The previous
Interest Thread has shown promise and given some good feedback; so begins the Recruiting Thread!
Recruiting is Closed!Aveline - Steampunk Fantasy Pathfinder1.
Please read the entire introduction before signing up. 2.
This is NOT first come/first serve. There is no claiming a spot, class, or concept. Nor is there a point; I have no problem with a group that's 75% rogues or entirely half naked elven maidens with daddy issues or whatever else doubles up.
3.
Characters must be submitted by 10 pm PST Thursday, September 11th. That gives a couple days for potential tweaking and confirmations before the planned start by September 14th.
4.
I expect at least two posts per week. 5. Yes, of course I'm open to questions, comments and feedback! Things are still in flux.
History: Long ago, the world was lush and rich and bounteous; the High Races flourished in vast cities and empires. But in their hubris, they wanted more, always more: clockwork armies marched to expand the borders, but were inevitably left leaderless and mad; new weapons eradicated cities, but blackened and twisted what was left behind; great factories darkened the skies with ash until the sun was blotted out. A man known only as The Alchemist created the worst of the Weapons that ravaged the world, killing machines which used the souls of the slain to power themselves. Even as the empires crumbled, the Lords and Archmages fought over scraps like rabid dogs, until all was lost.
The land was overrun with evil. Dark races such as the drow – elves twisted by chemicals and magic – and worse things still not understood, things which move in the dark like death.
As the ivory towers were brought low, those who survived the Wars found an unlikely savior: the Alchemist turned his necromantic machinations to the salvation of the High Races, designing massive engines to raise entire cities above the clouds of ash, chemicals and disease. Floating cities such as Aveline have successfully preserved humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes and halflings for two centuries. They served less well as redemption: once complete the people turned upon the Alchemist; he became the first soul of many to feed the new machines.
The world: Aveline is a cramped, decaying Renaissance/industrial city floating above the world by necromantic power; below, an omnipresent layer of clouds has left the surface in perpetual dusk. It is given over to mushroom forests, races twisted by magic and corruption and mad automatons bent on the slaughter of anything living. The world has a strong steampunk fantasy element: it features clockworks creatures, airships, and the worst of mad science, but retains a basis in swords and sorcery. Necromancy is also considered a necessary evil: the undead are less common than traffic in souls, which power nearly every form of machinery and many magical devices.
The crew: The adventurers will form a mercenary crew escorting a band of miners and engineers to an automated shaft below the Ash. The initial adventure will open during the brief journey to the work site and end with the return to Aveline. There is definitely potential for a long term campaign as the crew continues to gather souls, explore ruins or any other purpose that brings coin and fame, but I’m planning on a couple very short and simple sessions to begin with.
Smut-o-meter: the adventure will be in the Extreme forum, mostly to cover all possibilities. I'm not planning to have this become an orgy interspersed with monster stabbings, but I expect some fun along the way. I'm open to more feedback on this, though. It is E, after all.
Newbies: I'm after good role players, not rules gurus; that said, I'm not going to coach anyone through a system, either. Players should be familiar with the basics of Pathfinder or D&D 3.5, or willing to do a lot of their own reading (the stuff is happily all online and free).
Rules:We will be using the Pathfinder system. The rules are online and free for use:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/Despite the flavor, I'm not currently planning any major rules modifications, although some things (like Knowledge: Engineering or Alchemy) may take on more uses based on the setting. Most flavor-specific stuff will be based on existing frameworks to maintain balance (a combat automaton might use the stats for an Ogre, for instance, with a couple added perks or weaknesses).
Early Firearms are Commonplace (and therefore are Martial weapons), but there are no Advanced Firearms.
New Gear:
-Gas Mask (10g): Made of leather and brass, with a pair of round glass lenses, this non-magical item includes a charcoal filter that will reduce the threat of most airborne toxins. (Damage Resistance 5 v. gas based attacks; -2 to attack rolls and most skill checks when worn)
-Alchemical Air (10g): This canister is designed to attach to most gas masks in place of a filter and includes two separated liquids; when combined, they release oxygen for about five minutes. (Increases a gas mask's Resistance to Immunity when worn)
-Soul Battery (50g): The glowing green gas within this glass tube is able to contain energy gleaned from the souls of the dead to power various gear and equipment. Size can vary dramatically for larger machinery, but most portable devices use batteries the size of a typical vial or test tube. A full (single) charge typically costs around 100g.
-Soul Catcher (300g): A silver rod inscribed with unpleasant runes and trailing wires, this acts as a magnet to rapidly draw in the energy of a death for collection in a Soul Battery; the soul itself is significantly weakened but not absorbed or destroyed.
Making Characters:1. Character Sheet
Beginning characters will be limited to Core races and Core and Base classes (although I may consider something else with a great concept that requires it). Archetypes will be on a case by case basis. No third party stuff, please.
Characters are level 3; ability scores are point buy (20 points/High Fantasy); 2 traits; start at max hit points for all levels.
Starting kit for characters includes a pack with spare adventuring clothes, toiletries, simple writing gear, two days of rations, bedroll, canteen, tinderbox and a gas mask (see Rules, above) as well as 3,000g for gear.
2. Background and History
Why is your character here? What is their normal occupation? What limited experience do they have?
3. Personality
How do they interact with the world? Keep in mind that the strong silent type is great for Bond flicks, but not so much for PBP's.
4. Please include a short narrative (two or three paragraphs) of your character coming aboard the Melancholy Zephyr, a small airship carrying about a half dozen crew, a dozen engineers, and you mercenaries. Include a brief physical description.
5. A photo or image isn't strictly required, but is highly recommended.
