The Shards of Kingdoms Past [Interest + Recruiting]

[swordwind]

 Welcome E viewers adn or posters, to my next attempt at running a game here.  After a failure or to I'd like to try my luck again. Lets see if we can't get this one up and running and keep it running this time around. Noticed a few things here and there, upon other games, and I believe we can get this working this time around. Now lets get to why your still reading this.

The Game: Many things lay hidden within the past, hidden beneath the veil of time. Ideas, wars, old alliances, even kindoms. What lays hidden within the lands that is best left unknown? Words stir of conflict and priests dream of blood. Yet all the world is at peace, no hint or warning of military build ups or even magical fluxes of power. Yet omens of doom hover upon the horizon. People all over Kor panic at the news. The Elves remain elusive and the Booshites continue their raids. People try to ignore it but the more it is ignored the stronger the signs become. The high priests and his bodyguard deny these visions as they themselves have had not seen them. People start to pack up and leave, others prepare themselves. The outskirts of the cities and countryside become home to wandering flocks of people and death lingers in the air as hungry people try to get a bit of food. Where is this fear coming from? Why only a select few are touched? What will happen in the coming days?

The Shards of Kingdoms Past is a Pathfinder based game with characters starting at only 1st level. If you don't know what pathfinder is please go to the [Book of Knowledge]
As for the rest of you that do know what Pathfinder is you make create a level one character following these guidelines.

Character Creation:
Level: 1
Points: 20
Races Allowed: Only the Core Races listed upon the SRD site Book of Species
Classes: Any class that is within  the SRD site from Core Classes and Base Classes, Book of Heroes or Book of Heroes 2  anyone picking summoners will have game like penalties which will be explained farther.
Starting gold: Standard for your class. Book of Wealth please scroll down to 8 and take your classes average.
Hit Points: Max every new level follow your classes automatic HP upon level list.
Traits: You may only have 2. These must be on par with your characters background. 
Background: What your character is and why.
Flavor: Something here of their that you want others to know about your character or yourself.

Now as you rush about working upon your characters I would like to state that I will be accepting and reviewing characters till Friday, also how can you make a character without some game background? This will be a large group to start but will grow smaller as time moves on. I know many of the people here will have other things to do but the ones that wish to stick in here and have some fun with other people I'm game for. So you have been forwarned I will kill PCs. It's not a matter of favorites but people hate waiting and waiting kills well over 50% of games. Reguardless of how many people are interested, interest fades quickly without movement. With this out of the way I would like to present my world.

The areas that you will all be working in is within 5 prime areas. These are those areas, just to give you an idea.

Empires of the World

The Empire of Kor, a . human empire that follows the will of the Emperor. The Emperor is a powerful man of great strength, intelligence, and Iron will. He leads the humans within his kingdom in times of war. He lives within the capitol city of Kor within a impressive castle. The people are hard working and the land is thriving with fertile lands and wealth. Yet visions of unknown danger hovers over parts of the population.

The Elven forest known as the Emerald forest. It houses 4 noble blooded elven city states that have ruled for thosands of years, and a large council city at it's heart. They keep to themselves within their forest. Whatever is affecting Kor they know nothing of nor care it seems.  They are to the east of Kor.

The Mountains of Sorrow. Directly north for the elven empire is a massive mountain range that no one goes to. Dwarfs are rumored to have fortresses littering the mountainside but few can prove this. People that go in come out scarred and changed.

The wastelands. Farther east of the Elven forest is a large wasteland of mud filth, and war. Orcs and orc warlords battle over this area to no end just to fight. No material wealth is in this area and the elves of the eastern end of the forest always are on patrol to prevent and invasion.

The Booshites: North of the Empire of Kor is the steppe lands of the Booshe Barbians. Always skirmishing with the Kor military since as far as people can remember, no one knows why. But to face one in battle strikes terror into even a veteran soldier.


Crude Map: ...............................^^^...........................
...........Booshe........................^^...........................................^^^^^^@%@#$%
........................................^^^^............Mountains of Sorrow.......^^^^^^.#$%@#$%
---------------------------------****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.^^^^$#%@#$%@#$%
........................................*.......................................****#$%@#$^@#$^#^Y@$#%^@#
......................................*............................................***@#$@R@DF@#$@#$@@#
......Kor.........................*...Emerald Forest......................**........Wastelands..................
.....................................*..............................................***@#$@#^%#@$%@#$%@#$
.......................................*............................................***#@$%#@$%@#$%@#%^@
.........................................*.........................................****3$%$#^$%^$%^%^@$%

Map Key:
...... Filler
**** Tree line border
^^^^ Mountains
-------Borderline between Kor and Booshe
@!#$!@#%$ filler for a place you don't want to go to

You:
Your character is a nobody trying to make a name for himself to become a somebody, or your just someone that decided to change his lot in life and seek out adventure. The choice as to why you decided to pick up the staff, sword, knife, backpack, it is up to you. I'd like a pairing system here. It's not enforced but I would like for your character and someone else to know one another. How is up to you. All of you will start in a small waylay town built to check merchant goods near the border of Kor and the Emerald forest. More information will be added to the above based on interest. If you have questions do ask.

Starting Location: Bishan [Merchant Exchant Town]

Bishan, a place of budding wealth and grow reputation, is a good, clean, and carefully watched merchant station. Everyone comes and goes through the station at some point for major goods and deals towards the Emerald Forest. Merchants of all trades head out towards the Emerald Forest, wearing the finest fashions and jewels only to come in rags and despair.  Some make their fortunes of course and they control large estates within the Kor Empire.

Merchants generally employ a number of guards for their caravans for Bishan outskirts are littered with bands of thieves and murders, where town itself is a haven of safety.  It is here that you find yourselves, seeking your passions. For Bishan allows access to many parts of Kor and into the Emerald forest. Even Bishan itself is a place to gain employment as a guard, assistant, and even deal with back alley trades.
A number of establishments are littered about the area, but the main attractions are a few choice areas. The barracks, where the soldiers of Kor and merchant guards relax and trade tales, the tavern, where people drink and tell tales as well as make deals, the brothel, where people relax and make deals and trade information back and forth and then the merchant lane, where merchants trade goods and make deals. Everyone goes through the merchant lane as they enter in to the town and guards are posted in pairs or groups about the area, wearing simple leather armor and spears with shields. They are wearing the colors of Red and Yellow for Kor soldiers or the darker colors of merchants.

Local gossip has been about the visions from the capitol and people claiming to have visions. Elves that go into Bishan laugh about the dreams and claim to say that prices will only go up if they continue their silly tales. Merchants fear price increases and the influx of wandering bands of people. This causes the merchants to increase their guards upon their caravans as they take their goods into Elven markets and Kor itself.


What I can give you: I will reply to whoever posts a question or shows interest within a 24-48 hour timespan. I will also make sure that each of you has a good time if you in turn provide me with characters that you are willing to play.

Characters So Far:

Tess Dian- Rogue
Mystery Man - Gunslinger
Muse- Fighter
Charlie-Wizard

[Muse]

*waves* 

What's the special information about summoners? 

[swordwind]

Summoners travel with otherworldly creatures. Or so I see once they are summoned. Thus walking around in a nice little peasant town of ill educated people is going to cause quite a stir. Meaning that burning the witch or drowning a warlock isn't uncommon. So if you decided to pick summoner you would have to careful based on your social circle. Magic is known along with clerical magic but to practice it or show it in the open make people scared and scared people normally kill what is scaring them in a large enough group. That being the case based on your area that you are in will cause people to react hostile to you if not scared if you have your creature or symbols showing that you are a summoner.

[CharlieSariel]

I will state that I'm interested.  I have no idea what manner of character I will play yet, so that will require some thought.

[swordwind]

Thanks for your support. Don't forget you can answer questions.

[swordwind]

*taps thread* Hmmmm. What is this missing.. that is keeping people away. Anyone know?

[zengal]

I'mma go on out and throw my hat in for interest. I really like the idea of the "pairing system" or what have you. It's a nice break from the "random group of rag-tag adventurers" most parties form. [Though this might mean character backgrounds will have to wait until you have more interest.]

As for why there isn't much interest? I don't know much about GMing, but maybe giving a hint of what kind of plot there may be? Obviously not spoilers, but more than a generic mention of merchant goods. [escort quest?]

Also, ability scores: point-buy [if so, how much] or rolled?

[grovercjuk]

Registering interest, any particular class needed?

[swordwind]

I will answer questions based on who posted first.  The plot will be on based on a group of adventures traveling together.  You'll be starting within this merchant town for your own reasons.  The plot will be explained once you've created a character and the game has started.  Don't worry too much about the plot at the moment worry about your character.  The plot will unravel as the game goes on and believe you me it will be interesting.  Your mission right now is to create your character, since you're interested of course. 

If you'll be taking the average wealth based on the table that you see under number eight based on your class.

The Booshites take after the mongols, if you're looking for a reference.  They can craft their own equipment but they prefer to raid for gear as trophies.  And as for your class question  they would possibly have individuals of that particular talent but they would be exceptionally rare.  So if someone was to C you using these talents they would be quite surprised.

[grovercjuk]

Initial outline.

Character Sheet : http://www.dndsheets.net/view.php?id=31558


Tess is around 5 feet 8 inches with flowing blonde hair that she normally has in a ponytail, sea green eyes and a very attractive face that has such an innocent expression. She is dressed in a dark blue tunic and trousers, the tunic doing little to hide her breasts as it is so tight, or the slim figure she has.  Just how her clothing fits she seems to be unaware off, or does she?

      She has a shortsword strapped to her waist and a backpack from which hangs a shortbow otherwise she seems to carry little to distinguish her.


Character Concept:
         Tess freely admits that unlike many of her fellow rouges she missed out on the poverty, the drunken parents, the dead parents and all that they used to explain why they stole. She came from well off parents, had plenty of money and a good education. Basically she just liked to steal and if a man was dumb enough to fall for her looks and mistook her hands on his body for lust rather than searching out his valuables then that was his tough luck.

      Although she had this thing, this thing that she hated in herself, she just could not bring herself to steal from the poor. Of course she would rather die than admit she had a good side, instead she justified it on the grounds that what was the point in stealing a poor mans purse full of copper when a rich mans was full of gold. Still it was troubling but she was sure she would grow out of it.


Short Background:

         Tess is the youngest daughter of Lord Dlan of North Wood Manor a respectable middle ranking noble family. Her brothers have done the family well, the eldest is showing great skill in managing the family estates, the younger is now A knight of The Rose and serving the cause of good well indeed.

         Whilst she is well aware of what is intended for her, a good marriage. And whilst her girlfriends chatter on endlessly about this lord or that and who their family will marry Tess's thoughts are elsewhere. Moving quietly around their houses at night, items vanishing lead to more than one servant being dismissed for suspected theft whilst Tess rides home in her carriage the loot safety stashed in her bags.

         But like all things her life is coming to and end, the heir to the Lordship of Merton has been selected as her prospective husband. Leaving Tess with the choice of marriage to a man who whilst rich has the facial appearance of a pig or leaving quietly in the night and heading for a life on the road.

[swordwind]

I like the character and the idea. I'll review it later on today and toss out a question or to towards you ether here or on PM.

[Muse]

  Say, Charlie.  Would you like for our characters to know each other? 

[Muse]

Anyone signed up for a sorceress or paladin yet? 

Swordwind, what section do you want to put this in? 

[zengal]

Here's the stats I'm looking at for the character [there are still some minor tweaks, but it's the general idea]. I'd like to wait a bit before writing up a personal history if that's okay.

[Muse]

Just a possibility...

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Lini


Chaotic Good Gnome Female
Oracle of the Heavens L 1


Str   10
Dex   11
Con   14
Int   14
Wis   10
Chrs   18

Hit Points   10

Armor Class   (Dextierty +1, Size +1)

Fort:  0 +2   =d20+2
Refl:  0 +1   =d20+1
Will:  2 -2   =d20+0

Base Attack   +0
Melee   +1
Missile   +1
CMB   -1
CMD   09

Sling   
--TAB      +1
--Damage   d4
--Critical   20X2
--Amo      ?

Spear
--TAB      +1
--Damage   d6
--Critical   20X3
--Range      20


Class Abilities
Oracle's Curse: Lame
One of your legs is permanently wounded, reducing your base land speed by 10 feet if your base speed is 30 feet or more. If your base speed is less than 30 feet, your speed is reduced by 5 feet. Your speed is never reduced due to encumbrance. At 5th level, you are immune to the fatigued condition (but not exhaustion). At 10th level, your speed is never reduced by armor. At 15th level, you are immune to the exhausted condition.

Mystery of the Heavens: 
Class Skills: An oracle with the heavens mystery adds Fly, Knowledge (arcana), Perception, and Survival to her list of class skills.

Bonus Spells: color spray (2nd), hypnotic pattern (4th), daylight (6th), rainbow pattern (8th), overland flight (10th), chain lightning (12th), prismatic spray (14th), sunburst (16th), meteor swarm (18th).

Revelations: 
Coat of Many Stars (Su): You conjure a coat of starry radiance that grants you a +4 armor bonus. At 7th level, and every four levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +2. At 13th level, this armor grants you DR 5/slashing. You can use this coat for 1 hour per day per oracle level. The duration does not need to be consecutive; it can instead be spent in 1-hour increments.


Feats: 


Langueges:  Common, Draconic, Elven, Gnome, Sylvan

Skills: 
Craft         -
Diplomacy      1 +3 +4      =d20+8
Fly         0
Heal         0
K. Arcana      1 +3 +2      =d20+6
K. History      -
K. Planes      -
K. Religion      1 +3 +2      =d20+6
Perception      1 +3 +1 +2   =d20+7
Profession      0 +0 +1      =d20+1
Sense Motive      1 +3 +1      =d20+5
Spellcraft      1 +3 +1      =d20+5
Survival      0 +0 +1      =d20+1
Use Magic Device   1 +3 +4 +1   =d20+9

Spells: 
Orisons:
Create Water
Detect Magic
Mending
Spark

L 1   4/Day   DC 15
Cure Light Wounds
Endure Elements
Magic Stone



Traits
Birthmark:  You were born with a strange birthmark that looks very similar to the holy symbol of the god you chose to worship later in life.
--Benefit: This birthmark can serve you as a divine focus for casting spells, and you gain a +2 trait bonus on all saving throws against charm and compulsion effects.

Dangerously Curious: You have always been intrigued by magic, possibly because you were the child of a magician or priest. You often snuck into your parent’s laboratory or shrine to tinker with spell components and magic devices, and often caused quite a bit of damage and headaches for your parent as a result.
--Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus on Use Magic Device checks, and Use Magic Device is always a class skill for you.

[swordwind]

A mountain man and a lame gnome. I don't have a problem with that. Not sure what area I will place it in. I"ll have to get back to you on it. Now if you can go bug your freinds into this game. I'll be giving more information along with some minor ideas to give you more of a feel for the area's of the world.

Also don't forget your with someone. So pair up with whoever you would like.

[Muse]

  Just thought i'd mention that i'd settled on a gnomish fighter before faling asleep. 

[swordwind]

I believe that will work, looking forwards to the character.

[swordwind]

On a sidenote. I was looking around attempting to find a program that ran maps in a forum based game for combat and exploring. Anyone have a website I can travel to and get that?

[grovercjuk]

So what do we have and does anyone fancy partnering up with a female rogue?

[swordwind]

Ok I'll get a nice intro set up for those of you have have shown interest. Just to get your minds working along with myself.

[Muse]

Name:      Majet
Race:      Gnome
Gender:      Female (Bisexual)
Alingment:   Chaotic Good
Class:      Fighter 1
Skin      Pink
Hair:      Lavender
Eyes:      Green
Hieght      3'
Weight      



Strength   13 +1
Dexterity   14 +2
Constitution   16 +3
Intelegence   14 +2
Wisdom       7 -2
Charisma   14 +2

HP      13

Armor Class   20   (Scale Armor +5, Heavy

Wooden Shield +2, Dexterity +2, Size +1)

Fort   2 +3   =d20+5
Refl   0 +2   =d20+2
Will   0 -2   =d20-2   (Fear: d20+0)

Base Attack   +1
--Melee      +3
--Missile   +4
--CMB      +1
--CMD      12 (14 Vs. Disarm)

Alchemists's Fire
--TAB      +5 Touch
--Damage   d6, Repeat Once, Fire
--Range      10
--Amo      2

Crossbow: Light
--TAB      +5
--Damage   d6
--Critical   19X2
--Range      80
--Special:   Can attack at -2 with shield ready,

but cannont relead. 
--Masterwork Bolts: 10

Dagger
--TAB      +3/+4
--Damage   d3+2
--Critical   19X2
--Type      S/P

Flail
--TAB      +3
---Disarm   +5
--Damage   d6+1
--Critical   20X2

Gauntlets:
--TAB      +3
--Damage   d2+1
--Critical   20X2

Feats: 
--Combat Expertise
--Improved Disarm

Langueges:  Common, Giant, Gnomish, Halfing, Sylvan.



Skills (ACP -6): 
Craft: Cook      1 +3 +2 +2   =d20+8
Handle Animal      1 +3 +2 +0   =d20+6
Ride         1 +3 +2 -6   =d20+0
Survival      1 +3 -2 +0   =d20+2
Use Magic Device   1 +3 +2 +1   =d20+7

Gear:
Artisan's Tools: Cook
Backpack
Bedroll and Winter Blanket
Crowbar
Explorer's OutfitX2
Flint and Steel
Shovel
Sun RodX4
Trail Rations X2

Purse: 
Gold   5
Silver   9
Copper   10


History: 
   Krolmnite retired from the adventuring life at a fairly young age to raise his daughter and pursue his scientific studdies.  A scamp of a tomboy when she was little, Majet spent a lot of time running around with the neighboring boys--giving her father time with his expiraments.  As he grew more and more into the absent minded professor stereotype, Majet found herself caring for Krolminte in the form of taking over the kitchen and dragging the older gnome out of the lab to eat, making up a cot for him to sleep in before taking herself to bed. 
   Indipendent but loved, Majet grew up happy and caring, wild and curious.  Aprenticing under various mericnaries and militiamen, she took to wandering when she came of age. 
   Early in her travels, she met a halfling girl being pursued by a small lynch mob.  This went against her sense of fair play, and she stepped in on the persecuted girl's behalf.  They would soon become traveling companions, lovers, and partners, though--as with her father she could apreciate the girl's work, but only peripheraly understand it. 

   Traits: 
Dangerously Curious: You have always been intrigued by magic, possibly because you were the child of a magician or priest. You often snuck into your parent’s laboratory or shrine to tinker with spell components and magic devices, and often caused quite a bit of damage and headaches for your parent as a result.
   Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus on Use Magic Device checks, and Use Magic Device is always a class skill for you. 

Couragous: +2 on Will Saves Vs. Fear. 

[swordwind]

Alright everyone I've gotten word that another player will soon be on their way and that will bring the group up to 4. Which will be more then enough for me to start. So all I would need to know is if grovercjuk will be pairing with zengal.

[swordwind]

Cut Scene to Intro Post

Sitting upon an elevated throne of gold in the middle of one of the most powerful empires in the known world and feeling as if nothing can be done wasn’t a normal feeling for the Emperor of Kor. He wore his ceremonial robes covered in gems and different silks, heavily enchanted by his high priest and head wizard to ward of assassination, thinking about what could be done. He personally hated the robe but he also hated his advisors buzzing around him with worry. His fingers drummed on his throne as the doorway opened up. Raising his head he gazed across the massive throne room into the eyes of his head priest.  A feeling of peace trickled into him, as it always did when Elysis came. Elysis paused and presented himself at the doorway and a servant brought him in.

Elysis wore even heavy robes the the Emperor. Covered in holy symbols of all faiths across the empire and a massive tome in hand he knelt before the emperor for a long time before rising. “All hail the Emperor of Kor, may his reign last long and peaceful!” Elysis yelled. It echoed off the walls before the Emperor spoke. His voice was soft but it carried a hidden weight. “Peace won’t last much longer if I don’t find out about these visions Elysis.” Elysis stiffened and then relaxed. He didn’t like his real name being said but could say nothing to the Emperor about it.

“I understand your grace. Another of my initiates also saw the visions. But they also saw a small town as well within the border. I’ve sent soldiers there to discover the cause of it.” The emperor turned towards Elysis. “How did you know which town it was?” Elysis barley smirked. “The gods work in ways we do not understand. Rest easy your grace the time of visions is near an end. “ The emperor then allowed a sigh of relief escape from him. “Praise the gods and you to understand their guidance. Report your findings within two weeks. I have Booshites to deal with in the North.” The Emperor leaned back within his chair, relaxing a moment after weeks of worry while Elysis bowed and left the room.       

[zengal]

I would be more than happy to pair up with grovercjuk. I'll finish up on the sheet and start on the character history now, then.

EDIT: finished the character sheet in the link