[PF-1e] Blood and Guts

[LeoByron]

Summary CLOSED Game Name Game System Pathfinder Theme Evil, Conquest, Revenge! Flavour Undead Invasion! Recruiting Replacements! We've lost a few players since the start of the game, to life and to whim, so I am looking for 2 replacement players! The PC's have learned that 50 years have passed since they were slain by Lord Demetrious and that two "Risings" have occured whilst they slumbered in the dirt. This night, the night of their resurrection into darkness, has seen the advent of the Third Rising and the dead are once more rising from their graves within the cemetary known as Abadar's Loom. Devoid of all worldly possessions, the PC's had to struggle to first escape from Abadar's Loom since a powerful lattice warding the graveyard against undead had kept them prisoner within its boundaries. They succeeded in taking down the powerful relic which powered the ward and unintentionally caused the very third rising which greeted their egress from the crypt which held it. Now the PC's have gathered at the Von Strauss estate, Alisha's father's own ancestral home and the place where she grew up when she was alive. Sinadra, the Graveknight, sensed the presence of his armor there and it drew them to this place where presumably their possessions are being held. The new Players will not be part of the original consiracy and did not die with the current player characters. Instead, the new players can decide whether their characters rose in any of the previous 2 risings, or perhaps even this one! (The first Rising occured 50 years ago, immediately after the death of the current PC's. The second Rising occurred 25 years ago, to the day, and the 3rd Rising started this very night.) Your characters should have some reason to hate Lord Demetrious or otherwise have a taste to join a faction aligned against him. Pure evil might be a perfectly acceptable motivation, but the execution had better be delicious to elevate itself from so mundane a nature! They must also have been separated from their items for some reason and will begin the game approaching the Von Strauss Estate looking for these items. Since the current PC's are on the cusp of leveling up, new characters can start a single level higher than what is presented below, with 210,000 Experience rather than 145,000 (Fast Advancement) and be level 13. They must choose 1 of the templates outlined below, though Vampire, Graveknight, and Necropolitan have been spoken for. This leaves, Mummy, Death Knight, Lich, Skeletal Champion, Zombie Lord, or Apostle Kyton as options for new recruits. Note that some of these have a built-in level adjustment so non-Skeletal Champion or non-Zombie Lords will begin with the same experience, but will have only 11 levels of classe to work with. Starting wealth will be 140,000 gp + 70,000 gp for up to 2 special items. Who wishes to enter the world of darknes and conquer the realm of Strathmoor? NOTE: Deadline is for throwing your hat in the ring only. I will give those who have substantial apps in progress time to flesh them out beyond this deadline if needed. The Change You have lost. The reality came upon you with its crushing weight though some part of you refused to surrender to despair. Bound and impaled upon a gleaming silvered spear, you all stared at each other across this dark circle of sacrifice. Each of you were a threat to his power. Each of you rose from beneath his heel to challenge his supremacy over the good people of Strathmoor. At that time where each of you became poised to assert your power and break free from the yoke of his disgusting goodness, you were taken, at dusk, to this place. This secret place where the stench of blood filled your lungs and the dark crimson stains marred all that you could see by the meagre light of the flaming nearby brazier. "You dared to challenge me. You dared to pose a threat to my rule. To my people." His voice echoed, its admonitions reverberating from the nearby hills and tombstones, as if in mockery of your inevitable fate. His tall shadow loomed eerily as he approached the circle of the dying. Demetrious stepped into the light and allowed your dying eyes to fall upon his countenance. He was as richly clad as ever though for once, he did not conceal his angelic nature. His eyes gleamed gold with angelfire and his perfect golden teeth pushed past his lips as he smiled, stretching that pale skin which seemed so unaccustomed to such emotions as mirth or joy. His golden breast plate gleamed in the fire light as he circled your group, his purple cape dancing idly about his legs with the smooth movements of his cat-like gait. His longswords, silvered and jeweled at his hip, adorned with pummels shaped like gleaming crucifixes swayed as he walked, though they made no sound to betray his passing. "For your affront, I will now curse you. I will curse you to suffer as I have suffered. I will grant you peace and mercy and shun you from the light of day. I will cast you from this world forever!" With his speech rendered, Demetrious kept his promise and impaled every last one of you all the way through. One by one he approached you as one might have approached a beloved lover. One by one he touched upon your face, lightly, almost tenderly, as his irises expanded with his need and hunger for the kill. One by one he penetrated you with his spears and lifted you until you rose above the graves around you to bask in the light of the waning sun. Blood gushed from the horrific wounds and agonies untold ripped through your mortal forms until only madness remained within you. Soon, the darkness took you and all knowledge of the world faded to nothing. Later. Sensation rushed through you. Your mind expanded and rose and all colours came alive around you as if for the first time. Dark power coursed through your body and crackled at your fingers like eldritch fire. There was no light yet your eyes could see. You were not alone. Others lay with you in this damp dark tomb beneath the earth. Somehow, you have returned from that place beyond death, to ascend to UNdeath. Your hearts were among the darkest the world had ever seen before Demetrious cast you low to rot beneath the earth, but now an even deeper darkness dwells where life once pulsed through your living veins. The night is young and vengeance awaits beyond the grave! Expected posting rate will be 1 per week. Game concept The players are all members of this recently unearthed group of undead. You all came from different backgrounds but you all came from the nearby town of Strathmoor and at the time of your death, you were in a position to be a threat to the power of Demitrious, the Holy Lord of the city. The players all knew each other in life and were already working to take control of the town of Strathmoor. Your background can be anything you want but it must reach a place where your character cooperated with the other players in life and you have all known each other for several months or years. This game will take place in Golarion near a homebrew town of Strathmoor. I will provide more details as required. Below you will find rudimentary information about the town of Strathmoor as well as well as some of its well-known inhabitants. I will be accepting 4 to 6 players, depending on level of interest and quality of the applications received. Accepted Sources All Paizo material is allowed. Spheres of Power is allowed. Occult Adventures are allowed. Pactmaker from Spheres of Power is allowed. Path of War is banned. Dreamscarred Press psionics are banned. Akashic Magic is banned. Firearms of any kind are banned. Banned Classes:Gunslinger is banned unless you select an archetype that does not use firearms. Vigilante is banned. Summoner is banned (Unchained Summoner is ok.) Banned Feats: Leadership Feat (Leadership Sphere is ok), All Shikigami Style Feats, Sacred Geometry. Class caveats: Unchained versions of classes are ok but you can use basic versions as well (except for Summoner). Race: Race can be any Core, Standard or Advanced Race. Each player will be allowed a single Template which will turn their character into an undead creature. The available Templates are: Necropolitan: Players who choose to play as a Necropolitan will start with a 50 point buy, suffer no CR adjustment, and receive the Noble Scion Feat as a bonus feat at 1st level, treating their starting wealth as a character 3 levels higher instead of 2. They will also receive d8 racial HD rather than d10, though this will likely not apply since class levels will take precedence over racial HD. They will also use their Charisma score in place of their Constitution score when calculating hit points, Fortitude saves, and any special ability that relies on Constitution (such as when calculating a breath weapon’s DC). Skeletal Champion: Players who choose to play as a Skeletal Champion will start with a 40 point buy and suffer no CR adjustment. Zombie Lord: Players who choose to play as a Zombie Lord will start with a 40 point buy and suffer no CR adjustment. Death Knight: Players who choose to play as a Death Knight will start with a 25 point buy, suffer a +2 CR adjustment (and start the game 2 levels lower) and will gain the following abilities in addition to the ones listed in the template: 1/day Abyssal Blast (Su): Once per day a death knight can unleash a blast of eldritch fire. The blast fills a 20-foot-radius spread anywhere within a range of 400 feet + 40 feet per HD of the death knight. The blast deals 1d6 points of damage per HD of the death knight (maximum 20d6). Half of the damage is fire damage, but the rest results directly from divine power and is therefore not subject to being reduced by protection from elements (fire), fire shield (chill shield), or similar magic. A Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 death knight's HD + death knight's Charisma modifier) reduces the damage by half.Abyssal Blast and 1/day: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/symbol-of-death/Symbol of Death Lich: Players who choose to play as a Lich will start with a 25 point buy, suffer a +2 CR adjustment (and start the game 2 levels lower) and will gain the following ability in addition to the ones listed in the template: Caster Level +2. The character gains 2 full levels as a caster as though his HD were 2 higher without gaining any of the other benefits. This can be applied to any single class of the player's choice. This can grant extra spells known, extra spells per day, extra talents known, and also affects actual caster level in that class. Mummy Lord: Players who choose to play as a Mummy Lord will start with a 25 point buy, suffer a +2 CR adjustment (and start the game 2 levels lower). Vampire: Players who choose to play as a Vampire will start with a 25 point buy, suffer a +2 CR adjustment (and start the game 2 levels lower). Grave Knight: Players who choose to play as a Graveknight will start with a 25 point buy, suffer a +2 CR adjustment (and start the game 2 levels lower). Apostle Kyton: Players who choose to play as an Apostle Kyton will start with a 25 point buy, suffer a +2 CR adjustment (and start the game 2 levels lower). There will be a catch for these templates, however. I will only be inviting a single character for each of the above templates, though I am grouping Necropolitan, Skeletal Champion and Zombie Lord as one, so only 1 of those 3 will be accepted. Rather than choosing a template themselves, players will instead list the templates in order of preference. I will judge the applications based on the character without the template and invite 4 to 6 applicants to join, assigning them a spot from favourite to least favourite in my head. The number 1 spot on my list is guaranteed his top pick for template while the others will only get their top pick if it has not already been taken by someone above them on my list. This list will be kept private though you may be able to have some idea of where you were based on which pick you ended up with. I thought this might incentivize people to bring their A game in terms of application quality! I will be judging them based on quality of writing and creativity of the character and their backstory. Applications Applications should follow a fairly standard format with, at minimum, the following info: Name: Race: Class: Intended Role: (Damage dealer? BSF? Skill monkey? Tank? Crafter? Blaster? Summoner? Debuffer? Buffer? Battlefield Controller?) Alignment: Any Evil Spheres / Schools The Spheres you intend to choose, or the School of magic you intend to specialize in, if any. You will not be bound to this choice, I just want some idea of where you want to go.   Height: ? | Weight: ? lbs Age: ? | Skin: ? Hair: ? Eyes: ? Usual Attire: ? Include a detailed text description for your character. Finding an image to represent your character is highly encouraged.   Write a detailed text description of your character's personality. This should incorporate elements of your optional 10 minute background if you chose to write one.   Write a detailed text description of your character's background. This should incorporate elements of your optional 10 minute background if you chose to write one.   What is your character's proposed game plan? What is his ultimate goal? To kill Demetrius, certainly, but does he want the whole town to suffer? Include any preliminary ideas or strategies you might have here. Feel free to secret text this part if you want. You can use the 10-minute Background to guide your character creation if you choose:   The 10 Minute Background is a tool to help you flesh out your character’s existence. This is optional. 5 Background and Concept Elements that you feel are important to your image of the character. These can be a concept overview, a list of important life events, a physical description, a personality profile...whatever you need to get an image in your mind. 5 is just a minimum...more elements are encouraged! 2 Goals for the Character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game. 2 Secrets About Your Character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. 3 People That Are Tied to the Character. At least one of them is friendly to the character, and at least one is hostile. One of these characters should be tied to your character's Affiliation. 3 Memories, Mannerisms, or Quirks That Your Character Has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor. Please leave a post with a link to your application once you feel it is ready for review. Character Creation Characters will be built using a 25 point buy, with exceptions for race as above. No dump stat allowed lower than 8. Since you do not have a Constitutional score, you cannot choose it for your dump stat. Maximum starting stat with point buy is 18, before racial adjustments. Characters will start with 145,000 XP, using Fast Advancement, so will be level 12. Optimization level of the character can be high, but don't break the game. Use your judgement. Characters can have 2 Traits, 1 Drawback. (Drawback grants a potential 3rd Trait as usual) Starting Gold will be standard WBL for 12th level characters (108,000 gp), plus an additional 54,000 gp. This 54,000 gp can only be used to purchase up to 2 items which will be your character's preferred items. Usually, a character will spend this gold on a Magic Weapon and/or Armor but it can be any 2 items of the player's choice. There should be a special explanation for these items in your character's background. These funds cannot be mixed in any way with the base wealth the character receives. Noble Scion Feat increases starting wealth by 2 levels (185,000 gp or 240,000 for Necropolitans), in addition to its normal benefits. This does not affect the bonus item amount. Item Creation: One Magic Item crafting Feat will grant +25% WBL. Two or more will grant +50% WBL. This extra wealth must be spent on items the character could have crafted with these Feats. Bonus wealth remains unaffected. Note that the character gains extra wealth, but PAYS FULL PRICE for the items! Once the game starts, you will keep only 25% of any remaining wealth above 1,000 gp. For example, if you have 2,000 gp remaining, you will keep only 1,250 gp [ ((2,000 - 1,000) * 0.25) + 1,000 = 1,250 gp ] Max HP for every HD, for PC's and minions, if any. Firearms of any kind are banned. Leadership Sphere is allowed. Please use Spoiler Tags for each section as above. Please do not feel you have to create the character sheet immediately. Regarding Rules and Homebrew     Strathmoor Strathmoor Lawful Good - Large City Corruption measures how open a settlement’s officials are to bribes, how honest its citizens are, and how likely anyone in town is to report a crime. Low corruption indicates a high level of civic honesty. A settlement’s corruption modifies all Bluff checks made against city officials or guards and all Stealth checks made outside (but not inside buildings or underground).Corruption +5; Crime is a measure of a settlement’s lawlessness. A settlement with a low crime modifier is relatively safe, with violent crimes being rare or even unknown, while a settlement with a high crime modifier is likely to have A powerful thieves’ guild and a significant problem with violence. The atmosphere generated by a settlement’s crime level applies as a modifier on Sense Motive checks to avoid being bluffed and to Sleight of Hand checks made to pick pockets.Crime +3; A settlement’s economy modifier indicates the health of its trade and the wealth of its successful citizens. A low economy modifier doesn’t automatically mean the town is beset with poverty—it could merely indicate A town with little trade or one that is relatively self-sufficient. Towns with high economy modifiers always have large markets and many shops. A settlement’s economy helps its citizens make money, and thus it applies as a modifier on all Craft, Perform, and Profession checks made to generate income.Economy +1; Law measures how strict a settlement’s laws and edicts are. A settlement with a low law modifier isn’t necessarily crime-ridden—in fact, A low law modifier usually indicates that the town simply has little need for protection since crime is so rare. A high law modifier means the settlement’s guards are particularly alert, vigilant, and well-organized. The more lawful A town is, the more timidly its citizens tend to respond to shows of force. A settlement’s law modifier applies on Intimidate checks made to force an opponent to act friendly, Diplomacy checks against government officials, or Diplomacy checks made to call on the city guard (see sidebar).Law -3; A settlement’s lore modifier measures not only how willing the citizens are to chat and talk with visitors, but also how available and accessible its libraries and sages are. A low lore modifier doesn’t mean the settlement’s citizens are idiots, just that they’re close-mouthed or simply lack knowledge resources. A settlement’s lore modifier applies on Diplomacy checks made to gather information and Knowledge checks made using the city’s resources to do research when using a library.Lore +0; Society measures how open-minded and civilized A settlement’s citizens are. A low society modifier might mean many of the citizens harbor prejudices or are overly suspicious of out-of-towners. A high society modifier means that citizens are used to diversity and unusual visitors and that they respond better to well-spoken attempts at conversation. A settlement’s society modifier applies on all Disguise checks, as well as on Diplomacy checks made to alter the attitude of any non-government official.Society -7 Qualities Defensible (3pp) Source Cityscapes: New Settlement Options for the Pathfinder RPG. The settlement is strategically situated to make it easier to defend, giving its inhabitants confidence and making the settlement a major local trade hub. Increase Corruption +1, Crime +1, Economy +2. Decrease Society -1.Defensible, Gambling (3pp) Source Cityscapes: New Settlement Options for the Pathfinder RPG. The settlement caters to vice and greed. Casinos, gaming houses, opium dens and bordellos are all common here, and serve as the town’s major industry. Increase Crime +2, Corruption +2, Economy +2, Law -1. Add +10% to the settlement’s Purchase Limit.Gambling, Legendary Marketplace (3pp) Source Cityscapes: New Settlement Options for the Pathfinder RPG. The settlement is justly famed for its markets: almost anything may be for sale here! The settlement’s Base Value and Purchase Limits are treated as if the settlement was one size category larger. In the case of a Metropolis with the Legendary Marketplace quality, double the settlement’s Base Value and Purchase Limit. Increase Economy +2, Crime +2.Legendary Marketplace, Majestic (3pp) Source Cityscapes: New Settlement Options for the Pathfinder RPG. The settlement is known for its dramatic, sweeping architecture, monumental statuary and is built to a scale alien to most Medium size humanoids. Perhaps the settlement was once a domain of giants, or simply a human metropolis hewn to an epic scale for the sake of grandeur. Increase spellcasting by +1 level. Add +1d8 to the number of the most expensive category of magic items the settlement offers for sale, as determined by its size.Majestic, Prosperous The settlement is a popular hub for trade. Merchants are wealthy and the citizens live well. Increase Economy +1; Increase Base Value by 30%; Increase Purchase Limit by 50%.Prosperous. Disadvantages: Hunted A powerful group or monster uses the city as its hunting ground. Citizens live in fear and avoid going out on the streets unless necessary. (Economy, Law, and Society –4; Danger +20; reduce base value by 20%)Hunted A settlement’s danger value is a number that gives a general idea of how dangerous it is to live in the settlement. If you use wandering monster chart that uses percentile dice and ranks its encounters from lowest Cr to highest CR, use the modifier associated with the settlement’s danger value to adjust rolls on the encounter chart. A settlement’s base danger value depends on its type.Danger +30 DEMOGRAPHICS Government Overlord The community’s ruler is a single individual who either seized control or inherited command of the settlement. Increase Corruption and Law +2; Decrease Crime and Society –2.Overlord Population 13,600 (10,750 humans (79%); 750 dwarves (5.5%); 750 halflings (5.5%); 375 elves (2.75%); 975 other (7.25%)) NOTABLE NPCS Demetrious Holy Lord of Strathmoor MARKETPLACE Base Value 17,600 gp (+10%); Purchase Limit 160,000 gp (+60%); Spellcasting 8th (+1) Minor Items 4d4; Medium Items 3d4; Major Items 2d4 +1d8   Noble Scion [GENERAL] You are a member of a proud noble family, whether or not you remain in good standing with your family. Prerequisites: Cha 13, must be taken at 1st level. Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus on all Knowledge (nobility) checks, and that Knowledge skill is always considered a class skill for you. In addition, your starting wealth is as a character two levels higher than your current starting level. In games that start higher level, your increase in wealth is measured from this starting point. You must still have selected this Feat at 1st level. When you select this feat, choose one of the benefits listed below that matches the flavor of your noble family. Work with your GM to ensure that your choice is appropriate. Scion of the Arts: You gain a +1 bonus on all Perform checks, and Perform is always a class skill for you. If you have the bardic performance ability, you can use that ability for an additional 3 rounds per day. Scion of Lore: You gain a +1 bonus on all Knowledge skills in which you have at least 1 rank. Scion of Magic: You gain one of the following languages as a bonus language: Abyssal, Aklo, Celestial, Draconic, Infernal, or Sylvan. Once per day, as a free action, you can gain a +2 bonus on any Spellcraft check you make. You must spend the free action to gain this bonus before you make the check. Scion of Peace: Whenever you take 10 on a Wisdom-based skill, treat the result as if you had rolled a 13 instead of a 10. Scion of War: You use your Charisma modifier to adjust Initiative checks instead of your Dexterity modifier. Additional options A: You gain one of the following languages as a bonus language: Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnome, Halfling, or Orc. You gain a +1 bonus on Diplomacy checks when interacting with a creature that shares this bonus language. B: You gain a +2 bonus on Bluff checks against other nobles or members of a noble court. C: You gain a +1 bonus on Knowledge (planes) checks and treat your caster level as 1 higher when attempting to bind or call a devil. D: Choose either Sleight of Hand or Stealth. While you are in a small city or larger settlement, you can take 10 with the chosen skill, even while rushed or threatened. E: You use your Constitution modifier instead of your Charisma modifier for the purpose of the Leadership feat. F: You reduce the amount of nonlethal damage you take from exposure to cold by 4 (minimum 0). G: Once per day, you can reroll a save against a psychic spell and gain a +2 bonus on that reroll. H: Once per day, you can attempt a Diplomacy check to reduce the cost of an item by 10% (DC = 15, + 1 for every 500 gp of the item’s base cost). The item must have a market value of 5,000 gp or less. I: You use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Charisma modifier for the purpose of the Leadership feat. J: You gain low-light vision. If you already have low-light vision, you instead gain a +2 bonus on Perception checks in areas of dim light. K: You gain a +1 bonus on skill checks when interacting with technology and a +2 bonus on damage rolls against creatures of the robot subtype. L: You reduce the amount of nonlethal damage you take from heat exposure by 2 (minimum 0). Additionally, you require only a gallon of water per day to avoid dehydration in hot climates. M: Once per day, when attempting to negate an attack with Mounted Combat, you can roll twice and take the better result. Ride is a class skill for you. N: Whenever you take 10 on Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature), Perception, Ride, or Survival checks, treat the result as if you had rolled a 13 instead of a 10. O: You gain a +2 bonus on Charisma-based checks when interacting with nobles or members of a noble court. P: Once per day as a free action, you can suppress any fear effects affecting you for a number of rounds equal to half your Hit Dice (minimum 1) even if you could not normally take actions due to your fear. Knowledge (religion) is a class skill for you.   We will be using the Pathfinder Feat Tax Fix. Point Blank Shot will be merged with Precise Shot rather than being eliminated altogether.   We will be using the Background Skills rules   We will be using the rules for Hero Points. Characters will begin play with 1 Hero Point.   Spheres of Power - Clarifications & Rulings Custom Casting and Martial Traditions are allowed, subject to GM approval. The following guidelines should be adhered to when creating them: Casting Traditions cannot have more than 7 General Drawbacks. Sphere-specific drawbacks do not count towards this limit. Casting Traditions MUST select a magic type. (Arcane, Divine, or Psychic). Martial Traditions should follow the general format of existing martial traditions and must grant at least one talent from the Equipment Sphere. Martial Traditions should grant no more than 4 Spheres / talents total. It is possible for 1 of these to be a Feat. Oaths are banned. The following Advanced Talents are banned: Alteration Sphere Fusion Permanent Transformation Star-Spawn Body Creation Sphere Costly Creation Permanent Change Mythical Material Maker Death Sphere Astral Projection Astral Travel Fallen Fey Banish to Faerie Light Sphere Light Speed Mind Sphere Zeitgeist Time Sphere Improved Eject Warp Sphere Enduring Portal Flawless Teleport Group Teleport Plane Shift Portal Teleport Structure Time Warp True Teleport Universal Teleport Caveat: Long range teleports are possible if taken in conjunction with the Limited Warp Drawback if that limitation is a Living Tree. Note that you can have that drawback apply only to the Advanced Talents if you wish, gaining no bonus Talent for doing so, merely gaining access to Flawless Teleport, Group Teleport, True Teleport as a benefit (You must spent talents as normal to learn them). Alchemy Sphere Aging Toxin Ambrosia Elixir of Immortality Necrotic Poison Philosopher's Stone Athletics Sphere Speed Boost Barrage Sphere N/A Beastmastery Lions and Wardrobes Berserker Sphere Rift Strike Dual Wielding Sphere Cyclone Cut Three-Sword Style Duelist Sphere Bloody Hell Equipment Force Redirection Technique Magic Armor Sword Shooter Gladiator Sphere Nightmare Fuel Guardian Sphere I Will Come Lancer Soul Pierce Open Hand Soul Punch Scoundrel Dirty Curse Hot Pocket Steal Charm Steal Heart Steal Spells Steal Skill Steal Talent Tech Sphere This Sphere is banned. Warleader Darkland's Cry Wrestling Magic Killing Grip Caster Level Bonuses As per the Transparency rules, non-Mythic Traits and Feats which grant bonuses to Caster level beyond character HD, will add to Magic Skill Bonus instead of Caster Level. Items which grant bonuses to Caster level will function normally.   FAQ #1 Q: If X ability would normally be affected by Constitution but we do not have a Constitution Score as Undead, how will we calculate these abilities? A: All abilities which would normally be affected by Constitution will instead be affected by Charisma. CLOSED

[LeoByron]

Applications so far # Player Character Name Race Class Preferred Template Complete? 1 AdminDirk Lyss Malphage Tiefling Ashiftah Witch 11 Apostle Kyton Complete 2 mightymconeshot Borven Rug Human Soulweaver 5 / Conscript 3 / Hive 5 Skeleton Lord Complete 3 triedtherest Erin Neiz Thrune Human Fighter 10 / Sanguine Angel 2 Zombie Lord Complete 4 Maya Conti Maryss Ordyn Human Sorcerer Lich Withdrawn 5 Grimmard Ruktus Huller Half-Orc Two HandedFighter Mummy Lord Complete 6 Rylus Lucius Godwin Human Omdura? Apostle Kyton Complete 7 AlphaZ Lilith Dhampyr ReaperCrimson Dancer Apostle Kyton Complete 8 Battlechaser Herr Doktor Kemet Kobold Necros 11 Lich Complete? 9 ricktur63 Sindre Fetchling Ranger or Warpriest unspecified Withdrawn 10 OneDarkness Lady Corvina Human AvowedAntipaladin 11 Death Knight Withdrawn

[ShadowcatX]

I was just working on a Spheres game with pact magic in it!

Is non-sphere magic allowed / mandatory for the lich? Lich talks about bonus spells and spells per day but not bonus spheres.

You discuss gestalt rules for spheres but never actually say it is a gestalt game, is it?

Will the necropolitan template confirm to Pathfinder rules and have d8 HD and allow charisma bonus to HP?

[LeoByron]

Originally Posted by ShadowcatX

I was just working on a Spheres game with pact magic in it!

Is non-sphere magic allowed / mandatory for the lich? Lich talks about bonus spells and spells per day but not bonus spheres.

You discuss gestalt rules for spheres but never actually say it is a gestalt game, is it?

Will the necropolitan template confirm to Pathfinder rules and have d8 HD and allow charisma bonus to HP?

Vancian magic is perfectly acceptable. Spheres of Power is an option, not a requirement.

The Lich rules mention bonus talents rather than Spheres but yes, it applies to Spheres casters as well as to Vancian casters.

The mention of Gestalt was a holdover from my other game and it has since been deleted from this advert. If you refresh it should be gone already. If I missed a place where it is mentioned, please let me know where exactly.

The game is NOT gestalt at all.

The Necropolitan Template will indeed conform to Pathfinder undead.

[Preacherwolf]

High level evil undead campaign? Oh my yes!

I was going to try and do something weird and wonderfully with the Kineticist but a thought occurs to me. How exactly do classes that use Constitution work as an undead with no constitution score?

Also, if the game is set in Golorian, does that mean Orcus is part of the setting?

[LeoByron]

Originally Posted by Preacherwolf

High level evil undead campaign? Oh my yes!

I was going to try and do something weird and wonderfully with the Kineticist but a thought occurs to me. How exactly do classes that use Constitution work as an undead with no constitution score?

It would key off Charisma instead.

Originally Posted by Preacherwolf

Also, if the game is set in Golorian, does that mean Orcus is part of the setting?

I'm not too picky about gods and religion. Orcus can be part of the setting. Golarion is the setting but most of the game will play out in or around Strathmoor.

[Inverse Null]

[LeoByron]

Nothing to see here.

[Preacherwolf]

The Lady Of Death Name: Lady Gwendoline Oakwater Race: Human Class: Kineticist (Void and Air) Intended Role: Team Healer/Undead minion workforce alongside off-face abilities and crafting skillsSupport Team/Blaster Alignment: LE Spheres / Schools Although full disclosure, I'm not 100% how this system works or integrates with the KineticistAlchemy/Beastmaster Spheres Template Prefences: Vampie/Lich/Death Knight   Beauty and Grace Height: 6ft | Weight: 150 lbs Age: 30 | Skin: White Hair: Black Eyes: Blue Usual Attire: A high necked formal gown trimmed with lace, a pair of ornate enchanted bracers, a platinum ring and a shawl or cloak of some description Lady Oakwater is beautiful by all standards and metric. Standing at statuesque six foot, she has the baring and poise of someone born to nobility and who has been trained in a courtly manner. Her skin is almost an unnatural white that glowed almost like porcelain. From the outside, she appears to be a cold, unyielding woman with no compassion, but from close its clear that this isn't the case. Her eyes sparkle with delight and joy, her laugh is hearty and genuine and rather than cold her mannerisms speak to someone who is animated and full of life. Or as the case is now, undeath rather than life   A Peek Into Madness Lady Oakwater is a lady of compassion and love, although it is solely reserved for those she cares for or can use. For all others there is nothing but scorn and apathy mixed with utter contempt of one who is used to seeing the lower classes as useful labour and nothing more. For those she deems worthy of compassion she is nothing but a consummate host and loving friend, one that doesn't mind gossiping about the latest fashions and social scenes or spoiling her friends with gifts. For those that don't fall into her immediate circle, there is a cold indifference at best, or a malevolent scorn at worst. A curious note is her disposition to the undead she personally creates, Lady Oakriver dotes on them like a mother would a child. She ensures they're well "fed", protected from harm and she even makes sure they're clean and tidy. Lady Oakwater doesn't view her creations as disposable tools but rather a family unit to be loved and cherished .   From Nobody To Nightmare Before she became a lady, Gwen La Mort was the third daughter of a minor noble house. Her childhood was lush and happy, given her parents wealth she wanted for nothing. Approaching adulthood it was clear that she was simply to be used as a pawn in her families political, being the third child and therefore of relative unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Unlike her sisters, she wanted more in life than a good marriage and a pretty husband. She wanted to learn the deepest secrets this world had to offer, and find the most arcane and obscure facts it had. She devoted her life to learning the lore and science behind things, how they worked and functioned under different stresses and environments. Here was the first red flag that she was destined for a darker path. It didn't take long for people to find her "laboratory", if such a term can be applied to a child's set up. Alchemical "treatments" and "improvements" on various bugs and animals she had found, new "medical implements" to help cure their various injuries and wounds (most of which she caused). She had written everything down meticulously, much to the horror of her parents, in a horrible codex of torture and dispassionate ramblings about future plans and ideas. Her parents burnt the book and scattered the ashes amongst the compost so as to never see its like again. Seeing their daughters pursuits they decided that she need proper training in manners and etiquette, they packed her bags and shipped her off to a finishing school. It was hoped that here that her dark habits would be broken and she would return a proper lady of respectable standing The head mistress of the school was a stern women simply called Madam. She refused to give her charges her actual name, they didn't deserve that privilege before they had earned it, and no student in her career had yet to earn that privileged. Finishing school for the most part was a special kind of hell for Gwen, she was ordered about constantly. Where to sit, how to sit, when to sit and when to stand. What she was allowed to wear, what she was allowed to wear except on certain occasions but definitely not on others. It was maddening to her, she didn't care about the rules or about problems of others, she just wanted to run her experiments and research in peace. Unsurprisingly, her laboratory was discovered, this time in an unused supply room and yet again Gwen had written a macabre codex on her work. The book was presented to the head mistress and to this day Gwendoline remembers the words of her teacher said after reading such a book. "Such sloppy penmanship, poorly thought out research aims and assessments and just what exactly was she hoping to accomplish by combining acid and alchemist fire within the subject? It would have been better to mix them outside in a controlled environment then apply directly to the stomach" Madam wasn't angry about the experiments, she was angry about how they were carried out. From that point Madam personally tutored Gwen on the finer points of science and alchemy. Through Madam's teaching Gwen became Lady Gwendoline La Mort, a proper lady of society. Gwendoline learnt that being a third child basically made her invisible. No one would care what she did, as she was basically expected to find a good husband and help the family's name grow. So everything she did would be ascribed to that. Purchase a warehouse to turn into a hostel? Look at that, she's improving the family's portfolio. Set up a trade deal with gem merchants? Ha! The Lady is obsessed with jewellery and gems, like all good ladies of the realm. Start a free health clinic for the unfortunate and poor? My, Gwendoline is certainly trying hard to show she's a suitable wife for someone. This should have been the second red flag. Gwendoline, who previously abhorred the idea of being married was now doing everything in her power to look like she was seeking good husband. Meanwhile no one questioned why people in her houses disappeared. People figured that since she was renting to undesirables and the lower class after all, they just up and left as they are want to do. Poor breeding leads to poor roots and all that. No one questioned why she seemed to deal exclusively in onyx gems, or that those that visited the clinic soon were missing from the streets. Obviously, they all thought, the Lady had some taste in gems and her clinic was turning these people's lives around so naturally they wouldn't come back. It was truly remarkable just how easily people overlooked her activities and hand waved it away, she could probably gone her entire life without anyone raising an eye. But then she met Lenord Oakriver. They met at a library, Gwendoline looking for books on ancient religions while he was looking for books on the old practices of alchemy and from there began a whirlwind romance and courtship. They had a lot in common from their love of history and science, to their taste in food and fiction, even their views on more esoteric matters such as uses for the undead and the lesser people of the world. Lenord introduced Gwendoline to the cult of Orcus, and while she wasn't a tried and true believer, she took to their teachings like a fish to water. Delving into ancient lore about immortality and undeath, Gwendoline's practices took new shape and accelerated in pace as she experimented with the new knowledge. This lust for undeath and knowledge coupled with fanatical worship was made official when Lenord proposed to Gwendoline. However, this new pace and zeal was ultimately her undoing. Finally, with the ever increasing number of disappearances and rumours about the new man in her life, all of the red flags had finally been noticed and forced Lenord and herself to flee. Across the land they fled, stopping every so often for supplies or to indulge in the cults or Gwendoline's work. Vowing to never be apart from one another again. They decided to vacation at a town nearby called Strathmoor. The couple had been married just over a year at this point and at first Strathmoor seemed a boon to them both. A large town where they were unknown and could start anew, plenty of people and supplies and they even lucked into a group of like minded individuals they would help them achieve their ends. For two years the couple were the happiest they had ever been. They started to build a network and social group of like minded people and began the work Gwendoline had started all those years ago once more. Charities, medical clinics and cheap housing once more sprung up. But unlike last time, the disappearances were slow and methodical. They had learnt the errors of their ways and were trying not to draw suspicion on themselves. It didn't work. After two years Demetrious caught wind of the couple and they were forced underground. Their network of contacts sheltered them for a time, but it was sparse and frugal living for them. It was perhaps this lack of glamour and style that caused Lady Gwendoline to commit, what she saw as, her greatest mistake in life. A knight had arrived in town to be approved and given blessing by Demetrious. He was young, handsome and valiant like all knights were, and he had a kind heart and was honourable to a fault. So when he saw a young women struggling to carry what looked like six months worth of food, he was honour bound to help. Despite planning and killing the young knight, Gwendoline took pity on what she saw as a helpless fool. With Lenord out during that night the work of Orcus, she was lonely. One thing led to another and they parted in the morning after spending the night in Gwendoline's bed. The next afternoon, Lenord came home and showered her with gifts, an enchanted pair of ornate bracers and a platinum ring, as celebration for their anniversary. It didn't matter to Gwendoline that their anniversary was a month and a half ago, she loved them and promptly forgot about her night of sin. That night any joy the gifts gave her died out. Demetrious and his forces raided the hideout, killed Lenord in front of Gwendoline and carted her off for trial. The entire time Gwendoline verbally lashed out at Demetrious, while inwardly cursing herself for bringing this upon them. The only way anyone could have found them was through that young knight, this was entirely her fault. When Demetrious finally executed her, all she could do was stare pure death into his eyes and damn him and the knight for eternity.   A Slow Burn The basic boils down to patience, subtlety and then a very large hammer. There are three pillars to any city that need to be attack before it can be conquered: 1) Its supplies. Food, water, trade and even skilled workers all feed the city 2) Its response. Guards and military that defend the city, its spy network and anyone who could turn the tide in the fight like magic users, clerics and powerful warriors 3) Its leaders. Guard Captains, High Priests, people the city look up to. Morale blows in these last two pillars are just as important as physical blows, anything to shake or otherwise demoralise the town will work just as well or even better than a knife to the heart Using subterfuge and sabotage to weaken or remove each of these pillars. Then follow up with a siege force of undead to truly bring the city down around Demetrious   The Nuts And Bolts 5 Background and Concept Elements: The character concept, at least personality wise is a mix between Tsuikiko from Order of the Stick and Lady Delilah Briarwood from Critical Role. From a mechanics point of view, I want to create a healer and necromancer that wasn't just another wizard or cleric, and the Kineticist class is bizarrely versatile for a class that looks like just a blaster on the face of things. Team mum might be a stretch of a description for her in a team, but it also fits. Lady Oakriver is someone who genuinely cares for her creations and team while also showing no compassion for her enemies, or indeed anyone else. Anything outside her limited world view is simply stuff, things that are there but not noteworthy enough to bother about Lost love is a big motivator for her. Demetrious killed her husband, kicking off her crusade for vengeance and justice Her preferred items are the pair of weddings gifts her husband gave to her. The last mementos of happier times Lady Oakriver worshipps Orcus. Her husband and her were followers of his and sought paths to immorality and undeath, although her husband was a true fanatic, she was merely fascinated from an academic perspective. Given her new nature, this is likely going to change her zeal on the matter 2 Goals for the Character: Lady Oakriver's goal is the absolute subjection of Strathmoor, she wants the town under her command whether they be living or dead. My goal is to build a proper base for the team. I really want the team to have a proper base of operations with all the furnishings of an evil lair and home 2 Secrets About Your Character: Known Secret: Lady Gwendoline cheated on her husband the night before he was killed. She believes that her lover that night, a young knight by the name of Allec Rubeum, was the reason Demetrious found her husbands and her's hideout. She inadvertently gave them away with her indiscretion and got her husband killed. However... Unknown Secret: The reason Demetrious was there that night is that Gwendoline's husband told him of their hideout, having grown tired of her and become more and more fanatical in his followings of Orcus. Lenord's plan was to plant a clue trail that showed Gwendoline had disposed of his body, skip town and let Gwendoline take the fall for all of his misdeeds, leaving him free and clear to carry on the work of Orcus. 3 People That Are Tied to the Character: Lenord Oakriver - Deceased - Gwendoline's husband and lost love. Gwendoline carries out her husbands crusade to make up for her perceived role in his death. She has taken up his mantle of learning the secrets to undeath and immortality and of the worship of Orcus Allec Rubeum - Hostile - A young knight that Gwendoline had an unfortunate affair with. Despite being together only for one night, Gwendoline blames this knight for her husbands death. As the day after Demetrious raided their hideout and killed Lenord. Gwendoline has sworn vengeance on Demetrious and Allec for this Madam - Friendly - The headmistress who shaped Gwen into Lady Gwendoline, known only by her rank. She is directly responsible for feeding and moulding young Gwen's mind and poisoning it, teaching her how to hide her dark practises, avoid suspicion on herself and why those of lesser standing deserve no pity or compassion 3 Memories, Mannerisms, or Quirks: Mannerism: Idly stroking stroking her bracers and readjusting her ring - The last two gifts her husband gave her Quirk: Will only use scented soap on her or her creations, as only the lower classes use regular soap. She'll make her own soap if need be, but will not bath or shower until then Memory: The last time she saw her husband smile was when he presented her with the platinum ring on the last day together. He got down on one knee and mock-proposed to her while flourishing the ring out to her.

[mightymconeshot]

So very very interesting…

Need to figure out a concept first but corrupted paladin/knight sounds like fun...

Since we are undead and have no constitution scores, how would abilities/feats/anything else work that have them as prerequisites/duration such as a Barbarian's rage? Would we stat out of previous "living form" or would we use an alternative stat for the scores?
Never mind. Just saw that they go off Charisma instead.


Also if we have an animal companion/follower/something else would they have been killed with us and are returning to life and gain the same template as us or would they be new living ones we summon into service?

[LeoByron]

Originally Posted by mightymconeshot

So very very interesting…

Need to figure out a concept first but corrupted paladin/knight sounds like fun...

Since we are undead and have no constitution scores, how would abilities/feats/anything else work that have them as prerequisites/duration such as a Barbarian's rage? Would we stat out of previous "living form" or would we use an alternative stat for the scores?
Never mind. Just saw that they go off Charisma instead.


Also if we have an animal companion/follower/something else would they have been killed with us and are returning to life and gain the same template as us or would they be new living ones we summon into service?

Companions, familiars, etc will be exactly as they would have been in life. If you are a Ranger with a Wolf Animal Companion, you will have a normal wolf, modified as a companion for your level as normal.

[triedtherest]

This sounds like the perfect opportunity to play a vast armies of the Dead raiser/commander
Still working out the details, but will be using the Leadership Sphere Undead Servants "Drawback" to recruit our Army of Darkness as well as raising Undead in a more traditional way.

[Admin Dirk]

Ah, Malifeek could have been interesting in this world...

[ShadowcatX]

I hadn't realized just how much being undead is a limiting factor, but being immune to morale effects (Rage, inspire courage), and polymorph effects really kind of changes how being a gish works at higher levels. Kineticists suffer due to immunity to non-lethal damage and so they can't take burn.

How prevalent are you going to have binding be in the world?

Also, is Demetrious a good guy or a bad guy? And were we good guys or bad guys before death?

[triedtherest]

Severus Crow Name: Severous Crow Race: Human (1. Lich, 2. Necropolitan, 3. Vampire) Class: Wizard (Necromancer) Intended Role: Debuffing (Necromancy), Battlefield Control (more Necromancy) and Summoning (Well creating a VAST Army of the Dead, whose boney hands shall crush all hope of the living!) Alignment: Lawful Evil Schools/Spheres: School of Necromancy. Leadership Sphere (through Feats)   Height: 5'7" | Weight: 125 lbs Age: 52 | Skin: Grey Hair: Thinning Grey/white Eyes: Red Usual Attire: Plain yet expensive Hooded-robes. Keeps as much of his pale-grey skin covered as he can. Almost never lowers his hood. Seems frail, but has been seen performing physically demanding feats that should be beyond him, possibly aided by magic.   Arrogant and aloof, yet strangely formal and polite, Severus holds himself to a strict code of "Gentlemanly Conduct", though what that means precisely can change from one minute to the next. His biggest character flaw is his arrogance. While his high opinion of himself is generally accurate, he is unable to accept when others may have a better understanding of a situation than he does. Severus Crow adheres to a strict code of honour at all times. However, Severus will keep his exact word, which may or may not be beneficial to the person to whom he has given his promise. For example, Severus may swear that he will not harm an individual, but that only means he will not personally harm that person; it does not mean he will prevent others from harming that person. His code of honour also means that he will not attack a respected opponent who is weakened or at a severe disadvantage, as he regards any victory resulting from such circumstances as hollow and meaningless. He will mercilessly crush anyone who stands in his way. He will only be actually cruel to those who have wronged him, even if they only wronged him in a minor way.   Of The Crows Tale & The Crows Talen The Crow Family had a long history as fearsome and successful mercenary leaders, their wealth from which was staggering. The Crows Talon, which was the name of their Mercenary Company, was exclusively ran by the Patriarch of the family, who traditionally chose his successor. This was NOT going to be Severus! While his elder siblings learned the "art" of brawling, Severus sought out a Practitioner of somewhat DARKER arts in order to learn from them. Severus contacted his exiled cousin Cyrus, who had been cast out after his connections to the Church of Urgathoa and The Whispering Way had been discovered. Cyrus was all too eager to help, as this would be a colossal "middle finger" to members of the family who had turned their backs on Cyrus some years before, so Cyrus introduced him to the man who would become Severus' mentor in all things magical, Master Poxley! As a weak and inconsequential scion of the family, Severus came and went whenever he chose, being ignored turning out to be a mixed blessing, so Severus was able to concentrate on his studies without interference and amassed a great deal of magical power in quite a short time. Poxley was pleased with his young apprentice, and because obsessed with the idea of what he might be capable of if he gained the full resources of his family. Poxley knew that Severus would never be the one to inherit, so he used his magic to kill them all without leaving a trace. Severus, not at that time knowing the cause of his family's demise (but strongly suspecting), became the sole inheritor of the Crow Family Estate and de facto leader of The Crows Talen. Over time Severus' suspicions about his masters involvement in his family's death grew, so one night he got Master Poxley drunk enough to tell him the truth, which he unfortunately (for him) did. Severus was bound by Tradition to always avenge the death of a family member, a Blood Debt, so Severus had no choice other than to kill Poxley in his drunken state (he had no chance of doing so while he was sober, not at that time however), but not before thanking him for all he had done for him. With a fortune in his vaults, an army at his call, and magical powers that could suck the life from flesh before binding it to his will, he put great thought into what he wanted to do next. He was a great stickler for the rules, although the rules themselves left a lot to be desired in his mind, but what if they were his rules? He sought out a number of like-minded and powerful individuals, and with their combined efforts, he was sure they would be able to overthrow the weak and sentimental Demetrious and bring Order to Strathmoor….. …...He was wrong!   Severus wants to slowly build up a vast army of the Undead to take over Strathmoor militarily. Undead do not need supplies in the conventional sense, so they can be kept for a long time without running out of resources. While doing this, he also wants to erode Strathmoors infrastructure to weaken it for when he finally attacks.   5 Background and Concept Elements - His biggest character flaw is his arrogance. While his high opinion of himself is generally accurate, he is unable to accept when others may have a better understanding of a situation than he does. - Severus Crow adheres to a strict code of honour at all times. However, Severus will keep his exact word, which may or may not be beneficial to the person to whom he has given his promise. For example, Severus may swear that he will not harm an individual, but that only means he will not personally harm that person; it does not mean he will prevent others from harming that person. - His code of honour also means that he will not attack a respected opponent who is weakened or at a severe disadvantage, as he regards any victory resulting from such circumstances as hollow and meaningless. - He will mercilessly crush anyone who stands in his way. - He will only be actually cruel to those who have wronged him, even if they wronged him in a minor way. 2 Goals for the Character. - Severus' Goal(s): Create a vast army, enslaved to his Will. Revenge against all who have wronged him. Overthrow the weak, pretentious leadership of Strathmoor, and install a "Council of the Wise" in it's stead (he believes that he and his fellow conspirators are wise!) Make sure that their rulership of Strathmoor is absolute, uncontested and that Strathmoor has the strength to withstand ANY foe. - My Goals: To finally get a chance to play a character with a vast horde of the dead at his disposal. 2 Secrets About Your Character - Secret that Severus knows: His Master (the one who taught him Necromancy) killed all of Severus' siblings so that Severus would be the one to inherit the Crow Family's fortune and Mercenary Company. Severus thanked him, then killed him in the following breath. - Secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet: Severus has a son from an ill-fated relationship with a country tavern maid. Only the maid currently knows who her son's father is. 3 People That Are Tied to the Character - Friendly: Cyrus Crow, Severus' cousin who was banished for worshipping Urgathoa. It was he who introduced Severus to his teacher/master in the Art of Necromancy. - Hostile: Master Poxley (Deceased) was Severus' Necromancy teacher. He killed Severus' family, hoping that it would net him a more well-connected Apprentice. Unfortunately, Severus' personal Code categorised this a Blood-crime, which had to be avenged. Severus thanked him for this, and then killed him. Poxley "lives" on as a ghost. - Friendly (Maybe): Elahna Songwin - Severus' former lover and the mother of his (unknown) child, Cygnus. She still works as a maid in a tavern, and is still in love with Severus, though she has no idea of his current state. 3 Memories, Mannerisms, or Quirks - Memory: Being ignored, in favour of his elder siblings, and being expected to be the meek "little brother" -Mannerism: Tends to gesticulate wildly when he becomes emotionally invested in something (usually a Diabolical scheme!) -Quirk: All agreements should be sealed with a drink. Even though alcohol has no effect on him (or his closest associates) anymore, he still keeps up this tradition wherever feasible.