A Tale of Might and Magic {Pathfinder} Closed

Started by Black Howling, May 31, 2011, 07:40:09 AM

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Black Howling

Continued from this topic

Inevitably, most people have leaned toward the Sword and Sorcery home brew idea. So that's what this will entail. I'll list down the setting info, and party situation below. After that, character creation info and party choosing methods will be placed.

Setting Detail
Our eyes focus on the Kingdom of Ameca, a young Monarch located in the center of the continent Known as Altron. Ameca's countryside is dotted in untamed woodlands, and grassy plains. It's a temperate climate, hot in the summer, cold in the winter and somewhere in between during the spring and fall. Ameca has a rich history for how young it is, having originated as a colony started by the powerful Galtean empire to the north. The colony turned rebel nearly a century and a half ago, and won it's sovereignty in just a decade's time. Since then it's been a land of frontiersmen, inventors and adventurer's looking to make their own lives.

Ameca has had some issues with the elves of the woodlands during it's short life, but those issues were taken care of thirty years ago when the now king made a treaty with them while he was still prince. Since then the two races have been trading partners, and have opened up trade with many of their surrounding neighbors including some tentative relations with their former suzerain Galtea. Aside from that, the main mystery to the land is the ancient empire it's built upon. The strange empire known as Alterion that once ruled the entire continent, and scholars since the colony era have theorized that what is now Ameca use to be it's center. Alas, not even the elves can remember back that far to say for sure; but the ruins of the past make a great conquest for adventurers willing to explore them.

Use Pathfinder gods for simplicity.

Campaign Start
The Party as whole has been together for at-least a couple of months now, wanderers on the raod of adventure. Though they have just recently come off of a daring raid into an Alterion tomb, one that one ended quite badly for them. The tomb was well trapped and defended, and the group soon found that it was out of it's league. The ancient ruins were protected by strange automatons that breath fire, and after a run in went bad the group tried to make a break for it. Unfortunately they did not make it out of the ruin before a fell trap got them all, and they found themselves tumbling through a trap door that sent them to a lake several miles outside the ruin.

Character Creation Detail
-35 Point buy: Yes, I raised the max PH system by 10: I like those sort of ability scores.
-Starting Level: 3
-Character wealth: 4,000 GP
-Content: Core Rules and perhaps APG based on Concept. No Bestiary races or old 3.5 material for this game
-Rules for HP: Max on first level, half die+1 for the two levels thereafter.
-Submit your character based on the roles listed below along with a sample writing prompt to show their emotion and a history of at-least 2 paragraphs.

Roles needing Filled
Melee: Tank/front line damage dealer
Magic: Main Arcanist that can provide artillery and tricks
Support: Buff character that can support the characters and heal them
Specialist: Skill monkey to help get through dungeons and obstacles
Wild Card: Mid ranged character that covers gaps left by the above roles


Previous details in spoiler.
Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide
There was talk on the other thread about a DnD/Pathfinder game that was more mature and less 'cute' then some of the others flying around. One that was, while not consisting of chaste characters that don't engage in sex, not a complete fuckfest either. I've been wanting to run something like this for a good while. Something with serious themes, no anime styling, Characters more believable in their sexuality, and more then anything a good focus on detailed story, posts and characters. Here's some ideas I have for this.

Idea One: Homebrew setting--Sword in Sorcery style tale
The setting would be a home brewed world; one that starts inside out. This means that the world isn't fully developed, only a part of it is with room to grow as the characters do. I already have the starting area lined out in notes, and the benefit to this approach is that we have a good setting without the need to read tons of information about it. I'll have basic rumors of the surrounding regions, along with a detailed starting area so that it doesn't feel two dimensional. I cal it sword n sorcery style because it would mostly be a sandbox game at first before a plot line forms out of the groups goals and ambitions. The backdraw is that the group would need to have some cohesion with their goals and ambitions to make sense out of them traveling together.

That idea would make things easier, and allow the game to start sooner with some good chances to focus on character development rather then a rushed timeline. It would be my preferred method to run the game. I'll give the basics of the setting if people are more interested in that style of gaming.

Idea Two--Dragon Age: Dawn of Discord--Dark/Epic Fantasy style game set in Thedas
This game would have a good plot arc that starts off with plenty of Action. I have a good story and idea for this one, and I've been working it up for some time. Players would start out in the grim world of Thedas, and stumble onto an epic tale of world stretching consequence. The backdraw to this is that it would take some tweaking to make it work perfectly for pathfinder's system, and some classes would be outlawed for the game. It would also put characters in a more rigidly set adventure that might limit some people's character development. It would not be preferred to run at the moment, but if more people are interested in it then I'll set up the storyline.

This idea would be very fun, if everyone was interested in it. I've listed it's problems in the spoiler, but anyone that is very familiar with epic fantasy type can probably spot some of the possible issues right off. Unless they are particular fans of Epic fantasy that is.

Now for the finals. In either of the ideas, it would not be a first come first serve game, and this is the type of character creation content I would want to see.

-Detailed characters that are effective, and have good life to them.
-Low-mid level at the start. Between 1-6 would be my preference
-No anime styled characters.
-Mostly core content, including races. IE: APG would be allowed based on concept, but nothing other then core races.
-Detailed posts at-least once per day
-Good party cohesion and dynamics.

Now, lets see what we get...

PhantomPistoleer

Always seeking 5E games.
O/O

Crovonovin

I'd definitely have to weight in and say that the former setting appeals more to me.  Not that Dragon Age doesn't have some interesting points of its own, but I'd prefer a bit more wiggle room than it would afford us.

Since this game will be Pathfinder, and all the pertinent information is easily accessible from the SRD, would it also be possible to include elements from the newly released Ultimate Magic?  I ask only because it added some interesting flavor options for the Alchemist that I had been meaning to test out.  If not, no harm no foul!

As for the level, it all really depends on what everyone else is looking for out of this game.  If we're aiming to get right into the thick of things, level 6 would be the obvious choice.  I'd prefer level 4 or 5 myself, however.  I know there was some interest in starting out with characters that are more firmly established, which is why I bring it up.

Black Howling

Quote from: PhantomPistoleer on May 31, 2011, 08:34:39 AM
Like I said in the other thread, I'm interested.
Good. Which idea appeals to you more, number one or number two? Or are you indifferent.
Quote from: Shihong on May 31, 2011, 08:38:46 AM
I'd definitely have to weight in and say that the former setting appeals more to me.  Not that Dragon Age doesn't have some interesting points of its own, but I'd prefer a bit more wiggle room than it would afford us.

Since this game will be Pathfinder, and all the pertinent information is easily accessible from the SRD, would it also be possible to include elements from the newly released Ultimate Magic?  I ask only because it added some interesting flavor options for the Alchemist that I had been meaning to test out.  If not, no harm no foul!

As for the level, it all really depends on what everyone else is looking for out of this game.  If we're aiming to get right into the thick of things, level 6 would be the obvious choice.  I'd prefer level 4 or 5 myself, however.  I know there was some interest in starting out with characters that are more firmly established, which is why I bring it up.
I was hoping to go with the former idea as well. It seems like a better bet for the idea as a whole, and I have a lot of passion for it. Not that I'm lacking passion for the Dragon Age game, just that I'm not sure it'll allow for the feel. Now, the starting level is negotiable. I like to watch characters grow, and that doesn't happen as well when they are over sixth level. Though I understand that a lot of players are sick of the lower levels, so that is why I will allow the starting to go up to sixth level. As for Ultimate magic, I'll have to look it over some.

Wintercat

Interested to give this a try. I am fairly much in favor of the former option of an inside-out world, starting and building up, sandbox style seems like it could be very interesting and being perhaps able to help to shape the tale.

Thinking of a Wizard, and if UM is accepted, whose ultimate life goal would be to find the secret of immortality (ability that is tradeable to a 'wizard bonus feat' at 20th level, more descriptive than anything), though it might never be attained in the game it would color the interaction with him a bit perhaps, a character hoping to find a way to live forever, and the word is live. The character would not want to walk around as a lifeless skeleton animated by unholy energies. So no lichdom, but a pursuit for another way.

Of course the character would have other sides besides 'pursuing something acquirable only at 20th level', but if the said character found hints and such of a thing like that, I think the character could be tempted to take almost foolhardy risks, in the name of the passion (for staying alive).

Anyhow, curious to see what comes up.

I earlier said I might be too greedy for wanting to take part in this, but well, if you'd have me I'm definitely interested. Though if you have a lot of eager players hoping to join a game later on, I can understand.

As for the level issue, I personally actually like starting at a low level, but in my experience a bit higher starting level attracts some players more than 1st level start-up. Anyhow, I'd actually happily hop to this the game was at level 1, to begin with, but anything between 1 and 6 is good in my view.

Also, character gender completely open to whichever gender is less predominant in the party.
I've taken the Oath of The Drake. Remind me of it if you think I act against it.
A&A

Callie Del Noire


Black Howling

Quote from: Callie Del Noire on May 31, 2011, 09:31:17 AM
I can think of a few ideas I'd like to try. :D
Specific on which idea you'd like to try them in?

Callie Del Noire

#7
Well let's see.

A tiefling rogue (I'm on a demon-touched state of mind. :D)

A gnomish fighter who dabbles in 'tech related' weaponry. I picture him as a bit of a mad inventor type with something like a piston hammer, switchscythe, or other 'wild weaponry'. Nevin 'Ninefingers' Neblin (maybe with a few levels of rogue to edge up skills and give him some flexibily).  Cause there are some really WILD gnomish weapons out there.. Combat ladder. That could be fun.. a 4 foot staff that doubles as a ladder? So he can run up it and kick you in the face? LOL.


Black Howling

Quote from: Callie Del Noire on May 31, 2011, 09:47:07 AM
Well let's see.

A tiefling rogue (I'm on a demon-touched state of mind. :D)

A gnomish fighter who dabbles in 'tech related' weaponry. I picture him as a bit of a mad inventor type with something like a piston hammer, switchscythe, or other 'wild weaponry'. Nevin 'Ninefingers' Neblin (maybe with a few levels of rogue to edge up skills and give him some flexibily).  Cause there are some really WILD gnomish weapons out there.. Combat ladder. That could be fun.. a 4 foot staff that doubles as a ladder? So he can run up it and kick you in the face? LOL.
*Facepalm* I set myself up for that confusion. I was meaning which of my story ideas would you like to try your character ideas in. (I always end up laughing so hard i spit out whatever drink I have in my hand when talking to you Callie. :D )

Healergirl

BH,

I am VERY interested.  However, I am worried about biting off more than I can chew.  I RP'd for years, but I am new to Forum post Rp and a little worried that my plate is already full.

I think the first setting is best.  Starting with a couple of levels under our belts is fine. Have the players start as part of a exiting team.

Possible idea:  The party was on a mission that went horribly wrong and took the first available exit out of the mess.  Said exit being a portal leading to The-Gods -Know-Where, but with a 90d6 fireball expanding down the corridor towards us, who had time to worry about that?  To add flavor for that, at the start of the first IC session we are all waking up on the exit end of the now-defunct portal.  Everybody is down a fair number of hitpoints, and any spellcasters have already burned a lot of spells for the day. I would be fine with having to make saving throws for any magical items I had to see if they survived the passage, but others might not be.


Callie Del Noire

Quote from: Black Howling on May 31, 2011, 09:51:03 AM
*Facepalm* I set myself up for that confusion. I was meaning which of my story ideas would you like to try your character ideas in. (I always end up laughing so hard i spit out whatever drink I have in my hand when talking to you Callie. :D )

sorry.. blond moment.. either would be fun in the Dragon Age dark setting. Nevin 'Ninefingers' isn't entirely silly, in fact I see a LOT of folks under estimating him at first. I wasn't going to go TOO overboard with the 'gnome'-tech but something like the switchscythe and piston hammer are fairly reasonable.

Not sure about the tiefling so much. :D Thinking a more wild and erratic type.

Crovonovin

I actually really like that idea, Healer.  I remember seeing a game that started very similarly, only it was a party running down the side of a mountain as the castle at its peak began to crumble and explode in a sea of molten fire.

Healergirl

Thank you Shihong.

It makes things easy for the Gm.  We know about only what is in our line of sight, and we can't be too sure about that.  The Gm fills in the rest as needed.

Black Howling

Quote from: Healergirl on May 31, 2011, 09:55:57 AM
BH,

I am VERY interested.  However, I am worried about biting off more than I can chew.  I RP'd for years, but I am new to Forum post Rp and a little worried that my plate is already full.

I think the first setting is best.  Starting with a couple of levels under our belts is fine. Have the players start as part of a exiting team.

Possible idea:  The party was on a mission that went horribly wrong and took the first available exit out of the mess.  Said exit being a portal leading to The-Gods -Know-Where, but with a 90d6 fireball expanding down the corridor towards us, who had time to worry about that?  To add flavor for that, at the start of the first IC session we are all waking up on the exit end of the now-defunct portal.  Everybody is down a fair number of hitpoints, and any spellcasters have already burned a lot of spells for the day. I would be fine with having to make saving throws for any magical items I had to see if they survived the passage, but others might not be.
I'm prone to starting sword n sorcery games off in this manner, so it works well for me. I typically set group up like that, and have them recovering from some bad happenstance. Means everyone knows each other -decently- at least. Some don't like it, but that's why I'm getting peoples opinion. Not gonna try to please everyone, but I DO want to know what people are interested in.

It looks like most people are interested in the sandbox style sword and sorcery game, so I'm leaning heavily toward that. I'm not opposed to running both, one for each interested party if it comes down to it. But that would max out my open game slots for running, and I was really hoping to save one of those for an exalted game. >.>

Anyhow, I understand feeling like you might have too much on your plater Healer. So don't take on another game if you feel uncomfortable doing so. It never leads anywhere good.

Healergirl

<whine>] But I want to play in this game!</whine>

Don't count me out just yet.

So, Extreme content for the campaign?  My attitude towards Extreme stuff is:  It's all about context.  Adventurers are not necessarily nice people, and tend to get carried away when their blood is up.

NC:  Again, context.  If my character gets captured, well, I generally run females, and since in most game settings the Geneva Convention is not even a nice theory. things are going to happen to a captured woman.  Or man, if the captor's swing that way.

Callie Del Noire

Well if I play Nevin would be a guy.. the tiefling would be a girl or a guy.. though most likely a girl.

Black Howling

Quote from: Healergirl on May 31, 2011, 10:53:02 AM
<whine>] But I want to play in this game!</whine>

Don't count me out just yet.

So, Extreme content for the campaign?  My attitude towards Extreme stuff is:  It's all about context.  Adventurers are not necessarily nice people, and tend to get carried away when their blood is up.

NC:  Again, context.  If my character gets captured, well, I generally run females, and since in most game settings the Geneva Convention is not even a nice theory. things are going to happen to a captured woman.  Or man, if the captor's swing that way.

That's undecided as of yet. I was hoping to see how much the characters wanted as I wouldn't be pushing a lot of sexual activity. It'll be very free on the players end, especially if the sandbox method is used. Now, for the dragon age game; that'd go into the NC section. The sandbox, I'd take a look at what peoples O/O's were and make an executive decision.

Xadrixna

I am very interested in giving this a try.  I have played pathfinder quite a bit, even own some of the books (and "own" some others too...)  I wholeheartedly agree with you about the not keeping it innocent but also not just having sex nonstop for no true reason.  I haven't RPed here in a little while due to RL constraints, so this would be the first RP I would be joining since coming back.  The first idea seems as if it would flow a little better to me, however if the majority want to go with the dragon age, I'm still game (So far it doesn't seem that way.) 

Do you have ideas on how you are going to do character creation, handle rolling, decide what is allowed and isn't, how much detail you want put into each idea, etc etc?  I am really excited at the possibilities that could be available from this type of group game.  Do you have any other ideas of what you expect from your players?  And any idea when you think you might want to start?
Curiosity Killed the Cat, Satisfaction Brought it Back...

Wintercat

The game is tempting and interesting as it is. I dont think it -needs- sex to stay interesting but that is an element that can delight at least some people from time to time. Figure best balance is that if characters go look for it, they probably can find it. Perhaps in some situation, it might find them. Either way, a 'real' view of looking at it might be best.

I personally don't expect to find sex behind every door unless our merry gang of adventurers has just broken into the lair of a cult of a Succubi Worshippers. Also, if we did that, I'd say that adventure would probably earn the band of adventurers a few laughs and free drinks in a tavern when telling the tale too.

Speaking of which, if the wizard idea is a No-Go, a Bard might be interesting class to pick up for a try. Anyhow, what's your take on this, Black Howling?
I've taken the Oath of The Drake. Remind me of it if you think I act against it.
A&A

Black Howling

#19
Quote from: Wintercat on May 31, 2011, 11:20:07 AM
The game is tempting and interesting as it is. I dont think it -needs- sex to stay interesting but that is an element that can delight at least some people from time to time. Figure best balance is that if characters go look for it, they probably can find it. Perhaps in some situation, it might find them. Either way, a 'real' view of looking at it might be best.

I personally don't expect to find sex behind every door unless our merry gang of adventurers has just broken into the lair of a cult of a Succubi Worshippers. Also, if we did that, I'd say that adventure would probably earn the band of adventurers a few laughs and free drinks in a tavern when telling the tale too.

Speaking of which, if the wizard idea is a No-Go, a Bard might be interesting class to pick up for a try. Anyhow, what's your take on this, Black Howling?
I agree with you on that, and it's how I envisioned it. The only reason the sex area is negotiable is in case those players who go looking for the sex are particularly kinky about it. I hope to strike a middle ground for people there as far as what they are allowed to do. Now, for the wizard I'm just not sure I'd want to let in the Ultimate Books. It puts a lot more game mechanics I'd need to look over, and I really don't want to deal with those right now. The APG isn't an issue to take liberally from because I already know it. So, we could work out a concept to fit the wizard; but we'd have to make a compromise on how he's looking for immortality.
Quote from: Xadrixna on May 31, 2011, 11:15:23 AM
I am very interested in giving this a try.  I have played pathfinder quite a bit, even own some of the books (and "own" some others too...)  I wholeheartedly agree with you about the not keeping it innocent but also not just having sex nonstop for no true reason.  I haven't RPed here in a little while due to RL constraints, so this would be the first RP I would be joining since coming back.  The first idea seems as if it would flow a little better to me, however if the majority want to go with the dragon age, I'm still game (So far it doesn't seem that way.) 

Do you have ideas on how you are going to do character creation, handle rolling, decide what is allowed and isn't, how much detail you want put into each idea, etc etc?  I am really excited at the possibilities that could be available from this type of group game.  Do you have any other ideas of what you expect from your players?  And any idea when you think you might want to start?
Glad it peaked your interest. As for your questions, yes I have ideas for all of them. Character creation will be better explained here soont when I edit the first post(Needed to get a grasp on what people were wanting first), and rolling would ideally be handled on either invisible castle or E's dice bot. Mainly it will be Core, with some APG content. I'm gonna go ahead and sound that no Ultimate books will be used for simplicities sake, as it brings in too many rules for me to want to keep track of since I'm not familiar with it.

I was waiting to see what idea caught more interest before further fleshing them out, but it seems like I'm going to need to go ahead and set more up for both potentially. In fact, I think I'm just going to go with the first idea, as it seems to be flipping most everyones trigger. So I'll better detail it out now. As for when I'd start, probably in a couple days if everyone is ready. It wont take me too long to get it set up.

PhantomPistoleer

I'm not particular in terms of ideas, Howling.  Don't take that as disinterest.

I'll go with whatever.  I just know that I'm interested in playing a cleric.
Always seeking 5E games.
O/O

Senti

ok interested in playing as was said before, i do have a really grumpy scarred scout, so not cute, she is a drunk though. Still not cute, and yes she is human. Though can turn my hand to a few things. Whatever is needed really.


Can I add that I have a maths chart, the more Mary sues there are the more naughty I might become.

Aether

Home Brew.

Third Level.

Basic Rogue via pathfinder, possibly one of the alternates, though I cant decide on that...  Halfling rogue sniper?  *laughs*  gods, that would be fun!

Healergirl

BH and Wintercat,

I'm not pushing for a sexquest with a helping of BDSM and a side of Extreme. Forcing such things into the game wouldn't work for me at all.  Just saying that I don't automatically red light such things if they develop in a natural fashion from the course of play.

Aether, third level sounds good to me.

Black Howling

Quote from: Healergirl on May 31, 2011, 01:24:11 PM
BH and Wintercat,

I'm not pushing for a sexquest with a helping of BDSM and a side of Extreme. Forcing such things into the game wouldn't work for me at all.  Just saying that I don't automatically red light such things if they develop in a natural fashion from the course of play.

Aether, third level sounds good to me.
I understood that. I didn't take it the wrong way, was just throwing in my two cents. I knew what you meant. ;)
Quote from: PhantomPistoleer on May 31, 2011, 12:05:44 PM
I'm not particular in terms of ideas, Howling.  Don't take that as disinterest.

I'll go with whatever.  I just know that I'm interested in playing a cleric.
Understandable. We'll see how it turns up.

Quote from: Aether on May 31, 2011, 01:14:01 PM
Home Brew.

Third Level.

Basic Rogue via pathfinder, possibly one of the alternates, though I cant decide on that...  Halfling rogue sniper?  *laughs*  gods, that would be fun!
Good to know your preferences. I'll see what we can work out, so far idea sounds like it could work.
Quote from: Senti on May 31, 2011, 12:58:41 PM
Can I add that I have a maths chart, the more Mary sues there are the more naughty I might become.
I'm way too tired right now, because that flew right over my head. >.> And I'm sure it shouldn't have. Concept so far does sound good though.


Now, I'm too tired to do much work on it. I edited in what I know right now up in the spoiler, but I think much of it sounds robotic due to how tired I am. I'll likely rewrite it all when I wake up, try and make it more understandable. Glad to see all the interest and good ideas being brought to the table. I'll probably take a vote on starting level here later, and see what I think a good middle ground would be.