[PF-1e] The Glass River Rescue

[Tales]

The Glass River Rescue Game System Pathfinder Theme High Fantasy, Search and rescue THE GLASS RIVER RESCUE An adventure for 4 brave heroes, at level 2. It is the Year of the Demon. Named so due to the many factions bound together by the Pathfinder Society that have sworn allegiance to battle the demon uprising in the Worldwound. You are one of the newly recruited agents of the Pathfinder Society, sent by one of the eight factions in the alliance. Your curriculum within the Society only holds a few introductory quests and assignments, but the Society accepts a vast variety of men and women from different origins, races, and ages. You have been contacted by one of the Society messengers and given a wax-sealed letter from Venture-Captain, Ambrose Valsin along with an invitation to meet at an exact address in Kerse, the Capital of Druma. The letter reads as follows: Sealed letter from Venture-Captain, Ambrose Valsin Pathfinders, Society agents recently learned of a lost, previously undocumented Sky Citadel in what was once Sarkoris, the land now consumed by the Worldwound. As we cannot push into that demon-infested wasteland ourselves, we have recruited dwarven aid in the dangerous expedition. In exchange for military assistance and historical expertise, the dwarves will have the opportunity to reclaim this lost stronghold. Two weeks ago, Highhelm sent an entourage of diplomats and tacticians north toward Mendev to meet with Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury to discuss terms and develop a plan of attack. When they failed to arrive in a timely fashion, Jorsal commissioned A spell that allows the caster to send a message of 25 words or less and receive one in return to someone the caster knows, with no distance requirementssending magic to contact Rakuska Ingardam, the mission’s leader. Rakuska’s return message - cut off due to the magic’s limit - was as follows: “Passed Xer, paid our way, but attacked and overcome. Razmiri priests hold us for unknown purpose. We are held somewhere near the Glass River at…” One of several possible places they are held is the Gray Revelation Inn, about thirty miles east of Xer - we suspect the Razmiri priesthood uses the site to interrogate prisoners. You must investigate and liberate the three dwarven envoys - if indeed that is where they are imprisoned - and then escort them to Mendev. Accompanying you are two other dwarves who will take the captured envoys’ places if you aren’t successful: Merchant Metella Raugar and respected Pahmet mystic Amauhak. The Kalistocrat Temel Passad, a Druman with whom we have dealt in the past, has volunteered a boat to transport you north, and I see little reason why we should not take him up on this offer. Building a good working relationship with one or more influential merchants would be to everyone’s benefit. Good luck! Ambrose Valsin The party of four agents has never met before, but have just arrived at the address when the game starts. It is time to save some dwarves and to balance three important things: Their own career and fame, the respect of the faction that they represent, and the Pathfinder Society that they have sworn their duty to. Info What am I looking for? Please create an application with the following information: Name: Self-explanatory Race: Core or know that these races are uncommon in these lands and will often have a harder time being accepted outside the SocietyStandard Class: Core, Base, Hybrid, Unchained, Ninja, Samurai. Alignment: Any non-evil. Appearance: You can post a picture, but I like the sound of words, too. A paragraph. Personality: Keep it around a paragraph. Background: A few choice words on the life your character lived before they joined the Society. One or two paragraphs. Faction: Choose one of the eight that you will represent. You get to choose one trait from your faction.   Andoran: Members of the Andoran faction seek to topple tyrannies from within, aiding dissidents and freedom fighters with equipment, funds, or intelligence. They are fierce foes of slavery and can take extreme measures against those who buy and sell people.   Captain’s Blade: You were born on board a ship and learned to fight beside the sailing men and women of the Andoren fleet. While on board any vessel afloat on water, you gain a +1 trait bonus on Acrobatics and Climb checks. One of these skills (your choice) becomes a class skill for you. Explorer: Your family heritage is filled with proud and renowned explorers, and you are a natural trailblazer. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Survival checks, and Survival becomes a class skill for you. Freedom Fighter: Your family has long waged war against tyranny, and you learned a great deal about guerilla warfare in your youth. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Stealth checks and a +1 trait bonus on attack rolls made during the surprise round. Hunter’s Eye: Your parents had you blessed by the god Erastil as a youth, and you are a prodigy with a bow. You do not take any penalties for the second range increment when using a longbow or shortbow, and you are always considered proficient with one of these weapons (your choice). Indomitable: Your strong, self-reliant swagger has made you more resistant to domination and control. You gain a +1 trait bonus on saving throws versus enchantment spells and effects. Cheliax: The promise of power and riches lures many to the Cheliax faction, which seeks to spread the faith and order of Asmodeus across the Inner Sea and beyond.   Devil’s Mark: You bear the stain of a higher fiend upon you, and any evil creature who sees it may think twice before crossing you. You gain a +2 trait bonus on all Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks when dealing with outsiders of the evil subtype. Fiendish Presence: Your family routinely held court with pit fiends and erinyes when you were a child, and as a result, you have learned to manipulate people better than most. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Diplomacy and Sense Motive checks. One of these skills (your choice) becomes a class skill for you. Fires of Hell: Your parents signed a pact with a fiend of Hell, before you were born, and as a result, you can summon fire to your aid. Once per day, as a swift action, you can summon fire, imbuing a single weapon you hold with a nimbus of fire that deals an extra 1 point of fire damage for a number of rounds equal to your Charisma bonus. This fire gives off light equivalent to a torch. This is a supernatural ability. Master of Pentacles: Your many years spent studying the art of summoning has given you a unique knowledge of this subtle and complicated discipline. Once per day, when casting a spell of the Conjuration school, treat your caster level as two higher when determining the duration of the spell. Soul Drinker: There is a dark hunger in you that rejoices when you or an ally slays a foe. Once per day when an enemy creature is killed, you may, as an immediate action, gain a number of temporary hit points equal to the slain foe’s Hit Dice. These temporary hit points last for 1 minute. This is a supernatural ability. The Grand Lodge: Holding themselves above the petty squabbles of outsiders, this faction maintains the strongest allegiance to the Decemvirate, the masked leaders of the Pathfinder Society.   Insider Knowledge: Venture-Captain Valsin likes to keep abreast of situations within the Pathfinder Society, and you do your best to emulate him. Choose either Diplomacy or Knowledge (local). You gain a +1 trait bonus on all checks for the chosen skill, and the chosen skill becomes a class skill for you. Loyalty: You resist attempts to dissuade you from obeying the Decemvirate’s will. You gain a +1 trait bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells and spelllike abilities. Observant: Sometimes it helps to pay attention to your surroundings and the people you meet. Choose either Perception or Sense Motive. You gain a +1 trait bonus on all checks for the chosen skill, and the chosen skill becomes a class skill for you. Proper Training: Your time at the Grand Lodge of Absalom has served you well. Choose either Knowledge (geography) or Knowledge (history). You gain a +1 trait bonus on all checks for the chosen skill, and the chosen skill becomes a class skill for you. Osirion: Many have written off the desert nation of Osirion as a land lost to history, no longer a force to be reckoned with. The Ruby Prince Khemet III, personal sponsor of this faction, seeks to reacquire secrets and artifacts of Osirion’s lost glory in an effort to reclaim his nation’s destiny.   Attuned to the Ancestors: You were raised to believe that undead are nothing to fear—they are simply the unliving remnants of your honored ancestors. Once per day, you can surround yourself with an aura of unlife. Unintelligent undead ignore you unless you take action against them, per hide from undead. The protection lasts 1 round for every two character levels you possess (with a minimum of 1 round). If you take any offensive action against any undead, this effect immediately ends. This is a supernatural ability. Dunewalker: Your people have long roamed the shifting and treacherous sands of Osirion, and you do not fear the harsh wrath of the unforgiving desert. You gain a +4 trait bonus on Fortitude saves to resist nonlethal damage from hot conditions, and you can always move through nonmagical sand as if it were normal terrain. Mummy-Touched: As a small child, you survived the damning curse of a mummy. You gain a +2 trait bonus on saving throws versus diseases and curses. Secrets of the Sphinx: Your ancestors paid the proper obeisance to Nethys, who granted their heirs special divinatory gifts. Once per day, you may gain a +2 trait bonus on any single Knowledge check. Additionally, choose one Knowledge skill—this skill becomes a class skill for you. Tomb Raider: You’ve spent most of your life exploring the ancient tombs and catacombs of Osirion. You gain a +1 bonus on Perception and Knowledge (dungeoneering) checks, and one of these skills (your choice) becomes a class skill for you. The Sczarni: Not all Pathfinders serve the Society with pure hearts; members of this faction are not above using their missions for a bit of personal gain.   Bad Reputation: The reputation of the Sczarni precedes your arrival. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Intimidate checks, and Intimidate becomes a class skill for you. Greasy Palm: You know how to get people to do what you want with little effort. When bribing an NPC, you pay 10% less than a character without this trait would, garnering the same results. I Know a Guy: The Sczarni are often related to each other, and no matter how distant the kinship, you know that you can rely upon your extended family for information. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks made to gather information and a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (local) checks. Shiv: Sometimes smooth talking just doesn’t work. You gain a +1 trait bonus on damage rolls made with onehanded piercing or slashing weapons in a surprise round. Trouper: You cling to the Varisian traveling performer traditions and can recognize the magic hidden in song and dance. You gain a +1 trait bonus on checks using a Perform skill of your choice and a +1 trait bonus on saving throws against abilities that rely upon the Perform skill to function, such as the bardic performance class ability. The Silver Crusade: Composed largely of paladins, clerics, and other servants of good-aligned gods, members of the Silver Crusade faction seek to use the Society’s resources to further the cause of good in the world. They oppose factions that would drag the Society’s reputation through the mud in search of glory and strive constantly to raise the morals of their fellow Pathfinders.   A Sure Thing: Once per day, you gain a +2 bonus on a single attack roll against an evil-aligned creature. If the creature is not evil-aligned, this ability is wasted with no benefit. Beneficent Touch: Once per day, when you cast a spell or use a class ability that heals hit point damage, reroll any 1s that appear on the dice and take the new roll (even if it is another 1). Comparative Religion: Your allies within the Silver Crusade have taught you a lot about Golarion’s deities and their followers. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (religion) checks, and Knowledge (religion) becomes a class skill for you. Force for Good: Your good-aligned spells are especially powerful, and they function at +1 caster level. This trait makes your aura more powerful (one step higher), as outlined in the detect evil spell. Unorthodox Strategy: You are particularly quick on your feet, and gain a +2 trait bonus on Acrobatics checks made to move through an enemy’s threatened squares. Qadira: The Qadira faction seeks to control the commerce of the entire Inner Sea, breaking its enemies’ monopolies and enforcing its own. In the pursuit of this goal, faction members display a ruthlessness that can put the Chelaxians to shame. Often their missions involve the defamation of a rival or the disruption of another nation’s trade.   Dervish: You trained at a secret fighting school in Katheer, where you learned the art of rapid movement in combat. You gain a +1 dodge bonus to Armor Class against attacks of opportunity caused when you move out of or within a threatened area. Desert Shadow: You move with a quick and quiet grace, and your enemies are often taken unaware by your silent speed. You suffer no penalty on Stealth checks when moving at full speed in desert terrain. Eastern Mysteries: Ever since you were a young child, you have studied the ancient arcane traditions of several Tian societies, and those studies have made your spellcasting ability difficult to resist. Once per day, you may select one single spell that you are casting that allows for a saving throw. You may increase the DC of that spell by +2. Gold Finger: Your family comes from a long, proud tradition of housebreaking and thievery. You are a strong part of that tradition. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Disable Device and Sleight of Hand checks, and one of these skills (your choice) becomes a class skill for you. Horse Lord: Your people are masters of battling on horseback, and you have mastered their rare skill. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Ride checks, and the Ride skill becomes a class skill for you. Taldor: The mighty Taldan empire once spanned a significant portion of the Inner Sea, but its glory days are long over. The Taldor faction seeks to reclaim this preeminence—not through conquest as their ancestors did, but by turning their enemies against one another, through political victories, and, of course, by gaining control over Absalom.   Expert Duelist: In your youth, you spent countless hours perfecting the art of the duel, focusing your efforts on defeating a single foe. You gain a +1 trait bonus to your Armor Class so long as you are adjacent to a single foe. This trait bonus is not applied to your Armor Class for touch attacks or when you are denied your Dexterity bonus. Fashionable: You spent your formative years as a young blade in Oppara and learned the ins and outs of using fashion to improve your relations with others. So long as you are wearing clothing and jewelry worth more than 80 gp, you gain a +1 trait bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Sense Motive checks. One of these skills (your choice) becomes a class skill for you. Impressive Presence: Your grandiose posturing often makes it difficult for anyone to concentrate around you. Once per day as a full-round action, you may attempt to distract adjacent foes with a lengthy display of your martial prowess. All adjacent foes must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 your level + your Charisma modifier) or gain the shaken condition. This condition persists for 1 round. Performance Artist: As a youth, you were involved with the avant garde theater scene of Oppara. Your performance skills have been known to bring even the toughest crowd to their feet. Choose one type of Perform skill. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Perform checks of the chosen type and this skill becomes a class skill for you. Vindictive: Your family is prone to endless feuds, and you were raised by people who simply do not forgive a slight easily. Once per day, you can declare a creature that has dealt you hit point damage to be your vindictive target as an immediate action when the damage is dealt. You receive a +1 trait bonus on damage rolls against this target for 1 minute. At this point, no sheet is required, but I know that some people like to have a sheet this early in the process so here are the basics for creating one: Level: 2 Stats: Point-buy = no score under 8 or above 18, before racial modifiers20 points XP: Fast Starting Wealth: 1000gp HP: Max at 1st level. Average at 2nd level Traits: 2 + the trait from your faction. You can take a drawback, but it yields no extra trait. Hero Points: Not used. Skills: No background skills. Feats: Elephant in the Room feat tax is in effect. Advice: Crafting feats will be hard to use in this game. Lastly, I will say that I aim for this game to take between 5-8 months, with an option to jump to the next adventure afterward. I expect the characters to reach level 3 at the end of the adventure. I will award +1 level for those who complete the adventure from the beginning. I aim to post twice per week and expect the same from my players. I will notify players if I am hindered in posting and expect the same from my players. I am looking forward to seeing and reading your applications.

[Norse]

This is a good advertisement, Tales. How much do you intend the society rules to fill? I really don't like all the boons, fame and whatnot, but it seems like a perfect time frame for me. When do you intend to close the application?

[Tales]

Originally Posted by Norse

This is a good advertisement, Tales. How much do you intend the society rules to fill? I really don't like all the boons, fame and whatnot, but it seems like a perfect time frame for me. When do you intend to close the application?

Thank you. I already started wondering why nobody reacted. I am new to this site.

Regarding the Society rules, they are left out. I only used the story and the factions and all the lore around the Society as a whole.

Regarding the application deadline, I think I will gauge interest here and see if there are enough players to make a team and then get going. I doubt there will be so many applications that I need to make a selection.

[Frederik]

Interested. Am I right to understand that characters need to be evil?

[Tales]

Originally Posted by Frederik

Interested. Am I right to understand that characters need to be evil?

Good to hear. No, not evil. As a matter of fact, I took that phrase away. It was a leftover from my first write up. I hope you are okay with it?

Any non-evil, please.

[Norse]

Sounds good, Tales. I am interested. I have no problem with the non-evil. Quite the contrary actually. I am thinking to apply with an unchained rogue.

Frederik. Then we meet again. I hope I don't die as much in this game, if I get accepted.

[Admin Dirk]

Posting Interest.. will continue

Name: Betar Skytoucher
Race: Half orc
Class: Druid, Goliath Druid.
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Faction: Very likely, Andoran. Not sure yet.

 

 

Beltar probably never had a kind face, and that was before the sun and countless fights removed what little charm he might have had. His coloration is pale tinged green, a rather unnerving coloration for it reminds people of the undead, more than the living. His nose has been broken too often to have healed straight, and a scar on his cheek tends to pull his smile to the side a bit. Two large canine teeth peering out when he smiled tended to make people more nervous than happy at those rare moments.

One thing people notice about Betar are his scars. Not just the sheer number of them, although at times, it seems that nearly every visible inch of his body holds a scar. The thing they notice is that they are terribly, horribly mismatched. It's as if, when he was injured, he somehow sewed the ripped and avulsed pieces of his body back together again, and that he was a bad seamster to boot. It's as if he had been torn apart, and stitched himself back together with a needle and spit.

"You try doing it one handed," he will growl if asked. "It ain't easy."

The more recent damage still contain stitches, freshly sewn strips of sinew criss-crossing his cheek and lip. His hirsute body is a patchwork of hairy parts, where older injuries, once shaved, have regrown, while newer areas are clean shaven, to better cleanse and stitch the skin back in place.

No one who saw him would consider him scrawny. Thick wrists ended in hands the size of a ham, and a muscled, sinewy body lent power to his movements. "Rode hard and put away wet" is the phrase most often used to describe the druid, who wears dark brown leathers, mixed with grey patches over the most worn spots. His armor, what there is of it, seems good; well oiled and cared for, at least. Tall boots come to his knees, hiding two small knives. Whitish scars criss-cross the backs of his hands, and across his cheek. A larger, older one crosses his left eye. His hair is long, and braided into a single plait that hangs down his back.

Betar unfortunately bathes a bit less frequently than typically deemed socially acceptable. Yet, few people ever tell him that, at least more than once.

 

Betar is noteable, both from demeanor and physicality. Not shy, he cannot go unnoticed in a room, either because he is free with opinions, or his opinions are not universally liked by those who hear them. The half orc tends to be brash, blunt, and forthright, some might say, tactless at times. His heart is good, but his mouth sometimes runs faster than his head can stop it. Because of this, and because of his size and physicality, Betar tries to be more quiet and patient, as he understands that all things in nature take time. He is slow to anger, as anger tends to cause mistakes, and mistakes lead one to being hurt. Not usually Betar, anymore, but he has had his share of scrapes and brawls, because people believe that fighting him will gain them notoriety. While Betar doesn't shy from pain, he's not eager to experience more than necessary either. He is actually chivalrous at heart, and has a code of personal conduct he abides by, to protect those who need protection.

 

Betar has a fascination with history, especially the early history of Golarion, when giants were said to have conquered much of the world. Reduced now to their far flung outposts, Betar still finds their history and cultures fascinating, and seeks to find snippets of pre-history in the ruins of ancient civilizations.

Originally from Three Pines Ford in Lastwall, Betar found friendly voices in members of the Pathfinder Society who gathered there, and who encouraged him to seek answers to his questions. The local druids nurtured his love of nature, and taught him the patience of nature to prevail over his hot blood. Eventually, Betar found his way from Three Pines Ford to Vellumis, and then across Lake Encarthan to Druma and the Five Kings Mountains. Another two years of wandering found Betar in Kerse, responding to an advertisement.

[Frederik]

Ahh well I had a funny idea for an evil character, but I am cool with non-evil. Norse showing up, just gave me a good idea.

Hey Norse. Nice to see you again. I don’t know how I missed it was you on the first post.

[zevonian]

@Tales - Good that you're upfront with an estimate of game duration. I haven't seen many games with the "Elephant in the room" variants, but can think of past characters of mine that would have benefited from them. Have you much experience with those feat taxes?

[CatCanCook]

Argyle Delamber Name: Argyle Delamber Race: Human Class: Alchemist (Mindchemist) Alignment: Neutral Alternate Racial Trait: Comprehensive Education (in place of Skilled) Faction: Andoran - Captain’s Blade. Traits: Firebug, Focused Burn Appearance: Brown haired, green eyed, 5'8, lightly armored in leather; cloaked and hooded for travel outdoors. Argyle bears bandoliers with the equipment of his alchemical trade. He is in his mid 20's bearded, on point, focused. Personality: Hard headed and pragmatic, Argyle believes in large-scale social causes -- even if some people get overrun by the revolution of ground under the wheels of progress. Argyle values doing good, freeing captives and opposing tyranny, but he has come to believe that the ends justify the means. If the outcome is good for the many, then he does what he must. Argyle is meticulous and neat. He is no leader of men, nor is he a visionary. Rather, he is a swift witted intellectual, preferring to solve problems by wits before violence -- but using what tools he must. He values teamwork and the camaraderie of shared goals. While he uses magical tools, his fears and dislikes all forms of mind-influencing magic (beyond what he personally controls.) He distrusts appeals to emotion, preferring logic. Background: Argyle Delamber was born on board a slaver’s ship to a female alchemist named Isselda. She served both as healer and minder of the ship’s guns and cannon’s black powder. Argyle’s father is unknown, some member of the ships company, or of the ports the slavers bought or sold from. Isselda had a cold, mercenary approach toward life: taking what she could, by any means, but the crews she sailed with her appreciated her talents, and she was frugal with money. Her son argyle was trained both in the ways of ships, and of bomb-making, from his early years. Isselde Delamber bought her way out of that life, having acquired modest riches through plunder throughout the years. She doted on her son, but was distressed as the young lad picked up some of the coarse habits of sea-raiders. Now, escaping her past, she pledged to give her son the best education money could buy -- and that he would not need to be exposed to the life of violence she had led. Becoming a brilliant scholar and alchemist, Argyle felt guilty for his privileged upbringing, and the secret source of slaver wealth. He pledged his loyalty to the Andoran faction, and over several years as an alchemist he proved value both as an inspired researcher and as a bomber in support of the faction’s missions.

[Admin Dirk]

Originally Posted by zevonian

@Tales - Good that you're upfront with an estimate of game duration. I haven't seen many games with the "Elephant in the room" variants, but can think of past characters of mine that would have benefited from them. Have you much experience with those feat taxes?

Granted, you didn't ask me, Zev, but that has never stopped me from butting in...

I think 3 of the last 4 PF games I have applied for have used the Feat Tax fix. it's becoming more common/popular.

[Tales]

Originally Posted by Frederik

Ahh well I had a funny idea for an evil character, but I am cool with non-evil. Norse showing up, just gave me a good idea.

I am glad that it worked out anyway. Looking forward to seeing your idea.

Originally Posted by zevonian

@Tales - Good that you're upfront with an estimate of game duration. I haven't seen many games with the "Elephant in the room" variants, but can think of past characters of mine that would have benefited from them. Have you much experience with those feat taxes?

I do. While I discovered them a little late in my Pathfinder years, I have almost always applied them to the games that I have been narrating. I find that they help balance melee and archery better and deft/powerful maneuvers make the melee options a little more varied.

You are welcome to retry one of your past characters with feat taxes in my game.

CatCanCook + Admin Dirk: Thank you for applying. I think we might have a team soon. I like your concepts.

[Norse]

Application Name: Mint Zhaminn Race: Catfolk Class: Unchained Rogue Alignment: CN Appearance: Cream grey fur and gold-speckled eyes under two sharp ears. A muscular, slender build that he takes pride in and keeps clean and groomed at all times. His leather suit with padded knees and elbows and little bamboo pieces sewn into the layers for spine protection looks like a black uniform. Even metal clasps and buckles have been burned and oiled black. Being blessed with feline blood can make reality harsh at times. He wears a flowing silk cape with the crest of Taldor - a white lion under a golden crown on a field of green and blue - covering his back and shoulders. It is like a shield against the odd looks he gets from racist strangers. Personality: Mint is a silent fellow, hanging back in the shadows rather than in the stage lighting. He speaks in low whispers and is prone to voice his approval or disapproval with cat-like sounds rather than words. His life in Taldor has taught him the ways of the nobles and despite his lacking wit and his erratic focus, he knows when to back off or when to address a lord or a lady properly. Mint is a friend to those he trusts. Background: Mint has always been closely tied to the nobility in Oppara. His grandfather was a Lionguard to Carrius I, and Mint’s father is still part of Grand Prince Stavian III’s elite forces. It was natural for the strong and nimble Mint to apply for a post under the banners of Taldan royalty too, but he is still too young and untried, so a few years out and about will do him good. The Taldan agency for foreign affairs and allegiance with the Pathfinder Society was happy to aid him in the process. Mint got to Absalon for initiation into the Pathfinder Society, then to Andoran and Five Kings Mountains (where he helped secure a stolen package of Torag-blessed minerals), and finally to Kerse in Druma. Faction: Taldor

[Norse]

I could not resist looking into the player mechanics. How do you feel, Tales, about this rogue talent that have been written by Legendary Games, in their Alien Codex?:

Vicious Claws (Ex) A catfolk with this talent uses d8s to roll sneak attack damage instead of d6s, but only when she uses her claws to make the sneak attack. A catfolk rogue must have the cat’s claws racial trait before taking this talent.

I see it as very close to the Sneak Stab ability you get with the Rogue archetype: Knifemaster

Sneak Stab (Ex)
A knife master focuses her ability to deal sneak attack damage with daggers and similar weapons to such a degree that she can deal more sneak attack damage with those weapons at the expense of sneak attacks with other weapons. When she makes a sneak attack with a dagger, kerambit, kukri, punching daggers, starknife, or swordbreaker dagger, she uses d8s to roll sneak attack damage instead of d6s. For sneak attacks with all other weapons, she uses d4s instead of d6s.

This ability is identical in all other ways to sneak attack, and supplements that ability

I think it is only reasonable to make the same adjustment, about d4s instead of d6s, for all other weapons than his claws.

[CatCanCook]

@Tales -

I drafted a character sheet here: https://www.rpgcrossing.com/profiler/view.php?id=86848 -- leaning into the librarian and bomber aspects of an alchemist.

You said using crafting feats will be difficult. An alchemist is a crafter class...

What are your rulings on pre-game crafting, for acid flasks & other alchemical creations? He can make the DC 25 tier using "take 10", but misses the DC 30 tier since his feats+traits are all going into bombs instead of skill buffs.

Next: would it be sensible or foolish in this scenario to buy a packmule? If you are willing to share a tip. :-). The scenario is setting the PCs as not having met until this mission, meaning the low Str guy doesn't start out trusting the high Str guy...