Sowing Seeds (3.5 D&D, story driven, lgbt friendly)

[SmilingFox]

"There's something rotten in Eirion."

It's a statement seldom heard within the glorious kingdom. Yet despite the bountiful harvest, the low rate of crime, and the overall economic boom of the previous years, one would find the urge to agree with it.

Something is wrong with the kingdom. An undercurrent of unease sweeps through every celebration, every announcement from the church, every friendly chat with the omnipresent city guard. Something is wrong, and no one knows what.

And so the people huddle in Lahearth, the royal city and bastion of light. They grow and prosper within the warming light of the city, while outside of their walls the apprehension only grows. In the small hours of the morning, people speak of old legends and heroes, remembering the glory days to stave off the creeping fog of doubt. "They may be gone," they say, clutching tightly to their mugs, "but they aren't forgotten."

A lesson even the Highpreistess Katherine, Lady of the Faith, echoes. A call goes out among the city for all capable hands. A mercenary job, they say, to venture forth and deal with problems the army has no time for. The pay is good, the prestige better, and the bards say an audience with the Lady of the Faith is worth any job beneath the sun.

------

And that's the basic premise. The players will all be adventurers looking for work, either new to Lahearth from the call, or cityborn looking for grand adventure beyond the walls. The game will be largely story driven, with combat coming up infrequently.

Mostly, I'm looking for people able to post at a consistent rate. I understand that things come up, but even a quick post every day or so can make all the difference.

Starting level will be 6, with a starting purse of 13,000g to spend on gear. Please no homebrew. I'll probably limit players to about 4, for ease of storytelling and posting. If there's anything I missed, I'll post it here as well. Hopefully this pulls a good bit of interest.

Edit: Actually, would you prefer starting at 6 or starting at level 1? I find level one has more chances to focus on story and character development, but it's up to you guys.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Interest!

[Rune]

Possibly interested.

[PhantomPistoleer]

And that's the basic premise. The players will all be adventurers looking for work, either new to Lahearth from the call, or cityborn looking for grand adventure beyond the walls. The game will be largely story driven, with combat coming up infrequently.

Mostly, I'm looking for people able to post at a consistent rate. I understand that things come up, but even a quick post every day or so can make all the difference.

Starting level will be 6, with a starting purse of 13,000g to spend on gear. Please no homebrew. I'll probably limit players to about 4, for ease of storytelling and posting. If there's anything I missed, I'll post it here as well. Hopefully this pulls a good bit of interest.

Edit: Actually, would you prefer starting at 6 or starting at level 1? I find level one has more chances to focus on story and character development, but it's up to you guys.

I prefer to start at LEVEL 6.

I have a few questions, though.

• How do you determine attributes?
• How do you determine hit points?
• What books are available?
• Do you have a preference as to party composition?
• Optimally, what are you looking from the characters?

[Rune]

A little more info on the plot/storylines would also be appreciated.

[SmilingFox]

Attributes will be 32 point buy.
Hp will be max first level, and average for each level after, rounded up. (So 3 for d4, 4 for d6, 5 for d8, 6 for d10, 7 for d12)
As far as books go, anything goes but homebrew.
I'd like the party comp to be pretty well balanced in terms of what you can do. A skill monkey, and someone that can heal would be preferable, though I'm willing to just supply the party with healing items if no one wants to play a healer.
As far as characters go, I'm looking more for interesting characters rather than 'powerful' characters. As I stated the story would focus mainly around roleplaying and plot, rather than combat.

The plot/storyline will be revealed as you go, but as far as the world goes...

Eirion as it exists at present date has only existed for just under two hundred years. Before that time it was a highly militarized kingdom, with a large standing army and near constant draft. The ruling body had expansionist goals, and as such the kingdom was frequently at war with its neighbors. Shortly after a long drawn out war with Barisea, a more primitive kingdom to the southwest, a new general was selected to lead the armies.

After a series of resounding victories, the troops returned home at the head of General Stephen Brighthelm. There, they staged a coup against the aristocratic caste, and placed the first Lady of the Faith in charge. As head of the church and devout cleric of Pelor, this change of power went over fairly well with the populace. Since then the kingdom of Eirion has largely demilitarized and enjoys good trade relationships with its neighboring countries, including the small kingdom of Valonde to the east.

Eirion is famous now for being the height of religion, and the forefront of magical discovery. They pride themselves on rational thinking and an ordered lifestyle. Due to the practices put in place by the Lady of the Faith over several generations, they've seen no plagues or famine in decades.

Barisea: A large sprawling kingdom mostly made up of roaming nomadic tribes. What few permanent settlements they have serve as hubs for trade and their ruling bodies. Almost everyone in the kingdom is a member of a clan, either by birth or by adoption. They possess the highest population of any kingdom and the strongest military, but getting the clans to agree on anything is like pulling teeth.

Valonde: A smaller kingdom bordering the eastern sea. Famous for its wealth, the merchant caste rules over almost everything and money talks. The epitome of culture, Valonde provides its neighboring countries with art and entertainment, as well as trade routes to the strange lands far to the east. Despite this, they have the smallest military, usually relying on mercenaries for manpower.

The Feylands: Far to the north, beyond the borders of every kingdom, lies an untamed wilderness. Beyond the beaten path nothing makes sense, and no sane man ventures in without risking life and limb. The lands are owned by the fey, as much as wild lands like that can be owned, and their rules and laws change seemingly at random. While the fey sometimes send diplomats to the south, none but the boldest of adventurers venture north.

[TheLoneHero]

Bookmarked,  I might be interested.

[Rook Seidhr]

Potentially interested. Important questions:

• How will you handle combat and other rulesy situations that can bog down a play-by-post?
• Is there a minimum expected word count per post?
• Is there a maximum expected post count per week?

[SmilingFox]

Combat, unfortunately, tends to bog down play by post no matter what in my experience. The best I can do is try to steer the plot away from things like 'Kick in door, beat up monsters, loot, repeat' scenarios and possibly lower the Hp of some of the enemies when combat does come up. Ideally, any fights that do crop up should end in two or three turns instead of being a slog fest.

I won't really impose a minimum, but one or two paragraphs at least is preferred. The reason I don't have a limit is I don't want people being forced to either remain silent or get all flowery if they just have a simple question to ask.

As for maximum? The only thing I want to avoid is one person stealing the show. So long as people are posting I'm willing to move the plot along to keep up.

[Chulanowa]

I'm interested!

Always and forever interested in 3.5 / pathfinder  ;D

[kckolbe]

Interested as well, and willing to play a healer.  Actually thinking of going Mystic Theurge, even if it is a weak class.  May go with Warmage for the other half, and be all heals or damage.  Any interest in that?

[Rook Seidhr]

If I play I'll probably be a human bard skillmonkey with human paragon levels. (Far from an optimized build but whatever, this game isn't about that according to what you've said.)

[kckolbe]

That works pretty well, Riveda.  You can handle the skill/utility stuff while I handle the brunt of the healing and do a little damage.  My first level of Theurge won't be until level 8, but oh well.  I think it's a fun combination of classes.

[Inerrant Lust]

I am interested, though I don't know what kind of character I would play. I've been wanting to play a male lately... and my usual preference is for a skill monkey type character, but we already have someone proposing one as such.. Perhaps an intelligent fighter or barbarian, because I enjoy playing those types of characters.

[Rook Seidhr]

I could play something else, Inerrant. It's just what leapt to mind.

[Rune]

I am toying with the idea of a male fighter type. Probably a human fighter/paladin or fighter/monk. I need to find my 3.5 books as lately I've only been playing pathfinder and 5th edition.

[Rook Seidhr]

For a game that isn't going to be heavy on combat, I'm not sure what I want to play other than a skillmonkey. A blaster certainly isn't appropriate.

Maybe I should step back and think about this a bit.

[Bibliophilia]

I would definitely be interested.  -throws my hat in the ring.-  I love plot-driven, character-centric games, and you so rarely find that with D&D.

[kckolbe]

Definitely agree, Bibliophilia. 

[Inerrant Lust]

There's no need to change on my account, Riveda. But yeah, in a mostly non-combat game... I can't imagine your usual party roles will be all too useful.

Hmmm.

[Chulanowa]

Two fast questions...

1) Will there actually be any sort of combat? Like, 60% of the clases in 3.5 are all about whacking things with other things, and the remaining 40% are about helping those guys whack things. Like, would a fighter be relegated to being a charisma-dumping dope in this game, or would it have some shining moments of its own?

2) Long shot but... is there any chance of doing some mix-and-match from Pathfinder?

[kckolbe]

He said it would be infrequent, not non-existent.

[Inerrant Lust]

The way I usually do it on PbP is that combat is relegated to critical plot advancing confrontations. Sure it slows down occasionally, and recurring villians are difficult to do without having them rendering the PC's victories hollow.. In that way, the skillmonkeys and such might carry the party through most of the story and the big and tough fighty-types have their moment to shine during those climactic moments where things can only be solved by busting skulls. ;)

[Rook Seidhr]

Sketching out a proposal for a factotum. That way I can have my cake, eat it, and play around with wacky mechanics that I don't understand :D

[SmilingFox]

There will still be combat at critical moments, but for the most part any non-major fights will have enemies relegated to 'mook' status. Essentially, one or two hits would bring them down without issue.

Major fights will crop up once in a while, and while I do expect them to slow down posting a little bit, I'll try to at least make the fights more interesting than 'It takes a full attack' every round.

As mentioned, skill monkeys can be fun to play in this sort of game. Otherwise, charisma based classes still have their moments to shine as far as plot is concerned. I'm not going to be a dick though, most conversations aren't going to require charisma rolls, so anyone can interact with npcs freely. Major moments of diplomacy and bluffing would still require rolls though.

I don't know if it's worth mentioning, but there will be a few NPCs cropping up that will be using Tome of Battle. I know some people have mixed feelings about that book, but I rather enjoy it.

[Bibliophilia]

I've decided to start working on an Lesser Assimar Favored Soul Oracle!

Smiling, any ruling on possibly incorporating Pathfinder?

[SmilingFox]

I'll allow Pathfinder on a case by case basis. I'm not as familiar with the system as I'd like to be, but so long as I can look things up to make sure it integrates properly I'm fine with it.

(I do recall absolutely adoring the summoner class at least.)

[Chulanowa]

Well, that does help!  ;D

[Rune]

I can't find my 3.5 stuff, so I might have to back out. I think I know where my Pathfinder stuff is. I will dig around and submit something if I find it.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Hmm.

Pathfinder and 3.5 have different skill sets?

[kckolbe]

Some 3.5 skills are combined in pathfinder, so skills work a little differently.

[SmilingFox]

I'd prefer to stick to the 3.5 skill list if at all possible. If someone plays a Pathfinder class that requires a Pathfinder specific skill, we'll find an appropriate substitute in the 3.5 skill list.

[TheLoneHero]

Eh, with  the mixing with pathfinder I don't think I can do it, sorry.

[Bibliophilia]

I don't think you need to include PF if you don't want.  That's just for those of us who prefer PF classes/races and want to fit them into 3.5.

[Rook Seidhr]

Yeah, I'm really reluctant to mix in Pathfinder stuff as well.

I think I'm going to recuse myself.

[Chulanowa]

Pathfinder -> 3.5 skill conversion works like this:

Acrobatics -> balance, jump, tumble
Diplomacy -> diplomacy, gather information
Disable Device -> disable device, open lock
Linguistics -> decipher script, forgery, speak languages
Perception -> listen, search, spot
Stealth - Hide, move silently
Fly -> ???? ...Balance, I guess?

[Muse]

Anyone know of a useful magic item in the 2,500 or less GP range? I don't want to focus on weapon or defense items...

Eyes of the EAgel
Type I bag of Holding.  :) 

[SmilingFox]

If pathfinder is so disliked that the idea of possibly playing alongside someone using one of their classes is a deal breaker, then I suppose I wish you the best. As I said, pathfinder stuff will be on a case by case basis, and isn't a major prerequisite for the game.

[TheLoneHero]

It's not really disliked, I just don't know how to play it, and the game seems to be filling up anyway.

[PhantomPistoleer]

I don't dislike Pathfinder, but I feel that we need to be upfront with the differences.  I wouldn't mind mixing, but I would prefer to have an idea of what EVERYONE is going to be doing, rules-wise.

For example, races, classes, and character progression is a lot weaker in 3.5 than it is in Pathfinder. 

I would like for a bit of clarity, honestly.

[SmilingFox]

To clarify then. I will allow Pathfinder on a case by case basis. Specifically, if someone wants to play a Pathfinder class, I'll look over it and decide if it would be balanced with the rest of the party. Getting up in arms over that seems a bit silly.

This is not a pathfinder game. you don't need to know the pathfinder rules, and you don't need to be concerned with being overshadowed by a pathfinder class.

I can't give you more details than that until someone brings forward character proposals.

[kckolbe]

Well, looks like Bibliophilia is offering to play a healer.  I'm still willing to go warmage/healer and play the Mystic Theurge, since I think he really fits the setting.  Artificer and Marshal are two other 3.5 classes I really like, so if we need a combat type I can go with one of those.  They aren't as one-dimensional as fighters, at least.

[CarnivalOfTheGoat]

Pondering a tibbit Beguiler or possibly Binder. There are too many boys in this party and sooner or later someone will complain that there isn't enough



Tibbit Beguiler sounds about right, really it does.

Power Word: Tummyscritches

[Chulanowa]

Whaaat, no Pun-pun kobold, Carni?

[Bibliophilia]

That's exactly what I'm doing, Blinkin.  -peers at the others.-  I just wanted the class, and I'm converting everything possible to 3.5.  I assumed that was what Smiling meant when he said it would be okay.  That one could simply manhandle a PF class to fit into 3.5 and follow all the 3.5 rules.  Why would anyone assume differently?

Oh, and Kc, I'm not going healer with mine, so if you want to keep yours as-is, that would be fine!  Shani is more...uh...solar blaster.

[kckolbe]

Oh, and Kc, I'm not going healer with mine, so if you want to keep yours as-is, that would be fine!  Shani is more...uh...solar blaster.

Really?  That is interesting.  With both of us playing hybrid damage/healers, I think we cover both bases well enough.  Not my decision, of course, but it checks logically.  Also, good opportunity for a tie-in.  My character has mainly studied the arcane to learn the secrets of both destruction and restoration (for fluff), whereas yours sought the same abilities through the divine.

[Bibliophilia]

-nods.-  I'm still working on her, but she's likely going to be more damage and weirdly druidic than anything.

Smiling, how would you like me to handle Orisons?  I'm fine not taking them, if you'd prefer me not to.

[CarnivalOfTheGoat]

Whaaat, no Pun-pun kobold, Carni?

Naaaaaaaaaaah. I had a tibbit factotum/archer in SF's first game here, but there's already a bid in for factotum so I'm just looking for other entertaining things to do with kitties.

(Besides, Pun-pun is so underpowered...)

Compared to 3.5's ancient dragonspawn kobold-cheese, tibbits really aren't that wacky. Especially if you play their poly'ed strength correctly, which I do (it's a -8 to STRENGTH not to strength CHECKS and I don't know how anyone can interpret it the other way based on what's written, blargh. No kitty, put down that boulder, you can't keep it...).

[Bibliophilia]

-pets Carni's boulder kitty.-

Smiling, here's the sheet I have so far.  I don't want to touch the spells just yet, because Oracles are weird on spells.  Namely, they can get all the cure or inflict spells that are included in the spell list for each level they can take.

Shani Lamit

And here is the info on Oracles, so you can review it.  Oracle

[PhantomPistoleer]

I haven't done any backstory yet, but my character is going to be a factotum.  He or she will be a scholar of sorts.

http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1077893

I am busy today, but I will work on it later.

[Snake]

I"m interested!

[Chulanowa]

Honey
Class: Druid
Race: Faun
Sheet: http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1078073

Background

   The Feylands are a dangerous place, even for their "rulers." Beasts and monsters fill the land, and are as happy to dine on the flesh of the faerie courts as on intruding mortals. To say nothing of the darker cadres of fey, such as the redcaps and nucklavee. But at least one community was safer than the others; Underroot, on the north shore of the Honeyed River. because Underroot had a natural druid among its children.
   Honey - named for the river - always had a way with animals. From the feral little pets her neighbors kept, to the wild deer and hares of the forest. She was the child who would bring injured or abandoned animals home to care for them. Sometimes they lived, and sometimes they didn't; and each time an aged squirrel or sick wren couldn't pull through, the tears came hot and fresh. Honey loved her charges, and their occasional loss created something in her most fey lack - compassion for others.
   So when the owlbear attacked Underroot, most of her friends or neighbors scattered, leaving each to their own devices as the mad creature smashed its way through the flimsy walls and the marketplace. But then, suddenly, it stopped. After panic subsided, curiosity took over, and the scattered denizens of Underroot came to see what had happened.
   There in the ruins of the market square was the owlbear, its red-yellow eyes trained on a red-faced faun girl. when it tried to move past, she stepped in its way. The people of Underroot watched in wonder as the monster and the girl hooted and growled at each other. Finally, after a long standoff, the owlbear turned and left the way it had come, leaving no harm other than smashed market stalls and a stolen haunch of venison.
   The Scholars of Sun and Stars came to Underroot soon after, though no one had told them. They whisked Honey away into the deeper woods of the Feylands, to begin training her talents. Her compassion and youthful understanding of death served her well in these lessons - most fey have neither, and so the path of a druid is difficult, even for those children of nature. She learned magic, and how to use it correctly. She learned power over plants and animals - and how to give those same things power over others. Her head was filled with wisdom from before the first elf drew breath. it was so much that she cannot rightly recall all of it - but as the saying goes, once planted, a seed will sprout.
   The call south to Eirion fulfilled two goals; the Feylands needed to send an emissary to those faraway lands, and who better than one of the few in their number who could even fathom the muckborn? Second, Honey herself longs to see new and different lands, to set her hooves into foreign grasses and swim faraway rivers, to learn the land all over. So, her companion-creature of the moment in tow, she has taken her training and goods, and answered the Lady of Faith.

Personality

   Honey is first and foremost an explorer. New lands and creatures fascinate her, and she wants to see them all. People interest her somewhat less, but the humans and their ilk are so strange that she can't help but pay attention to them. She's curious and inquisitive, and usually very open about her feelings (for good or ill). Most would judge her to be almost naively kind-hearted. While it's true that she is usually friendly, and adores animals (and finds plants fascinating as well) the fact is she is still an agent of natural balance... and though it pains her, nature can be terrible and brutal as well as beautiful. The power of the entire natural world is at her fingertips, yet she is charged with using it sparingly and as-needed.

Sheet details

Rather than use the (fairly awful) Faun from Deities and Demigods, I'm using a "reskinned" version of the uldra from Frostburn. Here are a few changes there, though...

   - Medium size, rather than small
   - Replaced their cold resistance with the music / sonic resistance of the original Faun race
   - Swapped the Uldra's cold damage ability with the original faun's skill bonuses (Hide, move Silently, perform (wind instruments), and survival)
   - traded the Uldra's cold / damage-based SLA's with those that gnomes get.

Also, I know you thumbs-downed Dragon Magazine stuff... But with that Tibbet in the works, I figured i might as well go for the super-flavorful

"Metal intolerance"

You are allergic to metals
effect: You suffer an additional point of damage when struck by metal weapons. The natural attacks of inevitables, iron golems, and other creatrues composed of metal also deal this additional damage

flaw from Dragon #324 becuase, well... fey druid. If that's not cool, no problem I'll take it and the feat i got from it off :-)

Haven't decided on an animal companion, and haven't bought anything yet.

also, again, if we have too many priest-types, I'm cool with changing out for something... But I figure a 3.5 druid can handle tankiness nicely

[Bibliophilia]

Smiling, how would you like us to handle gold spending?  Since the game is more story-driven, and the characters, presumably, are mostly settled into some type of dwelling, should we note on their sheet all the small adventuring gear that we buy?  Or, can we just note the important things, and just assume that they have things like lanterns and rations and any other mundane items?

[SmilingFox]

You don't need to worry too much about cheap mundane items like rations and rope. It's fair to assume that as level 6 adventurers, you've collected most of the tools you'd need, and know how to pack properly. The spending money is largely for magical items.

[Bibliophilia]

Perfect.  Thanks!

[Snake]

is ther anything that isn't allowed?

I'm considering a half dragon ranger.

[SmilingFox]

If you're really okay with the +3 LA I suppose I can allow it.

[RubySlippers]

Any room for a middling fighter-sort with a high charisma running around adventuring mostly to find females to have sex with, mostly for shits and giggles. So she can write her erotic memoires later on like this is the time I banged a flight of female sprites it did cost me that expensive gem but who cares I had sex with a dozen sprites! Well things she can have sex with safely banging a werewolf could be difficult she may be a tramp but is not stupid.

I'm thinking a rogue swapping out sneak attack for fighter feat progression and armor that she fills in real sweet.  ;D

I have a name for her, Honey D'Arling.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I voice interest also, my concept would be using crusader (as tome of battle class) and be shield + mace (or warmace) user. So basic classic divine inspired knight from the city and follower of Pelor.

[Snake]

Man I never really understood ToB.

[SmilingFox]

I like ToB purely for the fact that it lets people play a Fighter/Paladin/Monk type character with more depth than just 'I make a full attack' every turn.

[Snake]

That's for the uncreative! *laughs* I prefer "I trip then us the free attack to stomp on the guy's face!"

[Bibliophilia]

Shani Lamit

Class: Oracle
Race: Lesser Aasimar

Sheet

Background

Shani was born into a middle-class human family, their third child and only girl.  From the moment of her conception, her mother knew that the child was different, somehow special.  She was never plagued with morning sickness, or the typical aches and pains that accompanied pregnancy, in fact the nine months passed like a dream.  The child was born at noon on the summer solstice with a birth that passed swiftly and with little to no pain for her mother.  As she took her first breaths, light from the nearby window fell upon her, illuminating her with the golden rays of Pelor.  Her first laugh rang through the room, and everyone present knew the child was blessed by the gods.

Shani was a delightful baby, sleeping well and never showing any signs of fussiness.  As she grew up, she only grew more lovely and more beloved, her sweet nature and curious mind bringing joy to those around her.  Of course, she was far from perfect.  She often fought with her siblings, and her innate sense of justice sometimes got her into trouble with adults.  There were more than a few instances when she was disciplined for talking back to teachers or other adults whose rules she disagreed with.  For all her goodness, she was a stubborn thing, and no amount of punishment could change her mind about what she believed was right.

That stubborn streak didn't fade as she grew older, and began to develop her divine powers.  Though, after she accidently set her parent's barn on fire in a fit of teenage wrath, she took steps to control her temper.  She still refused to back down from a fight when she felt she was fighting on the side of justice, but she learned to control her gifts and only use them in certain situations.

The call for warriors from the Lady of the Faith came at the most opportune time.  Shani's father had only recently died, and her mother was living with her brother and his wife.  Shani no longer had a reason to remain at home, and she could finally allow herself to give in to her natural wanderlust.  The idea of venturing forth to fight against evil in the name of protecting the innocent greatly appealed to her.  She wanted to see what lay beyond the boundaries of the city she'd grown up in.  To meet new people, explore and learn all she could about the world.  Her devotion to Pelor, Dol Arrah and Arawai encouraged her to seek the light of new discovery and protect those who could not defend themselves.  To dispell the shadow of fear that lay across the city of Lahearth, and bring peace to those who lived there.

Appearance

Shani's eyes shine gold like sunlight reflected off of a newly-minted coin.  They mark her as somehow different than the normal human she appears to be otherwise.  In addition to this, her forearms and hands look scorched by fire, the skin blackened as if with soot, and warm to the touch.

Personality

Shani is kind-hearted, but stubborn as a mule.  Her instincts for good guide her actions, and she refuses to back down from a fight, if she believes herself to be on the side of justice.  It's as if, when she was little, someone told her life wasn't fair and she vowed to prove them wrong.  She's still working toward that end.  She has a quick temper, but she has cultivated a certain amount of control over herself, so when confronted by someone unworthy of death, she uses her sharp tongue and clever wit to wage war.  She has no patience with the willfully stupid, or those whose perception of their own intellect is far out of proportion to reality, and takes great pleasure in cutting them down to size.  She has a deep love of learning, and as quick as she is to anger, she is just as quick to laugh.  Her heart is open and worn on her sleeve, which means she sometimes finds herself hurt, but she doesn't let that embitter her towards others.

I've completed her, aside from spending her gold, and I'm working on that now.  Let me know if there's anything you wish me to change!  I fudged the cosmetic aspects of her Curse slightly, because it suited her too well to forgo it, but the thought of someone with burnt up arms in a game like this was...not so appealing.  She still carries the actual curse of -4 to weapon attacks, though.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Sera Howlette

Class: Factotum
Race: Human

Sheet

Background

I’m dreadfully knackered and a bit bladdered, so I’ll keep this short.  Name’s Sera Howlette.  I’m what you’d call a professional adventurer.  No, that’s not a smarmy come on—I’m not a right bastard.  At least, I’m not a right bastard today.

My birth and childhood was a smashing success.  My old man was a barrister, and I knew from early on that I didn't want to be a barrister, too.  But I didn’t know what I wanted to be.  Some days, I fancied being a wizard.  Even read for it at a stodgy academy.  I really threw a spanner in it, though, didn’t I?  Never became a wizard.  Or a cleric.  Or a soldier.  Or anything, really.  But all of that reading taught me a few tricks.

Some chaps might find my work a little tedious, right?  I suppose it is.  I like the monotony of going over ancient runes down in some undead-infested dungeon or while getting torn to shreds by fist-sized mosquitoes in some dank, lonely swamp.  Most adventuring parties unfortunately don’t pay me to decipher old languages.  It’s hard for me to find work with the universities for that sort of work.  The manner of my study has taken the piss, and learned men look down on me for it.

So what, right?  I’ve managed to find work all right.  Carved out a niche for myself, didn’t I?  It’s quite brilliant, really.  I am what folks in the industry call a factotum.  A scholar in the depths!  After unfastening a latch, reviving the healer, and making short work of a nuisance, I put on a kettle.  And that’s what I’m good at, you know.  A little bit of everything.

Appearance

Sera Howlette is a man of average build, height, and weight.  He regularly dresses in scholarly robes, but recently spent a long time in the desert wastes, and has adopted a looser, baggier style of dress.

Personality

Sera is calm, pleasant, and friendly.  He enjoys studying, and is good-natured about it.  His interests are many, and quite a few of those interests  are esoteric.  He likes exchanging ideas, and maintains correspondence with numerous intellectuals in the land.  Sera is sometimes overcome by grief and depression when he recalls instances where his ideas got party members killed.

[kckolbe]

Concept just isn't filling out.  Best of luck everyone.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Sir Viscariot Sunblade
Class: Crusader
Race: Silverbrow Human
Sheet

Background

Viscariot's tale starts in over ten years ago when he was found as young man washed up in river shore near a local Pelor monastery. He had pale white skin, silvery white hair and silvery gray eyes, only one people had such coloration; Mistwalkers. Mistwalkers is mysterious tribe living in Barisea area, in valley constantly shroud in mist which outnerves everyone who attempts enter it. Expect Mistwalkers who walk in the white shroud of the mist entire lives. There are many superstitions about the group being walking dead, ghouls, cannibals and other horrible deeds. But besides living in mist and being reclusive and unfriendly to intruders on their domain they are people who watch on themselves and are strongly defensive about protecting fellow clan members to point of death.

However, once Viscariot recovered he remembered nothing, not even his name. Also he seem had got hit on the head while pounced around in the river (he had marks of serious concussion on the head), so his speech and thinking was quite hampered. In compassion Pelorite monks, mostly retired knights, raised him in the monastery and taught embrace Pelor's ways which Viscariot (his adopted name) embraced eagerly. Showing even that somehow Pelor blesses him as he can perform minor miracles in his name despite not being a priest! Viscariot however never regained his mental faculties (or as one monk had said; he is just naturally dumb). Viscariot may not be brightest tool in the shed but he is man who knows where sharp edge of sword goes; upon evil and dig it deep and hard! He started speak getting visions from Pelor and at first monks thought he was just hallucinating but he started use the visions guide himself in combat....and provided shocking results for his monk trainers who acknowledge that they should not question how Pelor guides his faithful (albeit they would not rely Viscariot's visions to be anyway prophetic, more inspiration sort).

Viscariot left the monastery once he felt he had learned all basics he needed and went to the world, he became a wandering knight errand who is more often than not local laughing stock and a fool. However he earned his badge of valor in foolhardy charging some raiders who were attempting attack village! Occupying the single bridge which was narrow only to single man to cross and allowed go over deep strong river. He stood there, defeated every raider in the band and made them fall into river bank where they were washed up in shore and picked up by patrol of knights of Pelor who rewarded him badge of valor for his unhesitating courage and named him Hero of Riverdale. After that Viscariot got bit more respect albeit he is still considered in most bard ballads as the silly foolish knight who charges on a tree thinking it as malicious treant and upon discovering his mistake he mourns and buries said tree with full proper Pelorite sermon.

Appearance

Viscariot is very tall and muscular man standing seven foot tall and with pale skin and silvery gray eyes and silvery gray hair (which he keeps braided) and having similar colored beard in his chin. What most stands out he seems wear a dull silver colored armored scale....only few know it actually grows from his skin. Making him resilient against elements and allowing him be armored all the time. He wears regular clothing atop his scales to disguise he is wearing them (as in monastery was told it would freak people out for no reason).

He carries a silvery metal made shield emblazoned with Pelor's symbol engraved on it and carrying finely made longsword in scabbard in his waist.

Personality

Viscariot can be simply called good hearted fool or simply dumb. But a good man none the less albeit his thinking is weird and he can at times get excited like a child on matters (or be upset easily). He knows he is not bright and he more often than not laughs for his own mistakes (the few times when he realizes when he had been a fool), but he tolerates not at all someone discredit Pelor choosing him as his champion and he shakes the individual until they take words back.

He more often than not get visions from Pelor (or at least think he does) and he takes them seriously even if they may be questioned are they hallucinations done by mad mind or his daydreams.

OOC: Now, a question for GM. Should be classify dragonscale husk (a dragon magic ACF) to be occupying both armor and natural armor bonuses? But not neglect other AC bonuses (like shield, deflect, luck, dodge etc). Or would Dragonscale husk count merely as armor (which cannot be boosted) but can use barkskin spell example boost itself (or other items).

[CarnivalOfTheGoat]

Indisposed due to family issues made unavoidable by holiday, should have character up this weekend, I hope.

[Ixy]

     

Penn Bogues
Class: Rogue/Fighter
Race: Whisper Gnome

Background

Born off the deep roads, the Bogues family was among a tribe that thrived in the recesses of the coastal shelf, warding an easy truce with mining goblins and cobalts and taking great care to balance their destructive counterparts' expansion efforts.  When an intrepid, but clumsy, party of adventurers recklessly wiped through a sacred goblin temple in their insipid search for gold and magic, the aftermath was all-out war with the goblins who, in the adventurer's wake, sought reinforcements from the surface.  The whisper gnome's heroes were busily trying to reassert a truce while their defenders applied complex defenses-- but it was a strange alliance between the goblins and a Duergar enclave that drove the Penn family, and the rest of their tribe, to the edge of extinction. 
Penn and a few others managed to escape the last fall of their warrens, where the gray dwarves and goblins fell in relentless waves but still broke the gnomes' defenses.  Making their way to the surface, the remaining whisper gnomes tried valiantly to group new forces, but failed.  Only a child at the time, Penn watched her fellows as their company disbanded, piece by piece, after finding newer homes deep in the stone.  She had lost her faith in them, though, and broke off on her own to find a new path.
*in progress*

Appearance

Very tall for a gnome, Penn stands 4'1, with a fiercely beautiful body woven of taut muscle and sumptuous curves.  Her eyes are fiercer still-- off-putting to all but the bravest or most forgiving, for she seems to regard everyone above ground with naked contempt in her stone-gray eyes. The faint, faded scars of a short, but violent, life mar her dusky-tan complexion like coldness mars the beauty of her face.

Personality

She seems unnaturally still, unreactive to all but the most obvious social queues and outright requests. Despite her social fetters, Penn is fanatically loyal to her allies-- between her harsh glares and whispered curses, she can be open and accepting in an almost unnervingly tender way...  She listens so well, never responding except, in rare circumstances, that when she does offer a verbal response she reveals hours, or months, of careful consideration.  She is ghost-like and silent to the point that everyone, without exception, has experienced the unnerving sensation of being certain they were alone only to find Penn present, often in the most unexpected or private of moments.

[Chulanowa]

Good thing she's short; she'll never have to say "eyes up here, buddy"

[Zaer Darkwail]

With body and bust like that she may need indeed say it if her eyes are not magnetic eye to look at ;).

[Ixy]

I can tone it down, depending on the tone of the game, if the PC is accepted.  Otherwise, if it's not an issue, I can stay with this image/description.  Either way, I hope this game works out well :)

If this PC is accepted I would like to link backgrounds with another character... I rather imagined her being rescued from certain death by someone, or otherwise owing them a grand debt.  This would help motivate her to adventure rather than simply test herself.

I'm not 100% set on the background yet.  I need a few drinks and a cigarette or twelve to visualize it better and write it out.

[Bibliophilia]

I like the image, and I don't think either of the gentlemen were voicing an objection.  -giggles.-

[Zaer Darkwail]

Indeed, it's lovely pic and it can be easily reused on easily elf or half-elf char ;). So it's not just for gnomes. Anyways I would gladly make connection with your char Ixy with mine, if I get accepted that is.

[Snake]

Yep it' sa great pic *oogles*

[PhantomPistoleer]

She always has the best avatars.  :)

[PhantomPistoleer]

Also, if accepted, I would be more than happy to have a pre-arranged friendship/storyline with other characters.  This character is super social.

[CarnivalOfTheGoat]

Had a few minutes to myself. Decided Mr. Tibbs was not all that interesting so I reverted to another "thing I have always wanted to try" and am cooking up a knight.

Yeah, I know Crusaders are the best tanks. Fun > super-optimized, IMHO.

I have two quick questions:

First, the Knight's Code, as I read it, does not mandate "Lawful" alignment (but the class does, for no apparent reason) can I play a Neutral Good knight who still respects the Code?

Second, did I miss a message repealing the "no homebrew" rule? Because I didn't see if flaws were ok, so I checked some of the submitted characters, and some people seem to be using homebrew flaws for their characters, just at a quick glance.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Good luck running a knight, Carnival.

I really, really love the idea, but I've never gotten it to work out.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Knights are good tanks also, albeit Crusader is bit better thanks maneuvers they get and able soak things better. But you can pick couple maneuvers as a Knight ;). Iron Guard's Glare being most important one though (it's stance from first level).

Anyways I used homebrew flaw, there is Feeble flaw (-2 to all physical stat rolls), I made 'Dumb' flaw which gave -3 to Int and Wis (I wanted keep Cha without penalty on the rolls so made penalty to mental stats to compensate). If GM does not like that much of a mixture then can pick another flaw (weak will could work or take -2 hit on wisdom).

[Ixy]

I've always been critical of the alignment system, personally. I'd hope that the D.M. could work around it with you.

Side note, I'm not a mechanics buff, so if something looks off, please let me know. I try to just pick up a couple cool tricks and focus on interaction.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I can give you tips to make your knight viable :). So far most important in my mind is to get shield specialization + shield ward feats from PHB II. As it raises your shield granted AC by +1 (I have same feat) and shield ward adds shield bonus to touch AC and allows add it to any resist rolls vs bull rush, overrun, trip etc.

Also pick two martial study feats to get iron guard's glare (vanguard strike is best maneuver to learn as it gives untyped +4 bonus to hit target you hit). That's four feats and thus human knight can get them all without flaws. Other races need take at least one flaw to get them (and if take two, then got one feat to spare).

Another method how to control foes is by picking impervious command and have maxed out intimidate (and never outnumbered skill trick from complete scoundrel). It allows scare bunch of foes unable act 1 round and then be 1 round shaken. Add a frightening enchant to armor for intimidate bonus and able demoralize in move action you get solid 'crowd control' ability besides class granted ones.

But Knight overall has some nice abilities to lure foes to hit you so you do not need them as much...more as need improve chances to survive your foes and exploit their focus on you (combat reflex+hold the line is viable choice as well). Also can go for classic knight image in mounted combat + spirited charge + ride by attack, you get some these feats as bonus feats after all.

[CarnivalOfTheGoat]

Good luck running a knight, Carnival.

I really, really love the idea, but I've never gotten it to work out.

I'm not worried about making him a perfectly optimized MMO-style tank, which may make it easier for me to have him work out to my expectations.

It's going to be a game with a lot of social elements so I am trying (or hoping to try) something different:

Knight <-- must be a lawful alignment.
Bard <-- any non-lawful alignment.

= young Valondean mercenary who always wanted to be a troubadour.

[SmilingFox]

I'm fine with you playing a Neutral Good knight, if that's what you wish.

The others done so far look great. I believe, including Carnival's Knight that makes 5? In which case, I'll start the game once her character sheet is in.

[Zaer Darkwail]

So with that your okay with the slightly custom flaw what my char has? As Carnival asked this;

Second, did I miss a message repealing the "no homebrew" rule? Because I didn't see if flaws were ok, so I checked some of the submitted characters, and some people seem to be using homebrew flaws for their characters, just at a quick glance.

As my flaw is same as Feeble, but it gives -3 to two mental stats (so numbers wise same amount of penalty). Custom flaws are up to GM's approval and I intent roleplay my char to be very dumb (but is at least charismatic fool). Plan take bit inspiration from Minsc from Baldur's Gate series to play him.

[SmilingFox]

Ah, right. While I tend to dislike flaws in general, I suppose for a roleplay/story driven game I'm more willing to allow them. As for homebrew ones...

I'm hesitant, mostly because in the case of Zaer's I find it very difficult to roleplay a 'dumb' character without swaying into the territory of an aggravatingly flanderized 'idiot', or worse, something horribly offensive to those with mental disabilities.

If there's any way you can work without that flaw, Zaer, I'd prefer it.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Ok, I go with standard -2 to wisdom as a flaw then. Anyways I had planned play it along lines of Minsc from Baldur's Gate series (if speak dumb levels). Not as Lilarcor (the talking intelligent sword which in life was grand scale moron).

[Chulanowa]

Ok, I go with standard -2 to wisdom as a flaw then. Anyways I had planned play it along lines of Minsc from Baldur's Gate series (if speak dumb levels). Not as Lilarcor (the talking intelligent sword which in life was grand scale moron).

if anyone is going to have a hamster named Boo, it's gonna be my druid, mmmkay?

[Zaer Darkwail]

You keep your hamsters, I will have white mouse with sun mark in it's back and I call it Pelor's mouse knight.

[Snake]

a knight on the business end of a baleful polymorph?

[Bibliophilia]

Shani is officially complete, including gold-spending.  I sunk 900 gp into various items one would expect her to have, without actually listing them on the sheet.

-wriggles with excitement.-  I can't wait to start.

[Chulanowa]

so long as one item is a mithril waffle iron!

[Bibliophilia]

-snickers.-  She's a lesser Aasimar Oracle.  Not a puppy girl ninja!

[PhantomPistoleer]

Shani is officially complete, including gold-spending.  I sunk 900 gp into various items one would expect her to have, without actually listing them on the sheet.

-wriggles with excitement.-  I can't wait to start.

I'm sort of glad that I only ended up with 45 gold pieces left.  I have a tendency to micro-manage gear.  o_o

[SmilingFox]

Right, miscounted, we have 6 characters done/mostly done:

Phantom
Bibliophilia
Chulanowa
Carnival
Zaer
and Ixy.

That's... A bit more than I was expecting, but not more than I can handle at least. Snake, you're more than welcome to come along for the ride, but I'm not sure I'll be able to cram your character in as well. Perhaps you can create one anyways, on the off chance someone drops?

[Snake]

That's what I'll do. Sorry I didn't come up with one sooner. been swamped lately and I can't quite decide what woul dbe good.

[Zaer Darkwail]

a knight on the business end of a baleful polymorph?

Maybe or it's Pelor blessed mouse. Give or take from words of a man who charges trees thinking them being threatening treants. Also get visions during the fight when he start do some minor miracles on fly.

[Snake]

*chuckles* very nice.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Yay!  We can now make concrete background history plans!

[SmilingFox]

Right-o, the OOC thread is now up and running. Post your character sheets there when you're able to.

No rush though, Carnival, you're welcome to join in as soon as your sheet is done.

Link: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=220405.0