[PF-1e] Strange Seasons

[CatCanCook]

A few questions.

* The templates add various special abilities. Should we assume they all take Standard actions to invoke, and are supernatural abilities, unless they state otherwise?
* If some are usable for few rounds per day as combat augments, often such abilities are swift or free actions. Was that the intent for any of the template abilities.
* In particular there are abilities like the following: Will of the Dead: Useable a number of times per day equal to 1 + Cha Mod. Removes all negative conditions when activated.. What action do they cost to use? (If they cost substantive actions, then the ability wont be useful to throw off a short duration effect.). Also -- can they be used even in the face of conditions that would deny you the ability to act? (Dazed, stunned)


Some observation that Elder Vampire is game breaking as written

The Dominate power is super-powerful, it can essentially auto win half of all encounters -- whether they be of the combat sort. It is a 5th level spell, normally available to 9th+ level characters -- so it is about 2x higher level than fits in a game with 5th level characters.

Suggestions to tune:
-- limit uses per day (1?)
-- limit max HD affected (maybe no more than your HD, or HD+2?)


The blood mirror ability is pretty insane.

1) Since it duplicates gear, have an item of gear that produces permanent value. Say Marvelous Pigments. Create duplicates that use the Marvelous Pigments to create 2000gp of trade goods a pop. Keep creating and selling this permanent gear, until you can afford a ring of wishes. Heck, 5 rings off wishes. Start duplicating those. Given everyone you like a +5 inherent bonus to all their stats.

2) Since it duplicates anyone but puts the duplicate under control, go and duplicate an archmage. Now your 3rd level character controls a 20th level character??

3) Clone yourself -- then since your clone has its own version of Blood Mirror, have your clone clone itself. Send an army of your clones to war.

Suggestions:

* Any expendable resource becomes a shared resource, and can only be expended if the original party consents without coercion. That way no actual extra spell slots, power points, charges, uses-per-day etc are created.

* Make the ability finite uses per day.

* Make the ability finite duration.

* Cap the critter cloned to your HD, or maybe HD+2.

Even with *all* of the above constraints, it will still be a standout special ability.

[RisenMartyr]

I originally had the elder as a big bad as you can tell. I planned to nerf it for player use. I'm working on that.

[CatCanCook]

Thanks for listening to feedback, RisenMartyr. I appreciate the creativity that is going into your world, and the diverse range of novel characters it allows.

[ricktur63]

If I am not mistaken I saw Kobald as a racial option. Kobald for the win! I am trying to figure out something most likely a dragon bloodline sorcerer. Consider this a placeholder. All he/she ever wanted was to be a dragon. So Dragon Disciple would be his/her next level.

[RisenMartyr]

The first part of the game will remain around the city, but the next act can either lead you away or keep you there. You'll reach a crossroads.

Yes, you can use the alternate downtime rules.

Starting gold will be standard.


Still working on the elder. Need it to gradually gather power when below a certain level.


Kobolds are a bit different in this world. They have an affinity with enormous rats and even were-rats. Even the good ones that aren't dragon fodder have an affinity with rodents. Evil kobolds 99% of the time serve evil dragons and good kobolds either serve good dragons or live around goodly races. The rodent affinity came about over generations of using rats like we would dogs or even beasts of burden and it evolved further into a much stronger bond. They still love to find gems and build extensive mines, but they are less pathetic in this world. They are physically tough rather than frail for their size and will pile on enemies until destroyed or they prevail.

[Ursinorum]

Since I'm thinking of a divine caster, how's the relationship between Elder Vampire and positive/negative energy? Wouldn't want to hit a friend while I'm trying to heal the party..

[Dylan Scott]

Don't worry, Perrem wouldn't hold it against you if you hurt him with divine energy or something, its not like he's a bloodthirsty unholy abomination or anything like that

[DrowNinjaPrincess]

Hello, I am intrigued by this game and perhaps, am willing to give it a shot with an intriguing character!

Scholar by day - Hero by night Name: Lady Francesca Giles Race: Human Class: Investigator / Vigilante Party Roll: information, intrigue, action Appearance:   Lady Francesca appears to be a somewhat small woman, though elegant and refined. Her movements are slow yet graceful, as if restricted by the garments she wears, yet calculating every move. Her dark hair is cropped short, though not unfeminine, and spectacles give her a shrewd and discerning demeanor. She is almost always seen carrying around a book or writing implement of some sort. Personality:   Lady Francesca is cold and distant, calm and collected. She is as much curious as she is cautious. She is well-mannered, though not above teaching those who would invoke her wrath some manners herself. Usually, a sharp tongue and acid wit suffice. Background:   A somewhat spoiled daughter of a minor house from distant lands, Francesca was a bit of a tomboy, sometimes sneaking out and often getting into adventures and mischief with her brother, Luis. As they grew up, they settled down, but not all was well in the family. Their family was what you would call "noveau riche". Francesca's father, William Giles, a brilliant engineer and alchemist, made a number of innovations, from ways to more effectively and quickly brew alcoholic beverages, to more efficient ship designs, to cold remedies. With each success their family grew in wealth and prestige, but so too did their number of enemies. For the established elite like the status quo as it is, and don't like it when a newcomer starts outperforming them and taking their profits. Their father was ailing now, and so Luis took the helm with managing the family businesses. The situation seemed to be improving, until Luis was framed for an assortment of unsavory crimes: theft, espionage, assaulting a woman. There, he spent months in prison without trial and tragically, died from abuse and neglect, despite the pleading of his family's innocence. It was at this point when something within Francesca snapped. Some time later, the Vargas family estate went up in flames, along with many of the riches within. Most people made it out of the blaze alive, but notably, the head of the household - the one who was ultimately responsible for the death of Luis Giles and his father's sickness - did not. Some say they saw the crimson spirit of justice lurking about the property days before the fire. But most locals simply prefer to call her Rouge.   Appearance: A woman with long, wavy, fiery-red hair, and an even redder, crimson outfit. She wears a wide-brimmed hat which gives her the appearance of an inquisitor, and whatever isn't red is black. Heavily armed and dangerous as she is beautiful, people who get a good look at her face vividly recall the intense, wild look in her grey eyes. Personality: Rouge is confident. Rouge is action and little to no words. She shoots first and asks questions later. She is ruthless and pragmatic. She has little tolerance for legalities and the frivolousness of polite society. And somewhere, deep inside her, a timid girl whimpers, trying to keep the monster at bay - from consuming her. Loose Ends:   Francesca's father recovered and is no longer sick. Her mother and father are both alive and doing well, however her father has taken to heavy drinking. With Luis dead, there was no heir to run the family business. Francesca wasn't interested. Therefore one of her cousins is being brought into the fold. Currently Francesca travels around, "in pursuit of knowledge" she says. It's partially true in any case, but wherever she goes, Rouge is not far behind... Motivations:   On one hand, Francesca is a scholar. She seeks knowledge not just for it's own sake, nor curiosity, but she does try to find an application. She will often write home any time she makes a significant discovery or could set up a lucrative business deal. What she really gets out of traveling is a sense of adventure and excitement. Perhaps it is nostalgia, bringing back faint memories of the days she adventured around with her brother. Wealth and money do not interest her much - only insofar as perpetuating the false outward appearance of a luxurious lifestyle. On the other hand, Francesca is a vigilante. There is an almost uncontrollable urge to do good: to enact justice and vengeance by her own hand. Unfortunately, while she tries to justify her actions as good, sometimes they are quite questionable.

[RisenMartyr]

Elders are hurt by positive energy.

[Dressedtojazz]

This looks very intriguing. I like the race options created. I love the viking-like wildborne dwarves and have a mind to pitch a monk/psychic warrior concept. If I were to add the elemental infused template, does that require one of my 5 levels? So it would look something like this:

Unchained Monk 2 + Psychic Warrior 2 + Elemental Infused (Earth) 1?

Also, really cool that the Wildborne comes with a Gryphon.

[Maghnuis]

Love the ideas here for the races.
Mechanically, the Templates are confusing. Pathfinder doesn't have a mechanic for Level Adjustment.
They do have CR, but that never takes the place of levels. It does help in assigning xp for the threat level of opponents.

I suggest either just letting everyone have a Template if it fits their character at no cost, or else lay out vey clearly if there are extra costs to the character to take a template.

How do you intend to roll Ability Scores?

[Maghnuis]

Do you have more information on the city of Lansk and the Kingdom of Korvale?
History, Geography, Royalty other Countries?
Are they supposed to be on Golarion?

How regularly do you expect players to post?
How often will your post or respond?
Thx

[RisenMartyr]

Dressedtojazz - Yes, that would be correct.

Pathfinder doesn't have a level adjustment system, but 3.5 does and they are similar enough. If anyone wants a template, they can have one but some are too strong to not adjust levels.

Rolls will be eight sets of 4d6 dropping the lowest and keeping the best six.

I do have more information. I can PM you anything you need. It's not on Golarion. I expect posts several times a week or as often as you want. I'll do several a week.

[DrowNinjaPrincess]

So I take it this is a completely custom setting? I have no complaints there, as long as it's understood that it's reasonable for us as players to not know anything about the world.

I also notice that many people have a "build notes" section in their application. Do I need that? I'm not sure how exactly I will make this character.

[RisenMartyr]

I understand you'll only know what info I give, so I don't mind people making up areas for backstory and such.

You don't have to have your build listed if you aren't sure.