[OOC] Ewisott

[Cherubaddon]

Exactly what it says on the tin. Everything informal goes here, whether or not related to the game.

You may notice that there is already a private thread set up. It's the DM Notepad, and it's where I keep my, well, notes. There nothing terribly secret there (yet), but it's a bit of a mess and really just for personal use. If someone can see it, please let me know.

[Doderic]

Hey, folks, looking forward to this and all that jazz.

[Cidolfas]

Same here

[Cherubaddon]

So I still haven't heard back from my other two candidates (I suppose the beginning of the year is busy for us all), but I'm getting tired of waiting, and since I assume (hope?) that you do, too, I've opened a setting info thread. Now, I'm not requiring you to read it all in one sitting - the idea is that it is a small encyclopaedia putting the relevant setting info at your fingertips.

Still, you may have noticed some stuff relevant to character creation, so we might as well get started on that.

Who you are
One of you (hereafter referred to as "The Prince") is the eldest child of baron Leofric mac Fyr, by the grace of Naryne ruler of Ganeland. I'd like to offer this role to Cidolfas first since he didn't get it the last time around. The other players will play his retinue of advisors, bodyguards, siblings and friends. Note that while background matters a great deal in this game, none is excluded eo ipso: this is a feudal setting, and if the prince decides to keep commoners, foreigners and non-humans around, the nobles will respect that decision (though not necessarily like those in question any more). In other words, if it exists in the setting and you can find a reason for it to serve a Ganish prince, you can play it.

What you are
Age: Coming-of-age being something of a theme for this game, the prince should be no older than 21. For the other characters, anything goes - teenage hotspurs, grizzled mentors, immortal Edyrians, whatever you like.
Race: The prince is obviously human. As far as background is concerned, while Ganeland is a Highland hold, it is not uncommon for young nobility to be sent to be brought up elsewhere in the baronies; be it under the auspices of a friendly baron or at the abbey in Summerset. Thus, any background is acceptable. The other characters, again, are free to choose.
Class: This is a low-magic setting. And while that doesn't mean I will restrict your options, if you do play a full caster, you will likely be the only one for miles around. Also, I will keep close control over what spells are made available - not to throttle your power, but rather to avert developments that would call the whole setting into question. Mysterious seers are fine; plane-hopping multiversal investors chain-binding efreet are not.
Abilities: Pathfinder 20-points buy.
Traits: As always, you get two traits, one of which should be a campaign trait (see Knowledge [local]). The prince should take Heir Apparent. Note: the last bonus in each trait concerns mass combat. I have somewhat customized the system, so if it doesn't make sense yet, don't worry.

Okay, I'm sure I've forgotten a good chunk, but that should get you started anyhow. Take your time and, above all, ask questions. Many questions. I can't cover all I've developed about this setting in just a few posts, so my representation here is somewhat elliptical. Really, these are just appetizers - morsels of info to give you an idea of the flavour and possibilities of the setting. Find one you like, and I'll give you the details needed to turn it into a character.

[Doderic]

Cool stuff, going to set some time aside today to read through the setting details today. I have no interest in being the prince, and am currently debating between a wizardly type or a roguish character. The former I'd play as a mage who delves into magic perceived as dark by those uneducated in the ways of magic, with a side focus on the less savory aspects of the court. The latter would focus on back alley dealings, spying, the lower classes, and all things stealthy.

[Cidolfas]

Sounds good to me, I'm fine playing the Prince unless someone is desperate to have the slot. I'm thinking of playing a rakish swordsman, probably a dual-wielding ranger as I can't find a better option. Forgive me if I missed this, but what sources are available?

[Cherubaddon]

Sorry for the spotty posting guys, but I got back now, so rates should increase dramatically.

Doderic: Both work. For the wizard idea, that's a pretty easy concept to work since pretty much all arcane magic is seen as "dark" by the unwashed masses. The second idea is fine as well, but keep in mind that Ganeland (and the other baronies as well, really) does not have much of an urban culture. Ganeland has a population of about 3,000 total, half of which living in outlying farmsteads and the other half in the one central town. So elaborate spy networks are both difficult and a little inefficient.

Now, not to be misunderstood: I like the idea, and it will definitely be a useful role in the campaign - especially if the esteemed prince (influenced by your wise counsel?) decides to take over some neighbouring realms as a team-building exercise, in which case your ability to keep tabs on the nobles far and wide would be invaluable. What it does mean is that for that kind of fairly sophisticated training, the character would likely have grown up elsewhere - in the Lowlands perhaps, or maybe even the Empire.

Cidolfas: No, I forgot it. Sources are, well, pretty much everything PF. As long as it can be found on the Internet somewhere and fits the setting, I'm fine with it. The only things I'm ruling out are impromptu 3.x ports (which I'm not comfortable with) and things obviously out-of-place, like gunslingers and psionics. When in doubt, feel free to ask.

Also should have mentioned starting level, which is 4.

[Tripod]

Hey folks! I'm thinking of playing a fighter, perhaps a mentor or bodyguard of some sort to the Prince?

[Cherubaddon]

Both work. Concerning bodyguards, there is one cultural quirk I would mention: namely, the baronies' tradition of the swordbearer (called second among the Taleots and huscarl by the Norse, but it's really the same thing). It is an ancient tradition that involves raising heirs to important lines along with somebody of lower (though usually still noble) status, thereby creating powerful bonds of trust reaching forward into adulthood. Originally, this was done for a very pragmatic reason: every Gane's most treasured possession is his family blade, and they tend to be both very powerful (sometimes even magical) and pretty big. It's difficult to sit comfortably wearing one on your belt or back, but neither are you going to entrust it to just anybody. So the swordbearer's role was to literally stand by his liege's throne and hold his sword for him. Over time, the title has evolved to simply denoting a lord's most trusted bodyguard, but some still perform the ceremonial service their station indicates.

[Tripod]

If Cid's cool with it, Swordbearer would be cool. Perhaps someone in his 30's or late 20's that has more experience with fighting? I originally imagined my character as someone significantly older who taught the prince swordplay, but with swordbearer I can see my character being younger, though still older than the Prince. That way it's a little easier to explain why the Prince is about as good as my character. If my guy was in his 50s and they were both level 4, it'd be a little tougher to explain!

[Cidolfas]

Sounds good to me Tripod.

And I'm thinking about switching to a Cavalier. We would be lacking in tracking and whatnot, but I'd focus on diplomacy and whatnot. The class seems to fit what a lord's son who is educated would be. Not having a rogue or ranger might be an issue though. If this all sounds good I will whip up a backgound this weekend.

[Cherubaddon]

Heads-up for everyone - please eschew PMs wherever possible. I know I really should clean out my inbox at some point, but until I do, I'd prefer if you could stick to the game forum and use secret texts if necessary.

Cid - don't worry about party skills. As I already told Tripod, I'll DM for four fighters if I have to. Play whatever you like, I'll make the game fit the characters.

[Tripod]

So anything we should be doing? I'm pretty close to finishing my character sheet. Human Fighter level 4 of course.

[Cherubaddon]

Post it in the character thread that was totally there all along.

[Tripod]

Haha, I should have my character up today. How do we determine how much gold we should be able to spend at lvl 4?