Plane of Things Unknown [D&D 3.5/Pathfinder]

[sleepingferret]

First off, the dull system/rules explanation.

1.  Core Races and Classes shall be taken from Pathfinder (including any abilities not found in 3.5)
   1a.  Regarding subraces: racial abilities/ability score modifiers are to be taken from 3.5 sources and replace any core racial abilities/modifiers; unless noted otherwise
   1b.  Regarding non-core Classes: May be used on a case by case basis

2.  Character Advancement shall follow the updated table from Pathfinder
   2a.  The Pathfinder Skill Point system will be used.  This includes the bonus +3 synergy bonus to skill checks that a character has at least 1 rank in.  And yes, by using the Pathfinder skill system that means it Perception checks.
   2b.  Feats may be taken from either 3.5 or Pathfinder.  However, unless ruled otherwise if a feat exists in both and it differs in anyway, the 3.5 version takes precedence.
   2c.  Prestige Classes: Like the Core Classes, unless re-written in Pathfinder use 3.5 sources.

3.  Magic Items, Spells, and Mundane Items are to be taken from 3.5 sources.  This is a matter of roleplaying preference primarily when talking about spells and magic items; it's Heward's Handy Haversack (the item being named after its original creator) or Leomund's Secret Chest (again the spell was named by the wizard that created it).  Granted with magic items, you can craft them so it could be Johny's Handy Haversack (because
you made it...but the original item name/creator remains the same).

Ok aside from the actual character creation stuff for this particular game, I think that's it.  Any questions please ask.

And now I present to you:

The Plane of Things Unknown

Created thousands of years ago by a cult of wizards, there lies what started out to be just an oddly large demi-plane.  Not even its creators however, could have predicted that what some sages now refer to as the Plane of Things Unknown, would grow into what it is today.

Today, and for at least the past four centuries the plane has been locked in a war.  And while it may be cliche that it is just another battle between a force of good versus a force of evil; what sages from across the multi-verse have become interested in, is the things and beings of the plane.  Some of which seem to be "native" inhabitants, others however are settlers from other planes or even the evolutionary result of some planar effect on either natives or settlers.

So when asked, what to expect if you travel there...well, expect just about anything.  Even things you never thought possible.

The Invitation

Wherever you might have been or for that matter whoever you might are, you have been chosen.  The last thing you remember is that a man...well he (or it) had a male voice asked you if would accompany him to see his master who was seeking your help to stop an evil wizard.

The person who had approached you had worn an all black hooded robe, and seemed to have an unpentrable darkness about his face.

And well, evidently you agreed because now you stand in the midst of a grassy plain that seems to extend as far as the eye can see in all directions.  The only thing in the midst of this grassy plain seems to be five other people and a huge ivory tower about five hundred yards in front of where you stand.

The Setup/Basic Game Notes

6 players (optimally); at least 4 though
Starting level 8 (25 pt ability buy)
40,000 gp + special bonus after character approval)

Warning: Due to the nature of this game, magic items can/will/may be broken.  Thus includes weapons, armor, people using cloaks of resistance, rings of protection, etc.  Any and basically all magic items could very well be broken if the right situation arose and/or the item is not properly protected.  This will not be done directly maliciously but it can and will happen.  However, on the flip side of that coin players will have relatively easy access to items; not necessarily right when they need/needed them, but they can/shall be able to obtain things.  (Also DM bonus note: expendable items, such as wands...use them!  Don't save charges, they're meant to save you from using your spells.  Thus the term expendable, so use them.)

As for the obligatory sexual content label, possible non-consensual (if the players happen to be captured during a certain segment later on).  However, I don't deal with any severe torture, toilet stuff, etc.

D&D does have vorpal swords (and technically swords of sharpness), so if limbs or heads go flying...it's just another day at the gaming table.

[sleepingferret]

Actually after thinking about it, if people wanted to I may consider allowing them to be recruited for the evil side.  Or even expand the number of players, with two opposing sides.

[Kate]

the plane of things unknown -

what group would it be in ? extreme ? light ?

these things can work as long as the storyteller resolves all combat scenes quickly - ie no round by round thing for fights (otherwise its just too drawn out)

[NicciKotor]

Look into a way of making maps, since that just makes things way way easier on everyone involved. You'll save yourself so much hassle having to explain what is where and in relation to whom with publishing maps onto elliquiy. One of the best ways is to get a program that can do it, and have it export the map onto a .jpeg. That way you can go onto imageshack and publish it there and post it here easy as pie.

Oh, I did not know this! Gametable has a export feature, which means .jpeg maps! I mocked this up in under 5 minutes to show how it works.



Here is the download linky:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/gametableproj/files/Gametable%202.0/Gametable%202.0.RC6/

I may just start using this instead of AutoCAD.

Also count me in for a human fighter girl. Going to be using her as a portrait:

[NicciKotor]

Additional questions:

-Spell Compendium. Yes/No?
-Magic Item Compendium. Yes/No?

The MIC just has SO much fun stuff in it.

[Crovonovin]

1a.  Regarding subraces: racial abilities/ability score modifiers are to be taken from 3.5 sources and replace any core racial abilities/modifiers; unless noted otherwise

Just wanted a bit of clarification on this.  Do you mean to say that the core races will be utilizing the 3.5 standard, ie: humans don't get the +2 to whichever characteristic?

[NicciKotor]

Just wanted a bit of clarification on this.  Do you mean to say that the core races will be utilizing the 3.5 standard, ie: humans don't get the +2 to whichever characteristic?

That is for subraces. So I would think that human, which is a main race, would still get the +2 pathfinder bonus and what not.

[NicciKotor]

Done:



http://plothook.net/RPG/profiler/view.php?id=8843

Having ten feats is always fun. Got myself a special katana that can turn into adamantine, cold steel, alchemical silver, and normal steel. So I am quite prepared for those pesky damage reductions. Naturally I took power attack, furious focus, and improved sunder. With my 1d10+20 damage attack and sundering and adamantine, I can get through a door or wall pretty damn fast.

[sleepingferret]

Additional questions:

-Spell Compendium. Yes/No?
-Magic Item Compendium. Yes/No?

The MIC just has SO much fun stuff in it.

MIC and Spell Compendium = Yes.  I own them both.

Just wanted a bit of clarification on this.  Do you mean to say that the core races will be utilizing the 3.5 standard, ie: humans don't get the +2 to whichever characteristic?

NicciKotor answered this one, but yes ALL Core Races receive their respective Pathfinder modifiers.  Only subraces such as Drow are to be taken from 3.5.

[sleepingferret]

the plane of things unknown -

what group would it be in ? extreme ? light ?

these things can work as long as the storyteller resolves all combat scenes quickly - ie no round by round thing for fights (otherwise its just too drawn out)

Well at the least everything would have to be posted in NC.  While I don't necessarily have any direct plans for such things, I also don't rule it out as the nature of some of the NPCs, it would fit.

As for combat, turning D&D into a non-round by round game becomes difficult.  On the one hand, I can just ask for actions and counter actions; compare lists between sides and toss a few dice...and whoever comes out on top wins.  The exact results of said win, being determined by the factors of both sides' actions/counter actions, their abilities, and the random die rolls.  But this could very well unintentionally kill a group off with just one fight...where there shouldn't of been a reason for them to really loose.

As such, while I'm more interested in how the players interact with each other and the scenario I've created for them; I'll be using standard tabletop round by round combat rules.  I will however ask for multiple round actions, and "narrate" the results.  Even for spell duels (or scenes involving opposing magic users) for casters that may use counterspelling the player will need to tell me if they'd wish to attempt any counterspell actions (for the given rounds I'm taking actions) and under what circumstances he/she would do so.

[NicciKotor]

A point of order as well. I will be sundering a lot, so I should use the sundering rules for 3.5 or pathfinder? Pathfinder is by far more robust with sundering and what it does to items. Also on the same vein of if we are going to use combat maneuver bonus/defense, or the 3.5 model.

[sleepingferret]

Sundering is sundering....it breaks/damages items.  Only a few of the mechanics were changed, like hardness values and hp calculation for items. 

But use the Pathfinder rules for any Combat Maneuvers.

[NicciKotor]

In pathfinder, when a magic item gets halved its hp removed, it gets broken and a bunch of weird stuff happens.

[sleepingferret]

In pathfinder, when a magic item gets halved its hp removed, it gets broken and a bunch of weird stuff happens.

There will already be enough possibilities for magic items to be outright broken, dispelled, etc.  Or for you stumble upon areas where magic functions oddly.  I won't be penalizing anyone for having a half hp magic item..other than the fact that it will need to be repaired.  Or for things like having a damaged Heward's Handy Haversack, one of its pouches might just spill its contents out or stop functioning like it is supposed to....thus leaving you with a larger repair bill, since the bag essentially just tore a bigger hole in itself than it already had.

[NicciKotor]

Fair enough. Just fun to have a adamantine katana that can slice through a mundane sword like it was butter through a admantine katana. Even a +1 longsword could be sliced through with one attack with my attack bonus and damage.

[sleepingferret]

Btw you forgot to add in the +1 deflection bonus to AC from your ring of protection.  I'll double check sheets later, if we get more players.  But just something I noticed when browsing through your magic items.

[Mystic Mika]

definately count me interested, just give me some time to throw a sheet together.   :-)

[NicciKotor]

Btw you forgot to add in the +1 deflection bonus to AC from your ring of protection.  I'll double check sheets later, if we get more players.  But just something I noticed when browsing through your magic items.

Yeah I had it in my dodge and not deflect. Fixed. Did you look over that gametable software? It is quite nice and free as well!

[sleepingferret]

A few other things I decided on:

For armor/shields: Use the Pathfinder Core Book (or the SRD).  I personally always enjoyed the armor style variety (which was more historically accurate) from 2nd Edition; and Pathfinder brings the game back closer to that.

Character Backgrounds: Please include your character's home world (i.e. the Forgotten Realms aka Toril, Dragonlance aka Krynn, etc, etc).  You were all recruited by the "same" guy and in a similar manner.  But feel free to include how and where the black robed figured approached you.  The last thing your character will remember is saying "Yes, I'll help." or some similar phrase.  And the game will open with everyone waking up near each other on the grassy plain.

Your Special Bonus: Once you have a completed concept and it has been approved.  You may talk with me about which you would rather receive; either some ability score bonuses OR depending on your concept and a random roll; you will either receive extra random magical item(s) or a gift in game that suits your character

I'll work on either finding and scanning my old map I drew ages ago... (or I'll remake one).

But for now, all anyone has ever said about this place is that on one side is a grassy plain with an ivory tower and on the other an obsidian spire surrounded by a fortress in dark, uneven rocky terrain.  And roughly in the middle of the plane, on the southern end is a vast forest which surrounds the one and only permanent city.  The city and the forest sits east, southeast of the ivory tower and wouldn't exactly be "centered" between either the tower or the spire.  Actually the forest and city is closer to the ivory tower.

There are other settlements, but anything close to being permanent is a few that are maintained by groups of wizards.  And those change location from time to time...the entire town just moves; the wizards have spells to literally move their city (buildings, people, everything).

[sleepingferret]

Just to keep track of things so far, submitted character concepts:

NicciKotor - Momohime (Human Fighter)
Shihong - Morticia Liddell (Human Witch [Gravewalker])
Mystic Mica - ??
Ershin - ??

[TechScience]

I'll join if there's still room

[sleepingferret]

Sure, right now concepts are just being submitted and I'm just seeing who is interested.

[Mystic Mika]

http://plothook.net/RPG/profiler/view.php?id=8858



And I think that just about covers everything

[sleepingferret]

http://plothook.net/RPG/profiler/view.php?id=8858



And I think that just about covers everything

Forgot to mark your sheet as publicly viewable. :)

[Mystic Mika]

Argh... fixed it. It was a post on the fly. Sorry about that. ::)

[NicciKotor]

Come on now people, we only got 2 characters done, and plenty more slots for people to jump on in on!

[Laughing Hyena]

Room for one more eh?

[Laughing Hyena]

Magarik the Half Elf Sorcerer

http://plothook.net/RPG/profiler/view.php?id=8895

[sleepingferret]

Aye, and if more people show up..I'll just have to toss dice and/or examine concepts to see which will fit best.

[NicciKotor]

We are having a hard time getting people in, which is weird. Oh well, I could always recruit more from my circles.

Speaking of which, I did some changes to Momohime. I got rid of the Mettaline feature and just got adamantine and a electric crystal for the katana. Which means a 1d10+1d6+13 damage output. Saved money by doing that and getting rid of the ring of the 4 winds, and got dexterity boots and a sash of resistance +2.

[ulthakptah]

I see there aren't any rogue type concepts so I'll throw in a Ninja, because ninjas are cool. Also there were a few issues of dragon magazine that had some extra ninja feats. Could I use some of them?

[sleepingferret]

I'd rather you didn't as while it easy enough to cite information from virtually any source these days, some of the material published in Dragon, I feel was experimental and in need of play testing.  So without having to take the time to examine and approve every feat, I'm going to exclude the Dragon magazine as a viable source.

[NicciKotor]

Changing my mind and going druid, with her in mind:

http://img4.gelbooru.com//images/159/520784d3991a2c3b5fb7c71062ea24f177c83aea.jpg?158701

What sort of custom race could I expect from you? Something as simple as just changing the elf template for this would work well enough.

[Laughing Hyena]

Rawr. lol

[sleepingferret]

Changing my mind and going druid, with her in mind:

http://img4.gelbooru.com//images/159/520784d3991a2c3b5fb7c71062ea24f177c83aea.jpg?158701

What sort of custom race could I expect from you? Something as simple as just changing the elf template for this would work well enough.

Custom Race eh?  Hmmm.... making me think and do more work than I'm being paid for.... what I'm not being paid....damn it. *grumbles and stomps off back to his tower*  Damned humans.....

Give me a couple days to think about it and toss some ideas around.

[NicciKotor]

Or we can be lazy about it and go Catfolk from races of the wild. I'll still get level 4 spells for being a level 7 druid, so no biggie.

[Laughing Hyena]

Why not simply repaint one of the core races as that race instead? Not complex that way.

[NicciKotor]

Why not simply repaint one of the core races as that race instead? Not complex that way.

Like half elf. That would be perfect.

[ulthakptah]

Joe Musashi
"Hes a ninja... really"

That is if this game is still on.

[sleepingferret]

Only fat lady singing so far, is some really hideous ogre.

20g to whoever shuts that ugly thing up.

Ogre is flat-footed since it's singing.  Does not appear to wearing armor; she's dressed in heavy furs but they might only absorb the shock of a minor blow from say a club.

[Crovonovin]

Oh good lord!  Well, it is ugly, but that's no reason to kill it.  A slumber hex should do the trick!

[Ranged Touch] 1d20+6= 21
DC 21 Will Resists!

That oughta shut the big lummox up!

[sleepingferret]

The ogress stares at you dumbfounded, shaking her head.  Then as if her singing voice wasn't bad enough....she speaks in a very halting, broken Common.

But you make her words out clearly enough, or as clearly as you want to....because she also finishes her question with a scream of rage; and literally out of nowhere a two-handed sword appears in her hands and she charges straight at you.

"Stupid weezard!  If you no like me singing...you just say so, then me no cut you into little pieces.  Da'rah hates weezards!"

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Da'rah is now a pissed off, ogre that is charging at you with a two-handed sword.

Or well, she appears to be an ogre....no wait, as Da'rah charged, it is as "the wool" was lifted from your eyes.  Da'rah is actually a he, and has an overall muscular build of a minotaur; but appears to have a rather brutish ogrish/orcish head.  As he charges with sword held high, you can tell that his muscular build is definitely more akin to an ogre or small giant than a minotaur; though he stands just under 7 feet tall.

Melee Attack ....... (1d20 result: 1; congrats Da'rah, you get to be the first mishap victim and we're not officially started)

The charging brute trips, stumbling into a nearby table.  The table collapses under the heavy brute's weight and sends him crashing to the floor.

[Crovonovin]

Morticia would balk at the damnable thing as it stumbled about, every bit as oafish as it had looked from the outset.  Still, one couldn't always count on convenient clumsiness to save one's hide more than once a day.  Her scarred face twisted into a properly witch-like sneer, and with her milky right eye she stared at the fallen behemoth with a painfully cruel intensity!

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

[Evil Eye Hex] -4 to Attack Rolls for 10 rounds, DC 21 Will reduces to 1 round

[sleepingferret]

Like half elf. That would be perfect.

You could be one of the "natives", the result of several races from all over the multi-verse ending up here.  So you can keep the low-light vision and perception/stealth bonus of a normal Catfolk, but like a half-elf or human you may select one stat at character creation to add a +2 bonus.  No level adjustment penalty.

I'll also give you a "cheat" sheet for some basic insight your character would have learned growing up here.

[NicciKotor]

I don't feel the drive to make another character at the moment, so I will be ready to go maybe tonight or tomorrow.

[Laughing Hyena]

The wizard looking down at the clumbsy minotaur thinks for a moment and then would quietly stand up chanting quietly and then speaks a few nonsensical words but in truth they were words of power. A slight glow of gold began to hover over the minotaurs eyes as he spoke slowly. "Easy friend, we are in the middle of civilization. Besides is the puny man worth the effort? Buy yourself a drink and some good food." The wizard said in common however if he was successful the wizards mind would telepathically transmit that request to his new... friend.

(Casting Charm Monster. Will DC is 20)

[Crovonovin]

A question, since I can't seem to find the answer on the SRD.  Are all Witch hexes ranged touch attacks?

[sleepingferret]

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

vs Evil Eye Hex (DC 21) - Will Save: 1d20+8 = 18 FAILED
vs Charm Monster (DC 20) - Will Save: NA (Creature is immune to charm)

Dusting itself off, the creature seems slightly dumbfounded as it looks around as it rises to its feet.  "Da'rah no likes weezards.  Me smashes them!"  it loudly proudly proclaims, hefting its sword again.

Actually I don't think Witch hexes (unless specifically noted) are ranged touch.  They have limited range (or may be touch) at which you may use them, and quite a few it seems are single target effects but they provide a save and that's it.  Since any of the ones that produce magical effects (i.e. replicate spells) are classified as supernatural abilities, anti-magic fields or perhaps even complete null/dead magic zones may disrupt said abilities (or prevent them from functioning in the first place); but other wise hexes are their own thing.

[Laughing Hyena]

Wait what? Minotaurs are immune to charm monster spells?? Where does it say that cuz that should have made him roll.

[Crovonovin]

Nobody said it was a normal ogre/minotaur!  The mere fact that it can disguise itself with illusions and summon its weapon from hammerspace seems like a good indicator that this ugly primadonna ain't normal!

And that's what I thought, sleepingferret, but I wanted to make absolutely sure before the game started.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

"Well, that's certainly a start," Morticia mutters, doing her damnedest to slink to the back of the room and behind whatever cover she can find.  Not that it was liable to do much good against something with that sort of strength, but even a bit of wood between her and that brute was good enough for her.

With a flick of the wrist, a word of power, and a scrap of worn leather from her pouch, her body was wreathed by a magical shield.

[Mage Armor]; AC 18

[sleepingferret]

And yes Shihong would be correct... I never said it was an ogre or minotaur.  I used both creatures as comparative descriptors, but suffice to say this creature is a "native" to where you'll be visiting.  Though a small bonus...the "illusion" and weapon trick wasn't the creature's doing.  Said someone has nothing to do with this silly show, but the only magic you'll find about these things is whatever they carry on them.

And ok just a quick character check:

Shihong:  Morticia the Witch
Thorn14: is saying something about a monk
Laughing Hyena: Magarik the Sorcerer
NicciKotor: Momohime the Fighter
ulthakptah: Joe the Ninja


If I left anyone out anyone let me know.

[NicciKotor]

Yeah fuck it, going to go with Momohime. Gonna sunder sunder sunder.

[Thorn14]

I'm still debating making a character. I know i'm flaky  :-(

[Mystic Mika]

I posted one a while ago, was wondering if it was up to par.  ;)

[Laughing Hyena]

Oh right..... I forgot. I mixed my two spellcasters up. lol. But yeah yer right.

[sleepingferret]

I posted one a while ago, was wondering if it was up to par.  ;)

Oops see what I get for reviewing stuff when tired. :P

Shihong:  Morticia the Witch
Laughing Hyena: Magarik the Sorcerer
NicciKotor: Momohime the Fighter
ulthakptah: Joe the Ninja
Mystic Mika - Meileena the Paladin

Thorn14: ??? fenceline

[sleepingferret]

I'll be busy tomorrow (or today..however you want to look at it)...as in Tuesday, 6/28.

So anyone has any last minute touches they need to do or anything.  Or for Thorn14, if you'd like to still join in, character submission deadline is Wednesday.  If you have yours already done, I'll be looking over it between Tuesday (if I have time) and Wednesday.  OOC, Character, and Game threads will be announced (and posted) once all characters have been submitted/reviewed on Wednesday.


As for poor Da'rah...well, he's still wanting to slice and dice someone....but I'll let him do that later. :P

[sleepingferret]

Game Threads up.

I didn't see anything crazily out of place with any of the characters.  So final roster check:

Shihong:  Morticia the Witch
Laughing Hyena: Magarik the Sorcerer
NicciKotor: Momohime the Fighter
ulthakptah: Joe the Ninja
Mystic Mika - Meileena the Paladin


Character/OOC Thread:
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=111846.0

Game Thread:
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=111850.0