horizon, the thrill of the kill still fresh on me I don't think clearly, I smile and carry on as our leader, Sir Baldwin, stares towards the some. A look of worry on his face. After a few minutes I too come to realize that that smoke is rising from where our town is. Suddenly, their was a deepening feeling of sickness in me. Fear rose and gnawed at the edges of my mind as we rode swiftly towards the town. We crested a hill and looked down at the most horrifying sight in my life. Our town was under siege. An endless rain of flaming boulders pelted the city, its stone walls slowly beginning to crumble. I saw a house crushed under the weight of a particularly large boulder. I felt like I wanted to vomit. we watched as the Dragoon knights of the town charged forth from the gates hoping beyond hope to reach the giants before they buried the city in stone. It was a slaughter. Their was no glorious charge, no blowing of the horn there was only death. Boulders rained from on high crushing into the knights, over 50 died in the first seconds, with that many more following soon after. Mindlessly we began to ride toward the town. Denial of the greatest kind throwing itself at my mind. This is a dream, its a dream it has to be The last thing I saw before going below the tree line was a boulder smash the main gate down, and the last of my knightly order crushed under flying rocks as scores of orcs poured into the once proud city. It was thirty minutes before we reached the fields of the town, and from there we saw an almost empty battlefield. The entire town, over 1500 people, leveled, Destroyed, ravaged. Blood ran like rivers from under rocks and stone, the scene was one of nightmares, a literal lake of blood coated the ground. Quickly, denial become despair, despair became anger, anger, to hate. We charged into the remaining orcs, about a score of them. We slaughtered them all. The others seemed defeated but not I. All I could feel was empty despair and anguish. I left my fellows, I followed the raiding parties trails for days, My faithful companion and steed, Valor, carrying me the whole way. The Blackness of despair and the Red of anger burning so bright as to drown out my reason. Eventually I caught up with them. I saw the band, over 10 giants, 4 score of orcs. I planned to take them all on. However, fate had a different course for me that day. Valor veered off against my wishes to a forest and even through my rage filled blindness I wouldn't leave him, your horse is your life, that was ingrained in my being by this point. That horse saved my life in more ways than one. Valor Eventually brought me to a strange man. Not a word he spoke, he merely beckoned me to follow. We walked many miles, and as I walked a calmness came over me. Slowly, as I watched the forest around me full of life, I began to come back to myself. Finally, upon reaching a spring of sorts I broke down into sobs. I cried for my family, I cried for my town, I cried for the wrong that had been done, I cried for me. The next few days I spent with this quiet guardian. He showed me how to better understand my friend, Valor, and our connection grew to a greater extent however it was clear I had much to learn. Eventually he directed me to the nearby town. When I entered the town, the past me was dead. Kain had died in his town, in those mountains with the rest of his family. I met with the only 3 survivors of the town, the other knights they told me that the bodies of my sister and brother had never been found, and that our house was one of the few to not have been demolished. I would not trust to hope, but I left the town both seeking my path in life, and to hopefully one day find my siblings. I became a mercenary of sorts, I only accepted jobs I deemed honorable or good, but I had no real reason for carrying them out. I was a half dead man, seeking a meaning to his life. But fate is funny, and here I am, back where I started, having heard a rumor of sorts about living humans in the wilds. Most likely it is a vain hope, but I couldn't not come. Besides, I have unfinished business in this area. One day, I will claim vengeance for the lost souls of my town, but Never again will I let myself fall into that dark abyss of despair, and never again will I let one whom I protect die should my body still work.
Small spiel from Kain in 1st person-
Kain speaks in a rather deep voice, with a slight hint of gravel to it.
Hmph, fine. If you so wish to know my story, I will tell you. I remember back when I first got accepted into the dragoons of my town. The prestigious honor of what was our elite guard. The training had been hard, long hours with spear, mounted and unmounted. Stories and legends of the dragoons of long past kept kids like me going, whether it was of slaying a dragon, or driving back a charging giant with a single charge at the cost of his life. What a naive fool I was. Glory, legend, I wanted it all back then, life was cheap to me then. I had craved for orc raids to come. Well not long after I was accepted, about a little under two years I got my wish. More than I wanted.... He grows quiet, then moves on. Anyway, an extremely organized attack against my town demolished it. Buildings, walls, everything was crushed under a rain of boulders, The only reason I am here now is because we had been out on patrol, hunting a scouting party of orcs. We ran them down. When we got back, it was all but over. I sat on a hill and watched as a rain of death leveled my entire life. Rage overtook me, fueled by grief, A lot happened then, we managed to kill some more orcs, but the pain was still their, no matter how many I killed, the hallow, empty pain burned ever brighter. Until I eventually exhausted myself. I woke several days later in the care of a ranger. He, he helped me, made sure I didn't do anything stupid. He even managed to heal Valere after I had nearly driven the best to exhaustion and death. Something I still remind myself of today.. Anyway, I become a wanderer, a mercenary in a way. I have helped a town more often than once with problems of beast, by blade, or by merely ousting a false rumor.
Kain Arden Brandt
Male human Fighter (Dragoon) 1 or cavalier
Alignment Size Type and Subtype
Init: +X; Senses: Perception: +X
--------------------
Defense:
--------------------
AC:10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 [Breakdown of Armor sources, from armor, dodge bonuses, etc.]
HP:X (# HD; 1dX+[HP from Constitution])
Fort: +X,
Ref: +X,
Will: +X
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee
Lance:
Ranged Weapon +[To Hit] (Damage/Crit Range)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 18, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; CMB +X; CMD X
Feats:
1- Mounted combat, Skill focus(ride),
Traits: Monster hunter,
Languages:
--------------------
Skills:
--------------------
--------------------
Equipment:
--------------------
Okay, here is the character. I am unsure if I will have him go fighter(dragoon) or Cavalier, both have their merits, If I go fighter, I will go down the nature soul/animal ally/boon companion chain most likely. Though I am leaning towards cavalier as its just less hoops to jump trhough in exchange for a little less damage. I hope his background is adequate... I may have gotten a little carried away.
Edit: No prob, decided against it anyway.
Also, would you be open to a homebrewn Order? or, more precisely, a mixture of two orders? They both somewhat fit with his character, but If I could combine them I believe it would be almost perfect.
that, or I may just select the Knight Errant one.
Step 1
1- Kain was a member of a frontier town in the wildlands
2- He was just accepted into an elite unit of Calvary whose job was to run down any orc raiding parties, and rapid maneuvering to keep giants from being able to stone the town.
3- Kain is rough and practical but Kind-hearted to many.
4-One day, not long after he was accepted into the Calvary unit a small raiding party was sighted and drew him, 2 other members, and a senior member off from the main town. They easily rode down the 10 or so orcs on a nearby hill. It was then they saw boulders raining down on the area of the town. They rode fast and hard, but by the time they got to the town half of it was flattened. Kain was 18 at the time
5-Kain is the son of Rydell and Anna,
6-Views on life- Life is precious, spend it well and do not waste it, any life is worth protecting. Hard work, will, and dedication can overcome anything. Glory is for fools, the only true glorious death is a death in which you defend something you love. If something is a threat to his loved ones/friends he won’t hesitate to kill them, if he is labeled bloodthirsty for protecting those he loves he will happily accept their scorn over mourning their death.
7- He doesn’t give himself the title of hero, no matter what he does, he merely would respond with “just doing what I can”
8- Holds an underlying hate for giants, he rarely loses his temper, but when he does it is usually around giants as it brings up painful memories of his home town.
9- Kain is 6’2”, 225lbs, Black hair, Green eyes, with handsome features. He usually keeps a rough 8 O’clock shadow, his hair is long.
10- He has recently taken to working as a mercenary, be it a caravan guard, solider for hire, or even a bounty hunter. He has heard of dire straits in Trunau and comes to offer his services.
11- Knows when to keep his mouth shut, disciplined from training.
12- While he may not be open about it, he forms bonds of friendship quickly with those he deems worthy and just, and would sacrifice himself for those friends, even if he never says so openly.
13- Kain had a brother and a sister, their bodies were never found at the site of the town’s destruction he keeps eyes and ears out for rumors for them, but holds little hope knowing they were most likely taken captive.
Step 2- Goals
1- He seeks to put an end to the chapter of his family and find out what happened to his younger siblings, saving them if need be no matter the cost.
2- Seeks only to make a living protecting people he deems worth of protecting.
3- He has always loved riding, the wind in his hair, one of his dreams is to ride on the back of a Pegasus, not as a mere mount, but as a friend and ally.
4- He wants to find the creature that lead the assault on his town, and slay him once and for all.
Step 3- Secrets
1- He doesn’t know his siblings are alive, however, where they are is something even the gods save the big one can’t say ;)
Step 4
- Kain’s brother, 3 years his younger was physically weak. He had always wanted to be like Kain, to join the Dragoons, but his physical condition was a large hindrance, but what he lacked in physical fitness Kain’s little brother made up for in intellect, It was his brother that showed Kain a new technique for holding a spear so as to be allowed to spin and wield it as a club for enemies that get close. Kain nor his brother were able to master the style and so it was dismissed, but Kain still practices it to this day, determined to master it.
- Kain’s sister was 10 when the giants leveled the entire community she would be 13 now if she is still alive. She had always been helpless, unable to do anything for herself. Perhaps that changed now, perhaps not. It doesn’t matter, Kain would still do everything for her.
-An orc boss that lost most of his warband to a counter-assault by the few remaining dragoons. The orc boss rode a warg and faced off against Kain, Neither landed a lethal blow, but Kain managed to come out ahead, knocking the orc off his steed and down the side of a steep hill. The orc warboss, having been humiliated, and losing his warg and his warband has sense sought revenge on the mounted warrior.
- The Creature that lead the attack that destroyed the frontier town has no real interest in the rider known as Kain, but he will one day. He sees kain, and any dragoon from the town as lesser, and unworthy of his time.
- The Ranger in the wilds indeed, it was at a time when Kain was overcome with anger, hate and grief, when he was found by the ranger. It was this encounter that kept Kain from a path of self-destruction and attempted revenge.
Step 5-
- I remember running the orcs down, our senior member inspiring the rest of us as he slew 5 of the beasts, I managed to claim 2 of the rest, my first orc kills as a dragoon. We laughed and talked of our victory as we made our way back to town. That’s when we saw them. Boulders the size of trolls raining down on the town. It was continual, devastating bombardment. We watched as the Dragoons of the town, with no other options charged out of the gate. We could only sit and watch as the boulders focused onto them. There was no glorious charge, no meaning to their deaths. They simply died like animals, crushed flat under tons of rock. It was then that the orcs made their move, almost all of the defenders dead and crushed under the boulders, the walls crushed and splintered. Over 3 score of orcs poured into the town killing, raping, pillaging. We rode swift as shadows, but by the time we entered the Towns fields only one warband remained. Staying behind to try and salvage any looked over “loot”. I remember feeling the purest of rage, anguish and hatred that day. I spurred my mount onwards in blind hate and would have charged to my death, had the last senior officer of the dragoons not rallied the other 3 and charged off behind me. We broke into the score of orcs, felling several before they could strike back. In the following melee one of our own was felled. That was when I saw him, the leader of the band a horrid orc upon a dire wolf, or warg, in their tongue. Seemingly by divine purpose a path opened between me and him and I looked into his eyes. He smiled, and I hated that smile. We struck at each other several times, but in the end, using the technique my brother taught me, caught the orc off guard. Even though I had far from perfected it the strike was enough to knock him from his mount and send him rolling down the hill. His remaining orcs tried to flee, we ran them down like dogs. I remember laying to rest all the bodies we could find, ones that weren't paste. It was sickening. I also remember finding the broken and battered bodies of my parents, but never finding my siblings. Not knowing their fate haunts me more than anything still...
- Kain is often a quiet man, but when he speaks, he speaks with purpose and meaning. He often prefers to speak with his action, rather than his words and often judges’ man based on their actions alone. For good or ill.
- I remember my family, in the summer when the sun warmed the valley and the mountain I and my brother and sister would often enjoy the day in the fields, after I was old enough to ride a horse I would often take them horseback riding, letting them experience what I loved so much. How I wish for those days back…
-I remember the pride I felt at finally being accepted into the dragoons, I remember the pride of my family, and my brother when I came home, wielding the spear of the dragoons. A spear I still wield to this day, both in honor, and for its remarkable make.
-Kain has developed a habit of speaking to his horse, whether or not the horse understands, or even listens no one, not even Kain knows. But he enjoys it, and enjoys the humorous discussions he has with the longtime friend and companion who he has named Valere, (valor).
- Bit of story from the day everything he knew fell to ruin.
Smoke rising from the horizon, the thrill of the kill still fresh on me I don't think clearly, I smile and carry on as our leader, Sir Baldwin, stares towards the some. A look of worry on his face. After a few minutes I too come to realize that that smoke is rising from where our town is. Suddenly, their was a deepening feeling of sickness in me. Fear rose and gnawed at the edges of my mind as we rode swiftly towards the town. We crested a hill and looked down at the most horrifying sight in my life. Our town was under siege. An endless rain of flaming boulders pelted the city, its stone walls slowly beginning to crumble. I saw a house crushed under the weight of a particularly large boulder. I felt like I wanted to vomit. we watched as the Dragoon knights of the town charged forth from the gates hoping beyond hope to reach the giants before they buried the city in stone. It was a slaughter. Their was no glorious charge, no blowing of the horn there was only death. Boulders rained from on high crushing into the knights, over 50 died in the first seconds, with that many more following soon after. Mindlessly we began to ride toward the town. Denial of the greatest kind throwing itself at my mind. This is a dream, its a dream it has to be The last thing I saw before going below the tree line was a boulder smash the main gate down, and the last of my knightly order crushed under flying rocks as scores of orcs poured into the once proud city. It was thirty minutes before we reached the fields of the town, and from there we saw an almost empty battlefield. The entire town, over 1500 people, leveled, Destroyed, ravaged. Blood ran like rivers from under rocks and stone, the scene was one of nightmares, a literal lake of blood coated the ground. Quickly, denial become despair, despair became anger, anger, to hate. We charged into the remaining orcs, about a score of them. We slaughtered them all. The others seemed defeated but not I. All I could feel was empty despair and anguish. I left my fellows, I followed the raiding parties trails for days, My faithful companion and steed, Valor, carrying me the whole way. The Blackness of despair and the Red of anger burning so bright as to drown out my reason. Eventually I caught up with them. I saw the band, over 10 giants, 4 score of orcs. I planned to take them all on. However, fate had a different course for me that day. Valor veered off against my wishes to a forest and even through my rage filled blindness I wouldn't leave him, your horse is your life, that was ingrained in my being by this point. That horse saved my life in more ways than one. Valor Eventually brought me to a strange man. Not a word he spoke, he merely beckoned me to follow. We walked many miles, and as I walked a calmness came over me. Slowly, as I watched the forest around me full of life, I began to come back to myself. Finally, upon reaching a spring of sorts I broke down into sobs. I cried for my family, I cried for my town, I cried for the wrong that had been done, I cried for me. The next few days I spent with this quiet guardian. He showed me how to better understand my friend, Valor, and our connection grew to a greater extent however it was clear I had much to learn. Eventually he directed me to the nearby town. When I entered the town, the past me was dead. Kain had died in his town, in those mountains with the rest of his family. I met with the only 3 survivors of the town, the other knights they told me that the bodies of my sister and brother had never been found, and that our house was one of the few to not have been demolished. I would not trust to hope, but I left the town both seeking my path in life, and to hopefully one day find my siblings. I became a mercenary of sorts, I only accepted jobs I deemed honorable or good, but I had no real reason for carrying them out. I was a half dead man, seeking a meaning to his life. But fate is funny, and here I am, back where I started, having heard a rumor of sorts about living humans in the wilds. Most likely it is a vain hope, but I couldn't not come. Besides, I have unfinished business in this area. One day, I will claim vengeance for the lost souls of my town, but Never again will I let myself fall into that dark abyss of despair, and never again will I let one whom I protect die should my body still work.
Small spiel from Kain in 1st person-
Kain speaks in a rather deep voice, with a slight hint of gravel to it.
Hmph, fine. If you so wish to know my story, I will tell you. I remember back when I first got accepted into the dragoons of my town. The prestigious honor of what was our elite guard. The training had been hard, long hours with spear, mounted and unmounted. Stories and legends of the dragoons of long past kept kids like me going, whether it was of slaying a dragon, or driving back a charging giant with a single charge at the cost of his life. What a naive fool I was. Glory, legend, I wanted it all back then, life was cheap to me then. I had craved for orc raids to come. Well not long after I was accepted, about a little under two years I got my wish. More than I wanted.... He grows quiet, then moves on. Anyway, an extremely organized attack against my town demolished it. Buildings, walls, everything was crushed under a rain of boulders, The only reason I am here now is because we had been out on patrol, hunting a scouting party of orcs. We ran them down. When we got back, it was all but over. I sat on a hill and watched as a rain of death leveled my entire life. Rage overtook me, fueled by grief, A lot happened then, we managed to kill some more orcs, but the pain was still their, no matter how many I killed, the hallow, empty pain burned ever brighter. Until I eventually exhausted myself. I woke several days later in the care of a ranger. He, he helped me, made sure I didn't do anything stupid. He even managed to heal Valere after I had nearly driven the best to exhaustion and death. Something I still remind myself of today.. Anyway, I become a wanderer, a mercenary in a way. I have helped a town more often than once with problems of beast, by blade, or by merely ousting a false rumor.
Kain Arden Brandt
Male half-elf? cavalier Gendarme (1)
Alternate Racial Traits: Dual minded
NG, Medium, humanoid
Init: +2; Senses: Low-Light Perception: +8
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Defense:
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AC:20/18, touch 12, flat-footed 18/16 [+6armor +2 dex, +2shield]
HP:12 (1d10+2)
Fort: +4,
Ref: +1,
Will: +4
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee
Lance: +6 (+1 vs medium or smaller creatures when mounted for higher ground)
Damage: 1d8+8
-Mounted damage: 2d8+16
Falchion: +6
-Damage: 2d4+8
Morning star: +6
-Damage: 1d8+5
Ranged
Lonwbow: +2
-damage: 1d8
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Statistics
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Str 20, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; CMB +6; CMD 18
Feats:
1- Mounted combat, Ride-by-Attack,
Traits: Monster hunter, Seeker, ???
Drawback: Overprotective
Languages: Common, elven, orcish, goblin
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Skills: 5/level +1
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Perception: 1
Diplomacy: 1
Ride: 1
Sense Motive: 1
Athletics: 1
Survival: 1
BG skills:
Know. Local: 1
Profession: Soldier/mercenary: 1
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Equipment:
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Arms and Armor: Lance, Falchion, Longbow, Breastplate, Heavy steel shield, Morning Star
Misc gear: Backpack, belt pouch, waterskin(x2), 150ft rope, Grappling hook, flint and steel, rations (14), bedroll, Heavy combat Saddle,
Order:
Knight Errant
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Valere, Kains Valiant Steed
Horse, Charger archetype animal companion
Init +X; Senses Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17(3 armor, 1dex, 4Natural armor)
hp X (2d8+2)
Fort +5
Ref +4
Will +1
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee
Bite: +4
Damage: 1d4+4
Hooves: +0
Damage: 1d6+3
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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 06
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 20
Feats:
1- Sure footed, light armor proficiency
Languages Horse
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Skills:
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Athletics: 1
Perception: 1
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Gear
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Studded Armor, Heavy combat saddle, bit, eye cover, Saddle bags,
Okay, here is the character. I decided on cavalier, It just fits better, despite the name I gave the towns mounted guard in the background. He will likely refer to himself as "a Dragoon, or Ex-Dragoon" in game.
lemme know your thoughts.
I'll be taking feats such as narrow frame, sure-footed, and valiant steed for Valere, I believe sure-footed is the best to take for his background.
I unfortunately, just missed the edit window, sorry for the double post.
@ Thelizardwizard
Just some adwise for you on the Gendarme archetype, I play it in pfs so some of these things you might be able to work around with Wasted.
1. The bonus feats you get does require you to meet pre requirements so you might end at a spot where you can't take any if you don't invest in dodge and mobility.
2. You loose the 6th, 12th and 18th normal bonus feats but once you have all you can pick pretty much what ever combat feat you like, you just have to empty the list first.
3. Remember armor for large mounts cost 4x normal and you seem to have more equipment than you can buy for 300 GP
I always forget the mount armor increase, I keep thinking its 1.5x the cost, I'll have to downgrade his armor a bit then.
I plan to pick up most of his mounted combat feats via gendarme, leaving the others open for other options, however, I did do some looking and foound a JJ quote-
Question: Many classes/archetypes have class features that grant bonus feats. Some say you need to have prerequisites to gain the feat, some say you can ignore any prerequisites for a chosen feat, some just say you gain the feat with no mention of the prerequisites.
Which is the default rule on meeting the prerequisites for any feats gained when there is no specific language in the class feature's description instructing to do otherwise?
Answer: If a class grants you a feat as a bonus feat, you never need the prerequisites unless it says specifically that you do.
I've created a Human Oracle with the Life Mystery and able to channel positive energy. A character strong in healing. Will try to get the background and stuff finished if not this Friday then this weekend.
That answer is usually how I rule things; if you get a feat, you get a feat unless it calls out specifically needing the prereqs.
I'm usually not a fan of mixing stuff like class features, to be blunt. There are very few ways that that doesn't skew the metric of balance. But if you have an idea, feel free to float it and I'll let you know what I think.
Cavaliers do sometimes have problems, having Large mounts that have to charge. I can't promise that won't be an issue if you invest heavily in mounted stuff; there will be times in this AP that your mobility will be hampered. Just so you know.
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Also if anyone is curious; 10 minute backgrounds.
I have this character. Though, if accepted I will need to rebuild the ab scores and switch out the learned sorcery archetype (probably to sage), but since all bloodline abilities are simply removed for the learned archetype, that should be rather easy.
I know, Narrow frame helps with that (removing the penalties for squeezing) but I will plan for back up options in tighter spaced places where riding the steed wouldn't be effective, or possibly even feasible (such as fighting /with/ his mount instead of upon it). Its more about fitting the character I came up with, and I've always had a thing for Calvary so it was kinda the first thing I thought about, not taking into account whether the AP was best suited for that, but in hindsight there are plenty of options to help work around that. I may end up not going Gendarme if chosen, I probably will stick to it though.
I may still float you the idea, but for now Assume I chose the knight errant/ronin order.
one other thing, would you mind the mild re-flavoring of the lance into a more spear like weapon? just a re-skin with no mechanical changes.
Most cavaliers can work perfectly off thier mounts with just power attack and sword/shield, thats what I do when I can't charge and on a mount you still have high ground :p
If you like a good archetype to handle both on and off mount the emissary is rather nice giving full move speed in medium armor and granting some decent bonus feats in place of tactitian.
yeah, and with my above average rolls, it should be fine either way. I'll look into the emissary and see if the flavor fits. thanks for the suggestion.
In my RL game I run a halfling cavalier that's an absolute monster. Ubercharger on a boar :D
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I play a aasimar gendarme on a celestial axe beak in PFS.
Loads of fun when you challenge charge and the bird smite at the same time :D
So I am submitting Mitros for this campaign. I've never played Rise of the Runelords but given the setting and your stated lack of divine casters I figured that a Druid could be a fun addition. I've done the crunch and 10 Minute Background but I also intend to add on a more general background of a few paragraphs later. Still I wanted to get this up before I passed out so here we go:
1. A member of the Hawk Clan of the Shoanti, he is fiercely protective of the natural world that he has lived in his whole life. Those who upset the natural order of the world are an enemy of Mitros.
2. Although wise in many ways he was a frail and weak child. He is somewhat ashamed of this and it pushes him to do all he can to better himself and deepen his connection to the natural magic of the world.
3. Ria is a female Storm Roc that he saved from a Fire Pelt attack when it had just hatched. The mother had abandoned it in the nest because it was smaller and couldn't fly. He could relate to Ria and after years he loves Ria like family.
4. Mitros left his Clan behind to travel and expand his point of view. Although he loves his clan he sees their warlike ways as shortsighted and he worries about becoming too set in his ways and thoughts like they have become.
5. Mitros has a special affection for wildlife and has spent most of his life ensuring that various animal species were not over-hunted, both by his Clan and by other hunters traveling through Varisia.
6. He longs to find out exactly what happened to his father during the fight between his Clan and a rival wandering Clan. He believes his father to be dead but the body was never recovered.
Two Goals
1. I want him to meet and learn from some of the other Druids in their various enclaves across Varisia. He has heard of them in passing but his Clan has previously never encountered any and it fits the theme of him wanting to broaden his understanding of the world.
2. Eventually I intended to have him Awaken some animals, possibly including his animal companion depending on how it would be ruled that interacts with the class feature/allowing leadership/etc. So it would be cool to give him the chance to interact with some Awakened Animals and help them essentially learn to protect and fend for themselves.
Two Secrets
1st Secret [Known]: Mitros left his Clan because he was scared of dying in some futile Clan war like he believes his father did and wishes to see more of the natural world he loves so much while he can.
2nd Secret [Unknown]: Although his Mitros and the rest of his Clan believe Mitros' father to have died in a fight with another Clan, his father is actually alive. He was a respected fighter but ran from the battle and stayed away from the Clan for fear of being see as a coward.
Personal Ties
Norra: Norra is Mitros' mother, she is something akin to a medicine woman and taught Mitros a little bit about natural alchemical remedies. She encouraged him to leave the Clan and follow his heart into the rest of the world. She also would likely be the only member of the Clan to suspect, if not outright know, the real fate of Mitros' father.
Finnick Hall: Finnick is a traveling bard that Mitros ran into on the road shortly after leaving his Clan. Initially he was hesitant to travel with someone else, especially outside of his Clan but Finnick quickly warmed him up. He served as a nature guide to Finnick and in return he was told stories of all the places Finnick had traveled to in his time as a wanderer. Its been almost a decade since they first met but Mitros and Finnick still try to keep in touch, seeking each other out when Finnick is in Varisia.
Braum Issac: A big game hunter who stalks prey for the glory of the kill, not out of any need to provide food for himself or his family. The practice disgusts Mitros but Braum's skill as a ranger is something that Mitros respects, he just mourns how Braum chooses to utilize that skill.
Memories
1. One of his earliest memories is from what Mitros was very young. He was a weak and frail child, his mother was a healer and fretted over him constantly. But one day when she was helping one of the Clan's families through a difficult labor Mitros' father took him out and let him ride one of the Clan's horses. If given a choice his mother never would have allowed it, she'd have worried about him getting hurt. But his father was careful with him and getting to ride the horse all by himself was one of a young Mitros' proudest memories. It was also the start of his love for animals of all kinds.
2. Mitros will never forget sheltering under a small rocky outcropping, bleeding and exhausted, after hauling a fledgling Ria away from the enraged Fire Pelt. The feeling of contentment he felt seemed to radiate out and be reflected back to him by Ria. It was the start of their bond, one that had deepened every day since, but feeling that deep connection between their souls harmonize for the first time is a comforting memory to recall.
3. Rarely does Mitros have outright violent thoughts. Even more rarely does he wish to cause harm to a living thing, unless the sacrifice of one life could benefit many. But the anger and sadness he felt after hearing his father had been killed in battle drove him towards an irrational hatred he had not felt ever before, nor has he felt it since. He swore he could find the rival Clansman who killed his father and he would get his revenge. Although his feelings have cooled over the years, he still wishes to find out what happened that day.
Male human (Shoanti) druid 1
N Medium humanoid (human)
Hero Points 1
Init +4; Senses Perception +8
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Defense
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AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 10 (1d8+2)
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +6
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee quarterstaff +0 (1d6)
Druid Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +5)
. . 1st—magic fang, shillelagh (DC 15)
. . 0 (at will)—create water, detect magic, light
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 12
Feats Augment Summoning, Spell Focus (conjuration)
Traits gifted adept, totem spirit - shriikirri-quah (hawk clan)
Skills Acrobatics -1 (-5 to jump), Craft (alchemy) +4, Handle Animal +4, Heal +8, Knowledge (nature) +6, Perception +8, Ride +5, Survival +10 (+12 to get along in the wild, endure severe weather, avoid getting lost, spot natural hazards, and predict weather)
Languages Common, Druidic, Shoanti
SQ nature bond (roc named ria), nature sense, wild empathy +1
Other Gear hide armor, buckler, quarterstaff, backpack, basic maps (major landmarks only), belt pouch, blanket[APG], feed (per day) (5), flint and steel, flint and steel, holly and mistletoe, knife, utility (0.5 lb), mess kit[UE], pot, soap, spell component pouch, torch (10), trail rations (5), waterskin, 36 gp
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Special Abilities
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Animal Companion Link (Ex) Handle or push Animal Companion faster, +4 to checks vs. them.
Augment Summoning Summoned creatures have +4 to Strength and Constitution.
Nature Sense (Ex) A druid gains a +2 bonus on Knowledge (nature) and Survival checks.
Share Spells with Companion (Ex) Can cast spells with a target of "you" on animal companion, as touch spells.
Spell Focus (Conjuration) Spells from one school of magic have +1 to their save DC.
Wild Empathy +1 (Ex) Improve the attitude of an animal, as if using Diplomacy.
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Yowzer, that 10 Minute Background is brutal - I hope I'm up for the challenge!
Thanks for accepting the Hunter, I'll work on my background and try to make it something worthy of the character.
In the meantime, here are some rolls to tempt me away from a 20pt build...
- - -
Looks pretty sweet - I'll take it!
well I know that seems good, but i'd rather raise that 9 and 8 instead of two 18's so I will go with 20 point buy.
anyway I will put up this character (long shot anyway) but will try
the 10 minute background is hard lol. Working on it.