[Mechanics] Laws of the Realm and Ill-gotten Gains

[moozuba]

This thread is for House Rules and Loot Lists. I just can't bring myself to call a spade a spade is all, so you get my fancy rewording for the title.

If you have not already, please read the house rules. Also please note that there are TWICE AS MANY social rules as mechanical ones. This is reflective of my preferences as a DM. I expect you, above all, to follow the platinum rule:

Be excellent to one another!

Combat Rules

1. Players have initiative by default. The bad guy will sometimes strike first to initiate combat or for flavor purposes.

2. Critical hit requires no confirmation roll. Damage is MAX for first die, rolled for remainder. Ex. Brobie rolls a 20 on an attack with a crossbow. Damage is Added critical strike damage.1d8+Max possible from first dice roll.8.

3. Critical miss on 1. Automatic miss + additional DM-determined effect.

4. Creative combat will be rewarded!

Social Rules

1. Fraternity: Be supportive of others in and out of character.

2. Responsiveness: Don't make the DM or the game wait. Post within 3 days of the DM's post. If you're going to be away for more than 3 days, please let everyone know OOC.

3. Feedback and Rapport: All players are expected to use the tools at your disposal to provide feedback/appreciation to your DM, and build rapport with your other players. Do this by posting comments via RPXP or in the OOC thread about the game, the writing, the pace, the NPCs, the world, etc.

4. Interaction: Your character is a part of a group. No one goes walking for days through a haunted forest without talking. You need to communicate, contribute to in-character conversations, and engage the rest of the party. Speaking to others in-character is essential. "Thanks!"

5. Character Limitations and Development: Your character is not static! He should have a fault or weakness that he struggles with, and he should be growing, changing, learning -- not just on a mechanics level, but rather on a personality level.

6. Attention: Pay attention to the details of the other posts, incorporate them in your own post. Be attentive to your own writing style.

7. Creativity: Good solutions, original thoughts, unexpected moves... these are expected.

8. Good Post Karma: What is it that makes a quality post? A lot of things blended together, like juicy details, thoughtfulness, world expansion, heroic deeds, and overall intangible-awesomeness.

[moozuba]

Campaign Setting The campaign takes place near the City of Absalom, the so-called City at the Center of the World. Abbreviated History Founded in 1 AR by the god Aroden when he raised the Starstone from the depths of the Inner Sea, there is nothing ordinary about Absalom's history even from its very first day in existence. Its whole-cloth creation allowed for a quick inhabitation and Aroden tasked the best and bravest from throughout Inner Sea region to protect the Starstone and prevent any from moving it. But given Absalom's tactical position in the middle of countless trade routes and its undeniable influence, many ambitious nations or greedy warlords have set their sights upon the walls of the city over the millennia, and the guarding of the city and the Starstone within has never been easy. For the past four millennia, the city has been besieged by one army after another, in an attempt to bring Absalom to its knees and wrest control of it from all others. Despite the relentless onslaught, the city has never fallen. Relics of these ongoing wars still litter the plains of the Isle of Kortos surrounding the city (known as the Cairnlands) and sunken warships clutter the harbor. See here for the full wiki article. And here for a more extensive timeline of Absalom's history. A link to the best (and largest) static map of Golarion I could find. (WARNING: Very large file!) A very handy interactive map of Golarion (functionality not great on phones). This will be our rough setting, but I reserve the right to change details (including population demographics and the city's various offerings) to suit my campaign needs.

[moozuba]

Dates and Chronology The adventure began on 20th of Desnus, 4694, a Wealday. The earthquake happened on 5th of Desnus, 4694, a Toliday. See here for calendar information.

Significant NPCs Dervish McGillicuddy (Antiquities Trader) Hammish Drexler (Paladin of Iomedae) Larrimer (Professor of History) Miribelle Cedarsong (Songstress/Entertainer) Goblin the Kobold (Mercenary Scout) Genedair the Faithful (High Cleric of Iomedae) Lord Gyr of House Gixx (Primarch and First Spell Lord of Absalom) Mikael Svenson (A Northlander and former Employee of Dervish) Feiya Queensfoil (A Brevoyan and former Employee of Dervish) Havorsherd Greely (Bodyguard, Dead at the hand of Feiya Queensfoil)