Okay, so basic idea is this. Flat Earthers are right.The earth is a disc, but there's another side to that coin. On that side magic is real and much stronger than on our side of the coin. Consider us very very low fantasy while the other side is standard fantasy. The US military, nasa, etc are all part of the conspiracy to keep us from being idiots and going to stir up a war with a bunch of dragons, dwarves, etc.
You are a small specially trained unit, getting ready to leave through the main passage to the other side, a hole at the bottom of Cheyenne Mountain Complex. You're job is to blend in with the locals and scout around. You of course become adventurers. You've trained in magic via spellbooks brought back by previous expeditions, you've trained in the art of melee with axes, shields etc, but there are limitations in the classes that are pickable for reasons that should be obvious. Good luck trying to be a cleric when you aren't a worshipper of one of the gods. Or a paladin, or shaman, etc. Most divine spell casting classes are of the table at the start of the game, similarly, so are any races that aren't humans given all the elves and such are on the other side of the coin.
I will probably give you more starting gold to furbish yourself with starting gear. In addition, you will be allowed to carry side arms for emergencies.
I'll go through the classes and give you a full list of available classes if enough interest is shown. I also may allow one person to be a native to the other side with access to the restricted races and classes.
Sounds neat, color me interested.
Go ahead an ask any questions you have, I'm still working out details but questions will help me define things as well.
No. the mention of low fantasy was about our world and it's level of magic, magic being ridiculously hard here leaving you at best capable capable of casting a first level spell. Consider magic background radiation, on the earth side of the coin, it's minimal, on the other side, it's much more dense.
Stat generation I'm not sure about, it will either be twenty point buy or roll 4d6 drop the lowest.
Looks interesting.
Are you thinking of using Golarion stuff (deities, for example) or a fully custom flip-world?
Looks interesting.
Are you thinking of using Golarion stuff (deities, for example) or a fully custom flip-world?
I'll probably use golarion deities but not golarion geography. I'm thinking a full map flip of the earth. All the same continents just reversed.
That sounds really interesting. Gives me a bit of a Stargate vibe... Is the idea that the group would make regular round-trips, or one long campaign?
Would you allow oracles? You might not be able to choose Gods, but doesn't mean they can't chose you.
It would depend on the group and what they get themselves embroiled in. After all, it will be hard to turn around and go check in in the middle of a war they accidentally started... and no, that's not a campaign idea, I'll provide plenty of adventure hooks and the squad will have to decide what to follow
I would love to join. Many ideas pop up. Army ranger, or K9 soldier, even a raw recruit braught in because he loved to do Larp.
Count me in.
Will you allow D20 modern classes? I would be interested in running a Delta Demolitions Sergeant. I mean there always has to be room for Semtex... :)
Sounds a pretty mean idea, so would a zoologist or botanist/druid work for you.. drafted into the squad for his/her specialist biological skills. So would we be able to take batteries into the otherside, recharge them for our scientific experiments? Yeah count me interested.
An... interesting idea.
Do you think a gunslinger would work? I am thinking someone from our world that was obsessed with older model firearms and (because they are practically antiques here) was familiar with their care and maintenance, as well as how to make the munitions for them.
I'm interested. This sounds like a great place to play a very frustrated wizard.
Very interesting. If these expeditions have been going on for at least a little while, is it possible that a previous surveyor brought back a little souvenir in the form of a little half-elf or aasimar baby?
Color me interested. I am thinking something along the lines of a "ranger" type tasked with guiding and providing for the group.
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This is intriguing. There's no way the governments of the world wouldn't try to science the crap out of this, especially the magic bit. I'm thinking of a sceptic Investigator who just can't believe his eyes 90% of the time.
Is only the US government aware? Or have they brought any other country in on the secret (willingly or otherwise).
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This is intriguing. There's no way the governments of the world wouldn't try to science the crap out of this, especially the magic bit. I'm thinking of a sceptic Investigator who just can't believe his eyes 90% of the time.
Is only the US government aware? Or have they brought any other country in on the secret (willingly or otherwise).
I had the same exact idea, this character concept would really shine I think. Or something like a wizard that believes magic is actually a misunderstood aspect of science.
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I had the same exact idea, this character concept would really shine I think. Or something like a wizard that believes magic is actually a misunderstood aspect of science.This is intriguing. There's no way the governments of the world wouldn't try to science the crap out of this, especially the magic bit. I'm thinking of a sceptic Investigator who just can't believe his eyes 90% of the time.
Is only the US government aware? Or have they brought any other country in on the secret (willingly or otherwise).
They could totally be a team! One specializing in the Occult (but not really believing all that crap) and the other being their research partner who decided not to listen to that Ouija board in college. :)
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They could totally be a team! One specializing in the Occult (but not really believing all that crap) and the other being their research partner who decided not to listen to that Ouija board in college. :)I had the same exact idea, this character concept would really shine I think. Or something like a wizard that believes magic is actually a misunderstood aspect of science.This is intriguing. There's no way the governments of the world wouldn't try to science the crap out of this, especially the magic bit. I'm thinking of a sceptic Investigator who just can't believe his eyes 90% of the time.
Is only the US government aware? Or have they brought any other country in on the secret (willingly or otherwise).
Oh man that would be great, if we're both chosen I'd totally be down for that :)
Building off of a potential half-human...say a previous surveyor ran into a spot of trouble, was helped out by a local and spent a passionate night with them and came back with a preggo eggo. The kid basically grew up in a lab and, as a young adult, the government tried to turn them into a deep cover spy.
That could be fun either played totally straight as a rogue or bard, or with the more likely consequence that such an upbringing would cause all sorts of complexes and result in a hot mess of a nerd who is nonetheless very enthusiastic about exploring the other side of their origins.
Any ideas how languages might work? And maybe healing, accounting for modern medicine?
Also, I'm thinking there might be room for someone with skills that you don't normally find in the military. A con-man character, who's job is to get the team out of sticky situations (which is bound to happen, being unfamiliar with the world).
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Building off of a potential half-human...say a previous surveyor ran into a spot of trouble, was helped out by a local and spent a passionate night with them and came back with a preggo eggo. The kid basically grew up in a lab and, as a young adult, the government tried to turn them into a deep cover spy.
That could be fun either played totally straight as a rogue or bard, or with the more likely consequence that such an upbringing would cause all sorts of complexes and result in a hot mess of a nerd who is nonetheless very enthusiastic about exploring the other side of their origins.
I like that idea. Like, the kid has been hidden his whole life because of what it could cause if the world discovered him.
I think it might be interesting if everyone in the party had a very precise role. I imagine the government wouldn't send just anyone on a mission that could have so much repercussions, and as such would probably tailor a very specific and professional team. For instance, there could be a Biologist, who's in charge of studying the evolution of other species, sociologists, who study the populations, theologists who study the gods, etc. And of course people who can provide for the team's needs and defend them.
Building off of a potential half-human...say a previous surveyor ran into a spot of trouble, was helped out by a local and spent a passionate night with them and came back with a preggo eggo. The kid basically grew up in a lab and, as a young adult, the government tried to turn them into a deep cover spy.
That could be fun either played totally straight as a rogue or bard, or with the more likely consequence that such an upbringing would cause all sorts of complexes and result in a hot mess of a nerd who is nonetheless very enthusiastic about exploring the other side of their origins.
I like that idea. Like, the kid has been hidden his whole life because of what it could cause if the world discovered him.
Definitely - that makes the asocial nerd angle even more likely. Without other friends to distract them, they could pour themself into books and studies. Maybe a blend of the two ideas - very competent, very focused, and very clueless.
I think it might be interesting if everyone in the party had a very precise role. I imagine the government wouldn't send just anyone on a mission that could have so much repercussions, and as such would probably tailor a very specific and professional team. For instance, there could be a Biologist, who's in charge of studying the evolution of other species, sociologists, who study the populations, theologists who study the gods, etc. And of course people who can provide for the team's needs and defend them.
Everyone needs to be an expert at a specialty or three, and someone else needs to know the basics in case the first person gets incapacitated. Sounds like a good adventuring party :D
Will you allow D20 modern classes? I would be interested in running a Delta Demolitions Sergeant. I mean there always has to be room for Semtex... :)
I'm going to say no. I just don't know enough about the system to see how well they would match.
Sounds a pretty mean idea, so would a zoologist or botanist/druid work for you.. drafted into the squad for his/her specialist biological skills. So would we be able to take batteries into the otherside, recharge them for our scientific experiments? Yeah count me interested.
Zoologist or a botanist would be find, turning them into a druid doesn't work in my opinion before actually having a chance to learn druidic magic through actual exposure to it. Feel free to present a case though and I'll consider it.
An... interesting idea.
Do you think a gunslinger would work? I am thinking someone from our world that was obsessed with older model firearms and (because they are practically antiques here) was familiar with their care and maintenance, as well as how to make the munitions for them.
Absolutely. I usually avoid them because they don't work with stories I want to tell, this time, they'd be a perfect fit.
Very interesting. If these expeditions have been going on for at least a little while, is it possible that a previous surveyor brought back a little souvenir in the form of a little half-elf or aasimar baby?
Building off of a potential half-human...say a previous surveyor ran into a spot of trouble, was helped out by a local and spent a passionate night with them and came back with a preggo eggo. The kid basically grew up in a lab and, as a young adult, the government tried to turn them into a deep cover spy.
That could be fun either played totally straight as a rogue or bard, or with the more likely consequence that such an upbringing would cause all sorts of complexes and result in a hot mess of a nerd who is nonetheless very enthusiastic about exploring the other side of their origins.
Congratulaions, you just got me to add half humans and such onto the list.. you also just opened up the sorcerer class too.
Color me interested. I am thinking something along the lines of a "ranger" type tasked with guiding and providing for the group.
I would love to join. Many ideas pop up. Army ranger, or K9 soldier, even a raw recruit braught in because he loved to do Larp.
Count me in.
Ranger would be fine especially since it picks up it's powers later on which be explained easily as he becomes comfortable with the wild in a way he never was in civilization.
This is intriguing. There's no way the governments of the world wouldn't try to science the crap out of this, especially the magic bit. I'm thinking of a sceptic Investigator who just can't believe his eyes 90% of the time.
Is only the US government aware? Or have they brought any other country in on the secret (willingly or otherwise).
Given the earth is flat, no, the US isn't the only one that knows, though they don't tend to work with other groups for anything other than the cover up. And that's what these expeditions are for, to understand and to study, this means getting samples and such from species not near the American gate.
Any ideas how languages might work? And maybe healing, accounting for modern medicine?
Also, I'm thinking there might be room for someone with skills that you don't normally find in the military. A con-man character, who's job is to get the team out of sticky situations (which is bound to happen, being unfamiliar with the world).
You've been training for this for years including common and other languages, don't be surprised if you get any comments on your accent though. And there are plenty conmen in the armed forces, people getting things they shouldn't and getting things you shouldn't be able to get,
This is fascinating...
what about chemistry? would it work the same above as below. For instance thermite is Aluminium and rust. nitro is a simple recipe. In fact a great deal of magic could be simulated with technology. Not to mention drugs...powerful hallucinogenics (LSD/DMT)...knockout Gas, microwave crowd control, etc. Even the radio would be a huge advantage over the Potters (a slur for the fantasy underworld dwellers that I invented)
How far can we pull the real world into the underworld?
Not that far. Many of the items you'd need require a lot of work and the equipment you can carry and not stick out like a sore thumb would negate a lot of that work.
Not that far. Many of the items you'd need require a lot of work and the equipment you can carry and not stick out like a sore thumb would negate a lot of that work.OK... So I assume this world would be in line with a Gleason Map with Antarctica at the earth's edges.
We have a tunnel from our side to the underearth in Cheyenne mountain. Game needs suggest that it is impossible to move more than finite amount of matter from our side to the other side...otherwise we would have set up a top of the line hidden base on the other side.
The point is to maintain secrecy from both sides. Setting up a top of the line facility would bring undue attention worse would be if it got invaded and things like the armory got stolen. There are facilities, but they're heavily disguised which also limits what that facility does. It's little more than a guard station that the players could go and stock up on extra ammunition food etc if they're nearby and drop off any samples they've collected.
Absolutely. I usually avoid them because they don't work with stories I want to tell, this time, they'd be a perfect fit.
So, given this as a starting point, what "era" of firearms would an aspiring gunslinger start with? I ask because, while the other side might not have ready access to "advanced" firearms, on the side where folks are coming from they are almost novel in comparison to modern variants.
So, given this as a starting point, what "era" of firearms would an aspiring gunslinger start with? I ask because, while the other side might not have ready access to "advanced" firearms, on the side where folks are coming from they are almost novel in comparison to modern variants.Absolutely. I usually avoid them because they don't work with stories I want to tell, this time, they'd be a perfect fit.
The standard for a gunslinger. I believe they're flintlocks yes?
How about an:
Alchemist Gun Chemist
Sure I guess.
4d6: 16
4d6: 12
4d6: 15
4d6: 15
4d6: 10
4d6: 12Not Bad
You're already building aren't you?
Yes, I was boredYou're already building aren't you?4d6: 16
4d6: 12
4d6: 15
4d6: 15
4d6: 10
4d6: 12Not Bad
Yeah well keep going, at this point I think I've got enough interest to run. I'll put up an official recruitment after I work a few details out.
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It sounds interesting.
How are you thinking of handling the intersection of magic and science? Long term, a scientist trying to understand the actual physical laws behind magic (if, indeed, there are any) could be interesting.
But it allows all sorts of interesting intersections. With a vaccuum and teleportation circles I can get a falling rock up to relativistic speeds, for example :-). A character who actually understands the scientific method could plausibly wreck serious havoc :-).
Not to mention a character who understands actual economics :-). I'd think one thing the government would do would be to exploit some of the loopholes in order to get huge monetary assets in place.
Yeah, this has a LOT of potential!
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Ya, I think I'm going to go Investigator, like I said. He's the one looking at the new world and trying to make heads and tails of it in terms that the researchers and powers-that-be back home will understand.
However, he sits at a powerful place in the information chain, and he isn't above using that to his own gain. Thus the Mastermind archetype! He has friends, you see. Friends in high places that wait for his reports with baited breath and hang on every word. ;)
I will do a recon marine. (Ranger)
GySgt Gunnar Sigmundson
16
14
15
11
12
09
Vanilla Ranger
Str 15
Dec 16 +2
Con 14
Int 11
Wis 12
Cha 09
Feats PBS, Precise Shot
Stealth +8
Perception +5
KnowNature +4
Survival +5
Climb +7
Swim +7
By the way.
How about traits?
Background Skills?
Firearm rules?
I'm thinking a half-elf slayer for the specialized, focused operative vibe.
By the way.
How about traits?
Background Skills?
Firearm rules?
I'm still thinking about specific build rules. Background skills will avaiable though what do you mean by firearm rules?
Thinking of maybe building an Arcanist who really sees magic as a form of science. Or maybe an Alchemist. I imagine those classes would be available?
Yeah that's fine,
I'm thinking a half-elf slayer for the specialized, focused operative vibe.
It's been a while since I looked at the hybrid classes so I'll let you know once I've gone through them and decided what classes make the most sense. I think that's rogue and ranger though so I don't foresee any problems.
Sounds a pretty mean idea, so would a zoologist or botanist/druid work for you.. drafted into the squad for his/her specialist biological skills. So would we be able to take batteries into the otherside, recharge them for our scientific experiments? Yeah count me interested.Zoologist or a botanist would be find, turning them into a druid doesn't work in my opinion before actually having a chance to learn druidic magic through actual exposure to it. Feel free to present a case though and I'll consider it.
I was thinking a kind of horse whisperer type of zoologist with healing skills, where the animal charming was a kind of minor magic, that on the other side turns to druidic magic. So still with the knowledge(nature) stuff. Veterinary skills this side would work in the alter-side as a more magical healing skill in addition to the veterinary skills. Perhaps to start with a limited spell list to start with until 2nd level when full druid 0 and 1st level spells are available. If this doesn't work for you no matter, I kinda liked the concept.
I'm thinking a half-elf slayer for the specialized, focused operative vibe.It's been a while since I looked at the hybrid classes so I'll let you know once I've gone through them and decided what classes make the most sense. I think that's rogue and ranger though so I don't foresee any problems.
Yep! Mix of skills, delayed/reduced progression sneak attack, talents that can include style feats, and studied target that functions like favored enemy-lite on individuals and takes a little action economy to set up.
If it doesnt make the cut, I'd probably go straight rogue or maybe archivist bard.
By the way.
How about traits?
Background Skills?
Firearm rules?
I'm still thinking about specific build rules. Background skills will avaiable though what do you mean by firearm rules?
Well are firearms exotic, martial or simple weapons?
I was thinking a kind of horse whisperer type of zoologist with healing skills, where the animal charming was a kind of minor magic, that on the other side turns to druidic magic. So still with the knowledge(nature) stuff. Veterinary skills this side would work in the alter-side as a more magical healing skill in addition to the veterinary skills. Perhaps to start with a limited spell list to start with until 2nd level when full druid 0 and 1st level spells are available. If this doesn't work for you no matter, I kinda liked the concept.Sounds a pretty mean idea, so would a zoologist or botanist/druid work for you.. drafted into the squad for his/her specialist biological skills. So would we be able to take batteries into the otherside, recharge them for our scientific experiments? Yeah count me interested.Zoologist or a botanist would be find, turning them into a druid doesn't work in my opinion before actually having a chance to learn druidic magic through actual exposure to it. Feel free to present a case though and I'll consider it.
I'll tell you what, I like the concept put together a subtle list of druid spells, the kind of magic that makes sense and is subtle and would mostly go unnoticed in our world today and we'll see about it.
Well are firearms exotic, martial or simple weapons?By the way.
How about traits?
Background Skills?
Firearm rules?
I'm still thinking about specific build rules. Background skills will avaiable though what do you mean by firearm rules?
I'd say depends on the gun. You're all trained military personnel before you specialize in your classes so modern guns you get automatic proficiency. Older models like what will be available on the other side will be exotic. A lot of work has gone into modern guns, sights, reload, rifling etc.