Protectors of Willowshire (Post your player characters here!)

[Grankless]

Sniped Keftiu, mwahaha.

If I get the chance to play in this rather than run it, I would love to bust out a kineticist of some sort... Honestly, I hope the player's guide has a lot more info on Shenmen to guide my ideas more, but at least Tian Xia World Guide is soon!

[Dragonchess Player]

Some concepts I'm considering:

Fleshwarp (Created) thaumaturge with weapon and wand implements, plus leaning into Scroll Thaumaturgy/Esoterica and Fighter Dedication/Sudden Charge/Knockdown (and eventually Advanced Weapon Training [Flail] for flickmace). A "bodyguard" to a caster/magical being at loose ends after their "boss" lost to a rival.

Hobgoblin (Smokeworker) alchemist (bomber) with the Mauler Dedication. A Kaoling expat researcher and mercenary.

Kobold (Spellscale) rogue (eldritch trickster/sorcerer [draconic bloodline]). A thug and enforcer looking for a fresh start.

Ratfolk (Longsnout) cleric (cloistered) with the Martial Artist Dedication. A zen-like priest and spiritualist.

[Lord Fyre]

Until we get a Player's Guide, how do we create concepts? We don't know much about Tien ancestries, backgrounds, or archetypes.

[James Jacobs]

The town is "Willowshore" not "-shire", but since the Lost Omens Tian Xia books aren't going to be out in time for this Adventure Path, using existing lore from 1st edition works perfectly well. Especially since "Season of Ghosts" takes place over a century ago, a few years after the Age of Lost Omens begins.

I can also give a quick preview of Willowshore itself in that it's mostly humans living there, but also some elves, half-elves, halflings (Inner Sea themed ancestries) and kitsune, tengu, and nagaji (Tian-Xia themed ancestries).

The Player's Guide will give plenty more information, and will include a shortened version of the Willowshore gazetteer for players to look over. As with all Player's Guides, we're hoping to have it out not long before the first adventure (which is scheduled to release in Ocotober) is out.

[keftiu]

I think a Samsaran or Duskwalker might be the way to go for this one, someone with a more neutral spin on the cycle of life and death than all of Shenmen’s ghosts. A Thaumaturge could work as a relic-carrying exorcist, though I’m holding out hope for a Shaman playtest in a month.

Lord Fyre wrote:

Until we get a Player's Guide, how do we create concepts? We don't know much about Tien ancestries, backgrounds, or archetypes.

A Player’s Guide always helps, but we know a fair bit of Tian Xia stuff! Shenmen even got a little section in Book of the Dead, talking about how there’s dead Pharasmins all over the place.

[Grankless]

James Jacobs wrote:

The town is "Willowshore" not "-shire", but since the Lost Omens Tian Xia books aren't going to be out in time for this Adventure Path, using existing lore from 1st edition works perfectly well. Especially since "Season of Ghosts" takes place over a century ago, a few years after the Age of Lost Omens begins.

I can also give a quick preview of Willowshore itself in that it's mostly humans living there, but also some elves, half-elves, halflings (Inner Sea themed ancestries) and kitsune, tengu, and nagaji (Tian-Xia themed ancestries).

The Player's Guide will give plenty more information, and will include a shortened version of the Willowshore gazetteer for players to look over. As with all Player's Guides, we're hoping to have it out not long before the first adventure (which is scheduled to release in Ocotober) is out.

Oops. That's what I get for not checking... I was so sure, haha. Wish I could edit thread titles.

Very excited for this to launch! I MAY be bringing some newbies in with it as their first AP - either it or Gatewalkers.

[keftiu]

I love knowing that Nagaji are here!! They’re my favorite Tian Ancestry, but I was worried they wouldn’t make good sense in Shenmen.

Maybe do one as a Spirit Barbarian, or my old idea for a Thaumaturge/Sorcerer… either one could be blessed by a Spirit Naga.

[logic_poet]

I was thinking that a wayang might be an interesting choice for this AP.

[The Raven Black]

Dunno for the build, but the Tian Ghost Story screams for a drunken old fool that just happens to burst with martial prowess and some mystic energy. Maybe Monk with a dash of Magus or Kineticist or Cleric / Oracle.

I could see a Kobold for this, merging the concept with a Kobold Monk/Oracle build I have been thinking about for some time.

[Dark Oni]

Lady Nanbyo is one of my favorite gods, and an Oracle built around her theme of disasters could fit right into Shenmen. Probably a tragic background about how disasters follow him.

The fluff of the 1E onmyoji spiritualist archetype as well is something I adore, and a summonner based on that- with the adventure being "the mission fate has assigned for me"- could also be really cool. Exorcist dedication could fit (we always play with free archetype). Could worship either Tsukiyo or Pharasama.

I think that morph-risen reflection based on a Jorogumo with mysterious condition/curse that locked it's shape also has some really good dramatic potential. No specific class is in my mind, but sorcerer or rogue is my first instinct.

[Herald of the Redeemer Queen]

My current thoughts are to be a Tanuki Gunslinger once Tian Xia Character Guide drops my furry bois. Just a big racoon-dog boi with a big ol' cannon.

Another alternative is an Inventor or even a Wood/Metal Kineticist that's all about making Karakuri constructs to help out around town.

[Aeshuura]

I want to make a Peach-boy Leshy fighter!

[Mammoth Daddy]

A Tian-Min champion of Tsukiyo

Or

A Tian-La Ranger or Druid with a short bow and a horse companion

Or

An Aphorite witch of some kind.

[Coulibaly]

One of my players wants to be a Tanuki fortune teller. Any ideas for a substitute ancestry before the Tien books come out? I've got a couple ideas but it would be good to get some insight.

[Rysky]

I would just reflavor the Kitsune or at least use it as a jumping point until the actual Tanuki is released.

[keftiu]

Coulibaly wrote:

One of my players wants to be a Tanuki fortune teller. Any ideas for a substitute ancestry before the Tien books come out? I've got a couple ideas but it would be good to get some insight.

I bet a Gnome would feel just fine as a Tanuki until then.

[James Jacobs]

One thing I'd 100% suggest is that if you DO start Season of Ghosts before the Tian Xia books are out, and if you're still playing the campaign when the books DO come out, that all GMs extend the courtesy to all the players to rebuild their PCs for free if some of the player options in those books make more sense for their characters. The original intent was to have all of these products come out close by each other, but the OGL and subsequent remaster forced us to shuffle our schedule pretty ferociously, alas.

[Curaigh]

Ever since AD&D's OA, I wanted to play a kusarigama wielding character.

I really like the ancestry and never got to play a nagaji in PF first edition. Likewise I really liked the idea of an inquisitor. So I built a nagaji inquisitor (but never got to play them.)

So I am leaning toward a kusariagama-wielding nagaji. What to build them as... fighter? magus? barbarian? what is the current common wisdom on an inquisitor build in 2E?

A goblin who ties her ears up in a samurai topknot might be a visual to great to resist--with or without a white buffalo as a mount!

[keftiu]

Curaigh wrote:

Ever since AD&D's OA, I wanted to play a kusarigama wielding character.

I really like the ancestry and never got to play a nagaji in PF first edition. Likewise I really liked the idea of an inquisitor. So I built a nagaji inquisitor (but never got to play them.)

So I am leaning toward a kusariagama-wielding nagaji. What to build them as... fighter? magus? barbarian? what is the current common wisdom on an inquisitor build in 2E?

A goblin who ties her ears up in a samurai topknot might be a visual to great to resist--with or without a white buffalo as a mount!

Thaumaturge is where most folks would point you now.

[Sasha Laranoa Harving]

Curaigh wrote:

Ever since AD&D's OA, I wanted to play a kusarigama wielding character.

I really like the ancestry and never got to play a nagaji in PF first edition. Likewise I really liked the idea of an inquisitor. So I built a nagaji inquisitor (but never got to play them.)

So I am leaning toward a kusariagama-wielding nagaji. What to build them as... fighter? magus? barbarian? what is the current common wisdom on an inquisitor build in 2E?

A goblin who ties her ears up in a samurai topknot might be a visual to great to resist--with or without a white buffalo as a mount!

You can find great wisdom in the burgeoning and veteran creators on Pathfinder Infinite. Like links in a chain, there is connection and innovation.

[rimestocke]

Now that the player's guide is out, I'm really interested in doing something with like a pair of siblings who had tense relations because of the whole Northridge vs. Southbank thing. Maybe tie it in with the wood vs metal thing with the kineticists, so one's a wood/water or wood/earth Southbanker and the other's a wood/metal or maybe wood/fire Northridgean. Unfortunately this needs another player...

Alternatively, Huo Tian-Zhe is hilarious and a rival inventor PC from Eternal Blaze Ironworks sounds fun.

[Dragonchess Player]

Dragonchess Player wrote:

Some concepts I'm considering:

Fleshwarp (Created) thaumaturge with weapon and wand implements, plus leaning into Scroll Thaumaturgy/Esoterica and Fighter Dedication/Sudden Charge/Knockdown (and eventually Advanced Weapon Training [Flail] for flickmace). A "bodyguard" to a caster/magical being at loose ends after their "boss" lost to a rival.

Hobgoblin (Smokeworker) alchemist (bomber) with the Mauler Dedication. A Kaoling expat researcher and mercenary.

Kobold (Spellscale) rogue (eldritch trickster/sorcerer [draconic bloodline]). A thug and enforcer looking for a fresh start.

Ratfolk (Longsnout) cleric (cloistered) with the Martial Artist Dedication. A zen-like priest and spiritualist.

After reviewing the player's guide, some tweaks are in order (I'm still thinking about names and some of the details on relationships with Willowshore NPCs):

The fleshwarp thaumaturge will be an Outskirt Dweller; probably less a "bodyguard" than a "community protector." Possibly associated with You So-Jin (Graveside Manners) or one of the Silvermist Lodges.

The hobgoblin alchemist will be a Northridge Scholar; still a Kaoling expat researcher (even with the "fear or suspicion" from many residents), but dropping the mercenary part. Probably associated with Huo Tian-Zhe.

The kobold rogue will be a Willowshore Urchin; probably a foundling instead of a thug and enforcer looking for a fresh start. Possibly associated with Luda Bama.

The ratfolk cleric will be a Folklore Enthusiast; probably worshiping either Pharasma or Sangpotshi. Probably related (cousin or nephew) to Zataku.

[keftiu]

keftiu wrote:

I love knowing that Nagaji are here!! They’re my favorite Tian Ancestry, but I was worried they wouldn’t make good sense in Shenmen.

Maybe do one as a Spirit Barbarian, or my old idea for a Thaumaturge/Sorcerer… either one could be blessed by a Spirit Naga.

With the Player's Guide in hand, I think that a Folklore Enthusiast is a good fit for this character. The Thaumaturge pitch is a cute one: a Changeling Nagaji, with the hag stuff reflavored as a Spirit Naga (as they're noted to sometimes join hag covens) and inspiring a Sorcerer Multiclass. The visual of them with a lantern high in one hand and a bit of swirling occult magic in the other makes me very happy indeed :)

[rainzax]

Curaigh wrote:

Ever since AD&D's OA, I wanted to play a kusarigama wielding character.

I really like the ancestry and never got to play a nagaji in PF first edition. Likewise I really liked the idea of an inquisitor. So I built a nagaji inquisitor (but never got to play them.)

So I am leaning toward a kusariagama-wielding nagaji. What to build them as... fighter? magus? barbarian? what is the current common wisdom on an inquisitor build in 2E?

A goblin who ties her ears up in a samurai topknot might be a visual to great to resist--with or without a white buffalo as a mount!

Maybe an Outwit Ranger w/ Monster Hunter feat and a Cleric Dedication?

=)

[Dragonchess Player]

Dragonchess Player wrote:

Dragonchess Player wrote:

Some concepts I'm considering:

Fleshwarp (Created) thaumaturge with weapon and wand implements, plus leaning into Scroll Thaumaturgy/Esoterica and Fighter Dedication/Sudden Charge/Knockdown (and eventually Advanced Weapon Training [Flail] for flickmace). A "bodyguard" to a caster/magical being at loose ends after their "boss" lost to a rival.

Hobgoblin (Smokeworker) alchemist (bomber) with the Mauler Dedication. A Kaoling expat researcher and mercenary.

Kobold (Spellscale) rogue (eldritch trickster/sorcerer [draconic bloodline]). A thug and enforcer looking for a fresh start.

Ratfolk (Longsnout) cleric (cloistered) with the Martial Artist Dedication. A zen-like priest and spiritualist.

After reviewing the player's guide, some tweaks are in order (I'm still thinking about names and some of the details on relationships with Willowshore NPCs)

With some additional consideration and further revision of the concepts, I think I'll settle on:

Bo-Hoja - An alchemically grown fleshwarp created by You So-Jin; trained to guard against threats from the surrounding forest (Outskirt Dweller); still a thaumaturge leaning into Scroll Thaumaturgy/Esoterica and Fighter Dedication, but going with weapon and lantern implements instead of weapon and wand; a loner that dislikes crowds; somewhat defensive about their "unnatural" origin, uses Deception to disguise pallor and other indicators; possible "twist" that You So-Jin created Bo-Hoja from some other person (who may or may not be deceased)

Pogtan Bulkoch - Kaoling expat hobgoblin alchemist; still Smokeworker heritage, Northridge Scholar, and bomber leaning into the Mauler Dedication (probably using a naginata from 2nd level); collaborates with Huo Tian-Zhe on crafting; rather "liberal" and cosmopolitan for a hobgoblin, emphasizes personal responsibility and self-improvement (instead of imposing a harsh structured societal framework); doesn't hate elves, but is a bit suspicious of and uncomfortable with them

Domabaen - still a kobold rogue with Eldritch Trickster; leaning into green dragon Draconic bloodline with Kobold Breath; gouging claw as the Spellscale heritage cantrip and probably electric arc and mage hand from the Sorcerer Dedication; a bitter foundling Willowshore Urchin for Intimidating Glare instead of Charming Liar; not happy in Willowshore, but not ready to set out independently yet; has pretended to be a nagaji child in the past and reports to Luda Bama

Zat Wolgwang - still a ratfolk cloistered cleric and Folklore Enthusiast leaning into Martial Artist, but worshiping Tsukiyo (instead of Pharasma or Sangposhti); looking at Weapon Proficiency at 3rd to use a dancer's spear, as well; advocates for opportunities for the poor and marginalized residents of Willowshore to better their lives (encourages philanthropy and assistance, rather than forced redistribution); nephew of Zataku

[Archpaladin Zousha]

I've had a few ideas for this AP percolating in my head since the Player's Guide came out, but I've been too busy to actually write them down until now:

The Silvermist Scion:

The concept for this character is that they're an Aiuvarin Outskirt Dweller descended from one of the elven adventurers who founded the Silvermist Lodges, and practices a syncretic faith combining the Tien deity Tsukiyo and the elven god Ketephys (both of whom have shrines in Willowshore) into a uniquely half-elven moon god, balanced between life and death, civilization and wilderness. In addition to tending the shrines, they go on night hunts in the wilderness outside Willowshore, and have some skill with both bow and polearm (specifically resembling the fangtian ji made famous by Romance of the Three Kingdoms' Lü Bu and the bishamon yari of Japan), both to protect against dangerous animals and in case they are forced to put the dead to rest in a more forceful way, a reality becoming increasingly close-to-home in the new Shenmen.

Class-wise, I was initially leaning towards Warpriest, since you have to be a cleric to really get any benefit from the Syncretism feat, with maybe a multiclass into Ranger to reflect their background in hunting, though I'm uncertain at the moment with the Remaster's adjustments to Warpriest still hazy, and debating whether leading with Ranger and multiclassing into Cleric may be the better option.

The Ambitious Underemployed:

This Northridge Scholar was a child prodigy, taking and acing the Imperial Examination...just in time for Imperial Lung Wa to fracture, causing the civil service to fall apart. Before they'd had plans to travel to Changdo and rise through the ranks to make life better for all, but now not only were they stuck in what was already regarded by most of the Empire as a backwater, but a backwater overrun with ghosts and monsters who had little use for bureaucrats or poets. Swallowing their disappointment, they decided to put the skills they'd learned to use in Willowshore, their hometown. While privately they have grand dreams of founding an academy that would become a beacon of education and public service to light the way for Shenmen as a whole, they realize that such a dream must grow from a smaller seed, such as re-establishing public education, something both Northridge and Southbank would greatly benefit from. They deeply respect Heh Shan-Bao, whose efforts to protect Willowshore from the chaos unfolding in the wider world have allowed them this chance. They also are friends with Luo Xi Yang, who shares their fondness for civil service and Jubei of Mother's Coil, whom they admire for carrying on her education to honor the late Anjal.

In terms of class, this character was originally conceived as a Wizard, inspired by the upcoming School of Civic Wizardry teased for the Remaster, though now I've been pondering whether the character should be single class, or if I should mix Investigator in with it as well, which would be a great way to emulate famous scholars who also participated in battle, like Lu Zhi, Kong Rong and Zhuge Liang. Bard is another class that'd work well, especially to emphasize their poetry hobby, and because Bards are now getting full martial proficiency with the Remaster. Their ancestry would most likely be human, though there's nothing in this concept tied down to a specific ancestry the way the previous one is.

The Fire Lancer:

This bold and possibly reckless Inventor has Close Ties with Huo Tian-Zhe of the Second Best workshop. While the Player's Guide does caution that Gunslingers may struggle to find weapons and other materials in Season of Ghosts as written, there is one firearm that is well-known in Tian Xia: the humble fire lance. This character seeks to improve and iterate upon its design, and use it to protect their friends and neighbors in Willowshore as Shenmen grows more dangerous by the day. In their mind, mystical protections against ghosts and monsters are reliable and have their place; they just think the addition of SCIENCE! would be just the thing to tip the balance in the ordinary person's favor. Most of Willowshore, however, sees their project as a wasteful and occasionally destructive obsession. Even Tian-Zhe has become concerned, especially since such a weapon is rather impractical for the needs of Willowshore's watch. Once again, likely human in ancestry. And while it may not be practical for the kind of campaign Season of Ghosts is, I wanna add Cavalier as an archetype to complete the image of a fire lancer! Yes, admittedly this concept is more a gimmick that'd require an understanding GM, but it's one I've wanted to do for a Tian Xia character since Guns & Gears came out!

The Kawa Tengu:

Inspired by the kawa tengu, this character is a laid-back fisherman who can usually be found contemplating the river under an umbrella or entertaining the local children with their Mariner's Fire. But calm waters can quickly give way to raging rapids, and the umbrella they hold conceals a sharp blade! I hadn't really had a class in mind when coming up with this concept, since the folklore on tengu treats them as beings of inherent power rather than mere mortals, but Monk would be a potentially interesting choice, eschewing more formalized monastic studies and drawing inspiration from nature. Eldritch Trickster Rogue would be another good one, to add some actual illusion spells to the mix. In terms of their background, both Southbank Traditionalist and Close Ties (specifically to Zataku) work great!

The Wielder of the Heavenly Way:

This Willowshore Urchin, unlike the Ambitious Underemployed, was a dropout. Failing the Imperial Examination didn't matter much when said empire broke and became even more meaningless to Shenmen than it already was. Still, they wished to help people in Willowshore, finding work collecting herbs in the forest for You So-Jin of Graveside Manners and occasionally making deliveries to Doctor Dami at the Hand of Spring. They felt frustrated at their seeming inability to do more to help the people of Willowshore and Shenmen as a whole. One day, while they were brooding on this, they were approached by a stranger who asked why they sighed and scowled so. Upon receiving the answer, the stranger smiled and asked the youth to follow them. Curious, they followed, and were led out of Willowshore to a cave in the nearby mountains. Within the cave was a seemingly ancient bamboo book, and upon reading the first few words, something in it resonated in their mind. This text, the stranger explained, was the Book of the Heavenly Way, and they had been chosen to spread its knowledge and use it to help others. They tried to ask the stranger who they were, but they had already vanished.

Returning to Willowshore, they began studying the Book and found it contained a great many things: philosophy, practical information on medicine as well as spiritual treatments, esoteric knowledge of monsters and spirits and more, all in a way that was much easier for them to grasp and understand than the dry ten volumes of the Imperial Compendium. This knowledge enabled them to become a Thaumaturge with the Book of the Heavenly Way as their Tome implement. As they grow in skill and power, they may adopt the Chalice implement to serve as a healer or the Bell implement to ward against the dark spirits threatening Willowshore.

This character was primarily inspired by the story of Zhang Jue, the Taoist mystic who inspired and led the Yellow Turban/Scarf rebellion that kickstarted the fall of the Han Dynasty, as described in the first chapter of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. While obviously this character isn't as "revolutionary" as the Zhang brothers, Season of Ghosts is a ghost story, not a political drama, the idea of a charismatic warrior-healer tickles my paladiny sensibilities. Especially after watching this trailer for Total War: Three Kingdoms depicting Zhang Jue much more sympathetically than most other adaptations of his story do.