[3.5e] Clockwork Paradise

[dragune185]

Game Name Clockwork Paradise

Game System DnD 3.5e

Theme Dark, Gritty, Cityscape

Flavour Primal Carnival

Plot Summary Dreary, weary, cold and wet. These four words describe the city of Lanx. Dreary because of the people. They live on the outskirts of a gorgeous castle, making a living off of trades and theft and can barely rise to the challenge of cleaning up their own defecation. They wear last decades clothing, use last century's language mixed with this newfangled street short hand because – well – no one can be bothered enough to write anything down, not that there are supplies to anyway. These people know what it's like to live in prosperity so when they see that they can't even feed their children it's all the more painful because they remember a time when they had so much to eat they grew fat. Weary because of the politics. People in fine clothing sit around, having battles of wit against one another before leaving to go to another kingdom just to talk so more. All the while, they use the peasants food source and magic as currency. In the world of politics those with power view everyone as pawns and themselves as queens. Lecherous backstabbing, muckraking journalism and haughty secrets rule politics and will determine where one's next meal will come from. And whether they wake up with a knife in their chest or their lover's chest. Cold because of the lack of hope. The people aren't desperate, they aren't even ravenous or cruel. They are apathetic. The radiance that was once held in the eyes of the citizens is replaced with a listless glaze akin to that of a unintelligent shadow of a creature. The people know that uprising is useless. Destroying the system that kept them in abject poverty means that they will fall into even further poverty. Destroying the system means that they can no longer feed themselves or leave the cities. Lanx suffers from this apathy even more. It serves as the middle ground for many political moving and the people have become more jaded to its workings. Wet because of the climate. It rains near constantly in the city, making the streets that are already lined in feces even more hazardous. It washes color from everything and withers away wood leaving nothing but the stonework that speaks about the illustrious past that is now nothing but a memory. The water comes down constantly and seems to be a reflection of the people's apathetic existence. No one cares that its raining, in fact on the rare days it stops raining the city seems to come to a halt because of the heat. The sun is the cosmic antithesis of the people.

Mechanics Preamble At its heart, Lanx is a magi-ocracy. Those without magic are less than full citizens, they are lesser people who cannot amass the mental fortitude to become a learned mage. Nor were the blessed by the powers that be to become a natural mage means that a person not magical is relegated to a position of manual labor. This is not how it always was but that's the current scene. Those who do possess magical capabilities are found and put to work. They are sucked dry of their magical potential, they are put into sweat shops of ritualized spellcasting. They are used as leaders of guard squads. Those whose natural proclivity is necromancy, they are made undead and put into the direct command of another necromancer. Those who do not submit are made to comply through whatever means necessary. But sometimes, brute force isn't needed. Those with magic are propositioned a job inside the castle that dominates, where they toil away at mechanical contraptions, boiling pots of alchemical stew or whatever else they can create in the magical assembly line. They are paid well and allowed access to the castle's more pleasurable accommodations such as the realms created just beyond the material that are places of carnal pleasures or the fresh hot showers and clean clothes. There are guard positions for those lucky enough to be born into a military family, but those are few and far in between. And the person best be good at what they do. They have to fight against opposing mages and be good at it. They also have to fight their teachers and impress the aristocracy. This is where players come in. They can be anything they want to be within the city except aristocracy. Players are welcome to pick whatever they think would make it in the city but bear in mind this is a gritty campaign centering on espionage, political movement and arm twisting. Those who can kill are desired, those with magic are hunted and put to work. Those who do both are relished. There is combat, as one would expect in a place with such fierce political intrigue things are solved with force but don't neglect the social abilities. Players are encouraged to play competently and I will be making encounters based on this competence.

World Information Rank Aristocrats Royalty King Queen Right Hand Left Hand Adviser and Council(5 Members) Head Mage Family to King Family to Queen Right Hand's Lover Left Hand's Lover Extended Family of King Extended Family of Queen Military Dei Low Sen Da Buq In Pesantry Peasants Derilects   King The current king, Twy Vux Vous, is a human man given to fits of hysteria and visions. His eccentricities are exacerbated when he pretends to be the queen, often passing for her when he wishes to. He often times will make decrees under her name as well. But the man generally behaves himself like a child. Laughing at inopportune times, making fun of the poor and those who are within the royal family. His current body isn't his original body. Rumor has it, that he died somewhere on the battlefield in a lifetime ago and his magical powers resurrected him in one of his dolls. It would explain why the man, even after thirty years, doesn't show a sign of aging. Queen This woman is tall, thin and fair. With hair the color of copper and always wearing the nicest clothing that money, whether hers or not, can buy. She is quiet and is known for having a mean streak. She is also cruel, sometimes finding poor people whom she forces to dance with the paid performers and if they miss a step, off with one of their toes until they have no more. But for all of her cruelty she's cunning and wise. Some say she's a secret mage, others think its only her charismatic nature that draws people in and keeps them there. No one has truly found her secrets out and before she was the wife of King Vous she didn't exist in paper. Right Hand The Right hand is a portly, Black human whose known for his wisdom and kindness. He isn't unnecessarily cruel, but he doesn't hesitate to remind people of their rank. He spends his time in his study, analyzing the stars, scrying the surrounding area. It's said he possesses the birds and can see and hear everything within the city. Whether it's true is speculation. His simply called the “Right Hand.” His real name is forgotten or never called. The Right Hand's duty is to serve the King's wishes and relay information to the lower level of Royalty. He serves as the highest level of control over the military in the royalty, though he is second to the King. Left Hand A spellscale, the Left hand is a voice of opposition, whose sole purpose is to oppose to the Right Hand for further understanding. The Left hand is to serve the queen's wishes and to preside over the Royal Court. The Left Hand is different from the Right Hand as he is the highest level of control to the Mages. The Left Hand is known for his eccentric parties and extreme desires for what his eyes land on. Whether it be material or flesh. Adviser and Council The group is composed of six individuals if one counts the Adviser. The Council is made up of all mages, with the adviser being a non-mage. The Adviser is the one who leads the council in their decisions and brings to them issues. Each of the councilors deal with various aspects of running the city as well. One is tasked with health and safety, another with food, another with magical proliferation. Each one has their own sphere of power and answer to the Adviser. The adviser answers to the Queen. Head Mage This man is one of the highest achievable ranks in the royalty for those not born or selected personally. This role is rife with conflict as the Head Mage decides work schedules for all the mages, sees that each mage is rigorously tested and creates this test. He works as the diplomat for other town mages, and has to approve all treaties made between the city of Lanx and the other cities in the world. He doesn't have the freedom of the other mages who simply do their magic and get a paycheck. This man must use his knowledge about the world and magic everyday and apply them in complex abstract ways. He is the lead engineer of the “Mage Corps.” An elite organization whose main goal is to create new spells and new rituals and new means to spread magic. The current Head Mage is an elven woman with auburn hair and slightly outdated fashion sense. Her will frequently be seen in her large study that doubles as the realm's library. She doesn't talk much, instead she employs the use of several highly intelligent undead creatures whom answer directly to her. They do not speak, they simply carry their messages and then return to her. She is said to have eyes in nearly every place a mage is. King's Immediate Family This is the immediate family of the King including grandparents and grand children, down to three generations. This family receives the royal treatment and spends most of their time lost in the various Realms conjured at the behest of the family. (Realms are literally tangential realms filled with whatever their maker desires.) These realms serve as the place where business is conducted as they can be placed anywhere within the city where there is a doorway. The family of the king is entitled to the privileges of royalty which include a round the clock guard service, unlimited access to a select number of pleasure houses and brothels, freedom from being prosecuted by the derelicts and peasantry and the ability to make five calls on the Armed Forces of the city. (Calling on the army means that the Armed Forces must follow the orders of the family as thy were given by the King.) They are to attend all royal functions and receive the utmost attention and care to their wardrobe, no matter where they are. They are followed by slaves. The current family is mostly elderly and geriatric citizens. This indirectly corroborates the story that the King is actually much older than he appears. Queen's Immediate Families These are exactly as the King, though lower in the pecking order of the society. Right Hand's Lover The Right Hand's Lover is afforded similar luxuries of the King's family, though they can be prosecuted by the derelicts and the peasantry and can only call on the army twice in one year. And the power doesn't extend throughout the entire bloodline, only the immediate kin. This differs as well from the King's family which follows all the way through the bloodline. Left Hand's Lover This is exactly as the Right Hand. King's Extended Family This is the family that is garnered through marriage and political manuevers. They can only call on the army once a year. People who fall into his category would be third and fourth cousins, great great uncles from several marriages and the likes. The King's extended family is small compared to the Queen's. The King's family simply died from old age.   Military Explanation Dei – The highest level of military power, is forbidden to practice magic Low – Tasked with being the mouth piece of the Dei, forbidden to be a natural mage Sen – The second highest achievable level of mages, these are the second level of command in the military and serve as hands-on managers of the army. These are forbidden to weild their magic as secondary. Their primary focus is always magic. Da – These are the highly skilled officers, they serve as field commanders, their ranks are divided between magic and sword equally. They serve also as the escorts of aristocrats between the cities. These men and women are hardened and heartless. Buq – This serves as the entry level of mages, this position is one above the entry level foot soldiers and above those who do not wield magic. In – Entry level positions for those who do not wield magic. These are forbidden from practicing magic.   Peasantry Explanation Peasants - This is the largest population of people and comprises all able-bodied people. Derilicts - Those suffering mental afflictions, incurable disease and other diseases that make people unable to work. These people are killed. There is no exception aside from the King's immediate family and a pardon signed by the Right Hand.

Ham Knuckles On Sources: Sources allowed are as followed: Races and Complete Series, Tome of Magic, Tome of Battle:Book of Nine Swords, Magic of Incarnum, Heroes of Horror, Complete Psionics(and Expanded), Player's Handbook 2. If you don't see a listed option, just ask. You will notice this list is lacking Core(PHB, DMG and MM1) this was intentional. Variants on core classes are not allowed either. I am only allowing the Bard class from core as Bards are awesome and I would never deny someone the ability to play that class. On Alignment: What is that? Alignment? Homebrew Yes, a thousand times yes! The origin of this game lies in the age old problem: "I have this awesome class but no DM would allow it." This game is not like that. I want to play test people's creations, I want to put these classes into situations that are objective and then see how they perform. I say objective because now encounters are not the constructs of both the class-creator and the DM but rather something beyond the DM's control. That being said, I am nixing anything that has full casting akin to that of a Druid, Cleric or Sorcerer. This is more for those classes whose true power is yet to be discovered and will hopefully challenge it in a way that will strengthen the class as a whole. All I require is a formal and complete write up. This means a level by level break down of saves, HP, BAB, and class features. I will then make a judgement call on whether is meshes with the current party. This doesn't mean you have to play homebrew. If you doubt my ability to accurately assess the mechanical advantages inherit with a class all I can do is point you at some of posts around here. I think I demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the game and can handle the things players throw at me. That's not arrogance, I am just confident in my knowledge of the 3.5 system. Raw Mechanics Level 6 Point Buy: 32 Points LA Buyoff is Allowed People will have an extra 1k extra EXP to spend on buying off la, crafting items, ect. People receive two bonus feats that are to be taken(and thus qualified for) at level 1. Alignment Restrictions are stuck down – I do not want to open a can of worms on “morals” and “ethics.” If there are questions just ask me.

My Expectations     Character Application Format Indexical Bits Name: Age: Race: Class Composition: Two Word Overview of Character: <Space> Core Bits Background: Appearance: Personality: <Space> Out of Character Briefs Answer the following questions in brief: What do you want out of this game? What do you like to see in a game? What is the goal of your character and how do we help that character achieve those goals? I am looking for three additional players, this will bring the total members to five. I already have one player, DraconigenaArma. He has been with me from the start and I love each of them as players. DraconigenaArma is also playing is own class called the Phoenix Incarnate, something he and I discussed at length about. This game's nature is dark and gritty and mature. If mature themes cause you discomfort you might be advised to find another game. I am saying all of this for full transparency and I don't want anyone making assumptions(these are bad.)

[dragune185]

 

Questions City Question Originally Posted by DraconigenaArma Do characters have to be from Lanx? Excellent question. The simple answer is, they do. Outside the city is unknown to many citizens of Lanx. Those who do know what it's like on the outside want to quickly forget. It's a dangerous world on the outside and the cities have made their largest fortune in the assurance that they can keep its inhabitants safe. It's yet another reason people do not rebel against the government. Those running the place are also upkeeping the walls that keep whatever is dangerous outside from getting inside. Core Being Nixed Originally Posted by dirkoth Interested, sixth is a great level to start, I think. So, if the PHB and DMG are out, what does "out" mean? We can't use anything found in those books? For example, fireball is not available to mages? Longswords are banned? Handy Haversacks, verbotten? No core feats? I mean the classes are out. The spells, feats, weapons and items are in. But the classes that created most of them are out.

 

Name of Character	Name of Applicant	Race	Class	Blurb	Status
Griffin A Loren	Cancer	Human	Spirit Shaman 6	<LEFT BLANK>	Incomplete
Magnus Idelium	BeowulfHinamo	Gnome	Bard 5/Dirgesinger 1	Bar none	Complete
Noladrasha	Yogge Mothi	Human	Red Dragon Shaman 6	Fiery and Indomitable	Complete
Aurelius of the Pastern herd	dbaque	Centaur	Knight?	Sanguine and indefatigable	Complete
Najir Greenblade	Sifer	Human	Ninja 5/Pyrokineticist 1	Tragic Ronin	Complete
Daemis	spikehed	Human	Hexblade/Crusader/Ur-priest	Twisted Dedication	Complete
Jychrazimilrakn	Oghain	Shadow Half-Dragon	Dread Necromancer	Indomitable. Baleful	Complete
Sera	dr green	Human	Bard 4/Celebrant of Sharess 1/Assassin 1	Poison Butterfuly	Complete
Ashika(Ash) Sun	Fearaen	Half-Elf	Revolutionary	Scheming Opportunist	Work in Progress
Korlina	rgrmrdth	Changeling	Ninja 2/Wu Jen 4/Tranmogrofer(X)	Enigma and Power	Complete
Fellick Skardi	DraconigenaArma	Human	Phoenix Incarnate	Big Bang	Complete
Kavok	Narsis	Dragonborn Goliath	Unarmed Swordsage	Strong and Silent	Complete
Morgan Shailicia	Reeshan	Human	Warblade 6	(Lost) Glory and Chaos	Out of Character Briefs need finishingIncomplete
Janitorial Appliance 44	Wolesz	Warforged	Swordsage	Self-made	Incomplete

[dirkoth]

Interested, sixth is a great level to start, I think.

So, if the PHB and DMG are out, what does "out" mean? We can't use anything found in those books? For example, fireball is not available to mages? Longswords are banned? Handy Haversacks, verbotten? No core feats?

This could be a very interesting game, just trying to figure out what is available, what's not, and how to work around it...

Maybe Shugenja, since many of their spells are unique, and not core... yes, a shugenja! Let me work something up!

[dragune185]

I mean the classes are out. The spells, feats, weapons and items are in. But the classes that created most of them are out.

This is an experiment to see what happens when those classes aren't in the game. I guess that one day I will step out and say, "No core at all!" but right now I am just dipping my toes in. Excellent question. It will be added to the questions post.

[dirkoth]

Ah, well that's cool.

But think about it... a game where everything unique to core was out... could it be done?

Still, I will work up a gritty shugenja, perhaps.

 

you say classes are out, are races from PHB allowed/not allowed?
a shugenja is technically a full caster. Is the class allowed?
What about a Spirit Shaman (again, technically, full caster)
Can you explain this a bit more? Sorry to be so anal, but I do part time paralegal work, and it... bleeds over. "This means a level by level break down of saves, HP, BAB, and class features." do you want to know a shugenja's saves at each level, 1st through 6th? And his BAB? Or are you speaking of "if you have a homebrew class, whip it out and let me see it, and I will decide"? I am a little confused..

[dragune185]

Ahhh, my vagueness. I am an English/Philosophy major...it bleeds over. :P

When I say core is out I mean all the classes from core are out. With the only current exception being the Bard. Races, Items, Weapons, and everything not classes is allowed.(Again, Bard Exception bears mentioning.)

A shugenja is allowed, I am simply not looking for any high powered casters in this game. Or any lower powered martials, which is core classes are nixed.

The spirit shaman - that's a toughie - on the one hand they receive full access to the druid spell list, on the other, they do not come with the other pillars a druid receives. I will say they(Spirit Shamans) are allowed and I will add this for clarification:

Full casters are allowed, so Dread Necro, Beguiler, Wu Jen and Warmage are still allowed. I just do not want high-powered casters such as the Druid, Archivist or Wizard in the game.

The clause you refer to, Dirkoth, speaks about the homebrew. I thought by having it in the homebrew section and speaking almost exclusively about how homebrew operates that it was clear. Apparently...not. I will clarify this as well.

I do not mean to cause confusion.

EDIT: I find working up a level by level explanation of what class I am playing is beneficial for both me and the DM as he can see where exactly I am getting powers from and see what is going on in my build almost instantly. If you want to create a level by level break down, then by all means go ahead. I like it when players do that.

[Shaman Of Ohio]

Wow...very intriguing....think I will dig up my old skeleton notes on that Psychic Healer class I was working on...

[spikehed]

Posting interest as melee, preferably Crusader. Will flesh out this evening.

[Narsis]

i have an idea but i'm afraid it may not fit well:

a halfling bard. in particular a sort of antithesis to the city. so more of an optimistic, energetic, compassionate, sunny character.

[Oghain]

Place holding a Dread Necromancer! Love the dark and gritty AND been wanting to play a Dread Necromancer for a while now; will get an app up in the next few days.

[Cancer]

 

Application coming in soon.

Utilizing my Homebrew base class the Soulblade.

At the moment it lies incomplete, but will have it finished before the time comes. I guess I just need an incentive.

If not, then an Incarnate I shall be.

Indexical Bits Name : Griffin A' Loren Age : 28 Race : Human Class Composition : Spirit Shaman 6 Two Word Overview of Character :

Core Bits Background: Appearance: Personality:

Out of Character Bits What do you want out this game? What do you like to see in a game? What is the goal of your character and how do we help that character achieve those goals?

[dragune185]

Originally Posted by Oghain

Place holding a Dread Necromancer! Love the dark and gritty AND been wanting to play a Dread Necromancer for a while now; will get an app up in the next few days.

Dread Necromancers are my favorite class, can't wait to see what you whip up.

Originally Posted by spikehed

Posting interest as melee, preferably Crusader. Will flesh out this evening.

Love it, crusaders are good.

Originally Posted by Narsis

i have an idea but i'm afraid it may not fit well:

a halfling bard. in particular a sort of antithesis to the city. so more of an optimistic, energetic, compassionate, sunny character.

It would be ironic.

Create a character that you feel and well see how it works within the story. Remember the place of mages, even bards. Their magic would be well received in the world of aristocracy.

[Inem]

I love both the idea of the game and aspect of letting people play things they can't usually play. There's a couple of exotic things that I've been wanting to play that I have been having trouble finding a place for. I'll have to think some more, to remember what I most wanted to play.

Anyway, first set of questions: I'd be interested in playing a swiftblade found here. First question: Would you be willing to allow it at all? Second Question: You said no full spellcasters, would you be willing to accept something like Wizard 5/Warblade 1/Swiftblade X? Tecnically goes against what you said about no PHB classes, but it's not exactly a full caster (loses a Caster level when it takes a level of Warblade, loses another 4 caster levels over the course of swiftblade, the first one being at level one). As I said, I realize Wizards are actually out, and if you don't want to allow them at all, then that is fine. If that is the case I'll either try for some other entry method or go to one of my alternative ideas I'm interested in (as soon as I found the smart piece of paper where I wrote my other ideas down ).
Anyway, certainly not demanding you allow it, and not a problem for me either way, I'm just inquiring so I know my options.

[HenryLockwood]

Do you have a deadline for applications? I'm thinking of a Goliath Warblade.

EDIT: also, it takes at least 3k XP to buy off LA+1. Is it deliberate that characters can't (yet) do so?

[argemmedon]

I'm gonna throw this in as a place holder. The app will come soon enough.