Hello everyone,
I am a new forum member and I've noticed that recruitment posts for games here can get very competitive. Combined with the fact that there aren't currently any that really pique my interest, I've been thinking of starting a game myself. My concept is slightly unusual, so as I understand it is customary to do an "Interest Check" first.
The game would center around the Hellknights of Fort Inevitable in the northeastern corner of the River Kingdoms. The players would begin at 3rd level as Hellknight Armigers, doing Hellknighty stuff and getting to travel the various kingdoms. Another benefit of the setting is that Fort Inevitable actually houses three Hellknight Orders (Pike, Nail, Gate) which would allow for a little more variety in characters. I'd also like to try out the Automatic Bonus Progression rules, which would fit nicely since Hellknights would probably have to turn much of their wealth over to their Order anyway. I'd probably pull some material from 3rd-party adventures that I like as well.
Any takers?
That sounds like a well thought out concept. Do you have an idea of what kind of creations rules you would use?
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While doing a little research I discovered a game that another forum member started some months ago called Order of the Gate. The GM actually ran every applicant through combat with a bearded devil as part of the recruitment. Not everyone survived. In my game, the players would undergo this test during the game so they'd need to be at least equally powerful. Hence, I'd probably use similar character creation rules as above (except starting at level 3 and with ABP).
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This looks decidedly interesting. I like the idea a lot. Except dying to a bearded devil before starting. :(
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Paladins (and other LG characters) would absolutely be welcome but should nevertheless be prepared to possibly work with LE characters. Of course, a paladin joining the Order of the Gate in this game still probably wouldn't make much sense with the other two Orders available.
Starting equipment would be much less than that, what with the lower level. Not sure exactly.
Also to clarify: no one needs to worry about killing a bearded devil before starting the game. Players would be allowed to take the test whenever they felt ready.
I'm very interested. This seems like it could be a lot of fun.
I'm interested in this for sure!
It is certainly an interesting idea at the very least : )
Interesting.
I'd suggest 1,500gp as that is half the expected character wealth for a Level 3 character and the automatic bonus progression suggests half treasure.
We're not far from Thornkeep or the Emerald Spire? Will we be pacifying these areas?
For Hell Knight games I always get nervous about doing the test with full casters. Cleric of Abadar in the Order of the Nail, Wizard or Fighter (Arminger Archetype) are all big options for me.
I recall that recruitment. It was a great intro into the game. I remember everyone one was allowed to have up to two characters take the trial. My wizard got utterly blown away with a critical hit. My inquisitor utterly shut down the bearded devil by upping his armor class and then shackling the devil's hands behind it's back. He gave the devil no choice but to surrender.
The trial is a great idea! Obviously, Paladins would fare quite well... And as Kevin wrote, full casters will find it difficult to survive... In any case, I'll be looking for your recruitment thread!
Sounds interesting.
I've rarely played lawful characters ...this would be a fun stretch. Like a hardcore racist Nail order ...or a creepy Gate ...so many possibilities ...
Interesting.
I'd suggest 1,500gp as that is half the expected character wealth for a Level 3 character and the automatic bonus progression suggests half treasure.
We're not far from Thornkeep or the Emerald Spire? Will we be pacifying these areas?
For Hell Knight games I always get nervous about doing the test with full casters. Cleric of Abadar in the Order of the Nail, Wizard or Fighter (Arminger Archetype) are all big options for me.
Wealth would be somewhere in that range, possibly with some free items courtesy of the Hellknights.
Thornkeep might have some potential, but I'd rather stay away from Emerald Spire otherwise the game could just end up as "Emerald Spire with Hellknights." I guess a short delve might be reasonable. As written in the Fort Inevitable info, there's actually some conflict between the various orders with regards to stabilizing these areas or not.
I rather like the spell "Shackle", so I'm considering an Arcanist that specializes in conjuration (creation) spells. Many of which would be focused around restraining enemies as opposed to simply putting an end them them. Let them face the court and be interrogated for information on other non-lawful scum.
I'm currently considering a Diabolist from the Order of the Gate, focusing on calling and binding devils. I think that could be quite fun.
Any takers?
Absolutely, yes. I missed the recruitment for the Order of the Gate by two days and ended up reading along with it for about two weeks before my free time ended up getting cut down, so I would love to get in on this.
I'd be interested.
I would definitely be interested! Hellknights are best knights, that's what I always say. Seems like a really interesting campaign.
Looks like we have a very solid show of interest so far!
As an idea...
Free gestalt with hellknight prestige class if you are full BaB.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/hellknight /
If you aren’t full BaB free gestalt with hellknight enforcer
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/hellknight -signifer/
For the former, getting full BaB nets you no benefit.
For the latter, you don’t get any extra spell casting power.
But for both martials and casters, you get hellknight abilities to go along with your base class.
Plus...if everyone is going to be a hellknight, why not have all the flavor attached?
That's definitely a tempting idea. However, for the 3/4 BAB classes without spellcasting, Hellknights Signifier isn't quite as useful and doesn't work thematically either. Hmmm.
Could give players the choice of either. No BaB or spell casting increase. Both prestige classes give 2 skill points per level so no increases there. Heck...the hellknight one gives no extra weapon or armor prof. So becomes purely hellknight flavor.
This sounds great. I'll definitely put something together for this. We don't get much opportunity to play evil, so a lawful evil character would be fun!
Would that end up as a gestalt-style free prestige? That way, if it helps them then cool, but if straight prestiging would hurt them then they get the flavor without the penalties for a prestige that would actually hurt their class.
Also, since there's obviously a lot of interest, should we consider this a full recruitment and start on characters or no?
I like the concept alot. Interested.
Would that end up as a gestalt-style free prestige? That way, if it helps them then cool, but if straight prestiging would hurt them then they get the flavor without the penalties for a prestige that would actually hurt their class.
I'm not sure I follow what you're saying here, what do you mean by "hurt their class?"
As for making characters, I'm definitely interested in turning this into a full game but as you can see many details are still in the planning stage. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt if you want to start brainstorming ideas but I will create a separate recruitment thread when everything is ready on my end.
Would that end up as a gestalt-style free prestige? That way, if it helps them then cool, but if straight prestiging would hurt them then they get the flavor without the penalties for a prestige that would actually hurt their class.I'm not sure I follow what you're saying here, what do you mean by "hurt their class?"
The Hellknight PrCs aren't necessarily good fits for some classes, so if you end up going with the "free" prestige, I don't want that to end up wrecking a character beyond feasibility.
How does it wreck anything? It literally adds free abilities. It takes nothing from the main class...hence gestalt. Confused on what your issue is.
That was my question.
Would that end up as a gestalt-style free prestige?
Instead of like allowing the prestige without pre-reqs.
...
And reading back I see that you literally say "free gestalt" in your post. Somehow I just completely skipped over the word gestalt in your post. So... I'm just dumb.
Also interested! I'm playing a Hellknight aspirant in another game here on the boards, and I freakin love the character.
Couple of things:
1) On the topic of full casters vs the bearded devil, you can buff all you want before the fight. This includes other party members. Ie, a bard, cleric, etc casting on you.
2) My other Hellknight is a unique combo of Inquisitor/Investigator(Multiclass not gestalt), who will eventually become an actual Hellknight proper(Ie, levels in the PrC).
I would like to play something different for this game, either a caster into Signifer, or possibly a rogue-ish character, who would possibly not desire either PrC.
Would such a concept(the not wanting to take levels in the PrC) be feasible for this game?
Hmm... Tentatively interested. I assume we are talking long-term campaign (apologies if it is answered in the opening post)?
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This will be a long term campaign. As of now I've planned out the general path up to level five and as I understand that in itself can take quite a while in PbP.
Also interested! I'm playing a Hellknight aspirant in another game here on the boards, and I freakin love the character.
Couple of things:
1) On the topic of full casters vs the bearded devil, you can buff all you want before the fight. This includes other party members. Ie, a bard, cleric, etc casting on you.
2) My other Hellknight is a unique combo of Inquisitor/Investigator(Multiclass not gestalt), who will eventually become an actual Hellknight proper(Ie, levels in the PrC).
I would like to play something different for this game, either a caster into Signifer, or possibly a rogue-ish character, who would possibly not desire either PrC.
Would such a concept(the not wanting to take levels in the PrC) be feasible for this game?
1. The only point to note here is the 1 hour ceremony before the devil is summoned. If the buff doesn't last longer than that it needs to be cast during the fight (and can't come from an ally).
2. I am considering creating a third option.
Yeah what he said. Because in just found this and would totally be up for it!
It would be awesome if it did indeed : )
I've been wracking my brain to find a character for this. I'm almost there, without being just a parody.
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Still here. I was planning on waiting until after the holidays to start recruiting since I figured most people will be busy, myself included.
Can you post the build requirements? Give us something to think about
Subject to change:
-Starting level 3
-25 point buy
-Max HP
-2 traits or 3 with a drawback
-Background skills
-Automatic Bonus Progression
-Available alignments: LG, LN, LE
-1,500 starting gp
-Once you meet the requirements, you will receive the class features (but no other benefits) of one of the following classes: Hellknight, Hellknight Signifier (Logical Spell may be used to qualify), Hellknight Examiner (does not receive sneak attack, must be Lawful, must pass the Hellknight test)
-Feat tax rules, plus one free bonus feat for all characters
I love it! Automatic Bonus Progression makes leveling up easy and fair. Background Skills make for more fleshed our characters. And of course the prestige class bonus features will make for great Hellknight submissions.
Pretty sure I’ll end up going with a tiefling Enlightened Steelblood Bloodrager With abyssal bloodline and Hellknight features. Because damn that feels like a Hellknight to me. But there is plenty of time to think of something. :)
Do characters need to be part of a specific order? Also, any limitation on classes or races?
The Orders available are the Pike, Nail, and Gate. I'll have more information on them and their local commanding officers in the actual recruitment thread.
I'm fine with all classes (but no third party). All of the reasonably powered races are okay, but anything crazy or out of place had better have a great backstory.
Oh sweet!
And since others have given hints already - I was also initially thinking of making some sort of conjuration focused mage. It isn't every day you get the chance to (eventually) call the legions of hell to do your bidding!
Now I'm looking more and more towards an Eldritch knight (well eventually on this one too :P). I love tinkering with that class and, with strong incentive to grab Arcane Armour training, this might be the right campaign for it : )
Oh well plenty of time until anything needs to be done. Happy holidays and so on and hopefully we'll all see eachother in January at the latest : )
Or here in just a few posts ... :P