[PF-2e] The Midlands

[Silent Rain]

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Applications are now closed

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The Midlands is a sandbox campaign that will follow the exploits of a group of young would-be adventurers as they make their way across the land. The game will be set in Pickpocket Press's Midlands campaign setting, but we will be using the Pathfinder 2e ruleset.

What do I mean by sandbox?
In the truest sense of the word, the midlands is open to the players to explore as they will. Adventure awaits around every corner, but there is no mass tragedy besetting their small village that forces the young adventurers onto the road, nor is there an ancient dark one that has recently returned to threaten the land. The players start as nobodies, with only their own personal desires and goals to set them on their paths.

Starting Location
All players are human midlanders from the outpost of Dunmark, located on the Low Plains, three days ride northwest of the city of Port Brax

Information about the Midlands and her people can be found in the world information folder found HERE.

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Character Creation
Applications should include the following:

• Name
• Ancestry: (Everyone is a midlander (human)
• Heritage: (Either Skilled or Versatile)
• Background We will be using the Deep Background variant rule, which is detailed HERE. Please make all rolls for the Deep Backgrounds HERE. DO NOT make the rolls in the application thread.
• Class (Any)
• Description (Please include a picture)
• Character backstory (This does not need to be a sweeping saga, but be sure to include the elements from your Deep Background)
• Goals: please indicate what your character wants. What is their current goal in life right now? Are they looking to get rich, settle down and start a family, become a mercenary, join the town guard, etc. I need to know what motivates your character.

Other Information

• Deadline: 2/21
• Sources allowed: Any official (no playtest)
• House Rules: A complete list of all house rules can be found HERE. We will be using the critical hit and fumble decks, the variant Deep Backgrounds and the Free Archetype variant.
• Posting Rate: Looking to stay with 2-3 posts per week
• Character Sheets: Not needed right now
• Party Size: I'm looking to take 5 characters
• Starting Level: 1

Applications

Player	Character	Class	Goal Summary	Status
PaleShadow	-	Cleric	-	Withdrawn
Exhibit A	Kenton Severin	Barbarian (Giant Instinct)	seek his fortune as a mercenary	Complete
delpinator	Gregor	Rogue	Gain reputation/Build gang	Complete
bookworm	Diana Carter	Ranger (Outwit)	Make money, gather information on/destroy monsters	Complete
Elfman6	Richard of Northgate	Wizard	-	Complete
Brian	Lothar Jurant	Investigator (Forensic Medicine)	Learn more about the world/magic	Complete
FunnyValentine	-	-	-	Withdrawn
epelj1	-	-	-	Withdrawn
Draidden	Jake	Barbarian	Fame, money and vengeance	Complete
Drachenspirit	Narro Tholan	Fighter	Fame, money and vengeance	Complete
Noquarter19	Skiff	Bard	Find her place in the world	Complete
Begon Ugo	Wilmot Brown	Cleric	Protect the weak	Complete

[PaleShadow]

Oooh I've been wanting to play in a P2E game for ages! Placeholder for now while I figure out what kinda character I finally wanna play

Edit: Going to try rolling for my Deep Background, I see I get two chances at it so I'll put up the two rolls and then start figuring out which I wanna go with!

 

Dice Family Background:

1d100

44

Dice Homeland:

1d20

7

Dice Major Childhood Event:

1d20

19

Dice Influtential Associate:

1d20

15

Dice Inspiring Relationship:

1d12

10

Dice Challenging Relationship:

1d12

12

 

Dice Family Background:

1d100

19

Dice Homeland:

1d20

4

Dice Major Childhood Event:

1d20

11

Dice Influtential Associate:

1d20

4

Dice Inspiring Relationship:

1d12

9

Dice Challenging Relationship:

1d12

10

Well looks like #1 up there is perfect for a cleric's backstory, so cleric it is!

Warning: rolls have been deleted from this post.

[Silent Rain]

Hey PaleShadow. Looking forward to what you come up with.

[Exhibit A]

Sounds like an interesting game. I guess I'll start by rolling up a couple of background options and seeing what I can build from there:

 

Dice Family Background:

d100

62

Dice Homeland:

d20

18

Dice Major Childhood Event:

d20

9

Dice Influential Associate:

d20

19

Dice Inspiring Relationship:

d12

5

Dice Challenging Relationship:

d12

2

Result: 3 family members, academic community, fell in with a bad crowd, wanderer associate, kindly witch and accusation of theft
Options: Cha, Dex; Academia, Genealogy, Library, Scribing Lore; Experienced Smuggler, Natural Medicine, Pickpocket skill feats

 

Dice Family Background:

d100

10

Dice Homeland:

d20

12

Dice Major Childhood Event:

d20

13

Dice Influential Associate:

d20

19

Dice Inspiring Relationship:

d12

1

Dice Challenging Relationship:

d12

12

Result: no family, front lines, lost in the wilderness, wanderer, animal helpers and spy
Options: Str, Con, Dex; Heraldry, Scouting, Warfare Lore, Survey Wildlife, Train Animals, Read Lips skill feat

Edit: hmmm. #1 would make a good sorcerer or bard, while 2 would fit for pretty much any martial. I'll have to give this some thought.

[delpinator]

 

Dice Family Background:

d100

85

you grew up with three or more family members, you had to mediate family conflicts and negotiate a crowded home. Add a Charisma ability boost and a Dexterity ability boost to your options.

Dice Homeland:

d20

16

You were raised in a community of religious scholars, such as the town around an abbey. Add Art Lore, Scribing Lore, Lore about a deity that was the focus or enemy of your community (such as Argona Lore) to your background options.

Dice Major Childhood Event:

d20

17

You witnessed and survived a major disaster in your childhood years—such as a great fire, flood, earthquake, volcano, or storm—by relying on what was at hand. Add the Quick Repair skill feat to your background options.

Dice Influential Associate:

d20

13

You had a mentor who taught you everything worth knowing about life. This could have been the person who taught you your heroic abilities, or simply a kindred spirit who helped form your worldview. Add a Constitution ability boost to your background options.

Dice Inspiring Relationship:

d12

1

When you and this character were younger, you worked together to nurse sick animals back to health. Add the Train Animal skill feat to your background options.

Dice Challenging Relationship:

d12

9

You never seemed to capture the attention of the crowds at the tavern as easily as this character did, so you worked hard to practice your showmanship. Add the Impressive Performance skill feat to your background options.

1st born paladin of abadar worked as a squire training horses until the event happened destroying the temple he fled on horseback to a nearby town where he made his way with song and tales he learned from his home.

 

name: gregor
heritage versitile
race: midlander
class: rogue
Background: criminal
Gregor grew up in the slums of port brax. He fell in with the red hooks very young while looking for prestige being the youngest. He gained power within the hooks until he met a lesser gang leaders' girlfriend and charmed her. Rosie was wonderful and opened many doors for Gregor within the ranks but when dirk found out gregor was stranded on an island in the middle of the lake. He survived and found his way back ending up three days north of port brax in an outpost. He will have to be carefull getting to close to the city for know until he can build up a gang himself to take over dirks or gain his reputation back.

 

Dice Family Background:

d100

62

If you grew up with three or more family members, you had to mediate family conflicts and negotiate a crowded home. Add a Charisma ability boost and a Dexterity ability boost to your options.

Dice Homeland:

d20

4

Trade Town People frequently passed through your homeland. You might have been raised near a major thoroughfare or crossroads, or in a small trade town. Add Accounting Lore, Guild Lore, Mercantile Lore, and Stabling Lore to your background options.

Dice Major Childhood Event:

d20

9

Fell In with a Bad Crowd In your youth, you ran with a criminal element: a gang, thieves’ guild, or similar organization. Add the Experienced Smuggler skill feat to your background options.

Dice Influential Associate:

d20

12

The Lover You had a romantic connection in your past, and this person deeply influenced your personality. Perhaps this was a first love, a casual partner you grew close to, or the one who got away. The experience bolstered your confidence in romantic interactions, even though your thoughts still stray toward that special someone from long ago. Add a Charisma ability boost to your background options.

Dice Inspiring Relationship:

d12

12

Wasteland Survivors You and this character were lost in a dangerous wasteland together and depended upon each other for survival; you’re still not certain that either of you would have survived the ordeal without the other’s aid. Add the Forager skill feat to your background options.

Dice Challenging Relationship:

d12

1

Accidental Fall This character once inadvertently shoved you off a ledge or balcony. You’re mostly certain it was a mistake, but the fall was terrifying, and you’ve resolved to never be caught unaware like that again. Add the Cat Fall skill feat to your background options.

[Silent Rain]

Hey Exhibit A and delpinator. Glad to see you're rolling apps.

[delpinator]

The background process looks really cool. I'm still unsure of how it works for character creation though. I seem to either be pulling a first born paladin or youngest of three who looked for family within the gangs of a large city and eventually took up piracy before being stuck on a deserted island or pirate after the deserted island and was somehow smuggled there. Either sounds fun.

[Silent Rain]

Besides the Deep Backgrounds being a fun way to create character backgrounds, they provide you with a pool of options to choose from when making your final decisions on ability boosts, skills, feats, etc. Once you make your background selection, I can confirm what options you would be choosing from.

[bookworm]

Application Name: Diana Carter Ancestry: Midlander (Human) Heritage: Versatile Background: Ability Boosts: Intelligence & Wisdom Trained Skills: Survival & Lore (Mercantile) Skill Feat: Experienced TrackerOutpost Refugee Class: Ranger (Outwit) Role: Ranged combat, survival, creature knowledge, scouting, goal focused Goals: Make money to improve life of family, gather information on monsters and destroy them Description: Diana's occupation as a mercenary guard is evident to all as her gear and clothes are well-worn, practical and clearly more suited to the wilds beyond the safety of the walls. She keeps a professional, though guarded, attitude toward though she does not know well and seems to be constantly on the lookout for danger as her eyes regularly scan her surroundings. Among those she trusts she is far more relaxed, sharing stories and jokes, though still keeping up that watch for danger to any of the group.

Backstory Diana was raised by her Aunt Eda, clerk of the Brigham Outpost general store. Helping where she could Diana was introduced to the regular merchants and the goods needed to keep the outpost running and profitable as they passed up and down the river. When her cousin Madlyn was born she and Diana quickly formed a close bond as Diana minded her while Aunt Eda worked. Diana's childhood came to a sudden and near deadly end when Skorn breached the outpost walls. When the heavy, reverberating sound of the evacuation gong rang Diana grabbed Madlyn by the hand and fled towards the docks as she’d been instructed to do. They had not gone far before they were sent flying by a lone, thin Skorn who was clearly more interested in a chance to feed than fight. Grasping at Madlyn it drew her closer, grinning madly as she began to scream. The screams broke Diana out of her shock and fear and into action. Scrambling to her feet Diana lunged at the monster striking down at it again and again with the small blade she held. Some good fortune was with her that night as the blade struck true enough to leave it dead behind them as they escaped down the river. Aunt Eda was also one of the few who’d defended the walls that night who was able to safely retreat to the boats, keeping the small Carter family intact. The survivors of Brigham Outpost ultimately settled into Port Brax. With few resources to draw upon to cover the costs of rebuilding a life, or to cover the bribes demanded by both the city officials and criminal gangs, the small community has remained trapped in poverty since. As Diana began to build her adult life and work she’s begun to forge the connections needed to one day lift her family and their community out of poverty. The earliest one was made only a few days after her arrival. A man named Alden Ellsworth came by to talk to the Brigham refugees about their experience of the Skorn attack. He was a researcher, attempting to understand the threats that lay outside the walls. Diana sparked up a relationship when she demanded answers to her own questions in exchange. Fortunately Alden was willing to continue to share his own knowledge after the initial meeting and Diana acted as an assistant until she was old enough to take up mercenary work. Since then whenever Diana has returned to Port Brax she has always seen Alden to swap the knowledge they’ve collected. Diana’s most recent mercenary job has taken her to the outpost of Dunmark for the first time. She’s looking for both work, and any information about monster activity in the area.

PC Links Inspiring Relationship (8): Missing Child When a young relative disappeared in a busy market, this character helped you question merchants and shoppers and find the child before they came to any harm. Add the Hobnobber skill feat to your background options. I think this would be shortly after Diana and her family arrive in Port Brax. She loses track of her young cousin Madlyn and needs help finding her in the unfamiliar city. Challenging Relationship (8): Rival Trackers You and this character worked for a time as rival hunters, whether tracking animals or escaped criminals. Add the Experienced Tracker skill feat to your background options. Could be any particular prey,e.g. a bounty for the income or a competition to see who could hunt the biggest animal for dinner while travelling.

OOC Questions & Notes Hi Silent Rain, thanks for the interesting game in one of my favorite systems. I've been playing PF 2e since the playtest so got a solid understanding of the rules and am happy to help with clarifications for any new players. Would have done so during the application period, but had family visiting this week so wasn't as active as I would have liked. I've added a few notes below on how I expect Diana to play, just so I can be a bit more explicit than in the backstory, and to outline how she might regard significant aspects of the setting. Monsters: Diana has an evolving definition of what of a monster is. Obviously includes Skorn, and generally any other antagonistic non-humans. I'd find the evolution of this particular definition throughout play would be very interesting given the impacts it has on her long term goals. Magic: Diana considers magic a corrupting influence, with the potential to turn humans into monsters. Pragmatic enough to work alongside any casters in the party as long as they are able to hold off the corruption. Would likely consider use of magic to commit serious crimes a sign of corruption, as well as the use of mind altering spells against humans. Religion: Like most Midlanders Diana worships the Seven Ancients keeping in their favor and asking for their aid. She most frequently calls upon Argona and Soliri.

 

Family Background (44): Grew up with two family members an active part of your life. Your closeness to them made you highly aware of their feelings, and you. Add an Intelligence ability boost and a Wisdom ability boost to your options. Homeland (4): Trade Town. People frequently passed through your homeland. You might have been raised near a major thoroughfare or crossroads, or in a small trade town. Add Accounting Lore, Guild Lore, Mercantile Lore, and Stabling Lore to your background options. Major Childhood Event (11): Had Your First Kill You’ve had blood on your hands since your youth, when you first took the life of another. You still have the weapon you used for the deed; add a common weapon worth 15 gp or less to your background options. If you select this option instead of a skill feat, you are trained in Athletics. Influential Associate (1): The Academic One of your associates had a thirst for knowledge that could never be satisfied with simple answers. Through this association, you developed a keen appreciation for numbers, geometry, logic, hard study, and problem-solving. Add an Intelligence ability boost to your background options. Inspiring Relationship (8): Missing Child When a young relative disappeared in a busy market, this character helped you question merchants and shoppers and find the child before they came to any harm. Add the Hobnobber skill feat to your background options. Challenging Relationship (8): Rival Trackers You and this character worked for a time as rival hunters, whether tracking animals or escaped criminals. Add the Experienced Tracker skill feat to your background options. Mechanical Options Ability Score Boost: Intelligence, Wisdom Lore Skill: Accounting, Guild, Mercantile, Stabling Skill Feat (Skill): Hobnobber (Diplomacy), Experienced Tracker (Survival), common weapon worth 15 gp or less (Athletics)

 

Feature Character 1 Character 2 Family Background Dice Roll: 1d100 31 Dice Roll: 1d100 44 Homeland Dice Roll: 1d20 9 Dice Roll: 1d20 4 Major Childhood Event Dice Roll: 1d20 13 Dice Roll: 1d20 11 Influential Associate Dice Roll: 1d20 2 Dice Roll: 1d20 1 Inspiring Relationship Dice Roll: 1d12 7 Dice Roll: 1d12 8 Challenging Relationship Dice Roll: 1d12 4 Dice Roll: 1d12 8

 

Build Notes Source Ability Boosts Proficiency Feats Other Ancestry - Human (Versatile) Dexterity, Wisdom Languages Common 1+Int mod (Argosan) 1st level General Feat; Natural Ambition (Hunted Shot) HP 8; Size Medium; Speed 25ft Background - Outpost Refugee Intelligence, Wisdom Trained Lore (Mercantile) Survival Experienced Tracker Class - Ranger Dexterity Expert Perception Fortitude Reflex Trained Will Nature Survival, 4+Int mod skills (Acrobatics, Athletics, Stealth) simple weapons, martial weapons, unarmed attacks light armor, medium armor, unarmored defense ranger class DC Monster Hunter HP 10+Con mod; Hunt Prey; Hunter's Edge (Outwit) 1st Level Ability Boosts Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom

Features Full Text Hunt Prey Action One; Traits concentrate You designate a single creature as your prey and focus your attacks against that creature. You must be able to see or hear the prey, or you must be tracking the prey during exploration. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to Perception checks when you Seek your prey and a +2 circumstance bonus to Survival checks when you Track your prey. You also ignore the penalty for making ranged attacks within your second range increment against the prey you’re hunting. You can have only one creature designated as your prey at a time. If you use Hunt Prey against a creature when you already have a creature designated, the prior creature loses the designation and the new prey gains the designation. Your designation lasts until your next daily preparations. Hunters Edge (Outwit)You are talented at outwitting and evading your prey. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to Deception checks, Intimidation checks, Stealth checks, and any checks to Recall Knowledge about the prey, and a +1 circumstance bonus to AC against your prey’s attacks.

Feats Full Text Experienced Tracker Tracking is second nature to you, and when necessary you can follow a trail without pause. You can Track while moving at full Speed by taking a –5 penalty to your Survival check. If you’re a master in Survival, you don’t take the –5 penalty. If you’re legendary in Survival, you no longer need to roll a new Survival check every hour when tracking, though you still need to roll whenever there are significant changes in the trail. Monster Hunter You swiftly assess your prey and apply what you know. As part of the action used to Hunt your Prey, you can attempt a check to Recall Knowledge about your prey. When you critically succeed at identifying your hunted prey with Recall Knowledge, you note a weakness in the creature’s defenses. You and allies you tell gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your next attack roll against that prey. You can give bonuses from Monster Hunter only once per day against a particular creature. Hunted Shot Action One; Traits flourish; Frequency once per round; Requirements you are wielding a ranged weapon with reload 0 You take two quick shots against the one you hunt. Make two Strikes against your prey with the required weapon. If both hit the same creature, combine their damage for the purpose of resistances and weaknesses. Apply your multiple attack penalty to each Strike normally.

 

Diana Carter Ranger 1 NG | Medium | Human | Humanoid Perception +5 E Languages Common, +3 Skills Acrobatics T, Arcana, Athletics T, Crafting T, Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Lore (Mercantile) T, Medicine T, Nature T, Occultism, Performance, Religion T, Society T, Stealth T, Survival T, Thievery Str +1, Dex +3, Con +1, Int +1, Wis +3, Cha +0 Items AC 16 (unarmored) T; Fort +6 E, Ref +8 E, Will +5 T HP 19 Speed 25 feet Melee Ranged Hunt Prey [1] (concentrate)

[Elfman6]

I see PF2, I at least give it a shot. Not a huge fan of a picture as an absolute requirement though. Background 1 is the chicken dinner.

Character Application Name: Richard of Northgate Ancestry: Argosan, as if I would stoop to using a common name. Heritage: Skilled Background: Intelligence Boost and Wisdom Boost, Genealogy Lore, Courtly Graces Skill Feat Class: Wizard (Free Archetype: Rogue) Description: Even when trying to blend into a crowd, Richard's life as a noble slips through. From his habit of standing straight to his slight paunch from a life well fed to his clear blue eyes seeing through the dregs and common folk of society as if they weren't there, it's hard to miss. Even his clothing, outwardly common and travel stained, will reveal higher quality fabrics and craftsmanship. The ring he wears, a garnet set into an iron band, has been a target for thieves since he set foot on the road, often only barely keeping either it or the finger upon which it rests. Even the dirt and the stains on this averagely tall man seem... purposeful. His dark black mustache and goatee growing straggly and unkempt, but not wildly so. His short dark hair is hidden by a constant droopy hood that does far less than he would like to hide his features. Character backstory/Goals: This is the last will and testament of Richard Barot, youngest scion of his house; a confession of crimes and injustice against my person. My life as a Barot is over in finality. As with all confessions, it is best to start at the beginning. My former house is not a powerful one, not relative to the great houses. It does not bend the ear of King Uldred or even his closest allies. Our claim of nobility rests on valour in the early years of the Third Age; sweeping heroism in battle against the scorn and the thuel to draw their attention away from bastions of light and civilization. The world was ours for the taking and yet... Not four generations hence we had grown fat and slow on past legend. Our platitudes and rhetoric turned ever inward, giving praise, deification even to our forebears while the world moved on without us. As the world moved on, so did our fortunes. If not for our extensive libraries of births, marriages, and deaths we would have found ourselves destitute in the mud. The Royal College has slowly subsumed our collection over the years and it won't be but a generation until we are but agents of the College. We never quite learned our lesson, taking payment to trace the ancestries of all who asked; using the funds to pay our taxes on time and shuffle by but never improve. A waste. I am told I have five older brothers. I've met none for any length of time that would be considered significant. The eldest Erthon, I know only by his gravemarker. He did not survive his first year. Thoamas and Luthric have been wards to the crown in Crow's Keep since they were six and eight respectively. Henryk is being groomed to lead the house when father passes and does not make time for me. Justin left early on to wear the robes of a priest of Woden. My progenitors do not have time between petty squabbles and consumate research to address my needs. In truth, I bear familial love and feel such love for only a single person related by blood; my father's brother Lothar. His visits were rare; embroiled in an iciness from all other members of the house that I could not fathom. Metaphorically, he was my father. But an absent father is not a strong role model. I found others in similar straights; indolent and recalcitrant youth of lesser nobility, peasant boys bored with their chores and stagnation in life. Our shared nihilism and thirst for feeling bound us petty crime and pettier feuds. Bursts of colour against a grey sky. My own pedigree stopped any real consequence from affecting me, but I could not say the same for those without title. I recall an afternoon of pinching coin purses and tussles in the street. The guard, when they could ignore it no longer, placed my companions in stocks. I was dragged home with a stern warning. Nobody at the house had been aware I had been gone for five days at that point. Although to some degree expected, this was admittedly a sore spot for the ego. One flirts with irrelevance for rebellion, not to find it to be true. I brooded on this revelation for some time as youths with more comfort than danger are wont to do. I would be complicit in my family's own sloth and self-directed duplicity if I said that I had found any satisfactory conclusions. Only that I could stagnate in my family's manse or I could strike out into the city and it's environs once more; this time dangerously alone as my little gang found itself in twilight. One could surmise that a false dichotomy, but I didn't really care. Other options seemed farfetched. Dangerously alone may have proved the savior if one believes in fate. Without a companion to watch my back I was forced to be increasingly perceptive of the life around me. Impersonally hostile crowds going about their business without care, other thieves ripe for a young mark, red cloaked Anointed on incredibly arcane and obtuse tasks, and college students doing field work with experiments I suspected had not been sanctioned by their headmasters all became startlingly clear in their danger to my person. It was with sharper eyes that I finally cast my gaze up the Prince of Rats and he upon me. It was in the long shadow of the Stargazer's Citadel that I watched the mass of humanity move about him as if unseen. His tattered clothing and ragged grey hair and beard bespoke a beggar like a hundred other guttertrash, but those eyes! Those hard grey eyes beckoned with an intellect and cunning greater than any philosopher moldering on shelves. He fled immediately and I gave chase without another thought. Through alleys and streets I kept sight of only the wisps of that old brown cloak until he slipped beneath the city in the darkness between a pair of bunkhouses. A prudent person would have walked away. I dove after. He grabbed me, inexplicably, from behind, his hot breath a fetid stench of carrion and fish. There was a blade at my throat, my own pressed firmly against his inner thigh. A stroke of pure luck. After a long tense moment, I demanded to know how he did that. He laughed, a raspy guttural sound. One I would grow intimately familiar with. A trick, an illusion he coughed. A bending of the universe to his will. With his blade still at my throat I commanded him to teach me. He pressed harder. Skin broke. He whispered a location in my ear and shoved me to the ground; gone before I could recover. Dead drops I later learnt. Snippets of wisdom, small strange tasks and searches for peculiar items passed through my hands. After a few months a great big white rat with eyes of fire opals, his familiar I would later learn, began to drop messages. After the first one, I swore I saw it everywhere. After five months I pieced together a map to his sanctum; a surprisingly dry grotto beneath the city. True education began. It took five more months to master my first cantrip. He told me I was a quick study, that horrid laugh punctuating and threatening to undermine my achievements. Things began to move quicker and I found purpose. I had known of magic my entire life, the fear it engendered in the masses and the elite alike; the murderous rage it inspired outside the lands of the Argosans. Weak-willed and shortsighted fools. This tool could easily change the lives of thousands for the betterment of all. A population with knowledge of the arcane could easily fortify our borders against aggressors, stopping wars before they could start. That was far in the future though. At present, even the ability to easily clean a space with a simple cantrip would do wonders to improve the lot of the common man; hours of labour in minutes, a bulwark against disease and rot, the time to pursue loftier goals than mere survival. We could rise above this dirty life. Extrapolating from my previous experiences that I was ignored at home, I had taken to practicing in my quarters. This proved to be my greatest folly and an important lesson. As my progenitors ignored me, so to did I ignore the staff who toiled for us. So accustomed to their scurrying and furtive ways that I forgot to even see them. Their low-class superstitions and work ethic reigned in their minds. I did not see the events, but it was possible to recreate them when I saw one of the scullions at the head of the red-clad Anointed as they marched with purpose towards the manse. They had seen, they had whispered, and they had reported. My title would not protect me as it had before. I could hear my father at the door, shock and anger in his tone. He informed the Anointed that he would lead them to me himself. There was no choice but to flee with what I could carry on my person, slipping through the servants' halls and out a service door into the night as the Anointed began to toss the manse in their search for me. I hid amongst the wharves until dawn, spreading dirt on my clothes and face and slipping out the gate with a crowd of workers headed towards the fields. I could not have gone to the Prince of Rats, it would have betrayed his secrets. I walked until I reached the outpost of Dunmark, an unremarkable place well away from the reach and mild interest of my family; possibly even the Anointed. But what now? I still wish to bring the knowledge of magic to the masses. Ultimately it will be blessing upon all. They aren't ready though. I will need to increase my own knowledge and power. With firm ground beneath my feet, I can take on an apprentice as I was so taught. Change will come slowly, but it can come.

Deep Background Condensed 1 Family Member: If you grew up with one or two family members, your closeness to them made you highly aware of their feelings, and you. Add an Intelligence ability boost and a Wisdom ability boost to your options. Academic Community: You were raised in or near a university, academy, or other center of learning. Add Academia Lore, Genealogy Lore, Library Lore, and Scribing Lore to your background options. Fell In With A Bad Crowd: In your youth, you ran with a criminal element: a gang, thieves’ guild, or similar organization. Add the Experienced Smuggler skill feat to your background options. The Pariah: You met a disgraced exile and found in their words something that spoke to you. What once seemed true in your religion, society, or family began to appear false, and you quickly learned not to trust everyone you meet. Add a Wisdom ability boost to your background options. Kindly Witch: This character connected you to a kindly but reclusive person who was living at the edge of civilization but had expansive knowledge to share. Add the Natural Medicine skill feat to your background options. Social Maneuvering: You have always wanted to prove yourself better than this character in a fancy social situation but have yet to decisively do so. Add the Courtly Graces skill feat to your background options. Background Mechanical Options:Int Boost, Wis Boost, Academia, Genealogy, Library, or Scribing Lore, Experienced Smuggler Feat, Wis Boost, Natural Medicine feat, Courtly Graces feat.

 

Dice Family Background:

1d100

24

1 Family Member: If you grew up with one or two family members, your closeness to them made you highly aware of their feelings, and you. Add an Intelligence ability boost and a Wisdom ability boost to your options.

Dice Homeland:

1d20

19

Academic Community: You were raised in or near a university, academy, or other center of learning. Add Academia Lore, Genealogy Lore, Library Lore, and Scribing Lore to your background options.

Dice Major Childhood Event:

1d20

9

Fell In With A Bad Crowd: In your youth, you ran with a criminal element: a gang, thieves’ guild, or similar organization. Add the Experienced Smuggler skill feat to your background options.

Dice Influential Associate:

1d20

16

The Pariah: You met a disgraced exile and found in their words something that spoke to you. What once seemed true in your religion, society, or family began to appear false, and you quickly learned not to trust everyone you meet. Add a Wisdom ability boost to your background options.

Dice Inspiring Relationship:

1d12

5

Kindly Witch: This character connected you to a kindly but reclusive person who was living at the edge of civilization but had expansive knowledge to share. Add the Natural Medicine skill feat to your background options.

Dice Challenging Relationship:

1d12

11

Social Maneuvering: You have always wanted to prove yourself better than this character in a fancy social situation but have yet to decisively do so. Add the Courtly Graces skill feat to your background options.

 

Dice Family Background:

1d100

16

0 Family Members: If you grew up with no family, you had to learn to survive on your own. Add a Strength ability boost and a Constitution ability boost to your options.

Dice Homeland:

1d20

11

Metropolis: You grew up in one of the largest cities in the world, such as Port Drax or Crow's Keep. Add Architecture Lore, Gladiatorial Lore, Guild Lore, Legal Lore, and Theater Lore to your background options.

Dice Major Childhood Event:

1d20

14

Met a Fantastic Creature: When you were a child, you made contact with a magical creature, such as a dragon, unicorn, genie, pixie, or similar creature. Add the Recognize Spell skill feat to your background options.

Dice Influential Associate:

1d20

14

The Mercenary: With this person, there was always a cost. No deed came without a trade for something of equal or greater value. You respected their cynical but fair dealings, and they influenced your philosophy. Add a Strength ability boost to your background options.

Dice Inspiring Relationship:

1d12

6

Liberators: You and this character worked together to free some captives including one of your friends or relatives—from a gang of slavers. Add the Lengthy Diversion skill feat to your background options.

Dice Challenging Relationship:

1d12

11

Social Maneuvering: You have always wanted to prove yourself better than this character in a fancy social situation but have yet to decisively do so. Add the Courtly Graces skill feat to your background options.

[Brian]

Character Lothar Jurant Name: Lothar Jurant Ancestry: Midlander Human Heritage: Skilled (Athletics) Background: Ability boost to intelligence and charisma, trained in diplomacy and ship lore, hefty hauler skill feat   Family Background (35):you grew up with one or two family members, your closeness to them made you highly aware of their feelings, and you. Add an Intelligence ability boost and a Wisdom ability boost to your options. Homeland (16): Coastal Community You grew up along a wide river, in a wetland, beside an ocean, or on an island. Add Fishing Lore, Sailing Lore, and Lore of a specific type of sea creature (such as Shark Lore) to your background options. Major Childhood Event (18): Trained by a Mentor A mentor or patron took an interest in your development and volunteered to train or sponsor you. Add the Experienced Professional skill feat to your background options. Influential Associate (11): The Liege Lord You became close with someone you were bound to serve, be it an employer, minor lord or lady, or even a king or queen. Though this person held power over you, they held you closer than a subject or servant. As a result, you’re used to dealing with and being close to power. Add a Charisma ability boost to your background options. Inspiring Relationship (11): Timely Cure When a family member of yours was dying and there didn’t seem to be much hope, this character brought a simple but effective alchemical cure. You are determined to pay this favor forward. Add the Alchemical Crafting skill feat to your background options. Challenging Relationship (4): Matter of Might You have long considered this character your rival in a question of strength. You are determined to prove yourself to be mightier, perhaps by intelligent application of force if you aren’t physically imposing. Add the Hefty Hauler skill feat to your background options. Class: Investigator (Forensic Medicine) Description: Lothar Jurant is a handsome young man in his early twenties who wears his black hair swept back and his face clean-shaven. He has green eyes that observe his surroundings with curiosity and deep intelligence. He is of average height and not of imposing build, but his movements have the studied grace of someone who is either a noble or who has spent a good deal of time around nobles. As he is typically wearing fairly plain clothes, it would be a likely inference to the latter. Current Goals: Lothar is currently looking to broaden his experiences. In particular, he is interested in learning more about magic and alchemy after what happened with his mother; first-hand knowledge about the peoples and cultures of other nations and regions. As a tertiary goal, he hasn't seen much of Argosa aside from Port Brax and the docks of Crow's Keep and Northgate, and he wouldn't mind seeing more of his nation and learning about the people that live there. Backstory Lothar was born to Bennett and Isolde Jurant of Port Brax. His father owned a small cargo ship that would be hired by merchants to carry cargo around Lake Argos, particularly between Port Brax, Northgate, and Crow's Keep. Lothar had a happy childhood, starting to help out with the family business around eight years of age. His parents were surprised at how quickly he learned things, he displayed a love for knots in particular, and no matter how complex the knot, he only had to be shown it once before he could tie it. When he wasn't working, Lothar loved to swim and took to it like a fish. By the age of 10, he was regularly riding on his father's boat, learning to sail, to navigate, and how to load and balance loads on a ship. By the time he was twelve he had made some suggestions to improve efficiency, which improved the business income. Gregor Heaton was enjoying his morning walk along the docks when he came across a bemusing sight, a loud argument between a merchant and a boy who couldn't be more than twelve years old. Gregor paused to lean against the dock railing and lit his pipe, grateful for something interesting to watch. Recently retiring after years of working for Lord Fields as an investigator and troubleshooter, Gregor was having a hard time adjusting to days full of nothing to do. As he listened, Gregor determined the facts of the argument. The boy was stubbornly refusing to accept the merchant's cargo on the basis that it had been robbed. He argued that the knots around the cargo on the dock, which had been tied last night. were now tied backward, which meant that at some point they were untied, and then retied by someone left-handed. As the merchant's guard had watched the cargo last night and was there until the merchant arrived this morning, it was currently the merchant's problem, but if the boy accepted them, only to find out they were empty at the destination, then the merchant could blame the shipowner. The angry merchant was jostling the crates as best he was able, pointing out that if they had been emptied, they wouldn't have so much weight. His interest piqued, Gregor stepped in and suggested they open a crate to settle the matter. The merchant, who had already refused such a suggestion from the boy, was immediately cowed by Gregor's demeanor, honed by years of acting at the authority of the nobility. The boy helped untie a section of the crates while the merchant retrieved a crowbar, only muttering slightly. After a few moments of straining the lid was off, and the merchant stood staring in the crate, his triumphant look sliding sickly off his face as his face turned white. Gregor stepped forward to look in the crate, which was empty save for sandbags filling about a fifth of the crates. Gregor glanced back at the boy, who just shrugged at him. Moving suddenly, with the blood flushing back into his face, the merchant frantically worked the lid off of another crate, then a third. They were all the same as the first. The merchant hurled the crowbar onto the dock hard enough to send splinters flying. "I've been robbed!" the merchant shouted, stating the obvious. Gregor wiped his hand down his face, covering a grin, "If they had enough time to empty your cargo, refill them with sandbags, and tie it all back together, and your guard wasn't harmed, then he was either sleeping, left, or was in on it. Perhaps you should start there?" he suggested. The merchant stormed off, shouting for the city watch. Gregor watched him go a moment, before turning to look at the boy, who was moving the crowbar out of where it might get stepped on. "That was clever boy. What's your name?" he asked. The boy knuckled his forehead, "Lothar, sir. Just looking out for my dad's business. Now I've got work to do." the boy said before turning and darting up the gangway of a small ship nearby. Gregor asked around the next few days, gathering information on the Jurant family before approaching Lothar's parents and discussing their son's future. Being well aware of their son's intelligence and realizing the opportunity this represented for his future, they agreed that in two years time Lothar would enter an apprenticeship with Gregor. And so at fifteen years of age Lothar started a new life. He missed the leisure of swimming between cargo runs, but he loved all the new ideas and concepts he was learning. Gregor taught him a wide range of skills, he learned to fight, to listen, to see. He learned to study subjects for clues and for weaknesses, and he learned the danger of being to certain in his inferences. He was also routinely mocked by Gregor when he struggled to carry all the gear they needed to work, which led to Lothar devising a better way to distribute the weight by altering the straps in the gear cases. Perhaps his most important growth came in his fourth year of training when Gregor and himself assisted the Watch in tracking down a serial killer known as the Dockside Strangler. Lothar learned an immense amount about anatomy and forensic study that year, setting his mind on his preferred subject of study. It was also this year that his mother became sick with the plague. Gregor introduced him to a woman named Nyssa who gave Isolde a potion that quickly had her back on her feet. Strongly suspecting some form of magic, Gregor told him sometimes you need to work with questionable people who have skills you don't and that you need. After five years of training, Gregor declared Lothar had learned all he reasonably could without the unpredictability of the field. Gregor introduced Lothar to Lord Fields, who took him into his service. For over a year Lothar worked closely with the Fields family to solve mysteries, gather information, and solve problems. Then Lord Fields presented him a letter with a new mission. It read simply: You are a valued and trusted agent, but you are new and untempered. I need you to go out, live a little, test yourself, then return to my service. I suggest you head to Dunmark. Look around, get in some trouble. See where it takes you. -F

Kind of interested to learn some of PF2. Lets see what backgrounds offer up.

 

Dice Roll:

d100

35

you grew up with one or two family members, your closeness to them made you highly aware of their feelings, and you. Add an Intelligence ability boost and a Wisdom ability boost to your options.

Dice Roll:

d20

16

Coastal Community You grew up along a wide river, in a wetland, beside an ocean, or on an island. Add Fishing Lore, Sailing Lore, and Lore of a specific type of sea creature (such as Shark Lore) to your background options.

Dice Roll:

d20

18

Trained by a Mentor A mentor or patron took an interest in your development and volunteered to train or sponsor you. Add the Experienced Professional skill feat to your background options.

Dice Roll:

d20

11

The Liege Lord You became close with someone you were bound to serve, be it an employer, minor lord or lady, or even a king or queen. Though this person held power over you, they held you closer than a subject or servant. As a result, you’re used to dealing with and being close to power. Add a Charisma ability boost to your background options.

Dice Roll:

d12

11

Timely Cure When a family member of yours was dying and there didn’t seem to be much hope, this character brought a simple but effective alchemical cure. You are determined to pay this favor forward. Add the Alchemical Crafting skill feat to your background options.

Dice Roll:

d12

4

Matter of Might You have long considered this character your rival in a question of strength. You are determined to prove yourself to be mightier, perhaps by intelligent application of force if you aren’t physically imposing. Add the Hefty Hauler skill feat to your background options.

 

Dice Roll:

d100

15

you grew up with no family, you had to learn to survive on your own. Add a Strength ability boost and a Constitution ability boost to your options.

Dice Roll:

d20

12

Front Lines You grew up in a homeland torn by war. Even if you didn’t personally participate, it was never far away. Add Heraldry Lore, Scouting Lore, and Warfare Lore to your background options.

Dice Roll:

d20

15

Raided A horde of raiders attacked your settlement and killed and wounded several of your people. This could have been a band of highway robbers or a conquering army. You have a relic from those times; add an armor or shield worth 15 gp or less to your background options. If you select this option instead of a skill feat, you are trained in Medicine.

Dice Roll:

d20

20

The Well-Connected Friend In your circle of associates, there was someone everyone knew. This person had contacts in every social circle. Through this connection, you continue to meet and associate with a wide variety of people in every walk of life. Add a Charisma ability boost to your background options.

Dice Roll:

d12

2

Comrade-in-Arms You and this character were once comrades in military service, and you trained yourself and this character to improve your physical fitness. Add the Assurance skill feat for Athletics to your background options.

Dice Roll:

d12

7

Relationship Ender You once warned off an admirer seeking this character’s affections. You still maintain that the match would have been a poor one and that you did this character a favor. Add the Quick Coercion skill feat to your background options.

Looks like #1 would make for an Alchemist, Champion, Wizard, or Investigator... someone with a lot of training who would be useful to someone in a position of power.
#2 would make for a pretty gritty fighter or ranger.

I'll probably go with #1 as it allows more flexibility to make a character that can fit in well.

[FunnyValentine]

Let me throw down some rolls and see what I get, and then I'll come up with a concept

Well I've thoroughly bungled this Haha. Added a d12 roll when I meant to add a s20. Requestion GM permission to delete the last d12 just so your aware I'm not attempting to cheat.

background 1 Dice Roll: d100 70 Dice Roll: d20 15 Dice Roll: d20 8 Dice Roll: d12 3 Dice Roll: d12 5 Dice Roll: d12 4 Dice Roll: d20 18

background 2 Dice Roll: d100 69 Dice Roll: d20 5 Dice Roll: d20 15 Dice Roll: d12 2 Dice Roll: d12 7 Dice Roll: d12 3 Dice Roll: d20 19

[Silent Rain]

Welcome bookworm, Elfman6, Brian and FunnyValentine.

I'll have a table up late today to start tracking these application.

@Elfman6 I like to create tokens from the character pics and also include them in a my party tracker.

@Everyone This is my fault, but please do not make any more rolls in this application thread. If you already did, that's fine. Anything going forward should be made in the thread HERE.

[Elfman6]

Elevator pitch:

So arcane magic being illegal reminds me of Dark Sun. So, I want to do something similar to that. With Conceal Spell at 2nd level as an absolute. Is this going to be a nightmare or shall I push through with it? I'm also thinking someone with some small noble title, the Pariah being a mage and him seeing the obvious power of this and wondering 'wait, why is this illegal?' Dunmark sounds like a muddy place without a whole lot of fancy stuff; so noble born mage hiding from authorities and his own family.

Thoughts?

[epelj1]

Getting in on the fun...