[PF-1e] Eberron: The Forgotten Forge

[TheKhan]

Game Name Eberron: The Forgotten Forge

Game System Pathfinder

Theme Beginning of a new chapter, discovery, wheels within wheels

Flavour Pulp/Noir, hunting and being hunted

Plot Summary The year is 998. The War is over. Cyre is dead. Khorvaire is broken. No one knows what the future holds for Eberron. Some say it is the end days, others say it is the start of a new era. Most believe the Last War hasn't truly ended, and never will until one of the Five Nations has crushed all others. Death still stalks the land, just now instead of soldiers and constructs, it is spies and assassins who fight the battles. But yet there is still hope among some people. Even in the horrific face of the Mourning, they refuse to bend a knee to fate or to let their destinies be controlled by the machinations of the rapidly entrenching Cold War. Their story begins now. Like so many stories, it begins on a stormy night in Sharn. Like so many stories, it begins with a body...

For those who do not know, the Forgotten Forge was a short, one level adventure included in the original Eberron Campaign Setting. I've decided to use it as a launching point for this campaign and it is okay with me if you've played through it before.

System: Pathfinder
Experience: 200 EXP (level 1)
Build: 25 point buy
Gold: 300 Galifers (GP)
Sources: All Pathfinder, all Eberron and the 3.5 splat books, Draconimacon, Liber Mortis, Lords of Madness, Fiendish Codexes, Heroes of Horror & Battle and Spell Compendium. Anything included in Keith Baker's Dragonshards are also fair game. Other 3.5 will be considered provisionally, but there's just so much of it and some parts I do want to control.
Classes: No Gunslinger. Any other Pathfinder classes are okay.
Races: Core (human, dwarf, elf, gnome, half-elf, half-orc, halfling), Eberron (changeling, kalashtar, shifter, warforged), goblin, hobgoblin, kobold. See house rules for racial updates to Pathfinder for non-core races.
Traits: You start with two traits. We can adapt them from the regular pathfinder setting if they are appropriate.
Alignment: Non-Evil, Good preferred
Equipment: No gunpowder. Most everything else is good.

Style: Third-person present tense posting. While a post a day would be nice, I know that I’m busy a lot and other people get busy too, so while I want to aim at maximum postage, well probably be looking at between 2 to 5 posts a week. Also, please make a note of which books you used at the end of your character sheet. I have a very good memory, but it needs to be devoted to things other than knowing exactly what comes from which book across two similar but different systems. Thank you in advance.

Continuing Adventures: this will be determined as we bring the Forgotten Forge to a close. I can say now that the plot will be influenced by who I pick and it will not be following the Shadows of the Last War path.

Deadline: December 23. 6 characters will be selected sometime In the next couple of days.

To apply, I ask for...

-The background and personality of your character.
-Information about how your character spent the Last War. Remember, you may just be first level, but you have PC classes, and that makes you a cut above the rest!
-Some mechanical information; I don't expect a full character sheet, but a general idea of what you will be doing is needed.

I'm looking at character concept then party balance for selecting players.

If you have time to kill, you can also give this info. I don't need it for the application, but I will be asking for it eventually from the selected players.

- Three goals your character has
- Two types of monsters you would like to see as allies
- Two types of monsters you would like to see as enemies
- One organization/group/nation you would like to have friendly relations with
- One organization/group/nation you would like to have decidedly unfriendly relations with
- One secret of the setting you would like to explore

[TheKhan]

House Rules:

Goblins and Hobgoblins: While the Dhakaani have not ruled for millennia, their martial culture has left an indelible imprint upon all goblinoids of Khorvaire. These races treat regular and heavy flails a simple weapons.

Kobolds: Change racial adjustments to -2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Con

Changelings and Kalashtar: These races gain +2 to one ability score of the player's choice at character creation.

Shifters: Shifters have the following changes-

+2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom, –2 Charisma: Shifters are agile and perceptive, but also bestial.

Shifting (Su): A shifter can tap into his lycanthropic heritage to gain short bursts of physical power. Each shifter has one of ten shifter traits—characteristics that manifest themselves when a character is shifting. Each shifter trait typically provides a +2 bonus to one of the character’s physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution) and grants some other advantage as well. Shifter traits are described in the following section.

Shifting is a free action and can last for a number of rounds equal to 4 + the shifter’s Constitution modifier. Temporary increases to Constitution such as those gained from bear's endurance do not increase the total number of rounds that a shifter can maintain shifting per day. A shifter can take feats to improve this ability. These shifter feats are described in Eberron Campaign Setting and Races of Eberron.

Every shifter feat a character takes increases the duration of his shifting by 2 rounds. So, a character with two shifter feats can shift for a number of rounds equal to 8 (instead of 4) + the shifter’s Con modifier.

Shifting, though related to and developed from lycanthropy, is neither an affliction nor a curse. It is not passed on by bite or claw attacks, and a shifter can’t be cured—shifting is a natural ability for the race.

Shifter traits themselves remain unchanged.

Warforged:
Ability modifiers become +2 Con, +2 Int, -2 Wis. Warforged are tough and swift learners, but their quick maturation often means they lack common sense.

Initiative: I use a version of initiative where everyone roles Init, but then the first person to post each round acts at the highest Init rolled, the second at the next highest and so on. I find this speeds up combat considerably.

FAQ:

Can I join this game if I've already played or GMed (or read) The Forgotten Forge?
Yes.

Is the Dreamsight Shifter racial trait still the same (i.e., giving a total of +4 Wis to the shifter now)?
Yes, just like a cliffwalk, longstride or swiftwing shifter would normally stack their dex modifiers.

How exactly are you going to update the Artificer to Pathfinder rules?
The best I've seen so far is to convert all cases to XP to apply to GP and multiply the Craft Reserve by 6.

[Sweets]

I'm very interested, but I'll be honest, I put in for another Pathfinder game and I want to wait to see if I get into that one first. If I don't, and I know before your deadline then expect a top-attempt application.

[sammichweasel]

Alright, definitely want in, problem is finding time to work up an app this time of year. But I shall do my darnedest!

[TheKhan]

I know Sammich, hence why I'm not requiring the full sheet

[Ange]

Eberron! And Pathfinder! Two of my favourite things!

I have a question. Is the Dreamsight Shifter racial trait still the same (i.e., giving a total of +4 Wis to the shifter now)? I've always loved the concept of playing a Dreamsight Shifter Druid/Moonspeaker, is all.

[sammichweasel]

Aiight, working up stuff for a Halfling Witch. I am VERY excited. I've always loved the Talenta Halflings, never got to play one.

[TheKhan]

Originally Posted by Ange

Eberron! And Pathfinder! Two of my favourite things!

I have a question. Is the Dreamsight Shifter racial trait still the same (i.e., giving a total of +4 Wis to the shifter now)? I've always loved the concept of playing a Dreamsight Shifter Druid/Moonspeaker, is all.

Yes, just like a cliffwalk, longstride or swiftwing shifter would normally stack their dex modifiers.

[Luchian]

This looks like it could be quite a bit of fun. I'll see what I can put together.

[Gavinfoxx]

How exactly are you going to update the Artificer to Pathfinder rules?

[IrishKatt]

Redemption
Frighteningly Devout Warforged Cleric of the Silver Flame

Age:
3.5

Class:
Cleric

Alignment:
Lawful Good

Religion:
Church of the Silver Flame

Region of Origin:
Flamekeep

Personality:

Redemption believes in giving everyone a chance. A chance. The Silver Flame teaches that those who fall down the path of evil, and weave twisted fates are to be banished, destroyed, and utterly annihilated, but it also teaches of repentance. As such Redemption acts on this, ruthlessly carrying out the orders given to him, and "living" by the code set forth by the Sacred script of the Silver Flame. He comes off as cold, direct, blunt, and sometimes a bit creepy. He is incredibly loyal and does not waver in his choices.



Description:

An imposing figure of a solid build stands before you. Clad in a black robe, with barely visible silver etchings upon the trim, and what appears to be a belt around the figures waist, a harness it seems. From under the dark hooded cowl two glowing spheres come into sight, flickering and dancing much like the flame of a candle. Then this being begins a steady step forward, it's steps are heavy an you can hear are the light scrape, and thud of its metal clad foot against the stone of the floor. Soon you feel those flickering orbs fall upon you, their gaze like that of someone watching you from a distance, someone witnessing you in the act of a crime. From inside the hood you hear a deep distant voice like that of someone in the darkness, like that of someone whispering to you; what could be the last choice you ever make.


Background:


Redemption has always worked under the Silver Flame. From his time of creation in Flamekeep, to his ongoing work in the Temple in Sharn he has always kept a vigilant eye on those around him. When he was "christened" into the church they etched the symbol of the Silver Flame into his chest through magic and artifice. Since that day he has held fast to the teachings, and ideologies the Holy Fire holds dear.

Due to his relentless faith, and undying servitude to the churches causes, Redemption has done numerous tasks, and missions for the church. The greatest being the conviction, and execution of a high priest, who through the faith twisted, corrupted, and blasphemed weak minds into doing his bidding, all in the name of the Silver Flame. Blind following of faith without contemplation lead many to their downfall, due to their weak minds falling to the corrupt taint of the dark world around them.

During the war Redemption was in charge of relaying information between church members, as well as keeping tabs on those who were in seats of power in temples. His life is based on the servitude to his faith, and the servitude to his beliefs. Though he may not believe that everything the Holy Flame does is right, he believes it is just, and means to an end.

An Encounter with Redemption "It was well into the late hours of the night when the servitor arrived. The heavy chamber door creaked, and clanged with it's opening and closing, as the heavy iron wrought cleric stepped over the thresh hold, and had I not known better I would say that the candles in the room swayed and danced for his presence. His black robes were what set him apart from most of the clergy, but if one looked closely he had the markings of his faith on display through to the core. There as I watched, the bound High Priest laugh pretentiously in his chair as he looked on at this dark robed figure gazing at him with eyes almost as passionate and just as the flame it's self. He spoke no words as he walked towards the man who he once looked up to, though now a tainted husk, an abomination and mockery of the flame. The high Priest was not possessed, nor was he afflicted with the lycanthropes curse, nay he was something worse in this "mans" eyes. For what seemed like an eternity the Warforged walked to the man bound by rope and chain, and finally when he reached him, placed both hands on either side of his face, clutching it in his metal three fingered hands the stared the man in the eyes. "Ooh what do they send? An Exorcist to chase away the demon inside of me, Hah? A Paladin perhaps, to remind me of what the scripture says? No you are neither of those, no, what pray tell are you hmm? What did they send me?" The priests words were arrogant and self righteous in their own sense, but the cleric did not respond, no he stared into that mans eyes, and for the life of me I could not look away, even though terrified of what may happen, I was compelled by some other worldly force. "Hmmm!? What did they send, Who Are you Servitor? What is my PUNISHMENT?" One more the priest spoke as though he had done nothing wrong, though this time I heard a voice, not the priests, nor mine. A deep, authoritative voice, one that sounded like it reverberated from the depths of this being before it was eased out like the gentle flicker of a flame. "Redemption" the voice said, and before I could blink there was a horrible sound, a scream that I had never heard not even from the horrors I have witnessed through exorcism. When I looked I could hardly believe what had happened, but it all became clear after wards. The man in the chair was now blind, and dumb, unable to speak, and unable to see. The warforged knelt with bloody hands, in one a tongue, the other in the symbol of prayer over his chest. " Your judgment has been passed. You shall never again gaze upon that which you once called salvation. You shall never again fill the ears of those who trusted you with poison and lies. From now on you shall live your life like one whom you have tainted through rotten faith. As Messenger of the Radiant Flame You have Been Committed, and Condemned." The room was quiet and all I could hear was the pain laden sobs of the ex-priest. It was then that the warforged moved for the last time. Standing he grabbed the chains binding the man, and hoisted him to his hip. The sound of the droplets of blood hitting the floor was one of the louder sounds in the room. The slight jingle of the chain, the almost silent crackle of the candles lighting the room, the sobs of pain from the now broken man being carried like a bag of waste. Then the Cleric once more opened the heavy chamber door, his robe ruffled in the slight breeze that blew through, and at that point I realized what he had meant. When the door closed with a hefty thud, the candles blew out. My First encounter with the Cleric known as "Redemption" ~ Elricht Styne - Minister of the Silver Flame.

"May their souls burn."
"By the Radiance of the Silver Flame I condemn you."
"To the next life we commit thee"
~Prayers to the Silver Flame by Redemption - Warforged Cleric of the Silver Flame

[IrishKatt]

I would also like to talk about a situational tweak to your warforged stats, as well as something else. Should I inbox you about it?

[TheKhan]

Originally Posted by Gavinfoxx

How exactly are you going to update the Artificer to Pathfinder rules?

The best I've seen so far is to convert all cases to XP to apply to GP and multiply the Craft Reserve by 6.

IrishKatt: Go for it.

[Melagant]

Name: Barret d’Orien
Age: 20
Race: Human

[Gavinfoxx]

TheKhan: So the Artificer could use Spellcraft OR Use Magic Device to make magic items, but only Use Magic Device lets them not actually need to have access to the spells in question to cast into the item? That was my main issue -- reconciling the skill aspects of the two crafting systems...