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Who wants to fight a Dragon?!
Founded by a famous dragonslayer, the small town of Belhaim has become a sleepy rural community just off the beaten path, a settlement where everyone knows everyone and strangers are the talk of the town.
But when Belhaim's peace and quiet is shattered by the sudden collapse of the last standing tower of its founder's castle, things quickly bloom out of control. Why were there bodies of kobolds amid the rubble? What's the sinister secret behind the strange sounds of flapping wings in the night? And what's happened to local wizard Balthus Hunclay, who's not answering knocks on his door? The collapsed tower had long been an eyesore to the cantankerous old man—could he have had something to do with its destruction? And what of the rumors of strange stirrings in nearby Dragonfen?
Has Belhaim's ancient draconic nemesis returned?
The Dragon's Demand, a dungeon and wilderness adventure for 1st-level characters written by Mike Shel, was released in July 2013. This adventure marked a relaunch of the Pathfinder Modules line, offering an increased page count and a two-sided color poster map, and shifting to a quarterly release schedule.
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Dragon’s Demand Player’s Guide
(With thanks to Crisischild for making me aware of it!)
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Character Creation Summary
System: Pathfinder 1st edition
Starting Level: 1
Ability Scores: 20 pt buy
Races: Core only. Alternate racial traits allowed.
Alignment: No Evil. All other alignments allowed, but with the understanding that the party needs to function, and it'll be up to the characters to have a reason to be working with the group without actively trying to sabotage it.
Classes: Core Classes and Races, all accepted. Base classes possible, but on a case by case basis. Give me a good reason to allow them, in character.
Skills: Using Background skills
Feats: Standard. (Sorry, no Elephant in the Room)
Traits: Two, no Flaws. (One must be a Campaign trait from the Player’s Guide)
Wealth: Class average wealth for Level 1
Hit Points: Max at first level, Rolled or Average +1 every level thereafter.
Background: Read the Player’s Guide. The game will begin with the characters on the road, traveling with a caravan as guards. There will be a brief “prelude” where roleplaying will be encouraged for the characters to meet and/or interact with one another.
Posting Rate:
At least One post every other day, Minimum 4 posts a week.
(Would love more, but I am realistic and am also busy in real life, too.)
If for some reason you can’t post, communicate with me. I’m willing to bot characters if necessary.
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Will be taking 5 or 6 characters. Keep in mind that I’ll be looking for a balanced party make-up as this game nearly requires it.
This recruitment will remain open until Wednesday, July 20th.
Evening GM. Thank you for running this!
How important is it that the characters are guards on the caravan? Could Avogadro be a passenger instead? I'm not sure he's the wagon guarding type.
I'll be taking the "you're fleeing the law" trait, Avogadro has outstayed his welcome in Cassomir.
A
WOW - I had no clue there was a Player's Guide either!
I love this adventure too.
Skald & Witch are base classes, correct?
Evening GM. Thank you for running this!
How important is it that the characters are guards on the caravan? Could Avogadro be a passenger instead? I'm not sure he's the wagon guarding type.
I'll be taking the "you're fleeing the law" trait, Avogadro has outstayed his welcome in Cassomir.
A
You don't HAVE to be guards. Being a passener could reasonably work.
WOW - I had no clue there was a Player's Guide either!
I love this adventure too.Skald & Witch are base classes, correct?
Witch is Base though Skald, however, is a Hybrid class.
Witch is Base though Skald, however, is a Hybrid class.WOW - I had no clue there was a Player's Guide either!
I love this adventure too.Skald & Witch are base classes, correct?
So then a Half-Elf Bonded Witch would be inviting about as much discrimination as possible? (unless he has a noble background in Taldane) He would know Hunclay (You’ve Got Local Connections)
[although the background with the extra 50gp is good also]
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Kivon Galla is a half-elf paladin of Erastil who's absolutely certain he could take on a dragon, should he ever encounter one.
Kivon Galla
Male half-elf paladin 1
LG Medium humanoid (elf, human)
Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +0
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Defense
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AC 18 (+1 dodge vs. dragons), touch 13, flat-footed 15 (+5 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 12 (1d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref +3 (+2 vs. breath weapons), Will +0; +2 vs. enchantments
Immune sleep
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee cold iron dagger +3 (1d4+2/19-20) or
. . longsword +3 (1d8+2/19-20)
Ranged longbow +4 (1d8/×3)
Special Attacks smite evil 1/day (+2 attack and AC, +1 damage)
Paladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +3)
. . At will—detect evil
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Statistics
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Str 14, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 7, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 16
Feats Point-Blank Shot, Skill Focus (Diplomacy)
Traits deadeye bowman, you've always hated dragons
Skills Acrobatics -1 (-5 to jump), Diplomacy +9, Handle Animal +6, Heal +2, Knowledge (geography) +2, Perception +0, Ride +3; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception
Languages Common, Elven, Gnome
SQ elf blood, hero points
Other Gear scale mail, heavy wooden shield, arrows (20), cold iron dagger, longbow, longsword, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, flint and steel, hemp rope (50 ft.), holy text (Horns of the Elk)[UE], mess kit[UE], pot, sack, scroll case, soap, torch (10), trail rations (5), waterskin, wooden holy symbol of Erastil, 10 gp, 9 sp
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Special Abilities
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Detect Evil (At will) (Sp) You can use detect evil at will (as the spell).
Elf Blood Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Hero Points Hero Points can be spent at any time to grant a variety of bonuses.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Smite Evil (1/day) (Su) +2 to hit, +1 to damage, +2 deflection bonus to AC when used.
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Kivon was born on the edge of the Verduran forest. His father was a cleric of Erastil, but died too young to pass on the profession to his son. After his father died while he was still a teenager, he took on odd jobs to support himself and his mother. Due to his size and the occasional need for a good sword arm, he expanded his reportoire beyond Erastil's sacred bow.
Kivon has always dreamed of slaying a dragon. When his father gave him lessons on the creatures of the forest, Kivon only wnted to know about dragons and how to beat them. He's still never seen a dragon yet remains excessively confident in his ability to fight one.
Still supporthing himself and his mother through odd jobs, Kivon has arrived in Cassomir after providing an escort for Taldan merchants through the outher Verduran. He's been hired to help a man named Silas, whom the merchants from his most recent contract recommended as a reliable sort.
Hi!
Are archetypes allowed? Any restriction on feats?
Tenk iu, tenk iu.
Interested! Been eyeing this since the interest check but haven't had a character concept come to me yet. We'll see.
hat's the plan for hosting maps? Google slides, roll20, etc?
Hi GM! Thanks for running it. Here's my submission: Muradin is a Dwarf Zen Archer, serving as the Guide for the expedition.
DOT
Hi!
Are archetypes allowed? Any restriction on feats?
Tenk iu, tenk iu.
Archetypes allowed.
Without 'Elephant in the Room', there's no Feat restrictions for now, (Though I reserve the right to reject any surprises that seem broken.)
What's the plan for hosting maps? Google slides, roll20, etc?
At the moment, Google slides, though I'm strongly considering a subscription with rolld20. Not sure yet.
Very interested! My precocious halfling rogue needs a new adventure! Will reset level 1 crunch tonight.
At the moment, Google slides, though I'm strongly considering a subscription with rolld20. Not sure yet.
What's the plan for hosting maps? Google slides, roll20, etc?
Cool! I use both and prefer roll20 some but they're both fine. I don't pay for roll20 but the free version is solid enough.
I'm leaning toward converting my little thief into a vivisectionist for this, and will continue to work on the crunch tomorrow. For tonight, here's a little background. Tarrow really hates dragons.
Tarrow watched his uncle work, astute to the process and mindful of his place so as not to disturb the many bottles and containers of alchemical ingredients crammed onto every shelf and table.
"What is it?" asked the younger halfling.
Uncle Gannor elevated the concoction to the sunlight filtering through a crack in the shutter. It gleamed and bubbled, still very hot. Satisfied, he poured the contents of the carafe into a copper mug and set it to cool. "Beer, my boy! This one we can drink, but not yet."
Gannor settled into a wooden chair covered by a threadbare blanket and folded his hands. "Now, have you gathered the ingredients I sent you to look for?"
Tarrow unslung the sack from across his shoulder and opened it. A fluff of milkweed burst into the room. "Mostly. Dry rot had got most of the grape leaves over spring, and then there were the locusts."
"Ill omens," replied his uncle. The old halfling looked wistfully around his laboratory. "We are the last true craftsmen of our clan, Tarrow. And one day soon we may be forced to leave these plains which have been our home now for twenty summers. When that happens, you will need to be prepared to carry on the tradition as Master of Potions."
"Why are you telling me this, uncle?"
Gannor smiled at his nephew and turned his gaze to the shard of light which pierced the room from the window, dust floating in space. "We've been lucky. Twenty years on the plains is a very long tenure indeed. Eventually our luck will run out." The old halfling reached for the copper mug and tipped the warm beer past his lips. "Hmm," he mused. "Here, you try it."
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The attack came at night.
Autumn fields of dried corn stalks burned with the ferocity of wildfire caught in the wind. The small community of halflings could do little but grab themselves up and flee with the few precious belongings which could be scooped up on the way out of their thatched hovels. But the dragon was on them before they could get far, with monstrous wings and breath like a stoked forge, killing every one in sight.
Tarrow had fallen asleep beneath the big table in his uncle's lab when the screams of his clan roused him to the horror. Gannor was already at work, but instead of gathering the most valuable treasures in the room, he was mixing ingredients in small cistern and stoking coals beneath it, moving with frenetic efficiency that belied his years.
He kicked his nephew. "Now run lad! Run from this night, and do not stop until the sun breaks above the eastern hills. Go!" Gannor kicked him again, with terrifying urgency.
Tarrow obeyed, and burst forth into the inferno. Pillars of flame seared the sky, the dragon swooped down and circled around, and halflings - young and old alike - were knocked down and turned to ash where they lay. He could hear it coming, and he turned to face his death. It was a black thing in a black sky, with only the searing light of flame marking its descent.
But then the lab exploded! A blue fireball billowed out, consuming everything within twenty paces and causing the dragon to veer away. The force of it knocked Tarrow backward half as far as he could throw a stone. With the last of his wits he gathered himself and ran for the hills, and he did not stop running until the first rays of the sun warmed his face.
Tarrow collapsed and raised his eyes back toward his home. All that remained was a thick plume of smoke rising out of the distance. Everything he had ever known was gone. The next weeks he scavenged and scraped to survive, his weary legs drawing him toward the sea where he knew other halflings lived.
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Eventually his flight took him to Cassomir. There he learned to blend in, to become unseen when necessary, even as he walked casually among the humble people who made the town their home. Tarrow would do the same, copping alchemical formulas for coin, and in this way he managed to survive. A year passed. He made friends and earned his keep as a working alchemist, specializing in beer. His customers were mostly tavern owners and the odd drunk.
The next season he planned a journey home to pay his respects and perhaps find peace, but before he could venture out he heard of a man named Silas Gribb recruiting for what sounded like simple protection work out into the country. Tarrow made his acquaintance and expressed his interest; might as well get paid to travel! What could go wrong?
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I love the Player's guide. It encourages you to build a character that is totally out of place, when the adventure starts.
"WTF am I doing here. I'm a sailor, not a dragon hunter."
"I don't know how to help you with your problem, I'm just a stupid rich noble visiting my uncle. But I'll see what I can do..."
I think I could use a BBB (Big Badass Barbarian) here... Give me tonight to sleep on it a bit.
As the caravan draws up in the small town Avogadro's head snaps up from the daze that the monotony of travel always brings.
"A town... a town means people!"
He rolls clumsily out of the caravan and somehow manages to find his feet. Avogadro ineffectually brushes down his suit, adjusts his perfect hat... just so... grabs his bag of fun, and with a heel skip heads to the town tavern. Whistling a little ditty.
Avogadro speaks little of his childhood and it is clear to all that whatever his identity was before, “Avogardo the Astounding” is what and who he is now; he has assumed the character wholly. Avogadro lives to bring joy to all people, especially children, and makes a meagre living as an entertainer in town squares across the land, what he lacks in skill he endeavours to make up for with sheer enthusiasm. Recently though things have begun to change.
It all started during a routine ‘pulling flowers out of the hat’ trick. Instead of the tatty bunch of fabric flowers, out came that flipping White Raven! Ever since that his tricks have been going… right!
Avogadro is not sure he likes this at all!
Avogadro is outlandishly tall and slender, the word long is most applicable. His movements often bring to mind a spider or cranefly, he seems to fold rather than sit. Yet he is nimble for all this, and in particular his hand are expertly dexterous. He is never seen out of costume, the tall top hat and formal suit found only at the extremes of society, noble gentlemen or bad street performers. Avogadro’s suit has seen better days and was obviously made for a considerably shorter man. The hat however, is immaculate, for:
"As my father always said, you tell a lot about a man from his hat!"
Uh... I didn't find a Player's Guide for this. Probably I didn't searched in the proper places. Could anyone point me in the right direction, please?
Uh... I didn't find a Player's Guide for this. Probably I didn't searched in the proper places. Could anyone point me in the right direction, please?
LOL, scroll up ;)
There is a link in GM's opening post here.
Uh... I didn't find a Player's Guide for this. Probably I didn't searched in the proper places. Could anyone point me in the right direction, please?LOL, scroll up ;)
There is a link in GM's opening post here.
What he said. ;)
Tarrow is nearly complete, just spit and polish in profile cleanup left to do.
Male Halfling Vivisectionist
Having lost his family and friends when his home town was destroyed by a dragon, Tarrow is harrowed but eager to prove he can survive in the world by his own wits and skill. He exhibits bravery to the point of foolishness, determined never to cower in the face of evil. Occasionally, his wit and tongue are sharp for those with whom he loses patience, but he is quick to forgive and to beg forgiveness.
A shock of unruly chestnut hair crowns a youthful face that belies his personal tragedy. Tarrow is thin by halfling standards but very quick.
Campaign Trait could be either "You've Always Hated Dragons" or "You've got Local Connections"
Uh... I didn't find a Player's Guide for this. Probably I didn't searched in the proper places. Could anyone point me in the right direction, please?LOL, scroll up ;)
There is a link in GM's opening post here.
/facepalm.
I was so focused on checking for a link in the "traits" paragraph that didn't check further up.
Thank you!
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Submitting Svala Two-Swords for the campaign.
Svala is an Ulfen fighter, preferring two longswords to most other weapons. The story involves her wanting to become an Ulfen Guard but there is no real intention of taking levels in the Prestige Class.
I went with the You're Seeking Your Fortune trait, though gold is more a means to the end of becoming a glorious hero.
"Gold never lasts but glory lasts forever. Of course, being Glorious requires gold, so I would be happy to serve as a guard for your cargo Master Gribb."
This is Braggi Wrongeye, Ulfen Barbarian with the Seeking Your Fortune trait, and...
Oh, really...
Well, this can be fun...
Or I could change it to Fleeing the Law, where he slept with some important man's sister and had to flee or else have his love sausage cut to pieces xD
Can be fun as well.
What do you say, Svala? If I'm going to (potentially, if we're both picked) share adventures with another Ulfen, it would be nice to each have it's own peculiarities, or to be minimally coordinated, right?
Maybe we know each other?
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What do you say, Svala? If I'm going to (potentially, if we're both picked) share adventures with another Ulfen, it would be nice to each have it's own peculiarities, or to be minimally coordinated, right?
Maybe we know each other?
Well, it seems that Braggi is more of a viking concept (sea raider and such) so it wouldn't be a stretch for them to know each other from her sailing south. Perhaps the ship she boards is the one you serve on?
As for the adventure trait, not many fit the concept I was going for, though I could likely switch it to the dragon hater one. Not a big stretch that an Ulfen born and raised in the Linnorm kingdoms would have an issue with dragons.
I have no issue with a bit of shared background.
Okay, changed Braggi's backstory to fit "You're fleeing the law", which is the other trait that really drew my attention.
So now we can have both vikings: the gold-hungry and the women-hungry. Probably both beer-thirsty.
I'll brew the beer!
Okay, changed Braggi's backstory to fit "You're fleeing the law", which is the other trait that really drew my attention.
So now we can have both vikings: the gold-hungry and the women-hungry. Probably both beer-thirsty.
Now I want to make Zephyrrr from Irrissen so that his backstory can be like, barbarian-adjacent ;)
Sarabian here, submitting Bertrade Kistna, wandering healer (and possible caravan guide) to join! She was originally built for a Reign of Winter campaign, but her campaign trait (Restless Wayfarer) can work pretty well in just about any setting; I can pretty easily map that over to one of the campaign traits in the player's guide.
link to my submission
Captain Jack Harrow with the You're the Guide trait, except he's useless
Braggi is more or less finished.
Tarrow is complete. As a vivisectionist I settled on "You've got Local Connections" as no one seemed to go for that and any character can hate dragons.
While he awaits Silas' decision, he'll be down at the local pub indulging in a sampling of his latest brews with its owner.
"What's that you say? A bit too much pepper in the pilsner? Confound it, that's a prickly problem..."
Will be finished with this young Wizard soon.
With a little more than 24 hours to go, here's the current list of applicants, as far as I can see. Lemme know if I've got it wrong so I can adjust if need-be.
***** ARCANE *****
Avogadro the Astounding - Male Human Sorcerer
Zephyrrr Evynstar - Male ½ Elf (Drow-desended) Bonded Witch
Mary Anne Kerrelia - Female Human Wizard
***** MELEE *****
Muradin - Male Dwarf Monk (Zen Archer)
Svala Two-Swords - Female Human Fighter
Captain Jack Harrow - Male Human Cavalier (Daring Champion)
Braggi Wrongeye - Male Human Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager)
***** DIVINE *****
Kivon Galla - Male ½ Elf Paladin (Divine Hunter)
Bertrade Kristna - Female Cleric (Merciful Healer)
***** SKILLED *****
N/A
***** OTHER *****
Tarrow Harfoot - Male Halfling Alchemist (Vivisectionist)
Zen Archer is clearly ranged and not melee. I wouldn't put a paladin into divine just because he has loh. As a divine hunter, he belongs into the ranged category, too. Vivisectionist should go into melee. And yes, it seems, we're lacking a trap disable (the only reason that there even should be a "skilled" category).
I am putting up Garrett Goodbarrell, a Halfling Sniper Rogue!
UPDATED!
***** ARCANE *****
Avogadro the Astounding - Male Human Sorcerer
Zephyrrr Evynstar - Male ½ Elf (Drow-desended) Bonded Witch
Mary Anne Kerrelia - Female Human Wizard
***** MELEE *****
Svala Two-Swords - Female Human Fighter
Captain Jack Harrow - Male Human Cavalier (Daring Champion)
Braggi Wrongeye - Male Human Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager)
***** RANGED *****
Muradin - Male Dwarf Monk (Zen Archer)
Kivon Galla - Male ½ Elf Paladin (Divine Hunter)
***** DIVINE *****
Bertrade Kristna - Female Cleric (Merciful Healer)
***** SKILLED *****
Garrett Goodbarrell - Male Halfling Rogue (Sniper)
***** OTHER *****
Tarrow Harfoot - Male Halfling Alchemist (Vivisectionist)
And like that, Mary the elven Wizard is done.
Zen Archer is clearly ranged and not melee. I wouldn't put a paladin into divine just because he has loh. As a divine hunter, he belongs into the ranged category, too. Vivisectionist should go into melee. And yes, it seems, we're lacking a trap disable (the only reason that there even should be a "skilled" category).
I concur that vivisectionist is primarily melee, though Tarrow's main weapon is a short spear which grants some amount of flexibility. Progression could give him the ability to create buffs for others as well. "Other" is a good fit.
He carries in his equipment a set of common Thieves Tools for traps and doors with +7 Disable Device, so he's also got the rougue-thing covered.
He's a good toolbox kind of character like a halfling should be.
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So, Update:
Life is busy for the next two days, AND, more importantly, I'm having a helluva time narrowing the party down.
So, sorry for the delay, but I'll be announcing the characters chosen on Saturday. I appreciate all the effort you guys put into this and want to be fair to everyone.
Take your time, Snarffle! Forums are slow anyway.
Things done right are better than things done fast. Take your time GM.
Sounds good. Good luck to everyone!
No worries here GM, I also am a little buried this weekend. I look forward to seeing who is chosen, but I can be patient.
Is it weird I'm checking this thread hourly?
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Is it weird I'm checking this thread hourly?
Slightly weird, but in the best of ways.
Apologies. The delay has been unavoidable due to some unforeseen real life drama. That said, the party roster will be posted br Noon EST, tomorrow.
Is it weird I'm checking this thread hourly?
It seems we're all a little weird...