D&D 3.5 Campaign Seeks Players [NC, Extreme, Plot]

[ShadowOfHeaven]

'Sup.

I'm building a player group for an old school adventure and exploration based D&D campaign.
Fighter, Wizard, Rogue, Paladin, Ranger, Bard, Cleric, and Barbarian are available.
Multi-Class after main class roles are filled. (APPLICATIONS REMAIN OPEN)
Druid, Sorcerer, and Monk are unavailable or reserved for important NPCs.
Core Player's Handbook Only.

There will be plenty of opportunity for kink, but the focus will be on the game, and sexual content will be well-rounded.
Character drama, flings, romance, rape, etc is encouraged.

PLOT
The Dread Horizon, a ship of some repute which has ferried many men and women across the wide sea, had come upon its doom. Bound for the port city of Waterdeep, the ship was set upon by a swift and unnatural storm. Among monstrous waves and fearsome sky, she has been lost to the fury of the sea. Only a handful have survived to find themselves on a strip of cold and gray-sand beach that none among them find familiar. Whatever this place, the stars are strange, and the untamed wilderness before them is home to many dangers. Those who still breathe are lucky enough for that - with their supplies lost to the depths and without any hope or dream of rescue, these strangers will be forced to band together in order to survive the wild. There are some who among them who can be trusted and some who cannot, but without a doubt, each will be an invaluable asset if the group is to endure the dangers that await them.

_____________________________________________________________________________


APPLY IN THREAD, INCLUDING...
an in-character writing sample approx. 3-5 paragraphs.
desired class.

[TheGlyphstone]

Can you give a bit more detail on the crunchy bits of the game? What level range you're planning on and how fast you expect characters to advance, the planned ratio of combat/investigation/exploration/social conflict/etc? Are you expecting parties to conform to the 'classic' Tank, Blaster, Healer, Skills quartet, or is there flexibility in what roles are filled and who fills them?

[coolhands]

This sounds fun, i love the idea for the setting.  I would be interested in playing a rogue.  Also interested in the info asked for above.

[victoria4]

It does sound like an excellent set-up.  I love the idea of intrigue among the characters, conflict and betrayal.  Echoing the earlier questions, I'd also add two: what pace are you hoping to maintain, and will this be a play-by-forum, or are you aiming for chat/messenger/other?

[Muse]

I could have fun with this.  I'd have time for a better application tomorrow. 

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Good questions!

I am an advocate of variety and I prefer to reward diversity and flavor. You probably get a sense by the fact that we're only using the PHB that I am pushing for a good old fashioned classic adventuring party, but with a lot of room for creativity within those roles. There will certainly be combat and I aim to make that challenging, but not so overwhelming that characters must sacrifice enjoyable preferences to be able to keep up statistically. Likewise, there will be challenges that test the party's a-typical skills. Some aspects, of course, will be pretty straight forward. The rogue should probably be able to disarm traps and pick locks and the fighter should lean toward combat, etc.

I am rather generous with Experience Points, because the pace of a play by post session can be a bit slower than a table top session. However, the risk of character death is legitimate. I'm in the opinion that this makes victory and reward all the more meaningful. I definitely do not view D&D as GM vs Players. The goal is for people to have fun. This is a leisure activity.

[TheGlyphstone]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough...would you allow a Cleric with, say, the War/Strength domains to be the party's 'fighter', an Enchanter-specialist wizard as the 'Face/Social', a Bard using Cure spells and Wands to cover healing, and a blasting Sorcerer for ranged support? Or 4x Cleric, with a War battle-cleric, a Trickery cleric/rogue who memorizes Find Traps, a high- Charisma Cleric for talking, and a Healing cleric that's battle-buddies with the War cleric and patches people up after fights? Both would have the roles of the classic adventuring party, but with non-standard classes filling those roles, but it's not quite the same as the rigidly enforced Fighter/Barbarian/Paladin, Rogue/Ranger, Cleric/Bard, Wizard/Sorcerer.

Similarly, is this a 'newbies' Level 1+ game, a game starting around level 5 and probably aiming for 10, a 10+ campaign, a 20+ Epic worldshaking game (unlikely, but it's an option). They're almost completely different games, and it can have a large effect on characters - how much backstory they have, what skills they've got, how fragile they are, how much room they have for flexibility and multiclassing...you get the idea.

FWIW, I'm looking at playing a caster, but whether that's Wizard, Cleric, Bard, or Sorcerer depends on getting more info. It won't be a blasty fireball-chucker though; my preferred style is force multiplication through buffs/debuffs. Doing damage is for mundanes.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough...would you allow a Cleric with, say, the War/Strength domains to be the party's 'fighter', an Enchanter-specialist wizard as the 'Face/Social', a Bard using Cure spells and Wands to cover healing, and a blasting Sorcerer for ranged support? Or 4x Cleric, with a War battle-cleric, a Trickery cleric/rogue who memorizes Find Traps, a high- Charisma Cleric for talking, and a Healing cleric that's battle-buddies with the War cleric and patches people up after fights? Both would have the roles of the classic adventuring party, but with non-standard classes filling those roles, but it's not quite the same as the rigidly enforced Fighter/Barbarian/Paladin, Rogue/Ranger, Cleric/Bard, Wizard/Sorcerer.

Similarly, is this a 'newbies' Level 1+ game, a game starting around level 5 and probably aiming for 10, a 10+ campaign, a 20+ Epic worldshaking game (unlikely, but it's an option). They're almost completely different games, and it can have a large effect on characters - how much backstory they have, what skills they've got, how fragile they are, how much room they have for flexibility and multiclassing...you get the idea.

FWIW, I'm looking at playing a caster, but whether that's Wizard, Cleric, Bard, or Sorcerer depends on getting more info. It won't be a blasty fireball-chucker though; my preferred style is force multiplication through buffs/debuffs. Doing damage is for mundanes.

No, I'm aiming for something significantly more basic. Iconic classes and character types with twists and flavors, not complete deviations.

[TheGlyphstone]

How many players will you be taking? Because I still want to play a caster, but if you're limiting the four classes to their traditional stereotypes, the Wizard will have to be an Evocation specialist who only memorizes blasting spells, which as said above, runs counter to my preferred caster playstyle. Adding a 5th or 6th-wheel will give more freedom to that end.

[coolhands]

Im getting excited to see this game, what level would the characters start at, right from level 1?  I would love to play a classic rogue and focus on the lock picking and traps and sneak attacks.

[Muse]

Hm... 

I wonder if I could get to play muscle for a change. 

<--is always a caster, and usually a cleric. 

[Marie Reynolds]

If their is still room i would like to have a spot and I love me some good intrigue games. I would also be interested in taking up the rogue slot.

[TheRaven]

I could do a ranger. I'd have fun with that.  ;D

Incidentally, this game is going to be land-based, correct?

EDIT: Wait, strike that. Been playing Pathfinder a lot lately, where Rangers get to be like Aragorn a little more easily. I'll probably go Barbarian or Fighter instead.

[coolhands]

Also would we be using a point buy system or just roll for stats?

[victoria4]

I'd like to be considered, as a ranger.  You asked for 3-5 paragraphs in-character, so here's an attempt.  Without being sure how experienced our characters are I can't swear this is fits, but it's a start!

The rain that had been developing for hours now began, first as the sound of drops on leaves, then striking skin, and kicking up tiny puffs of dust as it struck parched ground.  Callenda frowned but didn't raise her hood just yet.  It had been a long day, her horse was hot and sweaty, and even her own lithe body was beginning to protest.  Under her, her mount picked up her impatience, and faithfully lengthened his stride - but a moment later, the call came from one of the clanking, clumsy knights behind her.  "Hey now, Callie, hold up.  Hey!  I said wait!"

Suppressing a sigh, the slim young tracker reigned in and made a quarter turn to face the men trailing along behind.  She may never have been able to understand her fellow humans the way she could read the simper beasts, but even she could guess what was on Bavartin's mind.  Perhaps that was because he was a fairly simple beast himself, she mused secretly, harbouring a slight smile.  "We can't wait, Lord.  The track isn't getting any fresher, and if these drops are the start of something big, as it appears, it'll get that much harder to follow.  We do want to catch this band, yes?"

Perhaps she shouldn't have pushed so hard earlier.  Perhaps her voice betrayed too much of her own irritation - Lord Bavartin had never been one to tolerate disrespect, as he now made clear.  Whatever the reasons, a few uncomfortable minutes later Callenda was back on track, alone, while behind her Bavartin's followers were erecting a pavillion, of all things, to rest and hide from the rain like some sort of ... well, she didn't know like what.  Something that stayed indoors.  Trying to make her sluggish mind come up with an apt comparison, she almost missed an abrupt turn in the trail, where the three fugitives had apparently decided to cut through a small copse.  The rain was coming down full force now, and Callenda had no choice but to dismount, leading her steaming warhorse at a brisk walk, eyes alert.  She made an obvious blaze showing her direction of travel - she hoped it was obvious enough for Bavartin, and followed.

She'd have to apologize to Bavartin, that was certain.  She didn't quite understand why he was so touchy about these men, or why her mild comment had triggered such a reaction, but she did like to get paid, and most of the time, he paid well, for simple work.  And if there was anything she remembered clearly about her father's teachings, it was that those who gave offense, made amends.  It didn't matter if offense wasn't intended.  She nodded to herself, firming up her decision - then the snap of a twig returned her to the moment.  Her reigns were dropped and bow in hand, arrow nocked, so quickly that her horse gently bumped her from behind, sending her lurching two steps forward, eyes still scanning in the direction of the sound.  A movement - bow up and bent - and a deer bounded away to the right, springing with tail high.  Callenda relaxed, and returned her arrow to its quiver, covering it with a flap of cloak.  There was no danger in that direction, or there wouldn't have been a deer to spook.  Still, she kept her bow in hand, noting the water running down the waxed string, and knowing its effectiveness  - and that of her arrows - was decreasing with every drop.  Well, she wasn't supposed to capture the men herself, just locate them for the knights who would come along, eventually.

[TheRaven]

Same warning as applies above for Victoria; I'm not sure at which level we're starting, so for comparison, Cedric should be about Level 4 or so, and the people he's fighting are about Level 1.



Duck, weave, throw, pull... it was almost routine to him. Cedric Blackhand dodged another sword thrust and wrapped his spiked chain around the crossguard and pommel, and yanked hard. The blade came tumbling from its master's grip, shortly followed by the swordwielder himself as Cedric tripped him with another quick wrap and pull on his leg. The fighter had disabled one, and was working on the next two. With a few more quick flurries of motion, all three were on the ground and disarmed. As the first began to stand, he threw one end of the chain towards his neck and tore the man's throat from its place. While he was busy, one had gotten up and the other had done that and rearmed. While the second received the same, the first managed to grab his discarded club and strike Cedric.

While a good part of the blow was taken by the studded leather armor Cedric was wearing, it still managed to bludgeon him off-balance, and the mercenary knew he would have a bruise there the following morning. It took him a few more moments and a few more body-blows until he was ready to strike back. The chain whipped out and tripped the final thug before its opposite end embedded in his forehead. Once he was done with the criminals, the mercenary took off into the alleyway after his target.

The man he was targeting was some kind of criminal, a dealer in illegal magic or some such thing. The city was paying him to push the man into a trap set by the city’s guard, and he wasn’t going in the right direction; the obnoxious (and far less skilled) sellswords getting in his way weren’t making his job any easier. He dashed along a parallel path where the man had run, and turned a corner, sprinting towards the intersection of allies. Cedric turned the corner, and the man saw him. He quickened his pace a little bit, and reversed direction. Good, Cedric thought. He’s going the right way now. Pressing forward, Cedric began herding the target towards the trap with no distractions now. This little chase would be worth it, eventually.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

I'd like to be considered, as a ranger.  You asked for 3-5 paragraphs in-character, so here's an attempt.  Without being sure how experienced our characters are I can't swear this is fits, but it's a start!

The rain that had been developing for hours now began, first as the sound of drops on leaves, then striking skin, and kicking up tiny puffs of dust as it struck parched ground.  Callenda frowned but didn't raise her hood just yet.  It had been a long day, her horse was hot and sweaty, and even her own lithe body was beginning to protest.  Under her, her mount picked up her impatience, and faithfully lengthened his stride - but a moment later, the call came from one of the clanking, clumsy knights behind her.  "Hey now, Callie, hold up.  Hey!  I said wait!"

Suppressing a sigh, the slim young tracker reigned in and made a quarter turn to face the men trailing along behind.  She may never have been able to understand her fellow humans the way she could read the simper beasts, but even she could guess what was on Bavartin's mind.  Perhaps that was because he was a fairly simple beast himself, she mused secretly, harbouring a slight smile.  "We can't wait, Lord.  The track isn't getting any fresher, and if these drops are the start of something big, as it appears, it'll get that much harder to follow.  We do want to catch this band, yes?"

Perhaps she shouldn't have pushed so hard earlier.  Perhaps her voice betrayed too much of her own irritation - Lord Bavartin had never been one to tolerate disrespect, as he now made clear.  Whatever the reasons, a few uncomfortable minutes later Callenda was back on track, alone, while behind her Bavartin's followers were erecting a pavillion, of all things, to rest and hide from the rain like some sort of ... well, she didn't know like what.  Something that stayed indoors.  Trying to make her sluggish mind come up with an apt comparison, she almost missed an abrupt turn in the trail, where the three fugitives had apparently decided to cut through a small copse.  The rain was coming down full force now, and Callenda had no choice but to dismount, leading her steaming warhorse at a brisk walk, eyes alert.  She made an obvious blaze showing her direction of travel - she hoped it was obvious enough for Bavartin, and followed.

She'd have to apologize to Bavartin, that was certain.  She didn't quite understand why he was so touchy about these men, or why her mild comment had triggered such a reaction, but she did like to get paid, and most of the time, he paid well, for simple work.  And if there was anything she remembered clearly about her father's teachings, it was that those who gave offense, made amends.  It didn't matter if offense wasn't intended.  She nodded to herself, firming up her decision - then the snap of a twig returned her to the moment.  Her reigns were dropped and bow in hand, arrow nocked, so quickly that her horse gently bumped her from behind, sending her lurching two steps forward, eyes still scanning in the direction of the sound.  A movement - bow up and bent - and a deer bounded away to the right, springing with tail high.  Callenda relaxed, and returned her arrow to its quiver, covering it with a flap of cloak.  There was no danger in that direction, or there wouldn't have been a deer to spook.  Still, she kept her bow in hand, noting the water running down the waxed string, and knowing its effectiveness  - and that of her arrows - was decreasing with every drop.  Well, she wasn't supposed to capture the men herself, just locate them for the knights who would come along, eventually.

Approved! Thank you for taking the time so submit a sample :)

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Same warning as applies above for Victoria; I'm not sure at which level we're starting, so for comparison, Cedric should be about Level 4 or so, and the people he's fighting are about Level 1.



Duck, weave, throw, pull... it was almost routine to him. Cedric Blackhand dodged another sword thrust and wrapped his spiked chain around the crossguard and pommel, and yanked hard. The blade came tumbling from its master's grip, shortly followed by the swordwielder himself as Cedric tripped him with another quick wrap and pull on his leg. The fighter had disabled one, and was working on the next two. With a few more quick flurries of motion, all three were on the ground and disarmed. As the first began to stand, he threw one end of the chain towards his neck and tore the man's throat from its place. While he was busy, one had gotten up and the other had done that and rearmed. While the second received the same, the first managed to grab his discarded club and strike Cedric.

While a good part of the blow was taken by the studded leather armor Cedric was wearing, it still managed to bludgeon him off-balance, and the mercenary knew he would have a bruise there the following morning. It took him a few more moments and a few more body-blows until he was ready to strike back. The chain whipped out and tripped the final thug before its opposite end embedded in his forehead. Once he was done with the criminals, the mercenary took off into the alleyway after his target.

The man he was targeting was some kind of criminal, a dealer in illegal magic or some such thing. The city was paying him to push the man into a trap set by the city’s guard, and he wasn’t going in the right direction; the obnoxious (and far less skilled) sellswords getting in his way weren’t making his job any easier. He dashed along a parallel path where the man had run, and turned a corner, sprinting towards the intersection of allies. Cedric turned the corner, and the man saw him. He quickened his pace a little bit, and reversed direction. Good, Cedric thought. He’s going the right way now. Pressing forward, Cedric began herding the target towards the trap with no distractions now. This little chase would be worth it, eventually.

Approved! Thanks for the sample :)

[ShadowOfHeaven]

How many players will you be taking? Because I still want to play a caster, but if you're limiting the four classes to their traditional stereotypes, the Wizard will have to be an Evocation specialist who only memorizes blasting spells, which as said above, runs counter to my preferred caster playstyle. Adding a 5th or 6th-wheel will give more freedom to that end.

I'd love to fill the classes and add a few multi-classed characters for variety.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Also would we be using a point buy system or just roll for stats?

I will roll 3 sets of stats for each character and allow the player to choose which to use.
That's something I've done in the past that is quick, easy, and allows for flexibility.

This obviously gives the characters slightly higher than average statistics, but I am comfortable with that.

[TheGlyphstone]

I'd love to fill the classes and add a few multi-classed characters for variety.

Cool. I'll see what I can come up with....maybe a Rogue/Wizard multiclass, aiming for Arcane Trickster.

Scratch that. Unless you plan on the game starting at level 8+...that's the earliest Arcane Trickster can come online since we're playing straight out of core.

Ooh...I know....lemmee get a writing sample up.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

I could do a ranger. I'd have fun with that.  ;D

Incidentally, this game is going to be land-based, correct?

EDIT: Wait, strike that. Been playing Pathfinder a lot lately, where Rangers get to be like Aragorn a little more easily. I'll probably go Barbarian or Fighter instead.

Land based.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Im getting excited to see this game, what level would the characters start at, right from level 1?  I would love to play a classic rogue and focus on the lock picking and traps and sneak attacks.

The characters will begin at level 2.
I enjoy the process of progression and it also allows multi-classed characters to actually be multi-classed.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Hm... 

I wonder if I could get to play muscle for a change. 

<--is always a caster, and usually a cleric.

Pick a class or multi-class and throw in a sample.

[TheGlyphstone]

So I've got a great idea, but before I develop it, important question: How restrictive are you on applying the Paladin's Code? GMs go all over the spectrum on what breaks the code or not, what counts as as 'associating' with Evil...basically, if I want to play a Paladin, do I have any leeway or is Stick Up The Ass a class feature? ;)

[ShadowOfHeaven]

So I've got a great idea, but before I develop it, important question: How restrictive are you on applying the Paladin's Code? GMs go all over the spectrum on what breaks the code or not, what counts as as 'associating' with Evil...basically, if I want to play a Paladin, do I have any leeway or is Stick Up The Ass a class feature? ;)

A strict Lawful Good code of conduct is essential!
That's what I love about the Paladin class.

Unknowingly associating with evil is fine, but willing and knowing tolerance is a violation.
Dramatic irony? Awesome. Tough choices that sacrifice your paladin status? Epic.

[TheGlyphstone]

Okay, here we go:

The only illumination in the moonless night was from the stars, and the only sounds in the filthy back alley came from the shuffling of feet, the occasional muffled swear, and the steady clicking of lockpicks. Joey Three-Thumbs was getting antsy - the new kid wasn't a bad sort, but he was awfully slow. And on a night like this, being slow could get them all caught or killed. It was going to be the biggest score in months, and Joey was glad all his rivals had caught mysterious illnesses and been unavailable to lead the mission tonight - thoughtful of them to save him some work.

Iron Krunk and Dancing Daggers Dave - the guild's two most dangerous enforcers - stood guard while the newbie...Evan? Varian? Something with a V...methodically worked away one lock at a time from the mayor's back door. This was his test, his initiation heist, which was why the guildmaster had sent Krunk and Dave for 'extra security' in case he turned out to be a flake or coward. But the Hextorites wanted the mayor dead, and they'd paid extra to have it look like a robbery gone wrong, which mean finder's keepers on anything left in the house. Naturally, Joey would be getting the lion's share of the pot, but if Ethan hurried up, he might get a few coins...finally.

The door creaked open, and Joey pushed ahead of Veren, Dave close on his heels. The mayor kept one overnight guard on duty, so the first order of business would be taking him out, before they went upstairs to the bedrooms. A soft thump came from behind, probably Krunk taking his frustrations out on the wall, but Joey had eyes only for the door ahead of him, and the poisoned blade in his fist. It opened silently, and he tiptoed towards the outlined figure of the guardsman sitting by the fire with his back turned...too easy...

Sudden light from all around blinded him for a moment - he spun, and there were half a dozen City Guard with weapons drawn lined against the walls. He saw Dave go down under a pile of three more...they'd been made somehow, set up! Probably betrayed by the churchmen, but Joey had eyes only for the exit where Krunk could cover his escape. He dodged the guards' swords, leaped over the flailing pile of bodies and limbs that was Dave and his captors, only to skid to a stop as the doorway filled not with Krunk, but the body and bared steel of the 'trainee thief'.
"Joey Three-Thumbs, you are under arrest for tresspassing, attempted theft, and intent to commit murder. Surrender, and the Shining One's justice may smile on you."

His answer was a feral snarl at the betrayal, rushing forward with his blade ready. Valen Ironheart, Paladin of the Shining Order and deputized agent of the city guard, grinned cheerfully and brought his own sword up to meet the assassin. This bust had been too easy, he'd have to make a few more mistakes next time or else there'd be no challenge at all.

Rogue/Paladin. 100% legal. 110% awesome.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Okay, here we go:


Rogue/Paladin. 100% legal. 110% awesome.

Creative.
Rogue / Paladin approved.

[coolhands]

Sweet thanks for the info shadow, im currently working on my sample rogue post.

[TheGlyphstone]

Creative.
Rogue / Paladin approved.

Sweet.

On that note, though, would you let me burn a feat slot for Devoted Inquisitor (feat from Complete Adventurer) while keeping everything else core-only? It adds a Save vs. Daze if I use Sneak Attack and Smite Evil on the same attack, but its main function is allowing me to multiclass freely between Rogue and Paladin. Without it, I'll have to stop taking Paladin levels once I take another Rogue level.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Sweet.

On that note, though, would you let me burn a feat slot for Devoted Inquisitor (feat from Complete Adventurer) while keeping everything else core-only? It adds a Save vs. Daze if I use Sneak Attack and Smite Evil on the same attack, but its main function is allowing me to multiclass freely between Rogue and Paladin. Without it, I'll have to stop taking Paladin levels once I take another Rogue level.

PHB Only. I know there's a ton of cool stuff in the splash books for everyone, but I like to keep things very basic.

[TheGlyphstone]

Okeydoke. I'll plan on cutting off at Paladin 2 or 3 and going heavy Rogue after, depending....probably 3, because Aura of Courage is nice, but I don't need a mount and gimped TU and spells aren't worth it.

[Lithium]

Neutral evil barbarian/sorceror (in a roughly 80/20 split to start, will gradually evolve towards more of a 60/40 or 50/50 split as she levels). I checked with Shadow to make sure that the sorceror aspect was okay, because obviously wizard wouldn't make much sense. She's a dark elf (half elf, half drow, I kind of made it up), but in terms of rules she'll just be considered as a regular elf to keep it all within the core rule set like Shadow asked.

Sae'Ka's cruelly serrated dagger didn't slice so much as it tore, and so it tore through the soft flesh of Wolfmarrow's throat as she held him from behind, his strength already having been sapped by the three stab wounds in his back, one of them right between his shoulder blades. The old warlord's lifeblood cascaded down over his chest, staining his white furs and marking the end of yet another roaming warband, though two more would surely spring up on the morrow to take its place. It was just as well, too, since Sae'Ka's band of misfits, monsters and rejects of society thrived on carnage and plunder.

Unceremoniously, she discarded the old man's carcass and removed her helmet, throwing that to the ground as well so that she could breathe more freely. The air was thick with the scents of death and gore and smoke, a couple of her raiders having already began setting fire to whatever wasn't worth taking while the rest rounded up the few survivors. Sae'Ka would keep them for herself and her men to have fun with - which some had already started doing - until they reached a city where she could sell them off at the slave markets. Sometimes she even found a potential recruit or two amongst them, usually those who were already prisoners or slaves before her arrival, but there didn't seem to be anyone like that in this sorry lot.

Every muscle in her body seemed to pulse and ache gratifyingly like they always did after a won battle. That fleeting, ambrosial feeling was like the most potent of drugs to her, and it was worth more than any amount of gold or weapons or slaves. The only trouble was that you couldn't hold on to it, it had to be payed for in blood; but then again, that was the fun part, wasn't it?

"A few 'o da boys got some scrapes 'n bruises, 'oh 'n we lost Thorny. Spear through the gut, had to put the poor sod outta his misery meself. Kept his boots 'n buckler, he won't be needin' em no more." Rhorkiff announced with a wide grin that showed off his several missing teeth, looking quite satisfied while he waved the dented metal buckler around as if he was getting used to its weight on his arm or something. If the death of his companion had affected him in the slightest, then he showed no signs of it, but Sae'Ka knew that - much like herself - Rhor couldn't have cared any less. They were all in it for themselves, and death was as common to them as the setting of the sun.

Sae'Ka pushed her matted silver hair out of her face and breathed in deeply for a few more seconds before replying, seemingly savoring the moment for just a little bit longer before getting back to reality.

"Good. Leave the dead to the wolves and vultures. And tell the boys to make it quick if they plan on sticking it to any of those bitches, I don't want to linger here long."

[TheGlyphstone]

Neutral evil barbarian/sorceror

Neutral evil

Awwwwwkward......

[victoria4]

Cool beans, thanks very much for letting me in!  Now I just have to sleep with one eye open, watching for those interparty conflicts.  The world's all upside-down - if you CAN trust the rogue, who can't you trust?

Oh, and now I see.  :)

[Lithium]

Awwwwwkward......

I'm very much looking forward to making Valen's life difficult. :P

[TheGlyphstone]

I'm very much looking forward to making Valen's life difficult. :P

It's more than if we're partied, I'm obligated to either convert you to Good, or if you won't convert, kill you. 'Making life difficult' is sadly a binary choice when the other option is losing all your class features, and that bio snipped doesn't have much hope for the 'convert' option. :/

[Kythia]

I'm assuming from the mention of Waterdeep that it at least starts in the FR?  If not, some of the fluff here won't work.

NG hf Cleric 1 (Deneir)/Rogue 1 (future advancement will all be as cleric)

Ianna sat cross legged on the floor of the room, trying to blank out the cold flagstones.  The scroll was written in a heavily idiomatic Elven but she judged the writer to be Thayatan originally, based on some of his word choices and sentence structure.  The poem itself wasn't outstanding but for the moment she was glossing over the contents of the scroll and focusing on the writing itself.  She held it closer to the lantern for a moment to decipher a character.

"He misforms some of his glyphs.  And he doesn't use terminal characters consistently."  She eventually announced, trying hard to make it a confident statement rather than a tentative question.  "Thayatan minor nobleman, taught Elven by a non-native speaker.  The poem's written in Elven because he's decided that it is a more romantic language and will impress this..." she glanced at the scroll again, looking for the name "...this Trisa."

"Very good" her superior nodded  "The ink itself was perfumed at one time though that has faded.  However, I wouldn't expect you to notice that.  For future reference, look how it has peeled from the scroll rather than flaked - that's an artifact of the scent adding, it makes the ink more viscous.  But, as I say, very good.

Good enough, in fact, that I think we can allow yuo out into the world without worrying about you embarassing us."  This last was added with a wry smile, he knew how much it would mean to her.

And mean something to her it did.  As a street waif she'd been found in the priest's room when he woke up.  She'd broken in to steal some of the books he was carrying but morning had found her sat entranced by the beautiful calligraphy and tracing unfamiliar alphabets with her finger.  They'd phrased it as a punishment, her having to work for the temple for a while.  But they had known from the start and she had realised soon after that the Temple of Deneir was where she belonged.

And now she was a fully fledged priestess of Deneir and was allowed out in the world.  Both to work on His behalf out there and to find interesting examples of the calligrapher's and writer's art and - and this had been repeatedly stressed - to bring them back if they could be legally acquired.

She was looking forwards to it immensely.

[Lithium]

It's more than if we're partied, I'm obligated to either convert you to Good, or if you won't convert, kill you. 'Making life difficult' is sadly a binary choice when the other option is losing all your class features, and that bio snipped doesn't have much hope for the 'convert' option. :/

Well, depending on how the story plays out, Valen may not even know that Sae'Ka has evil tendencies for some time. Especially if she's stranded with and surrounded by mostly non-evil characters, she'll probably be toning it down and behaving more in a chaotic neutral kind of way. And even if/when he finds out, I'm sure that solutions and workarounds can be thought of, there's no need to be so doom and gloom about it. Cheer up!

[victoria4]

I'm rather hoping the paladin's Detect Evil at will feature will be on the fritz, as it seriously limits the possibilities implied in the original post.  :)

[Kythia]

Working against a Paladin doesn't make you per se evil, no matter what Paladins may think.

Just to take an example from my proposed character  - imagine there's some evil book about evilly summoning evil things to do evil.  This book is evil, you with me?

A paladin - not necessarily Glyphstones - might think this thing should be burnt.  I might think it should be sequestered in a library.  I might even have been sent to make sure the paladin doesn't destory it (because its evil, sorry - forgot to mention that).  But my actions aren't evil and his Detect Evil will register nothing.

[TheGlyphstone]

Working against a Paladin doesn't make you per se evil, no matter what Paladins may think.

Just to take an example from my proposed character  - imagine there's some evil book about evilly summoning evil things to do evil.  This book is evil, you with me?

A paladin - not necessarily Glyphstones - might think this thing should be burnt.  I might think it should be sequestered in a library.  I might even have been sent to make sure the paladin doesn't destory it (because its evil, sorry - forgot to mention that).  But my actions aren't evil and his Detect Evil will register nothing.

According to the GM:

Unknowingly associating with evil is fine, but willing and knowing tolerance is a violation. "

So while a paladin might think the book should be burnt, he can travel just fine alongside someone carrying the book without violating the code. If you're not actively using the book, you wouldn't be Evil.

Working against a Paladin does not make you Evil. Being Evil makes you work against a Paladin...by the GM's instructions and the Paladin's code itself, I can't work with anyone who pings on my Evildar. If you don't ping, I don't know/care...but Sae'Ka would unquestionably ping the first time she got caught in the sweep (even if he's not actively scanning), and then trouble starts. This is why I asked the GM how much flexibility I had in my Code, and so I'm really hoping the answer is more than originally stated.

This also makes the strict PHB limit unfortunate, because there are ways to get rid of the Detect Evil in splatbooks. For example, Champions of Valor has the Order of the Golden Lion substitution levels, which swap Detect Evil for Detect Magic (this would be awesome). The Harmonious Knight substitution levels, same book, swap Detect Evil for the ability to Inspire Courage like a Bard. The Vigilant Eye of Helm (same book) trades DE for the power to automatically sense which enemy in sight has the highest CR. I don't mind core-only, but splats are good for solving problems like this.

[coolhands]

Here is my sample post for my lawful nutral rogue Roland Hawklight.  Hope you enjoy

It was late and the place was packed.  The lower level of the inn were full of roudy drunks, gamblers, and low lifes.  While the second floor was devoid of people moving about.  Anyone up there would be locked away in one of the many small rooms, fulfilling what ever desire they had come there looking for.  What Roland had come looking for was a very specifc grouping of documents that he had been hired to find.  He had tracked the current owner of said documents (a one sir Dumond Polis) to this location.  An associate of Roland's was currently keeping Polis busy at the gambling tables with a modest sum of money Roland had given him.

Roland took longer then he would have liked to locate the proper room, but once he had it was a simple lock to pick, and in a flash he was in.  The room looked like most and was decked out with what ever pleasures Polis had planned for later, but Roland had no time to wonder what half of them might be for.  He began a quick search of the room and bags, but found nothing.  After a while the only place he had yet to search was the small night stand by the bed.

The drawer on it was locked, which was a good sign in Roland's line of work.  He bent down on one knee and pulled out his lock pick set and began to work away at the lock.  It was proving to be a bit more challenging for him then the door.  All of a sudden just as he felt as though he was making some progress, the door to the room burst open and Polis and two large men stepped into the room and stared at him kneeling on the floor.  Looking a bit sheepish Roland stood up trying to think quickly.  "Just doing a random security check sir. Yep this lick is secure against any forced entry" he said giving the night stand two reasuring raps on top with his fist.

As he rapped on the night stand a small secret compartment popped open revealing a small bundel of papers marked with a seal, which he recognized at once.  He looked at the papers for a moment in awe of his dum luck, before remembering the men at the door.  He slowly turned to look at their displeased faces "ah crap". 

He began to move quickly, snatching up the papers in one hand even as Polis was screaming at his men to kill Roland.  The first man came at him swinging a deadly looking long sword, but Roland easily ducked beneith it, grasped the handel of his rapier and pulled it free from its scabbard, and in the same motion drove the steel hand guard into the mans face with a vicious back hand strike.  As the first rhug reeled away the second had closed the distance, Roland shifted his weight and moved his arm so it looked like the atrack was a thrust aimed at the mans right chest, but in an instant changed it to an upward slash that caught the man across one eye.  With the second thug out of the way Roland kept moving, almost colliding with Polis as he made for the door.  Their shoulders crashed together and Roland made a quick spin around Polis and was out the door and lost in the crowd downstairs before they could follow him.  It wasn't long before he was out the front door and lost in the city streets stowing the documents in his bag, chuckling softly to himself, and clutching the money purse he had cut from Polis' belt as he ran past him.

[Kythia]

The paladin's focus on good has always bugged me, actually.  There's two aspects to his alignment.  Why can't he Detect Chaos at will?  Why is he allowed to perform chaotic actions?  Associate with chaotics?

*shrug*  Just annoys me.

[TheGlyphstone]

The paladin's focus on good has always bugged me, actually.  There's two aspects to his alignment.  Why can't he Detect Chaos at will?  Why is he allowed to perform chaotic actions?  Associate with chaotics?

*shrug*  Just annoys me.

Tell me about it. I despise the Paladin's Code as it's written, though that's in part because I have a deep-seated dislike for Alignment in general; the Code breaks my fundamental rule of game design that Mechanics should not define Roleplaying. You should be free to roleplay however you like, but Paladins are the only class in the game (aside from Paladin variants) that permanently lose their abilities if they do not roleplay in a very specific manner.

[victoria4]

Umm, not "permanently", atonement is possible.  Barbarians lose their rage for going lawful, for what it's worth.  And clerics are stripped of their abilities as paladins are, for violating their code.  Druids likewise.

Well, I'm not sure about current game incarnations, but I think the Code served a very useful function in early versions of D&D (like plain AD&D) - the paladin was all advantages over the fighter, with no downside other than the strict alignment and roleplay requirements.  I suppose there's something to be said to tying paladins to strict adherence to a particular god's code of conduct, rather than alignment, since they are walking billboards for their particular faith.  Thus there could be paladins of any alignment, although even those with chaotic gods would need to actually exemplify their god's nature, and not rebel against it just because it's "the chaotic thing to do".  :)  I'd like to see more of this, because it encourages more conflict between good characters - two firm adherents of different sects, even if they both wish the general good, will have very different views of what that "good" is.

It'll be interesting to see how this is handled, certainly!  I'd like to see both characters in play, and hope this can happen somehow.

[TheGlyphstone]

Barbarians, Clerics, and Druids do have roleplay restrictions, but it's only the Paladin that has a defined mechanical list of 'if you do X, Y, or Z, welcome to Fighter Without Bonus Feats Town'.

Back when the Paladin was significantly more powerful than the fighter, it had its Code, and it also had much higher Ability requirements to be a Paladin in the first place.

3x+ paladins, though, are only minutely stronger than a fighter, if they're stronger at all (all those bonus feats add up, and they're better than the tiny number of Smites you get), and they're not even required to follow a specific god, just be Lawful Good. So the Code becomes a legacy white elephant, attached to the Paladin because 'Paladins must have a Code' rather than for any sensible reason.

One of the best Paladin homebrews I ever found was here - rather than having a Lawful Good code, it was effectively a 'build-your-own-Code' by choosing various Good, Evil, Lawful, or Chaotic tenets (Mantles of Faith). As you leveled up, you chose new Mantles, gaining a more restrictive Code of Conduct in exchange for increasingly powerful abilities.

Just so frustrating...

[victoria4]

Interesting homebrew indeed, Glyphstone.  And I agree, newer paladins don't need the nerfing.

Except, for this campaign, I sort of feel your DetEvil does need nerfing.  Not only because of Lithium's character idea, if it's approved, but because DetEvil does tend to spoil "you don't know who you can trust" setups, as in the original post.  You wind up with all the traitors hanging around behind the paladin, and spinning in circles around him as he turns his Detect cone around in a sweep.  It's a good setup for a farce, especially if the paladin looks like Charlie Chaplin, but I don't think that's what the GM's aiming for here.  :)

It's possible we'd have access to items that counter it, although I gather we'll be without most or all of our equipment.  But a ring or necklace of undetectable alignment might slip through, and is the sort of thing Lithium might be wearing, when travelling by public vessel rubbing shoulders with who knows what sort of riff-raff.  I suppose, if she's dressed as in the image Lithium attached, no amount of sweet-talking and magical obfuscation would suffice!  Though that's generous, at 2nd-level starting.

I would sooner see the GM bend the rules "just this once" (famous last words) to simply swap DetEvil for Inspire Courage or whatever, without going whole-hog and permitting a more complete variant such as those you mention from Champions of Valor.  A single homebrew swap is easy to remember and understand, compared to learning a new class variant.  But it's up to ShadowOfHeaven!

But what can I say.  I'm bitter about paladins since an AD&D campaign I was running was ruined by a PC making appropriate, use of Detect Evil.  The jerk.  :)

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Neutral evil barbarian/sorceror (in a roughly 80/20 split to start, will gradually evolve towards more of a 60/40 or 50/50 split as she levels). I checked with Shadow to make sure that the sorceror aspect was okay, because obviously wizard wouldn't make much sense. She's a dark elf (half elf, half drow, I kind of made it up), but in terms of rules she'll just be considered as a regular elf to keep it all within the core rule set like Shadow asked.

Sae'Ka's cruelly serrated dagger didn't slice so much as it tore, and so it tore through the soft flesh of Wolfmarrow's throat as she held him from behind, his strength already having been sapped by the three stab wounds in his back, one of them right between his shoulder blades. The old warlord's lifeblood cascaded down over his chest, staining his white furs and marking the end of yet another roaming warband, though two more would surely spring up on the morrow to take its place. It was just as well, too, since Sae'Ka's band of misfits, monsters and rejects of society thrived on carnage and plunder.

Unceremoniously, she discarded the old man's carcass and removed her helmet, throwing that to the ground as well so that she could breathe more freely. The air was thick with the scents of death and gore and smoke, a couple of her raiders having already began setting fire to whatever wasn't worth taking while the rest rounded up the few survivors. Sae'Ka would keep them for herself and her men to have fun with - which some had already started doing - until they reached a city where she could sell them off at the slave markets. Sometimes she even found a potential recruit or two amongst them, usually those who were already prisoners or slaves before her arrival, but there didn't seem to be anyone like that in this sorry lot.

Every muscle in her body seemed to pulse and ache gratifyingly like they always did after a won battle. That fleeting, ambrosial feeling was like the most potent of drugs to her, and it was worth more than any amount of gold or weapons or slaves. The only trouble was that you couldn't hold on to it, it had to be payed for in blood; but then again, that was the fun part, wasn't it?

"A few 'o da boys got some scrapes 'n bruises, 'oh 'n we lost Thorny. Spear through the gut, had to put the poor sod outta his misery meself. Kept his boots 'n buckler, he won't be needin' em no more." Rhorkiff announced with a wide grin that showed off his several missing teeth, looking quite satisfied while he waved the dented metal buckler around as if he was getting used to its weight on his arm or something. If the death of his companion had affected him in the slightest, then he showed no signs of it, but Sae'Ka knew that - much like herself - Rhor couldn't have cared any less. They were all in it for themselves, and death was as common to them as the setting of the sun.

Sae'Ka pushed her matted silver hair out of her face and breathed in deeply for a few more seconds before replying, seemingly savoring the moment for just a little bit longer before getting back to reality.

"Good. Leave the dead to the wolves and vultures. And tell the boys to make it quick if they plan on sticking it to any of those bitches, I don't want to linger here long."

Lovely, as always. Approved.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

I'm assuming from the mention of Waterdeep that it at least starts in the FR?  If not, some of the fluff here won't work.

NG hf Cleric 1 (Deneir)/Rogue 1 (future advancement will all be as cleric)

Ianna sat cross legged on the floor of the room, trying to blank out the cold flagstones.  The scroll was written in a heavily idiomatic Elven but she judged the writer to be Thayatan originally, based on some of his word choices and sentence structure.  The poem itself wasn't outstanding but for the moment she was glossing over the contents of the scroll and focusing on the writing itself.  She held it closer to the lantern for a moment to decipher a character.

"He misforms some of his glyphs.  And he doesn't use terminal characters consistently."  She eventually announced, trying hard to make it a confident statement rather than a tentative question.  "Thayatan minor nobleman, taught Elven by a non-native speaker.  The poem's written in Elven because he's decided that it is a more romantic language and will impress this..." she glanced at the scroll again, looking for the name "...this Trisa."

"Very good" her superior nodded  "The ink itself was perfumed at one time though that has faded.  However, I wouldn't expect you to notice that.  For future reference, look how it has peeled from the scroll rather than flaked - that's an artifact of the scent adding, it makes the ink more viscous.  But, as I say, very good.

Good enough, in fact, that I think we can allow yuo out into the world without worrying about you embarassing us."  This last was added with a wry smile, he knew how much it would mean to her.

And mean something to her it did.  As a street waif she'd been found in the priest's room when he woke up.  She'd broken in to steal some of the books he was carrying but morning had found her sat entranced by the beautiful calligraphy and tracing unfamiliar alphabets with her finger.  They'd phrased it as a punishment, her having to work for the temple for a while.  But they had known from the start and she had realised soon after that the Temple of Deneir was where she belonged.

And now she was a fully fledged priestess of Deneir and was allowed out in the world.  Both to work on His behalf out there and to find interesting examples of the calligrapher's and writer's art and - and this had been repeatedly stressed - to bring them back if they could be legally acquired.

She was looking forwards to it immensely.

Love the attention to detail. Approved.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

I think at this point we can consider the rogue class being filled, between the multi-class rogues.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Oh, and just to give some insight into the issue of alignment being discussed.
Alignment detecting abilities will not function on other players, but will be very useful against NPCs.
Similarly - con, sense motive, bluff, etc - do not work against players.

Its my philosophy that it is critical that these things are all handled purely through role-play.

As for the Paladin's code. There's nothing that says that the Paladin cannot violate the code through roleplay - he simply loses his Paladin status. Similarly, a wizard could elect to wear armor and not cast spells. This is simply a case where the outcome of a decision is overtly statistically disadvantageous. That doesn't mean you can't do it, you just probably won't. Sometimes these things create the opportunity for great drama.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Also, to address setting, everyone should assume that the characters in the Forgotten Realms world and history.
If you want to draw upon specific lore in your character story, that's where you should pull it from.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Here is my sample post for my lawful nutral rogue Roland Hawklight.  Hope you enjoy

It was late and the place was packed.  The lower level of the inn were full of roudy drunks, gamblers, and low lifes.  While the second floor was devoid of people moving about.  Anyone up there would be locked away in one of the many small rooms, fulfilling what ever desire they had come there looking for.  What Roland had come looking for was a very specifc grouping of documents that he had been hired to find.  He had tracked the current owner of said documents (a one sir Dumond Polis) to this location.  An associate of Roland's was currently keeping Polis busy at the gambling tables with a modest sum of money Roland had given him.

Roland took longer then he would have liked to locate the proper room, but once he had it was a simple lock to pick, and in a flash he was in.  The room looked like most and was decked out with what ever pleasures Polis had planned for later, but Roland had no time to wonder what half of them might be for.  He began a quick search of the room and bags, but found nothing.  After a while the only place he had yet to search was the small night stand by the bed.

The drawer on it was locked, which was a good sign in Roland's line of work.  He bent down on one knee and pulled out his lock pick set and began to work away at the lock.  It was proving to be a bit more challenging for him then the door.  All of a sudden just as he felt as though he was making some progress, the door to the room burst open and Polis and two large men stepped into the room and stared at him kneeling on the floor.  Looking a bit sheepish Roland stood up trying to think quickly.  "Just doing a random security check sir. Yep this lick is secure against any forced entry" he said giving the night stand two reasuring raps on top with his fist.

As he rapped on the night stand a small secret compartment popped open revealing a small bundel of papers marked with a seal, which he recognized at once.  He looked at the papers for a moment in awe of his dum luck, before remembering the men at the door.  He slowly turned to look at their displeased faces "ah crap". 

He began to move quickly, snatching up the papers in one hand even as Polis was screaming at his men to kill Roland.  The first man came at him swinging a deadly looking long sword, but Roland easily ducked beneith it, grasped the handel of his rapier and pulled it free from its scabbard, and in the same motion drove the steel hand guard into the mans face with a vicious back hand strike.  As the first rhug reeled away the second had closed the distance, Roland shifted his weight and moved his arm so it looked like the atrack was a thrust aimed at the mans right chest, but in an instant changed it to an upward slash that caught the man across one eye.  With the second thug out of the way Roland kept moving, almost colliding with Polis as he made for the door.  Their shoulders crashed together and Roland made a quick spin around Polis and was out the door and lost in the crowd downstairs before they could follow him.  It wasn't long before he was out the front door and lost in the city streets stowing the documents in his bag, chuckling softly to himself, and clutching the money purse he had cut from Polis' belt as he ran past him.

Slick. Approved.

[coolhands]

Alright thanks shadow, im glad you liked the sample.  I cant wait to start playing the errol flynn style rogue.

[Kythia]

Awesome, thanks Shadow.

Looking forwards to it

[TheGlyphstone]

Oh, and just to give some insight into the issue of alignment being discussed.
Alignment detecting abilities will not function on other players, but will be very useful against NPCs.
Similarly - con, sense motive, bluff, etc - do not work against players.

Its my philosophy that it is critical that these things are all handled purely through role-play.

As for the Paladin's code. There's nothing that says that the Paladin cannot violate the code through roleplay - he simply loses his Paladin status. Similarly, a wizard could elect to wear armor and not cast spells. This is simply a case where the outcome of a decision is overtly statistically disadvantageous. That doesn't mean you can't do it, you just probably won't. Sometimes these things create the opportunity for great drama.

As long as 'because it's another PC' isn't considered great drama. I'm happy going into this with a secret evil player in the party, but with the knowledge that barring a very, very good reason to do otherwise, finding out someone is evil will end with at least one person dead. That clear, let's go for it.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

As long as 'because it's another PC' isn't considered great drama. I'm happy going into this with a secret evil player in the party, but with the knowledge that barring a very, very good reason to do otherwise, finding out someone is evil will end with at least one person dead. That clear, let's go for it.

I imagine there will probably be more than one evil character in the party.
No one is required to announce their alignment.

Ask any questions that you guys are uncertain about.
I definitely don't want anyone to play in a game they won't enjoy.

This is a leisure activity :)

[yesiroleplay]

Theresa.  A Female Human Bard, of less than savory morals and a total disdain for the norm.

Dumah was about to give up just before he finally found the door.  Though finding the secret panel didn't get it open.  The mechanism was most likely pretty simple, but finding the trigger would take more time he might not have.

Though his companion did seem to have perfected the techniques of distraction.  She'd gone ahead, and while he searched he'd been at least partly distracted by a a prolonged exchange of conversation between low sweet tones and another gruffer, deeper voice.  How pretty a human girl managed to keep an orc talking that long was a mystery beyond him.  But she must have ran out of things to say, because for most of the last hour the sounds leaking past the thick curtain at the far end of the passage weren't those of speech.

With great determination, he ignored the rhythmic wet, sloshy, slurpy sounds and the muted slap of flesh against flesh interspersed with a mixture of feminine squeals and masculine grunts as he went about his search.  Though the occasional giggle or phrase of encouragement panted out in girlish grunts gave him pause.  He was tempted to peek and find out just what in all the hells was happening behind that curtain.  That was a full-blooded elite orcish guard in there, and Theresa seemed to be enjoying the distraction just a little too much.

The sounds continued for quite some time, vexing Teresa as she lay under the brute and bucked up into him. He had to be on top, of course! Why not from behind? If she killed him now, his dead weight would crush into her and pin her helpless.  So she continued, her pale, perfectly tapered legs flailed high in the air as he rode her and she rocked and twisted and bucked under him for a long, long while - after a time she abandoned her dismay and threw herself into the action. No one said a girl had to hate her work, right?  Finally, the pace slowed and the big orc rolled them around until she was straddling him.  She rode him for a bit, bouncing hard and fast on his thick endowment, her heavy bare tits flapping and slapping into her flat belly and slender ribs. She hoped Dumah hadn't found the treasure and left her behind, but now that she was on top...

The girl that joined Dumah shortly later was petite only when compared to males of orcish size, though her slender supple build made her seem shorter than she actually was. "You're still here.  She noted with surprise almost to the level of shock when she found her companion sorting through the loot.  Her body was bare but for a sheen of blood-stained sweat and a disheveled mass of honey-brown hair hanging in cover over most of her torso. "I had to wait until he let me on top before killing him.  What's your excuse for still being here?  The explanation, she suspected, would be less interesting than her own. 

[MrBubbles]

Definitely interested in joining this, primarily as a Cleric... But I'd like to know something before I set my application in stone; is Pelor a viable deity for a Cleric in this setting? My interest in using The Shining One is more due to fluff than mechanics, but it's pretty important fluff.

[yesiroleplay]

Definitely interested in joining this, primarily as a Cleric... But I'd like to know something before I set my application in stone; is Pelor a viable deity for a Cleric in this setting? My interest in using The Shining One is more due to fluff than mechanics, but it's pretty important fluff.

Lathander is pretty much a drop-in Forgotten Realms replacement for Pelor.

[TheGlyphstone]

Definitely interested in joining this, primarily as a Cleric... But I'd like to know something before I set my application in stone; is Pelor a viable deity for a Cleric in this setting? My interest in using The Shining One is more due to fluff than mechanics, but it's pretty important fluff.

A cleric of the Burning Hate? Great, yet another Evil party member. :D

[MrBubbles]

While I love the Burning Hate as much as the next guy, I'd just be playing the "nice" Pelor straight... However, Lathander as mentioned above would be a more accurate in-universe deity, so I'll probably pick him (which is kinda a shame because Lathander doesn't have the Healing Domain, which Pelor does.)

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Theresa.  A Female Human Bard, of less than savory morals and a total disdain for the norm.

Dumah was about to give up just before he finally found the door.  Though finding the secret panel didn't get it open.  The mechanism was most likely pretty simple, but finding the trigger would take more time he might not have.

Though his companion did seem to have perfected the techniques of distraction.  She'd gone ahead, and while he searched he'd been at least partly distracted by a a prolonged exchange of conversation between low sweet tones and another gruffer, deeper voice.  How pretty a human girl managed to keep an orc talking that long was a mystery beyond him.  But she must have ran out of things to say, because for most of the last hour the sounds leaking past the thick curtain at the far end of the passage weren't those of speech.

With great determination, he ignored the rhythmic wet, sloshy, slurpy sounds and the muted slap of flesh against flesh interspersed with a mixture of feminine squeals and masculine grunts as he went about his search.  Though the occasional giggle or phrase of encouragement panted out in girlish grunts gave him pause.  He was tempted to peek and find out just what in all the hells was happening behind that curtain.  That was a full-blooded elite orcish guard in there, and Theresa seemed to be enjoying the distraction just a little too much.

The sounds continued for quite some time, vexing Teresa as she lay under the brute and bucked up into him. He had to be on top, of course! Why not from behind? If she killed him now, his dead weight would crush into her and pin her helpless.  So she continued, her pale, perfectly tapered legs flailed high in the air as he rode her and she rocked and twisted and bucked under him for a long, long while - after a time she abandoned her dismay and threw herself into the action. No one said a girl had to hate her work, right?  Finally, the pace slowed and the big orc rolled them around until she was straddling him.  She rode him for a bit, bouncing hard and fast on his thick endowment, her heavy bare tits flapping and slapping into her flat belly and slender ribs. She hoped Dumah hadn't found the treasure and left her behind, but now that she was on top...

The girl that joined Dumah shortly later was petite only when compared to males of orcish size, though her slender supple build made her seem shorter than she actually was. "You're still here.  She noted with surprise almost to the level of shock when she found her companion sorting through the loot.  Her body was bare but for a sheen of blood-stained sweat and a disheveled mass of honey-brown hair hanging in cover over most of her torso. "I had to wait until he let me on top before killing him.  What's your excuse for still being here?  The explanation, she suspected, would be less interesting than her own.

Wonderful. Sold!

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Definitely interested in joining this, primarily as a Cleric... But I'd like to know something before I set my application in stone; is Pelor a viable deity for a Cleric in this setting? My interest in using The Shining One is more due to fluff than mechanics, but it's pretty important fluff.

Any diety available in the PHB is available to you.
I'll go ahead and give a little forewarning that the nature of the campaign will skew the relationship between characters and their gods to some extent.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Okay, I will be wizard then. Faerun is old favorite place where I had not visited years....

Adrian Lizban. Human wizard, a inpatient/ambittious apprentice of Khelben Blackstaff.


Adrian woke up in his bed in the morning. While his tressym purred loudly atop his stomach. However he saw the dawn was waking and he had to groan and gently shove aside his familiar, which made her displeasure known with protesting mewl but she rolled up to new position and continued napping. Adrian looked with short mild envy for carefree life of his familiar while washing his face in cold water from basin which he had left lay there to wait for the morning.

After quick cold morning wash Adrian dressed on his robes. Khelben's tower is no place of luxury but he still prided himself on the fact that he had kept his fancy robes in top condittion all these years while studying under him. He was son of rich merchant family which has base of operations and their home manor in Sembia. He was eight years old when his parents met with a mage who measured their son and saw he has possible talent for magic and has sharp mind. Thrilled they used their good fortunes to send him to Waterdeep of all places to study under Khelben Blackstaff! Many times over the years Adrian had cursed his parents for their choices as Khelben was literal slave master who did not relinquish his students until he is sure they do not blow them up with their own spells and he is strict in his requirements and in filling out his demands!

Why my parents could not hire a mage just home tutor me? I miss so much the sweet taste of Sembian kaffe....

Adrian joined along with other students for breakfast. As same way dull sort breakfast what Khelben himself enjoys; gray tasteless gruel. With grimace Adrian spiced up his meal with prestigitation, it did not do much improve the taste but it added something to the food to go down his throat along with loaf of bread and water. He was turning now seventeen this year, whole nine years in studying under Khelben's regime and he had not achieved any grand powers expect able cast first circle spells. He finishes his breakfast and moves to study room to study more about arcane formulas and studying spells like most rest students do.

I swear I someday leave this place....go adventure and get field experience! All greatest students from here had gained most quickly in power when they went adventuring!

Khelben of course strictly forbids whole idea of adventuring and saying it is highly dangerous compared to years of patient study in tower and achieving power in the tower and be ready for it.....but many times Adrian had heard you are never ready for adventuring; you either do it and survive or die! Adrian is reaching a point where taking the gambit is far inviting than dull exchistence day to day ordered cycle in tower is tiring on him. No doubt when Khelben thinks he is ready he has grown a beard long as Elminister's! After studying spells he checks study schelude, he sees that perhaps only brigthest thing in tower is occuring today; Laeral is holding a class today. Altough she lives in tower with Khelben she is often so busy that she does not hold classes but she runs around two or three classes per month.

No doubt Khelben keeping her busy in bedroom.

Despite the lewd thought Adrian holds more respect towards Laeral than he holds for Khelben. Where Adrian was scared to witless in his first year with Khelben he fell in love with Laeral's comforting presence. Altough one point his hormones stole all wisdom he had and he had pulled a prank with cantrip during a class by lifting hem of Laeral's robe to see she did not have underwear. That had been worth it despite she was blasted by burning silver sand by her which itched whole day and did not come off until day later. Adrian half-day dreamed and studied in her class and then was evening meal....which was the same damn gray tasteless gruel.

I swear I will leave from here!

It was becoming a daily mental mantra for Adrian and only time will tell when he finally leaves for adventuring one day.....

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Okay, I will be wizard then. Faerun is old favorite place where I had not visited years....

Adrian Lizban. Human wizard, a inpatient/ambittious apprentice of Khelben Blackstaff.


Adrian woke up in his bed in the morning. While his tressym purred loudly atop his stomach. However he saw the dawn was waking and he had to groan and gently shove aside his familiar, which made her displeasure known with protesting mewl but she rolled up to new position and continued napping. Adrian looked with short mild envy for carefree life of his familiar while washing his face in cold water from basin which he had left lay there to wait for the morning.

After quick cold morning wash Adrian dressed on his robes. Khelben's tower is no place of luxury but he still prided himself on the fact that he had kept his fancy robes in top condittion all these years while studying under him. He was son of rich merchant family which has base of operations and their home manor in Sembia. He was eight years old when his parents met with a mage who measured their son and saw he has possible talent for magic and has sharp mind. Thrilled they used their good fortunes to send him to Waterdeep of all places to study under Khelben Blackstaff! Many times over the years Adrian had cursed his parents for their choices as Khelben was literal slave master who did not relinquish his students until he is sure they do not blow them up with their own spells and he is strict in his requirements and in filling out his demands!

Why my parents could not hire a mage just home tutor me? I miss so much the sweet taste of Sembian kaffe....

Adrian joined along with other students for breakfast. As same way dull sort breakfast what Khelben himself enjoys; gray tasteless gruel. With grimace Adrian spiced up his meal with prestigitation, it did not do much improve the taste but it added something to the food to go down his throat along with loaf of bread and water. He was turning now seventeen this year, whole nine years in studying under Khelben's regime and he had not achieved any grand powers expect able cast first circle spells. He finishes his breakfast and moves to study room to study more about arcane formulas and studying spells like most rest students do.

I swear I someday leave this place....go adventure and get field experience! All greatest students from here had gained most quickly in power when they went adventuring!

Khelben of course strictly forbids whole idea of adventuring and saying it is highly dangerous compared to years of patient study in tower and achieving power in the tower and be ready for it.....but many times Adrian had heard you are never ready for adventuring; you either do it and survive or die! Adrian is reaching a point where taking the gambit is far inviting than dull exchistence day to day ordered cycle in tower is tiring on him. No doubt when Khelben thinks he is ready he has grown a beard long as Elminister's! After studying spells he checks study schelude, he sees that perhaps only brigthest thing in tower is occuring today; Laeral is holding a class today. Altough she lives in tower with Khelben she is often so busy that she does not hold classes but she runs around two or three classes per month.

No doubt Khelben keeping her busy in bedroom.

Despite the lewd thought Adrian holds more respect towards Laeral than he holds for Khelben. Where Adrian was scared to witless in his first year with Khelben he fell in love with Laeral's comforting presence. Altough one point his hormones stole all wisdom he had and he had pulled a prank with cantrip during a class by lifting hem of Laeral's robe to see she did not have underwear. That had been worth it despite she was blasted by burning silver sand by her which itched whole day and did not come off until day later. Adrian half-day dreamed and studied in her class and then was evening meal....which was the same damn gray tasteless gruel.

I swear I will leave from here!

It was becoming a daily mental mantra for Adrian and only time will tell when he finally leaves for adventuring one day.....

I dig it. Keep in mind, this will begin as a low level campaign, but ramp up relatively quick.
So, just don't create a frustration for yourself early on.

Approved.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Yeah, I do not build it OOC but my char can be IC wise frustrated. Especially if his spellbook is ruined after that shipwreck :P. Anyways your okay he has tressym as familiar even if normally it would ask improved familiar? So far as I can see statically it is just normal cat with ability to fly.

[Muse]

  Good morning.  I understand you're looking for someone to fill the roll of paladin? 

  I'd be interested, and can present an application later today.  I do have a question, though. 

  Something seemed to suggest  this was a Forgotten Realms game, but you said to clerics that you were using the Greyhawk Pantheon from the PHB?  Can you clear that up for me please? 

[yesiroleplay]

Also, to address setting, everyone should assume that the characters in the Forgotten Realms world and history.
If you want to draw upon specific lore in your character story, that's where you should pull it from.

Was where I got that from.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

  Good morning.  I understand you're looking for someone to fill the roll of paladin? 

  I'd be interested, and can present an application later today.  I do have a question, though. 

  Something seemed to suggest  this was a Forgotten Realms game, but you said to clerics that you were using the Greyhawk Pantheon from the PHB?  Can you clear that up for me please?

Ha! Damn it.
I guess I tipped my hand a bit as to one of the plot points.

Let's handle it this way...

Go ahead and choose your Deity from the Forgotten Realms lore.
The rest will fall into place.

[TheGlyphstone]

  Good morning.  I understand you're looking for someone to fill the roll of paladin? 

  I'd be interested, and can present an application later today.  I do have a question, though. 

  Something seemed to suggest  this was a Forgotten Realms game, but you said to clerics that you were using the Greyhawk Pantheon from the PHB?  Can you clear that up for me please?

Fight ya for it? ;D

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Fight ya for it? ;D

I put out an ad for a female single-class paladin to balance things out, since you are also building rogue AND there seems to be a pretty large number of evil / neutral characters being made.

[TheGlyphstone]

I put out an ad for a female single-class paladin to balance things out, since you are also building rogue AND there seems to be a pretty large number of evil / neutral characters being made.

On that note...would you consider relaxing or altering the entry requirements for the Blackguard PrC? I'd like to keep it open as an option for ifwhen hanging around all these evil people gets me by the short and curlies, but I really don't like having to effectively waste one and a half of my precious feats (Improved Sunder is the most god-awful feat for a PC in existence, and Cleave is useless 90% of the time and only mildly useful the other 10%) just to keep a future possibility available.

[yesiroleplay]

On that note...would you consider relaxing or altering the entry requirements for the Blackguard PrC? I'd like to keep it open as an option for ifwhen hanging around all these evil people gets me by the short and curlies, but I really don't like having to effectively waste one and a half of my precious feats (Improved Sunder is the most god-awful feat for a PC in existence, and Cleave is useless 90% of the time and only mildly useful the other 10%) just to keep a future possibility available.

What?  You have some moral objection to sundering what's probably the enemies best loot?

[ShadowOfHeaven]

On that note...would you consider relaxing or altering the entry requirements for the Blackguard PrC? I'd like to keep it open as an option for ifwhen hanging around all these evil people gets me by the short and curlies, but I really don't like having to effectively waste one and a half of my precious feats (Improved Sunder is the most god-awful feat for a PC in existence, and Cleave is useless 90% of the time and only mildly useful the other 10%) just to keep a future possibility available.

I definitely do not want to change requirements for PrC, but I would be willing to adjust the rules on the way those feats actually function. A lot of the game mechanics don't make sense, and I'm willing to adapt.

However, that said, I'd like to remind everyone in general that the game mechanics are a vehicle for the story. This is game that is going to be focused on roleplay. The rules exist to create structure and enjoyment, not to be the focus of debate. You should enter into this being comfortable with the idea of your character not being super powerful and also be comfortable with the idea of that character dying. This story will eventually end no matter what. Our goal is to create memorable moments between then and now.

[Kythia]

What?  You have some moral objection to sundering what's probably the enemies best loot?

Yeah, this. Improved Sunder is awsome for baddies, which is what I suspect the Blackguard was meant to be. Even more annoing than Rust monsters

[TheGlyphstone]

What?  You have some moral objection to sundering what's probably the enemies best loot?

I have an extreme objection to sundering the enemy's best loot, because when we win, that would have become our best loot. But now it's useless junk - and if one item makes the difference between being able to beat someone or not, then you're probably outclassed and shouldn't be fighting them in the first place.

However, that said, I'd like to remind everyone in general that the game mechanics are a vehicle for the story. This is game that is going to be focused on roleplay. The rules exist to create structure and enjoyment, not to be the focus of debate. You should enter into this being comfortable with the idea of your character not being super powerful and also be comfortable with the idea of that character dying. This story will eventually end no matter what. Our goal is to create memorable moments between then and now.

That's why I'm asking, really - I hate having to choose between mechanics and roleplaying, but effectively giving up two feats for the sake of potential future story is a severe mechanical loss, as well as making it more likely I'll die and be unable to pursue that future story. Power Attack is awesome,  Core Cleave is thematically appropriate, if mechanically bad (Pathfinder's Cleave is actually kinda useful, basically Rapid Shot for melee), but Improved Sunder is both completely out of context (why does a corrupted servant of the gods need proficiency in breaking things?) and one of the tactically worst feats for a PC - it's meant for NPCs like Kythia suggests.

Swapping it for something like Improved Initiative or Quick Draw - a generic good-for-anyone feat - would be the best option, since it represents the smallest alteration to the rules (changing a prerequisite > houseruling a new version of the feat).

[yesiroleplay]

I have an extreme objection to sundering the enemy's best loot, because when we win, that would have become our best loot. But now it's useless junk - and if one item makes the difference between being able to beat someone or not, then you're probably outclassed and shouldn't be fighting them in the first place.
That's why I'm asking, really - I hate having to choose between mechanics and roleplaying, but effectively giving up two feats for the sake of potential future story is a severe mechanical loss, as well as making it more likely I'll die and be unable to pursue that future story. Power Attack is awesome,  Core Cleave is thematically appropriate, if mechanically bad (Pathfinder's Cleave is actually kinda useful, basically Rapid Shot for melee), but Improved Sunder is both completely out of context (why does a corrupted servant of the gods need proficiency in breaking things?) and one of the tactically worst feats for a PC - it's meant for NPCs like Kythia suggests.

Paladin with bright new shiny Holy Avenger (obviously not adamantine) "Die, Infidel!"
Blackguard: riposte, parry, sunder.  "Oops, my bad."  evil grin.

[TheGlyphstone]

Paladin with bright new shiny Holy Avenger (obviously not adamantine) "Die, Infidel!"
Blackguard: riposte, parry, sunder.  "Oops, my bad."  evil grin.

See? It's not meant for PCs - if your Blackguard was a PC, he would kill the Paladin, loot the Holy Avenger, and sell it for cash to buy himself something useful (an Unholy Avenger, for example). It's a negative-sum feat, giving no benefit to the user and penalizing the target.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Improved sunder is kick ass when you face foes who do not use uber magical weapons. Say sticks, wooden shafted weapons etc. Also somecases you cannot sell the loot (also; would a blackguard sell holy avenger which could serve cause of good another day and face another hero wanna be with it? Better destroy or corrupt said artifact).

Also improved sunder can work other cases like severing head of a hydra, or sever tentacles, sever armor belt straps (and note; easy to repair and does not damage a weapon) to make it fall apart (and get nude view of female paladin without breastplate). Improve sunder vs mage's wand (wand is useful someone else in your party but what blackguard cares for another party members? LE one would prefer destroy mage's wand and strip it's only offensive spell spam method).

Improved sunder can be applied other situations than just 'sunder held weapon'. Of course it's situational but these pop up regularly often enough that able break things without AoO is nice.

Or my group house ruling; you can try sunder foe's arms (or legs) instead weapon if you want to with improved sunder but it's harder than try breaking a weapon because HP needed to breach through to mutilate a foe.

[TheGlyphstone]

Improved sunder is kick ass when you face foes who do not use uber magical weapons. Say sticks, wooden shafted weapons etc. Also somecases you cannot sell the loot (also; would a blackguard sell holy avenger which could serve cause of good another day and face another hero wanna be with it? Better destroy or corrupt said artifact).

So sell it to an evil temple (for half its market value) that will use it in a corrupting ritual...I didn't say sell it at the Magic Mart.

If your enemies have non-magical weapons and you do, you outclass them to where letting them keep their stuff while you kill them won't hurt. A feat that's only good for 2 levels...isn't a good feat.

Also improved sunder can work other cases like severing head of a hydra, or sever tentacles, sever armor belt straps (and note; easy to repair and does not damage a weapon) to make it fall apart (and get nude view of female paladin without breastplate). Improve sunder vs mage's wand (wand is useful someone else in your party but what blackguard cares for another party members? LE one would prefer destroy mage's wand and strip it's only offensive spell spam method).

-I'll give you the hydra, but that's the only situation where you would want to sunder.
-Cutting people's clothing off is a nice idea in Japanese manga/anime sex comedies, but if you're actually fighting for your life against a dangerous enemy, you should have bigger priorities than clothing damage (ignoring the fact that said paladin would probably have a shirt on underneath). While this is going to be an erotic/extreme game, I do not get the feeling at all that it's meant to be a humorous one...and I don't want it to be, that would spoil the mood.
-A blackguard who doesn't care about his party members' needs is a very short-lived blackguard, because there are more of them than him and he can't keep his back to a wall 24/7. Evil doesn't have to mean 'ignore everyone but yourself', it means 'You are Number One' - Evil people can have allies and even friends. And what better way to piss off the party wizard, who has 9001 ways to make a melee-warrior like you suffer horribly, than breaking his loot?
-If a wizard is spamming spells from a wand...he's a bad wizard and should die (or he's out of prepared spells, either case means he is no longer a threat). For that matter, any defenses a wizard puts up versus melee attacks will affect his gear, so if you can even try to sunder his stuff in the first place, sunder him instead, and by sunder I mean chop in half.

Improved sunder can be applied other situations than just 'sunder held weapon'. Of course it's situational but these pop up regularly often enough that able break things without AoO is nice.

You don't need Improved Sunder to use the Sunder action, it just removes the AoO. And sundering an enemy's non-weapon gear is an even worse idea than sundering their weapons, because it also reduces your loot while not affecting their ability to kill you as much.

Or my group house ruling; you can try sunder foe's arms (or legs) instead weapon if you want to with improved sunder but it's harder than try breaking a weapon because HP needed to breach through to mutilate a foe.

Eewww, called shots. :-\

[Zaer Darkwail]

Eewww, called shots. :-\

C'mon! Don't tell me you are still uneasy about get your shiny plate splattered in gore even after you became blackguard?

(would consider it funny/ironic idea)

Anyways blackguards are destroyers and so improved sunder makes sense for them even if it penalisizes loot wise. There is combat brute feat which allows you to sunder and use sunder attack immediately upon target who's weapon, shield or item you just broke (so you can cleave the weapon and the guy in half in single swing). Of course another way go about sundering loot is that broken magic weapons are easier to repair.

[TheGlyphstone]

C'mon! Don't tell me you are still uneasy about get your shiny plate splattered in gore even after you became blackguard?

(would consider it funny/ironic idea)

Anyways blackguards are destroyers and so improved sunder makes sense for them even if it penalisizes loot wise. There is combat brute feat which allows you to sunder and use sunder attack immediately upon target who's weapon, shield or item you just broke (so you can cleave the weapon and the guy in half in single swing). Of course another way go about sundering loot is that broken magic weapons are easier to repair.

I think you're still missing the original point (though I continue to disagree that Sundering is ever a good idea - Combat Brute just means you only lose loot instead of lose loot and waste a turn). A Blackguard can sunder - there might even be times when he wants to sunder. But being exceptionally proficient at breaking stuff makes no sense as something that all Blackguards know, and in fact must know before they can become Blackguards. When Sir Goldenpants the Devout has his faith broken by the need to sacrifice a baby to stop a demon invasion, the first Pit Fiend lucky enough to run across him ripe for recruitment isn't going to turn him away from becoming a dark warrior of legend because he's not well-versed in breaking swords in half. If you want to play a Destroyer/wrecking-ball Blackguard, take Improved Sunder (and may the DM have mercy on your soulWBL) - but it doesn't make thematic sense to be mandatory.

[yesiroleplay]

Glyph...
please don't feed the troll.

[TheGlyphstone]

Glyph...
please don't feed the troll.

That's mean. I've gamed with Zaer before, I don't think he's trying to troll. He's wrong, but he's not trolling. :D

[yesiroleplay]

I am a mean person.  I can play a sweetheart in role play, but fundamentally I'm a bitch.
Frankly, I don't care if I hurt someone's feelings if they spew pollution into a thread I was enjoying up to that point.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Glyph...
please don't feed the troll.

??!!

This is first time I am called a troll :P. I find it rather insulting as I am trying to show honestly good points in improved sunder and why it's there.

Anyways if you question why paladin should even know improved sunder before becoming blackguard then explain intimidate and hide skill ranks (religion ranks are obvious but both intimidate and hide are cross class skills needed to become a blackguard). Overall prequisites are prequisites for a reason. Feats are 'feat taxes' what you must take enter PrC, even if feats are those which you never plan to use. I usually think it from point 'is this PrC worth to take even if I waste feat while doing so?'. For a ex-paladin there are three ways; progress in other class, seek redemption to get powers back or fall down from grace and enter class which negates and actually benefits from your loss of paladin status.

Of course you can talk with GM and ask for feat change but he said already 'no' for it (and usually it is game over for said subject if you do not convince GM otherwise or bribe him).

That's mean. I've gamed with Zaer before, I don't think he's trying to troll. He's wrong, but he's not trolling. :D

Thanks, I do not mean to argue either in above but just hold discussion about the subject! It's what most DnD geeks do anyway; argue about some finer points of gaming but we both can agree in end that we agree to disagree on subject ;).

I am a mean person.  I can play a sweetheart in role play, but fundamentally I'm a bitch.
Frankly, I don't care if I hurt someone's feelings if they spew pollution into a thread I was enjoying up to that point.

Can you then explain in detail what 'pollution' I am actually spreading?! Honestly, tell me so I know what way I ruffled feathers with you so I can learn.

[yesiroleplay]

I  can't explain my position without insulting you even more than I have.
I'm going to drop this discussion now, as I don't think anything good can come of it.

[TheGlyphstone]

Anyways if you question why paladin should even know improved sunder before becoming blackguard then explain intimidate and hide skill ranks (religion ranks are obvious but both intimidate and hide are cross class skills needed to become a blackguard). Overall prequisites are prequisites for a reason. Feats are 'feat taxes' what you must take enter PrC, even if feats are those which you never plan to use. I usually think it from point 'is this PrC worth to take even if I waste feat while doing so?'. For a ex-paladin there are three ways; progress in other class, seek redemption to get powers back or fall down from grace and enter class which negates and actually benefits from your loss of paladin status.

I really can't argue with this a whole lot, because it's mostly true - the Blackguard prestige requirements are just a huge pile of screwed up. But skill ranks are at least 'cheaper' than feats...you get a lot of skill ranks and even at cross-class prices they're not bad.

I am a mean person.  I can play a sweetheart in role play, but fundamentally I'm a bitch.
Frankly, I don't care if I hurt someone's feelings if they spew pollution into a thread I was enjoying up to that point.

It lets me present my arguments where SoH can see them, though, since he's the one I have to convince to swap out the craptastic feat. But if it's bothering you, I've pretty much run out of stuff to say on the topic anyways.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I  can't explain my position without insulting you even more than I have.
I'm going to drop this discussion now, as I don't think anything good can come of it.

I am rather resilient what comes regards to insults, and I welcome a constructive feedback over 'you just suck'. And I feel more insulted, and more hurt, if person who says 'you suck!' does not give me any explanation why they think so. In my RL I have faced this sort behavior twice and each time it has left me more haunted than hundreds of insults which were explained to me or why person disliked me.

So, going silent about the matter is doing disservice towards me. If you do not want hold this discussion public PM it to me. As we may (and likely will) RP together in same game its better discuss this than leave it buried and rot somewhere until it pops up ten times uglier result.

If insults are related to my writing or grammar; just note I have dyslexia (and not saying it as excuse but as a fact) and english being second language to me.

[Kythia]

Goddamn [ you ] tag.

Every single time I fall for it.  Literally, every single time.  Why the hell has he made us a thread?  Better click on it.


Every.Single. Time.

[yesiroleplay]

Goddamn [ you ] tag.

Every single time I fall for it.  Literally, every single time.  Why the hell has he made us a thread?  Better click on it.


Every.Single. Time.

hehe.  I swear my mouse crawls to links on its own.

[Kythia]

Just as a heads up, that excuse doesn't work in the office.

[TheGlyphstone]

So confused. Is there a chargen thread?

[Kythia]

Zaer's sig

[TheGlyphstone]

Oh, okay.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Goddamn [ you ] tag.

Every single time I fall for it.  Literally, every single time.  Why the hell has he made us a thread?  Better click on it.


Every.Single. Time.

Gotcha  >:)

I fell to same link a year ago, since then I added it to my sign as it is a running joke/prank in E.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Play nice, or it's the hole for the lot of you.

[yesiroleplay]

Play nice, or it's the hole for the lot of you.

Which hole are we talking about?

[Lithium]

Oh dear!  D:

[Muse]

Please permit me to present my as yet unnamed paladin: 

   High on a mountain side near the city of Tantras stands a white stone keep.  In the depths of the night it shines with a soft, pure light, as if a star had been plucked from Shar’s cloak and worked into a castle. 

   The bell in the western tower chimed ten times, indicating that the middle of the night had come.  Selune was a thin silvery curve low on the horizon, trailing shimmering tears wept for the pain of the world. 

   When Selune set, it was said, the Goddess of Hope would not be present to protect those who slumbered and those who worked honestly in the night.  The people of this castle, however, would not let their vigilance flag.  The knights of the golden lion stood the towers and walked the walls, unblinking, untiring, lest the dark things of the mountains descend upon Tantras unawares. 

   Within the chapel, a twenty one year old maiden stood a different vigil.  Clad in only a white cotton shift and soft leather shoes, she waited before the alter on one knee.  Long waves of fiery hair were arranged artfully around her shoulders.  Her hands clasped a heavy steel flamberge.  Dusky pink lips moved in quite prayer, reciting the Catechism of the Vigilant, the Canticle of Loyalty, and the Penance of Duty. 

   All and all, she seemed a beauty better suited to Sune’s priesthood—or perhaps, the muscles enhancing her curves hinted—Lady Firehair’s Knights of the Ruby Rose. 

   The tolling of the midnight bells found her seventeenth repetition of the dogma.  The redhead paused before beginning again, and spoke more loudly.  “Torm—my god, my teacher—if in the quiet of this night I cannot speak my heart, I fear it will be denied me forever. 

   “When I was a girl, the false priests of Tantras were the greatest tyrants I knew.  My uncle--who I know in my heart now feasts in your halls—died on a needless and impossible crusade.  When my father dared question the false priests and was flogged for his devotion to his brother. 

   “I hated you with all my heart.”  Unshed tears shone in her eyes.  “The Time of
Troubles began and the world fell into madness.  I learned that the gods faced mortality and I prayed to the empty heavens that you, too, would meet your end in exile. 

   “You knew my heart, but you did not forsake me. 

   “You knew my sin, as you knew the sin of the false priests, but you did not abandon me when Bane marched on my home.  When I saw your titanic form stand against the Tyrant, with the body of a man most perfect and the head of a lion, I knew my error  My hate was lifted from my heart…” 

   The redhead’s hands trembled on her sword and a tear ran down each cheek. 

   “You and the tyrant were slain on each other’s blades, and I knew the full injustice I had wrought with my selfish prayer. 

   “You died protecting me.  I loved you then, with the devotion of the faithful, but also the pure love of a girl.  I prayed to the empty heavens and exiled gods to trade my life for yours.  My prayers were answered with your restoration, and my life was spared. 

   “I love you still, my Torm, with the passion of a woman grown.  As the heaven’s answered my prayer, I keep my promise. 

   “My life is yours.” 

   Come the dawn, the maiden was knighted a paladin in Torm’s service.  She was entrusted with a flamberge of the finest steel, armored in a fitted breastplate, and given a helm in the form of a lion’s head. 

[TheGlyphstone]

Which hole are we talking about?

All of them. ;D

[Niki315]

Okay, so I was wondering what's still available (if anything) in this game, and if there's a link to the rp thread yet.

And on the discussion of the improved sunder feat,  I sometimes take Improved sunder and I don't even care about the money aspect.  Primarily yes, the magic weapon is going to be the most valuable piece of loot on the enemy, but from an rp perspective breaking that thing and showing you give zero f*cks tends to give one hell of an intimidation bonus.  As a paladin with that I have performed many swordpoint conversions which over time is more valuable than the magic weapon itself (especially if tithing is common in the campaign setting).  As a blackguard, I flat out enslave people after destroying their stuff, and it shows that I care absolutely nothing for their lives, possessions or souls. Yes, I'm losing out on money, but I think the image is worth it.

Also, at lower levels sundering say an ogre's or troll's weapon (typically a great club with 0 value) is a huge benefit by reducing their damage output greatly (and forcing them to provoke attacks of opportunity to attack).  In addition to that, some GMs allow for improved sunder to do extra damage (like sneak attack or other precision damage) or instantly defeat low level animated objects.

Cleave I agree becomes pretty useless after level 5 or so... unless you for some reason fight hordes of lower level enemies often.

And onto the restrictions for paladin, you'd be surprised how far you can go as a Lawful Good character and keep your alignment.  We've had discussions on what violates lawful good and since the release of the Book of Exalted Deeds, we've had a very different outlook on the good vs. exalted.  In general it depends on the GM's outlook because we have a quantity vs. quality discussion all the time.  The quantity is simply that killing is an evil act, and the more times you kill someone the more likely you are to rack up "evilness" while quality determines that killing an evil person doesn't qualify as an evil act because in essence you have lessened evil in the world thus supplementing good.  Since most GMs prefer gray areas, quality tends to be the most common style and we've had paladins order an entire town to be destroyed to corner one (greater) demon.  The deaths of thousands of people is awful, but the chance to destroy the greater demon which could affect millions more in its lifetime ends up affecting things positively in the end, so it's considered a lawful good act.  There's a lot of leniency there if you can destroy an entire town to kill one demon.  A paladin working with an evil character restricts the evil character more than the paladin since the paladin will fight the evil character for performing evil in front of him.  Even if the evil character is a known felon and terrible person, the paladin can let him live if there's a net positive of good.  Hiring a renowned thief to break into well-defended dungeon and retrieve an artifact for the paladin's church nets enough good to be allowable.  Exalted characters on the other hand, have an entirely different approach, and they tend to be the ones that are really difficult to play (but that's known when going into the book).

Anyway, sorry for the diversion.. I really just wanted to see what was available.

[yesiroleplay]

I believe cleric is the only class not applied for, though a couple of people have expressed interest I don't remember seeing an actual application from either of them.  Theoretically, Paladin is still open since Muse's application hasn't been approved.  The GM indicated he wasn't looking for any more multi-class characters so cleric seems the best option.

Regarding paladins and their code:  I've always considered the code itself elegantly prevents paladins from abusing their detection ability.  If an evil character is stupid enough to actually act evil in front of a paladin, they rightfully deserve to go down, at the least. Baring that, most game societies at least loosely base their moral codes, value systems, and laws on those of the players.  Which for most of us in this English-speaking forum means "Western Civilization"  In our society, eavesdropping and invasion of privacy are at the very least considered immoral (not good) and depending on the circumstances can be illegal (not lawful.) 

The un-goodness/immorality of invasion of privacy should be enough to prevent paladins from detecting evil on every humanoid they encounter.  If the society they come from decides to make magical detections and scrying illegal except in special circumstances, like most Western societies do with wire taps and recording conversations when at least one party to the conversation has an expectation of privacy, then wholesale use of detect evil is not only unlawful, but could well result in trial, convection, and incarceration for the paladin.

[Niki315]

I once remember a time where a Paladin hopped up on a table in known hideout for evil beings and turned on detect evil.  He pointed and let his barbarian helper take out anything that was evil.  It was really hard to GM... >.<

[Kythia]

I got cleric.

I think Wizard is all we're after

[Lithium]

Zaer's got the Wizard.

[Kythia]

Ah yeah, missed that

[Zaer Darkwail]

So, if paladin burns a town to corner a greater demon being accetable.....then why his actions were judged to be non-paladin alike? Before he went nuts that is.

[Niki315]

Because it makes a better story?  And players will do anything to keep their power?

[Zaer Darkwail]

True that Arthas did kept his paladin powers.....he was just grimly determined in his goal and Stratholm worked fuel his vengeance to extreme point.

But I guess it depends on order where paladin is from. If paladin breaks a deity's doghma he will count as failed as paladin. While generic paladin will follow universal aspect of LG which can allow sacrifices done for greater good (like perform smite evil on a baby which is possessed vessel of a demon prince).

[Niki315]

Yeah, that's definitely true.  When a paladin is aligned to a deity, he has to follow the deity's tenets as closely as his Lawful Good status will allow, since there's like two lawful good deities and about a dozen good or lawful deities....

[Zaer Darkwail]

Yeah, so some deity may be upset if paladin torches village kill a demon if demon hunting is not main part of the religion of the deity (or be upset if said village venerated the deity).

[ShadowOfHeaven]

I got cleric.

I think Wizard is all we're after

Since Kythia has stated that all her remaining levels will go into Cleric, we'll consider that role filled.
Similarly, since Glyph is only putting 3 levels into Paladin, we'll include a full-class paladin as well.

I am currently considering a few people for the Paladin.
Sorry for the delay there.

I'm going to put up the IC and OOC threads for the game for organizational purposes right now.

Ability score roll options and character sheet template transfer form incoming shortly.

[TheGlyphstone]

Incidentally, since we're playing with such a massive group, might we want to consider some sort of 'default behavior/reaction' part of character sheets? If we have to wait for everyone to respond before anything happens, the game will move at glacial speed.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Incidentally, since we're playing with such a massive group, might we want to consider some sort of 'default behavior/reaction' part of character sheets? If we have to wait for everyone to respond before anything happens, the game will move at glacial speed.

We can make some assumptions about behavior based on the character's general attitude and goals on short term absences.
Really though, anyone who consistently just isn't responding will certainly become wounded or die via divine intervention.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Post skeletons are up. Go ahead and bookmark.

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=157689.0

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=157690.0

[yesiroleplay]

marked!

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Please permit me to present my as yet unnamed paladin: 

   High on a mountain side near the city of Tantras stands a white stone keep.  In the depths of the night it shines with a soft, pure light, as if a star had been plucked from Shar’s cloak and worked into a castle. 

   The bell in the western tower chimed ten times, indicating that the middle of the night had come.  Selune was a thin silvery curve low on the horizon, trailing shimmering tears wept for the pain of the world. 

   When Selune set, it was said, the Goddess of Hope would not be present to protect those who slumbered and those who worked honestly in the night.  The people of this castle, however, would not let their vigilance flag.  The knights of the golden lion stood the towers and walked the walls, unblinking, untiring, lest the dark things of the mountains descend upon Tantras unawares. 

   Within the chapel, a twenty one year old maiden stood a different vigil.  Clad in only a white cotton shift and soft leather shoes, she waited before the alter on one knee.  Long waves of fiery hair were arranged artfully around her shoulders.  Her hands clasped a heavy steel flamberge.  Dusky pink lips moved in quite prayer, reciting the Catechism of the Vigilant, the Canticle of Loyalty, and the Penance of Duty. 

   All and all, she seemed a beauty better suited to Sune’s priesthood—or perhaps, the muscles enhancing her curves hinted—Lady Firehair’s Knights of the Ruby Rose. 

   The tolling of the midnight bells found her seventeenth repetition of the dogma.  The redhead paused before beginning again, and spoke more loudly.  “Torm—my god, my teacher—if in the quiet of this night I cannot speak my heart, I fear it will be denied me forever. 

   “When I was a girl, the false priests of Tantras were the greatest tyrants I knew.  My uncle--who I know in my heart now feasts in your halls—died on a needless and impossible crusade.  When my father dared question the false priests and was flogged for his devotion to his brother. 

   “I hated you with all my heart.”  Unshed tears shone in her eyes.  “The Time of
Troubles began and the world fell into madness.  I learned that the gods faced mortality and I prayed to the empty heavens that you, too, would meet your end in exile. 

   “You knew my heart, but you did not forsake me. 

   “You knew my sin, as you knew the sin of the false priests, but you did not abandon me when Bane marched on my home.  When I saw your titanic form stand against the Tyrant, with the body of a man most perfect and the head of a lion, I knew my error  My hate was lifted from my heart…” 

   The redhead’s hands trembled on her sword and a tear ran down each cheek. 

   “You and the tyrant were slain on each other’s blades, and I knew the full injustice I had wrought with my selfish prayer. 

   “You died protecting me.  I loved you then, with the devotion of the faithful, but also the pure love of a girl.  I prayed to the empty heavens and exiled gods to trade my life for yours.  My prayers were answered with your restoration, and my life was spared. 

   “I love you still, my Torm, with the passion of a woman grown.  As the heaven’s answered my prayer, I keep my promise. 

   “My life is yours.” 

   Come the dawn, the maiden was knighted a paladin in Torm’s service.  She was entrusted with a flamberge of the finest steel, armored in a fitted breastplate, and given a helm in the form of a lion’s head. 

Beloved are the faithful.
Approved.

[yesiroleplay]

Love it.  Very Jeanne d'Arc.

[TheGlyphstone]

That's everyone, then. Let's do this thang!

[ShadowOfHeaven]

That's everyone, then. Let's do this thang!

Rolling up score options as we speak.

[Lidian]

I assume the applications have been closed out?

[victoria4]

I had the impression applications remained open to multi-classed characters, the intent was just to make sure all primary classes are filled first (which they are now).  But that's up to Shadow...

[ShadowOfHeaven]

I assume the applications have been closed out?

multi-class applications are still open.

[TheGlyphstone]

Are you going to have a co-DM to run this? We're already up to 9 players, which is a huge game.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Are you going to have a co-DM to run this? We're already up to 9 players, which is a huge game.

Nope!

[Lidian]

So I was thinking a Wizard 1/ Rogue 1. Here goes nothing!

Shae could only help but hold her breath as the guard passed, getting caught now wouldn't only get her landed in the stocks, the 'client' would be furious, and that would just be plain old bad for business. It would be with the quietest of whispers that she would mutter an incantation. As soon as the words left her lips there would be a clamoring and clanking on the other end of the hall, causing the guard to turn his attention the other direction as Shae would slip out of her hiding place, keeping her head low and her gait long and silent. It would be with great difficulty that she'd try to keep a grin off her face as she'd hear the guard questioning another about the sound.

The half-elf would slip through the door, silently closing it behind her, leaving the guard with little to no reason to investigate the room further. Once she did, she knew her prize was within reach. She had been contacted by one of the local lords. All he ever dreamed of was having the amulet that rightfully belonged to a rival house, one kept under lock, key, and other means of protection, and there it was, Shae's ticket to wealth, fame, and glory. Or at least a couple hundred gold she may or may not blow through in a few weeks. She'd slide herself up against the corner where the two stone walls met. Grabbing the Amulet would be easy, if it weren't for the fact that there was a magic circle around it, softly glowing and pulsating with raw power.

She'd find herself pacing in increasingly tight circles, reading the magic circle as she'd grind her teeth together. Deactivating it would be too long, and too complex, especially since the guards were likely just outside the door now. She'd let out a small huff as she'd reach out with her hand, muttering another incantation, a ghostly hand appearing just close enough to grab the amulet. She'd find herself shivering in anticipation, already thinking of how she was going to spend all that gold... just as the tip of her foot would cross the outermost line of the magic circle. It would be with a blaring ring in her ears that she'd realize she'd trip the Alarm, the two guards already running for the door.

Once the door had opened, there were two very angry guards on the other side, weapons drawn and ready to cart her off to the absolute last place she wanted to go right now. She'd break out into an outright run, sliding between the two of them, and running down the hall. Already breathing heavily with a mix of excitement and heart-wrenching terror as she'd jump into a closet and pull it shut tight behind her. Now, locked in a closet, with a group of guards waiting to arrest her at any moment she'd just sigh to herself and pull her knees up to her chest.

It would be hours before it sounded like the search had died down, or at least moved to another part of the manor. Darting across the hall and out window that had been left wide open rather irresponsibly. She'd climb her way up onto the roof and throw herself down into a laying position, trying to calm her heart from pounding from having been a hairs breath from being caught for so long. Holding up the Amulet to the moonlight with a grin before pocketing it, and trying to convince herself that everything had gone exactly as planned.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

So I was thinking a Wizard 1/ Rogue 1. Here goes nothing!

Shae could only help but hold her breath as the guard passed, getting caught now wouldn't only get her landed in the stocks, the 'client' would be furious, and that would just be plain old bad for business. It would be with the quietest of whispers that she would mutter an incantation. As soon as the words left her lips there would be a clamoring and clanking on the other end of the hall, causing the guard to turn his attention the other direction as Shae would slip out of her hiding place, keeping her head low and her gait long and silent. It would be with great difficulty that she'd try to keep a grin off her face as she'd hear the guard questioning another about the sound.

The half-elf would slip through the door, silently closing it behind her, leaving the guard with little to no reason to investigate the room further. Once she did, she knew her prize was within reach. She had been contacted by one of the local lords. All he ever dreamed of was having the amulet that rightfully belonged to a rival house, one kept under lock, key, and other means of protection, and there it was, Shae's ticket to wealth, fame, and glory. Or at least a couple hundred gold she may or may not blow through in a few weeks. She'd slide herself up against the corner where the two stone walls met. Grabbing the Amulet would be easy, if it weren't for the fact that there was a magic circle around it, softly glowing and pulsating with raw power.

She'd find herself pacing in increasingly tight circles, reading the magic circle as she'd grind her teeth together. Deactivating it would be too long, and too complex, especially since the guards were likely just outside the door now. She'd let out a small huff as she'd reach out with her hand, muttering another incantation, a ghostly hand appearing just close enough to grab the amulet. She'd find herself shivering in anticipation, already thinking of how she was going to spend all that gold... just as the tip of her foot would cross the outermost line of the magic circle. It would be with a blaring ring in her ears that she'd realize she'd trip the Alarm, the two guards already running for the door.

Once the door had opened, there were two very angry guards on the other side, weapons drawn and ready to cart her off to the absolute last place she wanted to go right now. She'd break out into an outright run, sliding between the two of them, and running down the hall. Already breathing heavily with a mix of excitement and heart-wrenching terror as she'd jump into a closet and pull it shut tight behind her. Now, locked in a closet, with a group of guards waiting to arrest her at any moment she'd just sigh to herself and pull her knees up to her chest.

It would be hours before it sounded like the search had died down, or at least moved to another part of the manor. Darting across the hall and out window that had been left wide open rather irresponsibly. She'd climb her way up onto the roof and throw herself down into a laying position, trying to calm her heart from pounding from having been a hairs breath from being caught for so long. Holding up the Amulet to the moonlight with a grin before pocketing it, and trying to convince herself that everything had gone exactly as planned.

Closets are useful! Approved.
There are links to the OOC and IC threads above.
If you need help with character creation, just message me.

[yesiroleplay]

But is she coming out of the closet?

[Lidian]

Sometimes you have to stand up and be proud of what you are. Which is a Wizard-rogue who hides in closets.

[Strangler]

multi-class applications are still open.

Hi SoH,

I'm writing up a character right now. I tend to put a lot of effort into these things so it might be a while yet.

Quick question: How brutal are you as a DM, on a scale of 1-10?  O:)

[MrBubbles]

Question concerning apps as well;

Are you willing to let someone use the Monte Cook Ranger?

[yesiroleplay]

Question concerning apps as well;

Are you willing to let someone use the Monte Cook Ranger?

It's a Player's Handbook only game (no feats, classes, or spells from other source material), so I doubt it.

[Muse]

Question concerning apps as well;

Are you willing to let someone use the Monte Cook Ranger?

Isn't that a revision on the 3.0 ranger?

[MrBubbles]

It's a Player's Handbook only game (no feats, classes, or spells from other source material), so I doubt it.

In that case, I still got a multi-class idea in store.

Isn't that a revision on the 3.0 ranger?

... Perhaps  :P

I've seen it used for 3.5 though, although considering that yesiroleplay pointed out the class is invalid in the first place, I'll have to work without it.

[Strangler]

Selwyn Baraccus

A Chaotic Good Cleric/Fighter with an emphasis on Grapple.

---

A notoriously notorious establishment, the Death's Door had seen more than its fair share of unsavoury customers. For as long as anyone cared to remember thugs, thieves, hustlers, embezzlers, conmen, cutthroats, ill-tempered brutes, vagabonds and all other manner of undesirables had thronged in its stuffy warmth; hunkered down under the dim light beneath the low, lumpy ceiling. For generations this clientele had pressed and bickered and fought for the service of the world-weary barmen; who pushed their drinks through to them via specially-sized gaps in the iron grille that covered the entirety of the thick oaken bar. For generations this clientele had hurled each other over its long, low tables, whether for pride, greed, or just for kicks. For generations the Thieves Guild had made light work of the inebriated who staggered into the street outside in the early morning hours. It was steady, reliable work; as honest as a thief could get. There were purses to be snatched, jewellery to be palmed, organs to be harvested.
 
On this particular night a fight was brewing outside the Death's Door. This wasn't an unusual occurrence in and of itself, but some novelty was to be found in that it was a fight over religion.

---

"Back down Selwyn." Wyldred hissed, tugging at my sleeve. "You can still leave here tonight without having your throat cut."
"Forget it brother. And have some faith." I said.
The stocky cleric turned a brighter shade of pink.
"Don't you dare question my faith, you trumped-up rookie." Wyldred huffed. "Don't you see? Even if you win, they're not going to let you go. They're still going to cut you open!"
"So you think all this is but a coincidence?" I asked. "That there was no higher purpose in our coming here tonight?
"I think that this is foolishness, is what I think." Wyldred said.
"Are you going to give me that blessing or not?" I said. Wyldred shook his head.
"This just doesn't make sense lad. It just doesn't make sense." Wyldred said.
"Well, Kord moves in mysterious ways."  I said, roughly shrugging off my compatriot as I headed on.
The shorter cleric paused for a minute. Then, grumbling furiously, he shoved his way past a brawny fur-clad barbarian, who nearly overbalanced in surprise.  I grinned, knowing only too well how much power was contained in my comrades' stocky Dwarven frame.

However as I walked on uneasiness began to set in. After a few dozen paces I halted my progress in the small pool of light cast by a street lantern overhead. All around me the barbarians were organizing into a ragged oval consisting of lean torsos, broad scars, hides and furs. They jostled into place from every side, jeering and hurled insults in a common tongue bolstered by a thick and fibrous accent.
A familiar voice spoke from behind me.
"So. Tonight we learn whose God is stronger. Am I right?"
I turned to face him.

When Wyldred and I had approached the table earlier that night, hoping to spread the word and deed of Kord over a few ales, I'd seen a chance for likely converts. The barbarians were primitive for sure, but they seemed like solid, honest men all the same - The kind who don't shirk a fight, and revel in war but at the end of it all look forward to returning to their women, their children, and the hard but tranquil life of a rural smallholder.

I had been taken aback at the vehement reaction that my evangelism had raised. In the first place I hadn't truly perceived just how many of these hardy folk were present in the Death's Door that night. They must have been a group returned from active service (or searching it out) because at the first sign of a brawl they pushed their way through the milling masses and crowded around the table I had previously besieged - knives fingered from their belts and axes resting lightly upon their broad shoulders.
All at once, and over one another, they demanded a retraction of my statement that Kord was the 'strongest' of all gods. As the confrontation went on they grew louder and louder, and ever more belligerent:

"If your God is so strong, how come we've never even heard of him?"

"Uthgar could carve your god in two easy as I draw breath."

"Take it back, priest, or the only thing that'll be powerful is the smell of dung in your breeches."

We were saved (if that is the right word) by one of their number dressed in full chain. He had only half a nose and no upper lip on the right hand side of his mouth. He pulled a stool from nearby and sat between me and the rest of the barbarians. The others behind fell quickly into a hush. Half-Nose waited for their hubbub to subside.
"Uthgar works in deeds, not words." He finally said. "And I'll back my god to best yours any day." A roar went up behind him.
I gathered as much calm as I could. Fortunately that had always been a merit of mine. 
"A man of strength and wisdom truly. Are you sure you don't follow Kord?" I asked faux-innocently.
A few of the men behind Half-Nose took an angry step forward. But they halted in their tracks as Half-Nose raised a hand.
"If you wish, you and me will fight outside. The loser renounces their god. Do you accept? Or is your god like all the others, all words and no heft." Half-Nose said.
He and his fellows waited patiently for my response.
"This is a bad idea." Wyldred whispered in my ear. 
I nodded thoughtfully at his counsel, then turned my head to smile beatifically at Half-Nose.
"I accept." I said. 
A loud roar of approval went up.

Which is how I came to be alone, surrounded by barbarians, with only the strength of my convictions on my side.

Standing there, half-encased in darkness, I felt fear lurch suddenly into the pit of my stomach. I clamped down on it, swallowing it as whole as I could. I couldn't afford to reveal any weakness.

Half-Nose stepped from the shadows into the flickering light. He regarded me thoughtfully.

---

I think I'll leave it there or I'll go on writing forever  :-)

[MrBubbles]

Name: Brandon Circeli

Classes: Ranger/Rogue

Daybreak within the forest was cold, grey and foggy, although it was far from dreary. The muted light of the sun gave the woodlands a chance to reveal color combinations that would’ve otherwise gone unnoticed; from the dark brown of the trees and the bright greens of lichen that marched up their trunks to the loamy soil and the hardy green undergrowth, the forest was a serene palette of greens and greys. Even the smells seemed to be amplified by the air, an invigorating blend of life and decay that so often fills the autumn air.

Out of all the senses, perhaps the one most affected by the morning moisture was sound. The chittering of squirrels in the forest canopy and the staccato taps of a woodpecker echoed within the woodlands as a lone frog boomed with its morning calls, adding their sounds to the symphony of the forest… Except one sound was out of tune with the rest.

The rustling of undergrowth and the slow crunch of boots against fallen leaves heralded the arrival of a visitor to this part of the woods; a man, tall and graceful was moving through the forest with deliberate strides, a long-sleeved tight-fitting leather jerkin covering his well-toned chest while a grey hood and cloak obscured his face. In his left hand was a masterfully crafted longbow wrought in richly colored yew, in his right a slender arrow, broadhead tipped and fletched with grey goose feathers. His waist was ringed with a collection of satchels, skinning implements and survival gear that clinked ever so faintly with movement. The man’s face as seen from the hood was rugged, his short hair a honey blonde while his eyes were a shade of green. The hunter bent down near a stump overwhelmed by moss and mushrooms, his knee yielding slightly into the soft earth as his fingers reached out to touch a small mess of congealed blood flecked with bits of lung against the stump’s base. “Can’t be too far now” the Hunter thought, his sea-green eyes flicking from the blood on his fingers to the endless sea of trees and bushes around him as thought expecting an answer to his personal declaration.

The Forest answered with the shrill, piercing cry of an animal in it's death throes, the clear sound muting all others as the Hunter’s ears perked up at the sound. Fluidly, the Hunter got up as he wiped the sanguine mess on his fingers against his cloak, bounding through the bushes and grass towards the source of the vocalization with a hint of urgency. After a few moments traversing the undergrowth and another metallic cry of pain, the Hunter came across his quarry, a stag, the sight of which caused his heart to drop.

The hart was leaning tiredly against the trunk of a great Elm, its broad chest heaving with ragged breaths as puffs of air steamed out of its nostrils. Its mouth was frothing with pink foam, a symptom of its mortal wound and a result of the arrow, the Hunter’s arrow, still embedded in its chest. The stag turned its head towards the Hunter as he approached the prone beast, but it made no move to run, consigning its fate to the will of the predator that had dogged it for days.

“It’ll be over soon” the Hunter cooed to the beast as he approached, placing his arrow back into its quiver and producing a sharp dagger strapped to his belt. The stag responded with a wheeze of pain, dropping its head back down onto the ground as its wide eyes followed the Hunter as he moved to kneel beside the dying creature. The Hunter pulled back his hood as he looked upon the stag, his brow furrowed in guilt at his failure to give the creature a clean death. “You’ll be with the Forest Father” the Hunter said as he wiped a sleeve against his damp brow, tightening his grip on the blade as he pondered what will come next.

The Hunter’s name was Brandon Circeli, and he was poaching a royal stag in the King’s Forest. To be caught in such a predicament would mean death, but the payoff if he should leave with the beast’s flesh was enormous. Venison was highly sought after as a delicacy by cooks, merchants and the wealthy alike, and Brandon was not one to turn down the prospect of easy coin, “Besides” the Huntsman would tell you, “ain’t like the king or those nobles will miss a deer or two.”

The stag let out a tired groan as it looked up at the Huntsman, an expression in it's eyes that could almost be described as understanding. Once the deed was done, Brandon would clean the deer, flay it and section off meat, antlers and hide to be sold once he got out of the woods. The choicest bits of the hart would however remain, an offering to He Who Provides, Silvanus. That would be a task for later, for now it was just the Huntsman and the Hunted. Brandon eyed the knife in his hand, bringing the tip to the stag’s neck as he took in a deep breath and muttered a short prayer.

The cut was sharp and clean.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Hi SoH,

I'm writing up a character right now. I tend to put a lot of effort into these things so it might be a while yet.

Quick question: How brutal are you as a DM, on a scale of 1-10?  O:)

I prefer variety. Characters will die, but it won't necessarily be because they didn't have the proper combat feats.
When a situation is dangerous, I do my best to let you know it's dangerous.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Name: Brandon Circeli

Classes: Ranger/Rogue

Daybreak within the forest was cold, grey and foggy, although it was far from dreary. The muted light of the sun gave the woodlands a chance to reveal color combinations that would’ve otherwise gone unnoticed; from the dark brown of the trees and the bright greens of lichen that marched up their trunks to the loamy soil and the hardy green undergrowth, the forest was a serene palette of greens and greys. Even the smells seemed to be amplified by the air, an invigorating blend of life and decay that so often fills the autumn air.

Out of all the senses, perhaps the one most affected by the morning moisture was sound. The chittering of squirrels in the forest canopy and the staccato taps of a woodpecker echoed within the woodlands as a lone frog boomed with its morning calls, adding their sounds to the symphony of the forest… Except one sound was out of tune with the rest.

The rustling of undergrowth and the slow crunch of boots against fallen leaves heralded the arrival of a visitor to this part of the woods; a man, tall and graceful was moving through the forest with deliberate strides, a long-sleeved tight-fitting leather jerkin covering his well-toned chest while a grey hood and cloak obscured his face. In his left hand was a masterfully crafted longbow wrought in richly colored yew, in his right a slender arrow, broadhead tipped and fletched with grey goose feathers. His waist was ringed with a collection of satchels, skinning implements and survival gear that clinked ever so faintly with movement. The man’s face as seen from the hood was rugged, his short hair a honey blonde while his eyes were a shade of green. The hunter bent down near a stump overwhelmed by moss and mushrooms, his knee yielding slightly into the soft earth as his fingers reached out to touch a small mess of congealed blood flecked with bits of lung against the stump’s base. “Can’t be too far now” the Hunter thought, his sea-green eyes flicking from the blood on his fingers to the endless sea of trees and bushes around him as thought expecting an answer to his personal declaration.

The Forest answered with the shrill, piercing cry of an animal in it's death throes, the clear sound muting all others as the Hunter’s ears perked up at the sound. Fluidly, the Hunter got up as he wiped the sanguine mess on his fingers against his cloak, bounding through the bushes and grass towards the source of the vocalization with a hint of urgency. After a few moments traversing the undergrowth and another metallic cry of pain, the Hunter came across his quarry, a stag, the sight of which caused his heart to drop.

The hart was leaning tiredly against the trunk of a great Elm, its broad chest heaving with ragged breaths as puffs of air steamed out of its nostrils. Its mouth was frothing with pink foam, a symptom of its mortal wound and a result of the arrow, the Hunter’s arrow, still embedded in its chest. The stag turned its head towards the Hunter as he approached the prone beast, but it made no move to run, consigning its fate to the will of the predator that had dogged it for days.

“It’ll be over soon” the Hunter cooed to the beast as he approached, placing his arrow back into its quiver and producing a sharp dagger strapped to his belt. The stag responded with a wheeze of pain, dropping its head back down onto the ground as its wide eyes followed the Hunter as he moved to kneel beside the dying creature. The Hunter pulled back his hood as he looked upon the stag, his brow furrowed in guilt at his failure to give the creature a clean death. “You’ll be with the Forest Father” the Hunter said as he wiped a sleeve against his damp brow, tightening his grip on the blade as he pondered what will come next.

The Hunter’s name was Brandon Circeli, and he was poaching a royal stag in the King’s Forest. To be caught in such a predicament would mean death, but the payoff if he should leave with the beast’s flesh was enormous. Venison was highly sought after as a delicacy by cooks, merchants and the wealthy alike, and Brandon was not one to turn down the prospect of easy coin, “Besides” the Huntsman would tell you, “ain’t like the king or those nobles will miss a deer or two.”

The stag let out a tired groan as it looked up at the Huntsman, an expression in it's eyes that could almost be described as understanding. Once the deed was done, Brandon would clean the deer, flay it and section off meat, antlers and hide to be sold once he got out of the woods. The choicest bits of the hart would however remain, an offering to He Who Provides, Silvanus. That would be a task for later, for now it was just the Huntsman and the Hunted. Brandon eyed the knife in his hand, bringing the tip to the stag’s neck as he took in a deep breath and muttered a short prayer.

The cut was sharp and clean.

Approved.
I'll have attribute rolls for you shortly in the OOC thread.

[ShadowOfHeaven]

Selwyn Baraccus

A Chaotic Good Cleric/Fighter with an emphasis on Grapple.

---

A notoriously notorious establishment, the Death's Door had seen more than its fair share of unsavoury customers. For as long as anyone cared to remember thugs, thieves, hustlers, embezzlers, conmen, cutthroats, ill-tempered brutes, vagabonds and all other manner of undesirables had thronged in its stuffy warmth; hunkered down under the dim light beneath the low, lumpy ceiling. For generations this clientele had pressed and bickered and fought for the service of the world-weary barmen; who pushed their drinks through to them via specially-sized gaps in the iron grille that covered the entirety of the thick oaken bar. For generations this clientele had hurled each other over its long, low tables, whether for pride, greed, or just for kicks. For generations the Thieves Guild had made light work of the inebriated who staggered into the street outside in the early morning hours. It was steady, reliable work; as honest as a thief could get. There were purses to be snatched, jewellery to be palmed, organs to be harvested.
 
On this particular night a fight was brewing outside the Death's Door. This wasn't an unusual occurrence in and of itself, but some novelty was to be found in that it was a fight over religion.

---

"Back down Selwyn." Wyldred hissed, tugging at my sleeve. "You can still leave here tonight without having your throat cut."
"Forget it brother. And have some faith." I said.
The stocky cleric turned a brighter shade of pink.
"Don't you dare question my faith, you trumped-up rookie." Wyldred huffed. "Don't you see? Even if you win, they're not going to let you go. They're still going to cut you open!"
"So you think all this is but a coincidence?" I asked. "That there was no higher purpose in our coming here tonight?
"I think that this is foolishness, is what I think." Wyldred said.
"Are you going to give me that blessing or not?" I said. Wyldred shook his head.
"This just doesn't make sense lad. It just doesn't make sense." Wyldred said.
"Well, Kord moves in mysterious ways."  I said, roughly shrugging off my compatriot as I headed on.
The shorter cleric paused for a minute. Then, grumbling furiously, he shoved his way past a brawny fur-clad barbarian, who nearly overbalanced in surprise.  I grinned, knowing only too well how much power was contained in my comrades' stocky Dwarven frame.

However as I walked on uneasiness began to set in. After a few dozen paces I halted my progress in the small pool of light cast by a street lantern overhead. All around me the barbarians were organizing into a ragged oval consisting of lean torsos, broad scars, hides and furs. They jostled into place from every side, jeering and hurled insults in a common tongue bolstered by a thick and fibrous accent.
A familiar voice spoke from behind me.
"So. Tonight we learn whose God is stronger. Am I right?"
I turned to face him.

When Wyldred and I had approached the table earlier that night, hoping to spread the word and deed of Kord over a few ales, I'd seen a chance for likely converts. The barbarians were primitive for sure, but they seemed like solid, honest men all the same - The kind who don't shirk a fight, and revel in war but at the end of it all look forward to returning to their women, their children, and the hard but tranquil life of a rural smallholder.

I had been taken aback at the vehement reaction that my evangelism had raised. In the first place I hadn't truly perceived just how many of these hardy folk were present in the Death's Door that night. They must have been a group returned from active service (or searching it out) because at the first sign of a brawl they pushed their way through the milling masses and crowded around the table I had previously besieged - knives fingered from their belts and axes resting lightly upon their broad shoulders.
All at once, and over one another, they demanded a retraction of my statement that Kord was the 'strongest' of all gods. As the confrontation went on they grew louder and louder, and ever more belligerent:

"If your God is so strong, how come we've never even heard of him?"

"Uthgar could carve your god in two easy as I draw breath."

"Take it back, priest, or the only thing that'll be powerful is the smell of dung in your breeches."

We were saved (if that is the right word) by one of their number dressed in full chain. He had only half a nose and no upper lip on the right hand side of his mouth. He pulled a stool from nearby and sat between me and the rest of the barbarians. The others behind fell quickly into a hush. Half-Nose waited for their hubbub to subside.
"Uthgar works in deeds, not words." He finally said. "And I'll back my god to best yours any day." A roar went up behind him.
I gathered as much calm as I could. Fortunately that had always been a merit of mine. 
"A man of strength and wisdom truly. Are you sure you don't follow Kord?" I asked faux-innocently.
A few of the men behind Half-Nose took an angry step forward. But they halted in their tracks as Half-Nose raised a hand.
"If you wish, you and me will fight outside. The loser renounces their god. Do you accept? Or is your god like all the others, all words and no heft." Half-Nose said.
He and his fellows waited patiently for my response.
"This is a bad idea." Wyldred whispered in my ear. 
I nodded thoughtfully at his counsel, then turned my head to smile beatifically at Half-Nose.
"I accept." I said. 
A loud roar of approval went up.

Which is how I came to be alone, surrounded by barbarians, with only the strength of my convictions on my side.

Standing there, half-encased in darkness, I felt fear lurch suddenly into the pit of my stomach. I clamped down on it, swallowing it as whole as I could. I couldn't afford to reveal any weakness.

Half-Nose stepped from the shadows into the flickering light. He regarded me thoughtfully.

---

I think I'll leave it there or I'll go on writing forever  :-)

Approved. I'll have rolls for you shortly in the OOC thread.

[Strangler]

Approved. I'll have rolls for you shortly in the OOC thread.

Cool! Looking forward to it.

[MrBubbles]

Approved. I'll have rolls for you shortly in the OOC thread.

Awesome! Never played a campaign quite like this before, will definitely be fun.