Hey guys,
I just wanted to see if there is a market for this type of game.
I’m looking to run an evil(ish) game where the idea is that before the end of the adventure, you’ll have become Runelords yourselves, hopefully succeeding where your predecessors have failed. Your characters won’t have to start out evil. In fact, it’s probably better if at least some of the players don’t, but you will all end up going that route.
Mechanically, I plan to use a reskinning of the Shattered Star AP. There will be some significant differences, mainly that there will be a little more openness and opportunity to shape the world as you see fit. In won’t be incredibly sandboxy, mind you, but there will be more opportunity to insert your own agendas and storylines than is typical for an adventure path.
So what say you? Does this sound like something you want to play for the next couple years?
That sounds great, but it beckons the question: what causes the players to co-operate and not stab one another in the back mid-way the campaign?
A simple 'ha, I'm the DM, I got this' suffices I suppose, but the notion of player vs player action isn't something I like ;)
Sounds interesting. If it's not all-wizard, I feel like an antipaladin or bloodrager Runelord of Wrath could be a lot of fun.
That sounds great, but it beckons the question: what causes the players to co-operate and not stab one another in the back mid-way the campaign?
A simple 'ha, I'm the DM, I got this' suffices I suppose, but the notion of player vs player action isn't something I like ;)
Yeah I am NOT a fan of pvp either. What's important in an adventure like this is the character creation process. Common goals. Evil people work together all the time in real life. Conceivably, the PCs could war against each other once the adventure has been completed for ultimate power and all that, but that would be off-screen post-adventure stuff we'd never get to.
This type of thing works better if the PCs are well connected to each other too, which I'm always a fan of anyway, but is probably more critical in this kind of thing. So once everyone is selected, character tie-ins are the next phase before the adventure has to begin, and they can't be just, "Oh, we went to magic school together."
But yes, pvp will not be tolerated, evil adventure or no.
Sounds great! And working together during character creation is a great way to ensure a solid game.
The Runelords were all wizards, specializing in each of the various Sin magics. Would this be an all-Wizard party, one for each Sin magic school?
I wasn't necessarily thinking that to be mandatory. I could see both group dynamics being viable (meaning all wizard or no). Though, what would probably make the most sense both thematically and party dynamic-wise would be a sort of middle ground, where the party is made of some arcane based class, so yes a bloodrager of greed/magus of wrath/bard of lust/etc. would all be options. Though with this many in the party Summoners should probably be a no-go, just with already so much in the field of play.
Sounds really interesting. What were you thinking for character creation guidelines? This'll give me something to brainstorm today during work.
Sounds really interesting. What were you thinking for character creation guidelines? This'll give me something to brainstorm today during work.
I have my guidelines in place already, but honestly I'm not as interested in posting them because as soon as I do, I'll get a flood of, "Here's ____, for submission." And that's not really the purpose of this thread yet. This is more to see if there's plenty of interest, and with lots of other eyes on it, point out flaws I may not have yet considered.
That being said, I tend to run pretty standard rules with any 3PP being only a very rare exception. Hope that explanation helps.
so yes a bloodrager of greed/magus of wrath/bard of lust/etc. would all be options.
mother of god I love these ideas.
Sounds really interesting. What were you thinking for character creation guidelines? This'll give me something to brainstorm today during work.I have my guidelines in place already, but honestly I'm not as interested in posting them because as soon as I do, I'll get a flood of, "Here's ____, for submission." And that's not really the purpose of this thread yet. This is more to see if there's plenty of interest, and with lots of other eyes on it, point out flaws I may not have yet considered.
That being said, I tend to run pretty standard rules with any 3PP being only a very rare exception. Hope that explanation helps.
Totally understandable, and that helps a lot-you never know what weird rules people might have. I'm definitely interested in this. Now to figure out what sin a witch would best encapsulate...either envy or lust, I would say.
One problem I am already noticing is the recruitment process itself. I may have to ask that PC submissions make something that could have possibly more than one potential sin focus, or grow into their choice. Because if I get three submissions I like, but they're all geared toward Wrath, and then the only submission for Envy is one I'm kinda weak on, that's going to feel bad. Hmmm...I'll have to give that portion some thought.
One problem I am already noticing is the recruitment process itself. I may have to ask that PC submissions make something that could have possibly more than one potential sin focus, or grow into their choice. Because if I get three submissions I like, but they're all geared toward Wrath, and then the only submission for Envy is one I'm kinda weak on, that's going to feel bad. Hmmm...I'll have to give that portion some thought.
Yeah, that's though for sure... I think what I would do, were I doing this, is have people who submit not post any crunch at all. Even with the usage of something like Hero Lab, creating and reading through potentially 3+ entries per person can get real heavy.
And at the same time, I don't think "Build your character for potentially 3 different sins" is going to yield interesting results. Not only because the crunch would change drastically but because it takes the teeth out of the character personality when you can just Find+Replace sins.
What I'd probably do instead is say something like: "Let me know the class / archetypes you intend to use, and give me a few paragraphs about what sin you're going for and your character personality."
That way it's easier to read through, it keeps the focus on the character itself, and it's easy for people to submit a couple. Since we're (presumably) starting at level 1 and the game may involve some strong shifts in character personality, I don't necessarily think a lengthy backstory is as important as nailing the personality right off. Especially with, you know, an at least partially evil group and trying to weed out the "Chaotic Neutral / Chaotic Evil" murderhobo types.
Just my $0.02 on it. I'll be excited to read the recruitment thread in any case.
Hmm. So Shattered Star modified, not Rise of the Runelords, and heading towards Runelords yourselves. Very interesting.
Very interested. I like this idea. No idea what I'd submit, but I'd submit something.
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Interesting idea. I would be interested in submitting any of the following:
1. A Necromancer (gluttony) who grew up in Cheliax living a life of excess in the capital. He will have already experienced the heights in hedonism and is looking to explore the darker arts for a greater "thrill".
2. An Enchanter (lust) temptress who grew up in a sheltered home in the Andoran Kingdom. She breaks away from her parents who are Clerics of Iomadae to live a more care free life elsewhere.
3. An Illusionist (pride) [with a dip into a martial or perhaps rogue class] who grew up as the best at everything he/she did until he/she encountered someone better at what he/she did than he/she was. Pride led to move away from the current home and become the best, no matter what the cost. Homeland I'll have to consider more on this one.
I'd be happy to submit a concept with someone else here.
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Heheh, glad to see games with evil, all because I started my thread!
I want to apply a devote to Lamashtu, possibly an oracle to have a Curse that reflects the mother of monster's, tendency to deform her followers, unfortunately I do have knowledge of the first book and I am aware that the mother of monsters plays a role (a rather big one) so I'm afraid to do this on account of angering the demon lord.
I will likely go for either the Wrath or lust positions.
I could also take the hunger Curse and go for gluttony, after all one of Lamashtu's subdomain is canabalism.
Although I may also do Inquisitor
But for sure I'm planning on going Demonic obedience later on.
Storyteller, what if she had a step brother or sister? I'll be happy to work on something with you (option 2)
Storyteller, what if she had a step brother or sister? I'll be happy to work on something with you (option 2)
Sure!
Settled. And it gives us reason to work together and not kill each other. but as siblings, we can do horrible things to each other, and if some else does it...
Noone gets to do (x) to her/him but me!
Definite interest. I kinda want to play a diabolist, not sure what runelord that would fit if any, but i find the idea fun.
I'd love to play a fake-folksy rabble-rouser with a dubious moral code. Could fit with most sins ...
Dot. Great roleplaying potential!
Storyteller, what if she had a step brother or sister? I'll be happy to work on something with you (option 2)Sure!
Im thinking one of the following, obviously depending on what we come up with:
Envy, Greed or Wrath. Though Greed gives me one of your prohibited schools, so we can help each other out there. But any one of those 3 could work.
Greed fuels our behaviour. He/She could be overprotective over his/her younger sister. Or the character could envy what the older sister has
Storyteller, what if she had a step brother or sister? I'll be happy to work on something with you (option 2)Sure!Im thinking one of the following, obviously depending on what we come up with:
Envy, Greed or Wrath. Though Greed gives me one of your prohibited schools, so we can help each other out there. But any one of those 3 could work.
Greed fuels our behaviour. He/She could be overprotective over his/her younger sister. Or the character could envy what the older sister has
If we go option 2 I'd be Lust. If you want to get REAL creepy it could have a Jamie/Cersei vibe except this version of Cersei isn't down and your Envy would be for her Paramours who would meet sudden violent ends... :-)
I'm suddenly seeing Richard (LFG)
GM Tempest, are you gonna pick 7 pepole for this, one for each sin? also, what is your opinion on spheres of power?
I would definitely be interested. I would probably go for pride or sloth, as those are both fun paths to explore.
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Glad to be the only one here interested in wrath
I'm hesitant about race, however, thinking something not that obviously evil, like Aasimar.
Or perhaps a skinwalker, I am also thinking ranger of Lamashtu... Don't know exactly...
Although I'd rather be able to become a Demonic, so that I can benefit fully from Demonic obedience. And Lamashtu fits the Wrath sin so well! Also lust, but not so much, after all she births horrible monsters...
Hmm, I think im gonna go for a diabolist, going for sloth, summoning minions to do my bidding. I think it would be a good idea for most pepole in the party to have a relation to another member, so we have reason not to all kill each other.
Hmm, I think im gonna go for a diabolist, going for sloth, summoning minions to do my bidding. I think it would be a good idea for most pepole in the party to have a relation to another member, so we have reason not to all kill each other.
Tangent if not completely tied together backgrounds. Makes sense.
I plan on doing something similar when I run my table top Evil Campaign starting next year.
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Glad to be the only one here interested in wrath
I'm hesitant about race, however, thinking something not that obviously evil, like Aasimar.
Or perhaps a skinwalker, I am also thinking ranger of Lamashtu... Don't know exactly...
Although I'd rather be able to become a Demonic, so that I can benefit fully from Demonic obedience. And Lamashtu fits the Wrath sin so well! Also lust, but not so much, after all she births horrible monsters...
Hey now, I'd be interested in Wrath. Thinking Draconic Bloodrager-->Dragon Disciple, devoted to Dahak of course. Or else Antipaladin. Haven't given much thought to race.
Sloth might be an interesting backup plan, though.
GM Tempest, are you gonna pick 7 pepole for this, one for each sin? also, what is your opinion on spheres of power?
That will be the general plan, though I'm not married to always having 7 people in the party, if someone had to leave or something.
As for spheres of power, I have never used them but I don't think that I will introduce them with this game. Sorry.
Also, would you rule that the hellish soul ability of the diabolist would make you immune to the damming effects of damnation feats?
I'm interested as well. I can think of many fun concepts. your right however on the submissions. however I think that as long as you keep a list showing submissions you could put a limit on each. not more than 3-4 per sin, and after you get it "first come first serve.". there are some people that would probably change their concept anyways to fit one sin with less interrst than others.
I would go Gingerbread witch of gluttony.
or telekinetic of sloth.
Also, would you rule that the hellish soul ability of the diabolist would make you immune to the damming effects of damnation feats?
I'd have to take a look but this question is really for a the next thread not this one.
Sounds interesting.
I ran a Runelord inspired Kingmaker game. I had people build for particular virtues. I think that works. You might want to let people do more than one.
I caution the all caster party with seven characters. I did it, and I found that as levels climbed the party power level climbed REALLY fast. You'll need to seriously bump the adventure or, if you run it straight, keep level lower than advised.
I've had a concept for an undead lord priest, with a skeleton companion that is his brother... I'll roll it up and get it ready.
I caution the all caster party with seven characters. I did it, and I found that as levels climbed the party power level climbed REALLY fast. You'll need to seriously bump the adventure or, if you run it straight, keep level lower than advised.
Duly noted. I have been planning on bumping the level of competition. That said, it is something I definitely need to keep an eye on.
Interested; I'll keep an eye open for official recruitment thread/guidelines.
Interested. Dibs on a Pirate Queen of Greed/Lust!
I'm IN.
Power Level of an all-caster party at higher levels would be rough. I hadn't even thought of that. If they survived past the low-levels, they might be unstoppable.
In order to keep the power level in check, you might want to set a limit on the races that can be played. While all of the Runelords were human, I don't know that sticking to that makes for an interesting campaign. Limiting it to Core only, or races with 15 or fewer RP, might help keep things in check a bit.
Is there an aspect of running this that particularly concerns you?
I usually like to have a real good reason as to why the the PCs aren't Core anyways. And even with that, the crazy options tend to be vetoes, and RP races limited. Not so worried about that aspect.
I don't feel like I have to have 7, or that this theme wouldn't be well enough developed without a few of them. There are also some healing options still with the Hedge Witch and Chirurgeon, but the absense of a full 9th level divine caster may help with throwing challenges at the PCs, if I make it that every PC has to at least have some levels of arcane something (of which I'm very inclined to do at the moment), if not more restricting to a full commitment to something arcane of some sort.
As far as concerns, not too many yet, other than what's been discussed already. I'm still not even sure if this will work well, but I really have been wanting to give it a try for sometime. Worth a shot, right?
Hey, I mean clearly the solution to an all-arcane party is to ensure there's at least one Razmiran Priest Sorcerer in the bunch, amiright?
I say it is. It definitely sounds interesting, and has all the potential to be a memorable and exciting game. I'd go for it.
Agreed.
I'll probably be posting the Recruitment thread Mon/Tues once I've figured what I want to look for criteria and how exactly I want to recruit for the game.
One thing I know is I'm only going to do one table.