[PF-1e] Parabellum Games

[Eviltedzies]

Originally Posted by Battlechaser

- is only spheres magic allowed or combo of Vancian magic and spheres?

Vancian and Sphere magic are allowed. You can combine both though each will keep its caster levels seperate. (So if you went vanilla Sorcerer but also chose to gain the Mid-Caster progression your Spheres caster level would be seperate from your vanilla Sorcerer one)

Originally Posted by Battlechaser

- A possible exploit could be the grim hunter trait and the instant enemy spell.

Given that Instant Enemy is a Ranger only spell AND that at 10th level a Ranger will only get likely 1 level 3 spell slot I am not too worried about it. A wand of Instant Enemy costs 15,750g which makes it expensive to try and abuse it.

Likewise the Target Spotter feat from Spheres would let a PC apply Favored Enemy bonuses to any creature, but only 1 at a time.

That said I may tweak the Grim Hunter trait to remove the ability to share favored enemy bonuses with allies. My intent with the trait was to make the PC who selected it especially capable at killing the creature type they have a vendetta against.

Edit: Went ahead and removed the ability to share the Favored Enemy bonuses. The individual PC can still exploit Favored Enemy or Target Spotter but each one has its own drawbacks.

Originally Posted by Battlechaser

- are oaths allowed?

Short answer: No (Will update the first post with this)
Long Answer: While I am a fan of Oath' freeing up gold to use elsewhere, I feel like the downside of most Oaths are easily avoidable. If this were a more involved campaign with more role play that I could purposely design to target player Oaths I might allow them.

Originally Posted by Battlechaser

- if we convert and archetype that grants extra spells known to spheres does it grant extra talents known? A one on one ratio might be too beneficial.

Can you give me an example of what you a referring to? To my knowledge most archetypes in Spheres don't usually convert bonus spells known to bonus talents known.

[Battlechaser]

Originally Posted by Eviltedzies

Can you give me an example of what you a referring to? To my knowledge most archetypes in Spheres don't usually convert bonus spells known to bonus talents known.

For example the mute musician archetype or the dirge bard archetype grants extra spells known. If I make a mute musician champion bard he has spherecasting and extra spells known.

[Eviltedzies]

Originally Posted by Battlechaser

For example the mute musician archetype or the dirge bard archetype grants extra spells known. If I make a mute musician champion bard he has spherecasting and extra spells known.

The way I read it is archetypes that replace your spellcasting with spherecasting effectively replaces your Vancian spells & spells known list. You no longer have a a "spells known" list to add spells to making the benefits of any archetype effect that adds new spells known useless.

Example: If you made a Bard [Champion & Dirge Archetypes] your casting/spells known would be replaced by Spherecasting. The Secrets of the Grave ability of the Dirge archetype would grant you its initial benefit; however, the part about granting new spells known would be wasted.

I do agree that gaining +1 magic talent per effective +1 spell known might be a bit much. If I was going to homebrew a ruling for such interactions I would be more like to say that for each "spell known" you would instead receive +1 Spell Point to your daily spell pool.

[Battlechaser]

Okay. Thanks.

[droobles]

I think the archetype rules are clear on how to treat extra spells known: http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/archetype-rules

If an option adds spells known (for spontaneous casters), the class instead grants one extra magical talent at the first level these spells become known. Only one talent is gained per group of spells known given. If the spell can be altered, then the magical talent can be altered under the same rules. Replacing spells known has no effect.

[droobles]

And I forgot to ask, where should we roll the dice for ability scores?

[Eviltedzies]

Originally Posted by droobles

I think the archetype rules are clear on how to treat extra spells known: http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/archetype-rules

If an option adds spells known (for spontaneous casters), the class instead grants one extra magical talent at the first level these spells become known. Only one talent is gained per group of spells known given. If the spell can be altered, then the magical talent can be altered under the same rules. Replacing spells known has no effect.

Thank you droobles. I figured there was a rule for it somewhere but had never needed to look it up before.

As for dice rolls, once the game thread gets approved I will create a dice thread for folks to roll in.

[Eviltedzies]

Two things that were brought to my attention that I will update later in my main post.

1. Permanency spell is not allowed.
2. Custom magic items are not allowed.

[Tempestfury]

A level 10 Spheres game? Count me in! An arena could potentially be fun too. I think I have some idea about what I might want to play too... especially with the free sphere progression on the side, that really does open up fun builds and options, even if we're only single classed.

Edit: So gotta ask, how important will the monster encounter be to our Aps? Because I, don't have much experience on the GM side of things, so I have no idea how good my monster might be.

[triedtherest]

Borkin of the Brewmasters of Dysus Name: Brewmaster Borkin Race: Human Classes: Cleric Archetype(s): None Alignment: True Neutral Primary Party Roles: Debuffer, buffer, healer, support, tank Character Sheet: Sheet Home Kingdom: Baalreisan Campaign Trait: Doth Anyone Object? Description: One way or the other you will get out of this arranged marriage. Your family is dead set on you marrying and whether you loathe your intended partner or simply have no desire to marry is up to you. In your genius or idiocy you managed to forestall your nuptials by entering the Parabellum games, but such a measure is only temporary. If you win however..... it could earn you the coin and repute to reject such a marriage outright. Benefit: Despite your obvious desire not to go through with the marriage, one or both sides of the family want to see you survive and continue with the wedding. To that end they are using what resources they have to send you aid. Whether you choose to use said aid is up to you. Each morning prior to your fights you will receive 1d3 random magical consumable items. Each consumable will have a unique beneficial effect determined by the DM.Doth Anyone Object? Region Trait: You spent two gruelling years serving in the Baalresian army. The experience toughened you and during those years you picked up a trick or two. You gain proficiency in one weapon of your choice. (Simple, Martial, or Exotic). Alternatively choose one type of armour or shield and gain proficiency with it.Citizen of Baalreisan Physical Description:   Usually smelling of either strong or stale drink (depending on the time of day he is encountered), his body is quite Str 14 (assuming that the average is 10)toned for a drunkard, possibly due to him constantly lifting kegs of ale. He keeps his square jaw well shaved, as a beard can get in the way of a decent pint, but his hair receives no such treatment, his black curly hair growing down passed his shoulders. He tends to dress in whatever clothes seem most appropriate at the time, which sees him dressed for mostly function rather than style, but is usually of decent quality nonetheless. Personality:   He judges people by their actions, not by their words or perceived station in life. If someone is in trouble, he is always ready to help. He genuinely believes that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. He is at odds with his elderly father, and thinks that the only way of regaining his fathers respect is by making something of himself. He has a weakness for the vices of the world, ESPECIALLY when it comes to hard drink. He exemplifies the more playful side of his God's teachings...most of the time! He enjoys light-hearted jokes and pranks with those he considers a friend, but diabolical traps for anybody that he places in the category of "enemy!" His overbearing family has made him determined to make some kind of mark on the world, but on his own terms it cannot interfere with his leisure time! Backstory:   Born to a tavern-owning ex-soldier in central Baalreisan. He was the middle sibling of five, two older brothers, and two younger sisters. From a young age, Borkin wanted nothing more than to craft and serve the most delectable beverages in existence. The family tradition was that the first son would serve in the military first then inherit the majority of the family estate, the second son (If there was one) would join the "Church of Betterment" once they had come of Age, and if a third son was born (which did not happen very often) then he would serve a couple of years in the Baalresian army then...have to find his own way in the world. There were no traditions about daughters. Borkin would have been fine with the arrangement, he had a plan to set up a small brewery/distillery after his time in the army, and sell high class Ale and Spirits to the better class of Inns and Taverns, maybe even going on to own his own tavern one day, then something terrible happened! Borkins oldest brother returned home from the military earlier than expected...he was dead! Mourning can bring a family together, not so with Borkin's. At the Wake, their Father announced that the Second Born would now spend a single term of military service and then come home to learn the family business, while Borkin would become an Acolyte and dedicate himself to the tenets of the "Church of Betterment" (which would involve a lot of abstinence and prayer!) Would. He. Hell! He took Holy Orders all right, but it was on his own terms. He joined the Homebrew God: Similar to Cayden Cailean, but closer to the Greek God Dionysus. True Neutral alignment. More concerned with revelry and forgetting your troubles than fighting and bravery Has the Madness and Trickery Domains (as well as their Subdomains) instead of Chaos and Good and their related Subdomains Followers of this God have banded together to form a loose Organisation. Technically a religious Order, they have links to both the hospitality and entertainment industries, Brewmasters of Dysus. Borkin ran away not long after, taking his brewing equipment with him. He made a simple living for a few years, selling Ale from the back of his cart, but this was not to continue. He heard word that his Father had persuaded some of his nephews to track Borkin down and "persuade" him to live up to his family obligations by marrying the daughter of one of his father's business colleagues, so he decided to flee, but where? RP Scenario:   He headed North to try and make a name for himself that would not get back to his overbearing father. He got his wish sooner than he expected! On a stay in a small Village, too small to be on a map of the Kingdom, or even have an official name beyond "The Village," he was awoken by a scream of "OGRES!" by an old fellow that had been set up in a sentry post overnight. The villagers assembled surprisingly quickly. More surprising was that they all seemed fairly old and had their own arms and armour. Borkin quickly realised that this was a retirement village for ex soldiers. The looks on these guys faces said that they knew they had no chance of survival, but they were not going to go down quietly. "Right Kipper!" He said to his horse. "It's time to break out the Reserve!" Calling the villagers over for "One Last Drink" he taps a keg filled with a rather special "ale!" "During my travels," Borkin said as the assembled fellows downed the ale. "I was fortunate find an entire field full of the incredibly rare and valuable "Giant-nettle" herb, which can only be found in places where a giant has fallen, and was a potential component in Giants Strength Potions. Well I wasn't about to leave THAT to waste, so I harvested it and brewed it into this ale over a lengthy period, then set it aside for the right day." The retirees seemed dubious, but Borkin merely smiled. "Today is that day, Gentlemen!" He cried, raising his fist in salute, then began singing the first line of Often sung at funerals for Imperial Soldiers, or by those who were about to die gloriously in battle."The Hymn of the Imperial Legion", which was soon taken up by the soldiers, who turned towards the approaching Giantkin, now determined to make these abominations pay dearly for their choice of "meal". Unnoticed, Borkin took out and read from a roll of Scroll of Mass Bull's Strengthmagical parchment. The effects on the elderly gentlemen were nothing short of astonishing! Outwardly, nothing seemed to change, but each one had been imbued with the relative strength of a Hill Giant, and they knew it! As one, they charged at full tilt towards the Ogres! If the "Ale's" effect on the villagers was astonishing, it was nothing compared to the villagers effect on the Ogres! Their wild charge cut through the raiders like rotten fruit, and those Ogres lucky enough to escape would tell tales to their children and grandchildren about the village of "Indestructible Sages!" After a lengthy victory celebration, Borkin bid The Village a fond farewell and continued his trek North, taking a few detours along the way. He expected a hard fight to win over the inhabitants of the next village, but was greeted heartily, and by name! It turned out that the villagers told all their relatives and former regiments what had happened (some of whom lived or were posted in the area), and of the miraculous "Brewmaster" who had given them the strength to both defend themselves and keep their pride. When the locals heard that he hoped to open up a brewery, they were more than happy to help him find a little place to rent, and to point him in the right direction for suppliers. He was finally able to hold his head up high and call himself a Brewmaster, to the people of the area he was a Hero, but "Borkin's Berserking Brew" became a Legend! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many years later, Borkin woke up from an uncomfortable and drunken slumber, on a stone-cold floor, and thinking that his head was going to split open. "What in the name of Dysus' Early Morning Hangover is that noise?" He croaked looking over. Their was a man hard at work at a grindstone of all things. Of course there was! The man stopped when Borkin spoke. "Oh, you're finally awake!" The man said with a mix of reproach and bewildered admiration. "I must say, I've never seen a contestant drink so much leading up to a match." "A...contestant!" Stammered Borkin, looking and sounding confused. "A contestant for what? Where am I?" "Of course..." Said the man, not paying attention to what Borkin was saying. "...I have never seen ANYBODY drink that much and still live! If your antics from last night are any indication. then your fights should be some of the most entertaining one's we'll have seen in years!" "Wha..fights! Where am I" "'Course, if you get killed in yer first one it'll just be "fight!"" Chuckled the man as he picked up his gear and started to walk out of one door before pointing to another door. "Oh, and the rest of your team should be through there!" "Wait..."Team"..."killed"...WHERE AM I?!" But the man had gone. Somewhere above his head, through layers of stone, Borkin could hear the roar of a crowd, and he began to get a dawning realisation of just how his drunken self may have temporarily dealt with avoiding his upcoming "Nuptials". "Where am I?" He whispered to the question which he desperately hoped he had just guessed wrong. Monster Encounter:   Encounter Name: Difficulty Rating: Easy (CR 9) Monster(s): 1 Huge Air Elemental and 4 Dopplegangers Monster Strategy: Dopplegangers will start off looking like generic gladiators or monsters. The Air Elemental will use it's Whirlwind Ability to obscure all vision with sand. The Dopplegangers then each turn into one of the PC's and use the confusion to get the drop on the PC's. The Dopplegangers will know who is real due to their Detect Thoughts (even if it is resisted, they will know that's not one of them). Also using Setect Thoughts to coordinate with each other through the obscured vision. Monster Statblocks/Link: Huge Air Elemental Doppelganger

[Eviltedzies]

Originally Posted by Tempestfury

How important will the monster encounter be to our Aps? Because I, don't have much experience on the GM side of things, so I have no idea how good my monster might be.

Your monster encounter does not need to be a 100% well written, well balanced, or perfect creation. This is part of why I am giving folks to option to create low challenge rating encounters so that they do not have to worry about all the complexities of a higher level encounter.

Ideally the two main things I want applicants to focus on when crafting these monster encounters:
1. Fun/Interesting use of monsters - In my first post I used two random examples. Trolls riding beholders as mounts and a Treant that is acting as a mobile fortress for lots of tiny fey archers. In both these scenarios the monsters are be used together in more than just a "They all run at you and try to kill you" way.

This can also be accomplished with low level encounters even if they may not pose a huge threat to the 10th level PCs. Using my example monster battle Gremlin Bombardier, instead of just sending the gremlins into straight melee, they are using the Bombs as mounts and potential dropships to jump down upon PCs.

Try to think of fun or creative ways you could have monsters work together or coordinate with each other that is not something you would see in a standard hack n slash adventure.

2. Option for Homebrew Monsters - Ever seen a monster in a movie, comic, or book in real life that you thought "Man I wonder how awesome it would be to see this monster fight in a D&D world?" Then here is your chance. You are welcome to take inspiration from ANY source and build a monster around it.

If I had to give you a rough percentage of how important the monster encounter would be to your app I would say if your character is 75% of your application importance than the monster encounter would be 25%.

Also if you are unsure about your encounter you are welcome to discuss it among the other applicants if you wish. This can help you bounce ideas of and get different frames of reference.

[Tempestfury]

Okay, that's a relief to hear for sure.

What are your thoughts on the 3PP material on the Spheres Wiki? I'm currently looking at the Raveller with some interest, but I do understand its not Spheres content directly, so I believe its best to ask and check.

[droobles]

So, with the race creation can of worms open, are abilities limited only to the list on the race creation, or could we grab options from alternate racial trait? Lots of spheres option among all the races and we could estimate their cost based on what they replace.

[Eviltedzies]

Originally Posted by Tempestfury

What are your thoughts on the 3PP material on the Spheres Wiki? I'm currently looking at the Raveller with some interest, but I do understand its not Spheres content directly, so I believe its best to ask and check.

I am familiar with some of the 3PP content on the Spheres site, but if it isn't listed on the main Spheres page or is recent I'm likely unfamiliar with it. Dragoon, Mountebank, Necros, and Reaper classes for example I am familiar with.

The Raveler class seems to be newer though. I had not actually read the Raveler class until you brought it up so I have zero experience with it. I did give the base class a once over and the abilities don't look too crazy; however, I have not had much time to consider how it will interact with existing material. Due to these reasons I will have to say no to the Raveler at this time. (If I ever run this game again in the future.... assuming the 1st game succeed, I may reconsider)

Originally Posted by droobles

So, with the race creation can of worms open, are abilities limited only to the list on the race creation, or could we grab options from alternate racial trait? Lots of spheres option among all the races and we could estimate their cost based on what they replace.

The custom race creation is primarily intended to allow for players to achieve a cosmetic feel for their character that might not fit the pre-built races.

I am aware of the potential for abuse with some of the custom race abilities, but with the max racial points set to 17 it will limit the power of custom races.

As for choosing abilities, only abilities listed on the Pathfinder race creation page are available. Opening up more racials traits from outside sources will only add to the complexity and potential for issues. With the abilities listed on there I think there is plenty to work with in regards to getting the feel of a race the way you want.

[Tempestfury]

Originally Posted by Eviltedzies

I am familiar with some of the 3PP content on the Spheres site, but if it isn't listed on the main Spheres page or is recent I'm likely unfamiliar with it. Dragoon, Mountebank, Necros, and Reaper classes for example I am familiar with.

The Raveler class seems to be newer though. I had not actually read the Raveler class until you brought it up so I have zero experience with it. I did give the base class a once over and the abilities don't look too crazy; however, I have not had much time to consider how it will interact with existing material. Due to these reasons I will have to say no to the Raveler at this time. (If I ever run this game again in the future.... assuming the 1st game succeed, I may reconsider)

First of all, I need to remember this indent trick, it looks so, so good.

Second of all, very well. I'm thinking of playing a Spellforge Blacksmith with the Sword Shooter advanced talent... assuming Sword Shooter is acceptable, as it is an Advanced Talent.

I'll figure out the rest later.